To Noni {heart} Kingston

Kingston colored this portrait of our family for his great grandma Noni.  Kingston is pink, I am purple, Cole is orange, and the hubs is blue.  We are standing on some grass and the sun is out.  I especially love Kingston's heart.  What a sweet boy.

#TBT: Kingston @ 9 Months.

One of my favorite photos of our oldest when he was a babe.  How is this not yesterday... but instead nearly four years ago?!  Kingston is such a sweet boy and I absolutely love being his mommy.  Especially after what happened last night.

Rarely cranky before bed, Kingston was a little sassy last night when it was around that time.  He finally calmed down and was ready for bed... we read a book... I tucked him in... and that was that.  But then, a few minutes later, he called for me to come to his room.  As I enter his bedroom, he apologized for his behavior earlier, said he loves me, and that he wants to make me proud.  All of those words, all on his very own.

Did I mention how much I love this oldest boy of mine!?  One of the very sweetest.

5 years... and a bit since last posting.

First post in August and it is more than half-way through the month?  Sorry.  Time has slipped away from me this summer.  Although, I have to say I am not all that sorry... we've been having a little bit of fun this summer and I have been soaking it up like crazy.

We just got back from our summer vacation in Southern California, which was a blast this year.  My family has been vacationing at the same resort now for approximately 26 years and I still cannot get enough of it -- and I really enjoy sharing the experience with my little family now.  While we were there, Kingston got lots of swim practice in and is getting pretty good at the doggy-paddle.  The hubs and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary with a date night away to the San Diego Padres game.  Cole was quite the social butterfly.  And we got to spend some quality time with my parents and family members who live there.  I have tons of photos to go through and am hoping to share them with you soon.

I also have a few ideas for some last-minute summer projects around our home and other updates -- so if that is not inspiration to blog, I don't know what is (ha!).  Until then... enjoy the rest of your weekend.   

What a Dad.

My Daddy
by Kingston


My Dad is funny because: He dances to music.
My Dad thinks I am funny when: I fart in his face.
(Oy, potty humor already).
My Dad is: 3 years old.
His favorite thing to do is: Eat dinner. 
His favorite color is: Blue.
My Dad's job is: To teach and some kids throw a pie at him.
He loves to eat: Macaroni.
He is really good at: Numbers. 
My Dad loves when: I play with him.
My Dad always says: "Go" words.
My favorite thing about my Dad is: When we play together. 

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We celebrated the hubs today, showing our love and appreciation for him and everything he does for us.  Our family is pretty lucky - he just so happens to be the best daddy to our boys and I am so thankful he is my partner-in-crime.

I picked out his new hat, gave him a few of his favorite goodies, and let him sleep through the night/sleep in this morning.  Kingston picked out a trophy ("Best Dad") and painted a picture/card for him, which contained the words above.  And Cole made sure to get a few wrestles in.

We also made sure to share some love with our dads and Kingston found the most perfect superhero cards for each of his papas.  What a wonderful day.

Mother's Day Gift: DIY Flower Tower

The hubs and Kingston worked very hard to make my Mother's Day present this year, after being inspired by THIS project that was featured on a Home Depot commercial.   

The planter will grow and fill in the gaps to make a beautiful flower tower.  I am so excited to watch this thoughtful gift the next few weeks.  The hubs filled me in on the idea right before they started building it, so that I could take a few photos of their hard work (and Kingston really wanted to show me the pink flowers they picked out for me).  

In addition to this fun project, the hubs also tackled my least favorite Sunday chore by himself today: Laundry.  Boy, do I love that man!  

Oh, and he trimmed our Wedding Bridal Spirea from our garden and made a bouquet for our kitchen island.

I am so thankful for my husband and little boys - such a wonderful Mother's Day I had, because of them.  We also spent time with both moms this weekend and the boys gave their Nana and Mimi handmade gifts and lots of love.  

Being a momma is such a blessing and something that I treasure so very much.  It is probably the hardest, yet most rewarding, thing in my life and I would not trade it for anything.

I hope you mommas out there enjoyed your day and were spoiled just as much - Happy Mother's Day!

Mom Always Said

My mom gave me this bangle for my 30th birthday last October and I could not love it more.  It is definitely one of my favorite go-to accessories and it has the best things to remember engraved on it...

• Don't forget to floss
• Have courage
• Wear sunscreen
• Eat your vegetables
• Take a chance

And on the inside, "Mom Always Said."  

I will definitely be passing on these wise words to my two little guys throughout the years.  Moms always say the best things, don't they?

Valentine's Day Week: Pretty Flowers.

The hubs was a trickster this year when it came to giving me flowers.  He's done the delivery to work option... the waiting at home option... but this year, he opted for the surprise option.  He, Kingston, and Cole picked out these lovelies for me on their way home the night before.  They snuck them into our garage refrigerator... then the hubs place them into my car the morning of Valentine's Day.  I have to say it was pretty fun finding fresh cut flowers before heading to work.  Thank you hubs; whatta guy.

Valentine's Day Week: My Love

{Lincoln City, Oregon - August 2012}

Dear Hubs, My Love,

Happy Valentine's Day!  Today marks our 7th Valentine's spent together and I could not be more happy.  Such a loving husband and father - you are a wonderful person and I am so happy to say I am your wife.  

I thought you would appreciate this photo for a few reasons... 

1. It's candid and in the moment - you're always a fan of the "un-posed" photos.
2. It doesn't show your handsome face... although I think after all this time you are getting used to me taking your photo (the hubs has never been a fan of smiling for the camera). 
3. It is one of our first pictures together as a family of four.

I know I say it every day, but I hope you know just how much I love you.  Here's to another lovely Valentine's Day spent together.

Love,

Your wife

xoxo

{PS - if you think this is a little sappy... just wait until you see my card!!}

Valentine's Day Week: My Little Valentines

Dear Kingston,

Valentine's Day is almost here!  Tomorrow you will finally get to hand out the superhero Valentine's Day cards you have been just dying to get your hands on this past week.  Momma may have even snuck one in for you too (Batman, of course).    

Even though I make sure to show and tell you that you are loved each and every day - I hope you always know that you are.  I love you my big, silly, smart, and active little boy!  

Love,

Momma 

xoxo  

Dear Cole,

Your first Valentine's Day is tomorrow - and I cannot believe you are this old already!  Although you may not understand this day to share love with those who are important to you, I hope you can tell how much this momma loves you, always.

Enjoy your heart balloon and know that you will always be in my heart, my baby.

Love,
Momma
xoxo

The Heartbreak Kids.

{Carson and Kingston, 3 years old}

Matching pirate jammies after Carson's pirate-themed birthday party?  Ye bet yer lucky starrrrrrs, matey.  

Oh what a fun weekend away we had.  These two boys had a blast playing together and it was so fun to overhear their conversations.  They are too much.