August Family Time

After all the weddings and trips in August things settled down and we spent lots of time together as a family.

 

I am trying to be a more fun mom, and that includes letting JJ squish and play in the sandbox even though its muddy and messy.

 

 

Justin taught JJ to use the hose, and he loves to squirt you!

 

We finally took advantage of the school playground in our neighborhood for a night of wearing the kid out fun.

 

The weather was warm, the light perfect, and this little boy was happy!

 

Justin wanted to be king of the playground.

 

It wasn't just JJ that had fun at the park...

 

Once JJ discovered the slides there was no turning back, he loved them ! 

He went down the slide over and over again till he wore himself out. 

I got this picture by shooting through the holes in the stairs. 

I went to Ikea (I go every chance I get! ) and saw this succulent. When I saw the colors I knew it would be the scheme for our new place. We hasn't even started looking for houses and I was already planning! 

JJ had his first ever kids meal at Ikea, and ate all of it! 

The farmers Market was in full swing, it is my favorite thing about the summer! My market favorites are corn, peaches, jalapeños, green beans, and anything else that's a good deal. I'm such a sucker for farm fresh produce! 

JJ went to nursery for the first time. (In church it's where kids 18mos-3years can play and have a short lesson while the adults go to class) 

Along the lines of being a fun mom, I picked up some watercolors for JJ to try. Our first time was outside for easy cleanup. 

It started out pretty good until he tried painting himself... 

JJ got an awesome present in the mail of a tricycle from grandma and grandpa croft (my parents) and he really likes it. He hasn't quite gotten the pedals down. But he pushes himself along. 

We went on a picnic on one of the days that wasn't  blazing hot, JJ tried salsa and realized he loved it just like daddy. 

This kid is my favorite EVER except for his Daddy, he puts up with my constant squishing. Gives me kisses almost every time I ask, eats all his veggies, and sleeps pretty well most days. I think he is the cutest kid ever, if you need more convincing just ask the grandparents.

 

Whenever we get a Saturday together it's a big deal, and this time we were able to go to the Clark Planetarium. Justin played with the tornado maker.

 

JJ loves to ride on his dads shoulders, so they went to look at the solar system.

 

JJ was very interested in this ball...of course!

 

Once we let him run around he had a blast standing on the Moon and Mars.

 

Then Justin showed JJ the fog machiene

 

After the Planetarium we stopped by the splash pad hoping JJ could cool down and have some fun before heading home. it turns out that place is Mega slippery and JJ fell everytime he started to run.

 

I decided to see if he would touch the water if he was holding my hand.

 

after all that walking we were hungry for something sweet. We went to Kodiak Cakes (which has AMAZING cookies) for a cookie sundae.

 

we got two large sundaes, which was way too much! next time I think I'd rather just have 2 cookies.

 

JJ had lots of fun, especially since he doesn't get ice cream very often.

 

Later on in the month we went to see Despicable Me 2 at the drive-in. JJ had fun, although he really wanted to get down and run around before the movie started.

 

There is nothing better than time with my boys!

Rain, Wind, and a Wedding

This is the story of two people named Tawni and Travis who had a lot try to come between them and the altar. I'll give you the short version... Fire, evacuation, rescue the dress, get some decorations, change the venue, rain in the forecast... and this is where we start.

 

 Their second venue was across the lake on the beach at Rockport Lake. Travis' mom made this awesome monogram for their wedding, which now sits in their home.

 

 

this is the pavilion where we scrambled for shelter while the wind and rain raged outside.

 

the decorations were coming together at it was looking wonderful, until we wondered if we could last in this weather...

 

The flowers were just darling, and completed the whole country wedding theme.

 

 

Justin's brother Mike even came up for a visit!

 

The rain started to hit harder and the temperature dropped more, JJ and I decided the car was the best place for us to stay.

 

The bride arrived and made a made dash for cover.

 

Tawni consulted with Kim and her grandpa about what to do since the weather was not cooperating.

 

Tawni and Travis decided that the wedding was going to happen and they didn't care where, and they snuck in one last kiss as single people.

 

So we gathered together the decorations and all the people and made the drive to the other side of the lake to where the old white church stands.

 

Once we unloaded and took our seats the place started to look wonderful!

 

and then... finally... Tawni and Travis said "I Do!"

 

...and the PARTY BEGAN!

 

They danced for the first time as Mr. & Mrs.

 

 

Tawni danced with her Papa

 

 

Kim took Tawni for a spin

 

I just couldn't leave this picture out, I love that Travis is busting up laughing.

 

Tawni danced with her new father in law.

 

Next it was Travis' turn to dance, first with his Mom.

 

Next he danced with Kathy. Kathy is SO excited these two are finally married and the planning is over!

 

They had a darling lemonade bar, isn't the Love is Sweet banner awesome? Travis' mom made it!

 

The cupcakes were delicious! and adorable too!

 

Kathy and her sister Shannon

 

The guestbook was a photobook that Kathy put together, Our cousins Tiffany and Jenni took time to sign after eating dinner.

 

Shannon and her Husband dance together.

 

isn't this sweet? this is one of my favorite pictures of the night!

 

This is the outside of the Old white church, we were so glad to finally find a shelter and get to the PARTY!

 

The dancing really got going

 

This was Tawni's bouquet, it matched so well with her teal cowboy boots and decorations.

 

As you can tell Talena and Michaela really got into dancing.

 

they even tried to teach JJ how to dance.

 

Eventually the sky cleared up, the rain stopped and the wind died down. The night was beautiful.

 

JJ and Kayden played in the field outside while the party raged on.

 

Best friends together again.

 

Tawni with her grandma and papa.

 

Their rings are so pretty I had to get a shot of them, (left to right) Kathy, Tawni and Donna.

 

I wanted to make sure we got a good shot of the awesome cowboy boots that inspired the whole wedding décor, and it just so happens that Tawni has legs for days.

 

Last but not least they had to do the cheesy cupcake eating, that started out nice and got out of hand really fast. Travis was the first to shove cake, right in Tawni's eye.

 

Then Talena decided that it was only fair to shove a cupcake in his face. The lovely Mr. and Mrs. Mann finished their reception with very SWEET faces.