Merry Christmas!!!

Funny girl

Grace has been extra naughty lately and been in trouble quite a bit. She's also been absolutely hilarious. Not a good combo when trying to discipline.

Sleeping the wrong pay...topless.

"Well if you're just gonna look at me Mommy, I want to wave at you"

It wasn't until AFTER we were in the store, I realized she had put her coat on upside down!!

She's INSISTING on taking her Bible EVERYWHERE we go...here she is at the park, preaching to the squirrels!

My Baby Can Read!!

Just kidding--but at 3 years 2 months old, I think she's well on her way!

Drumroll Please...

Ohhhh YEAH--NO TRAINING WHEELS! Big accomplishment for our careful, timid, overly cautious little boy! We are SO proud of him! Way to go, Jack!!!

80's Night!!

I went out with a group of girls to celebrate a friend's 30th and see a local 80's cover band! I was pretty legit!

Dinosaur Week at School

Jack has been learning all about dinosaurs at school this week...and then coming home to teach US!

Happy Halloween

30 years YOUNG and a Life Lesson

I turned 30 this past Friday--I felt like I had already celebrated my birthday (see Mexico photo below!), so when the big day arrived, I wasn't in a huge celebrating mood. My wonderful Navy girls took me out to breakfast and got me some really cute gifts and when I got home, I had a couple of awesome packages from my best friends! Georgetown cupcakes and SUPER sassy riding boots! LOVE my friends!

The rest of my day was pretty low key--I went crabbing by myself...caught a crab (i seriously did this...it's really fun!) and then picked the kids up from school. When I got back home, I started feeling sorry for myself that we weren't going out or having a huge party for my big 3-0! We have had a really busy month so we planned on a chill weekend and I thought I'd be totally fine with this. Still, the more I thought about it, the more I was bummed I wasn't going out for my birthday. By the time Garrett got home, I was MAD. Birthdays are a BIG deal to me, how did my husband NOT plan anything? After pouting for a bit, I finally came out with it! "So, I'm supposed to look back on my 30th birthday and remember we had PIZZA HUT for dinner?" (don't get me wrong, I love pizza hut but on my 30th???)

Garrett looked at me like I was nuts and just walked out of the room--he's the passive type and it was my birthday so I'm guessing he didn't want to argue with me.

 About a half hour later I get an email with these pictures inside, the subject read: These are the moments that matter...

They were pictures of my birthday month and all that we had done. It made me realize that YES, we did just have a CRAZY busy and SUPER FUN month AND that I was being a total BRAT.

 The moments in life that matter are NOT the ones where you get an expensive present or going out and getting wasted with your friends. It's spending time with your family, the ones who love and celebrate you the most. Thank you, my love, for this reminder and for bringing me back down to Earth. You are always good at that and I couldn't have asked for a better life lesson on my 30th birthday. 

Crab Trappin'

Grammy and Papa came to town for a visit--it was a busy weekend but SO MUCH FUN!

Started the weekend off right...chocolate chip cookies!

Then came the BEST part...CRABBIN!! Papa taught Jack (all of us, really) how to catch crabs! 

Our Crabbin' Boy

 Playing with the bait bucket...

We hit the beaches too--the kids had a great time chasing Papa around and collecting sand and shells!

Jack even got a tour on a POLICE boat thanks to Papa's smooth talking...

 Crab Master

Carving pumpkins at my little birthday party (celebrated with my parents while they were here)--we used to do this every year on my birthday when I was growing up!

They made us AWESOME Caramel Corn... so delish!

Our very OWN Crab Feast from our catch of the day!

We had a great time and can't wait to go crabbin' again!

TMNT

Jack has found a new obsession. We are loving it because it's taking us back to our childhoods. My brother was a TMNT fanatic, even had the complete set of homemade weapons and Garrett's bro, Kevin, used to rock the nunchucks when he was little too! 

Back to the ROUTINE!!

Now that we are back from our month long vacation to Indiana, MEXICO (for Mommy!!) and Ohio, it was time to get back into our routine. 

That meant SCHOOL for the kiddos and more photo shoots, of course :)

Grace Catherine 

 Jackson Garrett...or Spiderman

 I know I've said it before, but really? They look like twins!!!!

 He picked out his own outfit and asked me to fix his hair...can't believe this is his last year of pre-school :(

 too much, she's just TOO much!

Gracie Girl turns 3!

Grace Catherine is 3 years old! It's hard to believe 3 years has gone by so quickly! She had a fantastic birthday and was able to celebrate it TWICE! Once in Indiana...with a parade (!!) and in Ohio. 2 birthday parties and both with family--lucky girl!!

 a little lip gloss help from Aunt Terri!

 Sweet brother who was so excited for her! [love him]

 Grace and her Godmother, G--my 2 favorite girls :) Sorry Uncle Nick...you know women's moods! Grace was not having it when I tried to take her picture in Ohio with her Godfather, Nicholas.

 The General Lee was even in the parade!! [Levi, Max and Jack]

 Goats in the parade too?? The Monrovia Festival Parade does NOT mess around!

 Grace's Ohio birthday cake---lots of help from big brother on this one ;)

Sassy had a wonderful birthday, thanks to all who made it special!