Branson Fun!

We took the boys to Branson for their first time and they had so much fun!  The Crabtree's also went and we all had a blast.  We got there Thursday and hit the outlet malls until it was time to check in our hotel.  I LOVE the outlet malls there.  We also went to eat at the restaurant that has the HUGE rooster out front... I've always wanted to try it and it was VERY good.  I highly recommend it, plus it's right in front of the outlet malls if you need to grab lunch while shopping it's convenient.  Then we all napped for about an hour before going to Silver Dollar City.  We went to SDC around 5:30 and almost closed the place down at 10.  We had perfect weather!  Weekday evenings are definitely the time to go... it's cooler outside and you avoid the lines.  The boys had a blast!  Harrison rode the carousel for the first time and then just hung out in his stroller - he really enjoyed all the looking around at everything.  Christian had SO much fun!!  He rode as much as he possibly could and was allowed to with the height requirement.  He's pretty tall for his age so he got to ride a lot of rides that kids older than him were on.. It made me a little nervous but daddy went with him and he was in heaven.  Corey and I both got to ride the water rapid raft ride with him since Miranda was sweet enough to watch the babies and that was so much fun!!  I don't want to wish any time away at all but I can not wait until they are both old enough to ride everything with us... we have sooo much fun ahead as a family and that makes me so excited!!  Friday we got up, had breakfast, did a little more shopping, and then went to Wild World since it was raining.  It was pretty neat... Christian loved it of course!  We went and ate at Famous Dave's and hit up the candy store and Bass Pro Shop before we left.  I'm not sure what I was thinking taking C into the candy store... but let's just say 15 minutes, two bags, $25, and a cavity later.... we finally left - Whew!  The boys did really good for not getting their naps in... I'm sure it will be a lot easier next year when they are both a little older.  We were blessed with amazing sleepers - meaning they love their beds, go to bed pretty early, sleep in late, and take long naps.. However, they will NOT just fall asleep anywhere.  They like to be home in their own bed... you can see how this could be challenging when taking a trip?!  We had a wonderful time but I'm glad we are home... now to do all the laundry!

Make-Up & Facials

This is going to be a very girlie post... which I love!  I have had several ladies ask me what kind of make-up products I use.  I'm no expert but I did do make-up to put me through college and I know what products are worth the money are what cheaper ones work the same (in my opinion).  So, basically I'm just going to tell you what I use... First of all, it's super important to use great skin care.. it doesn't matter what age you are!!  In fact, the younger the better!!  It's so much harder to try to reduce age spots and wrinkles than it is to prevent them.  I highly recommend ANY skin care that Estee Lauder sells because I can say first hand, it works!  Just make sure you are using the best kind for your skin type.  If you can't afford Estee Lauder or do not want to spend that much money (which is totally me right now), I honestly think Oil of Olay is great!  I always, always get the type that is "anti-wrinkle" and I get a night cream and a day cream because night creams are heavier and that is the one that really does the work! ;)  I also use a product called "advanced night repair" from Estee Lauder under my night cream and I'm in love with it.  A good cleanser and toner are also important - again, highly recommend Estee Lauder.  If you have big pores, Estee Lauder makes a product called "Idealist" that is UH-mazing for reducing pore size!!  They also make a product called "Perfectionist" that is terrific for wrinkles!  There are other products out there that are newer, more expensive, or cheaper... but these I can highly recommend because I know they work first hand.

On to make up.....  First of all, if you wear foundation my top two favorites are Clinique's "even better" foundation and Estee Lauder's "double wear."  Double Wear is a little more coverage but they are both great.  I have tried a million different concealers because I have terrible dark circles under my eyes from allergies.  My all time favorite is Kat Von D's "tattoo" from Sephora or Ulta.  A tiny bit goes a long way so I have had the same little tube forever.... SOOOO worth ever penny!!  So, that is it for the higher priced items that I can't let go of.  Onto the biggest bang for your buck... I use Loreal's Hydra Perfecte loose powder over my foundation.  I'm a HUGE Revlon colorstay fan for eye make up and lips... that stuff stays on and does not come off until you remove it!  That's the only kind of shadow and eye liner I will buy now.  The lipstick stays on great, too!  As far as mascara goes, I kind of switch all the time... My favorites are Clinique's "high impact", Estee Lauder's "sumptuous", and when it comes down to it, it's all about a wonderful lash primer and that goes to... Lancome for sure!!  Also, if you put a cream or primer on your lids before your shadow, it makes the color stay longer, more true, and makes it pop! Hmm.... Am I leaving anything out??  BLUSH... I have used Clinique's blush forever because they have the color that I love but I think you're pretty safe to venture out on that one. ;)  Oh! It's also all about the brush... invest in good brushes.. it does matter!  If there is anything else you can think of that you have questions about, let me know!  I could talk about beauty products all day!  

