Pierson Nest

Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-17T20:25:00.004-06:00

This year we are participating in

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.

Basically you choose the sex and age of the child,

pack a shoe box full of goodies,

pay a $7 donation to cover shipping costs,

and drop your box off to be shipped to a child somewhere in the world.

{you can read more about the organization here}

I let Avery make all the choices.

Of course she wanted a girl the same age as her!

We then headed off to Target to fill our box.

What did we get?

Here's a peek... For about $25 we were able to get:

a pair of PJ's, two pairs of socks, a coloring book & markers, a slinky (pink of course!), a pink ball, some sparkly hair clips, a princess necklace, a small toothpaste and toothbrush...and if you know Avery at all, the box would not be complete without a My Little Pony! We also threw in travel kleenex, a pack of gum and some dum dums. :)

Here is Avery with the packed up box, ready for drop-off!

I paid my donation on-line so that we will be able to track our box and see where it ends up.
Can't wait to hear where it goes and learn more about the little girl that gets it.
This was such a fun and neat way to kick-off the holiday season!

Greyson's 1st Birthday Party

2011-07-28T20:43:00.012-05:00

BIRTHDAY BOY!

we celebrated Grey's first birthday with a small family party

it was a perfect day!

Happy 1st Birthday Greyson!!!

{photos of the party decor coming tomorrow!}

Greyson is ONE!

2011-07-22T10:02:00.001-05:00

Where did the time go?
How can my baby already be one?

Go here for a sneak peek at the pictures from his party from the fabulous Nell of Cowtown Camera Girl!
Thank you Nell for doing another wonderful job!

BIG NEWS...Avery is a BIG GIRL!

2011-05-12T12:16:00.000-05:00

So this is our big news...

Avery {finally} slept in her big girl bed last night!!!!Up until now she has been sleeping in her crib

with NO interest in moving out!
Then last night while we were getting ready for bed,
she said out of the blue
"mommy, I'm going to sleep in my big bed tonight"

She went right to sleep and slept until 8:30 this morning!!!!

Hooray!!

Now lets hope she does the same tonight :)

Mommy is MIA...

2011-05-12T12:06:00.000-05:00

MIA from blog-land that is!

Life has just taken over and having TWO mobile kids is keeping me super busy!

No time to sit down in front of the computer.

I am going to be getting on and doing some back-posts and trying to get caught up!

I will also be trying to stay more on top of things!

When I get the "old" posts up I will create a new post with links

for those of you that want to get caught up on our lives!

Bye for now!

But check back tomorrow...I'm hoping to have exciting news!

{at least exciting to us!}

Happy Mommy's Day

2011-05-11T17:15:00.000-05:00

MeMe, Mommy,

Avery & Greyson

Let's Do 52 - week 9

2011-03-06T23:40:00.002-06:00

week 9: play
The theme this week was play.
I love this picture that I was able to capture of Avery playing with her two friends {Jade & Walker}. They were all huddled up on her big girl bed...I wish you could see ALL the toys they had up there with them. They were having the best time!!!

Let's Do 52 - week 8

2011-02-25T22:04:00.003-06:00

week 8: strength (& green)
Greyson is trying so hard to crawl...
He alternates between getting up on his knees with the rocking back and forth and this great plank position (I guess he's trying to build up his ab strength...ha ha). It took me a few shots to get one where you could see how much off the ground he was...it's pretty impressive and a perfect show of strength for this weeks theme. Plus he had the green shirt on to cover the alternate theme too!

Tiny Dancers

2011-02-22T22:16:00.001-06:00

Avery & her cousin Ellie started dance class today!

Tap & Ballet ComboThey were both SO excited to take class together!!!

Here they are lined up at the bar with all the other little girls in their class...so cute!!!

And leaving class...with their matching braids.

Looking forward to next week.

They both had a GREAT time!

Let's Hear it for the Boy...

2011-02-19T16:26:00.003-06:00

Need some boy inspiration...

Dana from MADE &

Rae from Made by Rae

are hosting Boy Month and posting all kinds of fun tutorials

and giveaways just for the boys!!!

Go check it out

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

let's do 52 - week 7

2011-02-14T22:12:00.003-06:00

week 7: handmadeShowing off Avery's cute Valentines Day skirt...

handmade by ME!

let's do 52 - week 6

2011-02-14T22:08:00.003-06:00

week 6: hearts Got a little behind with this crazy weather...

you would think being cooped up in the house I would have plenty of time to get things done, but it seems like I got nothing done!

