check out my little guy...

all ready for his first day of preschool!!

seriously, is he not adorable??? ok, I know he's mine and everything, but I just want to eat him up!! with his cool new shades , which he just had to wear because they were BA-LOOO and he was wearing a BA-LOOOO shirt.. LOL(that is how he says blue.. no exageration!) His little backpack is just the cutest thing that I had my eye on like two years ago... just awaiting this day.

The brand is Stephen Joseph and they have a ton of cute designs for boys and girls. I thought this one would match more of his shirts... and his coats. I know I am a tad rediculous. but hey, thats me!

So Andrew left work for a bit on Tuesday , so he could meet us at school and walk in with us. Brigham was so excited and like I said earlier, he could have cared less when we said good bye to him! guess thats a good thing, b/c I have friends that practically had to pry off their kids from tugging on their legs. I think that would have broken my heart, so I am glad that he was happy to go right in.

He wanted to go back on Thursday, so I guess he likes it!! lol.. can't get him to talk a whole lot about what goes on.. I am so wishing I was a fly on the wall!! =)

So I started my new fall bible study last week too... its a Beth Moore( and if you have never taken a study by her, I would highly recommend it.. she ROCKS!!) This is my 5th one in a row, and I am completely hooked! this one , is actually the first one she ever wrote, but it has been re done and is on the old testament.. and all about a woman's heart.

I can't wait to see how I will grow in the next 10 weeks!

Hubby is gone this weekend to Detroit. he just had to go up there to cross off the Tiger's stadium off his list of the MBl ball parks that he has to visit.

I'm willing to go to some, b/c I do love me a baseball game. but drive 10 hours for a 3 hour game. no thanks.

so he'll be driving home about 3am, and I am trying to get stuff done while he's gone.

My mom and I had a girls night out last night with Tatum in our downtown. About 3 times a year they have a gallery walk, and most of the stores stay open late, and there is music and dancing in the streets, and wine and cheese and sweets, and stuff. So it was a good time.

I got a few little fall decor things, which is totally putting me in the mood to decorate the house.

I bought some mums too , so I am hoping to pot them tomorrow.

Anybody , else nutzo like me and can't put holiday stuff out , unless the house is clean?? So, thats what I tried to do tonight, so I can put out my fall stuff tomorrow.

Last week I got hit with several magazines, and I am just so ready for fall fashions, fall foods, fall scents, fall colors. I love it all !

So I have to really budget my self too, b/c of these that found their way to my doorstep:I have not bought more than a handful of outfits for Tatum, since we were so incredibly blessed by friends, and family.. but it is so hard not to when these little girl clothes are just so precious!

Actually I have not bought many things for Brigham either, in his 3 years. Guess it thats one of the perks of having family close by. Each season, his closet gets stocked. I found a few boy things in here that I am going to have a hard time passing up too.

so I am hoping to earn some big money at my open house in a couple weeks.

check out SILPADA DESIGNS for some awesome new fall jewelry =)

Well, guess I better call it a night. I have to finish baking my cakes for Monday.

its our first meeting for MOPS, and since the theme includes a butterfly, I volunteered to make 4 of them.I am hoping the decorating goes well tomorrow and that the transit to the church is smooth!

wish me luck.

hope you are all having a good weekend.

oh, yeah.. go COLTS.. and go BOILERS!!

(gotta love the start of football season =)

has it really been two weeks??

since my last post???
seriously, how can this be? I am on my computer every day.. multiple times a day... so how is it that I can't get a post done? Anybody else feel like the thought of taking the time to blog..wait..take that back... to post on your OWN blog.. is just so overwhelming?
I LOVE to browse other people's blogs, and frankly, I get sucked in , for many minutes at a time, on the ol' web. the thought about actually sitting down, to write about my own life, seems like such a task!!
well, I am hoping this is about to change..I am hoping to be more focused. Not because our schedules are becoming nil, but in fact they are just getting more hectic.
This my friends, is where the 'old me' ,- "the organized, good with time management' me" has to re-appear =)

