It must be Fall

It must be fall because we're wearing our minnetonka moccasins!  These are Lyla's very first pair of moccs and they are epic.  When I was a little girl, I had a very similar pair.  Mine looked just like the "thunderbird" style she is wearing except that mine were white.  They were awesome.  I'm pretty sure that I spent many hours pretending to be an Indian Princess in that pair of shoes!  I hope these moccasins are just as special for Lyla as they were for me.

Cody doesn't have moccasins yet, but I'm tempted to get him these boy chukkas.  His feet are growing so fast still and I am kind of waiting for that to slow down a bit.  Today he is wearing his brixton hat, american apparel shirt, and zara skinny jeans.  High-top shoes from h&m.  He looks so much older when he wears his skinny jeans.

Lyla's long sleeved white shirt is from h&m and her short-alls are from zara.

sneak preview of lyla in wonderland

Lyla's 4th birthday party turned out beautifully!  She had a wonderful time at her mad hatter tea party with 16 of her closest gal pals.  I was delighted with how everything turned out.  I will share all the details with you as soon as pictures are ready, but in the meantime here's a sneak preview:

all photos by Kata Christian of Mukibaba

six years ago two crazy kids ran off to vegas together...

Today we celebrate six years of marital bliss.  Bliss is defined as an emotional state characterized by perfect happiness.  Perfect happiness?  I can say that only because our marriage has been blessed by God.  Through mostly good times and a lot of a few rough patches, we can say that Jesus has carried us through six years of marriage.  And I mean it when I say that He carried us through it.  We couldn't have done it without Him.  People always tell you how tough it is to be married and you never realize just exactly what they were trying to warn you about until you're really in it.  But all the hard work and effort is worth it without a doubt.  Anything worthwhile comes out of struggle and self-sacrifice.  God has blessed us time and time again through our union with the most obvious reward being our two beautiful children that keep us on our toes! 

This is what I woke up to this morning.  I heard some quiet stirring downstairs and I knew Travis was up to something.  Simple gerber daisies and a beautiful card with even more beautiful sentiments inside!

...and he made me my faves for breakfast!  Crispy bacon and plain buttered white toast.  He knows me well.

Well, I think we're pretty great together.

how mr bumpy tickled the sugarbugs away

Yesterday was Lyla's first visit to the dentist.  She was really nervous and excited at the same time.  She has been telling us that she wants to be a dentist when she grows up.  I'm not exactly sure how she got the idea, but I can guess that my mom might have had something to do with this decision!  Lyla did really great while she had her x-rays done.  She quickly made friends with the dental assistant, Jennifer.  Lyla was really laying on the charm big-time with her.  By the end of our visit she had a ton of special treats...a badge, a mask, gloves, and an ice cream bar! 

Here's Jennifer cleaning Lyla's teeth.  It took some time getting her to open her mouth.  After all the sweet-talking Jennifer attempted, I had to get a little stern with Lyla.  I eventually had to go retrieve Travis to come in and talk her into opening up for the cleaning.  Travis was in the next room getting his x-rays done.  Finally, she decided to cooperate, but not before she requested a set of her own mask and gloves if she behaved.  Ha!  This girl really knows how to get what she wants.

Jennifer was really good about easing Lyla's fears.  She explained everything she was about to do and let Lyla touch everything first.  Jennifer used words like "mr thirsty" for the suction device.  She also said things like, "we're goint to paint your teeth" in lieu of "apply the fluoride treatment".

After the cleaning it was time for the dr to come in.  She came in to "count" Lyla's teeth.  We got the sad news that Lyla did have one itty bitty cavity and that it needed a filling.  The good news was that it was so small that she didn't need the "sleepy juice".  They would only need to use "mr bumpy" to "tickle the sugarbugs" out.  Then, they filled the little space with "silver stickers".  It sounds easy, doesn't it?  And Lyla took it like a champ.  They let her get all her wiggles out before she sat down for her filling.  She even demanded that the dr sing the Jesus song.  The dr complied and sang "Jesus loves me" as she began the drilling.  Lyla giggled when mr bumpy was working but she didn't think it was so funny when the louder "mr whistle" came next.  But it was quick and she did great.  She even learned a new song about brushing your teeth twice a day.  Overall, it was a successful first trip to the dentist!

just the girls

Lyla and I have matching straightened hair today.  She looks so grown up with her straight hair and it only takes about 5 minutes with a straightening iron.  In just two weeks, this little lady is going to be turning 4 years old!  I have been very busy with planning all the details of her birthday party.  It's kind of an obsession.  I can't wait to share all the party planning goodness with you here on the blog.

Fashion:  My gray top is from a brand called "language" and was a hand-me-down from my mom.  I love it when my mom gives me clothes because she has great style!  My kelly green pleated skirt is brand "double zero" and I purchased it at TJ Maxx.  It's hard to tell in the picture, but it is a chiffon material with a silver glitter waistband.  My silver ballet flats are from "tory burch" and I've had them for years.  I think that one pair of gold shoes and one pair of silver shoes are a must-have in your closet because you can match them with almost any outfit.

Lyla wears her southwest inspired t-shirt from old navy and skinny purple jeans from gap. 

Looking for caterpillars on our grape vines.  Last year the vines were destroyed by the little critters!  No signs of them this year though (much to Lyla's dismay).

don't call me baby

My sweet Cody boy finally said his own name!  I gave him his yogurt and granola this morning and said the usual, "here you go, baby."  He pointed to his chest and replied with, "No baby.  CODY."  It was his first time ever saying his name!  He has always referred to himself as 'me' or called things 'mine' or points to himself in pictures and says 'baby'.  He says his name so proudly now.  Well, I guess I can't call him baby anymore! 

But even when he's 30 years old, he will still be my baby boy.

labor day - the symbolic end of summer

I think we crammed in as much 'American pride' into our labor day as possible.  This is where we went and what we did: Walmart, McDonalds, Target, Starbucks, backyard bbq, and homemade cake.  Does it get any more American than that?

Did you know that in high society it used to be considered unfashionable to wear white after labor day?  I always heard this growing up and so I feel this odd necessity to wear white on labor day.  It's not like I won't wear white after labor day, but since it's the unofficial last day of Summer, I like to celebrate it in my own way by wearing white.  Does anyone else do the same?

I love when we have a slow-going morning where Travis can try something new with styling my hair.  I just told him that I wanted braids and to have fun with it.  Here's what he came up with.

First, we hit up Walmart and cruised around for a while.  I was disappointed that they didn't have most of the items on my shopping list!  The store was busy and everyone was cranky, so we went to McDonalds for lunch and ice cream. 

 Lyla got the cutest little box of french fries in her happy meal.  They were just her size.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for...

We all cheered up a bit after our McDonalds treats.  After the kids went down for naps at grandma and grandpas, Trav and I snuck away to finish up some more shopping at Target.  Target had everything I needed (and then some).  After we checked out we hit up Starbucks.  And, to my surprise, the Starbucks at Target was serving pumpkin spice lattes!  They weren't supposed to be available until the 4th!  If you know me at all, you know I love anything pumpkin.  I was very happy.

The rest of the day was spent hanging with some adorable family members, bbq-ing, and enjoying some chocolate cake made by great grandma helen.  Seriously, our kids are so blessed that they get to hang out with extended family like cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents all the time.

Lyla and sweet baby Charlotte:

chocolate cake!!!

That was our labor day.  We hope you all enjoyed your long weekends as well!