Family Photos 2016

Our friend, Angie Kinnison, owner of Fancy Fox Photography, took our family photos this year. She really knows how to get the kids attention, direct you on how to pose and capture the perfect moment. We are so happy with how they turned out.

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

Spidey & Foxy

For Halloween this year Finn dressed up as Spiderman, his favorite super hero. He was so excited when he tried on his costume and wanted to wear it all day. He loves to pretend to shoot web out of his hands and bounce around like he has super powers. It is cute to see so much passion and fun he has.  Fox dressed up like a fox, of course!

We went to the Pearl Farmers Market the morning before Trunk or Treat at church. There, Finn had his face painted like Spiderman. He sat the most still he has ever been in his entire 3.5 years of life while get his face painted. When he saw the result, he was ecstatic! We tried to have a fox nose painted on Fox's face but he wiggled too much and it turned out smudgy. 

  

  

 

  

 The boys got lots of goodies at the Trunk or Treat and then again in our neighborhood, Halloween night. Finn raced around with the big kids (our next door neighbors and their friends) and sometimes he joined Fox in the wagon so he could rest (and eat his candy).  

 

We took a trip to Millberbgers, where we went for a spooky hay/train ride, bounced around in the bounce house and picked out pumpkins.

  

 

Birthday Trip to Waco

I turned 31 and as I think about my many blessings I am "overflowing with thankfulness" indeed!  I could have never imagined where I'd be today and who I'd be holding.  I am grateful for God's plan and the abundance of joy I have in my life.  Joy does not come from your circumstances but from your focus.  I have always put God first in my life and He has shown His magnificent hand to me continually.  I am forever grateful for my faith and family.

 

 

This picture was taken right outside Magnolia Market. For my birthday, Ben took our family to Waco so we could visit the market during the Silo-Bration.  I love the tv show, Fixer Upper and had been wanting to visit the market, so this was exactly how I wanted to celebrate my birthday. We arrived a day before the Silo-bration to enjoy the market without the crowds. We shopped, picnicked, played games on the green, and ate cupcakes from the Silo-Bakery. 

That evening tents were being set up along the streets for vendors to sell their goods during the Silo-Bration, the next day. Aubry, shop owner of "Hello Maypole" came all the way to Texas from Utah to set up shop. I follow her on Instagram, and Ben knew her from being in the same Singles Ward back in the day, plus she is friends with Ben's sister, Ali, and was at her wedding. We decided to sneak in to the vendor area, even though it wasn't open to the public. We wanted to find Aubry's shop and say, "hello." We walked right on by security like we belonged there and searched for her shop. When we found the shop, it was the only one not set up yet.  She had arrived late and had missed the time slot where she could pull her car up to the tent to unload. She was clearly overwhelmed with everything she needed to do before Chip and Jo showed up for their special shopping trip. Turns out sneaking in was the right thing to do because Ben was able to help her get everything set up rather quickly (while I chased our boys around). Aubry was so grateful and later wrote in her blog about how Ben was an angel and how grateful she is.  We were so glad we could help, and we ended up being there when Chip and Jo were there to shop and take photos with the shops.  On our way to Waco, I told Ben that I wanted to get a picture with Chip and Jo, even if it means, I am holding up a peace sign while they are off in the distance. Well, I got lucky and we got much more than I wished for---I was able to meet and talk to them and take a picture. They told us how cute our boys are and we told them how much we loved them.  I'm not star struck but I do think they are super cool people who are talented, and have turned Waco into a beautiful and sought after place to live. It is amazing what the Gaines family has created and that they continue to stay humble and faithful to God.

 

  

 

 
 

  

 

 

 

Finn's First Day of School 2016

 

Age: 3 years old

School: Thousand Oaks Bible Church Pre-School (two days a week)

Teachers: Kathy & Michelle

Favorite Foods: beef jerky, apples, pistachios, spinach w/ranch & icee's 

Favorite Toys: hex bugs, paw patrol

Favorite Things to Do: jumpy place, gymnastics, ride his balance bike or skateboard, swimming

Favorite Color: Blue (he decided that Fox's color is green and will give Fox the green candy and keep the blue for himself, or give Fox the green sippy while he uses the blue)

Pretends: to be Spiderman

Talents: energetic, friendly, silly (he loves to stick his tongue out and make funny faces in the mirror), gymnastics (his teacher said "he is athletic, he can flip on the bar by himself, he is flexible--he can sit in a pike and touch his nose to his knees and the floor without bending his knees), balancing on his balance bike-going fast and slowing down.

Loves: mommy singing him to sleep,  riding in daddy's red car, dancing in the car (if the music isn't fast enough, he complains), kids, babies (he'll talk to them in the sweetest voice and hold their cheek softly), the Cardon Family and house (he practically lives next door)

Finn is more than ready for socializing and structure, and let's just admit, so am I. Leading up to his first day he would practice carrying his backpack, filling up his lunch box, and laying on his napmat (with his super soft spider-man blanket). 

Finn loves to make friends and says hi to every kid he see's (literally!)  He will be friendly and fun but I had no doubt that he would be naughty as well.  His nursery teachers have said he is a leader in class and that whether it be climbing on the table or folding his arms, the other kids tend to follow along. After Finn's first day of school his teacher let me know of the following offenses: hanging on the coat hooks, climbing on the table, taking off his shoes on the playground and trying to pee outside. EEEk. I knew I'd have an earful. However, since the first day he has become so much better and his teacher says he listens well. 

I am proud of Finn and how he is growing up to be a smart, sweet, and fun little guy who everyone loves to be around.