Let the season begin!!!

Um...yeah... So I didnt really intend to take such a long blogging break! Actually, I didn't intend to take a break at all! :) We've been working and playing up a storm before football season begins tomorrow.
I've found that the way our family works best is to just pretend I'm a single mother during football season:) I don't depend on Travis to help me with the kids or around the house. Because the majority of the time he's either working or exhausted from practice. Just having this mentality makes the season fun and doable! I'm not irritated because he's not home in time to bath the kids or to take out the trash (etc) and he can focus on giving 100 percent at work and come home to rest. We are so excited for football in our new town! It will definitely be a change playing in such a small town:) I've been working on shirts and hats for us to wear to the game. If you are needing anything like this for your games e-mail me and I'd be more than happy to make you one! I can also customize the shirts for other things besides football;)



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The boys both had well-child dr. appointments this week. Both take after their dad in height and are way off the charts! I am so thankful for healthy babes. It's so easy to take the well-child appointments for granted. We are blessed.
Ignore the red marks on Cade's chest... That's just where Colt had been pinching him:)


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Colt is having an identity crisis:)
He LOVES to pretend to be a baby and suck on Cade's pacifier.
But he also has started saying,"I'm hungry like a MAN!" or "I'm thirsty like a man!"
So some days he's a baby.. And some days a man... And some days just a silly two year old:)


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I finally unpacked the last moving box yesterday! It only took three months:)
I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon organizing my fabric and craft supplies. Talk about out of control!!! I found all sorts of great fabrics I had forgotten about! It was almost like Christmas:)


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My sweet babies before church this morning.


I love Emma's dress so much that I stuffed a pillow form into it.:) I figure if I cut it she couldnt wear it anymore. So through the week it's a pillow and on Sunday it's a dress ha!



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Have you ever read any books by Janette Oke? She's my favorite author! I just discovered that there is a movie series out based on her books. Our library has them. They're slightly on the cheesy side but a good clean watch!


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Alright. I'm off of here for now. Everyone else is taking their Sunday afternoon naps so I think I'll join them! I'll be back tomorrow with a great dessert recipe!
Happy Sunday!

Almost Two...

The cupcakes are made...


The balloons blown....


The presents wrapped...
(and just in case anyone is wondering the girl fish bag is for Emma and her half birthday;) )


And I just tucked my sweet Colt in for the last time as a one year old!!!


We are ready for the Terrific Two's!!!! :)

Happy Birthday to my sweet sweet Colty!!!

What we wore this Wednesday morning!

This morning we're at the swim beach for a swim before the heat hits! There hasn't been alot of dressing nice lately. Mainly because it's summer and swim suit season! And because the only places we've been going lately are the beach or grocery store:) So without further ado... Here's what we wore this Wednesday!

Blue lifejackets


Pink lifejackets



LOTS of sunscreen


Cool onesies


Stretchy headbands


And bathing suits!


Have a great Wednesday!!!

"our kind of perfect"

The following picture PERFECTLY describes the stage of life we're in right now...

Emma is in a stage where she's easy going and happy almost all the time.
Cade is just a baby...which means lots of crying.
And then there's Colt.
Sweet Colt.
He's a hot mess!
And I love him:)
In this picture he had grabbed two handfuls of dirt and had tossed it up in the air. :)

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Maybe I'm weird, but I prefer this type of picture of the kids as opposed to one where they are all smiling and looking at the camera. Because this is totally how life is right now! There is hardly a moment where no one is crying! :) I'm sure some of you can relate!
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I read a fabulous post this morning. Danielle put into words exactly how I feel! I love her words at the end of the post, "It's our kind of perfect."
Go read her post....

http://www.danielleburkleo.com/2011/07/our-kind-of-perfect.html

"it's our kind of perfect." I love this! What may be best or perfect for my family may not be good for yours. And vice versa! :)

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Off to bed my friends!!! Night night:)

Winners!

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And the winners are.... Using random number picker...

1. Minnie/Mickey Mouse Onesie- Natalie
2. The Viola Headband- Kaitlin
3. Inspiration Board- Christiejayne
4. Abbi Bag- Angie
5. Cowboys Bow- Monica Greene Bradford

I had so much fun with the giveaway yesterday!!! Thankyou for all the birthday wishes:)
If you were a winner could you please e-mail me within 24 hours so I can send your info along to the ladies who gave the fabulous products?! And if you didn't win the good news is everything that was given away is available to buy! Just scroll down through the giveaways to find the shops.

I seriously had one of the best birthdays that I can remember. Would you believe me if I told you I spent it doing laundry and grocery shopping?:) after living in a camper and being away from home for over a week and a half it felt SO good to be at home! Trav, the kids and my sister took me out for dinner at my new favorite Mexican restaurant:) life is good! Yay for being 27!!!






Have a great Tuesday friends!!!

Birthday Giveaway Day!!!

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I'm so excited for today! 
It's my birthday!!!
I'm 27 this year and SUPER excited about being a year older!

Excited to see what this year will hold for our family!

26 was a fabulous year. 
We moved and had a baby!

Here's a fun little timeline of the past couple of years.

22- In May graduated College and in October married Travis

23- Had Emma Kate on January 23

24-Had Colt on July 23

25- A "no baby" year :)

26- Had Cade on March 23 and moved to a new town!

Fun Birthday Fact: All three of my babies have 23rd birthdays and it wasn't planned that way!
Another Fun Birthday Fact: My brother and I have the same birthday! Exactly one year apart!HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN :)

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So here's the deal.
I have FIVE wonderful giveaways for you guys today!
Every single thing I'm giving away is something that I would love to win myself or for my sweet Emma:)

Make sure that you're a follower of the blog to enter the giveaways!

