Sadie Mae's Birthday Party!

 Sadie Mae turned 3 this year!!!!!  We just love that whippersnapper!  As we talked about what to do for her birthday this year, we really wanted to turn it into a beach party.  So we decided to go visit Lacey, Kyle and Zoe down in Virginia Beach.  The drive was long but we had such a great time.  They have a wonderful apartment and Virginia Beach is a blast!!!  The minute we got there they had blinders on to everything but baby Zoe.  Just wanted to touch her, love her and hold her.  Same story, different baby..... I have to be baby rescuer from my baby hungry children.  We just love Zoe.... bright red hair!  She's a gorgeous baby!

 We got to hang out, love on her, have some great conversations and make some memories.

 We went to Virginia Beach one morning which was fun!  Zoe and Lacey came with us as well.  We didn't end up staying too long though.... the kids just get tired, and Zoe was ready for her nap.  I think 2-3 hours on the beach is PERFECT time frame though. 

 Eric and Peyton looking out at the horizon... and then me and the birthday girl!!!

And of course, we can't get enough of that Zoe!!!  Love that she was wearing some clothes that we had given her!! 

 Then one evening we went to the local fair.  Lacey stayed home to put Zoe down for bed.  We are all LOVERS of amusement parks so it was way fun!  And Sadie was wearing her very most favorite outfit in commemoration of her birthday.  Cause you know, when it's your birthday, you get everything that you want!!!

 Slushies to end the night at the fair.  Perfect perfect!!! 

 The next day we got to go to the apartment complex pool, which was pretty dang awesome!!!!

 There goes the birthday girl, wand in hand!!

 Peyton thinks he's like this all powerful swimmer now...... ummm, yeah, it freaks me out. 

Sadie is a little more cautious when it comes to the water.... which is fine with me!!!  We loved getting to be with family for the celebration.  We came home and had Crispy Creme donuts, sang happy birthday.... and enjoyed Frozen party favors/plates/party hats, etc. 

Sadie is so great!  She just makes us laugh every day!!!!  She is such a tease..... she is sleeping right now or I would personally ask her what her favorites are but I'm pretty sure I can name them off pretty accurately.

Favorites:
Color: pink
Song:  I am a Child of God
Game to play:  hide and seek
Friend: any nursery peeps
Food:  cottage cheese

She also loves going anywhere with Eric or I.  If one of us is leaving the house, she wants to go along.  Peyton is the opposite and prefers to hang out here at home.  She is definitely a daddy's girl... and daddy loves it.  She's definitely not a cuddler but every now and then I'll sneak in a moment.  I love when she takes a nap, or comes in bed with us in the middle of the night and I get to just cuddle her while she's sleeping.  She is an absolute angel!  Perfect to us in every way!!!

Peyton's 5th Birthday Party

 Peyton's Birthday Party was a success this year!  He had been looking forward to his party for months and months!  We would ask him what theme he wanted for the day and he'd change over and over.  At one point he wanted a Safari skylanders theme.  What the?  Thank heavens he changed it to Batman/Lego theme!  That, I can do.  I LOVE parties, like.... kinda obsessed!  One day I want to be a event organizer.  The only downside to planning is a low budget, haha.  But, this was his first friend birthday party ever so we went a little crazy.  Ok, I went a little crazy.  Eric's a good sport about it all though.

We started with doing a Superhero in training obstacle course.  We held the party at the park right here at our apartment complex too so that turned out great.  I had wanted to make some really nice invitations for all his friends but due to budget restraints and such, we just went with a facebook event.  With that being said... you usually plan for maybe half of the people you've invited to show up.  BUT, we had a full house.  Only 2 people declined sooooooo, I always do say, "the more the merrier."  And that's exactly what it turned out to be... merry!

 One of the highlights of the day was getting to spray and vanquish the villains with their individual cans of silly string. As I was explaining the game to the kids.... I stopped myself from saying... "after 5 sprays, they are dead."  Maybe not the best for a group of 5 year olds.  Vanquish is a decent word... right?  "Until the villains are no more?"  "Gone they are?"  Well anywho, that was the crowd favorite.

 Not everyone's favorite though.  Silly string can be downright freaky to the young uns'.  Poor babies. 

 In an attempt to a live a healthier lifestyle lately.... we went with a watermelon cake.  Adorned with blueberries, a little frosting, and strawberries.  It was definitely a success! 

 It's moments and occasions like these that make me REALLy miss being close to my family.  I had invited Eric's fam but they had declined.  I really try not to be offended or hurt by it, but it does sting a little not having the family support for important times in my kids' lives!  With that being said.... I have some of the most wonderful "family by choice."  So in the end, we felt so loved!  WE love our friends here.

Can you tell that he liked the presents he received?  Maybe a little too much.  He let us know at the end that next time he's inviting even more friends so he can have more presents.  OI

 My sis Whitney had made Batman face masks for all the guests and it was downright EPIC!!  So grateful that my family still does try to be a part of things although they are far away!!!

So grateful for my little Peyton. 

Favorites:
Color:  blue and green
Game to play:  hide and seek
Thing to do: build my legos
Friend: Mushroom cows
Food:  Corn on the cob
Holiday:  Christmas
People to play with:  Clay
Song:  Book of Mormon stories
Vacation spot:  Great Wolf Lodge

Sheesh 2015.... where did you come from??