Anyways, snapped this picture today really quickly to try to get caught up.

What can I say...

Happy Valentines Day!!!

4 days of ice & snow!!

2011-02-06T15:09:00.002-06:00

We had FOUR days of ice and snow this past week...

yes, we still live in TX!

{it was 70 here the week before!}

When we get this much snow, TX shuts down.

Avery had a great time playing in the snow and watching entirely too much TV!!!

Mommy was going a little crazy after not leaving the house for 4 days :)

let's do 52 - week 5

2011-02-01T14:59:00.000-06:00

week 5: shadowsWe had a gorgeous sunny weekend that was perfect for taking pictures with shadows. This is Avery on the tricycle she got for her birthday. She hasn't really figured out the whole pedaling thing yet, but she loves to try!

let's do 52 - week 4

2011-01-27T08:23:00.000-06:00

week 4: tiny Avery & Daddy having a blast in the bounce house after Avery's birthday party!!!

I love how tiny Avery looks climbing up to the slide next to Daddy.

wordless wednesday

2011-01-26T17:34:00.002-06:00

Pierson Winter Vacation Jan 14-16

2011-01-23T13:02:00.030-06:00

{JANUARY 14th}

On our way to Maryland & Wisp Ski Resort

with the whole Pierson Clan

to visit Kevin

{JANUARY 15th}
Avery's Birthday

Avery & Noah

Avery is THREE!!!

Uncle Chris...ready to hit the slopes!

Gramma, Aunt JoJo, Papa, Kevin,

Uncle Chris, Daddy & Aunt Jaime

at Wisp Resort for some skiing & snowboarding

The snowboarders

Uncle Chris, Daddy & Aunt Jaime

...and back at the house

Noah, Avery & Ellie enjoying

a birthday pancake breakfast

Happy Birthday Avery!!!!

Then outside for some fun in the SNOW!

Ellie & Avery making snow angels

Noah

LOTS of fun sledding...

Noah & Aunt Kayti

Avery going all by herself!

Avery & Mommy

Avery & Ellie

Ellie

Noah & Avery eating snow :)

Aunt Jenny & Noah

Avery

Back in side where it was toasty warm!!!

Gramma & Greyson

Noah, Papa & Avery

Uncle Kevin & the girls

We celebrated Avery's 3rd Birthday & Jenny's 30th!!

{JANUARY 16th}

Greyson

Silly Ellie

Avery & Daddy...

one more chance to play in the snow

heading home

What a fun trip!!!!!

Thanks Gramma & Papa!

New foods...

2011-01-23T12:36:00.005-06:00

So now that Avery is three,

she is all of a sudden really open to trying new foods!

In the last few days, she has eaten....

This is HUGE for us!!!

Let's Do 52 - week 3

2011-01-21T08:21:00.001-06:00

week 3: abandoned Greyson was playing with his truck and I guess just got worn out. I thought this fit perfectly with this weeks theme "abandoned". All my pictures so far have been of Baby G. I really tried to get one of Avery this week, but she is always go, go, go!!! No time to stop and have her picture taken! ;)

I couldn't resist snapping this one too...

poor little guy!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-19T21:04:00.001-06:00

six months

2011-01-18T21:51:00.002-06:00

Happy Half-Birthday Baby Greyson!!!

Look how much you've grown...

Six months old...
I can't believe you have already been in our lives for

HALF a YEAR!!!
The time is going by way too fast.

This month you...

love taking your bath,

and snuggling in your towel afterwards

discovered we have a dog

and what life is like with a big sister

You also...

went on your first plane ride

had your first Christmas

experienced your first snow

and

visited TWO states

with a trip to California & W. Virginia

three!!!!

2011-01-15T08:00:00.003-06:00

Avery is THREE!I can't believe that another year has gone by

and that my BABY girl is THREE!

I thought it would be fun to do an interview with Avery on some of her favorite things, so here goes....

What is your favorite food? candy

What is your favorite color? pink & brown & red

What is your favorite drink? chocolate milk

What is your favorite movie? Thomas ones & Bolt

What is your favorite animal? I like the kitty cat

What is your favorite thing to do? play

What is your favorite toy? my new unicorn pony

What is your favorite thing to sleep with? covers...and pink kitty

What is your favorite book? Dragon's Fat Cat (by Dav Pilkey)

{interviewed by Mommy}

Avery LOVES movies!!!

