Fall 2016 school pictures

Oh school pictures.  I swear.  They are the best and the worst.

Well, really the worst.  Why?  My kids do not ever get dressed up.  Like seriously.  I want to chalk it up to the fact that they are just "daycare kids", but that would be putting all those other daycare mommas into the stereotype that they don't dress their kids up ever.  And I know that's not true - because I have lots of working mom friends that do.  So I guess it's just me and Jimmy.  Because we really don't care.  And to be honest, I would really rather have my kiddos be comfy.  Especially at school when they are learning and playing all day.

So we likely did this to ourselves - because trying to get them to put on normal clothes and God forbid *PANTS* is maybe the worst thing ever.  Like wrestling greasy pigs.  But the pigs are yelling and screaming in your face acting like they are in pain.  Yes, that kind of describes telling our kids they need to get dressed up.

When picture day fell on Tuesday, November 1....I was even MORE excited because it was the day after a holiday where they were going to be up late and full of sugar.  So fun.  I was guessing their pictures would turn out horrible.  So I shot one of the three of them (after lots of bribing) before I went to work and figured that would be the best we'd get. 

Then of course, I get their proofs and I want to laugh and cry at the same time.  Because they are so hilarious and make me smile.  And cry because WHY DO THEY CHARGE YOU SO MUCH MONEY FOR THEM!?!?  Especially when you have 2 kids!!??  #profithungry 

But, of course, I had to buy.  And Jimmy got angry - but they are so funny and cute.  Here they are!

Who can resist the cheesy/forced smile!?  At least he listens to them, right?

I do like that they have the year - they will want to look back on these someday right?  (or not..)

And Ms Maddie.  This girl will NOT let you touch her hair most days.  Or put in a pony tail or attempt to style.  So this is the best we were going to get.  I love her.

Sassy PANTS!

The hands together and crossed feet.  Kill me of cuteness.

And then two sibling pictures that look pretty much identical.  But I'll take them.

Especially when these two go on and on to us about how they are "best friends".  And I want to eat them because I love them so much and love that they love each other.  Only wishing Mikey was able to participate - but I guess we might have them all there next fall (?).  We will see.  I really like our in-home lady way too much though to move him at one year old....so for now, the couch pictures will do.

Thanksgiving weekend 2016

Our Thanksgiving celebrations kick on Wednesday night, with the Carter family Thanksgiving dinner.  With all the normal traditions, Ben started a new tradition (our nephew) of a Carter family football game.  He even sent out personalized pieces of mail to every family informing them of all the detail (the letter was amazing!) and made every tickets!!!

It was a little cold, but Pops got out his mower and made a field and the game went on.  Complete with cheerleaders!!  I spent most of the time inside with Mikey (he was hungry) and chasing our other kids (they apparently aren't into football?), but I popped out for a bit.  Ben even made a trophy - it was pretty neat and I'm excited to see this tradition continue!

As you can see, Charlie was having issues - apparently Jimmy tackled him and he did not like that one bit.  Oops.

After the game ended and the trophy was handed out, everyone went inside for appetizers and drinks.  My MIL does not disappoint with the gorgeous table decor!!  Seriously - it's beautiful every year, and this year there were personalized place settings for everyone - even the kid's table!

Mikey was not quite having the night.  I'm not sure what was wrong with the poor baby, but he was fussy pretty much all night.  Which was a bummer because he didn't get to hang out with Jay (his cousin that is just 2 months older) or really get to spend time with anyone else holding him.  He just wanted mom and dad and did take a little snooze in his Dock a tot while we were eating dinner (which was good timing) and was up in time to eat for the annual Grana jammies!

Here is the picture from this year.  Sue now has 12 grandkids to make these PJs for!  She told me that she already went and bought everything for NEXT year because JoAnn's fabric had 70% off flannel - she is amazing!  I love these pictures and this tradition!  Libbie is the oldest at 14 years old and then Mikey is the youngest at 4 months old - quite the spread of some pretty amazing kiddos!

