Party Girl

We had a fantastic birthday weekend. 
I'll be honest.  I teared up more than a couple of times thinking about how quickly these little ones grow.
 I want a time machine. 
I don't care to look into the future {at all}, but what I wouldn't give to just go back a few years and observe.  Not re-live it, exactly.  Just "watch it".  Like a home movie or something.
Do I sound crazy?

Anyway, back to the subject.  Birthday weekend.

Friday morning {Kam's actual birthday} started out with French Toast {her request}.  And Daddy brought home chockit doonuts just for her!

She got to open presents from us, and try on a million birthday outfits.



Which resulted in some modeling and hamming it up for the camera.


Not long after, the phone started ringing off the hook for Miss Birthday Girl.



We finished out our day with dinner and cupcakes and ice cream courtesy of Nana and Grandpa.



Saturday morning {birthday party day} started bright and early with cake decorating.

NO laughing. 
I was limited on time. 
And, what's that?  Is the cake a little lopsided, you ask?  Why, yes it is.  Thank you for noticing.



The Birthday Table.  Decked out with cake, Pink Lemonade, and Kam's photo book.  We added the punch, and pretzel bites shortly after.



Miss Kam was so excited for her party to start.  She could hardly wait.  She passed the time by sampling the lemonade and staring at her cake ;)



We offered an Ice Cream Sundae Bar, and I'm so glad we did.  Who doesn't love an ice cream sundae??  Strawberries, Caramel and Chocolate Syrup, Hot Fudge, Gummi Bears, M&Ms, Marshmallows, Peanuts, and an assortment of crushed candy bars.  YUM!



Kenners and Sierra were so happy to have their cousin over.  Nothing sweeter than cousins goofing around having fun together.



Finally it was present time :)



Yep, she actually received a package of chocolate donuts :)

And LOTS of Barbies.  She could play Barbies all day every day.



I'm not sure what all the excitement was over in this shot.



And a brand spankin' new fishing pole.  A big girl one :)  She was so excited, and is now totally ready to go fishing with Daddy.



We all had so much fun.

How was your weekend?

Productive Weekend

Whew!  What a weekend.  Yesterday's party was a success!  {I'll post pics soon.  Pinky promise}.

And today we got so much done around the house.  It felt great. 

Kam's closet was in need of a major clean out {like, she had a 24 month sweater hanging up, and she's pretty much wearing all 4T.  Yeah.  It was time}. 

We found a home for birthday presents, washed bedding, caught up on laundry, did a LOT of Bible reading.  It was a good day.

So.  Just put up a few photos of some SUPER adorable little ones on my photography blog :) 

Go check 'em out!

Happy 3 to Me!

I cannot believe my third baby girl turns three today.  In some ways, that day seems like a lifetime ago.  In other ways, it feels like just yesterday.

{Get ready for some pictures, people.}

~~ ♥ ~~ ♥ ~~ ♥ ~~ ♥ ~~

Miss Kameryn Faith . . .

Three years ago today you came into this world, a little bit early.   After nearly two weeks in the hospital on bedrest, daily ultrasounds, and frequent chats with the NICU staff outlining what to expect, this Mama was surprised and elated that you were born completely healthy. 
{PRAISE GOD!}



There were a few hurdles. 
Some we expected {bili lights, daily weigh-ins}, and some we didn't.

But it didn't take long for you to settle right in to our little family.



And you fit just perfectly.



You grew and grew.  Rather quicly, I might add.



And changed.  And grew some more.



And became your own little {adorable} person. 



{You came with me to every doctor's appointment when I was pregnant with Taylor.  You loved hopping right up on the table with me, holding the doppler, and finding the heartbeat.  And I loved that you kept me company.}



You LOVE sweets.  And I'm not going to lie, I think it's kinda sweet ;)  Of course we push the fruits and veggies, and proteins too.  But I can't help but give in to the sweets occasionally.  Especially when you ask in the most adorable way. 





In June, you became a big sister! 
You are the sweetest, most caring, and loving big sissy ever. 
Not once have you ever shown one bit of jealousy or even annoyance with little Taylor. 
You always want to hold her and play with her.
I am so so happy you two have each other because I just know you will be super close.



You are so full of life. 
I always get such a kick out of the things you do and say. 
Spirited?  Ohhhh yeah.



See? 
You know what you want {and that's good}. 
And if you don't get it, well, you don't like it.  {And that's a teachable moment}.




You are SUCH a big helper.  You love to help in the kitchen, and ask to do so daily. 



You are the most beautiful little princess ever, sweet girl! 
And I love how you complete our family.
Love you bigger than the sky!

Project 52: Week 4 ~ Self Portrait

I'm so not about self-portraits around here. 

I really rather prefer to be behind the camera.

But, since I don't make the Project 52 rules . . . .

Here we go: Self Portrait

We took a little spur-of-the-moment drive through the country this week.  Stopping at one of Jeremy's favorite fishing spots to drop a line in.  Sierra and Makenna joined him.  Kameryn, Taylor and I mostly hung out in the car. {In my defense ~ It was cold!  And Kam was sleeping most of the time.}

It is SO nice to just BE together as a family.  I do not take a moment of it for granted anymore.  After nearly a year of house building, rarely getting out to do anything together as a family, I cherish these moments.

