Happy Anniversary!

I look at this picture taken four years ago on our honeymoon and I think... Wow! A lot has happened in four years. In four years we have gone from two to four. We have gone from a couple to a family. It has been a wonderful journey and taking every step together has been a gift! Everyday I am blessed that you are in my life. Thank You!!!

On Top of The World

BP, BB, and I went for a hike yesterday...

because life is too short.

because my girls are only going to be little for a millisecond.

because the sun was toasty warm and the October breeze was refreshing.

because everyday I try to be a good role model for BP and BB.

because the rock formations were ginormous!

because it feels so good to be on top of the world.

because BB and BP love to eat lunch in new places.

because BP has some amazing stamina! (1 mile up hill to the top and 1 mile down without complaint).

and finally because these leaves will not be around forever.

BP's Birthday

BP's birthday was also a school day. How exciting when you are 3 and you get to celebrate at school. She brought muffins and apples for each of the children in her class. That night we had dinner and cake with Mama, Papa, Nana, and Pop-Pop. She was insanely ecstatic about her big day, all day to say the least. Her face says it all as we sang Happy Birthday to her. And check out how she entertained everyone with her new guitar. She was exhausted by the time her head hit the pillow.

Pink Guitar

We wanted just ONE very special gift to give BP on her birthday. We thought hard and finally my genius husband came up with the pink guitar. BP is obsessed with country singer Taylor Swift who plays a similar guitar. A perfect gift. She lit up when she opened it and had an enormous smile on her face. Once the guitar was out of the box she picked it up and immediately ran to the playroom. We looked at each other, wondering where she was going, and followed her. When we walked through the door we saw her perched on her piano singing and playing her "tar" as she calls it. She must have seen Taylor doing this in a music video.

Finger Painting with Daddy

I was upstairs putting BB to sleep and this is what happened. She came running upstairs saying, "look mommy!!!"

Peek-a-Boo!

One Giant Cupcake...

for one very special birthday girl! Thanks, Allison for letting us borrow your giant cupcake pan. It was a big hit! BP decorated her own birthday cake this year and shared it with all her grandparents.

Very Rare

This rarely happens. They never sleep at the same time.

And this is even rarer (if that is a word)! I was able to transfer both of them from the car to their beds.

Now I do not know what to do with myself.
It is too quiet here!

A Green Modular, Part II

Here are my pictures that I took last week when we checked out the green modular. Not as pretty as the Country Living photos, but I was able to get pictures of almost all of the rooms in the house. The farmhouse was awesome inside and out. 1,800 square feet of well-planned pure charm. Perfect for a family. I loved the wood burning fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom. There was a half bath on the first floor and two full baths on the second floor. Two decent sized bedrooms and one big master with a walk in closet. Lots of porches, wide plank floors and closet space. What more could you ask for in a new old farmhouse? All delivered and finished in 60 days. Pretty impressive. The only catch...also pretty expensive. You can budget about $200 a square foot not including land. Green really means more green ($$$$) in this case.

11 Months

Happy 11 months to the happiest baby! At 11 months BB is NON-STOP! That is the best way to describe her. She is very curious and into everything. She loves to eat Flaps' food and splash in his water bowl. She is standing alone and has taken one step. So close to walking, but still a little shaky and unsure. She has six teeth now and two more on the way. She has the smelliest feet, like adult smelly feet. At the end of the day her shoes and socks need to be aired out. BB has dimples in random places, like her elbows, knees, and fingers. She wants to do everything BP does. She is going through an attachment phase and wants to be held a lot and only by mommy and daddy. She is full of hugs and kisses. BB just started her first Musical Munchkins class and is enjoying it. BB can make anyone smile. She is a joy everyday!

BP is Three!!!

Happy Birthday to The Barefoot Princess! I cannot believe you are three, but then I look at these pictures and they reflect what a little lady you have become. I look at these pictures and I see my little friend. I look at these pictures and your personality shines through. Everyday you amaze me by just being you! You have the biggest blue eyes that do not miss a thing. Your ears hear everything and you are not afraid to ask questions or call us out on something we said. Your arms hug Daddy, BB, and I with such love and tenderness. The words that come out of your mouth everyday simultaneously bring a smile to our faces and warm our hearts. You live life with such spirit and have taught us to do the same. Your imagination is oscar-worthy. Your heart is so open and full of concern and kindness for those near and dear to you. So as I write all of this, I realize that you are no longer a baby and we are so proud of the little lady you have become. Happy three BP!!!

Welcome Kit

Meet Kit, she is an American Girl doll and a new member of our family. Kit was an early birthday present for BP. All the American Girl dolls represent a different time period. Kit is a clever girl from the 1930's who faces The Great Depression with spirit and determination. BP chose her because "she has short yellow hair" like hers and she looks like her friend Tilda at school. That is exactly what she will tell you. I think it is funny that she chose a doll from The Great Depression considering the state of our economy right now, but BP has no clue. Although when we were reading Kit's book today, and it told of the characters lining up for bread and cheese, BP was curious about this so I tried to explain the circumstances to her. So now BP cares for Kit and Bitty Baby and her other dolls everyday. Our family just keeps growing!

Rain Hike

We could not take being stuck inside a second more on Saturday so we went for a hike. In the rain. In the fog. In the mist. The weather did not matter. It was fun.

It turned out to be a strenuous hike and we had to leave the stroller behind and BP had to hike down and up a mountain. She was a real trooper and did not complain once. She was just a little worried that the stroller would be where we left it. BB had the easy job of watching from her backback. Daddy had the hard job of carrying all of BB's 26 lbs on his back. He was a trooper too! Wish we had time for hike everyday.

A Green Modular

Anyone who knows me, really knows me, knows that I love houses, homes, real estate, architectural design, interior design, landscape design, and anything having to do with these things. It is a passion, and yes, I even think an obsession of mine. I remember rearranging my furniture in my bedroom at age eight. My parents would hear me downstairs and say, "she is at it again." Gettting my real estate license is on my to do list so that I can put this obsession to work. With that being said, I have decided to do a blog post each week featuring a home for sale that caught my eye, a builder or designer I like, or just a house that I snapped a picture of while driving. Maybe a career lies ahead in this field for me? Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

A couple weeks ago I blogged about the owner of the Magnolia Bakery's home and this week's home, pictured above, is a green farmhouse I spotted over a year ago. The old farmhouse look and the big front porch caught my eye and then I read the details and was shocked when it said it was a modular. What? I thought. It must be a misprint. Well, the other day I went to get our mail and in the box was my monthly Country Living magazine. Inside was a story on this house that I spotted over a year ago. It is a simple farmhouse combined with up to the minute green technology. This house sings to my soul (my husband thinks I am nuts when I use this phrase). So I called Randy Florke, contributing editor to Country Living magazine, founder of The Rural Connection, and realtor in our area. He teamed up with Mark Jupiter and Tyler Schmetterer from New World Home to build these homes. He said that he was unable to leave the city for a couple of weeks, but to take a ride and check out the house. We did just that! More to come in Part II

For more information check out http://www.newworldhome.net/

or http://www.theruralconnection.com/ for press releases