New Hope Valley Christmas Train

We took a trip on the New Hope Valley Railroad this past weekend and it was the absolute cutest Harry Potteresque steam engine I've ever seen! It is a 1920's restored steam engine that pulls a open air passenger cars and little red caboose. 

We also happened to pre-order tickets for the coldest day we have had so far this winter! But we didn't let that stop us! We bundled up and piled onto the train and enjoyed Fiona's first Choo Choo ride, (along with a little flask to keep the adults toasty). 

Fiona thought the whole trip was great (minus the run in the Santa)! I will say it was a step up from her last Santa visit, but just barely! She basically pretended he didn't exist when he plopped himself right across from her. She did manage to squeak out she wanted a guitar for Christmas. Baby steps!

I think I lucked out and had the warmest seat in the house holding baby Evie. 

Fiona loved hearing the noises coming from the engine, we even quoted some lines from one of our favorite books, The Little Engine that Could.  

All in all, it was magical and we are definitely added it to our Christmas to-do list every year! 

And now I am off to try and find some of the presents I've hidden around the house! Here's hoping I don't pull a Clarke W. Griswald and find one hiding in my closet come May! 

Halloween 2016!

Fiona had a blast trick or treating, and Evie enjoyed being all snuggled up with Mama that she slept the whole time.

I made the rookie mistake of the year and forgot the memory card for our big camera so we just had our phones. 

Fiona went through wanting to be alllll of the Disney princesses for Halloween before she settled on Elmo.  I didn't think I could attempt to make a home made Elmo this year with a newborn so I hit up trusty Amazon for her costume. I was slightly nervous getting Elmo because she was so wishy washy over her choice. As soon as she saw her costume, there was no looking back. 

Last week we went to the trunk or treat at our church.  It was a beautiful day and I'm so glad we went because Scott got to see her trick or treat. He had to work at the station Halloween so he missed the real trick or treating. 

Halloween night, the girls and I stopped by the station to trick or treat with the firemen, then made our way to my parents house.

Fiona had a blast trick or treating and by the end of the night she was finally saying trick or treat loud enough to hear! 

Hopefully next year Scott won't be on shift and we can do a family theme! Now time to pack away my one Halloween decor I put out this year, and get ready for Thanksgiving!

Mother's Day and Savannah

We spent this past weekend down in Savannah, GA for the regional dance competition.  The three of us went and it was heaven! The number of full weekends we get are so few, that I couldn't wait to spend the whole weekend with Scott and Fi.  

Friday evening we walked around historic downtown Savannah, visited a fire station, and got caught in one of the rainiest storms I've ever seen! Fi was not too happy about getting soaked to the bone, good thing she won't remember that! But once we got back to the hotel, we all got into our pajamas and snuggled down into the bed to warm up.

Saturday, we spent most of the day at the competition, Fi played with the other brothers and sisters and had worn herself out so much she didn't even make it out of the parking lot before she fell asleep.  

Sunday, we went to our favorite brunch spot on the river walk of Savannah.  The restaurant is named Huey's and its amazing! If you are ever in Savannah over the weekend, make sure you stop in there for their brunch. It won't disappoint! We spent the rest of the morning strolling around Savannah, then sadly made our way home.  

We finished our great weekend with dinner with the grandparents at our house.  Scott grilled out and made the dinner, I didn't even have to lift a finger!! Even though it was my second mother's day, it really felt like my first official one.  Last year, poor Scott and Fi were sick with the bug on Mother's Day, so I took care of two sick babies.

To all of those wonderful mothers out there, I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your day, and were able to spend some time with your wonderful families!  

Fiona's Painting Birthday Party

This past Sunday, we celebrated Fiona's second birthday with a little painting party.   One of her absolute favorite things to do right now is paint, or really just any type of art in general.

I snagged some 8X10 canvases at Michael's as well as some Crayola washable paint pens and paint (which is truly washable!!), and found these adorable aprons at Oriental Trading Company. 

