What's Up Wednesday: March 2017 Edition

Hi. Is anyone still showing up around here? Because it's evident I certainly am not. I have the best of intentions to recap kiddos, house, and winter to spring transitions, all the changes and just general every day life. But, I'm going to be honest guys ... I simply don't know heads from tails anymore. Our life is a bundle of complete and utter madness. And when I sit down to write I can't even seem to find a way to compile all of the craziness that has ensued the past week/day/month and simply give up. 

So, I thought a post like What's Up Wednesday seemed like a good place to start. It's got direct questions, and exact things to answer, so I feel confident I can compile a good read for you today. For any newbies, these posts happen at the end of every month and we all link up and talk about these topics:

What We're Eating This Week: All the leftovers in the fridge. Spring Break will soon be upon us and it's time to get rid of everything we've got before it goes bad. Last night Sissy and Poppy took the kiddos to Bennett's karate class and I whipped up a super tasty chicken and mushroom spaghetti I was quite proud of. Does anyone else feel like their best dishes come from randomness? I've always fancied myself more of a "I really don't follow recipes" type of cook.

What I'm reminiscing about: Actually a lot of things. I've failed to blog most of them, but we've already discussed that. First, I'm reminiscing about meeting sweet babies (I still have one more, Miss Maple, to get my hands on). Little Brighton Marie first. We celebrated another birthday for my grandma and it was so fun to get the whole fam damily together. 

Then I got to snuggle little Knox Michael (and his mama ... and brother, Jack ... goodness I miss them so very much) when hubs and I spent a few days in Nashville.

And last but not least I'm reminiscing on the weekend getaway hubs and I spent in Dallas a couple of weekends ago. Shane's little brother from his fraternity in college was getting married to the sweetest gal in Dallas, and we packed our bags for a 72 hour getaway sans kiddos and it was FABULOUS! We got all dolled up and took our time doing so. We aimlessly walked without any whining, we drank adult beverages on a rooftop and dined at fun restaurants while we just talked and listened to one another. And - BONUS - didn't have to take one kid potty the entire time. We ordered room service and had breakfast in bed and watched an entire movie while sipping coffee. It was what dreams are made of my friends. And when it was all said and done we couldn't wait to get home and snuggle the crazy little people we call our family. But, I'd be lying if I said I can't wait to do again soon.

What I'm loving: Halloween in the smack dab middle of spring. This little three year old has become costume obsessed. And lucky for him, living behind his GoGo means Chasing Fireflies costumes that are available all year are at his disposal. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Masks (Michelangelo is his favorite) are on repeat nearly 24/7, made out of just about every household item we can find. Captain America is another fan favorite. And, last but not least the Storm Trooper made an appearance at Mexican night last week :)

What we've been up to: I think the better question is what have we NOT been up to. It has been a month ya'll. A jam packed, CRAZY, month. But, I'll highlight two of my favorites from this month. First, our visit to the Newport Aquarium. Bennett was so brave on the shark bridge and we had a blast!

Second, Sesame Street Live! Holy cute. My kids LOVED it. I mostly have video and not many pictures, but we had a ball. I got the kiddos the tickets for Valentine's Day and I'm so glad I did!

What I'm dreading: I'm not really dreading anything at the moment, but the big dread of this month was officially moving out of our Nashville house. We moved ourselves back to Kentucky late December/early January, but we still hadn't sold the house in Nashville, so all of our things remained there to keep it staged. I think because of that, I was able to emotionally block it off ... but this month we officially said goodbye and it was TOUGH. There was A LOT of life lived in that house. We brought home our second baby, we sent our first baby to school for the first time, we walked through a hard diagnosis, we celebrated birthdays, we made friends, we celebrated holidays, we potty trained, we made friends, we made memories and it was a tough one to leave. So, a part of me is still dreading the next time we go back to Nash and I have to drive by knowing it's no longer ours. But we boxed it up, we shed tears, we said our official goodbyes and we passed it along to another family to begin making happy memories. 