We called it a night around 8:30 and got home at 9.  Mikey went right to sleep, but the other kids fought it a bit because they didn't want to leave their cousins!

The next morning, Maddie slept in until almost 9 (that NEVER HAPPENS!), while the boys were up a little before 7AM.  Around 11AM, we headed over to my parents house to have Thanksgiving with mom's side of the family (the ones that are in KC).  It was delicious and my mom had TONS of food too!!  We were quite spoiled with turkey, ham, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole and then my grandma's delicious PIES!!

Oh and the deviled eggs that I requested she make.  However, Maddie loved the olives and signing "daddy finger"  (anyone else HATE that song/you tube video?)

I knew I wanted to attempt one picture of our little family.  However, the big kids didn't want to participate without bribes, so we took one of just the three of us!  Just like old times, eh?  But then they finally jumped in and this was the best we got...love it with Jimmy's beer in his crotch!  

My sister and her husband were in Augusta, with her husband's family - but their dogs were at my parents house.  So we took a selfie with one of them, Lucy, and sent to her!

We left the big kids over at my parents (sans nap) around 4PM.  Originally, we were planning on going to a party at my boss' house around the Plaza area, but we got home and were spending time with Mikey and were EXHAUSTED - so we just decided to hang out with the three of us and go to bed.  While I was sad to miss the party, it was a great decision because the next morning I had to work and was still able to get up and work out before I headed in the next day.

Yes, had to work the day after Thanksgiving - boo.  But it was only a 1/2 day because the markets are only open a 1/2 day.  And we got Egg etc for brunch.  Yum!

That afternoon, we went over to my best friend from high school's parents house to visit with her and her family and my other friend, Katie and her family.  Maddie took a super long nap, so we didn't get to see Katie and James for too long before they headed back to Oklahoma, but we hung out with Landon and the rest of the Young clan and had a blast!!!  Miss having the Hart family in KC so much, but we sure do love visiting them in Wichita!!

Saturday and Sunday were relaxing and made for running errands, naps and playing at home.  And CRAZY.  Legit nuts at our house because Saturday was so low key.  Charlie and Maddie were running around like nut cases and then as I was trying to get a picture of Mikey looking adorable and eating - you can see Toby on our bench (luckily he was not on the table!)

But it was nice to do NOTHING...just what we needed rolling into December.  We did get to go tour the NEW building in our church - and we are SOOOO excited for it!  Maddie couldn't stop playing with the one toy that was in the room - haha.

Then I made zoodles for lunch and I'm officially obsessed.  I posted my recipe on my fitness blog if you're interested, but it's NOTHING fancy!

Seriously cannot believe December 1 is this Thursday!!  Time is flying - but so happy to have lots of shopping done, Tony (our elf) is coming on Thursday (have BIG plans for that!) and then the Christmas parties start!!  Cheers to the holiday season!

Mikey (was) 4 months old!

Yeah yeah, so he was technically 4 months old on November 19 - which was exactly a week ago - but that's life huh?  Time is flying right now and I'm trying to soak up every minute with him! (and his siblings!)

Length: 26.5 in (93%)

Weight: 15lbs (38%) 

Head: 16.75 in (76%)

You know how every month seriously gets more fun when you have a baby and they start to figure things out more and interact with you more?  That's where we are now.  He's starting making all kinds of noises and "found his voice".  He's still not a huge crier - so you know when he cries, it's really bad!  He's a really good sleeper too - especially in comparison to our other two kids. He's a dream boat!