It really could have gone with either way.  I halfway pictured a gruesome paint war breakout between all of the toddlers, but it was so peaceful and all the kiddies had a blast! 

They were so engrossed in their own artwork, they didn't make one single mess! 

Fi was so proud of her artwork.  

Two!

Tuesday, Fiona turned two!  I have no idea how she got that old, but she is the sweetest, most lovable, silly girl I know.  My mom came up with the idea to take a yearly picture of her on her birthday and since we always have red wheat grass growing around this time for Easter, we added the words to it to help document the year. I absolutely love these pictures.  

I'll share more from her painting birthday party with her friends soon.  

Happy birthday, my sweet girl, we love you so much! 

18 Month Update

Age: 18 months

Stats: 24.4 lbs and about 31.5 inches (gained 2.5 lbs and 2.5 inches)

Favorite Foods: Grapes, Juice, Teddy Grahams, Blueberries, Spaghetti, Bananas, Chicken, Yogurt, M&M (thanks to my dad, BugBug), fruit and veggie Smoothies, fruit snacks and good ol' Government cheese (American cheese).

Words: Open, Up, On, Off, Pah Pah (Paci) All done, Uh-Oh, Bye-Bye, Da Da, Ma Ma, Yeah! Nodding her head and Shaking her head when we ask her questions about what she wants to do. This actually took me by surprise the first time. I asked her if she wanted to go outside and play and she nodded her head yes.... I was like OMG you totally understand what I'm saying!!! 

Favorite Activities: Painting, picking veggies from the garden, going for walks and reading reading reading! If I've read the The Wheels on the Bus or Spooky House once, I've read it 5098378392 times. Seriously cute books, check 'em out, but good gracious I've read them a lot!

Hates: Bedtime...Whoa Nelly! Talk about fighting it! Hates bedtime!  

Signature Moves: Walking around with a hair tie on her arm.  Seriously get so mad if I try to take it off, I have to wait until she falls asleep to get it off her.   

This is definitely my favorite age so far! I love watching her little personality blossom an that smile just melts my heart! 
Here is the link to her 15 month Update and 13 month Update. 

Our Weekend

September is always one of my most favorite months! But I swear! It is also one of the busiest!! Saturday, Scott and I both cleared our schedules and had a much needed family day!

We hung around the house Saturday, enjoyed the beautiful weather, went to the farmer's market to pick up some Mums, went to dinner with my parents, 

and hit out the local Krispy Kreme for talk like a pirate day. 

Hope you guys are soaking up the last of the sun for a while- looks like we are in for some rain. P.S. Its almost Friday!!!! 

Labor Day

Happy Thursday, everyone! I'm afraid to say it, but we MIGHT be slowing down a little over here. #praisejesusalleluia.  We were in need of some major R & R this past weekend, but no rest for the weary.  We finished a couple of projects around the studio and cleaned the house mainly.  Looking back now, I think we took the name Labor Day in the opposite direction than what your supposed to do.

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We did sneak away for a couple of hours and relaxed by the pool with some friends.

They were calling for thunderstorms all afternoon, so we actually had the whole pool to ourselves. I can't get over how long Fiona looks in this pic! Its like all of the sudden she grew 78 inches!  

I couldn't help myself when I saw the pumpkin beers show up in the store.  Just a little season smashup with pumpkin beers by the pool.  

I could watch Fiona play with her friends all day long.  These two are so adorable together, never have I seen two girls so obsessed with shoes, and watermelon! 

Hope you are all enjoying your short work week! Yesterday, Fiona turned 18 Months.  I think we are so overdue to an update! 

Sunset Beach

We had a fantastic time on our little family vacation to the beach.  We relaxed, fished, walked, swam, built and knocked down sand castles, splished, splashed, ate dinner on the porch, listening to thunderstorms, ate seafood and just plain enjoyed some family time.  It hurt to leave but I know we will be back soon. 

Are you ready for a picture overload?  Well... here we go!