That yellow wall :) means more to me than most of you know.

What I'm working on: The new house! Obviously! All things house. House house house. So many selections have been made. So much progress has been done. I'm hoping to do an update post on everything soon, because there is A LOT to share. Here was how I spent Monday ... walking through a salvage yard trying to find a fancy pantry door we can re-purpose - #allreclaimedeverything and that friends is a Monday well spent. 

What I'm excited about: DISNEY! I can't believe it's real ... and I am PUMPED. And hate that I haven't blogged enough that you're just finding out about that noowwwww. But, we're headed down for a few days (it's the kiddos first time) and although I know it will be exhausting and probably frustrating at times ... we're making memories and it makes me so excited. Can't wait to recap all of the fun!

What I'm watching/reading: Madam Secretary. At gals night a few weeks ago someone mentioned they had started bingeing it and coincidentally I finished White Collar a few days later, so I thought I'd give it a go and I'm totally digging it.

What I'm listening to: The birds chirping. Spring has pretty much sprung ... I feel like the last frost has taken place and so, I'm listening to the birds and the rain and all things spring and it makes me happy.  Also, sports, because March. We've been watching a lot of basketball (but both of our teams are now knocked out - BOOOO) and we headed to the opening Louisville City FC game last weekend and had an amazing turn out.

What I'm wearing: Gap soft-spun tees/tanks/sweatshirts. This one is my fave right now. It's a great everyday wear and flows well from job site to snotty baby :)

What I'm doing this weekend: We actually have a relatively low-key weekend compared to the one's we've had the past couple of weeks. We've had a party (see below) or a function for nearly 5 weeks straight so I'm looking forward to a good hangout weekend with my people's.

What I'm looking forward to next month: We've got another big month coming up. Big highlights include: Disney, Tee-Ball opening day/game and parade (look at that cute little tee-baller), some more fun parties, Easter, The Neil Diamond Concert - HA!, My one year cancer free celebration!!!!!, So much good stuff!

What else is new: Actually, Lainey feels new sometimes. New in the fact that she's getting so big. She's talking more and more every day. Her personality is so so so full and bright. She is truthfully the happiest little gal. She's so smiley and friendly and I just love her little self. She's into absolutely EVERYTHING, eats even more than that (sometimes dirt, sometimes everyone's packed picnic lunch, sometimes the dog food....), and is OBSESSED (literally) with her brother. Watching them grow up together makes my heart happy, but can't really say that's new. 

And that's just about it gang. So very much life is happening and so very many memories are being made. We are anxiously awaiting moving into our new home and starting our life there, but we are taking full advantage of the incredibly awesome perks that come with living behind your parents/grandparents and dare I say ... farm life (psuedo) really is pretty great. 

**Linking up with Shay, Shaeffer, and Mel

Cousins + Christmas Cheer!

Back today with another dose of Christmas cheer! We've been at it again with all things merry and we're soaking up every minute of this amazing holiday and trying to make the most our of our remaining time in Nashville! Here's a look into last's week's round up of all the shenanigans. Picture overload ahead!

Truth me told in regards to moving, leaving this house has never been terribly hard for me because I never really considered it my forever home. I've loved this home, I've spent two years raising my babies in it and it has brought tons of great memories and it's beautiful, but I full well knew from the get go it was a transition home. Regardless of whether we stayed in Nash or moved back to Louisville, we never planned to be in this exact house more than a few years ... so leaving the house isn't hard. But leaving this city is breaking me down. Morning snowman snuggles help ease the pain :)

 But Nashville nights celebrating my gal pals don't make it any easier to leave.

 Nor do Holiday Christmas parties with some other pals.

 But, we're packing regardless and soon will have to say goodbye ... and once again we loaded up the car for another weekend away.  It seems we're not very good at staying in one place for very long.

 We were headed to Cincinnati for the weekend for Christmas round 1 and 2 with my extended families. Daddy had a few meetings in Louisville Friday morning, so we headed in late Thursday night and spent the night in Louisville to break up the drive. We had plans to visit the Galt House hotel and see their AMAZING Christmas Kaleidoscope exhibit for the third year running ...

