Wedding Season

Well since my niece Ashleigh moved her wedding from the end of September to TWO WEEKS FROM NOW, I guess I better hurry up and share her shower pictures before the entire wedding is over.

Can you tell that I think she is crazy for moving her wedding? 

The planner, organizer, control-freak, perfectionist in me would be going crazy if I were her. But she is as cool as a cucumber and I am baffled. But hey, we need more laid back people like her in this world. 

And they actually have a really good reason for moving the wedding: Ryan, who enlisted in the Air Force this year, will be stationed in England (about 70 miles from London) in November. And in order for Ashleigh's passports and paperwork to clear prior to that, she needs to have her name change complete as soon as possible. So she really isn't crazy. {Maybe I'm the one who you could label crazy}

So the wedding is quickly approaching, Harper's flower girl dress was quickly purchased, my parents are currently trying to figure out how to plant 6 ft tall trees in 2.5 gallon buckets, and I am having dreams of Ashleigh making her bridal party walk down a half mile long aisle "for suspense and drama".

The shower however was much less exciting. It did storm that day, but it was actually perfect because it was a shower themed shower. So the rain actually helped set the mood.

This picture was my inspiration for the "shower" theme & I used it for the invitations as well. 

We played a game that was played at one of our wedding showers. Ryan had answered a series of questions for me and then Ash was asked the same questions. If she answered differently than Ryan, she had to put a piece of bubble gum in her mouth. She actually did pretty good, but by the end of the game, the bubble gum was just too much to handle. She couldn't even speak to answer any more questions and out of sympathy I quit handing her more bubble gum. 

Completely embarrassing the guest of honor is what it's all about, right? 

The maid of honor, my younger niece Hannah, and their new cousin Quinn. 

Ashleigh's gift from Harper: a jumbo cat eraser. A necessity for every young couple.

Now Ashleigh and a lot of ladies.....

Her younger sis...this is the only shot of Ashleigh not pestering Hannah. Some things never change. 

My mom, Ashleigh's Nana

Ash's other grandmother, Connie

Bridesmaids

There were lots of other family and friends present and I know Ashleigh was grateful that each of them came to support her. 

Now enough about showers, we've got a wedding to throw together! And thankfully, Ashleigh has this attitude (and I quote)...

"NOTHING will be fancy". 

She's sure making this transition from Miss to Mrs quite interesting. 

Woolaroc

A few weekends back, we took Harper and her great grandpa Curtis to Woolaroc. If you are from Northeastern Oklahoma, this needs no explanation. If you are not, Woolaroc was the 'weekend home' of Frank Phillips (Phillips 66) and it is now a wildlife preserve, museum, petting zoo, etc.

Harper enjoyed spotting animals out the window and kept asking "Which one my favorite?". We are trying to help her to think on her own but for some reason that day she really wanted us to pick her favorite for her. 

I think in the end, the deer were her favorite (just like her dad).

She was really thrown for a loop when Kevin told her that Kermit the Frog lived in the lilypads on this pond. She couldn't understand why she couldn't see him. It really was toddler-torture. 

Harper and her great grandpa

{I've said it before, I'll say it again: I am so happy that Harper is blessed to have her GREAT grandparents. I wasn't as lucky and they really are a blessing in our lives}

This little exhibit in the museum comes to life with a dance and drumming sounds and Harper spent most of her time here. She even joined in on the dancing. I love how, as a kid, she isn't worried about what others think and she just does what comes naturally.

I mean come on, who doesn't want to dance anytime they hear native tribal drumming?

Seriously?!? She's killin' me with that little sly grin. 

Lots of animals to see and pet: rabbits, cows, a miniature horse she really didn't like, and goats!

Talk about a sly grin....Kevin discovered that if he wiggled that gate latch, all the goats in one section would think someone was coming in to feed them. They were on high alert. He is cruel. 

And most importanly:

Harper met Llama Llama! {her favorite book character} 

He didn't have much to say though. Actually from the look of this picture, he's kind of a snob. 

But she didn't notice; she was a little starstruck.

Dod Bess Amerita

The Fourth of July may become Harper's favorite holiday in the future. She is a little in love obsessed with the American flag, or 'Dod Bess Amerita' as she calls it. 

When she sees a flag, she yells, talks about it's size, and makes everyone else look at it. 

So the 4th was actually called 'God Bless America Day' at our house this year. 

We went out to my folks that afternoon for a cookout and parade. Harper was dressed for the occasion. 

No matter the weather, we tend to congregate on the front porch. 

The parade was new this year, but it was actually a combination of past traditions. My great aunt and my grandparents used to have parades at their Independence Day celebrations. So we decided to bring it back this year. 

We kinda forgot that if everyone was IN the parade, then there would be no one to WATCH the parade. Fortunately, our Gigi and Uncle Dale came and provided us with a very supportive audience. 

Joey rode his scooter around us in circles like a Shriner. That might have been my favorite part. 

Everyone posed with their floats. 

