Family Time at the Grocery Store

**DISCLAIMER: I am not a fun hater. I usually welcome any chance to giggle or add some fun to a situation. However, on this particular day, I was not up for much fun. Thank goodness for my hubby!**

A friend of mine said it best when she posted a picture of her son with a little red shopping cart on Facebook and said they are "the best and the worst thing ever". I COMPLETELY agree. On Saturday, Hubby, myself and alllllll of our kids headed to Fareway to get our groceries for the upcoming week and supplies for Christmas candy making. As I cringed when I saw the little red grocery carts and quickly tried to hustle everyone past them, my amazing, fun, awesome-dad of a husband stopped and pointed them out. And offered one to each kid. It doesn't take ridiculous strength or a super power to be a hero to your kids, and I am pretty sure that morning, Dad was their hero. Rescuing them from a boring Saturday morning at the grocery store.
We started out, Hubs had a list, and I had a list. The first thing the girls asked for, I said yes. They were genuinely surprised, and I was too. I told them that they had a limit to things they could ask for, so choose wisely. I wouldn't always say yes, but they didn't need to ask for everything they saw, either. We continue on our way, getting everything on our list. And Drake throwing things in his cart too...I guess he had a list of his own! We are having fun. The kids only need a few reminders that this is not a go-cart track, but we are doing fairly well. There is one lady in particular who would disagree whole-heartedly. She was not very amused by our family outing. She would look at us and just shake her head. Then there were other people that would giggle and say "what good helpers you have!" There are two kinds of people.
We ended the trip, all pulling into the same check out line, coming in under budget for groceries, and loading into the van. All smiles--Thanks to my hubby and his nonchalant way of going about things, and not caring what other people in the store thought. I am grateful that he saw the potential for happiness that day. I was clearly not even looking for it. 

Road Trip and Circus Fun!!

Napping Lili

A couple weekends ago, the kids and I took off for Nana and Bapa's! You may think I am absolutely crazy for road tripping by myself with 3 children, but actually, it isn't all that bad. Cadence is a huge help in the van. She likes playing "mama" since I am busy driving. She helps Lili reach things, she soothes and entertains Drake, or she sits up front with me and keeps me company. I am always so impressed by the way she acts on a long car ride. Love that girl! I was also impressed with her ability to tell time, subtract time and figure out exactly what time it would be when we would arrive. If I told her, yes, we will stop for a potty break in a few minutes. She took that literally and would say- "So at 2:33, since a few is 2 or 3 minutes, we will stop?"
I noticed a pattern as we drove. The girls and Drake did great. They hung out in the back. Didn't fuss for a snack or drink. Watched the DVD player (must have, in my opinion). Giggled. Lili even napped (see picture)! But, it felt like Speed. There was a magic speed minimum in their heads and if I ever dropped below that, it triggered their enthusiasm..... "Are we there???! Where's Nana's?" Needless to say, they were excited to finally GET THERE! And get out of the car to tackle them with lovies. 

Cadee reading about salamanders

Every year, my sister gets us circus tickets through her work. It's a special thing for her to take the girls and I (and maybe Drakey next year) to the circus each spring. The girls look forward to it almost as much as Sares and I. Aunt Sares really spoils us at the circus. Treats, soda, a toy or two, and the girls each get to pick one thing to do at intermission (ride an elephant, a horse or a camel, jump in a bouncy house, hold a snake or have your face painted). This year, Cadee had her heart set on cotton candy annnnd.... Riding an elephant! We tried to get her to last year, but it was still scary then. She was brave and marched right up there and got on. Nevermind the fact that she held on for dear life the first couple laps! :) After that, she started to loosen up and actually lift her hand to wave at me. She thought it was pretty neat riding such a huge animal!

Liliana thought the clowns were fantastic. Of course she would, they have every color of the rainbow- and that's just on their head! As we walked around getting our treats, she wanted to stop and take a picture with each one. She chose to have her face painted. It was the least scary thing available. 

We had a great night with Aunt Sares! Some of our favorites were: Bo, the elephant. Always amazed at that. The girls that twirl on the ropes and scarf things, and later they twirl by their hair! We love the skit that the clown does where he winds up what appears to be a little stuffed elephant. It walks along and follows him and then falls over. In the end, the clown pulls a little dog out of the elephant costume. We laugh every time! And Lili was uber excited to see the man shoot out of the cannon! Thank you, Sares, for another memorable night. Looking forward to next year and seeing Drake's reaction to the sights, smells and sounds of the circus! 

A Look at Our Weekend

This post is 2 weeks overdue. The girls were flower girls in a wedding 2 weekends ago. Not only is this a special thing as a little girl- to get all fancied up and be the center of attention for 2 minutes of walking down the aisle, and pretty much all night. But I think it was extra special for my girls, because they got to do it together. They did such a great job! We took plenty of pictures and some video to capture the night! The bride and groom were so good with the girls and welcomed any and all of their "feedback". You'll see what I mean in a bit...

The day went so well! And at the reception, Lili requested Baby by Justin Bieber. Not only did the DJ play it, but he also said this was a song from the flower girl, dedicated to the bride (who also has Bieber fever). And to top it all off, he came over in the middle of the song and put the mic to her and she belted it out for all to hear! It had to be in her top 3 moments of her day....week...LIFE! 

It started Friday night with some prep! Memaw (Hubby's mom) took us for some manis and pedis. (I guess the mom of the flower girls gets pampered a bit too!)

  

Saturday, the girls had hair appointments at noon. They did such a great job sitting still while the ladies worked on their thick, luscious locks! 

Then, it was off to the church to get dressed for the big day! These fluffy dresses were so pretty and my girls loved feeling like princesses in them!  

