BHLDN

So Pretty! Anthropologie opened a new wedding division called BHLDN (apparently from the Dutch word meaning "to keep"). I really love this dress best...and the hair pieces are ridiculously expensive but so lovely.

Happy 25th Birthday, Bekah!

My little sister is 25!

Yes, it's real. This is why she got it (in her own words): "Okay so this is my family crest and i Got it because i am proud to be a part of this family no matter it's issues. It goes out to all those whom i love dearly and have passed including but not excluding Grandma Helen, Grandpa BJ, Marie Ackland, Aunt Bertha Mae, etc...as well as to those of my family that are still alive that i love so much and have taught me so much about life, hard work, family, and faith, I love you all....."

My mom came to spend the weekend with my sister to celebrate her birthday. And they came to spend one morning with us.

Happy Roaring Birthday, Liz!

This year for her birthday, Liz threw another memorable feast to celebrate! That's right -- Liz loves cooking so much that the last couple years she prepares these over-the-top delicious dinners for a small group of friends at her and Eric's home. Last year was Indian food. This year, a 1920's themed parlor game night. Roast pork, hot raspberry sauce, mashed potatoes, perfect green beans with toasted almonds, rolls, salad with walnuts and vinagrette dressing. Two desserts -- peanut-salty fudge brownies and apple crisp. Mmmmm....

Or hosts, Eric & Liz

The group -- enthusiastically costumed accordingly...perfect 1920's speak-easy jazz in the background. These are Liz and Eric's closest friends but Brad and I only see these people about once a year when Liz throws her birthday celebration -- so it is always fun to get some time with a group of people we enjoy quite a bit but don't have a chance to see in other situations.

 

Happy (Early) 2nd Birthday to Grant & Happy Move Back to Illinois!!!

Our nephew Grant turns 2 in March -- Pictures from his early birthday party in Laredo before the move back to St.Louis.

This is a picture of my brother and me when Aaron was about the same age as Grant -- doesn't his son look so much like him? (And I think Dietrich and I look an awful lot alike -- yes?)

Lilly & Grant

Lindsey & Aaron in everyday attire -- They have a quirky sense of style. I hope they are able to make friends in St.Louis where people stay a little more current with fashion trends.

The Trials of Lincoln Carver

So did you ever wonder why Lincoln so often looks like this?

Or this?

The older brothers look so sweet...

But sometimes they do this...

 

Which is only moments away from something like this...

So you might go around looking like this...

And feel like this.

Deke & Meagan!

A Lot of This = Difficult

Little Things

Preschool Singing Program

This year Atticus sang all the songs. (Last year he sat with Brad and wouldn't even sit in the front.) This year he sings the songs for us at home. And it's so sweet to play Raffi in the car and have him start singing along with the ones he knows. Now that Isaac Miller has started going to Hope Preschool too, he and Atticus request songs and repeats from the back seat.

 

Atticus and his friend Jamie (next to him on the left there) were quite enthusiastic in their singing especially the songs with motions. At one point the kids have a chorus where they were supposed to be laughing about the joke they had just sang -- Atticus was chewing gum from hours before (I didn't know he still had it) and the gum flew out across the kid in front of him. I'm watching Atticus, knowing exactly what was going to happen next -- he searched all around, got down off the risers, found the gum, popped it back in his mouth, and jumped right back into the next verse without a hitch. Yep. And Diane, the preschool director, was over at the piano laughing so hard she almost had to stop playing. That is Atticus' star power move (-:

Atticus with his good friend Jamie

Thea Belle at Almost 6 Months!

In which my daughter is an American Girl Bitty Baby...

A mini-series of photos in which a tutu tries to eat my baby...