I took Brigham to his FIRST day of preschool today!! Ahhh, he was so proud of his new backpack, and his cubby.He was so excited on the way there.seriously, it was so cute. Do ya think he would give mom or dad a hug before we left.. NOPE, this kid could care less if we were gone. He was well in to many activites of coloring, puzzles, computer.. all in about 10 minutes!
Proud papa took the camera to work to show his buddies, so I'll have to post the pics later. However,
Here is a pic of my cutie head. this was his 3 year old picture taken in July. I can't believe how grown up he is getting.. sniff sniff.

So , I guess its a good thing I have one of these... isn't she cute. Ok, I am biased, but I totally think this is the sweetest picture ever! My friend Jennifer took like 400 for her 3 month shoot. I can NOT wait to start scrapping them!!

(you can see more of Tatum's baby shoot if you click on Jennifer's link to the right)

We had a funfilled weekend and boy am I in need of a nap this afternoon!!
We had dinner with friends on Friday night.. it was a mexican theme and we played mexican train dominoes. very fun game, that we had not ever played before!
Saturday, we did tons of yard work and then went to dinner with friends. of course these are our friends, where every dinner out is followed by ice cream. So we hit the DQ. the kids ran around the patio, and we talked for ever. The weather was so nice, almost needed light jackets. I just love the fall weather on the horizon!

Our little babies had to wrapped up in blankets, so their piggies didn't freeze!!
speaking of I just orderd the CUTEST little socks for Tatum. I'll have to share what they look like when the package arrives!
Sunday we went to the Morman church. However we had to leave after the first service, b/c Brigham peed his pants, and we had no other clothes. lovely.
We will have our 5th meeting with the Morman missionaries this week.
its going really well.
I'd love to share with you about this.. but please email me at elizabethla@yahoo.com
if you want to know more or have any questions. =)

Yesterday, we(ok, I) organized a big labor day picnic at the park. It was so much fun! We had over 30 friends from our church there, and lots of kids. Besides the park equipment, we brought lots of other games, etc for the kids. I was so amazed that there was not one fight!

everyone had so much fun!!

several of the Man-boys created a frisbee golf course in the open field.
we had some really yummy food. Thanks to everyone who shared food, and for our hired grillmaster!! LOL
A few of the kids started preschool also today, so we were all hopeful that after a few hours of running around, they would be tired enough to sleep well!
Brigham did crash, and got up rather easily this morning. we all made it out the door. IN TIME!! praise the Lord!! LOL
like I said , I think the schedule thing will be good, when I got home from dropping him off, I was able to check emails, check the 2peas gallery, read some scripture, and clean the dining room and kitchen.YAY!!!
now if I could just sqeeze in exercise in too, I'd be happy.
I can't wait to hear how his first day went.
hope you all are having a great start to the week!

lots going on

- last week it was high 90's EVERY day. we stayed indoors A- LOT !!

- the ice cream truck came to our house



- we went with our friends Greg and Kelli to the Indiana State fair last Thursday.. it was super duper hot.. (we left the kiddos at home) and we pigged out on all kinds of yummy fair food. seriously, I have never seen so much fried stuff at one time.. LOL
we tried the fried snickers bar.. MMMMM. I was a tad intrigued to try the deep fried pepsi balls.... yep, ALMOST!
who comes up with these things???
and after being at the fair all afternoon we cooled off and rocked out to this guy.
WOW.. was he good. I did not know he was such a rocker. huge light show and everything.
casting crowns opened up for Jeremy. I had never heard them before. Now I am hooked. Came home and ripped their first two albums, and then went to our local christian bookstore and pre-ordered their new release.. AND got a free t-shirt. WHOO HOO!

