Ridley Shopkin turns 3

Ridley woke up to a little Shopkin party!  She loved it, and I can't wait to see how excited she will be on Saturday.

The Shopkins donuts were amazing!  WOW!

I tucked my three year old in tonight, with a sock hat on, and I couldn't get enough snuggles.  She is silly, sweet, and full of spunk.  I love her to pieces. 

Firewoman

I love the days with my little Ridley!  We had a morning full of errands to get ready for her upcoming birthday party.  We stopped off at Firehouse for lunch, and the staff went crazy over her.  Before we left, she had a fireman hat, police badge, and lots of high fives.  

Christmas Fun Continues

We are enjoying our family time together and playing with every new toy.  Today, we are making homemade cotton candy.  It was pretty interesting to learn how cotton candy is made and watch the hard candy turn into thin strings.  It was very easy to find a few cute taste testers.

The bickering brothers discovered a new "punishment" today.  Hug it out timeout!  Ha!

Ridley wore herself out playing with all her new dolls.  Tonight she chose to sleep with Elena.  Such a sweet cuddler.

Christmas Eve

We enjoyed an amazing Christmas Eve service at White's Chapel.  The message of joy, love, and peace spoke to our hearts, and the children really liked the parachute candy and the snow machines at the end of service.

Before we could go to bed, we sprinkled the reindeer food across the front yard.  Hopefully they like glitter and oatmeal.  

Santa knew just what to bring the kiddos.  Bikes, dollhouse, foosball table, Shopkins, and lots of Under Armour!

Cinco De Mayo

Reed and Ridley traveled with me to Austin for work this week.  I only had two partial days of meetings, and I was looking forward to a little adventure with them.  I had a Happy Hour scheduled for Cinco De Mayo, and I was asked to please bring them by.  My co-workers were so excited to meet them, and they raved about how adorable they are.  :)  

I was very thankful when they pulled out a pinata.  They had gone out of their way to plan something fun for my littles to do while visiting.  The pinata was filled with chocolate and hard candy that my kiddos loved.  It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture.  

After lots of candy, tv, and laughing, my little crew crashed.  I love watching them cuddle together.  They are so precious.

Eggs for Friends

I love our precious pre-school.  There is a tradition of sweet little gifts around the holidays.  I have always enjoyed preparing something with the kiddos to share with their friends.  As we were tying up the chalk eggs and attaching the tags, it hits me that this is the last go around for Reed.  I can't believe that his time at Chapel Hill is almost over.  So bittersweet!

Valentine Photo Booth

The littles had a Valentine photo booth at their pre-school.  I giggled when I received the proofs.  The first one breaks my heart, because it is so obvious that Reed wasn't feeling it.

He somehow gets it together for a forced smile.

Ridley is playing coy or a little Dr. Evil with her pinkie in her mouth. 

These children crack me up!  Happy Valentines' Day!

Pallet Party

While John Chris is away skiing, I have been enjoying lots of sweet moments with my children.  Tonight, I thought it would be fun to try a pallet party.  I laid out lots of blankets and pillows in my room, thinking that the party wouldn't last long.  We cuddled in and watched a little Paw Patrol.

Before I knew it, all three of the kiddos were out, and even Cooper sneaked in. 

Sweet dreams sweet babies!

Christmas Day

Our three littles were up bright and early ready to explore the goodies that Santa dropped off.  The boys didn't make it past the entry way most of the day, because there was just way too much fun packed under the tree.

Ridley loved her new Elsa dress and wanted it on right away.  She added a little flair with her pajama under clothes.  "Let It Go"

Princess Elsa enjoyed playing with her new Beanie Boos and fairy suitcase. 

After several hours of playing with all the toys Santa left, the boys opened their suitcases to find - WADERS!  They were thrilled!  They put them on immediately and tested them in the pool. They stayed warm and dry, so the boys are ready to try them at the hunting camp.

We also celebrated Jesus' birthday with a cake and the happy birthday song.

Happy Father's Day

The best shot of all the kiddos with their awesome Daddy, and 3 of the 5 looking at the camera isn't bad.  We love you!

Spring 2015

Be still my heart.

Hugs

Ridley started giving hugs.  She puts both of her arms around my neck and squeezes.  I love it!  Truly one of the best moments.

Cuddling

There is nothing better than lots of love and cuddling on a weekend morning.  I love these sweet early moments, and Daddy was able to soak it up this morning.  Be still my heart!

Valentines

The boys spotted their Valentine treats, and they were begging to open the gifts.  I loved the oversized heart glasses.  So fun and silly!

Brothers

I was loading the dishwasher when I heard the chatter and giggles of the kiddos.  I looked around the corner to see what was going on, and I saw Ridley laying on the floor with her two brothers.  I asked what they were doing, and they said "playing with Ridley".  Fantastic, I thought.

Not long after, I hear louder giggles.  This time it was coming from my bedroom.  The boys were pulling Ridley, and they all were laughing.  She would put her head down on her blanket, and the boys would pull her around.  Bless her heart!  She has her hands full with those silly brothers.

Two Babies

Now that Ryland is in Kindergarten, Reed and Ridley have lots of time to play together.  Reed absolutely adores Ridley.  She woke from her nap this afternoon, and Reed was the first one in her room to greet her.  I quickly wrapped up the dishes and walked to her room to get her out of the crib.  I walked in to find this...

Reed had climbed in her crib and helped her sit up.  He found her paci and decided to give it a try.  He cracks me up!  I love how she looked at him in the second picture.  I think she already knows he is crazy!

Brotherly love

Reed and Ridley are early morning risers.  This gives them priceless quality time before the house really wakes up and gets crazy.  I love the moment they see each other for the first time each morning.  It is the sweetest moment of pure love and joy.  

This morning Reed woke up asking if he could feed Ridley.  I agreed, and he was very excited.  For a boy that doesn't sit still, Reed fed his sister the whole bottle and even tried to burp her. They adore one another.

Three Babies in the Crib

This is obvious silliness. 

Sweetness

Ryland is so sweet to his little sister, Ridley.  I caught this picture early this morning.  They are cuddling and being sweet to one another.  My heart smiles with happiness.

Sweet Potatoes

Ridley has started eating foods now, and until today she hasn't really been interested.  I introduced sweet potatoes, and the girl went nuts.  I could not get it to her mouth fast enough.  She must get this love from her daddy, because I am not a fan.