Of course - I did NOT keep up with these weekly pictures.  I swear, every Tuesday would come and go and I would totally forget - GAHHHH.  I really liked the collages too (see his 1 month, 2 month and 3 month posts).  #momfail

Milestones:

• Still such a happy little babe!!!
• You LOVE your bouncer and are bouncing away and playing with all the toys - you for sure like being upright better than laying down.
• Sleeping good still - I did a post on how I don't ever put you in pajamas and then like the next week you literally got far too long for all your sleep sacks that I was putting you in - so I had to use the different sleep sacks and then it got FREEZING outside, so now you wear PJs.  Ha.
• Sleep in the dock a tot in your crib.  Not sure when I'll take you out of that - probably need to think about it.
• Broke out the 6-12 month box from the basement and I'm loving all the long sleeved onesies that are 6 months - they fit you way better and I forgot how cute they were.
• Size 2 diapers still!
• You found your voice!  It's funny because, just like Charlie, you are a pretty quiet baby.  You cry when you absolutely want something and even less than he did as a baby.  But you found your voice this past month and I love the little noises you make!!
• You're like a daycare pro - taking 6-7 ounces in a bottle three times a day, which is nuts
• YOU ROLLED!! On your 4 month "birthday" - three times actually.  And guess what?  I've missed ALL three of them.  Tummy to back, but that's it.  I need to see it!
• Mom left you for the first time overnight (ok dad too - but since he doesn't feed you from his boob, I'm a bigger deal).  We took a trip to Houston and you stayed with Grana and Pops.  I was SOOOO nervous because I've never left a kiddo this young, but you did amazing and slept and ate great for them and they said you could come back anytime!!!
• First time in the high chair - you did great!!  Very sturdy (or more than I thought you'd be!)

Things you like:

• Will take milk straight from the source or from a bottle - dad said you haven't been taking the bottle well from him, but Marie said you take it great from her.
• Maddie is obsessed with you - still.  You can always make her smile and get out of one of her fits.  She loves playing with you in the jumper and "teaching you"

• Being tickled - it's the BEST.  And hearing you laugh is just amazing
• Still like being carried and facing out - which is not easy at 15lbs and growing!
• Snuggles.  Oh man, you're a snuggler and I love it.

Things you don't like:

• When you have a dirty diaper (DUH)
• When you can't burp - it's the worst - for all of us!
• Lots of commotion around you!!!

Special memories:

• Your first Halloween!!!  You actually only wore your Robin costume for these pictures because it was too stinking HOT the night of Halloween!  Dang!  You still had fun!
• I FINALLY posted your birth story - it's about time right?  And your newborn pics!
• Election Day 2016 happened - AH!
• Had our first time away from each other overnight - oh my!
• Had lunch with our friend Sarah and Lenni - and spent the day with just me and you - it was great and felt like we were on maternity leave again together
• Met SANTA!

• Got your first ornament and #wasntimpressed

• Twinned with dad (while he looked gangsta)!

• First time on a walk in the stroller like a big boy!

• Mom dressed you in the exact same outfit that she did your big brother exactly FOUR years ago and was reminded of it from time hop - I think you guys are brothers!

A note to our sweet boy:

You are still amazing us with your sweetness - let's keep that up, ok?  Haha.  We are excited for what this next month will bring with Christmas and all sorts of fun.  Adding you to our family seems so natural and it's still so hard to believe that you're only 4 months old.  You are starting to feel like a bigger baby because you're in the jumper and like to interact.  You don't let us forget about you and have started making some noise.  We love your smiles and seriously the little smile you give me when I come into your room in the morning to get you out of bed = the best thing of my day.  I cannot imagine starting it another way.  While you might be smaller in weight that your brother and sister were at 4 months, you are the tallest - so we will see if the long and lean keeps up.

So blessed to have you as our baby boy!!!!!

Love,

Your mom (and dad)

**************************************************************

Just for fun - here is Charlie and Maddie's four month side by side picture.

I feel like Charlie and Mikey look less alike in these pictures too - crazy.

Some other outtakes from our little "shoot" (and no, I didn't ask for help this time!!!).

Some fun from the last month:

First time in the high chair - wanted to be part of the family eating!

I love this video of Maddie praying with you - it's the sweetest!

