Saturday in photographs

Today was a great day, and a special one, because little Carter turned one! I can't even believe that the he is already a year old- it seems like only yesterday I was meeting him in the hospital for the first time on his actual day of birth! It only makes me realize how quickly Henry will be one and that makes me a little excited but also quite sad. At the same time though, it's a great reminder to cherish every day and every stage, right? I think so. But any and all sadness aside, today was awesome! Autumn had a jungle themed party, complete with animal hats for the kids and a bounce house! Everyone had a blast.

After the party Hank surprised me by driving down to Phoenix after doing a cert. class, and my parents watched the little guy while we went on a date. It was SO much fun and so nice to have some "us" time. We went to Green for dinner and then got frozen yogurt. Delicious!

Here are some photos from today:

getting ready while my mama watched Henry

If someone would have shown Autumn, Erin or I this photo back in our sorority/college days...we would have been in shock. It's amazing to think we all used to be at NAU together, and now we're all mommies to these beautiful little darlings.

Henry and Kyler, best friends!  Kyler is 6 months old- they're just almost exactly 3 months apart.

Libby and Henry...this is Autumn's wonderful Mom and someone who is like a second mama to me. She's seen everything in my life, from me meeting Hank, to being at our wedding, being there through the pregnancy, and now here she is, holding Henry. So awesome.

Autumn and her birthday boy!

Happy birthday Carter!

at dinner- my handsome date :)

annnd me and my big baby! How I love him so. Not the best photo but I always want to remember his size, so in a few months I can compare. He's sleeping in his little co-sleeper next to me and I love hearing all of his baby sleeping noises. I'm about to join him.

Night all! xo

Wonderful weekend

I had such a great, great weekend that was jam-packed with plans, people, and fun.  Saturday I had a sweet girl date with my friend Anita and had the best time.  We left both of our babies at home with their grandparents, and it was basically the first time I'd really done that. It was nerve-wracking but also fun to be able to go do something on my own outside of a quick run to the gym or the store. It was a great night- so much girl talk, so much good food...and cupcakes too!  We ate at Joe's Farm Grill- I got a chicken sandwich and fries, delicious- and followed it up with sweets from the bakery next door. I adore Anita and it was immeasurably fun to actually spend time with her. I can't wait to do it again!

When I got home Henry and I fell asleep around 8:30pm and slept the night away. He woke up once but for the most part sleep really well and I felt great on Sunday morning. I had a full day planned today so I was really grateful he didn't pick last night to end his amazing sleeping streak. We're at my parents, so I thought it could happen being in a different environment, but nope! Thank you sweet Henry! So we got up this morning, got ready, and I headed over to Shirley and Nate's for a girl's/bridesmaids brunch, followed by shopping. My parents graciously agreed to watch H. so of course I was excited to go spend the afternoon with my ladies. These girls are some of my oldest and dearest friends, and it's always always a good time, filled with laughter and silliness.

So we brunched and chatted for awhile, and then we all headed to Chandler Mall to check out some of the shops in the hopes of finding black bridesmaids dresses. The last time I went to the mall with five other girls I think I was 16, so I had to stop and kind of smile to myself as I watched all of us walk into Nordstrom together. So funny. We walked around and visited different stores (hello J. Crew, I adore you and so wish we had one closer), and then Emily suggested we look in White House Black Market.  Lo and behold, we found the dress!  It's the perfect black dress- it has a classic, vintage look to it and we will absolutely we able to wear it again. Pretty awesome as far as a dress goes, and really, really awesome that we get to wear it as a bridesmaids dress. We all purchased it right then and there and it's nice to have this detail out of the way. Now, onto finding Shirley's dress!

So yes, the afternoon was really lovely. I've said it before and I say it again- I feel incredibly lucky to have so many wonderful, positive girlfriends in my life. My heart is incredibly happy today, from my dinner with Anita to today's festivities. I'm looking forward to all that is to come in the next few months, and especially for my sister's wedding, which is on March 12th- so soon! Her bachelorette party is next weekend too, and although I am forgoing the barhopping, I am joining the ladies for dinner. I can't wait. It's funny because while I was pregnant we laid so low- even this blog reflected that. Lots of quiet weekends at home, not much hanging out...but now I feel like we're back into the swing of things and I'm having just so much fun. I think Henry has been enjoying meeting so many people too, and I love that he is such an easy baby in terms of traveling and being in new environments. He never ceases to amaze me, that boy.