-my grandparents came to visit from Georgia. I felt so bad for them , that they left their extremely hot weather just come to IN for ridiculously hot, and humid weather.
seeminly like 105 degrees! and people my g-parents are 86 and 87 years old!!
my grandma loved on my kids.. it was so sweet. pictures to come. =)

-we went to a bday party and I did the cake.


so fun, and it turned out really cute. the bday girl LOVED her cake =)



I'm thinking of starting a cake biz. hmmmmm. we'll see!
- here is my little caterpillar. he got a caterpillar cape and antenna to wear and then goodie bags filled with bullfrogs and butterflies.. (and caterpillar) stuff.
I think I have lost my little boy, and he metamorphased to a many legged fuzzy little caterpillar.pretty darn cute though!! LOl


-and I have been scrapping. Its been so fun. I think I am in a groove. I posted them on 2peas.. *ELIZABETH*.. go check them out.. one of these days I'll post them here =)

- I have really been feeling blessed lately.
here is my lil family:



- finally got new flooring last week in the entry, dining and kitchen. I LOVE it!!!
(we went with tile instead of the wood laminate, and I am so happy!!)






-and we picked up this cute lamp at Lowes on the clearance cart (only 25 bucks) and put it over the kitchen sink.



- and I am so thankful for my ultra talented friend Jennifer. look what she did with my sweet baby..
today we had Brigham's preschool teachers over for their home visit. Of course he was way high strung.. its a good thing they know him already, otherwise the kid would have scared them off.. lol
he picked his name tag.. they took his picture to go in his cubby. He had a blank look on his face, so I asked him if he knew what a cubby was.. he said.. A BEAR!!!
so funny.
he also told them that his favorite food was apples. not sure where he got that!!!
he only gets them with his happy meal .. LOL
Friday night I have a women's back to school kick off at church. should be fun. my friend is leading the worship. and she ROCKS.
Saturday ,Andrew has his fantasy football draft and then poker night. I think I'll go shopping =)
------ hope you're all having a super week!!-----------

I am such a slacker!!!

seriously, we had a packed week and weekend and I said to myself, for sure I was going to blog about it on MOnday. well here it is Thursday, and I have yet to sit down and do it!!

We had some fun play dates with friends last week, and then we had our friends 'the other' Millers over for dinner on Friday night. A crazy , wild , late night with all our kiddos, but we had fun!
Andrew and Corey went to see the Simpsons movie which started at 11:40 pm. I was so exhausted from the week, that I crashed shortly after he left! Don't think I missed much- he said it was just ok.

Sat morning we got up and my dad, Brigham and Tatum and myself drove about 2 hours East of Indy to my grandmas. Her husband has not been well, and she hadn't gotten up to see Tatum. She and my two aunts and one uncle came to see Brigham when he was less than a week old.
She had sent several notes this summer, and I know it was killing her, that she couldn't get her hands on her first great granddaughter!!
So we made the trip, which was great, Tatum slept the whole time, and Brigham read and sang along to Jeremy Camp!!

***speaking of, we're going to see Jeremy Camp and Casting Crowns next Thursday. THey'll be at the Indiana State Fair(which I have never been to) and so we're going with some friends to it. We both have babies 3-4 months old, so we'll take them, but leave the other kiddos at home! I can't wait.. its been so long, since I have been to a concert!!***

We had a great time on the farm. My cousins were there and Brigham had a great time with the highschool and college age that they are.My cousin Hilary, just got engaged, and wanted Brigham to be the ring bearer.( Hopefully his rambumxious three year old self will have settled a bit by January!! )
He got to feed the cows some corn cobs and play with the dirt.. always a highlight. Seems like everytime we go down to the farm, there is a new (or 2 or 3) dog running around. Brigham was not to thrilled to have the dogs around. Truthfully, I wasn't either.

anway we had a good visit, and my grandma loved on Tatum. My camera died after these pics, so hopefully my aunt will email me the rest from the day!!
We celebrated grandma's 86th birthday, my dad's 59th birthday and Brigham's 3rd bday.




