June Swap

In June we had a swap of summer things and I sent a box that had a couple summer cooking magazines and coupons, a tablecloth, plates, straws and ice cream scoop to host a barbecue.

I got some really fun summery items in return with the theme of boats and water throughout. There was tea, note pads, cards (I already used them all), stamp, chocolate sunflower seeds, etc. It was fun!

Tea with Tirzah

A few weeks ago Joshua had some special one on one time with Gideon and I had some time with my girls. Chloe joined us for a little while then went off to take a nap. Meanwhile Tirzah and I had a tea party. Our very first actual tea party.It was quite fun, we set our a tablecloth outside then brought out our tea pots and tea cups. We had delicious chocolate cake that Aunt Amy had made for us.

Tirzah made sure her baby was set up in it's high chair and able to enjoy the tea as well. Our kitty cat "stood" up to the table and got a lick of cake at one point. It was a beautiful, warm and sunny morning and so quiet and nice for girl time.

Tea time is definitely something Joshua and I enjoy and our children already follow in our footsteps. It is nice to have a tea party that is all beautiful every once in a while. Tirzah has already started setting up her table with cups and plates now. I love my girls.

Fun with a Photo Frame

Go check out Kristin and sign up for a photo session, it would make an amazing gift for your spouse or family member. She does couples, babies, family, etc. Her website is here: http://www.windypoplarsphotography.com/ and her facebook is https://www.facebook.com/WindyPoplarsPhotography?ref=hl she is doing a special for the month of July of $50 for a session (she spends 1-2 hours with you) and afterwards the price will be going up...so definitely try to snag a time this month...she is really amazing and so fun to work with!

4.5 Year Anniversary Photo Shoot (Check this photographer out)

Can it really have been 4.5 years since Joshua and I got married? In some ways it seems like that long--take our three children that are growing so quickly and in some ways it seems not so long ago--take the fact that we still are in love and our love is stronger!

A friend of ours has started a photography service and we are here to show off her amazing work!!! Her name is Kristin and she was so much fun to work with. We met on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a photo shoot and we managed to get in quite a few pictures in between the rain showers.

She had great, creative ideas and she picked an amazing spot as there was so many different landscapes to choose from...a field of tall grass, short grass to sit on, a stone bridge, a road to walk on...so fun!!!

I love how she was able to get candid pictures and great poses. She really captured Joshua and I which makes me really happy!!! She was really laid back and fun!

She also brought some great props--the picture frame (which I will show tomorrow, so as not to overwhelm you with pictures), a nice picnic tablecloth to set on the wet ground so we could lay down a blanket and not get it wet...she also made sure we had bug spray (yay, no bug bites).

Joshua being the amazing man he is brought his hat which made for cute and fun pictures!

Kristin also suggested Joshua bring his guitar which was a great choice...she has a great list of props and tips on her site for preparing for the photo shoot, check them out!

Kristin played around a bunch with close ups and angles, love that I have different pictures to choose from!

This made for an amazing date night! We did this without the kids and were able to just have fun and be in love!

Love this picture (thanks to my sister for loaning me the skirt)!

We also brought a favorite book for a prop, this book is special as it was a gift Joshua gave me while we were just starting our relationship and it is a favorite read aloud between us!

Kristin's turn around time on the pictures was super fast, we had the shoot on Sunday and I had the pictures by Tuesday, and I got a great selection. They are all on her website and you can download them or order them. There are too many for me to put on here but I'll do some more tomorrow.

So go check out Kristin and sign up for a photo session, it would make an amazing gift for your spouse or family member. She does couples, babies, family, etc. Her website is here: http://www.windypoplarsphotography.com/ and her facebook is https://www.facebook.com/WindyPoplarsPhotography?ref=hl she is doing a special for the month of July of $50 for a session (she spends 1-2 hours with you) and afterwards the price will be going up...so definitely try to snag a time this month...she is really amazing and so fun to work with!

Afternoon Snapshots

Joshua captured some wonderful shots of the kids the other day. The first is my personal favorite!

My lovely sister Maddie came for a visit, we enjoyed catching up!

Summer Barbeque

We had a summer barbeque earlier in the month and had a nice turn out. We grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and children played. We discovered a turtle that was laying eggs and guarding them--pretty cool. There were babies everywhere. We also had neighbors that were moving come down and inform us that they had hundreds of homeschooling books they were throwing away if people didn't take them so we all took a field trip up to their house and loaded up our cars with tons of books. (These were nice old books like Landmarks, Childhood of Famous Americans, curriculum, etc.) I brought some back for my brother as well. All in all in was a full, fun night.

Turtle nest

We all know Isaiah will be a football player

The kids playing in the house...it was a disaster zone but so fun!

The books I collected...still have to find a place for them.

Driving Like Mommy and Daddy

A man at our Church was having a yard sale recently and allowed us to come by early and "shop", I saw this little pick up truck to play in and fell in love...isn't it so cute? The kids can play in it for the longest time...they say they are playing "mommy and daddy"--notice Tirzah drinking tea while driving? Brett gave us quite a gift in this truck and we truly appreciate it.