Abe and Belle totally ignored the camera. 

Harper was pleased as punch to show off her wagon. She helped decorate by coloring all the letters of her banners. 

Ashleigh & Hannah 

Taylor as some sort of patriot

Joey 

{who painstakingly removed his rear view mirrors in order to place those flags in their place}

He deserves a medal!

The whole gang

After the festivities, Harper took her cousins for a drive. So advanced for a 2-year-old, right? 

~

Dress Up

"Mom, I'm pretty like a princess."

This is Harper's version of a pretty princess...

Yelling

 Stocking cap under a fedora

Jelly stain down the front of her shirt

&

a very serious scowl 

Glittery Christmas ear warmer around her neck.

In July.

That's my kind of princess!

~

Just keep swimming

This past week has been HOT. And from a personal standpoint I want to say that pregnant and hot do not mix well. Pregnant, hot, and a very active two year old is an even more dangerous combination. 

But one thing that does go well with pregnant, hot, and a two year old is SWIMMING! 

We have enjoyed our little pool this week. It's amazing how this little pool can improve all of our moods =)

She likes to lay down on the bottom and then do the splits. 

Making sure her beloved belly button is still intact. 

Why are kids even more cute when they are in swim suits and soaking wet?

"My Big Room"

In anticipation of her little sister arriving, Harper has moved to the bigger of the bedrooms. I was very worried about her moving to a toddler bed because I was certain she wouldn't stay in the bed. Especially at nap time, in which she usually sings or talks for an hour before falling asleep. 

But the other night {before I was ready for her to move} she told me "Mom, I want to sleep in my big room today." I didn't realize what that statement would do to my heart. I didn't know it, but I WAS NOT ready for her to move out of her crib. My little one was growing up! 

After I few repetitions of this conversation....

Me "Are you sure?"

Harper "Yes, I want to sleep here."

Me "Are you REALLY sure?"

Harper "Yes."

Me "Are you sure you're sure?"

Harper {and I'm pretty sure with an eye roll} "Yes mom."

...I gave in. 

I should have been thrilled that she was ready for this. But a little part of me wanted to stick a pacifier back in her mouth, plop her down in her crib and pretend she was tiny again. And I was perfectly alright that I was completely delusional. 

Well, in typical Harper fashion, she did awesome! She's been in the new room for 3 nights and 3 naps now and she hasn't gotten out of bed once {knock on wood}. She loves her new room and spends most of her play time in there now. 

I also love her new room. It was a labor of love. I tried to repurpose as much as I could and spend as little money as possible. 

Have a look!

The bedding that I wanted was from Land of Nod and also from Pottery Barn Kids. Both totaling well over $140. {Yeah, NOT gonna happen} Instead I found a flat twin sheet in a similar pattern, then cut it and a twin down comforter down to toddler size and stitched it up making a toddler sized down comforter and duvet cover. The mattress is the same as a crib mattress so I was able to buy a cute crib sheet from Target. The bedding cost about $35 & I love it more knowing how much it could have cost.

This little fella was completely free. It was a gold makeup table stool that I found; had the spray paint, had the fabric...ta-da! But honestly, it's a good thing I didn't spend any money on it; it's quite wobbly and a little sketchy to sit on.

The dresser was a nice solid wood piece that we got for free and it is now a pretty blue. I love that it has so much storage space in it. The bottom two drawers are still empty (I'm sure not for long).

Kevin found the window frame and brought it home to me. He really knows me well; he knows exactly which type of trash I can work with =). I'm still not sure what we'll do on top of the dresser. For now, it is what it is. 

Harper loves her animal pictures. 

Again, had all the pieces here at the house. This was a super easy project. 

I had these letters in Harper's nursery and they just got a new color of covering to match her new room. 

Three verses that every girl should have in her heart:

"For I know the plans I have for you" says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11

"You are fearfully & wonderfully made." Psalms 139:14

"It is not fancy hair, jewelry or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from inside you. The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit and it is worth very much to God." 1 Peter 3:3

Her little reading spot. 

This bookshelf piece came with the dresser. The shelf was actually a part of the dresser & the base was used as a dressing table. Kevin cut the legs down for me & the 'backsplash' is the same color as her dresser. 

She would be upset if I didn't tell you about her 'Turtle House' that her daddy found for her. 

Quite the treasure! 

All of the doors in our house were a dark {and yucky} wood color when we bought the house. Basically the factory door for a house from the 70's. Kevin has replaced all the doors except for 2 of the closet doors. So those babies got a coat of white paint and some new knobs. 

She loves playing in her 'big room"and she has even started calling her nursery "Dewwa's Room" {Stella's Room}. As a matter of fact, she has become so comfortable in there that I often get 'kicked out' so she can play alone... 

"Mom, you go?"

"You want me to leave?"

"Yeah you go to the kitchen, I play in my big room."

I actually got the boot while taking these pictures. 

She's a 'big girl' who fits right into her 'big room'.

~