happy holidays. a simple card.

After way too much thought about what to do for our holiday card this year, I decided to put the kids in some "nice" clothes and take them to an old barn I found one day while running by our old house to take some pictures. I'm pretty happy with the results. There is even a little plaid/dark denim theme going on. With all the pressure to have a really great holiday card out there and the fancier/more expensive they get each year, sometimes we need to take a step back and remember the purpose of sending holiday cards which are in my opinion:

 1. to let loved ones know we're thinking of them even when we can't be together for the holidays by sending a little cheer.

 2. document your family at the end of the year and update those you love on how your family fared the year.

Ours were pretty in-expensive as we took the photos ourselves and had them printed through Peartree Greetings. I chose the simplest DYI photo card and added a simple "Merry Christmas" on the back.

I can't believe how much these two have grown since last year.

Happy Holidays!

a slight move

   

This morning when we woke up we spent some time soaking up the beautiful light that enters our house every morning through our eastern facing bedroom windows. We're packing up and moving to a new house. Even though we only rented this house and it was never technically ours, we lived here for 2.5 years and during that time a lot has happened. I'm a little sad to be moving from our quirky house where our family started.

There are many little memories I will always cherish that took place here. I remember flying solo with a 5 month old Mabel to meet Sam in our new home and being picked up from the airport in a limo, and taken to this house. Surprising Sam with a blue balloon in a box when we found out Gus was a baby boy. Decorating our first real Christmas tree as a family. Bringing Gus home from the hospital and getting comfortable as a family of four.  Watching a big sister love on her little brother. Both of my babies learned to walk on these floors. Countless hours of reading and playing. Holidays and celebrations took place here with our family and friends. 

 

  

Happening Lately

 

  

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

 

We planted a "garden" of tomatoes, strawberries, and blueberries along with anuals and some potted herbs. It was a lot of fun to work on something together as a family and it's been refreshing to head outside first thing every morning to water with the kids. The weather has been beautiful so we've been spending lots of time out doors. Both kids could spend all day in their pool if we let them. We found a little side table at goodwill that is the perfect mini table for the kids. I painted it white and now we just have to find suitable chairs. They are happy using the lawn chairs for now and love sitting at the table together coloring. Gus has been reading non-stop lately. He has a little routine that's hard to turn down. He picks a book walks up to you holding it up  then when you sit down he scoots his little tush down on your lap, it's adorable. He's also trying so hard to talk. He has a lot to say and I can't wait to understand exactly what he's saying. Mabel started Ballet classes and is loving it. She is the most adorable ballerina. 

A "Big Girl" Bed for Mabel

I've been hunting for a vintage Jenny Lind twin sized bed, or two if I'm lucky, but haven't had any luck. I've literally been looking for months, ugh. But the other morning while picking out the kids clothes for the day on a whim I said, "lets take off one of the sides of Mabel's crib!" Sam got right to work and in minutes it was done. 

Mabel was really excited, as if we got her a brand new bed. We did a little re-arranging and that was that. She did great at nap time and night time as well, we are so proud. Other than a few bumps in the night followed by the sweetest little cry (poor baby) shes an old pro.

Our Wedding: Part 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's been 6 months since our wedding and I am finally organizing our photos. Our Amazing Photographer did such a wonderful job capturing the feel of the entire day, I love every single photo. Everything was totally DYI and with the help of our awesome friends and family, it went off with out a hitch. It was a lot of work doing everything myself but once it all came together it was completely US, which that's what a wedding should be, right!


Credit, where credit is due;
My dress / My Jewlery / My Hair / My Shoes / Sam's suit / Mabel's dress (custom made by a dress maker from this store / Gus's outfit / Chateu Belle / Our wonderful guitarist Paul Wilcox / Our lovely Minister /