Here are the giveaways below!

1. Minnie/Mickey Mouse Onesie from Sewn With Love

2. The Viola Headband from Mila Rose Designs

3. Birthday or Photoshoot Inspiration Board from Bringing Up Burns

4. Abbi Bag in Splash Blue from Grace Filled

5. Dallas Cowboys Bow from The Bow Girl Boutique

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So scroll on down and enter away my friends!!!

Happy Monday!

The winners will be announced TOMORROW the 19th!

Birthday Giveaway #1- Minnie/Mickey Mouse Onesie

The winner will receive a

Minnie OR Mickey Mouse Onesie!

Sizes newborn through 24 months are available

SHOP:

Sewn With Love

TO ENTER:

You MUST be a follower of The Vanilla Tulip to enter!
Simply leave a comment below!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

For an additional entry visit the Sewn With Love shop

and leave a comment letting me know what your favorite item in her store is!

Birthday Giveaway #2- The Viola Headband

The winner will receive

a Viola Headband from Mila Rose Designs

"The Viola is a great spring addition to our love of fluffs! A grayish purple stretch band features a purple, teal, and white patterned chiffon fluff. Will go great with any outfit, casual or dressy, and is perfect for adding a little fun to any look!"

SHOP:

Mila Rose Designs

TO ENTER:

You MUST be a follower of The Vanilla Tulip to enter!

Simply leave a comment below!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
For a second additional entry visit Mila Rose Designs shop then come back here and comment what your favorite piece in her shop is!

For a third additional entry head over to Mila Rose Designs blog and leave her a comment!

Then come back here and comment that you visited her blog:)

Birthday Giveaway #3 - Inspiration Board

The winner will receive

a Personalized Photo Shoot or Party Inspiration Board from Bringing Up Burns.

The Party Inspiration Board

Do you have a party coming up, but find yourself stuck on things like colors, decorations, menu, cake design, and favors? I would love to help! E-mail your theme and initial thoughts about the party to: erin@bringingupburns.com and I will customize an inspiration board for your special event.

Your board will be sent in an email and includes:

*10-15 photos and credits for the images

*detailed ideas for decorations, food, favors and/or activities

*In addition, your board will be featured on the Bringing Up Burns blog for other readers to enjoy!

The Photo Shoot Inspiration Board

Do you have a photo shoot coming up, but find yourself stuck on what to wear? Wondering how to make the pictures pop and still have everyone look put together? I would love to help! E-mail general info about your shoot (people, place, time of year, special occasion) to: erin@bringingupburns.com
and I will customize an inspiration board for your shoot.

Your board will be sent in an email and includes:

*10-15 photos and credits for the images

*detailed ideas for clothing, accessories, and props and/or poses

*In addition, your board will be featured on the Bringing Up Burns blog for other readers to enjoy!

*Initial board is for 4 people. Each additional person will be $5.

SHOP:
Bringing Up Burns

TO ENTER:
You MUST be a follower of The Vanilla Tulip to enter!
Simply leave a comment below!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:
For a SECOND entry visit the Bringing Up Burns Shop then come back here and comment what your favorite item in her shop is!

For a THIRD additional entry visit the Bringing Up Burns blog and leave Erin a comment!
Then come back here and comment that you visited her blog!

Birthday Giveaway #4 - Abbi Bag in Splash Blue

The winner will receive

An Abbi Bag in Splash Blue from Grace Filled Blog!

($40 value)

Erin over at Grace Filled Blog will be opening her shop soon!

Head on over to her blog in the meantime and check it out!

SHOP:

Coming soon! Head over to Erin's blog...

Grace Filled

TO ENTER:

You MUST be a follower of The Vanilla Tulip to enter!

Simply leave a comment below!

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

For an additional entries visit Grace Filled Blog and leave her a comment!

Then head back here and leave a comment letting me know you visited her blog!

Birthday Giveaway #5- Dallas Cowboys Bow

The winner will receive

A Dallas Cowboys Bow from The Bow Girl Boutique

SHOP:

The Bow Girl Boutique

TO ENTER:

You MUST be a follower of The Vanilla Tulip to enter!

Simply leave a comment below!

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

For an additional entry head on over to The Bow Girl Boutique's Facebook page.
Once you're there "like" it!
Then head back here and comment letting me know you did so!

Vacay Round Two

I just couldn't help myself with a Round Two of vacation pics!
So bear with me:)

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Cade is kind of a mama's boy.  He won't stop crying for ANYONE but me.
At least I thought it was that way until his Uncle Justin held him :)
Justin is my older brother... the one who is exactly one year older to the day!
Cade absolutely LOVES his Uncle Justin!
He could be screaming his head off and the instant Justin picks him up and talks, Cade immediately stops crying and starts smiling and cooing.

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The big two had their first s'more!
Emma said she thought they were "soooo delicious"!

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Mid-week we headed out to a local restaurant for dinner!

(Angie, Nichole and Ashley...recognize where this is at? ;) )

It felt nice to get cleaned up and to eat in air-conditioning!

Emma and my cousin Kinsey!
My uncle and aunt adopted Kinsey this past year.
She is an absolute doll and the sweetest little girl!

My mom with my nephew Jake.

Our one attempt at a family picture!

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One afternoon we headed to the local marina for icecream!

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Don't forget that TOMORROW is a BIG Birthday Giveaway on the blog! 
Make sure to come back to enter!

Have a good Sunday!!!

Vacation Pic Recap

Some pictures from our week of camping!

We met my mom's side of the family.
My grandparents were there, aunts, uncles and cousins!
It was SUCH a blast but I must say it feels awesome to be in a house again:)