Project Princess :: {pt 2}::

i think my princess projects were wrapped up this weekend. until i find another, i guess. ;)

I had these extra fabrics from the samples i ordered for bedding, so I made some little nightgowns for her early days. I cannot get over how cute they turned out! 

Had to make some matching bows...and a few extra too!

We finally put the finishing touches on the nursery too. the curtains came, along with the parts of the bedding i didn't make...and i finished the ones i was working on.

the boys finger painted over some old signs i had to make new art for baby sis.

I also finished her bow and headband hangers. I can hardly wait to put all these pretties on her sweet little head!

I couldn't decide on fabric for a crib skirt so I chose a white three tier ruffle one I found online instead. having two boys...there is something so clean and feminine about white, to me. so I made some extra crib sheets instead of making a dust ruffle.

everything up to 12 months is washed and hung in her closet, too!

good thing (for their sake) the boys are as big as they are, because if I could I would be playing dress up on them! I can hardly handle all the pink, frill and ruffles.

just 6 short weeks and you will be in our arms, sweet girl! :) we can hardly wait!!!!

{weekend/rewind}

The boys and I spent our friday morning shopping downtown Holland. We had some special gifts to pick out for some special people, and there is just something so fun about shopping on 8th street! :)
The boys scored big too, when we went to tip toes and they had Melissa and Doug toys on sale.

Friday night we hung at home and carved pumpkins. This year, we gave the boys a choice from the templates I found on pinterest, here. In previous years daddy has been forced to get pretty creative, and this year we decided simple was best.

I cleaned the pumpkins on the inside, by myself, because all my guys, including Daddy have a thing about the slimy feeling. Kinda funny, but I guess I'll have to recruit princess to help me in upcoming years. ;)

The finished products. The boys were so proud.

Saturday morning we headed downtown Holland for some trick or treating with Foster & Sawyer. It was the perfect weather, and the perfect amount of stores (and candy) for all our guys.

our little reptiles this year: Bentley the dino, Sawyer the TMNT and Harry the froggy.

We had short naps before the boys headed off to Aunt Britt's and I headed off to celebrate Chels' upcoming wedding, with a bitty shower! :) After 15ish years with these girls, we can still sit and chat for hours, about nothing, laugh until we cry...and share the very same prayer we have prayed together since middle school. I feel so grateful that God had cultivated such a strong and meaningful bond with us all.

The boys hung at home with daddy all night, after he was done working. Their project at the new hotel is very very time consuming, but also unbelievably exciting and rewarding for them. It takes a lot of hours and a lot of energy, but they've gotten to do some "cool" things on this site. Like lower equipment into the basement hole, using other equipment! :) I am so proud of my husband; i can hardly come up with the right words.

Sunday we got up and headed to church, followed by lunch and naps. I just heart sundays, so much! The afternoon was spent playing outside and at Daddy's shop while mommy snuck away from some groceries, alone!! Thanks hunny! I snapped this quick pic of the gorgeous sky on my way out of the drive at the shop, after picking up Bentley.

Bentley and I came home to put away groceries and tackle our school night routine, to prepare for tomorrow. After which he requested "lets snuggle mom, just me and you."

my heart is so full after this weekend! I am so so thankful for all my many blessings, friends and my husband and sons. God is so good!!

auntie kim's little farmers

Friday the boys and I spent the day in Rockford, at my friend Kim's house, and farm. We have been wanting to go all summer, and finally found a date that worked!

The boys were so excited when we got there...even more excited to find a gravel pile that they could play on!

It took Harry about two seconds to fall in love with this sweet barn cat named Casey. He carried her around as much as she would tolerate, which was alot, in my opinion!

we helped Kim with her barn chores, which included feeding all the animals. The boys loved feeding the steers, and watching them eat.

the goats...

the ducks...

after feeding was over we went fishing for a second...bentley didn't want to and harrison just liked casting out and reeling in. no catches for us!

a walk to see the cows...

they we fed the chickens

and collected eggs for the day. Bentley thought this was the greatest thing.

EIGHT whole eggs! proud little farmer!

We spent the afternoon outside, playing and running around chasing the kitties. Poor Casey, getting smothered with love again!

Spending the day at the "farm" didn't help my fever of wanting my own. I seriously dream of having a small hobby farm where the kids and i can do chores, care for animals and learn so many things together. Maybe someday....one can hope, right? ;)

{{32 weeks}}

29 weeks

Bentley finally felt you move for the first time. It's pretty rare that your big brothers sit still long enough to feel you move, but Bentley did this week. He giggled like crazy and asked what you were doing. We imagined you were pretending to swim, because that is what Bentley came up with! :)

I wish I could express in words how loved you are, sweet girl. Your big brothers cannot wait to meet you, hold you, kiss you and help with you. They ask to hold any baby they see, even people we don't know, and they are so gentle and sweet. I cannot wait to see them when they get to meet you for the first time!

