Mama Bragging Moment

We all know I'm not shy about bragging about my kids and my husband, but I am really going to brag now.  

My perfectly gorgeous baby girl won a "Model Search" for a boutique clothing designer.  When I opened my Facebook and had a message from Carole at Nana Peaches Baby letting me know Peyton had won her model search contest, I was so excited.  If you know me, you know I am definitely not a "Toddlers and Tiaras" kind of mom, but I figured what the heck it was a simple submit your picture to our Facebook page kind of contest. As I was communicating back and forth with Carole, she emailed me asking if in addition to her gift certificate she also gave her a pink and white chevron day gown, would we be interested in having photos taken of her wearing it and allow them to be used on their website.  It didn't take me long to think about that one.  I love the dress she was referring to and we have an amazing photographer in my dear friend Shannon Mae.  I, of course, think my babies are absolutely gorgeous, but to know that someone wants to use my little pumpkin on their website just tickles me. 

This is the photo we submitted.  

I mean really, I think it was a no brainer!

This little girl melts my heart over and over again, day in and day out.  Her smile is infectious, her eyes sparkle and she's quickly gone from my almost 6lb newborn to an 11lb baby with loads of personality.  I can't imagine a life without her or her brother (who I'll have to feature in my next post!).  We recently had to take the hammock/sling out of their bath tub (they've sadly outgrown it already) and her first bath without it was so adorable! Note to self: never leave my phone in the kitchen during bath time now!  This was her first experience with sitting directly in the water with her hands and feet free to splash.  Her first little kick and splash startled her for a brief moment, but after that she couldn't contain herself! She wiggled, kicked and squealed with excitement.  I sat there and just watched, thanking God (and Dr. Hesla) for the precious gifts he has given us.

What perfection looks like through my eyes!

I'll have to do a freezer meal update in the near future.  So far, I think all the recipes I've tried have actually been a success!  Guess it's time to start keeping track of the recipes, photographing them and sharing them with you!  But for now, I've got ribs on the smoker and babies waking up, so that will have to wait until next time!  Happy Saturday!

Mom's Weekend Away

I made the mistake of going to the Oregon Jamboree this past weekend and not taking my camera.  I'm not going to lie, it's probably a good thing I didn't have it with me Friday or Saturday, as I'm sure I would have lost it, but as we sat a mere thirty rows back from Luke Bryan on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, I was so sad to not have it along with my zoom lens.  Let me tell you, the weather wasn't the only HOT thing that afternoon!  I had my trusty iPhone with me, but it's just not the same! 

I'm definitely not a fan of skinny jeans, especially on guys, but WOW!

If you aren't familiar with the Oregon Jamboree, it's an amazing three day weekend full of great country music in Sweet Home.  This was my first year going, but it definitely won't be my last.  While there are some things I might have done a little different (like actually sit in the seats we paid for, for more than two shows), there's not a moment I'd give up to do it differently.  I met some great people that I can now call new friends, listened to some incredible music and came home with a great tan (for the most part).

This was my first time ever leaving my babies for more than a quick run into town to the farmers market or grocery store and I handled it pretty well, but when Jamie mentioned we could head home a night early, there was no complaint from this mama!  We broke down camp before hitting the final show of the weekend (The above mentioned Luke Bryan) and high tailed it home to surprise my hubby.  I held no expectations of what shape the house was going to be in given this was his first time experiencing the role of "Stay at Home Dad", but I should have known he was going to deliver and in a big way.  Not only were the babies tucked in but the house was clean and the laundry and dishes were all done.  

Now I've said it before, but my goodness, I am a lucky girl.  I don't know many husbands that would insist on their wife taking off for a girls weekend of camping, beer and country music, let alone stay home with their three month old twins in the process but that's exactly what Jake did and it's just another one of the many, many reasons I love him and am so incredibly thankful for him and the love that we have for each other.  Everyone should be able to experience true happiness and the unconditional love of a significant other.  I could go on and on all day about what an amazing man, husband and father he is but I'll spare you the mushy stuff.

In short, this past weekend was an epic adventure and I can't wait to do it again next year, but I was so ready to come home to Jake and my little pumpkins.  For now, it's time to let my liver recover, the few sun burnt spots mellow out and get back on track with eating properly (as I just took fresh, from scratch brownies out of the oven, shhhh... don't tell. I swear they are a thank you for Jake).

A big thank you also goes out to my best friend, Nicole, for watching these

 two on Friday while Jake was at work. I was able to leave town

knowing they were in amazing hands.

Happy Monday everyone! Hope ya'll have a great week!

Finding the Time

Trying to find the time to work on "projects" is seemingly impossible these days!  There's all these wonderful things that I want to do and I swear as soon as I pull out all my scrap-booking stuff or get all the gardening tools out, the babies wake up.  Although I can't seem to find the time to work on these things, I am wanting to add more things to that list of things to do.  After losing my grandfather a couple weeks ago, I was reminded that I need to not only break the camera out more often, but I also want to dive into some of the history of our family through food.  How fun would it be to create a family cookbook, complete with photos of the prep and finished products.  Years ago I took some of these recipes and just printed them out on computer paper and threw them into a binder.  I now want to take it a step further with more detail, organization and photos.  I want something that I can break out and share with Peyton and Lukas as they are growing up and helping me in the kitchen.

It amazes me that they are already 9 weeks old! They are definitely developing personalities and are beginning to be awake and more alert during the day (hence the lack of time to work on anything). They now smile at us and Lukas has even chuckled at his Meema (my mom). 

We spent four days back in California with my family for my grandpa's funeral.  I stood at the sink in my dads kitchen on a sunny Saturday afternoon and couldn't help but smile.  I watched my mom & step dad laughing with my brother and his girlfriend, my dad snuggling two of his grand babies and my grandma cuddling with Lukas.  It made me want to move home more than ever.  I want my kids to grow up with their cousins like I did.  I know realistically it's not really an option, but perhaps being a 5 hour drive instead of a 10 hour drive is in the future.  For the time being though, I am so thankful for FaceTime!  It allows us to feel like we aren't as far away as we really are.

Here is a picture of my nephew Tosh with the twins!