Apples + Arboretum

This past weekend we took a three day weekend to head to Dallas for some warm weather and family time with my sister and her fiancé.  My favorite part of the weekend was by far the time we spent at The Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens.  We picnicked, suntanned, talked, explored, and played to our hearts' content!  I took TONS of pictures, but will share this little sneak peak of Avery eating an apple.  It's not terribly exciting, but there is something so adorable about a toddler eating (well, depending on the situation of course).

Just had to throw the last one in of my friend (more like a sister), Kailey.  She was the one who so graciously shared her apple with Miss A:)

Linked up with Annapolis & Company...

April Showers + Red Rain Boots Reprise

It's been raining here the past couple of days and we decided on a lazy day today.  There is something about rainy, cloudy weather that just takes the pressure off.  Yesterday I was a scrooge about the weather, but all of the beautiful buds are creating a more thankful heart in me today.

I do enjoy these kinds of days once in a while.  The kind of sweatpants/light housework/cuddle up and read during nap time/enjoy your kids (Avery + Jake)/go nowhere because it's raining days...

So I snapped 296 photos this morning for more practice with my Canon, and here's what I came up with...

Mommy's essential rainy day drink.

Light misting = rain boot tromping and a breath of fresh air.

Hello tiny hydrangea bloom. I sure am excited about you.

I tried to get Avery to touch it, but she just wasn't having it.

I like this shot showing dead leaves from the winter amid new growth of the spring.  There is just something so magical about the changing of seasons.

What is a rainy day without a good book to read? Nothing, I tell you.  Obviously trying to influence Avery with a love for the classics early on in life.  Aren't these counting/color primers amazing?

 Also, what is a rainy day without a good nap? Nothing, I tell you.

Now I'm off to read while the little love naps.  I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon.  Really, I can't.

An Easter Weekend

{1} Maundy Thursday.  Easter weekend starts on Thursday, right?  We hosted our church community group Maundy Thursday meal.  I spent all of Wednesday and Thursday cleaning, setting up, preparing, and it was so worth it.  We love having people in our home and sharing our evenings together.

{2} Menu.  I've really enjoyed our chalkboard wall! I mostly use it for scripture and menu planning, but it's a fun way to sprinkle a little bit of creativity into each week.  This week it's been home to our family dinner menu.  All of my favorites, including my mom's pot roast and my granny's deviled eggs:)

{3} Community.  We love our community group.  It is a constant source of fellowship, encouragement, and fun in our lives.  These people are simply the best.  The evening was spent hanging out, eating the most delicious potluck ever assembled, worshipping with a song, and sharing the ways in which we have been served and blessed in the past year. What a great way to get the Easter weekend started off!

{4} Dine. We are pretty casual around here when it comes to dining (I call dinner, "supper").  But, Easter is a special celebration, so we went so far as to set the dining room table for family dinner:)  I haven't done a lot of that since we moved in, and although I don't have a lot in the way of linens and place settings, I had fun getting creative.  I see more of this in the future...

{5} Easter Best.  I sure do love this little bunny!  Last year she was sick on Easter Sunday and I don't have a single pic of her!  We ran her pretty ragged, but I think she had fun.  At one-and-a-half, we're still trying to master how to say Jesus, much less explain his promises and resurrection, but I so look forward to the coming years to teach her why Easter is the most important celebration in our faith.

{6}  Family.  My entire family was in town this weekend.  I sure do enjoy spending time with them! Living far away from them stinks, but it sure does make us cherish our time together.  The weekend was spent playing, shopping, cooking, eating, worshipping, and enjoying our beautiful weather! Thank you, Lord!

{7} Easter Treats.  I enjoyed spoiling Avery with her Easter basket.  Her favorite to play with were the Peeps, although she has decided she doesn't like them.  Her favorite gifts were the books.  A girl after my own heart.

{8} Celebrate.  My sister and her fiance, Ross.  Our families couldn't be more excited! We love these two together, and their brand new engagement gave us even more to celebrate this weekend.  What a blessing to receive someone new into the family.  Plenty of wedding plans were discussed, and a destination wedding may be in the works:)  This matron of honor couldn't be more excited to start planning a wedding!!!

{9} Joy.  The word pretty much sums up the weekend.  Joy in The Resurrection.  Joy in time spent with family.  Joy in time rich in community.  Joy in even the simple things, like the weather and a good piece of cake.  Because Christ died for us, and because he rose from the dead, our lives matter.  Our experiences are deeper, our relationships more meaningful, our hope much stronger.  Christ is risen, He is risen, indeed!