family Archives - Page 59 of 87

Ice Festival

Those overnight shifts that Don has been working can be very tiring…especially after 3 1/2 years. So we decided it was time for a random weekend off.

On Friday night, the Lovings watched the kids and we went out on our first date out since September 2012! We hit up Ruby Tuesday for their delicious pretzel bun cheeseburgers. Then we went to (finally) see “Catching Fire.” I’m a big fan of the Hunger Games series and this movie did not disappoint. It was so weird to be out together without kids, but so refreshing. Thank you, Lovings, for watching the kids! (Although I do believe they spent almost the entire time playing with the Gunby kids and their Little People toys.)

Saturday was the annual Ice Festival in Old St. Charles. I haven’t been for a few years so I was eager to take the kids. Maggi and the Harrelsons also joined us for the day.

Old St. Charles is a cute town with lots of fun potential photo backdrops.

This one was a dragon

We were pretty cold with all the wind. (Which is why Liam is not pleased to take this picture) This was the Winter Olympics piece.

We went to the Foundry Art Center to warm up a bit before heading back out again.

toddler boy warming up in foundry art center

This girl is just too cute when she’s all snuggled up. She was such a great baby, bundled in her car seat and quietly enjoying the warmth.

We went back to the little old church where Stef and Tim got their “first look” and pictures on their wedding day.

Maggi took a few pictures of me and Don. Thanks Maggi! We don’t get many pictures together anymore.

And of course, the traditional BFF pictures.

This vine wall was just too cool!

It was a cold, but wonderful day! I’m very thankful that Don was finally able to go with us somewhere before noon!!! That never, ever happens. And so happy to be able to spend some time with my best friends!

What a fun weekend!

January 26, 2014

Blog, Family, kids

Random bits of life

I just have a few random pictures to post. Recently, I’ve been really loving the look of black and white photos…especially since it tends to clean up (a tiny bit) the grainy, low lit pictures taken at night.

He can look so sweet and innocent sometimes 🙂

I love this squishy sleeping face.

And her long lashes..

Last week, Don’s mom brought us the books he wrote when he was a kid. The boys loved them and wanted to make their own. So I had the boys tell me their stories while I wrote them down. We stapled some pages together and they illustrated their stories. It was a lot of fun to watch them come up with the plots. Kai’s story was pretty funny!

Evangeline came to join us at the table

She also got to sit in the cart for the first time. This was the look she gave. I don’t think she liked it too much.

Stephanie’s baby shower was on Saturday. I can’t wait to meet that precious baby boy! She is a beautiful mama! It’s so encouraging to see how God has given her the grace she needs to make it through each day–as He does for me, too.

I saw a similar onesie at Babies R Us a couple months ago so I wanted to attempt a DIY. I think it’ll look pretty cute on Paton! Now that I know what I’m doing, I hope to be able to make more for gifts.

I’m looking forward to this weekend. Don and I will be going on a date–for the first time in a year and a half! I can’t wait!

January 21, 2014