Girls' Weekend Getaway

We just got back from an anniversary getaway weekend (it was wonderful!!).  

The list below is why I never worry about my girls when we go away for the weekend.  You see Darian spoils them. Loves on them.  Makes them feel like the most important kids anywhere.  They had all this A to Z fun in the past 48 hours...

Andy's (of course)

Baseball with Henry

Chick-Fil-A

Duct Tape Crafts

Eat at Arby's

Fun with Fondant

Go to Farm Park & Feed the Ducks

Hole in One Mini Golf

I want Sonic

Jump into the Pool

Krispy Kreme

Lick the Bowl

Morgan makes Mickey Mouse waffles

New car - Darian's - yeah!!

Oodles of Toodles (lots of Mickey)

Pineapple Whip

Quite a show (TV)

Read Little Blue Truck

Snuggle with Henry

Towel Crafts

Up to Late watching TV

Video store (Nanny McPhee Returns)

Way too much TV

Xtra sleep - Girls watch Henry

Yuck - change dirty diapers

Zip down the slide!

On the way home I asked the girls their 3 favorite things, to which they responded, "Henry, Henry and um, Henry!" :) 

9 Ways We Celebrated a 9th Birthday

Nine years ago, sweetness itself was born! Here are nine ways we celebrated Sarah on her 9th birthday...(she chose a mini-trip to visit friends vs. a party.)

1. Our birthday tradition of balloons and streamers hanging in her bedroom doorway when she wakes up

2. Donuts to school!

3. New hair for her American Girl Doll! Glad her doll made it safely to the American Girl Doll Hospital and back again into her arms!

4. Shakespeare's Pizza - shared with some great friends! (so worth the 3.5 hour drive!) Glad this is what she wanted for her big day!! How'd I forget a picture of this?!

5. Swimming at hotel pool with life long friends (whom we miss terribly!)

6. An amazing one-of-a-kind, birthday cake, made just for her by the one and only Darian!

7. Staying overnight at a hotel, just for fun! Made duct-tape flip flops!

8. Wrote her a special note in her journal.

9. Standing on her chair at dinner while the waiter wished her a happy birthday and gave her a mug of ice cream!

The sweet reason I got nothing done today...

Baby Henry, almost 3 months old

Perfume of Heaven

Last week, I read these words, "babies are the perfume of heaven" - Ann Voskamp.  And after holding a 5 day old baby yesterday, I have to agree.  We are so excited that baby Henry is here and that we get to share this journey with him, Darian and Beau. And I must say, it's pretty sweet seeing my own girls big enough to hold this bundle of sweetness. DOB: 3-16-11



The girls made this artwork for Henry, last month, while hanging out with Darian and Beau.



Celebrating Darian: Part Two

The girls with their favorite sitter. Beautiful.

Darian helped add some of the gorgeous decorative
touches to her wedding cake.

Mr. and Mrs. Stinson



The Happy Couple



Celebrating Darian

Darian has been an amazing part of our family for the past 9 years!! She is one of the sweetest, most giving, kindest, un-selfish, fun people we know! And for whatever reason, she has decided to LOVE our girls these past 9 years (really, she loves all kids!)  She has graciously watched our kids for several weekends for the past few years. This was an email she sent me last summer: No thanks necessary for last weekend. I should be thanking you for "sharing" the girls with me. We always have such a good time! I'm looking forward to our weekend next month. One day just wasn't long enough!!! Ok, what parent doesn't love to hear that when we leave them for a weekend!?! On top of that she makes them amazing birthday cakes. Darian always makes our girls feel special, important, and loved, no matter how short or long her time is with them.  She comes to their games and activities when she can. To say she is a blessing in our life falls short of how much we love her!!

Well today is her day!!  She is getting married today!! We are super excited for her and Beau. We look forward to watching them create a beautiful life and family together in the years to come.  Someone as beautiful as she is, deserves all the happiness her heart can hold!! We're thankful we get to be a part her life and this very special day!! I'm sure more pictures will follow!