Pre-party Pictures

These adorable birthday crowns were given to Lila and Bennett by their Aunt Monique! Aren't they precious?? These will definitely be a tradition in our house...



Can't believe they are almost one....Personalized napkins were definitely a must! You only turn 1 once!!



Here is a shot of our dining room, ready for the party....
This is funny to me, because usually the table is pushed against the wall in order to make room for my kid corral!



Double Bubble- Aunt Mo's awesome suggestion for party favors to thank everyone for coming!



The birthday cake!! I'll try to include some "before" pictures of their smash cakes soon...
Needless to say, the pictures that will come later are much more exciting. I just wanted everyone to "feel" like they were here celebrating with us!!

A few funny pics....

We've been getting ready for this weekend and Lila and Bennett's birthday party...Elise wanted to help, and so here she is working in the yard with her Dad!
Can't wait until I can really assign her chores to do!!



Meanwhile inside....Lila thought she had found a fun new hiding place in between the wall and the armoire...
(and no, our children do not usually go around with just a diaper...we are in between wardrobe changes here!!)



Until she realized she couldn't get out!!!



Yesterday Kate and Myrt stopped by on their way out of town...Elise was dying to hold Myrt....
Notice her EXTREMELY jealous baby brother and sister....



Two little cuties...Elise was sooo sweet and gentle with the baby...I was very pleased...

We are looking forward to a fun, family filled weekend!!

Hope ya'll have a great one too!
Love, Nicole

Aunt Mo is here!!

We are all very excited because Aunt Mo (and crazy cousin Howie- her maltipoo) drove into town today!! I am thrilled that she will be here to celebrate Lila and Bennett's first birthday with us (just a week early!)...
Needless to say, Elise is totally over me right now and completely focused on Aunt Mo. She painted her at least 5 paintings while waiting for her arrival. And, once she got here Aunt Mo had to do everything. "Aunt Mo needs to buckle me in, Aunt Mo needs to read me a book, Aunt Mo can you please get me a drink..."
Aunt Mo is probably going to be ready to go back to Nashville by tomorrow! HAHA!

I'll post pictures soon!!
Thank God for my sister! So glad she is here...

Rain, Rain, Go away....

It has been raining like crazy for the past few days here so I don't have much to report...
We have been stuck inside and doing lots of art projects...
Elise is very into her glitter paint right now...I love encouraging this side of her!
It is lots of fun...



Thanks to all of the rain (one of the silver linings!), my hydrangeas are blooming beautifully...
I am so thrilled...They are one of my favorite flowers and it is so nice to have fresh flowers inside... ESPECIALLY on gloomy days like we have been having...



We'll see if the rain stops in time for our Friday Night concert...If not I know we will be facing complete devastation on Elise's part!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day everyone!!!

Today was a very special day for me...
I am often overwhelmed with how blessed I am and today was one of those days.
David and Elise worked very hard together to make sure that everything was perfect! (Don't worry Lila and Bennett, I know next year you'll be right there with them!)
I am so glad that David documented their morning, as I was instructed to stay in bed...
Inspired by the book "A Special Day for Mommy" that they found on a trip to Barnes and Nobles a while back, the day started with me being served cereal in bed, while wearing my special "Mommy" crown (pink, of course, with sparkly letters!). After I ate my cereal, Elise held my hand and guided me into the kitchen where I had heart shaped jam and butter sandwiches, flowers picked from the yard, and a beautiful homemade card waiting...
Below you can see Elise working on the card...it was very elaborate and I was very impressed with David's craft skills!


Elise cutting out the heart shaped sandwiches...


Elise adding such a sweet touch, a toilet paper bow, to my flowers...


All of my loot- Elise's "to do" list, the book that provided the inspiration for my morning, my handmade card entitled I love you everyday of the week, the handpicked fresh flowers, and the copy of the order for a "pair" of shoes I had been eyeing (thanks for the hint Aunt Mo) from my "pair"- Lila and Bennett....(the shoes didn't make it here in time, but what a great thought!)


After we ate breakfast we headed off to church....After church we came home so that the babies could catch their morning nap and then we went over to my parents house for a late lunch. David grilled for everyone and it was delicious! He even made blueberry AND apple pie!
Below you can see the babies watching their Dad cook....



Taking a rest after his long, productive day....


I am so, so thankful on this day...Not only for the three beautiful children I have been blessed with, but for their wonderful Dad. I love so much how he spent so much time with Elise creating just the perfect present- and how it was less about something he just went out and bought, and more about treating me like a Queen today. I love that she is learning from him about what is really important, and I loved seeing how proud she was of the work they had done together. So, I am especially thankful for David, today and everyday, because his support and dedication to our family are what enable me to try everyday to be the best Mom I can be to our children. He always makes me feel like the "job" that I take so seriously (but don't get paid for!!) is as important to him as it is to me...
So, thank you to his Mom on this Mother's Day for the gift of him....And to my Mom, thanks for being the best role model I could have asked for. I hope I can be half the Mom to our children that you are to us.

I also want to say a special Happy Mother's Day to all of my friends with children, and especially those whose babies are still growing inside of them (Suzanne, Aimee, Currey and Theresa)..you have so much to look forward to!!


Happy Mother's Day...
Love, Nicole