The girls with the Bride

When Lili wasn't in a picture, she was
sitting in the front row, helping
direct everyone else and giving
the photographer ideas. That's
my Lili.

Touching up the lip gloss

My little handsome man in his suit!

We were so fancy!
This was the only picture we got, and daddy
wasn't in it. We planned on taking a picture
all together at the reception, but Drake
had a blow out!

Drake in his suit!

We had a fun weekend. We were all dragging our booties last week. But it was well worth it to see my little girls have their day in the spotlight. (At least in their minds, they did.) Best wishes to the Bride and Groom! Thank you for letting us be part of your special day! 

A Look at Our Weekend

Annnnnd....over a week later, here we are! Oops! :) It's been a busy busy week. 

We had a fun weekend as we made our last trip to my parents' with this baby in my belly. We are officially done traveling for awhile. My sister got us tickets to the circus on Saturday! Sares, Cadee, Lili and I all got to go to the circus and enjoy a sisters' day out! It was so much fun. Here's a look at our weekend...

"Brubber's" last trip in my belly

The sight I woke up to Saturday morning.
Sweet snuggles and giggles.

The girls loved the circus! They really enjoyed the elephant and giggled the most at the POODLES! Of all things! :)

 Lili couldn't stand to watch this man walking on the big circle. That really freaked her out.

We were fascinated by these ladies. They were attached to the rope BY THEIR HAIR! And they did a bunch of fun tricks and twirls.

 Lili chose to ride the pony and as soon as it started moving, she grabbed onto Aunt Sares for dear life and said- "Why did I ever choose to do this?!" Haha but she made it! We tried to convince Cadee to ride the elephant. But she wanted to spend her money on a stuffed animal instead. 

The girls outside the living room window. Being so sweet to each other without even knowing we were watching. Precious.

Sunday, the girls decided we needed to have a bonfire before we left. Lili was all about what "activities" we would be doing. Like a little event coordinator. She made us all stickers with our nicknames on them. So cute.

  This big girl finished her first ever chapter book! All by herself!!! She was so proud. 

A Look at Our Weekend

We didn't get many pictures from the weekend, but we had alot of fun at the water park that is close to our home (since I'm getting waaay to close to "no-travel time"). We celebrated our soon-to-be 5 year old with yummy cake, lots of laughs and plenty of presents and pool time! Lili and Cadee LOVED swimming and trying out all of the water slides! I was thankful that there were plenty of people ready to go down the water slides with them, as this pregnant mama was not allowed. Here are a *few* pictures from our weekend...

Lili wanted a very chocolatey cake with Justin Bieber on it!
I think she was happy. 

Opening presents! 

She read this card sooo intently. My dad did not make it this weekend as he was sick, but his name was on that card, and she found it and shouted- "BAPA!!!" 

Ohhhhh, Uncle Bryce got her a nerf gun! Look out, Cadee!

A Look at Our Weekend

Since we've been married, we have spent Easter weekend at home each year. I think we have done this because A- I was very pregnant with Lili our first Easter together, therefore I could not travel. And B- Hubby and girls have had school/work, so there is no extended weekend. I have to say, I don't mind. It's nice that we have always had a little bit of "family" down here to celebrate with a big dinner on Sunday night. Here's a look at our weekend...

Lili and Cadee feeling Little Brother while he flips and kicks!

Kisses for Brother

Egg Coloring!

Cadee concentrating really hard.
Funny, because I think that's the same cup of dye she spilled about 10 minutes later! 

The girls decorating our bunny cake.
This cake is something my grandma makes every year for the grandkids. I didn't want my girls to miss out just because we stay home for Easter, so I decided to start making it. I love traditions.

Our finished Bunny Cake! 

This girl LOOOOOVES her chocolate! 

Look at that precious face. Pure excitement.

HULA HOOPS!!!

She was showing me her new lip gloss, but somehow, they got cut out of the picture. Oops!

Looking for eggs! I love catching them in the moment, with a real, genuine smile. It's my newest obsession. Trying to find those perfect smiles.

Lili's decorated egg! I was impressed with her little flower.

Our family.
I'm excited to see another boy in blue next year. 

It was a good weekend filled with family, fun and faith. The best part of the whole week/weekend/year/life, is being reminded that there is life beyond all of this. And, if this life is THIS sweet... I can only imagine what heaven will be like. 

A Look at Our Weekend

This weekend, the girls and I took off for Nana and Bapa's! I figured it would probably be our last chance to make the trip by ourselves before Baby Boy's birthday. We enjoyed the laid-back-ness that they provided and all of the time spent outside. It was a great weekend! Here's a few pictures to remember it by...

Lili asked to borrow my phone on the 3 hour car ride to take pictures of herself.
ANYTHING to stay awake!

Sweetest Nana and Birdie picture- EVER

They loooove the hammock!

Fun to swing in and so nice to relax in (they will figure that out in 10 years).

She's so tired.

Another thing that we love to do at Nana and Bapa's- BONFIRE!!!
The whole time Nana was getting this going, Cadee was trying to give her pointers on how she and Bapa would have done it. 

Snuggling in Nana's chair

Since I can't reach my toes anymore... I asked my mommy to paint them.
I am not ashamed that I still ask my mommy to paint my toenails. 

Getting some snuggles in with Auntie Sares before we head home.

I hope that the girls' love tanks were filled as full as mine was this weekend! However, I think I ate too much yummy food... I had my OB appointment today, and I gained 3 lbs in 2 weeks and my belly was measuring 33 cm (Fun Fact: Your belly should measure however many weeks along you are. God is so cool like that.) and I'm 31 weeks along. Doctor didn't seem concerned though. Baby Boy and I are healthy and doing well.
I was sad, knowing this would be the last time for awhile that we would make this trip, but excited at the same time, as it checks off another weekend before Little Brother's birthday.