It's Beginning to Look ...

A lot like Christmas! And it feels like it too! Brrrr! We've officiall decorated the house .. and just maybe it's enough inspiration to actually share a home tour (mayyybe).

And last weekend we spent the weekend in French Lick with my dad's side of the family celebrating Christmas. It was the most magical, fun (insert all the great words) here weekend!
The kids and I arrived a few hours early and shared some Diet Coke and carrot cake with Papaw.

The we put on our matching PJs and headed to board the Polar Express! While waiting to board our train car we wrote letters to Santa (and I was super surprised at the kiddos requests!).









We picked out our spots on the train and settled in to make our way to the North Pole.



Lainey is still boycotting photos :)

Well, sometimes.

The whole ride is about 1.5 hours and you head through the Indiana forests. There are dancing and singing elves that entertain you, and serve you cookies and hot chocolate.



Once you make your way to "The North Pole" Santa boards the train and the kids go CRAZY! They're so enamoured with the whole to do!

After we arriving back to home base we wrapped the night with way too much pizza and bowling!
 
After the kids got a (ahem) full night's sleep, we had a big ole breakfast and then headed to watch the choir carol in the atrium of West Baden.






Then the younger little's took a quick nap, the older ones got ice cream and we made our way to ride the ponies!!





Lainey was EXSTATIC and rode Trixie.



Bennett patiently waited for his turn and was atop Sam.



After we had our fill of the ponies we headed to view the grounds and once again visit with Santa. Trolley rides were everyone's favorite.



And we wrapped with a grand finale dinner at Hagen's on a spectacular golf course view. And let the little's open a few gifts in the atrium before calling it a night.





It was the very best start to the Christmas season and we can't wait for more celebrations this holiday! A special thank you to my parents for planning such a great getaway and giant hug to all of my family members that's shared in all of the fun memories with us!!

Welp, it's Wednesday

It's been a busy end to summer round here. Lots of here and there shenanigans. Lots of waiting on this person to come help us with this project for the house. Lots of driving from here and there to get that one piece that we seem to be missing. Lots of plans. This week I have some sort of school orientation just about every day before the kiddos officially start next Tuesday ... and it's got me all crazy. I'm thinking back on summer and just thinking of all the things! So many things. Lots of a lot of things! So, instead of talking about every 'thing' to wrap up the end of the season, I'll condense it into five little things. I think a nice tidy list makes everything seem better.  And here are five little things. 

{ ONE :: WEDDING }

For starters, we headed to Henderson, KY to watch one of my college besties get hitched at a beautiful little winery tucked away in the countryside. .

 Bennett was there too ... but he found some pals and we never saw him the entire night.

 Megan sure looked pretty :)

And two of my favorite people rocked the dance floor.

And just to squeeze it in ... because it was (sort of) on the route ... we also made a pit stop to check out the new brewery, Tin Man Brewing, in Evansville, IN. We got the special behind the scenes tour with our new business partner and master brewer.  Bennett was mostly impressed with the real life Tin Man robot that sits inside the tap room (Not that this picture would let you know it) .

{ TWO :: BENNETT + BASEBALL }

Our sweet Bennett ... he had a BIG Sunday when his Tee-ball team was honored at the Minor League Baseball - Bats - game during the opening ceremonies. Their team was able to walk out onto the field and sing the National Anthem with the players, watch the first pitch be thrown, and had their names announced on the big speaker.

 Little sister watched in amazement and was so jealous she didn't get to go out on the field.

 Fame suits him well. Not phased even a bit!

That's Bennett near the pitcher's mound -- he saluted the flag holding the third basemen's hand -- what a little stud.

 On his way back in he had a little swag to his walk and happily high-fived the umpire.

 And couldn't wait to tell daddy ALLL about it!

And while we're on the B topic ... just like that it was time again for Bennett's annual kidney scan! I remember like it was yesterday when we had Bennett's 20 week anatomy scan while he was in utero. They told us our baby may not be healthy. He had several markers for many things, and most of all hydronephrosis, and a lot of fluid on his kidney! Man was I a hot mess in the weeks to come. But, as He always does, God saw us through, and we came out on the other end stronger and perfectly fine. Bennett continues to have to have scans once a year to check on the fluid levels ... but to date they have remained the same since they were first diagnosed nearly 4.5 years ago! WAHOOOO

 And little man is so good and brave during his appointments! Way to go buddy!

{ THREE :: LAINEY }

Lainey is making herself and her toys right at home here at the new house. Eating dirt and burying things in the yard. What a gal. I really don't know what to say about her right now other than she is truly a sour patch kid ... although she's usually more sweet than sour. But MAN, does this girl have some sass.

Moreover, the terrible twos are hitting a smidge bit early in this house and whheeeeewweeee are they coming on hard and fast. She is the sweetest little munch, tough as nails with the biggest appetite and softest heart around ... but goly ... she's giving me a run for my money!

{ FOUR :: HOUSEGUESTS }

We had our first and very MOST favorite house guests. When MaKenzie, Ross and 'THE GRILLS' arrive you know you're in for a good weekend. We had an absolute BLAST and cannot wait for them to come back down - ASAP!

We swam in the pool for the very first time. We played on the slip and slide and had all the giggles.

We ate a yummy dinner together and had some down time.

 We headed out to see our favorite boys in purple, Louisville City FC.

Fam Bam!

 And we had some yummy morning snacks, complete with snuggles ...

 And a took a big walk before it was time for them to head home :(

{ FIVE :: FAMILY }

And finally, when we catch a minute to breathe. We snack and catch up on some cartoons. The days are long, but the years are short my friends. Cherishing all the days. Every last one of them.