30 weeks

We passed our glucose test (yay!) and have set a date and time for your arrival. Seems soooo crazy to think is so near! I'm having a lot of pain in my hips and legs lately. I wish someone could remind my body you don't come out that way...so my hips don't have to spread...but since that's not an option I just make the best of it. :) Living in tennis shoes seems to help...for now. I also am starting to have some swelling in my hands and feet. Nothing serious, but another reason to put my feet up, none the less! :)

31 weeks

Here is a comparison of all three - from L to R - Bentley, Harrison, Princess.

We think we have finally decided on a name...though the middle name we are still unsure of. But, we won't be sharing either for now. :) I am back in a tired spell...can hardly stay awake past 8 pm, and definately don't want to get up in the morning, no matter what time it is. Big brothers both felt you move this week. You gave them both some super big kicks, to which they giggled. Bentley thinks you were giving him "knuckles" and Harrison said "she wants out!" They are looking forward to meeting you just as much as we are!!

32 weeks

growing and growing (we both are)...you are a busy little body all the time now. Just SEVEN short weeks until we get to meet your sweet face...the countdown is on, we can hardly wait! :)

...memory lane...

This past sunday we decided to head north on an impromptu family road trip slash color tour. When brandon and i were dating, daytripping was our "thing." We spent many hours in the car, driving all over...looking at different jobsites, traveling the countryside just for the view...he even took me to the UP one thanksgiving weekend, randomly, which made it my first time there, and my first weekend staying at a hotel/casino. I have so many fond memories of our conversations, laughs, the music we listened too and the times we shared. It is something we both love, and rarely do anymore.

It didn't take me long to get packed up and ready, I was pretty excited to do something that we both love so much with the boys this time!

We ended up all the way in traverse city before turning around to head home...

the further north we got, the better the color was.

Northern Michigan is just so beautiful!! These iPhone pics hardly do the scenery justice...and we are so blessed to live in such a gorgeous state! We toured around many an inland lake...and even the coast of lake michigan and through sleeping bear dunes.

It was so fun to point things out to the boys, showing them different landmarks and towns. and it was even more fun to listen to them point out the things they spotted along the way!

Near Manistee on the way home we stopped at a small beach/park along lake michigan to let the boys get out one last time and stretch their legs. they loved running up and down the beach, and seeing the waves. It was windy and the air was crisp, but it was so refreshing!

baby sis had to have a picture to! :)

We are in such a busy season of life right now, with the ages our kids are at and the fact of being new business owners. Days like these are few and far between for us, but some of the most memorable days we have together. They are the memories i cherish most in my heart...and I pray our boys do too!

fall fun::

having pumpkins in the house has been somewhat torterous for the boys. they just want to play with them, all the time. Since we had a rainy week, we decided to paint them!

the boys did great with making their masterpieces, and had fun too! Here they are with their finished products, post bath tub...

I cut into little sister's because Bentley kept asking about "eating pumpkins". I showed the boys how it was full of seeds, and I took out the insides and seperated and cleaned the seeds.

While harrison napped, bentley and I roasted them.

we have also been snacking like crazy on this recipe that was shared by aunt britt, but originated on pinterest. absolutely amazing if you love to dip your apples in something! :)

We are "nesting" like crazy around here, working on fun fall projects for the house, as well as finishing the playroom for the boys and baby sisters room for her arrival {less than two months away!} 

Post Family Farms 2014

we took advantage of the gorgeous weather saturday and headed out to post family farm with kaindls.

such a great place.. there was so much for the kids to do! bentley was quickly drawn to this rope swing, i was impressed he was able to hang on so long!

they all loved the big slide, too.

standing in a tractor tire! 

the hayride to the pumpkin patch was for sure the highlight, and most of the reason we went.

(missing daddy, who was working)

little farmer harry with his straw and all.

the boys had fun browsing the pumpkin patch for the perfect find! :)

Monday morning Bentley and I went back with his preschool class for a field trip. Surprisingly, he again decided to sit out on the pumpkin train...said he was scared. Not sure what that was all about...

he made up for it in trips down the black slide though!

we enjoyed a super yummy snack, and took a dozen for the road! :)

he also loved feeding the goats. good thing mom brought extra quarters!

after two trips in two days, we finally have a complete pumpkin "family", per the boys. Daddy's pumpkin is on the far left, hand picked by bentley. Mine is next to it...then Bentleys, then Harrisons (which they both picked out themselves) and then one for baby sis, which they both helped pick out on Saturday. They are quite proud of their picks!