She is WAY too good at using Daddy's iPad.

She also really likes looking at books & putting together puzzles & coloring (especially color wonder)

Avery never stops moving & she loves to DANCE!

She is full of all kinds of stalling tactics when it is time for bed...

I need a drink of water

I need all my kitties

I need to go potty

I'm hungry

Will you lay with me for just a little bit a while

Avery is 100% potty trained...yay!!!!!!

Avery is still in her crib, with NO interest in going to her big girl bed

She likes to use BIG words like fantastic, huge, amazing & special

She is silly & funny

Avery is a GREAT big sister!

She is always bringing Grey toys, and hugging & kissing him

Sweet Avery, Mommy & Daddy LOVE you...

bunches & bunches!!!

Let's Do 52 - week 2

2011-01-14T08:00:00.002-06:00

Week 2: metal

Greyson was playing with this metal baby spoon (which I think belonged to his Gumpy!). This wasn't the shot I had envisioned in my head, but I think it turned out really cute...I love how the spoon is upside down & that all I caught of his face was his mouth!

It's not too late to join in!

Paint the Moon {Let's Do 52}

First Snow!

2011-01-12T22:15:00.005-06:00

Greyson experienced his first snow on Sunday!

Flashback to March 2008...

Avery's first snow

It's crazy...

I don't think of TX as a place that gets snow,

but we have had snowfall every year since Avery was born!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-01-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

2011 Challenge

2011-01-11T21:48:00.002-06:00

This year I really want to try to improve my photography skills.

Last year I tried a photography class, but the structure of it was not for me...I didn't understand the terminology & by the time I figured out what we were talking about we had moved on to something else. I'm not usually a quitter, but I only went to half the classes before I got completely frustrated with it.

This year I am challenging myself...

That's a themed photo a week for the entire year with challenges along the way.

Week 1: New Beginnings

{edited using Paint the Moon's free Jubilee action for PSE}

Christmas in San Diego

2011-01-11T14:08:00.000-06:00

Even though we were sick the whole trip, and the weather in Cali was cold & gray, we still managed to squeeze in a little fun, a little sun, lots of time with the cousins and some rest...

Christmas Morning

2011-01-11T14:06:00.008-06:00

2010-12-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

{card designed by lil' sprout greetings}

Heading to San Diego....

2010-12-20T17:25:00.000-06:00

This was Greysons first plane ride!! Avery on the other hand is an old pro :)
Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!!

five months

2010-12-17T22:04:00.004-06:00

I am 5 months old!

This last month was a big one for me...

I learned to roll over (back to tummy) on November 27th!

Now I love being on my tummy

I also tried cereal for the first time on December 9th

Not so sure what I think about it though...

I got to ride in the swings at the park

I am trying out cloth diapers

I am growing so big & learning so much!!

Weight: 15lbs 2oz

four months

2010-11-27T11:49:00.012-06:00

I was sick on my actual 4 month birthday,

so here I am a little late...

I found my hands...

...and my feet

I'm doing a little sitting in my Bumbo...

I have also rolled over a few times (back to front), but I did it accidentally and

haven't really figured it out yet.

I do like to "crawl" on my back, using my legs to scootch me along...

I can move pretty far using that technique.

Not so crazy about being on my tummy

and I don't like to use my arms to push myself up.

My naps are hit or miss, sometimes I take really good ones & sometimes I hardly sleep at all...just depends on my mood I guess.

But I am sleeping pretty well at night (about 6-8 hours at a time),

to give my Mommy a little break! :)

I LOVE to laugh and my sister can usually make me laugh the hardest!

I smile ALL the time and at anyone who will look my way!

height: 26"

weight 13lbs 15oz

2010-11-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

from our Little Pumpkins!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-11-10T16:44:00.003-06:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-27T22:05:00.000-05:00

Cousin Slumber Party

2010-10-21T15:18:00.006-05:00

Last night we had our first cousin slumber party!

Avery, Ellie & Noah had SO much fun!!!

They watched How to Train Your Dragon

on the living room floor in their sleeping bags.

{Avery & Ellie}

{Noah & Avery}

{all three kiddos}

This morning they had a blast playing in the backyard

with paintbrushes, a water bucket and a hose.

Then came inside to have some yummy pumpkin bread for breakfast.

{Ellie & Avery}

Then off to the park to run off even more energy!