But, when we arrived our little three year old was on a TERROR. So we pulled the "do that again and we're not going" threat one too many times until finally we actually followed through on the threat and told him he wasn't allowed to go. And then we got to the car, we were all sad. It was the night we had planned and to be honest, it's not like we had a real "home" to go back to and pass the time. We were just passing through the city so it was a late unplanned stop ... so we took a side route and instead took the kids to the mega cavern and did a drive through of Lights Under Louisville. So we KIIIND of followed through on our word? Ha!

 You drive underground and through the cave around 5-10MPH ... and most everyone unbuckles the littles, rolls down the windows so you can enjoy the music (it's warm in those caves!) and it's such a fun festive night. And Bennett thought it was AWESOME that we were inside a real cave.

 Such a fun little stop!

 The next morning, hubs had a few morning meetings before we headed to Cinci - so I caved and took the kiddos to the Galt House :) Can you tell we're complete pushovers. Spoilt rotten they are! Ha!

First, Bennett requested to ride the train .. and Baby Sister joined him for the first time!

 Then it was onto the Belvedere for the Kaleidoscope exhibit -- this year's rendition was the 12 days of Christmas. Our faces were projected on the four calling birds and Bennett thought it was, and I quote "SOOO STINKING COOL!"

After the Kaleidoscope we made our way to the Holly Jolly Elf show ... but not before we hit up the hot chocolate bar and snagged a bag of blue cotton candy (because that's his favorite color if you didn't know, which I'm not sure it's possible not to know that if you've ever met the kid).

I love them, and their blue faces.

 Bennett loved the carols, Lainey loved the music and it made us happy.

 And then we hit up the Christmas village and Lainey met a real snow fairy princess.

And Bennett made sure to not miss his chance with Santa (for a third time this year) to tell him about the blue yoyo he was expecting.

 And then before we hit the road, we waited out the train line so the littles could have their turn at driving the train! Winning!

And Lainey waved the whole time. My heart.

We met up with Hubs and hit the road to head north to Cincinnati for Christmas round 1 with my mom's side of the family. It's been a tough year losing my grandmother, so it was extra special for everyone to be together.

 Everyone purchased toys for the littles - nine in total were in attendance -

 Chocolate Santas all around.

 And light up necklaces for tails.

 And then we played a hilarious game of White Elephant ... everyone was to wrap something they had in their home and no longer wanted and some of the "presents" were hysterical ... and stealing got FEIRCE!

 It was a great night, and always a blessing to be surrounded by family!

 Friday, we had a lazy morning at my family's home in Dayton, KY ... it's on the river just across from Cincy and where we were hosting my dad's side of the family Christmas (round 2)!

 And before we knew it, more family .. and more fun! And a sister always makes the day brighter!

 These people are icing on the cake :)

  And Abby Girl cupcakes obviously don't hurt.

My sweet grandmother suffered a stroke last week, (prayers please) so we were extra thankful she was out of the hospital and able to be with us another Christmas!  She and her sister, Nancy, had a lady come to their home to fix their hair before the party and they both looked so pretty!

A momma and her babies.

A room full of food, family and fun.

 And our annual Christmas PJ picture!!! 10 babies this year and another Dykstra little on the way!

2013 photo

2014 (apparently I forgot to blog this - FAIL)

2015 photo

 The littles opened their gifts.

 And then EVERYONE was surprised by a special visitor ... SANTA!!!

 And Mister B was NOT going to miss out on another chance to snuggle up in his lap!

 Lainey was still not having it.

The adults played another round of White elephant, and Lainey just kept finding any surface she could to climb up on and sit. We've got a wild one on our hands folks!

 And finally it was back to Nash for a few final weeks! And we topped it off by having a farewell lunch with our best buddies, Jack and Brooks.

 You've been good to us Holiday season, we're so sad you'll be ending soon; but can't wait for the final two weeks!