FridayFavorites::

favorite drivers:

these two. and this truck.

favorite point of view:

two toddlers had my phone inside the burley,

and took a picture of their brothers in the stroller next door.

favorite splurge:

these stella and dot items from my sisters recent party.

i.am.in.love.

favorite fashion:

my husband's tees.

maybe its because i have been on a mad workout kick,

but i can't seem to get enough of his well loved tshirts this week!

favorite feeling:

clean sheets and made beds.

there just is not much better.

another low key weekend is ahead of us. again, I am totally okay with that.

hope everyone had a great week, and enjoys their weekends!!

Happy Friday! xo

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

We had a wonderfully uneventful and relaxing holiday weekend. Normally, we love to be busy with friends and family, but we have had such a busy month already, we welcomed the reprieve.

 

Friday night we went out for my birthday (without kids) with my parents, grandparents and kaindls. Always fun to get out for some adult conversation!

Our boys spent time with our favorite Casey.

Sweet Harry had a rough day - but Casey made it all better.

Saturday we slept in as long as the boys allowed and then spent the morning doing one of our favorite things: taking a drive. We finished off the day with lunch at Franks, a 3 hour nap, groceries and bedtime. Perfect laid back day with my boys.

Sunday we went to church and then got a few things ready to have some friends over for a cookout. So fun to relax with our friends and their families!!

{cookout complete with an outdoor potty break, courtesty of Bentley and the Turkstra boys.}

Monday morning we got up and went downtown for the Memorial Day Parade. Robert was marching, and we love to go to this parade with the boys. :)

best seat in the house, by his buddy grampa.

So proud of our soldier! We thank you for your selflessness and service to our country and thank God for keeping you safe!

So often we forget to acknowledge our service men and women, for doing the most humble thing that most of the rest of us don't dare to do. Its always a refreshing reminder to thank our military members - current, deceased and the veterans.

We appreciate all your service to our country for our Freedom!

 

 

{twenty~seven}

i celebrated my twenty seventh birthday this week, with the help of my super sweet boys. :)

we had a little lunch date at New Holland, with auntie jenna, baby sawyer, gramma and great gramma.

of course we couldn't skip some dessert at peachwave :)

enjoying his treat with mom.

the boys all slept all afternoon, and baby sawyer woke up with lots of birthday smiles for this birthday auntie! :)

we played outside and then enjoyed a picnic dinner at the boys' table on the deck, per bentley's request.

we finished our wonderful day together with a trip to capt sundae with nana and papa where we enjoyed more ice cream and some love from papa and nana. :)

I feel so blessed by my family and friends on my birthday and everyday. I am one lucky girl!!

fridayfavorites.

favorite excitement:

Kellie winning DWTS!

I am absolutely obsessed with DWTS and with Derek Hough.

Having him win, again, with Ms. Kellie Pickler just made my whole week

{photo taken from msn}

 

favorite hillbilly:

this little dude mowing the lawn in his undies,

while running through the sprinkler.

never a dull moment.

 

favorite activity:

our sunday boat ride to grand haven.

my boys love the boat this year.

i am excited for a fun summer.

 favorite {late} birthday present:

my big guy sleeping in until 11:22am on Wednesday morning.

One tired little guy, I guess! :)

we have a surprisingly uneventful weekend planned - and are really looking forward to it. Hope everyone had a great week, and has a great weekend too! xo

How God feels about storms...

A friend on Facebook shared this article today. I thought it was very fitting and comforting in the midst of the terrible tragedy that took place yesterday in Oklahoma. We are praying for all those affected.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/05/how-god-feels-about-storms/

Also, here are some links to some great sites to help with donations for relief for the victims. 
http://www.mamalaughlin.com/2013/05/moore-oklahoma-was-my-home.html

Harrison's Jungle Party

Our saturday started out with birthday cinny rolls and a candle to celebrate our big one year old!  

then we opened his present from us - which he loved, and played on for quite some time. Now brother doesn't have to share his!

While Harrison had his morning nap, Bentley and I wrapped the present that Bentley picked out for his little brother at the toy store the night before. This was really a challenge for our non-liking-to-share big brother but he handled it really well and couldn't wait to have his brother open it! :)

We had a jungle theme party for Harrison this year. - since he can't really pick for himself, i thought it would be cute, and fun! :)

 

his monkey smash cake, made with love by yours truly.

my happy one year old.

such a spoiled sweet boy! :)

opening presents together.

loved the wrapping paper.

starting to fade...

Our sweet one year old prince. we are so blessed.

these two and their relationship is just precious. I love seeing how my boys both connect with daddy in such wonderful yet different ways.

diggin in. he was a little shy at first.

after a quick wash up it was time to relax with nana and papa over a warm bottle.

&& just like that, the party is over.

thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our sweet bo. we are so blessed by you all, and we are so blessed by sweet Harrison. Hard to believe how fast this past year went, but we are looking forward to what the future holds!

Happy FIRST birthday, Harrison!!

Baby Boy -

That is probably the last time I can address you as that, as today marks your first day of toddler-hood. So bittersweet for this mommy of yours. You are still so much my baby - you love to snuggle, love to be held still and love our times together. At the same time, you are becoming ever so independent and wanting to follow and mimick your brother. I just love watching you two learn, grow and play together.

You remain my hearty little sleeper. As of now, you are still taking two naps a day, and sleeping about 10-12 hours at night. I cannot complain, and neither do you when you are well rested. :)

You have your four front teeth and are working on your eye teeth. They should be through any day. You are not walking on your own yet , but are walking around furniture, and love to climb. I'm not so sure I love the climbing part. You haven't fallen...yet.

You eat eat and eat some more. You are on a table food diet now, and getting milk instead of formula, although we have not cut the bottle completely. This mom of yours is finding she is pretty weak about some "baby" things with you...the bottle being one of them.

You are starting to talk. I don't remember your brother talking this much at this age, but then again he didn't have anyone to copy either. Your first word was tractor (shocking, huh?) You also say truck, da da da da dooooo which we believe means chugga chugga choochoo. You say no, oops and uh oh as well. I love watching you pick up on new words.

I have spent the last few weeks preparing for your big jungle party and working on finalizing your first year scrapbook. I just can't help but smile as I go through pictures and pull out memories of what a bubbly, happy and sweet baby boy you were. We are so excited to start this next chapter in your life and we can't wait to see what God has in store for you and our family.

 

You are precious to us, Harrison Lee. We love you so much!!!

 

FridayFavorites.

favorite fashion:

my new bow back top I got for mother's day from my sweet sister. she always picks out the cutest stuff! :)

favorite smiles:

these two, playing together.

favorite mischief:

this little monkey who climbs on all the things, all the sudden.

favorite gift:

again, leave it to my bestie. she is so thoughtful. i am looking forward to being able to let the kids get "hands on" with the bible!

favorite achievement:

potty training! thats right! we spent this whole week potting training, and I am beyond proud of this little goober for all his hard work, patience, and his very few accidents! We are still struggling with number two, but man do I love only having to change one diaper! :)

ps: suckers at 9 am were a regular occurance this week. potty rewards in full effect.

favorite heart explosion:

{this needs no words}

Happy Friday!!! Hope everyone has a good weekend. We are looking forward to celebrating our big one year old!! :) xo