a good read ::

Love this story.  It's worth reading.

sweet kashton

i couldn't resist posting this last one ... christiansen ears, anyone??

after Jackobi's little photoshoot I decided to try our luck with Kashton ... he was such a trooper, even though the grass was tickling his little feet!  My favorite part about these pictuers?? {besides my darling boy of course}  the trunk in the background was my great grandfathers luggage when he was in the military, how awesome is that?  I'm such a sucker for anything to do with heritage or family tradition.  I'm so glad my mom hung onto it for all these years.

we love, love, love this sweet boy!! Kashton's smile could literally light up a room and he's grinning ear to ear most of the time! He is such a happy baby and I can't imagine our lives without him. He loves his sissy, they "play" together so much ... she entertains him all the time and he just loves to watch her. I can't get enough of our darling children.  They make life so much fuller! {and more entertaining} We can't help but feel so incredibly to be their parents, what a amazing blessings they are to us!

just jackobi ::

Jackobi is our little sweetheart.  I can't even believe how fast she's growing up (and I'm sure it doesn't slow down any from here on out!)  Everyone told us it would go quick and get better each and every day .... and it has!  This girl loves to love.  She's a snuggler and great at giving hugs.  She's always the first to love on Kashton in the morning and greets us each with a beaming grin when she wakes up.  Her giggle is infectious.  I love it. I love her.

She loves all things girl.  Ribbons, purses, jewelry, bows, tutu's, nail polish and curled hair.  Yep, that probably tops her list of the best things ever. I can't even believe she'll sit still for me to curl her hair!  She loves to sing and dance, especially if she can convince Nate to be her "prince" :)  Her favorite color is pink, but she really likes purple too. She loves kitties and hates (and I mean hates) bugs.

She's very into imaginative play these days and will have her little toys have conversations with eachother.  It's pretty cute to sit and overhear.  She still loves to have tea parties and is into "grocery shopping". Its pretty funny when she rattles off what's on her grocery list for that trip.  She loves to be outside and help pick whatever she can from the garden. The trampoline is her new favorite thing to do ... I'm sure we'll log many more hours on it this fall!

She loves to read.  Her favorite books are the Pinkilicious books and the Little Critter books.  She loves any princess movie and lately is really into Mary Poppins.  We spend most afternoons painting or drawing while Kashton naps.  She loves to learn and wants so badly to go to school ... we'll try out pre.school next year.  She talks all the time about how she'll get to ride the bus when she's older (we'll just see about this one!)  Her favorite food is rice, if she could eat it every day I think she would!! Her favorite snack is popcorn (her daddy's daughter!) or chocolate chips!

we love this girl to pieces.

she just makes life fuller.



:: life is sweet ::

this little girl is a constant reminder of just how sweet life really is.
everyday is an adventure, and a good one at that.

love her.  for every wonderful thing she is

and for making me better each and every day.

dancing queen

Jackobi started dance last week and to say she l.o.v.e.d it would be an understatement!!  That's all she can talk about.  She's taking a tap/ballet combo class and says she likes ballet better so far. We can't wait for little dance recitals in our future! sure love our little ballerina! ♥

summer wrap-up!

disclaimer:  photo OVERLOAD ahead! :)

I've finally come to the realization that summer has come to an end.  The mornings are brisk and you can smell of fall in the air ... I love summer, but am oh so ready for fall! It's my favorite time of year, so we're ready to fully embrace it's goodness (as long as that goodness, doesn't include another freak October snow storm :))

here's a quick wrap-up of the rest of our summer festivities!

took the kidlets to the fair.  
we were greatly outnumbered, but survived! :)

love this bench of girls! so fun!

the cows, as always, were a hit.  they loved touching the slimy nose (I couldn't convince Jackobi to try touching it, she was grossed out that he licked his boogers ... good girl :))

as always, Kashton was all smiles.  this boy {loves} the outdoors!

there's something so quaint and small town about our fair, I love it!

it was the perfect day to walk hand in hand with friends & discuss adventures.

we had a blast.

I finally took the plunge and chopped my hair for Locks of Love. Nearly a foot of hair and three years of growing ... the summer days sure feel lots cooler!

had fun hanging out with girlfriends ::

:: welcomed home a missionary

****
We celebrated Alivia's FOURTH birthday.  Her mama threw her a grand hello kitty party.  Jackobi is still taking about the stickers {and} pinata!  Happy birthday livy!

:: the crew (minus little brothers :))

the pinata was a hit! literally! it was fun to watch each kid take a turn swinging their bat at it. pretty cute and comical!

Jackobi swings like her dad.

doesn't that stance scream baseball??

let's home Kashton doesn't swing a bat that way :)

always fun to get the treat from inside!

and just enjoyed sunshine and family ::

and did our best to enjoy the ride ::