Living for the Weekends

Weekends are so incredibly precious to me.  Monday-Friday are just days I get through in order to have quality weekend time with my fam.  I know that sounds harsh but during the week I leave for work before the kids are up and by the time I get home it’s make dinner, clean up dinner, take baths, get the kids ready for bed, collapse on the couch. There just isn’t much time left for playing. 

January has been a “no spend” month for us, meaning unless its food, gas, bills, or essentials, it isn’t happening this month.  No eating out, no buying new clothes, no spending money on frivolous things. When January started I was kind of bummed but really, it has been great for us.  I’ve spent the past two weekends at home.  No shopping, no going out to dinner, and I feel like we’ve had so much quality time together.  Time to play babies on the floor and snuggle in mommy and daddy’s bed, time to play outside.  It has been wonderful.

Matt went to Arkansas a couple weekends ago with some of his buddies and besides a quick trip to Target for food, we didn’t leave the house once.  And it was great. 

These two provided plenty of entertainment and I finally got my sewing machine out and started working on projects I’ve had planned for months.

Avery loves to paint and color... she usually just makes a huge mess but she loves every minute of it!

 This table toy has been such a big hit with both of them! Asher bangs on it until it plays a song and then Avery dances 

I was trying to clean up in our room so I stuck Asher in the clothes basket, thinking he'd be entertained for a few minutes. 

 I had barely turned around and he was already out... He wasn't impressed with my attempt to contain his curiosity.

 Meet Dr. Avery! She has been practicing giving all her babies medicine

 Of course she couldn't leave Asher out.  Cash looks very concerned.

Such a fun weekend! 

Last weekend the weather was beautiful and Matt decided it was perfect fence reconstruction weather. Our fence blew down the weekend before Christmas and since we love our neighbors so much we haven’t really worried about fixing it. Cash has loved having two families but we decided we better put it back up.  So Matt and Jason got to work and all the girls insisted on “helping”.

Asher crawled around outside for the first time and wasn't so sure about the grass.  He likes to bear crawl, cracks me up! 

Avery loves her “sisters” so much.  She tells me Harper is her best friend and I know she loves following the big girls around.  It makes my heart so happy that she has four “sisters”.  And of course they all love spoiling Asher and he loves the attention. 

Of course Matt had to use his truck during the fence project... such a boy! 

 

 We all grilled together Sunday evening and had a mini bonfire with the old fence posts

And just a random note I want to remember… my main goal for 2013 is to be more organized.  My first attempt at this is menu planning.  I usually plan a weekly menu when I’m writing down my grocery list but we still end up with nights where I forgot to set out the chicken to thaw or I was just lacking inspiration.  SO, I decided to write out a monthly menu. 

I created a menu template and went through my cookbooks, pinterest, etc. and came up with 30 meals.  (okay, we did eat out once this month).  It’s the 23rd and I’m happy to say we’ve stuck to it and it has been so incredibly helpful.  I have it displayed on the refrigerator which helps me remember to pull meat out of the freezer and makes my weekly grocery shopping list a breeze.  It also helps me to plan in advance and buy food when it’s on sale instead of just buying what I need for the week. 

I’m loving this and will definitely keep it up in the coming months! 

Life Lately

Just another catch up post of pictures from New Years that I wanted to store on my blog ;)

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

Thankful to be spending another year with this wonderful man. 

 And for sweet friends who know how to party!

And little friends who always have so much fun together

 And my little firecracker who makes my life so bright

And a champagne toast with my hubby in bed to kick off the new year! 

We spent New Years day playing with fun new presents 

Nine Months {Asher James}

You have changed so much in the past month! You have mastered crawling and can get from one side of the house to the other with amazing speed.  Your daddy and I laugh when we have to play “where’s Asher” because you will crawl away so fast! Good thing we always know where you’re headed…. The bathtub.  Yes, you really, really do love bath time.  I can’t tell you how many times a day I've followed you into the bathroom and watched you pull yourself up on the tub and try to heave your little body in.  It’s quite comical. I try to keep the door closed but your sister insists on opening it. 