Please. 
Join in. 
It's just one photo a week for the year.  You can do it! :)

Party Prep

We are busy party preppin' around here!

Only one more day until this little Miss turns THREE!

{Kam's Party Invitations}



And two more days until the party!



We've got the decorations covered. 

Next on the list is wrapping presents.

Another little miss, who shall remain nameless {and happens to be cutting teeth at the moment}, has decided to go ahead and skip naps today.  Um, yeah.  Wish me luck getting everything accomplished ;)

Our Weekend {In Pictures}

We had a nice, quiet weekend.  How 'bout you?
Saturday night we went up to Mom and Dad's for a super delicious celebration dinner.
Nana and Papa were able to join us, and Sierra enjoyed a visit with Papa. 
They both share a love of photos.


~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~

This little Miss had a nice bubble bath in the kitchen sink ;)  I LOVE our house.  But, if I could do it over again {and trust me, I do not want to}, I wouldn't have insisted that we don't need a bath tub on the main floor.  The girls have a bath tub upstairs, but all of Taylor's clothes and things are downstairs.  I rarely go upstairs, actually.  So.  Kitchen sink it is. For now {I know, I'm lazy}.

Is there anything sweeter than a freshly washed babe?



~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~

Last night we had another amazing dinner.  Jeremy picked up steaks on his way home from work the other day.  A wonderful {and seldom} treat.  We maybe do this once a year.  Jeremy braved the wind and rain to barbecue, and they were so SO good. 

I made twice baked potatoes and homemade bread to accompany.  {Can you believe I didn't get any pictures of the steaks?}



~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~


And Kam talked me into cupcakes. 
She is obsessed with sweets right now. 
This was our conversation the other day:

Kam: Mama, my don't want to eat my lunch.
Me: Well, you need to eat something so you can fill up your tummy.
Kam: Um, how 'bout cookie?
Me: Nooooo.  Something healthy.
Kam: Donut?

Ay yi yi.

I wish I could say that I don't know where she gets it, but I'm afraid she comes by this naturally.



~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~ ♥ ~

And my Sis?  She had the baby early Saturday morning.  She did great.  Is recovering wonderfully.  And the new little man is settling in nicely with his parents.

What did your weekend look like?

Project 52: Week 3 ~ I Dreamed A Dream

So . . . pretty sure this isn't what most would interpret for Week 3, but hear me out . . .



This little princess is, no doubt, dreaming sweet baby dreams. 
And my dream for her? 
Health, happiness, and fully knowing God's love.

Linking up for 52 weeks of photography themes and challenges from Darcy at My 3 Boybarians.

Snow {And You Capture: Cold}

This time of year always seems so busy to me.  But then, most times of the year seem busy to me :) 
We're trying to settle back into a routine after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, plus we have 1.2 million birthdays all in January and February.  That keeps us hoppin', people.

But the other day we were forced to slow down a bit when we got a tiny sprinkling of . . .

SNOW!

The girls had pretty much been praying for snow since November.  And they finally got it!
We didn't get enough to build a snow man, or even go sledding.

But there was enough for eating {blech!}

And, of course, a few snowballs :)

So, I'm just going to put this out there for you, Mother Nature.  I love the snow in January.  I will tolerate it in February.  But don't you go dumpin' snow on us in March and April like you did last year, K?

Linking up with Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry:

♥ 7 Months ♥

Well, here we are, another month gone by. 

I'm trying not to sound so depressed by it, but goodness time moves quickly. 

There are so many happy things about children getting older.  Watching them grow and learn. 

But it's hard for me too.  Funny how your attitude changes when it's not Baby #1 anymore.

I remember when Sierra was a baby, I was anxious for her to reach new milestones.  I was down on my hands and knees trying to teach her to crawl.  I wanted her to grow, grow, grow!  But now, with Taylor most likely being our last baby, I just want a PAUSE button.  Really, is that so much to ask?

So.  Miss Taylor Grace . . . You are ♥ 7 Months old today! ♥

You are changing SO much these days.  It's like overnight you have become a different baby.
You smile all the time, but now you're also finding so much humor in everything.
The funniest?  Big Sissy Kam.  She can crack you up like no other. 
Probably because she's a little on the crazy side.

You're a big girl!  At your six month check you were more than 19 pounds, so I'm guessing you're at least 20 by now.  You're sitting up.  Mostly.  If we're not careful, we tip over at times, but for the most part you are happy to sit and play.

You LOVE to eat.  And you'd rather feed yourself than let Mama do it.  You can pick up a Cheerio with such ease, and maneuver it right to your little mouth.  And you've been drinking from a straw for weeks.  Since before you were six months!  That seems so early to me!



You are finally getting some teeth!  I think Kam was about your age when she got her first tooth, but Sierra had teeth by 5 1/2 months, and Kenners . . . she wasn't even 5 months!



You bring such joy to our family.  I cannot imagine life without you in it.  I love your snuggles, smiles, noises, jabbering {that's new and so so adorable}, expressions.  Everything. 

Stay little for just a while longer, okay?