I need to get to sleep now in sweet anticipation of going home to Hank tomorrow (he had class all day Saturday) but I'll leave you with some photos from the weekend. Happy, happy Monday and have a wonderful start to your week!

in my sister's old bedroom, getting ready to head out to dinner- don't know why this photo is so red-tinted!

Anita and me

birthday cake cupcake. This was so.good.

Anita!

Sunday morning, getting ready for brunch

H for my Henrys :)

the bride-to-be/hostess with the mostess. Love Shirley so, so much.

Shirl's sister Erica and Autumn!

yummy apple spice muffins Emily made...I wish I had one right now.

quiche, fruit salad, muffins, mimosas, and coffee.

Em and me- and Maxon in her belly! Cutest pregnant gal ever.

the bride and her bridesmaids, minus two!

the dress

Weekend fun (image heavy)

This weekend was really, really wonderful...and incredibly busy!  I spent part of Friday with my sweet Amber Joy, went down to Phoenix and helped my Mom throw a bridal shower for my sister, spent the evening with two of my oldest, bestest friends and our families, got some shopping done for the house, and got in a lot of family time.  I feel accomplished.  And tired!  Here are some photos from the past few days:

Henry and I got a little photobooth crazy ;)

 

 

Later that afternoon Amber came over and we spent the afternoon running errands, eating frozen grapes, and looking through interior design photos. So much fun. Now I just need to find her a Prescott guy to marry so we can both be housewives and live next door to each other and do this everyday.  haha.

 

 That night Hank, Henry and I headed down to Phoenix.  The photo below is from the next morning, as I was Moby-ing while helping my Mom get ready for Lauren's bridal shower.  Henry seriously looves his Moby Wrap and loves spending time in it.  And I absolutely love it too.  It's great to be able to move around freely while keeping him snug as a bug (in a rug?).

Henry and his Great Aunt Pat, Great Grandma, and Grandma!

Lauren! The guest of honor.

a bit of the food table.  My Mom did SUCH a great job with everything on her own, since we live hours away.  She's amazing.  If you're curious about the little sign below, I wrote that so guests would write a little wish for the couple (like "always love unconditionally") on the rocks I provided and place it in the glass container.  It's a really cute keepsake for the bride.

already giving his Dad looks like this- we're in trouble! ;)

below is a quick game my Mom had everyone play- different teams make wedding dresses for the MIL-to-be and the Mother of the bride (Aunt Pat also participated).  It was super silly but a fun little ice breaker.  Afterward I did some trivia on the couple, read a sweet letter from Abe to Lauren out loud, and then quizzed Lauren on some "Abe facts."  All in all it was really fun and went quite well.

the winner of the dress making contest, Abe's mama

Lauren's bffs since elementary school/bridesmaids Kelli and Kristin

Lauren and the two Moms!

opening up her presents

Henry spent the afternoon upstairs entertaining his papa while the shower was going on. So cute.

Later that night we headed over to the Loops to enjoy Autumn's delicious homemade chili and hangout with all of our families.  Here's my little goddaughter Chloe in her new kitchen and apron (from us, from Anthro- I forgot to rip off the tag, oops!).  She loved it.

playing Wits and Wagers- have you ever played this game?  We LOVE board games and somehow hadn't played this one before.  I'm definitely going to go pick up our own from Target this week to add to our collection.  Lately I've really been wanting to start a regular board game night.  Who's in? ;)

We tried to get a photo of the boys but Carter was squirming and Henry was tuckered out.

I love this picture of Shirley and her fiance Nate- they're getting married in the fall and I'm so, so excited to be a bridesmaid. Shirley is one of the most amazing people I've ever known in my life, and I'm just ecstatic to be a part of their big day.  Nate's such a wonderful person too, and hellooo, how adorable will their future offspring be?!  Seriously.

Henry LOVES his Aunt Shirley so much. He went right to sleep and was so comfy.

The next morning my family and I went to IKEA so we could get some odds and ends for our home. Can I tell you how much I love that place?  It's so fun to just walk around and get ideas.

Annnd, after a long, long (fun) weekend we are finally home, safe and sound.  Henry is sleeping peacefully next to me, and I'm going to go ahead and join him in a moment.

Goodnight everyone, I hope you had a wonderful, wonderful weekend. xo