Where in the heck does the time go?  I mean... it's been like a whole year since I've blogged.  I know we all have the same 24 hours in a day and we all choose to fill those hours with whatever we want....  I get it, but it still feels like time is flying by faster than usual.

So a little update on our fam.  Eric is now working for Select Sire Power.  He works as a consultant and a bit of a salesman.  He is over all the farms in Franklin County and loves what he does.  We moved to an apartment complex in October.... apartment living for our first time as a married couple and I'm LOVING it!!! 

Not too many cons in my mind with apartment living... especially for this chapter in our lives.  I'm busy as ever with Doterra stuff.  We've got some big goals and benchmarks to hit coming up.  I am totally burned out from traveling though..... we have decided to take a different course of action in the next few months which I'm dang stoked for!!!!  We are going to start taking it to the web more.  Going to create a Private training site for anyone wanting to do the business, etc.  Can't wait!

Peyton is busy with t-ball right now.  We had signed him up for soccer as well but didn't realize they were at the exact same time. So Peyton was only able to complete half his soccer season..... Eric is the t-ball coach so we couldn't miss those games.  Peyton is done with preschool and onto kindergarten this fall.  Definitely an emotional thing for me.  I get a little anxious to think about him going out into the world without me next to him.  He is our tender hearted little lad and feel so blessed to be his mommy.

Sadie is our little sassafrass!  She is a little bundle of energy, mischief and love.  She is ALL girl, loving to accessorize, play dress up, play with her baby dolls, and change outfits at least 5 times a day.  She keeps our life a little more entertaining.  She is starting preschool this fall and I can't believe it either.  I'm practically going ot be an empty nester.  I'm not readyyyyyyy.........

 Eric is still a Sunday school teacher and I'm now the Achievement Day Activity Girl's leader.  I love it so far!  We love it here in Shippensburg still.  Great people, fun things to do, we feel settled.  Probably for the first time in our married lives as well.  It feels good.  We have such wonderful friends here too... definitely feels like family. 

I love my fam!  I love this opportunity to be these two scallywags mom.  Being a mom is the best thing I've ever done!  I'm not perfect at it by any means.... but I do my best!  And ya know.... my best is good enough!!  I create my best by taking the time to play with them, apologizing when I'm wrong, letting them have a good cry sometimes, and just learning from my own mistakes!! 

Namaste till next time....

Christmas 2013

 Christmas time is a magical time... especially when you get to see it through the eyes of your children.  It was Santa this and Santa that for weeks and weeks before the actual Christmas day.  We tried to reiterate the reason for the season over and over but...... Santa was still at the forefront!  Hoping they "get it" one day!  Christmas Eve was wonderful!  We stayed home for the first time since we've been married just spending the time as a family.  We opened up an awesome Christmas package from my parents that was chuck full of Christmas Eve goodies.  Yes, some pajamas were included.  So here we are above, modeling them... minus Eric. 

 We then loaded up our car, pajamas on to watch the Nativity at a member's house.  Every year they do the Nativity story complete with wonderful costumes and lights all over the yard.  Unfortunately, this year it was soooo windy that the lanterns kept getting blown out.  I still thought that it was a magical wonderful event.  So grateful for a chance to attend this to really get in the right Christmas spirit. 

 We then headed home, flanked by our buddies the missionaries for a fondue/pajama party evening. 

 We LOVE these elders!  We just laugh and laugh when we're together!!  And those pajamas on Elder Larsen... a huge crackup!!

 On Christmas morning the kids were dying to open up their gifts and check out their stockings.... but Eric was working.  So they waited patiently until he got home, and the second he walked in the door.  The presents were torn open and the stockings dumped all over the place.

 Our Santa is continuing the tradition that I grew up with as a child.  A carton of eggnog for each person in their stockings.

 Chocolate fondue was Sadie's favorite.  No surprise there!

 We decided to give Sadie her first haircut, after I gave the boys their haircuts.  (Getting all snazzy for our Christmas family party) 

 Just cutting the very ends off, don't worry!

 We were able to meet the Shahan's and the Poquita's at the temple for a wonderful evening and Christmas concert!  These guys are family!  So grateful for them and their friendship!  Feel continuely blessed that I have them in my life!

 At the Caufman family Christmas party, Peyton received a Hot Wheels race track. 

 Sadie got a baby doll with a special blanket!

 All the great grandkids of Grandma Bertha.

 And all the grandkids!  We sure love Grandma Caufman!!!!  She is such a wonderful woman and example!  So loving and sweet!  Ever since the day I met her, I've felt nothing but complete acceptance and love.  She is so selfless and giving!!  One day Sadie will realize how lucky she is to be named after this woman.  Sadie MAE Hess.

 Another Christmas here at the house with Eric's family!

Such a wonderful year!  Such a wonderful Christmas!  We felt so blessed to be able to spend it around the people we love!  Of course, I missed my family but it felt great starting traditions of our own for our lil family!!  And we sure loved sharing the moments of the kids unwrapping gifts while grandparents in Utah were facetiming us!!!