Wednesday, October 28, 2015

October?! How is that possible?!

Well, I have to admit, I've been such a slacker!  I often have my phone with me and I grab quick pictures on there but I need to pick up the pace with the photos on my camera!  I also need to work on my shutterfly scrapbooks (since I'm months behind), but that's my problem..I know you don't want to hear about it!  haha.  Needless to say, I just had a friend of mine come over to take a few family shots of us so anxious to get a few of those back!  Until then, I will share the few pics I have......

Miss Milla is getting around the steps pretty good.....she is now taking a few steps here and there when she feels confident!  She definitely is confident to crawl up steps.  Usually she goes up to about the second step and stands there with her big front toothed grin (which is adorable!) and then Jude yells "Mom, Milla up the steps". ...when I get in, she looks at me and smiles through the banister....and usually starts moving up higher! lol

check out those pigtails!  Her hair is growing like a weed - my kids definitely don't lack on the hair department (I know Aaron is jealous..lol).  

These were just a few pieces I had made for the wine festival....just a very small handful of some of my newer things that people have been excited about!

my cork heart plaques have been a huge hit!

license plate signs!






A little pumpkin fun....



Sorry Milla, I don't think you can lift that one....


Jude must be trying to convince her that she's not strong enough to do it....

"Fine, I'll just sit here and look pretty. I'm pretty good at that."

"Don't worry, I'm just touching it....I wouldn't think of lifting this one."



When did he grow up? 

a beautiful day....


such a serious face Camilla.... (but you are still so pretty even when you are!)

Look a leaf....


She was loving watching Jude jump in....she wasn't too eager to get dirty yet....

"Milla, I see your teeth.....oh, you wanted me to check out your leaves?  I guess I got a bit distracted. lol"




Riding through the leaves...

Such a serious rider.....


I'm teaching these kids well.....start them young.  Even before they can walk, they can rake.  lol

Another famous shot courtesy of Jude Photography....

eyeing up....dirt!

Ahhhh, I can't get enough of those teeth!!!!

dirt!!!

"Now this is fun....you've been holding out on me mom."  (Side note:  Can I be jealous of her eyelashes and cute hairdo?  Now the arm rolls, I'll let her keep. hahaha)

"Who wants to hug me???  You have to take the dirt and all!"


I promise to get more pics soon!  I apologize for not having too many but hopefully this will be adequate!  There have to be enough cute shots to hold you over until next time!! Camilla is now really understanding what you tell her and ask her to do.  She will blow kisses, wave, and stand up....before long, she'll be running!!!  What happened to my baby?!  
For those of you that don't know, my brother will be returning home from Qatar December 21st.  He will be home for a month before going back to finish up his last few months.  We have been counting down the days...Jude woke up the other morning and asked if Uncle J was coming today.  When I told him no, we literally had a melt down.  I know we all will be happy to see him, but I know Mr. Jude will be so excited. He knows when the count gets to 1, Uncle J will come here to play with him.  Keep my brother in your prayers for a safe trip home and for safety in his remaining time there.  
Today we celebrated Aaron's birthday, Jude's feast day and a new birthday of my best friend's new child, Maverick James, as he was born today!  Please continue to lift my friend and Maverick in prayer as he undergoes surgery tomorrow!  Life is so precious.....Praise God for bringing him safely into this world and bringing my "sister" through childbirth unharmed.  Can't wait to meet this sweet little man....

Many blessings  - may you find beauty in the falling leaves and God's presence in the cool breeze.....


Our love,
Crista and crew

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Happy Birthday Camilla!! (plus more!)

Well, it's been a crazy few months but the last few months have taken the cake.  Between preparing for a birthday party, Jude starting preschool, prepping for a wine festival and joining as a consultant for two companies...I guess I could say I have a full plate!! But if you know me, I am crazy and love to stay busy!  Hence, my two a.m bedtimes.....so if anyone needs a friend late at night, come on over!!! :)  Let's do a little recap of the summer! After coming home from the beach, I decided to make a little impromptu visit home to my parents' house with the kiddos....Aaron told me I was still in vacation mode! lol.. So, I figured, hey why not drive 3 hours and live it up!  :)  We packed a lot in in a little over 24 hours, but honestly, sometimes those spur of the moment trips create the best memories ever!!!


Enjoying the beautiful weather at Nana and Pappy's house!


Nana enjoying her grandbabies!!!

I taught him how to roll down the hill!! (a favorite thing of mine to do back in the day!)

Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.....

A little horseshoe lesson....

Apparently Jude is pondering this.....

Now he is good to go!

It's Milla time..


Don't think this guy cares too much about her, do you?  hahah

Went down to the river and was hoping to find some rocks for Jude to throw.....well, he found....ONE!  Seriously, who took all the rocks?!  lol. Well, he threw that in along with an enormous log - basically anything he could find!!!
How about that view!

A little wall climbing?!  

Then I pretended I was in elementary school and rode the see saw with Jude :)


Drinks on the house...

"Hey, we don't have to pay for these right, Jude? And please stop blowing bubbles....that's not how our mama raised us!"

"Don't worry Milla, I will shuck some corn to pay off our drinks.  Nothing is free anymore."  


A little pappy-Jude time.....

Apparently now I just get empty drink bottles...I guess Jude didn't shuck enough corn to pay for a full gatorade...