What a fun time...

we can't wait to do it again!!!

three months

2010-10-21T14:57:00.008-05:00

height: 24"

weight: 12 lbs

You are giggling...

it is the cutest sound in the world!!!

You love for people to hold you so that you can "stand" on your legs and if I lay you on your tummy you just want to try to crawl.

You are such a

SMILEY,

HAPPY

baby boy!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-20T14:55:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

Pumpkin Express

2010-10-11T15:48:00.001-05:00

Today we went to a really neat pumpkin patch called Pumpkin Express.

It has a fun train ride that takes you around to the pumpkin patch.

Of course Avery LOVED it!!! {heading in....Avery, Griffin, Ellie & Noah}

{Noah, Ellie, Avery & Griffin}

{Avery riding the train}

{Avery & Ellie}

{Griffin & Avery}

{Greyson & Avery}

Nash Farm Fall Festival

2010-10-09T16:08:00.000-05:00

Spinning Pumpkin

2010-10-07T17:08:00.002-05:00

Arboretum

2010-10-04T16:55:00.009-05:00

We took our annual trip to the Arboretum to see the pumpkins...

{climbing a pumpkin mountain}
{Hudson - "yikes, this pumpkin is SO heavy!"}

{two little pumpkin-heads}

{three little pumpkin-heads}

{my sweet little pumpkin!}

{having fun in the frog fountain!}

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-29T20:35:00.001-05:00

Two Months

2010-09-24T14:05:00.008-05:00

Height: 23.75"

Weight: 11 lbs

You are a growing boy!

You weight 1lb more than your sister did at 2 mos.

You are smiling REAL smiles!!!

You are practicing laughing

{not laughing yet, but I know it is coming soon & I can't wait!}

You are a good sleeper!

You are a sweet, snuggly & mellow baby!

And your umbilical cord FINALLY fell off

{actually the doctor pulled the last little bit off at your 2mo check up}

Coming soon...a REAL bath! :)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-08T22:38:00.002-05:00

AKA Mater

2010-09-06T21:38:00.000-05:00

Sometimes Avery likes us to call her Mater

{you know, like tuhmater without the tuh!}

sometimes she goes by other names...
could be other book or movie characters, family members, pets...
but she especially likes Mater

I told her teachers about this when I dropped her off last Tuesday.

They said it was the sign of a good imagination and they would just go with it.

Here is the conversation from when I picked her up:

Mrs. Lindsay: Well, Avery was Mater part of the day. The other kids kindof looked at her funny when she said her name was Mater, but then they went with it.
Me: OK

Nicholas' Dad: Is that your daughter?

Me: yes

Dad: Nicholas was playing with her when I picked him up. I asked him what his new friends name was. He looked at me and said her name's Mater!
Me: Well, her name is actually Avery...but sometimes she likes to go by other names {SMILE}

Do you think Nicholas' Dad thinks we're nuts!?

Oh, well...I'm sticking with Avery being super imaginative & creative!

Tomorrow is Avery's first long day at school...

wish us (& Mater) luck!!!

rainy day relief

2010-09-02T20:15:00.006-05:00

we had a "cold" front come through last night

{can it be called a cold front when the cooled off temperatures are still in the 90's??}

with it came some cooler temperatures and much needed rain

Avery was SO happy to have the chance to do a little playing outside

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

REAL smiles!

2010-08-31T22:04:00.001-05:00

having your baby smile back at you has got to be the best feeling in the world!

Avery's 1st day of school

2010-08-31T16:05:00.008-05:00

So really it's only a one day a week

Mother's Day Out program, but still...

I can't believe she is starting school!!!

Here she is in the car ready to go Walking up to the school
Heading into the school

and straight to her classroom

She had no problem leaving me!

She walked right in, straight back to the toys and another little girl and started playing without a goodbye or even a second glance at me {sniff sniff}.

I guess she was ready for school!

She had SO much fun and can't wait to go back next week!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-25T09:24:00.003-05:00

simple sweater update

2010-08-25T07:49:00.000-05:00

So yesterday I had about 30 min when BOTH kids were napping.

This project has been on my brain for a while & I finally decided to just knock it out.

I have been loving all the embellished clothing lately at places like J.Crew, Anthropologie & Loft

I have also had this plain old white cardigan for YEARS, but it has been hanging in my closet {unworn} for a couple of years now. I figured all it needed was a little ruffle.

Voila!

