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.

Driods, Declarations, and Drapes

It was another big week around here ... not that the title of this post would ever lead you to believe that, but it was. We began the week with a bang, and little mister passed his first karate test and earned his white belt! He had to remember seven words "Yes Sir, No Sir, Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am, Please, Thank You, and You're Welcome" and recite them all his own and he passed with flying colors!

 Lainey is currently cutting nearly every tooth in her little mouth and therefore has been a real peach when it comes to sleeping. Joy! Hubs and I planned a movie night and once we got the kids to bed he ran to the movie theater to get some popcorn to-go. Don't knock it til' you try it. It is TOTALLY worth it. But, little miss had other plans and woke up the moment he returned home. And she was pleasantly surprised to find one of her favorite snacks in the living room.

 Girl can CRUSH some popcorn.

 The next morning this little man woke up, put on my glasses and told me he was ready to go somewhere.

 But then he spied the leftover popcorn bucket and decided to polish it off before setting foot outside the house. Good thinking kid.

 And of course, baby sister was not going to miss out on a snack, regardless of how much she had consumed the night before.

 And then we set out for a fun filled day!

 And ended with our droid. Bennett watched Star Wars for the first time right before Christmas (in hindsight he was probably too young because it was certainly a little violent) and he has become OBSESSED. He only makes it about 1/2 of the way through, but he loves the first half and comments on everything Star Wars we see ALWAYS.

 We have had a ton of unseasonably warm days and therefore we've been taking lots of walks and bike rides. We managed to pack Bennett's bike but had forgotten his helmet (and there are some big hills he heads down wayyy fast) so I took him to Target and let him pick out a new helmet. Insert BB-8, the droid from The Force Awakens and Bennett's new alias. Which is mildly ironic because his PaPaw has called him BB since before he was even born. But, it's too cute and he loves to wear it everywhere - so we let it happen because it makes us all smile. Let them be little!

 Little bit joined me at the dentist this week and that made for quite an interesting appointment. Good thing she's cute.

 And afterward we toured what will likely be Bubby's school in a year or two. I could talk a lot on this topic, but I'll spare you all my details because I have a brain block when it comes to articulating what I'm trying to communicate. We were a bit early, so we lunched in the car. Man, I'm gonna miss my little sidekicks when they go to real school one day.

 We headed to a farewell dinner for Uncle Max and of course our droid, BB-8, attended as well.

 He's headed back to NYU for his final semester of Film School before heading off the Hollywood to make the big bucks. Lainey is in love.

 Two of my favorites right here folks.

 And there's another.

 We made a few mall trips to get an outfit together for the wedding we had Friday, and BB-8 joined us there as well.

 We made our way to a music class with one of my long-time girlfriends and her twin boys.

 Bennett created his own "movie fee-ater" in his room and "no grills (girls) are allowed".

 My cousin, Jordan, and his fiance, Rebecca, (bottom left -front row) were tying the knot Friday, so she invited a bunch of ladies to have some dinner before the big day.

 Hubs and I attended the UL game after that dinner too, but I failed to snag a pic. And then we made it to Friday ... and it was time for #HappilyEverDoepke

 My aunt gave the most fabulous speech she wrote about love and God's purposefulness of his creation of man and woman. He created man from the dirt, and woman from man's bone - and chose dirt all with such deliberate intent ... because life and love are messy. And you have to find your own happiness, love and life in the dirt. She did a heck of a lot better job than my Cliff Notes I just shared with you, but it resonated with me and I loved it.

 It was a great reflection, and fabulous way to view His creation. She's got a way with words my friends.

 And I got to snuggle this sweet thing! MaKenzie is due with her fifth baby on February 5 and still managed to make it all the way down to celebrate! She is a dream.

 Family lady love.

 Eeeeek!! So excited for them. They have four girls and have decided not to find out the sex of this baby. I'm thinking boy boy boy - all BOY!

 Reception was a dinner at one of my favorite places, Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse.

And it was family and fun and lots of food!

Saturday morning basketball came EARLY. It was team picture day and due to these behind the scenes shots I snapped, Bennett's are going to turn out great - HA!

 After the game, we played Humpty Dumpty on the walk to the car .. because well that's par for the course.

 And then the littlest (who was strange and pukey - unsure if it was food or something she ate) jumped on board the Droid wagon. This helmet is taking over our house!

 And we ended the weekend with a little Jesus in the morning, followed by taking down all of the drapes at the new house so we can try to make a little money off of them.

 Demo is set to begin this week and we are all SO EXCITED. Get us into the house alreaddyyyyyy.

 We wrapped with another family walk and we're refreshed and ready for a new week!

Happy Monday gang ~ and cheers from my coffee mug to yours.