We drove to Colorado for Christmas and little guy, I've been more than a little worried about how you’d do strapped in your car seat for 14 hours.  Well, you proved me wrong.  Big time.  You were an angel.   I think you cried for about 2 minutes.  Total.   Christmas was rough because you were sick all week with a nasty cold and mild pinkeye.  Thankfully you still found moments to smile and be your goofy self. 

You are pulling up on everything and starting to cruise around the coffee table.  I have a feeling you will be an early walker.  You pull your little hands away from mine when you’re standing, in hopes you’ll find your balance.  So far, no luck but I know it won’t be long.

You've started clapping and it is so cute! You get the biggest grin on your face and are so proud of yourself. Oh, and your new way of smiling is to open your mouth as wide as possible.  

You usually go to bed around 7:00 and daddy wakes you up around 7:30 am.  You are a great sleeper and happily play in your crib if you wake up early.

You are 30.75 inches tall (98th%) and weigh 20 lbs (50th%).  Still long and lean! You wear 12-18 month clothing but I think I need to find a belt for you because your pants are always falling off!

Nap time still varies.  You usually take one morning nap around 10:00 and an afternoon nap around 2:00.  

You normally drink six 6 ounce bottles and eat 2-3 meals of fruits and veggies.  You’re doing a lot better with baby food but still seem to dislike certain textures.  If it isn’t completely blended to a puree you spit it out.  I’m hoping to start trying some finger foods this month! Hopefully we can get you over your texture issue.

You love to babble and laugh.  I need to get a video of you laughing… it is so funny! You are such a ham and have so much personality! I love this age so much and cherish every minute with you! You are full of energy and curiosity but still love to snuggle and will fall asleep in my arms some nights.  Asher, we love you to the moon and back little man!

Farewell 2012

I keep seeing this cute idea on Pinterest to write down the things you are thankful for throughout the year and keep them in a jar to read and look back on at the end of the year. I love the idea of this but realistically, I'd make it a month or two and then I'd probably forget about it and my little jar wouldn't be very full.  BUT... I am great (borderline obsessed) with taking pictures so I thought I'd put together a collage of my favorite moments and favorite pictures from the last year.  Nothing makes my heart happier or serves as a better reminder of the abundant blessings in my life than pictures.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!

It is such a good reminder of all the fun things we've been through this past year and all the memories we created!

Merry Christmas {2012}

This might be the longest post in the history of blogging.  Seriously.

A few highlights of our wonderful Christmas in Colorado.

1. Asher got pinkeye the day we left... thankfully the Dr. squeezed us in and we were able to start antibiotics. 

2. Asher was AWESOME in the car.  I was shocked.  I had been dreading the drive for months and he surprised us all. 

3. We arrived at 4:30 AM tired but excited to be home.

4. Avery loved being in Colorado and had a blast at Bama and Bampas house

5. We took the kids to the park where Stef and I played when we were little.  Sweet memories :) 

 6. She had him wrapped around her little finger from the moment we arrived

7. Had a blast playing at mommy's park

 8. This little guy was sick the whole week but managed to have fun anyway

9. These two played. A lot.

10. Did I mention he was sick???

11. Avery played with Grandma's fur dress up stuff from when she was a little girl!!

 12. She thinks it's fun to pose like she's a teenager.

13. Finally got this guy to stop crying and almost got a good picture

 14. Failed attempt(s) at a sibling Christmas picture

15. Our little family 

16. Aunt Cindy let Avery eat the entire (almost) shrimp platter Christmas eve :) 

17. Love these lovebirds 

18. Family time!

19. Setting out cookies and milk for Santa didn't quite go as planned....

Avery thought the cookies were for her...

And pitched a royal fit when I told her she couldn't eat them.

She might be scarred for life. 

20. Thankfully she woke up in a good mood Christmas morning... minus her black eye

21. We had a white Christmas! 

22. I'm from one of the most beautiful places on Earth. 

23. Christmas really is more joyful when experienced through the eyes of children

 24. Stef got a new house and a sewing machine! Merry Christmas!

 25. We have some handsome men in our fam :)

26. Asher worked on developing his nurturing side

27. The kids loved the rocking horse my uncle carved for me when I was little 

 28. We got to play in the snow!

29. The guys went goose hunting and didn't come home empty handed! 

30.  I am beyond blessed and have the most wonderful family I could ever hope for!

Merry Christmas!