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?!

Tea Party

TEA PARTY FOR ALL PRINCESS'S!

COME AND PLAY WITH ME!
I AM HAVING A FUN 'DRESS UP' TEA PARTY ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 19 FROM 9:30 AM-11:00. IT WILL BE AT MY 'MI MI'S HOUSE. YOU CAN COME IN YOUR FAVORITE DRESS UP OUTFIT, OR IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ONE, MY MI MI WILL MAKE SURE SHE HAS EXTRAS HERE FOR YOU.
bye, bye, ella

All the princesses at the party...Jillian, Jacklynn, Riley, Ella, Lauren, and Sophie...
Ella's mimi had fun snacks and drinks for everyone...
Then we made purses and had story time...even danced a bit! Aunt Cara came to get in on the action!

Girls and their love of babies...it is precious! Izy was a hit!
This was such a fun idea...the girls loved getting all dressed up and playing together! Thanks Linda! Have I mentioned I love little girls?! Esp. the two cutest...Jac and Izy!

Equal Opportunity Parenting

The State Fair

Has anybody been listening to the radio and heard the commercials for the fair? They honestly crack me up...I feel like they are promoting some sort of life altering experience. "No better time, no better place..." but nope , just promoting the good ol' Indiana State Fair. Anyways, We made 2 trips to the fair this year. The first one was awesome! It was so exciting to see how much more Jacklynn enjoyed it this year as compared to last. She loved all the animals, the people, and of course the food! I just thought this "Do not touch" sign was great...esp. since that was the cow Jac wanted to be closest to. Of Course!Aunt Cara and Jacklynn checking out the horses!
CORN DOG! The funny thing is that Jacklynn does not even like the fried part...just the hot dog! That's my healthy eater! Ha!
Dancin' with gram...
Every year we walk past this McCord barn and say "Hmm...we should take our picture in front of it!" And every year, for some reason, we just walk on by. But we decided to actually do it this year...and no, we have no relation nor any idea who owns this barn and why it says McCord!
Jacklynn rode a pony for the first time...she was definitely a little unsure at first!
Getting braver...I think she is a natural!
"Look mommy...there is an elephant and a tiger at the Indiana State Fair!" Does this make sense to anyone else?!
I asked Nic if he would hold Jacklynn so that we could take a family picture...so helpful that husband of mine!
A little better...
I know, I am cheesy, but they look so cute in matching overalls! (Poor Izy, her mom just leans her up against a hard, wooden bench in hopes that she gets a cute picture...)
The whole gang...Izy, OWO, Jac, Uncle Steve, Aunt Tut, Aunt Ca, and Gram...such a fun night! By the way, did we get enough to eat?! I think so!!
Sunflowers...

On Tuesday, the girls went to the fair for the Sugarland concert. AMAZING! It was so much fun!

The Many Faces of Jac

We went to the slide at the Castleton Mall a couple weeks ago just to switch things up. We hadn't been there to play since winter...and we basically live there then, so it was fun to see how much more Jacklynn enjoyed all the fun things to play on. She continually went down the slide...each time with a great expression on her face! Aunt Cara had to capture them with the camera...

Double Wedding

August 1st, my cousin Davey married Amanda! And at the same time, his best friend Gavin married Amber (Amanda's Sister!). The wedding was near Elkhart, IN and the ceremony was amazing! It was fun and God -centered...the way a wedding should be! The theme was vintage, so all guests were requested to wear black and cream. Here is a picture of the new Mr. and Mrs. Davey Blackburn! Congrats you two!It was a challenge finding black and cream for the girls, but I think their outfits turned out pretty dang cute...
Notice Jac's bows match her shoes...I love being a mom of girls!
They had little photo areas set up with all kinds of hats and gloves to try on. Here is our family picture from the evening!
Peak-a-boo grandma!
Davey is my mom's brother's son, so my whole mom's side of the family stayed all weekend at the Essenhaus in good ol' Amish Country, IN! This picture of Nic relaxing with the girls is precious...esp. Izy's smile!
We spent the afternoon in the pool...ring around the rosie anyone?!
I told my parents that I wanted them to think of what they wanted to be called...like as far as grandma, papa, poppy, mimi, etc. They both were not sold on the fact that they should be the ones coming up with their own names, but to please me my dad give it some long hard thought...and came up with Horacio. Ha! So here is Izy getting in some quality time with Horacio! (We will see how long that lasts!)
Amish style food is amazing! And so is having all your aunts around for meals!
I love to have my family in town...but hate when they leave! It was so great to spend time with them this weekend and I miss them already!

While Daddy's Away...the Girls Get to Play!

Last weekend Nic was out of town at a bachelor party, so we had a fun weekend with the girls! We started out at the track...the Brickyard was last weekend so there was lots of action! Did I mention it was 90 Degrees and 300% humidity?! The girls were troopers though and enjoyed the famous BRICKS!
On Saturday, Cara and I headed to Chicago to visit one of her best friends from forever...and one of my good friends since I met Cara, Jamie Simpson. She and her husband live there. It was such a fun trip! And it gave me a new appreciation for all moms and nannies in Chicago...it is such a different life! Here we are on our first experience with public transportation...the bus!
For dinner on Saturday, we went to a cute little Italian place and then headed to the water for some fireworks. Here is Jamie and Cara with Izy...
We got to participate in Jamie's baptism on Sunday morning in Lake Michigan. It was really cool! There were about 90 people baptized. We are so proud of you Jamie!

Laying out by the pool at Jamie and Matt's apartment...
Jamie is a nanny in Chicago and we hung out with her and the girls on Monday. Here is Jacklynn with Alexis, one of the girls she babysits.
Playing in the water...(I love this face!)
We love Chicago!
Thanks again Jamie and Matt! We had so much fun and are so glad you guys are happy! We love you!