Here is what it looked like before...boring!

Want to know how it did it?

Supplies:

old white cardigan

1 2yd package of 3/4" wide twill tape, white

sewing machine & white thread

Step 1: set your sewing machine stitch length to the longest option, sew down the center of the twill tape from beginning to end. Pull the thread to ruffle the twill tape.

Step 2: Reset your stitch length to the normal setting. Decide where you want the ruffle to go on your cardigan (I started at the bottom and took it all the way up to the shoulder seam on one side). Lay your ruffle on to the sweater and sew right up the center of the ruffle, back stitching at the beginning and end.

That's it! So easy and turns an old sweater into a brand new one!!!

My kids are attached...

2010-08-23T14:56:00.006-05:00

...to their umbilical cord that is!

Here is Greyson at 5wks, still firmly attached

and here is Avery at 4 wks, with the cord still holding on tight.

{I think she finally lost hers around 6 wks}
Don't they say it's supposed to fall off in 1-3 weeks???

We are ready for it to go...

hello real bath!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

one month

2010-08-17T22:24:00.007-05:00

weight: 9lbs 10oz

height: 21 1/4"

I can't believe you have already been in this world for

an entire month! It seems like you just arrived yesterday!

Newborn pictures

2010-08-11T15:23:00.003-05:00

We had newborn pictures taken of Baby Greyson 2 weekends ago by the AMAZING Nell at Cowtown Camera Girl {If you need a photographer in the DFW area, this is your girl!}

I absolutely LOVE the pictures she took...as always!

Hop on over to her blog to see a few more.

Isn't this the sweetest shot!?!

Avery's first pair of REEF's...

2010-08-02T17:14:00.005-05:00

aren't these the cutest!?!Avery has worn them every day since we got them.

Thanks MeMe!!!

and speaking of feet...

I love this picture of Greyson & Avery's feet side-by-side

I keep looking and Avery and thinking how big she seems now that we have brought baby Greyson home. She seemed so small until we had a newborn baby to compare her to {and really she is still so little & petite...she just seems BIG!}

I forgot...

2010-07-24T22:23:00.006-05:00

...how sweet baby feet are

...how much they sleep in the beginning...

and how little we don't...

and how I can function on such a small amount of sleep

...how much laundry such a small person can create!

our washing machine has been going every day...

yet we still had to borrow a blanket from Avery

Welcome to the World!!!

2010-07-22T13:05:00.007-05:00

Introducing....

Greyson Bryan Pierson

born Saturday, July 17th

at 11:53pm

7lbs 14oz

19 3/4" long

We are home, and everyone is doing great!!!

burst of extra energy = last minute projects

2010-07-17T16:13:00.007-05:00

{matching initial shirts for sister & brother}

{some applique onesies for baby boy}

{letter crayons using these molds from Amazon}

{packaged together to spell names for

Birthday/Christmas gifts}

{tossed into an applique canvas bag with

a coloring book...ready to go!}

I hope this extra burst of energy means this baby will be here soon!

Remember push-up pops??

2010-07-16T13:49:00.006-05:00

I found some at Target the other day & got them...

they remind me of being a kid...

I think they were a hit!

Dear Avery...

2010-07-15T14:59:00.009-05:00

Today you are 2 1/2!!! I can't believe that after today, you are officially closer to 3 than 2...crazy!

Here are some of my favorite things about you these days:

Sayings -

"Hold you me" when you want to be picked up

"let me do _____ for juuuust a second" or "juuust a minute" {usually when you are trying to stall}

"Look! It's like the same"

"sure!"

"Happy to you" for Happy Birthday

You are super creative and can play by yourself for a looooong time!

I love listening to the things you are saying as you play with your cars or stuffed animals.

You like to make everyone talk, and use different voices for different things.

{Of course everytime I try to catch this on video, you immediately stop}

You have such an imagination.

You also L-O-V-E coloring...crayons, markers, paints, chalk on the driveway, you love it all!

You are super active, and always on the move.

You love to run! I'm amazed sometimes by how far you can go without stopping...you definitely did not get the running gene from mommy!!!

And singing and dancing are high up on your list of fun things to do too.

Along with swimming, where you have no fear. You will jump right in the pool and splash around, and you are getting really good at using your water wings.