Strike a pose Milla!

Time to have a little wiffle ball practice!

We didn't do too bad (of course as long as we were making contact)...otherwise, he got upset.  Still need to work on that!


Milla's ready to steal home!!!
So I purposely went back to the place where Milla was first photographed (before we knew she was a Milla!)

Now here she is in the same spot a year later!! This cutie turned one on the 14th!  So needless to say, I had to put her through 3 photo shoots!  It was only right....right??


Check out those little converse....

My happy girl!!

Looks like she is waiting for the train!





Just sitting pretty.....

"My bags are packed, I'm ready to go...."  (this makes me think of John Denver and leaving on a jet plane)  haha! (note: Holly this is for you!! xoxo)

That's right Camilla...the picture says it all....


The second shoot took place in Cresson by the railroad tracks - there were some fabulous wildflowers that fit into my theme perfectly!  I couldn't have been more happy with how they turned out!!



My beauty....



 A girl and her tongue (and it won't be the last time)!


Just adore these...




Hey there's that tongue again!!!





Tell me this isn't hilarious!!  This makes me think of the claymation movie of Santa Claus is coming to town when Kris Kringle sees the Winter Warlock!  lol.  Apparently she was fearing the camera that day!!!









My flower child....


and her tongue...again!!!!



We even got to catch a glimpse of the train!!!


baby feet!!! (They won't always be this cute....have to love them now)  hahah!


On the set.....


Ok..... Photoshoot number 3 involved the smashing of the cake!!  Legwarmers on? Check!

Digging right in!

Apparently two can play at this game!


haha!  She is loving this!!!

"Hey Jude, how's that knee?"  lol.  I thought we taught him better manners!!!

let's get more!!!



Hold on Mom, I need to wipe off my mouth.... Did I get it all??

How about now??

Now?
"What's so funny Jude?"


Hey, that's my cake, thank you.


Can't leave any icing on top!!

How do I look Mom?




My little biker babes wanted to wish their Pappy a Happy birthday in the best way they knew how!!!

How cute are they!?!


And then there was August 26th....first day of preschool for my little man!!!

Get this out of your system now Jude!! lol

Two peas in a pod!



Big boy!!!


Poor Sophie is getting tortured (I guess since Jude is at school, Milla has to find someone!!) lol


And Party time came this past weekend!  What a great day and amazing hit!!!








sporting her party dress!!!




Getting ready to greet all her guests!  


I guess Pap is acting as the bouncer and making sure no uninvited guests get in.... lol

Uncle Eber and Camilla

Kisses for Cindy!


Milla and Aunt K

Jude got Milla a gift and he could hardly wait to give it to her....for three days, he would wake up and ask if if was party day...and when I told him no, he was a bit disappointed!  lol

But he survived and she got Baby Margaret from Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood (in case any of you are up on that hip show! lol)  The funny thing about Baby Margaret is she was "born" on the show right around the same time as Camilla- so Daniel Tiger and Jude both became big brothers....I know it's just a show but when you aren't even 3, it does help put into perspective the idea of being a big brother in a fun way!!! btw, love this picture of Nana and Milla!

One of the three cakes (yes, I know I am an overachiever....lol)



Did I mention I made cookies too?  lol

playing a little ball ....
Jess and Mia came!  Mia matched Camilla pretty well!!!

More ball playing!

Making new friends....

Ryan showing his stuff...lol

happy girl!



Aaron and Emma (she wins best dressed for the party!)
Smash cake!

A special visitor skyped in for the party!! Love technology sometimes!!!  (Check out the crazy family in the upper corner!)  lol
Pappy, Nana and Milla

Pappy, purple and Milla

Gary, Kira, Kate and Ian

Happy birthday baby girl!!!


That's us....crazy us...sometimes I look at pictures like this and I can't believe I am a mama to these two....what a gift...

Milla was getting a little too close to Emma's hair....
Camilla with her Godparents....apparently Ryan was afraid the paparazzi was going to show up....lol

He finally realized it was just the mamarazzi taking pictures (aka: me!)  - no one to worry about!

checking out the beard...

Jen and Zeke


Uncle Lynn and Aunt Mary




time to smash the cake!!!


"I really don't want to get my hands sticky mom."



Rudolph the red nosed Milla!


Can we assist you in any way Milla??


Ok, we'll just keep watching!


Oh, hey you only turn one once, right?  Lets dig in!


Jude wanted this picture taken of his friends on the swing...Zane, Roger and Zoey


I think Jude was checking in on Milla to see if she needed help....apparently that death grip on the cake spoke volumes....  

Time for pappy...I mean Milla...to open gifts lol

And so the baby dolls begin...haha!

Mary and Walter came a distance to celebrate this girl's party!


Pap pap and Memaw!

And no party would be complete without our Rich......


So finally just a few pics from my phone...I know a few of you wanted to see progress on the other house.. we are hoping to get in there by next fall if all goes well.....
This will be Milla's room...

speaking of Milla....


fun chairs and couches we picked up....just need to get cushions made!


external...roof is now all painted with a copper paint


Jude helping design his room!

Living room




jude's room

another two shots of Milla's....

C is for Camilla! (a broken window frame)



On that note, I say good night!!! At least this is one thing off my list!!! :)  Now onto the other 40 things....haha!  Many blessings as always!  Hope you enjoyed!!