Love for Miles

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

My Little Flower Girl

Avery Reese was asked by a dear friend of mine to be a flower girl in her wedding. I don't know who was more excited me or her. She practiced throwing rose petals for weeks prior to the big day. The day of the wedding Avery Reese was so excited! She thoroughly enjoyed the pampering and attention (not sure where she inherited that trait).

Avery Reese getting her hair done for the wedding

Her updo and tiara

Me and my girl

She was so happy to be a part of the wedding

Family photo (minus Hudson)

Avery Reese and Carly became fast friends

(they have the same birthday too)

Avery Reese and Sara!!

Sunday, April 21, 2013

S'mores

I recently bought the kids a picnic table to enjoy in the backyard. Well, Avery Reese was so excited about it she asked me to go immediately to the store to buy popsicles so she could eat one outside (because she couldn't do it before we had a picnic table). She is so funny!

Last weekend the weather was so nice and for some reason Brad and I had s'mores on the brain. We then realized what horrible, awful parents we were......we had not introduced our children to the wonderful, delicious, gooeyness of s'mores.

So we did!

My mouth is still watering.....yum!

Roasting our marshmallows on the grill

Hudson was just so excited to roam around the backyard

Avery Reese's first bite

(I love how she closed her eyes to really concentrate on her bite)

Hudson wasn't really into the s'more, he wanted to mow the lawn instead

She decided to go straight for the gooey marshmallows

Easter 2013

We are so excited Spring has finally arrived at our house! Spring time for us means cold/flu/RSV season is gone (but now allergy season is here). The weather the past couple of weeks in Little Rock has been beautiful. Avery Reese and Hudson are enjoying some much needed outdoor time at the park as well.

Easter for us was a great day! We had decided that we would finally go to church as a family. (We have kept Hudson home during the fall and winter months since he is so susceptible to illness). The kids were excited for the Easter Bunny and Brad and I were excited to worship together as a family.

Avery Reese's basket was filled with a swimsuit, a kite, a headband, a book, and plenty of chocolate.

Hudson's basket was filled with trucks, doodle board, a truck book, pair of Toms, and chocolate.

After church Avery Reese wore her new swimsuit all day; I think she liked it.

Wasting no time playing with his trucks.

I just LOVE coordinating outfits!! These kids are so stinking cute!

We had to take separate family photos....here is Brad and kids

My turn with the kids

Mama Judy came over after church for Easter lunch and to bring Avery Reese and Hudson some more goodies. These two are almost inseparable.

We are so blessed not only for two wonderful, healthy children. But most of all that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and then rose from the dead!!

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Whew! Spring Break

I was so excited for Spring Break (not because we were doing anything spectacular) if not just for the break in monotony. Last weekend started off so beautifully, the weather was sunny and warm....I just knew it was going to be a great week. I had a much needed girls weekend planned with two of my best friends from NWA. We decided to meet halfway in Altus and support our state and its wine industry. We toured the 4 wineries Weidekhar, Post Familie, Chateau Aux Arc, and Mount Bethel; when we get together we always have a good time (especially when wine is involved). The wineries were really fun, but the accommodations in Altus were lacking.

My favorite white wines

My favorite red wines

Amber and I at Chateau

The drive home Sunday should have been an indication as to how the remainder of the week would go....it was bitterly cold and rainy. But my mom was on her way to my house for a couple of days to spend some time with her favorite grandchildren in Little Rock, so I knew good things were coming.
We always have fun when Grandma T visits, she brings gifts, donuts, and lots of laughs! Avery Reese and Hudson just light up when they see her.

Grandma T and the kids

While mom was here I decided to try out two new recipes courtesy of Pinterest. My mom grew up in Kansas and loves her BBQ, Brad grew up in Sherwood and loves his BBQ (I think its okay). So in honor of these two BBQ loving people under one roof, I tried my hand at crockpot pork ribs. Well, they must have been delicious because everyone ate them and there were no leftovers. And my favorite part was that they were super easy. Here is the link http://www.mmmisformommy.com/2011/09/easy-barbecued-ribs.html

The ribs after cooking all day (the house did smell amazing)

The finished product; the meat was literally falling off the bone

Since our first recipe turned out so well, my mom and I tried another one. My friend Amber was telling my how to make my own rotisserie chicken in my crockpot and I thought.....genius! We could use the chicken for a variety of meals throughout the week. I do have a confession: I have never (up until this point) purchased a whole chicken, nor have I cooked one. I am so glad my mom was here to guide me, because I had no idea there were parts inside the chicken that had to be removed....yuck!

The chicken was again super easy to make (thanks mom) and delicious. Here is the link to this recipe http://themalenicfam.blogspot.com/2013/02/new-dinners-desserts.html

My mom left Tuesday afternoon and that's when the week went downhill. Hudson began running 102 temperature; resulting in RSV like symptoms and an ear infection. He has been pitiful! He stayed home with either Brad or I the rest of the week. I began feeling congested Friday and Avery Reese started running a 102 temperature Saturday night....ugh! So needless to say we are very ready to say goodbye to cold/flu season and are ready to welcome warm, sunny Spring with open arms.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Charlie the Elf Arrives

Last year we began the magical tradition of the Elf on the Shelf. If you are unfamiliar with this it is a magical elf sent from Santa Claus to watch over the children to ensure their best behavior. He cannot talk to the kids, nor can they touch him, but he does listen to them and reports back to Santa each night. Each morning the elf has a new hiding spot and it is so much fun to watch Avery Reese search the house for him.

We named our special elf Charlie and this morning he reappeared bringing with him a North Pole breakfast, Christmas jammies and a letter for Avery Reese and Hudson.

Avery Reese's gift from Charlie the Elf

Hudson's gift from Charlie the Elf

Our Charlie

Enjoying her North Pole breakfast of snow dusted donuts

Hudson eating his North Pole breakfast as well

(He kept pointing to Charlie and saying 'baby')

Video of Avery Reese waking up to Charlie and his surprise!!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Princess Tea Party

Avery Reese has been talking about her birthday since Hudson's in October, so I wanted to make sure her fourth birthday was very special. Avery Reese is a very girly girl (not sure where this comes from.....) so I thought a Princess Tea Party was the perfect fit for my Princess. Perfectly Fun Parties did all the planning, set-up, activities, and clean-up so Brad and I could sit back, take photos and enjoy watching Avery Reese.

Since the party was at our house we invited Avery's closest girlfriends. The party was not only fun, but beautiful. Avery Reese and her friends had a blast dressing up, getting make-up, listening to a story, making magical wands and of course having tea. Being a Princess is so much fun!