Our 4th of July Festivities!

 Happy Independence Day to everyone! I hope you all had as much fun as I did this year! The funny thing is, we really didn't go anywhere or do anything too eventful, which I think is why I enjoyed this 4th of July so much.  Usually we are busy running around to visit the in-laws or heading here for a cookout and there for some fireworks and we have to worry about the kids getting cranky and having to pack them up in the car, only to fall asleep for 30 minutes and then wake them when we get home... But no! We hung at our house this year, just us four (mommy, daddy and the two boys), we did some fun festive cooking together, grilled out in the backyard together, did fireworks and the boys were more than willing to climb into bed without a fight after it was all said and done.

What a fantastic day! We even got to see some fabulous fireworks from across the street that someone must have been doing from the local pool or something.  I hope you all had a fun and safe holiday as well.  It's just a shame that there are still two days left in the work week for those of you who have to return to the office tomorrow.  Oh well, it will feel like Monday, but it's already Thursday! (I try to be optimistic about these things).  But anyways, here are a few highlights from our fun day!

Red & Blue pancakes topped with confectioner's sugar! (They were clearly a hit with my boys)

I put together this fun collage of pictures from my favorite garden, CrystalHill Gardens, named after me!  If you haven't checked out their facebook page, you should definitely see some of the fabulous varieties of daylilies that they have! Be sure to like their page and follow them on twitter for the newest photo updates! 

CrystalHill Gardens on Facebook

Follow @CrysHillGardens on Twitter

Check out their website

My boys and I made these fun, festive strawberries as a nice healthy snack this afternoon.  I got the idea from pinterest of course.  Not only were they fun to make and pretty to look at afterwards, but they were absolutely DELICIOUS! (The kids ate them up as soon as I was able to get a picture of them)

 My little cutie pie with his strawberry! (annoyed that mommy had to snap another picture before he could bite into it!)

And last, but not least, here are the boys enjoying daddy's firework display! 

Daddy is a bit of a pyromaniac! lol But he definitely knows how to put on a show for us!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!! 

Making Room for #3

I am quickly approaching my 34th week of pregnancy, which leaves me a short 6 weeks until my due date (but neither of my other babies ever lasted that long in the oven).  The closer I get, the more I realize how little I've done so far to prepare for my little girl's arrival.  My two boys (4 and almost 2), will be moving into a room together so that the nursery can be used for the new baby.  So the biggest issue is... well hold on, there's a few issues here:

1. My little guy has been using the crib up until last week, where he finally refused to stay put and would climb out every time I put him down for bed.  So we removed the railing and now gate the doorway so he can't wander out of his room at night.

2.  We are moving the little guy into his big brother's room once the baby arrives, but this room barely has room for a second bed.  If we do get another twin, they will have no room to play in there.  Bunk beds are too dangerous for the little guy, who would probably try diving off the top, toddler beds would be a waste of money because they will grow out of them in no time, which leaves me with what choices really? Hmmm? I need help!

We just moved into this house a little over two years ago and are already growing out of it. Has anyone else had this dilemma, and would you mind sharing with me how you overcame it? I'm just quickly running out of time and ideas. We have a spare "bedroom" in the basement, but it's become my husband's office room and I don't think I would feel comfortable having any of my kids down there alone quite yet.  Ohhh decisions, decisions.  I'm sure I'll figure something out (I better).  But any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

The Parable of the Twins

I remembered my mom telling me about this when I was younger and I have never forgotten about it. This is such a great parable of twins in the womb discussing their view on life after birth. It makes you think about life after death in a similar way. I just love this, always have and thought I would share it with you.

Day 1: Self Portrait

Okay, so I am no photographer, and I still haven't figured out how to upload pictures from my digital camera to my iPad, so this is what I've got... A picture of myself that I took from my phone! I will need to figure out how to get my photos from my nicer camera on here for tomorrow's picture of the day. I tried taking one on my iPad, but the quality is horrible on here. Oh well... I'll post it anyways.

30 Day Photography Challenge

Since I've been slacking on my blog updates lately, I decided that it would be fun to kick off my return with this 30 Day Photography Challenge that I saw on Pinterest. Feel free to take it yourself and comment below with your pictures so we can share what creative pictures we come up with! Grab those cameras and let's get snapping!

It's a GIRL!

I haven't blogged in quite some time! We have been super busy with the kiddos and getting all of our spring cleaning done. I guess I've got a bit of the "nesting" instinct going on as well, as we are expecting our third little one in August. The doctors said it looks like we are getting our GIRL this time around, but I'll believe it when I see it. The boy gene seems to be pretty dominant in my husband's side of the family, so we will see... But regardless, we are very excited and can't wait to meet our little bundle of joy.

We got a puppy!

Say hello to our newest member of the family: Simon! He is an 8 week old miniature poodle. Doesn't he look just like a little Teddy bear? As you can see, the boys are loving him and quickly learning all about the responsibilities that come along with a pet. I, myself, had forgotten how much work it was taking in a puppy. We (and by we, I mean I) are working on the crate training, trying to keep him on a schedule, and having to wake up in the middle of the night when he starts yelping to get out and tinkle. Kind of like bringing home a baby!