Looking forward to so much more fun to come!

THANKFUL

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We have had a fun few days so far, with celebrations on both sides of our family where we left with tired kids and FULL stomachs!!  But even more so, thankful hearts.  We are counting our blessings for our amazing family and thankful for the time that we get to spend together and that we are all in KC!  Just thought I would do some reflecting on some things I am thankful for today...using the letters of the word thankful.  Cheesy, but a nice reflection time for me!

T - The roof over our heads and the means to provide for our family and help others.  While Jimmy can sometimes call me a Grinch (I'm really not!), we are so thankful to be able to give back through adopting family's and kid's in our areas to provide them with toys, clothes and presents that everyone deserves this holiday season.  We had fun with the kids last weekend shopping at the Target 30% off toys sale and picking up toys for the kiddos that we adopted from their school.  While it was not easy saying "nope, this is not for you" 40 times to each Maddie and Charlie, it's important to us to teach them giving to others is so important.  I am thankful that our financial situation gives us the ability to do these things for others and give back.

H - Having family and friends close by!  While we do have some family that lives out of state, we are so thankful for having our immediate family's in Kansas City and that we are blessed to spend time with them on this holiday and regularly during the year!  I do love a good road trip, but they are far less fun with three kids 4 and under! (and missing my sister on the actual Thanksgiving day celebrations - but thankful she and her husband will be in town for Christmas!)

A - All the BABIES.  Yes, I'm so thankful for Mikey, but also all the babies that we have welcomed into the world this year through family and friends.  We have a new nephew, Jay, my cousin had her little girl, Brooklyn, and we have had many dear friends welcome babies this year as well (a few had twins!).  We are thankful for these adorable babies that are coming into this world and pray for their continued health!!!

N - Nice weather.  Oh my goodness.  We have been completely spoiled this fall.  To say that we are at the end of November and have yet to break out the legit heavy coats is amazing!  I'm sure we will be paying for it in January/February - but for now, I'm soaking in that nicer days this fall meant for more time outside as a family and {maybe} less sickness!!

K - Kids.  I'm thankful for me kids so much.  DUH, right?  But the most thing I'm thankful for about them, besides their good health, is just the love that they have for each other.  After having Maddie and seeing how she and Charlie interacted and grew to love each other, I was more than excited to welcome Mikey into our crew and see how he fit in.  Needless to say, he fits in just perfectly and they LOVE him.  I really don't think there is anything in the world that makes me more happy than seeing the moments when they are thoughtful and sweet to each other.  I mean do they fight - YES.  It's ridiculous.  But those sweet moments make up for all of it - watching these sibling relationships develop is something I will always treasure as a mom.

F - Fun.  Is this weird?  Well - can I tell you that I feel like a different mom/person since I had Mikey.  I can't quite pinpoint the reason, but I'm more relaxed and easy going (I mean I'm still pretty uptight, let's be real - but not as much!).  I've let things go - like my house being clean all the time, the laundry being folded, kids being dressed cute - and I'm having so much more fun.  Having fun when you're supposed to have fun, but also at times I least expect.  Times when I need it the most and when my family needs it the most.  Random dance parties, sitting to play with my kids, snuggling with them in bed...I'm trying to be more present and more aware.  Time flies so fast.  But I'm having more fun and I love it.  And maybe, just maybe, Jimmy will revoke my nickname he has for me as "fun hater" :)

U - Us - meaning Jimmy and I.  I'm thankful for this guy.  For how our relationship has grown and continues to change and evolve.  Three kids, four and under is NOT easy.  But there is absolutely no one in the world I would rather do this with.  Are there times when we hate each other?  Absolutely (like how he somehow sleeps through ALL three kids waking up at night sometimes!)!!  But at the end of the day, he's my partner in crime and I'm so thankful that eleven years ago we fell in love and talked about one day getting married and having some kids.  I'm darn thankful that God helped make that dream come true.

