Saturday, October 31, 2015

The Haley's and Smith's visit Harper's Ferry (A Thomas Jefferson favorite!)



The Fall weather is absolutely beautiful and I'm pretty sure it's why I fall in love with the East Coast more and more each year! We went to Harper's Ferry with our great friends the Haley's a few weeks ago and it was a gorgeous! We couldn't have picked a better weekend to go and it's always better to have great company. 



These streets were very quaint and kinda reminded me of the Gilmore Girls set- nice and cozy neighborhood where everyone knew each other. 









These kids are so great! They walked around town with us and enjoyed it just as much as the adults did. Maybe it helped that we stopped by an old fashioned candy shop and picked up some Sponge Candy (amazing!) and red licorice strings. Also, in a town like this, we let them walk as much as they wanted. They were troopers for sure. 







We watched a demonstration of how Apple Cider was made in the old days. Taryn and Logan thought it was fascinating as did I. We also found out that people drank more apple cider than water because apple cider could be kept in barrels for months but fresh water wasn't always available. 




We hiked up to Jefferson Rock (where Haddie is picture above) where it was said Thomas Jefferson stood and observed the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers combining into one. 


There was a beautiful church on the top of the hill with very strong Irish roots. The land was given by Harper himself to be used for a church or school. 



The colors are so vibrant in the fall!




We walked over to the train tracks and walked along the canal, taking in all the beautiful surroundings. Being outdoors really lifts your soul!




Chris stood looking over the river with baby Carson in tow. 



It became a rock skipping/family picture taking adventure down by the river. 









The kids ended the day with rolls down the hills in the parking lot. I've got some fun videos of these kiddos that I hope to put on our YouTube channel soon (along with catching up on all our home videos from over a year ago!) Harper's Ferry was gorgeous and we loved being there with the Haley's. An Added bonus was crossing off West Virginia from our "States to See" list. 

Thursday, October 22, 2015

That last week that was kinda crazy. My sister's car accident and my job

Last week there was a lot going on all at once and it was overwhelming. 

First things first 
My little sister Brooke got in a really bad car accident on Monday, October 12th. When I found out, I started crying as I talked to my mom and then one of my sisters. My mom described what had happened and what was ahead for Brooke and it made me so sad to think of my little sister who was hurt and I couldn't do anything but pray.




Such a sad and scary sight! I couldn't look at this without crying for a long time. 



My brother Cameron right by her side


 Mood cards helped her communicate (great idea, Cameron!)




A few days after the accident and surgery, she's still a spunky as ever! She is hilarious! Brooke really showed me that despite what may be going on, you can still find joy and be grateful. 



 I learned that Brooke had broken her jaw in five places, had broken her nose in two places, a 5 inch "laceration" on the top of her head that was stapled shut when she arrived at the hospital and plenty cuts and bruises. She was going into surgery to place titanium plates along the 5 broken places in her jaw and to wire it shut for 6 weeks so it could heal. My brother Cameron and his wife Jana were able to make it to the hospital where Brooke was before she went into surgery. They stayed with her for the next 3 days, being our source of "Brooke updates" as our family stayed glued to our phones for the next update. The police on the scene and the surgeon said she was lucky to be alive and that her injuries could have been a lot worse (spinal injuries, broken neck etc…) It was a blessing that she was ok.

She was really beat up but we knew she would be ok and that's what mattered most. We were amazed as a family by how many joined us in prayer and well wishes for Brooke. Her mission came together and held a fast for her the day after the accident. She's now resting in CA with my parents, blending up anything and everything so she can eat (drink) it!

Another little speed bump (and by no means on the same level as my sisters big accident!) I got a call on Monday from my current boss at a Pastry company that we were suspending operations until further notice. Business for the company had started to slow and I was becoming nervous each night I went to work and prepared less and less dough for the day's croissants. I told Tyson we had to start praying hard! But the news of the pastry company closing came and I was heart broken (as was my boss of course.) We're hoping things turn around for this amazing company that was so great to work for but in the meantime, I have to find another job.



Ready to work!


Luckily, because of the greatness of working in a Food Incubator, I've been exposed to tons of businesses. I have already been in contact with one specifically and I hope it goes well.

I do have to say that Tyson has always been super super supportive of me working. We've worked really hard to make my schedule work for our family and I love that I've been able to be with our girls during the day and dive into my food job at night.  Tyson has been beyond amazing with helping out at home so I could go to work and I'm thankful every single day that he is my partner in life. When I told him I lost my job, he understood how sad I was and he knew how much I loved that company. But he also said that he wouldn't be sad having me home. The past almost two weeks have been very restful. When I wake up in the morning, I feel so refreshed after getting 7-8 hours of sleep!!! I could get used to this ;) I mean, I haven't slept this much consistently since before Taryn was born!  It's been a very much needed break but it's back to work for me! We've got some goals that we want to reach!

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Making Elmo cupcakes and a mini cake for a little birthday celebration


Recently I made some Elmo cupcakes and a min Elmo cake for one of Haddie's little friend's birthday. It was really fun to do and I love that the little friend was so excited about them!!!
I had to get a little creative when making the mini cake but it all worked out well. To test how well they looked like the real Elmo, I showed Haddie the mini cake and she said, "Elmo!" And that's how I knew I had done it right :)









Just watching them grow together.


Sharing doesn't come naturally, but I really love when those moments appear where they play nicely, they make each other laugh, and they help one other. I have so many fond memories of playing with my sisters and it makes me so happy they have each other. 






Moneky see, moneky do :)






Return on investment :)

Lots of curly hair and personality too


Little Miss T and H. We've caught some funny and adorable moments - from a few months back and I want to remember their personalities at this stage. These pictures are random but I love them all. 










Every once and awhile, she has my phone and takes about a billion pictures of her feet. 



Taryn's mini me! I remember looking down on Taryn years ago, kicking her little feet along in the stroller just like I do Haddie now. 


Sometimes the girls can be totally unpredictable. Like when Haddie bit the top of this flower bud off. When we found out, she was spitting it out saying, "Yucky popsicle!" haha!





















We made crowns one day and Taryn decided at dinner that it was a perfect time to bring them out. Tyson and I ran with it and within a few minutes, we were talking with accents, raising our pinkies ;) and laughing together. These little moments are so much fun. 

Curls and Curls!!!! Haddie has endless curls! Taryn was the same at her age. I'm nervous that Haddie's curls will soon be hidden like Taryn's are so I snap away as much as possible to remember these luscious  locks. 












As Taryn's hair gets longer, we are finding more and more of what we can do with it. This beautiful little french braid looked so good on little Taryn! I'm learning a lot even though Taryn asks for "a break" from doing her hair almost every day :/




And Haddie who looks just like me when I wore this dress at her age!