*This would be all make-up mentioned above that I have on.  This is also when I got most of the messages about what make up to buy after I posted this picture... Let me tell you, I have a whole lot of eye shadow on, even though you might not be able to tell.  If you want dramatic eyes, you have to wear a lot of shadow... and the smokier the better in my eyes (hehe no pun intended)!  Obviously, this isn't like an every kind of day make up but it's fun to get all dolled up!

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Now onto facials.... They are amazing. End of story.  You need to get one from time to time... the more often the better.  They make your skin look and FEEL amazing!!!!  It gets every bit of nastiness out of your face... seriously.  I HIGHLY recommend Jennifer at Affinity Skin Care & Lash Studio... not only is she awesome at facials, she is just an awesome person... sweetest woman ever.  You get an amazing massage along with it too, bonus!  It's just something you need to splurge on every now and then, right?  I tell my husband, "facials now or botox later." hahaha!!  He thinks I'm nuts... but I do like to take great care of my skin!  Oh, also.. she gave me a sample of Dermalogica renewal lip complex and I'm pretty sure that is going to make it to my "favorite products" list.  I already love it!

 

This would be my NO make-up, natural, JUST got done having a facial, face! (Also, have oil in the hair from the facial... but I don't care to share or to be judged.. lol)  My skin feels sooooo good!!! Go get one.. it will change your life! haha!  Also, what a difference make-up makes, huh??  I have to say the whole natural look happens more often right now because it's summer and I'm not working but I LOVE me some make-up!  It's so fun being a woman!

I also apologize if their are an abundant number of typos... this had to happen fast for me to have time to write it finally.

BATMAN!

I couldn't risk forgetting to post this one so here it is by itself.... Too cute for words really!  It's no secret that my favorite things are matching outfits and holidays. ;)  Thanks to Nana for buying these super cute jammies... Now I'm going to go eat their sweet cheeks off!!

Christian - 29 months
Harrison - 8 months

C's First Movie!

This is way more posts than usual from me lately but there have been a lot of great memories that I don't want to forget.  Talon's birthday party was yesterday and it was at Malco.  It was so much fun and Christian's first time to go to the movies.  We saw Turbo and he loved it.  He watched it for about an hour and then he kept needing to go potty so we were up and down, up and down towards the end.  We ended up leaving a little before it was over.... around the third potty trip.. haha!  I put a diaper on him because I thought that would help the situation but he still wanted to go potty... I guess that's a good thing, so no complaints here!  It was SO cute watching him eat popcorn out of his little bucket!  I could have ate him up!!  He wanted to hold my hand most of the time while we were there and he had to sit in my lap for part of the movie.... I hope he always has such a big, loving heart... especially for momma! ;)  We will probably wait and take him back to a movie when he's closer to 3 but he definitely had such a fun time!

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Waiting on cookie cake!

Sharing popcorn with Townsend.

How cute is this?!

Came home to bird playing his piano... lol

3 Years in Pics!

I made this video for our anniversary this year and surprised Corey with it.  It really means a lot to us so I thought I would put it on my blog so I would definitely have it forever!  Also, to share with family. =)

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Harrison - 8 months

Sweet boy... you are already 8 months old and I can't believe it.  Your looks are starting to change from baby to boy.  Your face seriously lights up the room... your smile is so, so sweet and it shows all over your face.  Your eyes are still the same beautiful blue color so I'm thinking those aren't going to change.  Your hair gets blonder and blonder by the day and it's starting to get a lot thicker.  You already need a little trim around your ears and the back of your neck but I think we will make due for a few more months. 

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You are pretty much in all 9-12 month clothes now.  I get 12 month in all your jammies so they are nice and comfy.  You and your brother are built very different because I am loving the pj's from Children's Place on you and Christian could never really wear them because they didn't fit right.  You are in size 4 diapers now so you will be in those for a long time.  When I do your laundry now I have to look at the tags a lot of the times to see if it's you or your brothers... so weird.. You are growing so fast!

