Maggie turns FOUR!!!

One day Maggie out of the blue says, "Mom take my picture!!!"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing! Could this be a dream???
With no time to waste I grabbed my camera and cut some black ribbon to match the dress Maggie picked out, and then we went to front yard and took some pictures.
It was sunny and high noon and I'm surprised how much I love these pictures anyway! 

Love this one so much. I can hear her talking when I look at this picture! 
I also love to stare at those eyelashes!

Love that Maggie smile!!!

Beautiful from the inside out...

I love the colors in this one!!! 
I MADE HER! 
Out of blue bell ice cream, chips and salsa, some healthy stuff, and a whole lot of love! 
WOW! Just incredible.

Maggie and I have had a special bond since she started growing in my tummy! I know it sounds crazy but it's so true. It's like my body and mind were in perfect harmony. It was my best pregnancy and newborn experience so far. And ever since I laid eyes on her I knew we were meant to be together.
She's my strong Ranger baby. She came to me in a time of turmoil in my life.
She was the calm of the storm.

Beautiful...

I just wanna go kiss those cheeks right now!!!
I think I will! Hold on a minute!

Okay, I'm back! haha!
I had to include these ones from the family pictures because they are so darn perfect.
I love you Maggie Ila!

I remember the first time I spoke with Daddy on the phone after having you.
I only had about five minutes to talk.
The first thing I said was, she's got blue eyes and blonde hair and she's perfect.
And you still are.
Happy Birthday my love!!!

Sewing with Grandma

Its been a gloomy week over here. 
Cold and rainy. 
Sick babies. 
But with ONE BIG RAY OF SUNSHINE!!! 
Grandma.
Enough said.

She's an angel. She came and helped me tackle the quilts I've been slowly making for the girl's beds.
Hey LUKE! Whatcha doin' boy?!

Oh you know... just being cute! heehee

Grandma stop sewing and let me beat you up!!! 
All boy that one.

I adore this one. Grandma would frequently let Rachel and Maggie push the pedal for her.
Such sweet memories.
We love you Grandma! 
I'll post pictures of the quilts when they're done!!! I'm so excited to finally decorate the girl's room!!! YAY!

Family Pictures November 2014

Saying that I've been excited to have professional photos taken is a huge understatement. 
I looked forward to this for so dang long!!! 
There are so many obstacles for me when it comes to getting pictures taken. 

1. I'm a photographer. Or I like to call myself one. HA! And paying to have someone do something I can do is just hard.
2. Timing. Timing. Timing. With a growing family timing is everything. It's hard work getting this baby weight off and I want to look my best. So shot me?! There's a window of opportunity around here until my cheeks and ankles blow up again. Just saying.
3. Finding the perfect photographer. This is tricky. As a photography enthusiast myself I've got to find someone whose style I love. There are lots of photography flavors out there.
4. Outfits. Oh the coordination and planning it takes. I spend a lot of time with this.
5. Money. It all adds up.

Because of several or all of these reasons at the same time, we have NEVER gotten pictures taken. Not since our wedding day anyway. And I can't tell you how pleased I am with them. 
It was worth jumping all those hurdles. :)

I'm going to be honest with you. When I got these pictures back--- I cried. 
hahaha! 
"I look awful!!!" I exclaimed to Tyler. His reply- "You're insane. These are the best pictures ever."
Then I took a closer look! By golly they are! 
Perfection right here folks. The light, the colors, the lack of tantrums! WOW!
My eyes go straight to Luke's before anything else when I look at this picture. 

My two beautiful girls!

Oh how blessed they are to have eachother... 

IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE!

Miss Rachel Lynn

Those chocolatey brown eyes... 

This one has got to be my favorite of her! Such a beauty!

Miss Maggie Ila

I love her from the tip top of her head down to her toes...

This one is stunning. That is all.

I love how this one turned out!!!

Luke was a stinker. 
The whole time!!! 
I couldn't believe she managed to capture a few good ones with this boy! haha!
He's lucky he's so darn cute!

I spent the majority of my time trying to get Luke in the game... 

Good thing I stashed a few pop-tarts. haha!

BABY! My baby! Baby baby baby! 
Babies make me happy. 

Look at our little family! 
I can't believe this is us! Time sure flies.

I get to spend eternity with these beautiful people!!! 

This is my favorite family picture. 
It's going on the wall. 
The end.

Momma and her girls!!! 
I think I look goofy in this one. I think I was in the middle of a sentence or something.
But my sweeties are so beautiful!

There's a untaming pride that comes when I look at these pictures... 
Me and my girls. Having girls has brought me so much joy. I'm certain we were and will always be best friends. The playing, the cooking, the shopping, the sewing, the dancing, the chick-flick watching, the wedding planning, the baby rocking, the late night talks... Pride. Just pride. 
I'm sticking with these girls through thick and thin!

Me and my Man... 

My rock and eternal companion, 
We've built this family together. Thanks you for all you're love, devotion, and hard work.
The best is yet to come.
Love,
Your woman

My BOY IS ONE!

I'm going to begin with a little disclaimer. I've become the worst blogger on the face of the planet. It makes me so sad, and I HAVE to fix this! As start of a new year I'm ready to get back to it! So, any of you reading this... feel free to remind me of this resolution at any given time I'm being a blog slacker! Thanks! xoxo ~Jess

I'm so behind! But it's finally happening! 

LUKE IS ONE! 

Although this was a few months ago it STILL makes me feel like crying. 

I know. I'm pathetic. But I'm so happy in my patheticness. I love this boy so much!

We had cupcakes at the park with some friends! It was a good time and Luke loved the cupcakes!

So yummy! 
And I'm not talking about the cupcake. ;)

Swing faces are the BEST!

I. LOVE. THIS. PICTURE.

Here's my attempt at his one year old pictures.
It seemed like it took FOREVER to get out there and take these. And 
afterwards I decided they weren't good enough and that I'd have to try again. 
And then it seemed to rain on all the good days to do it. And then someone got sick... 
And then I didn't do it. Sad. But at least I have these!
A STICK! 
The fascinating world on a one year old...

"Mom, what are all these pumpkins doing here?! Did you really think it'd be cute to pose with the pumpkins?"
Sheesh. Tough crowd.

Back to the railroad tracks... Love those little balancing arms...

If he knew I got a good one of him next to the pumpkins he'd probably start 
crying right now! Hahaha! Sucker!!! 

Daddy knows how to get the best smiles...

Hey! Where do you think you're going?
Come back here so I can kiss you!!!

Little toes, little hands
Little Boy.

Theres that Luke smile!

He was just learning to clap around this time. 
And I love the light in his eyes...

{swoon}

hahahaha!
That look! I think he's gonna be sneeky one of these days... 

The photographer caught several pictures of me trying to make Luke happy during our 
family pictures. He was such a stinker that night. 
I thought I'd include of few of the ones of just me and Luke...

Those eyes!!! SO BIG AND BLUE!

Luke found an airplane!!!

Happy Birthday my son! You'll never know how much I love you!!!