L - Life and the freedom we have in the United States.  This November (and leading up to it) has just been crazy with the election and the results.  I know there are so many that are so unhappy and I'm just not quite sure what to think.  But no matter the results, what I am thankful for is the life I live here in the US and the freedom I have.  That I don't live in a city that is full of war on a daily basis.  That I don't have to be worried about my kids getting shot when they are outside playing.  That I'm not worried of going somewhere and could get bombed.  I know that sounds extreme, but the reality is that there are mom's somewhere across the globe that are worrying about that everyday and the lives of their kids and family's.  We will see what happens from a political standpoint here in good old America, but I'm thankful that I'm a citizen of the United States.

There you have it friends - getting all deep for you on Thanksgiving.  It's nice to sit down and really think about what I truly am thankful for - things big and small.  Hoping you are able to take time to spend with your family today and this weekend.  Get some good Black Friday deals, but remember all the truly important things in your lives!

Here are my turkey's and I on Thanksgiving at my parent's house :)

Maddie's big girl bed - oh the transition

Big girl bed talk.  My friend, Anne, asked me to write about this on my blog.  And while I have like no solid advice on this topic (or proven success), I did feel this is a momentous moment in Miss Maddie's life - and this is the main reason I started this blog - so here we go :)

This was NOT at all on our radar. Like even a little bit.  We have two cribs, so Maddie was in one and Mikey in the other and everyone was happy!!  The thought of having two kids potentially popping in my face at 3 am was something I wanted to put off as long as possible, especially with a newborn hanging out next door too!! But in typical Maddie fashion, she had other plans.  When Mikey was about 6 weeks old, Jimmy had just put Maddie to bed in her room and was on Charlie's room putting him to bed.  I was nursing Mikey in our bedroom and all was quiet.  And then all of a sudden, I hear (and see) Maddie pop around the corner and burst into Mikey's room looking for he and I! To her dismay, we weren't in there.  However, when I called her name--- I realized this could not be good!

I asked her if daddy got her out of her crib. She said no with the biggest grin on her face.  I couldn't help but laugh.  I mean the look on her face was pure pride and joy. She knew she wasn't supposed to climb out of her crib, but had executed it perfectly.  I took her hand and walked into Charlie's room.  When Jimmy saw us walk in, he was mad and asked me why I got her out.  I told him--- I didn't. And his face looked exactly like mine did--- oh sh*t.  Here we go.  Right when we somehow think we have this there kids thing figured out, as parenting would have it....this nice little curve ball.

We put her back in her crib, told her she cannot jump out and it was really bad.  We moved the little chair next to her crib and the prayed that she wouldn't do it again.  

Luckily, she didn't for a few weeks.  Then we had some friends over and they got up to mischief together in her room and everyone was going in and out of maddie's crib (including her big brother) essentially teaching her how to escape. Haha.  None of us noticed they were upstairs until we heard them laughing-- and it was too late. She's a decently fast learner...so she knew just how it was done!!

Not surprisingly, that night she climbed out.  We put her back and told her no.  Then the next night--- she was not having life and was just screaming half the night.  We had both had it with her and Jimmy said to turn off her monitor and leave her in there.  So we did.  About twenty minutes later...I hear some sound coming from Mikey's monitor.  But when I look at him, he's peacefully asleep.  And that's when it hit me--- omg Maddie is in Mikey's room!!!

Sure enough, I opened our door and every door on the second floor was opened (including Charlie's door).  I found her in Miley's bathroom of all places, crying for Mom.  Oh goodness.  Thank goodness when our boys are asleep- they sleep hard because neither of them woke up.  I grabbed her and took her back to her room, put her in her crib and then went back to bed and told Jimmy it's time to start thinking of this transition--- she's set on it.  Just like potty training at 18 months.  Another milestone that Jimmy and I aren't ready for with this girl...but she insists and we pretty much have to oblige.