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You are still a wonderful sleeper.  You slept in your room for the first time last night and you did perfect!  I was shocked.  You have been sleeping in your pack n play in our room because I just like keeping my babies in the room with me for a while... not our bed.. just our room.  I figured the easiest transition would be to move your pack n play in your room so it's not all completely new to you.  Once you get comfortable in there, which I'm guessing is going to be really soon since you slept through the night, I will try out your crib.  I can't wait for you to be able to just sleep in your crib because I know you will love it.  You didn't wake up until 9:15 this morning!!  I woke up to babababababadadada on the monitor - sweetest sound ever.  You are finally talking up a storm!!  You did a lot of squealing and saying momma before but around 7-8 months you started talking non stop. 

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You get around like a champ but you aren't necessarily crawling the "text book correct way" haha... You army crawl and inch worm for the most part and then mix it in with a few good crawls.  You're all over the place though so I guess whatever works!  You are pulling up a lot now... You love to pull up on daddy when he's laying in the floor.  You also pulled up in your crib so I'm going to have to lower the mattress this week for sure.  You absolutely love for someone to hold your hands so you can stand up... You've started taking little steps when you're holding on to things so I think you'll start cruising around in no time.  You kind of like the walker but not a huge fan. You love your bouncer.  You mainly like sitting on a pallet in the floor with all of your toys.... and following your brother around everywhere!!  

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You are loving all kinds of baby food now... I would say your favorites are: apple blueberry, apple cherry, apple sauce (you kind of like apples..lol), green beans, and squash.  You also really love yogurt, which you had the first time at 8 months.  You love puffs and mum mums... but you really love little bites of our food more than anything.  When we are eating you open your mouth wide and make this cute little sound while bouncing up and down.  It's adorable.  You love mashed potatoes and your favorite is mashed potatoes and gravy from KFC. 

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You are precious in every way possible.  I love you so much my little bird! 

 

Last but not least... the 8 month comparison pic.. Love how different you two are but so beautiful in your own ways!!

Our Anniversary

Honestly, the most perfect two days spent with each other possible.  However, we have had some awesome anniversaries... this one might have topped the list though.  We decided at the last minute to get away.  We had planned on going somewhere for the day and then dinner because we didn't want to leave the boys but sometimes it's good to just have some time away together.  After all, as much as I'm completely in love with those precious baby boys... their daddy is my #1.  My mom was so sweet to come to our house and stay with the boys while we had some time away.  We went to Eureka Springs because we wanted to go back to where we got married and we really enjoy the outdoors so that was a great choice with Beaver Lake being right there.  We got married at the Crescent because it's absolutely gorgeous... we got married on the lawn in front of the fountain... and then our reception was in this beautiful white ballroom with windows everywhere... it was a fairytale and seriously a dream come true.  We hadn't been back since and it was amazing going back to visit.  However, I'm not all about staying somewhere that is supposedly "haunted" even though I do not believe in that non sense.. haha!  We really wanted to do some kayaking, fishing, and hiking so we found the perfect spot for all of that!  We stayed at Beaver Lake Front Cabins.  Several people have asked where we stayed after seeing some pictures.... HIGHLY recommend it.  It's a little pricey but well worth it IF you like all of the outdoorsy type stuff.  They had kayaks, canoes, peddle boats, and pontoons to rent while you stayed there, along with a huge dock to fish off of and an indoor fishing area where the water lit up.  We had a blast!!  We hiked the trail, kayaked, pedal boated around, fished, night fished, and just relaxed!  The cabin was gorgeous!!  It has everything you need and more to where you really never have to leave it.  The view was so pretty and we had perfect weather.  It rained off and on, a couple of down pours, and it wasn't even hot... It was so nice being in the cabin with the huge windows watching the rain.  So romantic. <3  The next day we headed to downtown to Eureaka for lunch and to just walk around.  I'm not a fan of the shopping there or anything but it's neat to walk around because it's so pretty.  Then, we visited the Crescent and walked around where we got married.. that was super sweet.  We had a perfect little stay and a great anniversary.  I have to say we were both so ready to see our sweet boys though!!  We spent the rest of our anniversary night with them and then watched a DVD I made him that we will cherish forever!

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Here's to many many more years with the man of my dreams.. Thank you God for blessing me!!