thanksgiving {2014}

dirt

a couple weeks ago, i took some maternity photos of my gorgeous prego sis-in-law, hannah.   the whole family came and we enjoyed some cousin playtime throughout the evening.  

the park we went to has this brand spankin' new playground and i thought the kiddos would have some fun playing with the dads while i finished up some baby belly shots in the gorgeous setting sun.....

ummmm, 

this is what we returned to find.  why on earth would the kids try out the new playground when there is an equally exciting pile of dirt to climb on!?!

this little peanut is so spunky and adorable!  she has made becoming an aunt such a true joy, and i can't wait to watch her grow into a big sister here in just a few shorts weeks (or days?!?!)  

and this little spitball is full of energy and will simply talk your ear off.  her newest favorite phrase is '(re)member that time when......' and we have to reminisce about every detail of our lives (i.e. ....i took a bath?  we went to the library?  we ate supper?  we played in the sandbox? etc...)  i love watching her figure out the world around her, and try to find her place in it as a little sister with big britches of her own ;)

the girl cousin relationship is my favorite.  it is so cool to see these girls growing up together, and i love that technology helps us stay more connected than we otherwise would be (snapchat, facebook, and blogs are so awesome!)

and the biggest cousin of them all.  our big 4 year old. what?!?!  i have no idea how he grew up so fast, but i love the little fella he has become.  he is imaginative, creative and ambitious.......sometimes i look into his little person and see more of myself reflected than should ever be allowed, and that has proved interesting in parenting, but on the whole this parenting gig has been the best thing that happened to me.  i am incredibly blessed to have these dirty little people in my life. ;)

santa express 2013 {holiday fun}

on friday night we went on our annual 'santa express' train ride in boone.  this is such a fun family tradition that we have shared with friends and family over the years.  this year we had a large group that included two sweet families that we just love, and my kids' cousin, aunt and uncle, and nana and papa!

(don't let that first photo fool you - the kids had a blast! so much fun, but so close to bedtime.......)

of course, this train ride is like a real life version of the polar express, so you have to wear your jammies (christmas ones are preferable!)

hendrix thought it was important to hang onto your ticket (and they even punched them multiple times just like the conductor in the movie!)  

these girls were not thrilled about posing for a photo, but they both seemed to really like the bumpiness of the train ride.....they were rather antsy with getting up and sitting down, and wanted to snack and read the whole trip, which was perfectly fine ;)

love this sweet family (my brother, sister-in-law, and niece!), and was soooo thrilled to share this experience with them!

peering out the window to see the north pole!

snacking on christmas cookies and hot cocoa.

hendrix's opinion of the trip - a thumbs up!!

oh, and the visit from santa was pretty magical!  hendrix is gripping his bell super tightly, saying merry christmas, santa!  (he even gave him a big hug!)

and don't forget the christmas stories!

what a fun way to really build excitement about this magical holiday season!

happy holidays! 

girlfriends

it is so fun to see my niece as she grows up, and even more fun to watch her grow up with my own daughter.  i love that we live close enough to get these two little bugs together often!

blaire - 5 months

annalise - 4 months

they are going to be pals for life!

they are starting to interact with each other just a little bit, and i am beginning to get giddy thinking about when they will start crawling around, chasing after the same toys, and babbling to each other in baby talk that no one else can understand!  

the fun has only just begun! ;)

these cousins are so lucky to have each other!