October...thus far!

Can I just say that fall is most definitely fun?! The 1st weekend in October we went on a family reunion to Southern Indiana. Cara came home and all of Nic's mom's side of the family headed to Magnet, IN. Never heard of it? Me neither! It actually does not even show up on weather.com, but it was right on the Ohio River and beautiful! We all (and by all I mean 24 adults and 6 kids under 3) snuggled up into 2 cabins...time of our lives! Here are 4 of the 6 girls waiting for Papa and Grammy!We found a new favorite animal...WORMS! Look closely cause she is holding it and wanted to show everyone!
The whole gang...it was an awesome time of re-uniting and enjoying one another. I am truly blessed to have married into such a great family in which everyone is striving to live for Jesus!
Sisters! The girls kept entertained by playing on rocks...
So, I wanted to take a family picture, and of course Nic decided to follow directions in his own way by climbing to the top of this rock. At first, I was annoyed...but it ended up being a really cute picture of the McCord family! Thanks baby!
Cara stayed an extra day so that we could hit up the pumpkin patch. Jac was a little unsure of the tunnel...she doesn't like mulch or hay on her hands!
Hay maze...

Aunt Cara showing the girls the goats and the llamas...
And then teaching Jac how to do cart wheels. Beautiful form Ca!
Later on that week, Jac's preschool went on a field trip to another pumpkin patch. Of course, I wanted to be a chaperone. It was so fun to have some bonding time with just her! They had "chores" set up for the kids to do. Gathering the eggs...
Doing something with corn...(wow, I payed great attention!)Picking out the perfect pumpkin...
I love my big baby girl!
At the fear of not visiting every pumpkin patch in the Indianapolis area, we stopped by yet another patch the next day with all kinds of family and friends!

Last week, my sister Steph came to visit from Colorado. We had so much fun! As soon as she arrived Jac wanted to show off her new boots! How precious?!
We frequented a few parks while she was here. And anyone that knows my sister Steph, knows that she is obssessed with push-ups and crunches (and quite good at them I might add). So she taught Jac...
Double the fun at bath time...with Aunt Steph's help!
We went up to IWU to visit my other sister and Steph's boyfriend. I love taking the girls there because most college students don't see kids on a regular basis...so they love seeing the Jac and Izy! Note: matching pants...thanks mom!
More park time...


To fully emerge in the fall spirit, we painted and carved pumpkins the other night at the barn. It was so fun and might be a new tradition!

Check out the new shoes courtesy of Nic's mom...gotta love 'em!

4th trip to the pumpkin patch took place last Friday with my siblings. It was good time! And a beautiful day! The weather has been amazing around here lately and I am loving it!

Aunt Jenni got the girls matching Halloween princess shirts that light up...so cool!

On Saturday, me, Jenni, Sarah, Steph, and Jason ran a mini marathon at Fort Ben...for Jenni, Sarah, and I it was a first. Wow! How to explain? I did not train as hard as I should/could have, but I made it at about an 11 min/mile pace. The first 9 miles I kicked butt, but had to take a few walking breaks the last 4. I am still pretty proud of myself and excited to do another! Thanks sisters for talking me into it!
And that brings you up to date...I know there are a lot of pictures, but I just had to share! Along with all of the fun, God has been teaching me so many things...I feel like this has just been an overall amazing couple of weeks! I am so thankful for the relationships in my life!

Surprise!

I know, I know...this blog is way overdue! On September 11, the girls, Becky, and I headed south. We went to West Palm Beach to surprise Cara for her birthday. It was Izy's first time on a plane and Jac's first time since she went mobile! The plane rides (yes, plural!) were actually not to bad on the way there. Jac fell asleep on both plane rides...only to be woken up by mommy spilling diet coke on her and Izy pooping on gram, but you know, we made it with no melt downs.
We stayed out late the first night there...with dinner, the fountains, and dancing at the mall! Oh I love West Palm! Jac is the one with the unprepared mother...hence the diaper!
Cara's condo is so nice! Complete with a pool for our enjoyment!
Aunt Cara wrapped her towel around her, so Jac wanted to do the same...
Cara's friend April threw her an awesome party...with all of her favorite kids! This is Ayla, Ben, Jac, Izy, and Addy!
It was like the hottest day ever...which made some of the icing melt, but hey it was to celebrate Cara so it was totally worth it!
Go colts!
More time at the fountains...

And of course, what is a trip to Florida without the beach?! Jac is still a little unsure of the sand, but Izy was rolling around in it and trying to eat it!

