Halloween Fun: The Year of the Fairies :)

Thanks to Pamaw's fabulous garage sale find, Miss Ansley had the perfect Rosetta fairy costume to wear for Halloween.  We have GOBS of princess dresses and even a beautiful Tinkerbell costume hanging in her closet, but what does A want to wear?  Pamaw's $3 treasure, that's what. :)  It is her favorite!  Apparently there's a new fairy in town, Tinkerbell!  

She found the Block Party stash of candy and was secretly helping herself.  Ellie joined in too. :) 

Ansley was so happy to see these girls! 

And what are the odds that these two would both be fairies?! 

And what's going on with that side stance?!

I love this one! 

Baby Brynn looked snuggly in her ladybug costume. 

Love this girl

Ansley and Brynny were in rare form 

It was FREEZING outside and our kid is the one that refused to put tights or a jacket of any sort on. I kept asking, "are you cold yet?" 

"No, mom I'm fine!" And somehow, I didn't see her shiver all night!

Ansley and Bella sat in the wagon together and just giggled. 

After getting home we attempted a few pictures of the girls because Charli had slept most of the evening and we HAD to have one of Charli.  However, this girl was hungry and didn't want to have any part in the picture taking process.   

I mean...full on BAWL! 

And then, like a switch....she let out the biggest smiles!

It was so funny 

So we got a few of the little turkey while she was practically giddy. 

Love my little fam 

Jason tried to get all snazzy with the camera angle. Ha!

One last one of our tiny fairy princess 

Ansley is already talking about next Halloween and the crazy thing is Charli will most likely be talking by then.  Wow.  Life is like a vapor.

Good Ole Rocky Top!

We had the privilege of going to Gatlinburg, TN to see Kyle and spend a little QT in the Smokies a couple of weeks ago.  Pam and Rick rented a gorgeous, 4 bedroom cabin near the strip and we stayed from Friday to Tuesday.  I've never been there before and let me just say, wow.  It was breathtaking!  And our cabin was amazing.  I wish I had taken more pictures of it because it's just hard to describe.  Each family had our own floor (Rick and Pam on the main level, Jason and I in the loft, Ryan and Whit downstairs and Kyle had his own room down there too). There was a beautiful stone fireplace, a pool table upstairs overlooking the living area, a Jacuzzi in our bedroom (how Jason and I lucked into that one, I don't know!), an entertaining area and bar downstairs, and a hot tub on the deck.  How great does that sound?!  Ah!  I want to go back!  We were minutes from Dollywood and each of us had passes to come and go as we pleased.  We shopped, ate, and relaxed.  Jason and I could not stop saying how great it was to just have uninterrupted time with the girls, to not stay in a hotel but be with everyone and have our separate spaces all at the same time, and have fun trips planned for the day.  It was perfect.    

These girls sure did like Dollywood! 

An overlook near our hiking area

We're almost up to the falls! Whew!

Finally there!

Charli with her hat on cracks me up

The next morning it was our turn to cook breakfast, so we made omelets...or should I say, Jason was the omelet master.  He was even flipping them in the pan and they were soooo yummy.  I was impressed!

The brothers

It was a rainy day, so we went to the aquarium and the girls really had a good time.  Look at those chubby cheeks.  This girl just went along for the ride!

Ansley trying to do her Vanna White pose

She looks scared, but I think she was anxious to see the next little creature

Rick took Ansley into this tunnel that ended up in the penguin exhibit.  It was so neat! The kiddos loved it.

Then Jason took Brynn and Ansley in.

Here's the tunnel they crawled through.

How fun is that?!

Again, just chillin.

Stingrays with Daddy

Kyle took care of Bea

Then the BIG kids went to Dollywood to ride the rides.  Woo hoo! So fun!

Whit and I before one of the wooden coasters.   

This almost made me pee my pants

It was misting the whole time we were there, but there were NO lines.  We had the park to ourselves. It was so great to get away and not worry about the girls.  They were happy as larks to be with Pamaw and Pappaw at the cabin.

That night we ate at Mellow Mushroom.  Numnumyum.

In front of the infamous lava lamp fireplace

We headed home on Tuesday, but before we did we headed to Dollywood for one last hoorah.

Daddy and Ansley in line for the cars

She was so excited to drive

The only problem...she wanted a pink car.  But I guess blue will do.

Next up, the carousel.  Jason looks thrilled.

She picked the horse with the mermaid on the side, of course.

Gatlinburg was so fun and we're already trying to plan another trip soon.  Ansley will ask us weekly if we can go back to "the cabin and that one place, Dowwywood where Pamaw and Pappaw took us".  I love that we are making these sweet memories.  

The Beautiful Sounds of Charli

Charli Suttyn: 4 Months

Charli Suttyn you are our dream come true!  You are growing so fast.  The past 4 months have flown by, but we're loving every minute with your joyful personality! 

*This month we took a trip to the St. Louis zoo with the Booth and Bollinger crews and you were such a great baby.  You just trucked along in your stroller and enjoyed the animals with the rest of us.     

*I love nursing time when you rub on my chest.  It's so precious.  I call it your sweet love pat.

*You love to kick and flail your arms when you're lying on your back.  You practically kick your way off your changing table these days. It's your version of break dancing, only cuter.  Ha!

*You are intentionally reaching for toys in front of you now and bringing them straight to your mouth!  The drool is starting!

*You are still such a smiler and such a happy baby. Your smiles are on command and still one of the best parts of my day.

*I love your little lips!  I happen to think they are pretty perfect.

*You are still enjoying bath-time.  You just smile and coo and you always make it such a sweet time.  

*You and your big sis are already so close.  I love to see both of you interacting with each other.  Ansley loves to make you laugh and you think she is soooo funny!


*When you wake up, you usually coo and carry on for quite some time.  You're always smiling and laughing when I come in to get you.  It's such a great way to start our day together.

*You still loved to be swaddled and then we all usually snuggle in bed together before putting you and Ansley down for the night.  Our snuggle time is one of our favorite parts of the day and a memory we will always cherish.

*You have starting this adorable gurgle sound when you're happy and trying to talk to us.  We love to joke that you will be able to master Daddy's impression of Chewbaccah one day. :)

We are seriously smitten with you Charli Suttyn.  Your smiles make our days brighter and you are such a joy to love on.    
 

Winner of the Giveaway!

We have a winner for the Tiny Prints giveaway!  

I just want to say...I LOVED hearing your responses for your favorite Christmas songs.  One of my all time favorites would have to be O Holy Night and my newest favorite is definitely, Be Born in Me (it's one we are singing for our Christmas choir concert). 

Ok, on to the winner!

Drumroll please.......................................:)

Hanna!  You won!  I'll be emailing you soon with your promo code. Congrats!!! 

Thank you all for entering!