Maize is 7!

November 3rd is Maize Mountain Jam Hamm's birthday. Our puppy turned 7 today and we baked her a carrot and peanut butter cake from scratch to help her celebrate. She LOVED the cake and we LOVE her. So very much.

Halloween!

we spent a day off school at the pumpkin farm

george had a friend's birthday party at another farm. 

this boy loves tractors.

did I mention that this boy loves tractors?

Eloise had a field trip at the pumpkin patch

Dinosaur and Sofia the 1st

we took the kids to a Friday night party at school

we carved a pumpkin and baked seeds

Maize the triceratops

heading out to trick-or-treat in the rain

Dino and Sofia

we bought a Spiderman costume on sale the day after Halloween that

George has not taken off - literally.

this boy also loves cupcakes

Deb Shoulders

My bf from college (Kate!) and her kids (John and Carrie!) came to visit us and we spent a couple of nights together at our house. Very much like the time Kate and I swam in Showalter Fountain (actually, that may have just been me and not Kate...) our kids took a dip on a cold day in a cold lake with their clothes on. They adored each other (ahem, maybe they'll like George better when he's not so annoying... :) so that was a nice bonus. 

Uncle Jon and Aunt Laura are married!

Jon & Laura

October 5, 2013

 bros.

dancing fools.

my favorite girls.

Jon and Laura's Michigan wedding was beautiful, the weather was perfect for an outdoor ceremony, and we had a wonderful weekend with both of our families celebrating one of our favorite brothers and his fabulous new wife. Jon and Laura - we are so happy for you and were thrilled to be a part of your wedding day. We love you!

S-I-X!!!

Our girl just turned six. S-I-X!!! And she's just as sweet and independent and strong willed and adventurous as ever. Her special day began with the kindergarten butterfly migration at school,  followed by a warm and sunny afternoon at the beach and swimming in the lake with friends, and ended with pizza at an old-time restaurant nearby. A couple of days later we had a party for her at home with 12 friends and a very special guest - her Royal Highness Cinderella. Cinderella brought the kids a tiara craft to make, put make-up on the party guests, taught the girls various princess poses, and helped us sing Happy Birthday. The girls (and George!) were starstruck with Cinderella and the party was a complete and total blast. Hamma and Boppa were here for the birthday weekend and Nonna and GW came for the party - having Grandparents here to help her celebrate made the entire birthday extra, extra special. So much love for our loving girl.

Monarch butterfly birthday

Yes! Mom let me dress myself for dinner!

Check out my outfit with my butterfly wings

Cinderella make-overs

Cinderella teaching princess poses

The party guests

Andrew and I got pics with Cindi too :)

Singing HB

My wish is that all her wishes come true

Opening presents

One of the best birthdays yet!

September 15 is always a great day. And this year it was especially great. My birthday landed on a Sunday this year, which means I was able to fully enjoy a Weekend-of-Natalie™ . My unbelievable friends surprised me on Friday night with a beach party. They set up tables with white linens and had lovely food (including homemade chicken noodle soup) and drinks and Andrew brought cake. It was wavier and windier and colder than any one of them expected, but we were bundled and had a campfire and I truly had the most memorable beach birthday celebration. 

kids eating cake on the beach

On Saturday we had our Avenue block party. We had a bouncy house and a DJ and a firetruck and police car to explore. The party started slowly with neighbors trickling in, but boy oh boy did it heat up and get down right wild. In fact, the police car had to make a return at 10:30 to shut the craziness down. If we learned anything, it's that we certainly ended up on the right street.

little thug

 George's 1st Sprite 

And my actual birthday was beautiful. We went to church and I taught George's Sunday School class (oh yes, I did). Andrew surprised me with brunch reservations downtown at my favorite spot (Fred's). And I took a nap on the couch in the afternoon and went to bed early. I felt so very loved this birthday and I feel so thankful.

First Day(s) of School!

School began last week for Eloise. She is thrilled to be in Senior Kindergarten (finally), albeit it's still only a half day of school this year. And George is in preschool this year! His official first day was today, although it was only an hour and I had to stay. He's so happy to be in a classroom and making friends of his very own. I adore these two. They literally make my heart melt. And for how many times I roll my eyes regarding this 2.5 hour school for an almost 6 year old, I am happy to have so much time at home with her. I'll fill my 3 kidless mornings a week easily, and I'll undoubtably look forward to picking them up every. single. time. 

Eloise: when I grow up I want to be an animal rescuer

George: when I grow up I want to be an elephant (so sissy can rescue me)