Funny Quirks:

You like to crawl inside Daddy's shirt...while he is wearing it! {see here}

You have a very specific bedtime routine that includes reading a book, then running to your room and hiding for Daddy to find you, then getting in bed getting a kiss "through the window", standing to get a kiss and hug and finally getting covered up...as long as ALL of your "friends" are in bed too!

Favorite Foods -
grilled cheese sandwiches
refried beans & chips
bagels with cream cheese
strawberries
grapes
apple juice
popcicles

We LOVE you baby girl!

Happy Half Birthday!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-14T22:49:00.000-05:00

38 weeks...

2010-07-13T22:41:00.001-05:00

no comparison shots this time...

Avery was born at 38 weeks!

Just waiting to see when this one will arrive...

Have your cake...

2010-07-12T14:49:00.000-05:00

...and your frosting too!

Let's face it cakes & cupcakes are really just a means to the frosting anyways, right?

I don't care about making cakes from scratch, a box mix is fine by me.

But frosting is a whole 'nother story.

Have you had really good, homemade frosting?

It can't be beat!

Here are my three favorite basic frosting recipes:

Chocolate Buttercream

5 1/3 C powdered sugar

1/2 C Hershey's cocoa

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

1/2 C milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

Stir together cocoa & powdered sugar in a large bowl.

In another bowl, beat butter & 1C sugar-cocoa mixture;

add remaining sugar-cocoa mixture, milk & vanilla; beat to spreading consistency.

(from the Hershey's Best Loved Recipes cookbook)

Vanilla Bean Buttercream

1 stick unsalted butter (room temp, but not too soft)

1 lb powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp real vanilla extract

3 Tbsp whole milk

pinch of salt

1 scraped vanilla bean

Cream together butter & sugar; add milk, vanilla, salt & vanilla bean scrapings; mix until thick and creamy.

(Thanks to Heather for sharing this delicious recipe!)

Cream Cheese Frosting

8oz cold cream cheese

5 Tbsp butter, softened

2 tsp vanilla

3C powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese, butter & vanilla until combined;

gradually add powdered sugar until you reach a spreading consistency.

(found here at slashfood)

Getting ready for baby

2010-07-11T15:21:00.008-05:00

In preparation for being the ever helpful Big Sister,

Avery has been helping us get ready for baby...

by trying on his clothes

testing the capacity of the infant car seat...

and making sure his bath tub can hold all the essentials...

Wordless Wednesday

2010-07-07T22:01:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-05T17:27:00.011-05:00

Saturday night Avery & I headed to my friends Jennifer & Jason's house for their BIG 4th of July Party. They live out in the country and had everything you could want for a 4th of July shindig!

Smoked BBQ, Fireworks, & Live Music! sparklers...

fireworks...

dancing...

& kittens...

Sunday Mike was home and we headed to our friends Billy & Julia's house for an afternoon of swimming & fun with friends

We left their house in time to catch the fireworks show over Grapevine Lake on our way home. It was a busy, but fun weekend!

Hope everyone else had a great 4th of July!!!!

here comes the rain...

2010-07-02T18:04:00.000-05:00

...more like here is the rain.

It's been raining on and off all week!

At least it has dropped the temperatures and watered our thirsty plants.

How does your garden grow...

2010-06-30T19:45:00.008-05:00

We planted a vegetable garden this year and are finally beginning to get some veggies from it! We didn't really have a place in our yard to put a full out garden, so we just planted them in pots. At first we weren't sure if we were going to get anything...but lately some of the things have really been flourishing (while others have died!){Avery loves to help pick the tomatoes...she even happily tries one every time, but as soon as it bursts in her mouth she gets the most disgusted look on her face and spits it out. Oh, well at least she tries!}
{this cantaloupe is about the size of 1 1/2 softballs!}

{some regular tomatoes...don't know which kind since Avery helpfully removed all the labels!}

{cherry tomatoes too}

{Yum...nothing better than fresh picked veggies from the garden!}

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-30T19:28:00.002-05:00

36 weeks...

2010-06-28T16:58:00.002-05:00

and nope...we STILL haven't decided on a name!

a country chic baby shower

2010-06-28T16:30:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I helped to host a baby shower for my good friend Holly.

Of course I designated myself in charge of decor!

Holly is a country girl, so we decided to go with a country chic theme.

