Stella.

On Tuesday we welcomed our niece, baby Stella into the world.
She is the cutest little bundle of squishiness.
Despite all the teasing from our family, Stella is NOT making me wish for another baby of my own...
Instead I am already busy planning future slumber parties, shopping sprees, and plenty of fun auntie time. I can't wait!

Children are God's best gift. -Psalm 127:3

feel better pops

Cold & flu season... hooray! Here's a little secret that's sure to soothe sore little throats and cool down warm bodies.

Citrus-Honey-Ginger Pops

fresh juice of 6 limes
about 1/4 cup honey (or to taste)
1 cup water
1 or 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced

Bring all ingredients to a low boil, then simmer 10 minutes.
Allow to cool completely, then transfer mixture to an ice cube tray.
About two hours into the freezing process, add lollipop sticks or popsicle sticks to each cube.
Freeze a few more hours, or overnight.

Enjoy as often as needed!

When my family is sick, I treat symptoms as naturally as possible. These pops are great because they are medication and sugar-free, but all of the ingredients have natural healing properties. And they are refreshing and delicious! When Camden was sick last week, I snuck a few when she wasn't looking!

Summer Recap {Wedding Day!}

The wedding. Kevin's brother Bobby proposed to Amanda on August 20, 2010- 2 days before Cole was born. I'm pretty sure the day I got home from the hospital we were in full-on planning mode. Amanda's inspiration for the wedding concept came from a Trader Joe's bag, of all things! Red & kraft paper brown, with a casually elegant/homey backyard barbecue feel. Every single element of this day was DIY. EVERYthing! I was beyond thrilled to be the maid of honor/planning & styling assistant/seamstress. Our friend Tara did an amazing job capturing the day. We have been bugging the poor busy mom like crazy, dying to see all of the images! Here is just a glimpse of August 20, 2011... one of the most unique & fun events I have ever been a part of... an entire year of work, with help & creativity from the whole fam. It was a blast!

photography: Tara Oliver (Bay Area... email me for contact info!)
reception venue: Goal Line Productions
vintage rentals (red hutch, old doors, step ladder, white window, red chair): Milk Glass
girls' accessories (earrings & rings): Angel Face Designs

THANK YOU!

Summer Recap {Camping!}

August brought our beloved annual family camping trip. This year even cousin Ryann (visiting from Arizona) came along. I was a little nervous bringing another baby to the mountains- Camden's first year was spent mostly in Kevin's truck. She wasn't a big fan. But the awful three-hour car rides aside, Cole loved every dirty second of it. And what's not to love about throwing rocks in the lake all day, going a week without bathing, and indulging in your very first campfire S'more?

Summer Recap {Fair Fun!}

If you asked me about a Pinterest invite last week, please comment again but be sure to include your email address! :)
***

It was an unforgettable Summer of parties, trips, and weddings... and most of it went undocumented here. I enjoyed being in the moment with family and friends, chasing a growing baby, most days without a moment to spare. Even simply uploading a photo a day in my 'must be summer' series eventually became too much! The Autumn equinox is always bittersweet... Summer is my very favorite, and yet thoughts of scarves and fall baking are growing more welcoming by the day. So here we are in the final week, and I couldn't just let some of Summer '11's best memories sit filed in the computer, without sharing a few.

Fair fun will kick off Summer Recap week! The County Fair is one of the first things we look forward to once school gets out. And it is SO nice living within walking distance. My parents (aka Mimi & Gramps) joined the fun this year! This was probably Chloe's last year before being way too cool for the kiddie rides. Chayse is still weary of almost any amusement park ride (his expression says it all in the first two shots). And Camden is our little daredevil- throwing a fit at each line she's too short for (which is most!)... until it came to the 'big kid' rollercoaster that I had to ask the attendant to stop to let her off. Nothing beats tiny baby farm animals, chocolate-dipped soft serve, or money-wasting carnival games. It was a good day.

hint, hint.

My BFF/new S-I-L received a doorknob delivery today.

I don't know how it happened, but
What to Expect BEFORE You're Expecting,
prenatal vitamins,
& pregnancy tests
found themselves wrapped in pink & blue
and made their way to Amanda's front porch.

I mean it has been four whole weeks since the wedding!

More kids for us? Not. a. chance.
Nieces and nephews? ASAP please!

eight.

eight: Number of minutes following drop-off, before I was paged to retrieve a hysterical baby from his first day at MOPS. And boy, were they relaxing!

He'd much rather be home trying to master Daddy's skateboard! Maybe next week I'll get a whole 10 minutes!
***

eight: Number of fabric prints for my latest quilt.

For a baby girl! Not mine. DEFINITELY not mine.
***

eight: Number of days until the beginning of Fall.

I tried really hard not to make Grams' Apple Crisp until then. I failed. It was worth it.