The Day my Sister Became a Mother

One of the very best things to happen this summer was the day Chelsea became a mama.

I am so happy for her and Marcus. So proud of her and the amazing mom she has been to baby Asher from the very first moment she laid eyes on him and his cute little nose that looks just like her own cute little nose. She worked so hard to bring that little guy safely into the world.

I'm so happy to share the feelings of being a mama with my sister. . . something that has been so, so dear to me for almost 9 years now. Something that you just can't quite understand until it happens to you. The ups and the downs. The love that runs deeper than you ever thought was possible. The extreme exhaustion that only an infant can bring to your life. The emotions that come when you look into those eyes and realize what a gift you have been given. And what a responsibility that gift comes with.

Welcome to the world little Asher man. . . we already love you to the moon and back!

the boys went back to school

Crazy how this summer flew by.
I still remember the day these 2 jokers got off the bus,
celebrating the first day of summer vacation.
I was a little scared about how I was going to handle summer break with 4 kids.
That seems like yesterday.
We have had such a fun summer. . . living every moment up.
I wasn't sure I was ready to send them off.



Jackson headed off to 3rd grade. I remember 3rd grade.
I remember feeling really old. Like I knew more than a lot of other kids.



And little Miles. . . to 1st grade.
All day.
Seems like a long time for him to be gone.



They were excited. And ready.
And had stayed up rather late discussing things like where they'd meet after school, and
what Miles should expect for school lunch.









And then the bus came. The house was quiet with just me and my 2 little ladies.
And I remembered why I enjoy this time of year too.

Happy back to school to my boys!

Back to School Dinner. . . 2011

We had our "Back to School Dinner" tonight.



Jackson, Miles and Lola were so happy to have a dinner just for them to celebrate the excitement that is going back to school. We made their favorite dinner - meatballs, fruit skewers and caprese skewers (isn't everything better when served on a stick?), with cupcakes for dessert.





At the end of the night, as they were helping me clear the table, Jackson gave me a big hug and said, "Thanks mom for making this such a fun night. I bet this took you a lot of time. I had a really fun time."

And THAT is why I love doing these sorts of things!

Good Mornin' Sunshine!

Check out my newest trick!
No matter how hard they try. . . they can't make me stop growing up!

Lise+Mike

Lise and Mike got married on Tuesday. It was the most fun, magical, beautiful, perfect day. Lise was beautiful and so incredibly happy. I'm so glad for her and Mike and so glad that they found each other!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of the day:










Congrats Lise and Mike!