So my parents offered to take the big kids and have a sleepover one Saturday night.  Instead of taking the front off her crib, we just decided to move all the furniture (my old furniture that I had- and actually bought (long story!) as a kid that I was saving for Maddie!) upstairs and go all out.   I helped Jimmy move everything downstairs and then all the new stuff back up after Mikey was asleep- and I was quickly thankful for my new found muscles!

After we were all done, I'm not going to lie.  I had pretty mixed emotions looking at her empty big girl bed in there.  It made her seem so old!!!!  Like how was it already time for this?? And this was also my furniture when I was growing up (that I randomly also purchased as an 8 year old with some modeling money I had - because yes, that's what I was obsessed with an an 8 year old - I would say it had a pretty good ROI, huh?!!?).  Also, I just bought some ice cream sheets (per her suggestion) from target's pillow fort collection that matched the current paint and curtains!  While I was sad about her growing up, I couldn't wait for her to see it!!  And she didn't disappoint- she was soooo excited when got home after church on Sunday!!  I love this video and the beginning "Oh my goodness" and when she starts jumping on the bed singing 5 little monkeys!!  Haha.  Oh gosh she's a doll.

Well, nap time that day was a complete disaster that we just gave up. Told her to come downstairs because it was silly to fight.  Needless to say, we were terrified for what the night would bring.  Luckily, it went well because she was so dang tired!!  The next night (Monday), not so much luck there.  She would scream and cry and get out of her bed.  And pretty much every night after that. Constantly!!! And we would go in there and try to lay with her but she was inconsolable.  

The next Sunday was daylight savings and we fell back an hour.  While I was up with Mikey (fed him and then he went back to sleep) and then Charlie, ended up laying with him in bed...I figured Jimmy would be nice enough to get up with Maddie when she was up and stirring. Well, turns out that he didn't--- and she ended up finding the Vicks vapor rub in her room and taking off her pjs, putting on her socks and shoes and rubbing it all over her body. Oh my.  She was quite proud.

The next week, we still were having nighttime issues and nothing seemed to work.  We threatened.  We bribed.  Nothing would even calm her down.  Finally, one night I listened to her scream in my face for like 20 min in the middle of the night.  I finally told her I was sick of her acting like a baby and was going to put her in the pack n play.  I snuck into Charlie's closet without waking him up and set it up and put her in it. She was screaming still, but that lasted like 2 minutes and next thing I knew she was dead asleep!! That's when we started questioning if we did the right thing loving her straight to a bed- maybe it was too much. Charlie didn't have these issues and we had him in the toddler converted crib thing for a while.  

She decided for a few nights that was where she wanted to sleep, so whatever. She stayed in it and asleep.  She somehow figured out once how to take the child lock door thing off, so we turned the door handle around...that girl!!!  But most nights - she's all over the bed looking like THIS:

Or we walk into her room and it looks like THIS:

I'm happy to report though, after about two weeks of pure drama, she is doing SO much better and absolutely loves her big bed now and fills it with her lovies and babies!!!  She's not the best at bed time, but getting so much better and Jimmy and I love getting to lay next to her to read books before bed and then snuggle.  She's picking up on her brother's sweet habit of rubbing my face and telling me she loves me (he always does that still!!).

So there you have it.  I have provided you little guidance or tips.  But I recommend patience and alcohol.  Because surviving anything with a two year old is soooooo frustrating!!! She's fun, but man she is a pistol.  And now she's a little pistol that won't stop growing up!!!!

No kids trip to Houston!

Well - we went on a trip and left our three kids behind.  And everyone survived.  Including our parents (both sets - we split the kids up!) survived!  We couldn't thank them enough for watching them.  Jimmy was in a wedding in Houston and we have known about this for a while now.  So we knew we would have a little baby and I was totally unsure if I would be ready to leave him.  But we booked the flights just in case.  And guess what?  While actually leaving him was terrible (like I cried)....it was SUCH a great get away.  An amazing break from life, work, kids and house chores!

