This and That

We had a little photo shoot before church this morning. The weather was just beautiful, and this camera happy mama couldn't resist torturing my boys. The outcome is always worth it....see? Look at the above picture. Precious.

Carter loves taking pictures. He did a great job here! I love the expression on Coop's face. We have a blooming photographer on our hands.

We spend A LOT of time in our driveway. My kiddos love riding toys, so our giant slab of concrete gets some serious traffic. Here they are racing...Coop is such a good sport. He never wins, and yet continues to race happily.

Silly faces

BB took us out for dessert last week at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Yummy!!! The boys like the bear as much as the ice cream.

 

This kiddo loves his BB....it's a bond like no other...she is queen bee in his heart. And Coop's too for that matter :)

 

We walked next door to Kinnucans. Trying on giant hats and funny sunglasses is always a must in there.

 

Preggo lady ready for the derby!

 

My boys HATE...I mean absolutely DESPISE getting their hair washed. You would think I was cutting one of their limbs off if you sat outside the bathroom door and listened as I poured water over their heads. The only thing that helps even the slightest is taking pictures of their hair all messed up with shampoo. It's sure to bring a giggle even in the midst of screams.

 

We made a fun trip to Sno Biz one afternoon with my dear friend, Elizabeth, and her daughter Anna Katherine. Snowcones and adult conversation are good for the soul.

We are ringing in fall over with mellow creme pumpkins, yummy pumpkin bread, and new door decorations. I made these! I am not super crafty, but you don't have to be to make these. It's just burlap, paint, walmart sacks, staples or glue, and ribbon. So easy and so so so festive! Going to make a couple of snowmen when the cold weather rolls around.

 

Best fall candle! $5 at Walmart. My house smells delicious.

What else is going on with us? The boys are loving school, I am getting bigger everyday, the weather is amazing and we are soaking it up, football season has taken over our Saturdays (Joel is in heaven), Carter continues to amaze us with his intelligence and little sponge-like mind, and Coop continues to bring us laughter and joy with is funny sayings, faces, and insanely advanced vocabulary. We are blessed....very, very blessed.

Tonight I am thankful for...

 

A fridge covered in crafts

Little boys in football jerseys

 

Finding an awesome bargain on this twin bedding for Emerson's room

 

Her drapes that my mom finished that make her room so girly and cozy

 

Her name on the wall 

 

A healthy pregnancy

 

The handmade, smocked dresses I wore as a little girl hanging in her closet

 

Pumpkins on my farm table

 

Precious pictures of my boys taken by a friend

 

Little boy bunk beds

 

Our reading nook with the 20 year old crappy chair we inherited. Can't part with it. It's the best chair in the house.

Mellowcreme pumpkins

Borrowed maternity clothes from a generous friend

My heartburn relief each and every night

And last but certainly not least....my girls' weekend coming up in just two weeks. It's been a year since I got away, so I am ecstatic to getaway and relax and just enjoy girl time, nice dinners out, and maybe even a massage or pedicure. 

Feeling very blessed today.

St. Louis

We took a last minute trip to St. Louis last weekend after Stephen, Joel's brother, called and told Joel he had an extra ticket to the Missouri game. Sweet Susanna, Joel's sister, took us in with 24 hours notice, and even had dinner waiting for us when we got there. We had such a fun time! The boys loved being with their cousins, Susanna and I were able to have lots of great conversation, and Joel loved going to the game with his bro. 

 Patrick, Susanna and Jason's youngest. He and Coop are about 8 months apart. Lots of fun years ahead for these two.

 

Nathan trying to play the wii with a cousin in his lap. Sweet boy was so tolerant. He is nine and was wonderful to his little boy cousins who thought he was too cool for school.

 

Playing on Spiderman's webs at the park.

Me and Su. Loved having one on one time with her. One on one time in the Bell family is a rarity because of the large number of people, so this was a special treat for us.

Oh my goodness, these two giggled and giggled and giggled! They had a ball playing some motorcyle game on the iphone. I haven't heard Carter giggle that long and hard ever. And he has not stopped talking about Nathan since! "Mama, do you know that Nathan is nine?" "Mama, when is Nathan coming to our house?" "Mama, Nathan thinks this game is hilarious." "Mama, Nathan will come to our house next time." Needless to say, he left with a large fondness toward his cool older cousin. He cannot wait to see him again!

 

Lots of wrestling and jumping went on in the basement. My boys love a good wrestling match, so having willing cousins was so fun.

Bath time after the park. Tub o cousins!

After hearing lots of giggles, everyone had to see what was so funny about this iphone game.

 

Funny story...Meredith lost her tooth Saturday afternoon, and boy oh boy, it ended up being dramatic. She burst into tears and ran to her mama's room freaking out a bit when the tooth fell out. I looked over at Carter, and he proceeded to burst into tears too. He covered his mouth in terror and began spitting repeatedly for fifteen minutes. I guess he was trying to spit his teeth out? Hahahaha! He was traumatized and crying and spitting until I convinced him that he would not lose any teeth for at least two more years and that when he did, it wouldn't hurt, and he would get money from the tooth fairy. For a week now, (in between Nathan comments) he keeps saying, "Mama, Meredith lost her tooth while we were there. She is going to get big girl teeth." Going to be a funny memory.

 

Patrick with a mouth full of marshmallow.

 

Smores! Jason got the fire pit going for us, and the weather was perfect for it! Beautiful fall weekends call for smores :)

 

After loads of family fun, we headed home. Coop woke up ridiculously early, so we were tired on the ride home. This prego body was pooped after a weekend of fun and two long car rides. But totally worth it! Next time we go to St. Louis, we will towing three kiddos!

Thanks, Su and Jason, for such a special weekend. We loved every minute of it! Love you and miss you!

A fun day with BB and PawPaw

 A couple of weeks ago, we went to Hernando to visit my parents. Anticipating a rainy day, we made some last minute plans to take the boys sight seeing in Memphis. Super fun! We visited a train museum, went to see the Peabody ducks march, and then ate a yummy lunch downtown.

 

Train museum was sort of rinky dink, but the boys didn't notice. They thought it was awesome!

 

 

BB and Pawpaw rock! They do so much for us. They are the most sacrificial, serving people I know, and a the model example of consistent, loving parents. So thankful for them!

 I had never seen the ducks march either, so this was fun for everyone. 

 

We took one of our last swims of the season in BB and PawPaw's pool. We have had such a fun summer at the pool! Sad to see it behind us, but also very excited for fall. I love football season, changing leaves, pumpkins, etc... Bye bye, pool! You were fun...see you next year!

 

It was Pawpaw's bday weekend, so Carter and I made him some cupcakes. The boys enjoyed them more than Pawpaw I think. Making those cupcakes definitely wasn't a selfless act...they wanted that icing!

 

It was gameday the day we left, and the boys were proud to sport their cool jerseys. I love a little boy in a football jersey. It's like a fat baby in a onesie...I just can't keep my hands off of them!

 

And when we got home, Carter got a belated bday present in the mail....angry birds pjs from Julie and Reid! Oh boy...how cool are they? Carter shared a pair with Coop, so they both went to bed on cloud 9 that night. Thanks, Julie and Reid! Perfect present! 

Thanks, BB and Pawpaw, for so graciously hosting us as always!