sweet summertime.

Summer is in full swing around here!!! 

A few weeks ago, we got to experience the Des Moines Farmer's Market and it was so much fun!!! 

There were people everywhere but it was a good change of pace from our typical Saturday routine. 

Can't wait to go again. Fresh flowers, fresh and locally grown produce, treats and coffee <3

Peonies are my most favorite flower. They are just so full and luscious and smell amazing. 

Little miss picked me some fresh flowers too and although hers look a little like weeds, very pretty weeds at that (haha) they are very near and dear to my heart! 

She sure knows how to get her sunbathing on at such an early age! 

However, she will grow up knowing the importance of sunscreen and taking care of her skin!!!

Daddy's golf caddy companion. 

Visits from Granny and Grampy (not pictured) are always a treat. 

We sure do love them. 

Looking mighty fine in her traditional Mexican dress from Nani. 

Sidewalk chalk castles for the princess. 

28. Sounds so old! But I had an amazing birthday and had a nice dinner out with these two loves of mine. 

pure cupcake joy!!! 

Megan and Michelle, best cousins ever sent B her first water sprinkler. 

And she loves it! 

sweet sleep!

Our bedtime routine goes a little like this on most nights...

After dinner, it's bath-time for B. 

Then we brush teeth. 

From here it's story-time and then prayers. 

Most nights she asks for some extra snuggles and after the extra snuggles she typically drifts into a sweet sleep. 

Well...this night was different, when I went to go in and check on the little miss, I opened the door to a wide-eyed little girl who had every pair of shoes she owned in bed with her. 

... this girl! 

time for a visit

It's always a good time when family comes to visit! 

Picking up Nani, Uncle Clay and Kailyn from the airport sure was fun. 

The girls ran up to give each other big hugs, then they ran around

the airport holding hands for the remainder of the time. 

Lots of "ooo's" and "awww's" from passersby. 

Waiting to be seated for dinner. 

Blaykleigh is such a ham! 

 Hot summer afternoons spent pool side. 

Nani and her grandgirls. 

a cinderella birthday for my princess

Blaykleigh has become very fond of Cinderella over the past few months, so for her 3rd birthday I felt that a Cinderella party was a must!

This year Nani, Uncle Clay and Kailyn were able to come and help us celebrate the little miss turning 3 and it was lovely having them here! 

It's a necessity to have the perfect party dress! 

Found this gem on eBay.

Look closely and you can see Cinderella in the background.

Bubble table. 

Fairy Godmother star shaped bubble wands and all!

Blaykleigh and Blythe.

Birthday Princess!

Amie, Bennett, Blythe.

Reese. 

Alyson, momma, Sydney.

(nursing school gals)

....

No party is complete without a photo booth!

....

It's crazy to think that you have already been on this earth for an entire 3 years, sweet little girl. I wish there was a way to slow down the clock so that each moment with you felt like a lifetime but the clock just keeps ticking so I have no other option but to embrace the time I get with you. 

Your daddy and I are over the moon in love with every bit of you!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Princess.

Easter 2014

he is not here;

he has risen,

just as he said.

-matthew 28:6

HAPPY EASTER! 

Easter Eve Blaykleigh helped me make our first Easter cake! It turned out delicious. Then we decorated Easter eggs, skipping the dye this year because let's face it ... it's messy! And last year I am pretty sure her sweet little hands were two-toned for a good couple of days. Easter morning she awoke to her basket full of goodies from the Easter bunny with a few additions from her grandparents. There were lots of smiles! Then it was time to look for eggs which was fun for all three of us, it's the first year she  has understood the process of it. Once all the eggs were found we sat down for some cinnamon rolls before getting ready for the Easter service at church! After church we had a nice little family lunch of egg salad sandwiches, PEEPS ambrosia salad and good old fashioned kettle chips. Our afternoon was spent taking a family nap and enjoying the outdoors with our neighbors. OH! And hunting re-hid eggs full of change for her piggy bank. What a wonderful day it was.