andie's birthday party.

On June 18th our sweet little happy girl turned two.
I'm going to do two posts on Andie's birthday, first a little one on her party and then a big one on all about Andie. :)

So, her party.
Simple parties are always the best aren't they?
This year we decided to go the super simple route. We combined it with the 4th of July and did a BBQ on July 2nd where we could celebrate our little Andie, but also have a chance to spend time with our closest family and friends.  We kept it small and simple.  We didn't even have any decorations!  Crazy for me, I know.  But an outdoor summer party certainly didn't call for any.

The weather was gorgeous and mild and it was so enjoyable outside - thank goodness!  It was just beautiful.  Outside we had pools, slip n slides, splash table, sprinklers - and a carwash sprinkler Todd put together quickly that the kids loved.  Tables and chairs set up for just hanging out and enjoying all the traditional delicious barbeque picnic foods.  It was simple and perfect.  Even better that we had such an amazing group of family and close friends there with us.  Made us realize even more how fortunate we are for those in our lives who love us and our girls so much - we are so grateful you could come!

Andie scored some pretty amazing toys and gifts that she has been playing with regularly ever since.  Lots of building, reading, puzzle mastering and fun around here. :)

And of course looking super cute!
(I couldn't even wait to put this adorable little number on her! Thanks Auntie K. :))

Andie loved just running around and playing with all the water toys - her favorites.  Our fearless girl.  Between that and the big smiles on her face with all her new toys and snuggling with everyone, we know this girl had a great time.  It made our hearts so happy.

Thank you to everyone who loves our girl. :)

quinn's willy wonka dance recital.

In June, Quinn danced in her 5th recital.  How that has happened already? I have no idea.  But the girl does love to dance.
She is dancing all the time at home.  She would often prefer music to any other choice and just dance her little heart out in the living room.  I enjoy her little daily performances.

Our little Lollipop in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

The video:
Quinn is all the way on the right.

the fourth of july.

I'm skipping over updates that still need to take place.  Quinn's dance recital, the sweetest little 2 year olds birthday...  but for now here are two little sweeties we spent our 4th of July with.

After a busy weekend, our 4th of July was pretty laid back.  Grandpa and Grandma were still in town from Florida.  So after a day of playing, Todd and I took advantage of a little dinner out to celebrate our 7th anniversary, followed by smores and a few fireworks at home with our family.

7 years ago this was how we spent our 4th of July. :)

Summer is cruising along.  Lots of family time, playing outside, projects being done, gearing up for a Kindergartener to head to school in mid-August, and oh yeah - a little baby baking away.  With about a 7 month preggo belly in tow, I was so glad for a mild week of summer weather and over the holiday weekend.  It's been beautiful.  I'll take what I can, because I'm sure these last couple months will be filled with some hot days.  But at least pregnancy time seems to be flying by, I'm already to the point of every 2 week appointments, which seems a little crazy.  Ready to meet this new little guy.

So grateful for our family and friends we were able to share the weekend with.

sweet sixteen.

Boys Volleyball season just wrapped up last night for our family.  

Todd's team had a remarkable end of season run and finished in the top 16 teams in the state - losing the last match prior to going to State.  It was a tough one - but it is hard not to still be excited about what this team accomplished.  Nobody expected them to make it so far...they did.

They have the most amazing coach ever.  What Todd has accomplished in his time at this school with a relatively newer Boys Volleyball program is remarkable.  He has truly transformed and built a strong program - I am SO proud of him.

I will never forget his first season coaching boys and the very first game - it was so hard to watch.  Painful for this volleyball girl actually. :)  I don't think a single boy actually "passed" the ball, it was random dinks and hits all over the place.  Well that season alone, they grew so much and it has only built so much stronger each year.  A program truly transformed, and so many young boys wanting to play volleyball now.  The technique and skill level the boys have now is just amazing and his team is one to watch out for each year.

We are so proud of our team and our Coach! :)

freeing myself.

It's pretty known by most people that know me that I am not a super tech savvy individual.  That doesn't mean I don't think technological advances are great, I do.  But, I do believe not all of them are really the best for us.
About 5 months ago, my regular old NON-smartphone went dark on me.  I had to get a new phone and they just don't make many simple phones anymore.  So, I reluctantly crossed over into the dark side and joined the super connected smartphone world. lol.  And I probably had at least a dozen people say "you'll love it once you have one" - I was still reluctant.  So, here is the truth - I loved it for about one or two months.
The first months, I liked being able to access things but nothing was habitual yet, so I rarely picked it up.  That was my very intention, not to have a phone in my hands often - because that drives me crazy.
A few months in, I started having it near me more and found myself grabbing it for no good reason.  I don't need to check the junk in my email that many times, or connect myself to the internet world, or see what's new on Pinterest, etc... you get the idea.  It was really starting to bother me.  Then one day Quinn and I were playing and she said "Do you need to work on your phone first mama?".  That was the last straw I needed, it was awful to hear, but I was so grateful for it.

My new goal - that phone is rarely if ever in my hands.
It will stay planted firmly on the counter.
Remember when you had one house phone, one answering machine and you got back to people when you could?
I didn't have many - but I pretty much deleted every app that I found myself clicking regularly that there really was no need to.  Deleting those apps felt so good!!
I became FREE.
It was only 5 months, but it was too much of my time already.
I immediately felt relief.
My goodness it feels good to let go.
It is also the #1 reason I am not on Facebook - it is freeing to not be so connected - to not have one more thing pulling you away from the most important thing - Living - in the moment and at all times - living simply.

Being super connected - it's for some people - it's definitely not for me.

They are worth every extra little second I get to enjoy just being with them.  So many more smiles I see and moments I don't miss when I'm not looking down at a screen.

all things simple and sweet.

welcome summer.

I love Andie's super chill look in this one.

Miss America Baby 2016 - we won't even bother to embarrass the other babies in the swimsuit competition. lol.  - This girl in her pink polka dot suit is just too much for me.

And this one...just getting too grown up.  Promise you will always let me pick out swimsuits for you - yeah right.

We are putting together some summer routines and things to do - gearing up for Kindergarten and this little almost 2 year old!  But FUN definitely tops our summer list.