The girls on the plane ride home...the very long plane ride home!
It was a great trip with lots of memories and good times! We hope that we made your birthday special Cara...thanks for everything! We love you!

Like a Kid in the Candy Aisle

So I have a million things to do tonight, but I really wanted to share this story! Friday night I took the girls out for pizza and then we hit up Kroger cause I wanted ice cream. Well, since we were just running in and Jacklynn currently hates all things baby (including riding in the shopping cart) I let her walk. When we made it to the ice cream aisle, I finally understood what the phrase "like a kid in the candy aisle" means. Jac was literally running up and down the aisle stopping at each glass door and pointing at different types of ice cream, while making the oh face, screaming, and looking at me like she was in heaven! It was precious and amazing and hilarious all mixed into one! We decided on a pint of Half Baked Ben and Jerry's ice cream...which she proudly carried all the way to the check out. After we got home, we sat on the front porch and split it. It was so fun! And truly helped me understand what Rob Bell once wrote, "I love that I get to live this life!" Moments like these make all the stressful whining, crying, and disciplining so worth it. My life is an occasion and I am learning daily how to rise to it!

1st Days of School

This weekend Jenni and Jason (my sister Steph's boyfriend) moved into the dorms at Indiana Wesleyan. So naturally, we assisted! It is so great to have some of my side of the family back in town! Jacklynn was somewhat helpful... Jenni's room was looking pretty good when we left it Sunday. We will see how long it stays that way! Hey, at least you have air conditioning unlike others of us who were less fortunate as freshman!
On Saturday night, we had both of my sets of grandparents out for a cookout. It was lot of fun showing off our house and hanging out with them. Jacklynn clocked some much needed sprinkler time as well!
And Izy showed off her two new teeth!
Why push the stroller across the grass when you can carry it?!
Sister's turn!
On Sunday, we had a family reunion with all of my dad's mom's side of the family. My great aunt wanted us to wear t-shirts, so we sported our new t's that we plan to wear when we run the mini-marathon together in October. Fairly accurate printing when it comes to Foley girls!
My dad's mom and dad with the girls...
On Tuesday, Jacklynn started her first day of MMO (Moms Morning Out) or preschool as I like to call it! Note: the carpet square I decorated...my first mom project for school! She seemed to enjoy her class and went right in without any tears. When I went to pick her up, she was not quite as excited...she was actually bawling and had been doing so since lunch. But hey, 4 hours away from mama is a long time for a little tyke! We are proud of you Jac!

A Few Family Pics

Last weekend, before Cara went back to school, we had Lisa come over and take a few family pictures. They turned out awesome...or at least I think so! It was a sad day though after these pics. Cara headed back to Florida for her last semester of college. It is such a blessing to have an amazing sister-in-law...and a best friend. We all miss her so much when she is out of town, but know she is right where God wants her!

It's my birthday...and Lisa's too!

Every year on my birthday I try to take at least a minute to reflect on what has happened throughout that year. This year it was overwhelming: got pregnant, fixed up house, 40 showings in 6 weeks, sold house, lived with in laws for 6 months, 8 ear infections in 6 weeks for 1 child, bought new house, 2 months of delays in closing, had a baby, fixed up another house, moved in, dealt with post partum anxiety...phew...throw in a few trips to Colorado and Florida as well as plenty of learning how to raise 1-2 children and you got yourself a crazy year! But one I would not trade for the world! I have re-learned how to FULLY rely on God as He has reminded me constantly to "consider it pure joy" and "this to shall pass." I can honestly say I do not know where I would be without my God. Thanks also to all of you for your prayers, friendship, and encouragement...Nic and I are blessed to have some of the greatest friends and family in the world!I turned 25 on August 17th. It was a great birthday! Some of my favorite people...all day long! Thank you to Cara for all of her planning efforts. You are the best!
This was my favorite present...
Here it is up close! Cara and Becky helped the girls make this frame. Jac actually picked out all the flowers and the rocks. Isn't it precious?
A few days later all the girls went out to celebrate my birthday, as well as Lisa's. She turned the big 3-0! Way to go Lisa! The night began at Stir Crazy and then we headed to Lulu's...good times, good times!
Birthday girls!
On Friday night, we went to the horse track with some family to celebrate Lisa's birthday. It was really fun! Oh and all the brothers showed up wearing the same color and style of shirt...weird!
Until next year...I guess I am 25. Although when everyone expects me to remember exactly how many MONTHS both of my children are, I hardly can remember how many YEARS I am! Oh well...does it really matter?!