Bluebonnets 2014

If you're from Texas you know it's Texan tradition to get your pics taken with the State Flower.

 We spent an hour one morning just taking pictures of Olivia. I had to put "Let it Go" on my phone to get her to cooperate.

 This is her performing. She has so much sass, and personality. We love it!

 I didn't get the best pics of C in the bluebonnets. We went one afternoon on our way to get a haircut. It was bright, busy, and kind of hot. I had planned to go back to get some better ones, but we just never made it back.

 I love these two boys so much! Pearson wanted take a picture with his big cousin. I hope they always like playing together.

 Have I mentioned how hard it is getting a good picture of my two kids together? Nearly impossible, but this one melts my heart! I'm so glad I'm their momma.

How is he almost a 1st grader already?



Easter 2014

The kids were excited to wake up and see what the Easter bunny brought.

I always stick new swimwear, and pool toys in their baskets.

It's a practical gift, and stuff I would end up buying eventually.

After they checked out their baskets, they were ready to hunt eggs.

I'm kind of boring and only hid 9 eggs each for the kids in the house. They were going to get to do a big egg hunt later at lolly's, so I wasn't going to go all out and do a big one in the back yard. (I think it's funny Olivia's hunting eggs in Santa pjs. They still fit, so we wear 'em.)

I made us some Orange rolls for breakfast before we headed out. My mom lives a couple streets over from Ryan's parents, so we did a quick stop to see her on our way to lunch.

This sweet boy was enjoying his first Easter. My mom made a big brunch for her, my brother, sister, and step-dad.

Paw paw with his sweet gkids. It's pretty impossible to get three young kids to all look at the camera and smile.

This is the story of my life, Olivia and I smiling at the camera, Ryan, and Carson being stubborn.

We had a huge lunch at Lolly's then let the kids do some more Easter egg hunting.

Olivia knew to look for the eggs with polka dots on them, those were all hers to find.

Carson was hunting the baseball eggs, and Pearson hunted the shiny eggs. It made things so much easier.

Lolly also had just some plain eggs, and candy laying out that was up for grabs.

So sweet.

Opening gifts from Lolly, & pops. She also gave the kids some swimwear, and fun little activity books.

We had another great Easter at Lolly & pops. It's so nice to live so close to our families.

 

Easter egg dyeing

Saturday night I let the kids dye, and decorate Easter eggs.

Dyeing Easter eggs was something I grew up doing with my family. It's fun to get to do it with my kids. This year has probably been the most fun. Carson was older and was able to actually do a lot of it on his own.

Olivia loves stickers, so her favorite part was putting stickers on her pink eggs.

He was really concentrating. I think next year I'll do the dyeing of the eggs the night before then let him decorate the next day. He wasn't quite patient enough to let the eggs sit in the dye, then wait for them to dry to decorate.

Over the moon

Friday I went up to Carson's school to volunteer for their weekly science lab.

Friday was super cold, so they were having indoor recess. Carson loves building with legos.

While one of the other moms, and I were preparing the activity for the kids Mrs. Scherer was explaining to the kids what they were to do.

They used flashlights with a partner and each took turns doing the phases of the moon. The kids loved playing with the flashlights. Mrs. Scherer gave each student a glow in the dark star to take home.

Their next activity was to create a moon using play dough, and clay.

Once they've done their science activity they write in the journals about it.

I'm glad I finally got a chance to go help out with Carson's class. Thanks Aunt Katy for keeping Miss priss. 



26

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. I have to say it was a pretty great one. It started off with cuddling, then a backrub from my sweet boy, Carson. Then Ryan went and got donuts early to make sure they had everything I liked. I love these chocolate sprinkled donuts. It has to be the little sprinkles. 

After breakfast I opened up presents from my sweet kids.

They got me some empty DVD cases, some toys cars, and a whiffle ball. Best.presents.ever! After my gifts Carson helped me pick up the house. He made all of the beds. 

Although I would have loved to remake the beds so it looked like we straightened the house I didn't want to hurt my little mans feelings. He did a great job. I went to get my eye brows waxed, and decided what the heck, it's my birthday, I'll get a manicure, too. I am loving the trend of painting the ring finger a different color. I can't help it!

When I got home from some mom time, the kids and I went to collect free food. Firehouse subs, and jersey mikes only give their free meals on your actual birthday, and my schlotzskys expired yesterday, too. I had to go to all three. I brought them home, and we had a little bit of everything. Yum!

The kids went to Lolly's to stay the night, so we could have a fun, kid free evening. We went to razzoos for dinner. I love their rat toes, and stuffed shrimp. 

My husband is seriously handsome! Beard & all! 

My momma, and seester.

Us with my other sister, Ashland.  My mom gave me the cutest origami owl necklace. 

Don't pay attention to my split ends. Ick! I'm just waiting on the kids birth stone charms to come in. I'm going to add my anniversary in there, too. Thanks mom. I love it! I also got some cute candles from my friend Kelly.

Just the girls. Thanks everyone for coming to celebrate with me! I had fun! I hope 26 was better than 25!

Harper Rae

My best friend, Jess has the cutest baby girl EVER! She posted a couple of pictures of her on facebook, and I thought it would be fun to play around on photoshop with them. Here's the before...

and here's after....

I told you she was the cutest baby girl ever. She definitely has the personality to match it. I could spend forever playing around on photoshop.  I just recently made a photography fb page. If you haven't already, go "like" it to keep up with my photography posts. Just search Lauren Ashley Photography in the search bar.

 

 



***I did not take this picture, only enhanced the image.