Memorial Day Weekend

What a full weekend! We somehow hit a different family barbecue every day of the holiday weekend, and still fit in a new home project: building steps on our deck! We also managed to finally watch the newest Star Wars movie, not once, but twice, because we all liked it so much, and I sniffed and sobbed my way through a 10 minute montage of military personnel being reunited with their loved ones because those are my very favorite.

Up first: family BBQ at my parents. Amazing steaks, cake pops made by my sister, corn hole and Settlers of Catan, and s'mores around the fire.

Day two: family BBQ at Russ's parents after church. Perfect lazy afternoon, treehouse upper deck hangout, best strawberry shortcake of my life, cutest little snoozing couple :) 

And later that evening: Russ's sister and family came over to fish the river behind our house. Blake was invited to join them and came out all ready to go looking like this. Umm, that would be one of Russ's dress socks tied around his forehead! haha.  

Memorial Day: BBQ #3 was at my sister's house and was also a birthday party for my nephew Elijah. More corn hole, water balloon fights, fun visit with friends, third day in a row of not having to cook! Hash tag WINNING. 

Deck project: wrap around steps! The kids all pitched in and helped while I was the hardware store runner (conveniently also the coffee drive-thru runner) and sandwich maker.  

Blake probably played in the driveway with toys and a tiny stream of water from the hose for 3+ hours while his daddy worked nearby. At one point I thought he'd actually fallen asleep, but no, just laying down on the warm asphalt! 

(Did I mention we paved out driveway after 17 years of gravel? IT IS AMAZING. The end.)

What I Wore No. 289

No. 1

Maurice's shirt & skirt, No Nonsense tights, Matisse boots

No. 2 

(look one)

(look two) 

TJ Maxx white top, Forever 21 cardigan (in top pic), American Eagle jeans, Trend Shoes booties, Maurice's necklace 

No. 3 

Maurice's shirt, Eddie Bauer jeans, Fred Meyer sandals, clothing exchange scarf

No. 4 

Old Navy top and cardigan, American Eagle jeans, Toms flats

It hasn't been a particularly lovely week weather-wise, so here are my "dressed for rain AND shine" outfits!

Happy Wednesday :)

Monday Confessional - the late night edition

Time for a mom fail moment. Tonight was my turn to be the snack mom for Blake's t-ball game, something I'd put in my phone calendar AND set as a reminder alert so I wouldn't forget. Which is a good thing, since I STILL TOTALLY FORGOT. After my walk of shame back to the car afterwards with Blake ("sorry kiddo, no snacks because one of the moms forgot... I'm not sure who..."), Russ suggested I get myself a planner.

Look buddy, if a phone alarm going off the day before and then again an hour before an event (granted, an ignored alarm due to dinner time chaos and a race out the door to get our oldest son to practice on time) is not enough to help jog my memory... a written note to myself certainly isn't going to do any better.

My friend Valerie kindly reminded me that forgetting the snacks was not nearly as bad as forgetting a kid or something... and then said with a grin, "OH WAIT..."

YES. We all remember that time I left Blake behind at church, thank you very much. Haha. Good times. 

What I Wore No. 288

No. 1

TJ Maxx top, 1st Kiss shorts, Target sandals

No. 2 

Anne Klein top, American Eagle jeans, Target wedges, Maurice's necklace

No. 3 

Maurice's top, American Eagle jeans, Fred Meyers sandals

No. 4 

A.N.A top, American Eagle jeans, Converse sneakers

And there you have it... I guess I'm into white this spring (and I don't hate black.)

Happy Wednesday!

Check out more WIW posts at The Pleated Poppy

Christine's Bridal Shower

Have I mentioned a time or two how excited I am that my little brother is getting married? My sister Kelly and I had the honor of throwing our soon-to-be sister-in-law a bridal shower this weekend, and not to toot our own horns or anything, but it was a smashing success!

THANK YOU, PINTEREST. You never fail us.

On the menu: caprese salad skewers, bacon wrapped pineapple, strawberry spinach salad, quiche, fruit with fruit dip, and cupcakes.

We also served strawberry lemonade, sangria, cucumber infused water, and coffee.

The Cupcakes were from Fat Cupcake bakery in Oregon City - they were incredible!

We had the guests fill out a cute little card of wishes and advice for the bride & groom that Kelly made (she made all the banners and signs too. She is awesome.) They will fit in an album we gave Christine that we'll also fill with pictures from the shower.

And finally... the beautiful bride-to-be!

Visiting and eating before playing "guess the groom" and "bridal scattergories". 

I was pretty proud of my Guess the Groom board! (If you're stumped by number 8 that's because it was especially for Christine... he was the Heisman winner from her alma mater, Florida State, and we knew no one else would know him besides her!)

These hangers are so fun for a wedding day picture of the dress. Kelly and I ordered this one on etsy - there are tons to choose from.

My Aunt Kathy and cousin Kristin made the rehearsal bridal bouquet from the ribbons on the gifts, and then got really creative with wrapping paper and tissue after we realized most gifts were in bags! Didn't they do a fantastic job? 

Oh it was such a fun day! Kelly and I enjoyed all the planning and preparation that went into it and were tickled pink when everything turned out how we envisioned it. But most of all it was a great "girlfriends" afternoon, and actually really relaxing once the shower began. That's always a bonus :)

We love you, Christine, and can't wait for your big day!  

What I Wore No. 287

No. 1

Old Navy blouse, American Eagle jeans, Fred Meyer sandals

No. 2 

Hanes mens v-neck, Silver jeans, Converse sneakers, Nickel & Suede earrings

No. 3 

INC cardigan, Old Navy tank top, American Eagle jeans, Trend Shoes booties, 

No. 4 

Maurice's tank top, Walmart cardigan, First Kiss shorts, Fred Meyers sandals

It's feeling awful close to summer, guys... and I am soooo loving it!

I've even worked out twice this week already. Say What?!!

 *FAIR WEATHER EXERCISER* 

InstaFriday {Life Lately}

The most amazing spa in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where I was taken for administrative appreciation day last week by my boss and friend, Tracey. 

We had such a wonderfully pampered day together! 

My nephew, Lincoln, made for a great shopping buddy last Friday when I was watching him for the day and had to do all my grocery shopping. In the rain. He was such a trooper! And he didn't mess his diaper which was my one fear for the day! Hallelujah!

Russ took Blake fishing down at the creek he grew up on and Blake was pretty excited about his massive catch! haha.

Double dating with some of our faves, Tim & Cara, at a scottish pub in the old part of Oregon City. It was a beautiful evening! 

Our church was transformed last weekend into a youth conference that brought in over 300 kids from surrounding areas... 30 gave their hearts to Jesus on Saturday night! Kendall was on the praise team, drama team, and dance team... which means months and months of practices leading up to this event. It was all worth it! (But yay for no more Saturday and early Sunday practices ;)

Cooper spent the week at bible camp and just came home today... we all missed him but especially Blake, who didn't know what to do with himself without his usual roomie and main source of entertainment :)

And baseball is in full swing! 

(pics by my friend, Maggie)

This is how Kendall watches her brothers... such a supportive sister ;)

Happy Weekend!