Fourth of July Backyard Party

Fourth of July Backyard Party

{in pictures}

We had a small family get together on Saturday.

A bunch of All-American food , red white and blue, and 100 degree weather.



 Star banner cut using my Silhouette.

Doily Banner tutorial

Flag Cake: store bought.

Cake Pops Tutorial

Burlap Table Runner

Bows and Flags: Dollar Tree

Bottled Coke and Root Beer: grocery store

Happy Fourth of July friends!



Mother's Day Trend

My second Mother's Day was perfect and simple.

Simply perfect.

We enjoyed a touching morning at church

followed by a trip to the beach to visit my Momma,

Baby W's grandma.

We spent last Mother's Day at the beach too.

And while so much has changed,

everything is still the same.

See what I mean:

THIS year.

LAST year.

THIS year.

LAST year.

{the naked lady in the background thought Baby W was cute}

THIS year.

LAST year.

How did you spend your day?

Happy Momma's Day to my Wife {love Hubby and Baby W}

Dear Wifey,

I'm taking over your blog today as big-mr-dad (get it?)
because afterall, you shouldn't have to post something on mother's day...right?

First,  I want to say Happy Mother's day to the LMM readers and say thank you.  I am continually impressed with mommy bloggers as I have also become quite entertained from reading some of your blogs and nearly all of the comments you leave on LMM.  Ashley pours her heart and soul into raising our son and feels equally passionate about sharing her experiences of mommyhood.  Comments have become a warm topic of conversation and please know that it brightens our day to read that many of us go through the same adventures in parenting.

This writing thing is new for me. 
A little scary that many will read my mother's day letter to you...but here it goes.

There have been 3 life changing events for me. 
The first was meeting and marrying you. The second is having and raising our son together. And the third is what makes me most excited:  the continued journey of whatever lies ahead.   I say that because life changing events from here on out don't just include you and I, but also Baby W and all of our future little rascals.

Even the simplest days where we stay in pj's and play with Wes and watch movies are special to me because there is no where I would rather be.  If I could try to sum up my love for you on Mother's Day it would go something like this:

I know that it may sometimes feel like so many things go unnoticed or unappreciated.  Namely, the cleaning of the house 10 times a day, the changing of several diapers, the feedings, the grocery shopping, teaching Wesley to read, to talk, to play, to be gentle when he tries to bulldoze his buddies for no reason, the endless trips to the park, the adventure walks around the neighborhood because that's Baby W's favorite daily activity, the dinner making, the laundry, the listening to me as I wind down for the day, the waiting way too long before getting a pedicure, taking over almost all responsibilities since I have been down and out from surgery, the cooking, the interrupted sleep nightly from Baby W's condition, the quick showers while Baby W is banging on the door to jump in with you, the hosting of holiday get togethers, the boo boo fixer when baby W falls down and cries, and so many other things that could be added to the list.       

But the truth is, Baby W and I know that you do all of this for us--and we love you for it.
It doesn't go unnoticed or unappreciated. 
All of Wesley's hugs and kisses prove that. 
And, as you know, I can't be away from you, ever.
We want to be around you 24-7 because you make us happy and proud. 
we can feel your love  and we know that you do all of those things (almost all of the time without complaining) because you can't get enough of us too.

And as a thank you, Baby W and I put together this video of your first two years as a Momma.
We hope you like it.
Happy Momma's Day babe.

I know mothers day is about relaxing, but do you mind handing me that glass of water before you sit down?  thanks sweetie.

loce you, 
benja
(benja and loce are correct spellings which I'm sure Ashley will explain in a future post)

BTW: turn up the volume, because you love this Taylor Swift song--it makes you cry.

Our Simple Easter Highlights

Why Hello Easter.

We sure had fun yesterday, didn't we.

Good food, good friends, good family, good times.

Because I have an awesome family,

who always picks up my slack,

Easter was "delivered" to my home this year.

In other words, Easter was potluck style.

From the appetizers, the main course

even down to the the decorations.

I just had to make sure my home was clean.

...somewhat clean, at least.

A few of the day's highlights:

#1. My Auntie Debbie's Woman's Day Magazine inspired Peeps centerpiece.

#2. My Auntie Debbie's Bunny cupcakes.

#3 My Momma's mouthwatering, Pioneer Woman, Jalapeno Poppers.

Holy cow people, these are life altering good!

#4 Elmo Easter eggs--big hit with Baby W

#5 A mini edition to our Woody collection.

#6 Observing a toddler develop coordination.

#7 Lots of relaxation.

#8 Swing time with Auntie.

#9 Remembering our Savior, the reason.

What was your Easter highlight?

Or Passover highlight?

Or Sunday highlight?

I like highlights.

******************************************

I SPY NEWS:

This weeks theme will be

Jewelry and Shoes!

Show us whatcha got!

******************************************

Our Valentines Day {moustache style}

This year I decided I wasn't going to let

Valentines Day get the best of us.

No matter how simple our evening would turn out, 

I was determined that we would do something romantic.

And that something romantic

{making chocolate covered strawberries together},

got a little out of hand.

Apparently the hubs decided

chocolate moustaches were much more romantic.

{still learning how to open his eyes for photos, but his dimples totally make up for it}.

How was your V-Day?

Wild and crazy?

Do tell, I must live vicariously through you...

My birthDAY in Pictures

My birthday

used to be about BIG presents,

and lots of them,

a "special" cake with sparkly candles,

balloons and streamers,

and being the center of attention

for an e.n.t.i.r.e. day.

And while all those things

are totally awesome,

this year's birthday

was a bit different...

and completely perfect.

I woke up at 7am,

went to Church,

taught Sunday school to

40 adorable kiddos,

came home to a sick hubby and baby

{I'm still sick too, btw},

had a quick bite to eat,

and then took an

impromptu trip to the beach.

There was splishing,

there was splashing,

there was even a fully clothed

face plant into a wave

by Baby W.

Baby W had the time of his life,

and, as usual, he enjoyed

being the center of attention

for an e.n.t.i.r.e. day.

And I couldn't imagine

a better way to spend my birthday.