We left on Thursday around 5PM and when we were waiting for our flight - we were both in shock that this was all we had.  After being used to traveling with 3 kids - you have so much STUFF.  So this was a piece of cake!

It was a quick flight to Houston and honestly, the ride in the Uber to the hotel might have taken longer.  Ok, not really but seriously Houston traffic is unreal!

We got to our hotel and were STARVING.  Jimmy's friend, Justin (the groom), recommended a sushi place close by.  So we walked there and then got a text from him that his brother in law to be had rented out a whole bar that was full of arcade games until 11PM.  We headed that way and I played a ton on PacMen and Mario Kart - while Jimmy played some Star Wars.  It was fun to meet his bride to be (even though I felt like I knew her after following her on Facebook for so many years) and their family that had come into town!

When we were on the way to our flight in KC, I sent a text to my college friend, Amy, who lives in a suburb outside of Houston to see what she was up to on Friday.  We had nothing to do and I really wanted to see her.  Much to my surprise, she already had a girl's day planned with her mom to go to the Nutcracker Market in Houston on Friday!!!  Her friend had given her tickets to use and she got one more for me - SO FUN!!  I couldn't believe we would get a whole day to just hang out with each other and her mom SHOPPING!  The tickets were early access, so she was picking me up at 8AM, so Jimmy and I were up and went to enjoy the hotel breakfast.  Which was amazing.  And made me want my own personal chef.  Yes please.

Ok, this Nutcracker Market thing is INTENSE and all about strategy, apparently.  I have never been to Holiday Market, similar to this, in KC, but now I'm for sure going!!!  It was super fun - and this place Claudia Ornament was the top recommendation by her friend.  They have personalized ornaments and people wait HOURS in line to get them.  We were there at 9 (along with 100s of other women!), got in and went straight there and got in line.  And we still waited TWO hours.  So we had to of course document the three of us when we finally were getting closer.

So funny because in the beginning, we were both like, ahhh we will just get one ornament.  Well, after waiting two hours in line, I was like ALL the ornaments.  Haha.  Over $100 later - but I got some pretty adorable personalized ornaments and few gifts knocked off my list! 

Check out this one I got of our family!

After we left the market (and Amy got an AMAZING mink shall thing - seriously!), we headed back to her friend's house and we got a tour.  Her house was AMAZING.  And even better, she had super curly hair.  Anyone who has curly hair and rocks it so well, I always ask what their routine and products that they use are.  She uses Deva Curl and she even let me take a picture so I could remember.  After we got home on Sunday, I went to Beauty Brands and spent a pretty penny there and so began my mission to embrace my curls #siderant

Ok so when I got back to the hotel, it was late afternoon and almost time for the rehearsal.  Jimmy said I didn't have to come to the rehearsal, so I got in a work out, a quick snack and a shower.  I'm not going to lie, it was quite amazing being in the hotel room by myself getting an uninterrupted workout + shower in!!

I had to find a random shuttle + the other people going to the rehearsal dinner at the hotel I didn't know (which meant I asked about 3 different groups of people until I found some!), but we made it to a delicious Mexican restaurant, where we celebrated the bride and groom.  They serve filet as their steak fajitas and boy was it good!

The groom had a friend taking pictures at the rehearsal and dinner - and look at this picture he shot of Jimmy and I!  A nice little candid.  Two things: WOW the quality! Makes me want to use my nice camera more and I love that he caught us like this.  Always trying to hit on me :)

That next morning, I woke up to the magic of social media.  I had posted the above picture on IG the night before and said we were in Houston.  A friend from high school, who used to live in Houston, made a breakfast suggestion!  And when I looked it up - it was close enough for a short Uber ride!  So we went to Baby Barnaby's!  And it was DELICIOUS!!!  It was a small little house turned restaurant and we loved it.  We are totally breakfast people - thank you, Molly, for the suggestion!!!

