Spring 2017

Hello, 

          It seems like likes it's been so long again since my last post! Things can get pretty crazy around here with these three but I'm definitely seeing now what people mean when they say that the days are long but the years fly by. Never truer words. Our spring has been so nice. We finally transitioned back into a nice schedule after Jess picked up again with landscaping a few months back. I so enjoy the winter with him home more but that transition time from two parents back down to one always seems a little hairy. But we thrive on schedule and winter time it gets broken so it's also fun to get back into the swing of things come spring. My mom said that reminds her of how farmer families are also!:) we seem to spend as much time outside as we can. It makes things like meal times and burning off the excess little boy energy so much easier. This week we are looking at really nice temps so we just can't wait to take advantage of that. Today we ran and grabbed the kids a slip and slide and it's already been a huge hit around here. What is it with throwing on a suit and getting wet outside? It brings back all kinds of childhood memories for me and it's fun to get to relive it through my kiddos.:)

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Sunday's are our grocery shopping day so it's tradition to run by our local park for a picnic and walk afterwards. The kids love playing on the play equipment and it's just a fun way to end the weekend!:) the walking trails are mostly away from roads too and it's so nice because the kiddos can walk alongside us instead of in their strollers.

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Jess turned 31 this past April and it was such a fun day. He picked to go on a hike and the kids also loved that so much. 

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Last weekend Jess built a sandbox for the kids and it's been wonderful. They can play in there for hours. The only negative is all the sand that's now in the house and constantly in their hair.-_- haha oh well. A small price to pay!;)

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Last but not least. James is learning to ride his bike. He is catching on so quick. It's so fun to watch all these milestones. I can't believe how fast they come. I was telling Jess one night after the kids were in bed that it made me a little sad to see James riding his bike. I always kind of had it in my head as a big transition from more of a little kid to a bigger kid. I can't believe he'll be 5 this summer!! 0-0 Times flies with these little ones. I'm sure trying to not take as much as I can for granted. Thankful for the long summer days coming ahead. 

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       Happy almost summer friends!!

Hello 2017 Life Lately

   I thought it was about time for a new post/update with it being a new year and all.:) We had a pretty quiet end to fall. Just enjoying the last of the wonderful, colorful days. On thanksgiving we ended up going to my grandparents and over to Jesse's parents house. So much fun but wore everyone out!:) The Christmas season wasn't much different. We had so many fun and exciting Christmassy things to do before the actual day. I tried to step back and enjoy the "little" things with the kiddos like making cookies/gingerbread house, driving around town looking at lights, fun movies, decorating the tree,staying up past our bedtime one two many times, ect. :) On Christmas Eve we went up to my grandparents again and then to my in-laws that night. Christmas Day was a Sunday so after our little family Christmas at home we headed to church for service. My favorite is when Christmas is on Sunday's because of this!! Then over to my parents to eat and enjoy the rest of the day there. One thing I am so thankful for is that both of our families are close. It can make for very long days durning the holiday season but definitely worth it. Something I hope that we never take for granted!

   We rang in the new year with every last one of us having the stomach bug. Let me tell you, nothing makes you more thankful for your health than cleaning up sheet upon sheet covered in puke. 

   I really enjoy this time of year. A fresh start. New ways and things you'd like to apply or accomplish to your life. Reflecting on the past year and praising the Lord for carrying us through so much we couldn't do on our own. Jess and I always like to have some goals set for the upcoming year and to see if we follow through.

    Anyways, I am so looking forward to this coming year. I am finally feeling more like myself and as the kids get older things seem a bit easier. I will admit there is a lot of last year, having 3, 3 and under, that I do not remember at all! Thankful for things like Instagram and this blog that help me to remember those little things is would otherwise forget in all the chaos!:) 

   Happy 2017!! ^-^

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Annelise turns two

  Our sweet Annelise turned two this past Tuesday (18th.) I know I say this all the time, but time, slow down. It is always so bittersweet for me to look back at all these pictures to make their birthday collages. I so miss my sweet tiny babies and so many of these pictures seem like a distant memory now. I try to remember their little sounds and they way they would sleep, and their little chubby feet and hands. I try not to take any of it for granted because I know how fast it goes!

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Elise and I at our local pumpkin patch on her birthday.

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This year for her party we went with a Marie, from the movie aristocats, theme. Annelise loves kitty's and she has two brothers just like Marie so I thought it would fit her perfect!:)

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We went pretty simple with the food. I put almond bark on some plain doughnuts and sprinkled them with girly pink and pearl pretties. Princess goldfish which I thought would be appropriate because of the kitty theme. My sweet sister, Michelle, made yummy cupcakes with pretty pink frosting too!!

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My sister, Aimee, DREW this adorable French backery sign for her. Totally framing this for her room!!

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Blowing out the candles

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My parents got her a bitty baby this year. I found a place online that takes "previously loved" bitty babies. Fixes them up and adds gorgeous facial features to them. They are beautiful and one of a kind!

 It was such a nice day out after her party that the kiddos ended up playing outside. It was such a fun time!:)

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Annelise Christine 2 years:

   She has just recently started talking more. She will repeat most every word we ask her too but is randomly saying them on her own now. Her most used words would be, momma, yes dad, joely, bro, Kitty, side (outside), aww, ees (cheese) ya she gets her pic a lot!;), he ye go, saw (sorry), and just tonight bebe. She also has the best high pitched, weeeee, ever! Melts a mommas heart!

   She loves to be outside. James and her would dig away in the dirt for hours

    She loves to clean things up with baby wipes.

   She loves to read, esp my childhood book, my goodnight book.

   She loves to play with baby Joel and is already mothering him.

   She can't sleep without her little pink bunny we got her before she was born. She had to smell it all the time.

    She loves her big bro James and has to follow him everywhere

   She is all girl. She loves to dress up in her outfit, shoes, jewelry and even purse. She's not to fond of having her hair done but when she is all ready I will tell her to show her daddy how pretty she is. She walk over so proudly, it is so cute!!                 She is such a sweet and caring little one. We just love her so much! We are truly so thankful to the Lord to be her parents and look forward to this upcoming year with her. We love you so much our sweet Annelise Christine!!

Joel Keith monthly chair pics

* 1 month

*2 months 

*3 months

*4months

*5 months

*6months

*7 months 

*8 months

*9 months

*10 months

*11 months

12 months 

Joel turns one!!

   How is it my sweet baby is one already?!? This year flew by so fast, but boy was it a good one!:)

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Joel's birthday was on a Saturday this year so we had his birthday party that afternoon. It was so fun planning it. We went with a "bunnies by the bay" theme. 

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Mm yummy cake!

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Our sweet little Joel ( 1 year):

    Loves to play and try and keep up with his siblings. He's definently their "baby"and he gets away with so much with them.:)

  I've said this before but he feels everything SO intensely! If he's hungry he screams, if his feelings get hurt he screams, if he thinks you should of picked him up he screams. And we love him for his sweet sensitive little soul. Daddy's quote about this would be "when he smiles he melts your heart and when he screams it hurts your ears!";)

    He LOVES playing with balls. He will bat them around the house for hours. A future ball player??;)

    He loves his food too. Esp sweets:)

    He loves to snuggle. And lay his little head on your shoulder.

We love you sweet Joel Keith Phillips and we are so thankful for you!!