Here are a few shots from the shower. {a banner for baby Blake}

{sunflowers & rosemary}

{each of the hostesses brought a baby book for Blake}

{the gorgeous and yummy cake!}

{food and drinks}

{the hostesses and mama}

{the box of rocks}

{giving mama's belly some love}

{we are due just about a week apart!}

a sweet pink bridal shower

2010-06-28T16:00:00.000-05:00

I also hosted a bridal shower for my sister-in-law Kayti recently.

I wasn't very good about taking pictures at this one,

but did get a few of the sweets buffet I set up.

I LOVE the way it turned out and will definitely be doing this again!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-23T22:48:00.000-05:00

Bye Bye Bailey

2010-06-22T08:10:00.001-05:00

a week ago today,

we lost our sweet, yellow lab Bailey

in a freak accident.

she was only 5 years old

we sure do miss her!

"You think dogs will not be in heaven?

I tell you, they will be there long

before any of us."

-Robert Louis Stevenson

Is your mama a llama?

2010-06-20T11:22:00.004-05:00

Nope!

But I think my Daddy might be

a kangaroo! Happy Father's Day!

Wordless Wednesday -- Storytime

2010-06-16T22:48:00.000-05:00

{notice the book Avery chose to read to Bailey is all about cats!}

34 weeks

2010-06-16T21:36:00.001-05:00

We had a sonogram today to check the baby's position,

everything is looking good!

He is head down ready to go and

an esitmated 5.5lbs!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-06-09T21:42:00.001-05:00

REALLY???

2010-06-02T10:28:00.001-05:00

Is it just me, or do these just seem wrong??

I thought these were a joke when I first saw them,

like those fake commercials they sometimes have on SNL.

But no, they are real...I have been seeing them EVERYWHERE!

Would you put these on your baby?

I most definitely would not...

but to each his own I guess.

summer...

2010-05-30T11:07:00.002-05:00

is just around the corner!Happy Memorial Day Weekend!!

I Did It!!!!!

2010-05-27T21:48:00.005-05:00

Anyone remember THIS??

Yup, that would be the quilt along that I joined...LAST JUNE!

And now, almost a year later...

I have finished Avery's quilt!

{obviously, I did not "quilt along"}

The top squares have been sewn into rows,

the rows have been sewn into a quilt top,

the quilt top, filling and backing have been quilted together,

the binding has been sewn on,

it has been washed so that it is nice and crinkly...

and tonight Avery is sleeping under her brand new quilt!!!

YIPEE!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-26T17:03:00.003-05:00

Is there a tiger in your room?

2010-05-25T22:48:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-19T10:02:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2010-05-12T22:23:00.005-05:00

I asked Avery a few days before Daddy's birthday what we should get him.

She thought for a second and then said "Shoes! Daddy wants shoes!"

So....Daddy got a new pair of his favorite flip-flops, Reefs.

Then I asked her what kind of cake we should make Daddy.

Again, she thought for a second and then said "Green!"

I wondered to myself, how on earth am I going to make a green cake!?

Then it came to me...I'm not!

We went to our favorite local ice cream shop, Milwaukee Joe's

and picked up an Andes Mint ice cream cake!

Green - check!

Yummy - check!

No work for Mommy - double check!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T15:09:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-05T17:59:00.001-05:00

Spring at the Arboretum...

2010-05-04T21:25:00.007-05:00

The theme this spring at the arboretum was

Peter Rabbit's Flower Village...

28 weeks...

2010-05-02T21:11:00.004-05:00

...and it looks like my belly growth may be

slowing down a bit!

That's Avery at 27 weeks &

Baby P at 28 weeks.

Still no name decided...

but we finally have nursery fabrics picked!

Yay!!!

Clark Gardens

2010-04-26T21:04:00.000-05:00

water...

trains...

and flowers...

what more could a girl ask for!?

Janner's Bug Party

2010-04-16T22:08:00.017-05:00

watching bugs grow...
cricket snacks...

bubbles...

bean bag toss...

giant pizzas...

gifts...

cake...

fun...
Happy Birthday Janner!!!

San Diego...

2010-04-16T21:28:00.014-05:00

hanging with cousins...

animals at the zoo...

beach fun...

GOOD TIMES!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T16:19:00.001-05:00

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T21:35:00.000-05:00

{checking out her Easter basket}
{yay...a new Thomas book!}

{decorating Easter eggs at Gramma & Papa's house}

{playing with Ellie, Noah & Uncle Jason}

{hunting for Easter eggs}

Hoppy Easter!

2010-04-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

23 weeks...

2010-03-30T21:45:00.002-05:00