After breakfast, we had the morning ahead of us.  Nothing to do.  It was a weird feeling!!!  After having three kids to constantly take care of, I am not going to lie, it was kind of nice!  I missed them, but then going to the bathroom in silence was also nice too.

I got another work out in (I'm holding accountable to my challenge group!!), while Jimmy laid and watched some football.  Sounds like a perfect afternoon.

Then Jimmy left to head off with Justin and the other groomsman to get ready.  I showered and then walked to some nearby shopping.  The Galleria was close, but it was CRAZY and I actually had some stuff I needed to return to Old Navy and that was closer.  So I walked there and got a necklace for the evening (to go with my new dress!) and some new jeans.  

The girl, Melissa, that Jimmy was walking down the aisle with and we met last night had her husband and brother in town as well and they had nothing to do either, since Melissa was with the bride all day.  They had called my hotel room earlier to get my cell phone number so I told them I would meet them at a bar after I was done shopping.  When I showed up, I was welcomed by them and Andre  Aka the man from the Hangover, with better rugby shorts - haha!

He provided us with lots of entertainment in the afternoon and I might have had one too many beers to get the night started.  Then we had to head back to the hotel via hotel shuttle and get ready for the night!

The wedding and reception were at a very fancy country club in Houston called River Oaks (per our Uber driver the first night, he was like very impressed it was there!).  It was so nice and the bride and groom had a combined Jewish and Christian ceremony.  It was fun to see those religions come together for the ceremony and I'm excited for Justin and Cortni!

After a somewhat quick ceremony, got to see this handsome devil walk down the aisle.  He sure cleans up nice, right?

While I was off having too much fun taking selfies with Mike and Jeff (Melissa's husband and brother)!

Did I mention this was a black tie/fancy wedding!?!?  It was!  And I took advantage and got myself a long fancy dress.  It was Ralph Lauren and beautiful and made me feel super fancy.  Did I mention it cost $17!???!?!  Haha.  Oh yes.  My mom suggested that I go to this place called Half of Half in KC, which is right by my work.  Nothing like last minute shopping - but I rushed there on Wednesday over lunch and found this dress!  It was awesome quality and Ralph Lauren and marked down to $50.  I was so excited!  And even more when I got up to the register ---- and apparently it had been additionally marked down because I literally paid $17 for it!  I'm guessing I had the least expensive dress on at the whole wedding!  But you couldn't tell (my necklace I bought was $17 too! ha!)

My date.  We were having too much fun.  And people were quite frightened (ok maybe shocked), when they asked if we had kids and we said we had three.  Ha.  That's just how we roll, right?

Evidence of a fancy wedding and mom and dad having too much fun.

I spared you with the dancing videos and snap chats that Jimmy took of me.  Let's just say the band was amazing, the bartender was awesome and was feeding me Corona's all night (I'm so fancy, right?).  I had to pump once, but other than that, I felt like I was 23.  Besides the fact that when we had to get up the next morning at 5:30 and head to the airport for our 8AM flight.  GRRR.

We landed in KC and this is how we felt.

And then I felt even better taking care of my sweet babies (who I was very excited to see...and were all very good when we were gone - BONUS!).  You can tell from this selfie.

But this picture takes the cake.  Haha.  I love all of their expressions in this.  #roughSunday

We had so much fun on our short getaway.  And while the weather was much cooler in KC when we landed, I had to remind Jimmy of this:

Overall, I dont' think I realized how much Jimmy and I needed a short get away.  It was the perfect amount of time away with just the two of us!!!  I took off Monday to get caught up with laundry, house stuff and had to take my car in.  I kept Mikey home with me and let him nurse whenever he wanted so he didn't "hate" me for leaving him at such a young age.  haha.  Good news is - he was so adorable and forgiving and loved me just the same.

Cheers to adult only getaways!!!  I had a blast but was so happy to come home to our babies.  Jimmy even did Christmas decorating on Sunday night, which I sat and watched.  Ha.