birthday party

I have so many things to post about, so I will start with the most recent and work my way back...

My 2 babies had their birthday party yesterday. I will proceed with a list of adjectives to describe the event because it feeds my OCD and because I like lists. Here is my list:

exhausting, fun, loud, crazy, exhausting, colorful, awesome, exhausting.

Yes I am aware that I said exhausting three times. I restrained myself.

Here is a little photo story of the event. (Note: I only have pictures of the decorations and I didn't get them until after the par-taaay had already begun. I was lucky to even get these, because I was running around like a maniac up until and about 30 minutes into the party, I mean par-taaaaay, because we had a little mixup with bathing suits and, well, it is all a blur and I prefer for it to remain as such...). My sweet sister in law took some other ones that I will post as soon as I get them from her. I need a photographer at every party. Seriously. And a maid after it is all over. And a massage...anyway, on to the photos...

rachel ashwell's prarie

This is where the Mr. and I are hanging our hats this weekend...Down time + views of the prarie + smooshy sofas + smooshy bed + a hot bath in an old clawfoot time + hot breakfast cooked by someone other than me + a pile of my favorite magazines + my favorite guy + no kids = my idea of a nice relaxing weekend.

Don't worry, I'll take plenty of pictures.

party preparations (say that 3 times fast)

I know a little girl who just turned 5, and a little boy about to turn 4. We have a party to plan. Since they are so close in age, it is easier and more cost effective to combine their birthday parties (as long as they allow it). They also have many of the same friends and in my opinion, the bigger the party, the better. I am a glutton for punishment like that. So, since we are having a gender neutral party, we decided to go with a "Candy Shoppe" theme. And what is better to kids than being surrounded by loads and loads of candy like the ginormous sucker above......or this hugemongous piece of wrapped bubble gum? Okay, so this isn't candy...just some colorful pom poms. Can't wait to share the rest!

bittersweet

Bitter...we lost our sweet fur baby of 11 years this week. Our hearts broke as we watched her fade away. Even as I write this I have to hold back sobs. She was an incredibly sweet and gentle girl. People were intimidated by her size, but they didn't realize that she was just a big ol' teddy bear that would lick them to death.We miss her terribly and still look for her when we pull up in the driveway. Up until a few weeks ago, she would meet us with that little "nub" wagging.Sweet...the puppies took to her too. We just wish she had hung on a little while longer so that maybe they would have somehow taken on her sweet disposition (although they seem pretty sweet anyway). We are just trying to enjoy our 2 new additions to the family while our hearts ache for the one that we lost.

meet duke and jake

Lab + some other giant dog = these 7 week old puppies

Jake is in the front. He is fiesty. The kids loved him immediately. Duke is in the back. He is a cuddler.

This is Duke. He was a little more timid than Jake.Jake or "Jakey", as my kids call him.

There is a reason they call it puppy love.

birthday

happy birthdayyummy cakecutest helmet everweird brother sweetest daddy (this year, they shared a special day)

blessings,

jenn

five

How did my baby girl go from this...

to this in a mere blink of an eye?

Happy birthday to my precious, spunky little ball of fire.

I love you with all my heart...forever and for always...no matter what.