The cake was so yummy!! and after eating the leftovers of that, and the dessert I had made for Fridy night.. I had to make a dessert for this past Monday for Andrew's men's meeting. I have had enough sweets for awhile, and I am just trying to get it all out of my house.. because if its around, I will eat it!!
I put my foot down last night and went for and hour walk on our trail pushing Tatum in the stroller. It felt really good to get out and get sweaty.

Hopefully, next week, when the overtime is over for Andrew than I can make it a regular thing. I am challenging myself to lose 40 lbs by Christmas!!

I already dropped the pregancy weight in the first couple weeks, but I still want to get back to college weight and even tone up better than I was back then!!.... fingers crossed.. LOL

Been scrapping a lot this week off and on. Its been in the 90's so we have been indoors, and doing lots of arts and craft type projects. I am having a girls night out tomorrow with my friend for her birthday. We're going for sushi and then to scrap into the wee hours.. (hopefully, if I can make it..LOL)
I am just dying to get some adorable pics of Tatum scrapped.
Can't believe she will be THREE months old, next week! She is getting cuter and cuter everyday, and so pudgy.. I just can't stand it. Brigham continues to love on her all the time.
It is so much fun having two !!
trying to get some pictures loaded.. not working.. ahhhh so frustrating!!!
well, hope you have a good day =)

where oh where has the summer gone??

seriously, I can't believe its almost my dad's bday ( on the 27th) and that always makes me feel like summer is almost over!!

guess it didn't help when we had the little one and were busy with her for the first few weeks of june.

I have yet to take my pasty self to the pool!! maybe that is just me being courtious to the other folks!

I mean you know its bad when your husband says to you.. last week " honey, when we get paid this week, I want you to go to Carribean Mist and buy yourself a tanning package"
Me: um, are you sure, I have just been becoming used to blending in with the sidewalks!!.. not to mention I have really been concerned about skin cancer from watching all these recent reports on tv."
Him: yeah, I think you should go and buy a tanning package. you need to sexify yourself!"
Me: oh, so I really look that bad???!"
Him: well, I just think when you feel good about yourself, then you are happy.. and then everybody is happy."
--------------

still have not bought a tanning package, but I did go get a pedicure on Saturday. =)

Last weekend we went to a friend's 40th bday party. Hard to believe we're hanging with people that OLD!! LOL
they don't seem it al all, and they have the sweetest little girl a tad younger than Brigham.
and my mom was nice enough to point out , that 40 is not far off for me.. um Thanks!
luckily my husband is not 30 yet, so he keeps me young. and frankly, I don't consider 32 almost to 40!!

Sunday we had a great time with our Care group, grilling out, kids running wild, babies crying and easing the chaos with adult beverages and a few games of wi.
I think that is the new thing for stay at home moms... get together for playdates and wave your arms frantically in the air, while holding an infant.. all to beat a 7 year old at tennis!! =)
very addicting game, I may add.

Well, last night we went to the fair. normally its beyond miserably hot, and usually there is a tornado warning going on, and usually it stinks really bad, and usually it is full of nasty carnies.
BUT, we went on the first night of the week. animals were nice and clean, as were the people =)
and the weather was a gorgeous 75 degrees with a breeze.
all of the projects were new and fresh, and not moldy, etc.
Brigham had a great time. We ate the tenderloins, funnel cakes, and I tried the cheesecake on a stick. (not so worth the 3.50).. very disapointed.
We did let Brigham play one game, and he was just totally enamored by the lights and sounds. Actully Tatum was too.
I just started praying then, and will continue, that my sweet babies, will not end up like the swarms of 'fair kids' hanging out.
Definately got a glimps into what 14-18 year olds are like... S-C-A-R-Y !!!

ok, so on for some pics...










I love that one where Brig is just in awe of the games and lights surrounding him.
we let him play the pick the duck.. and he won the stuffed cow. he loves that cow. it has gone everywere with us since then.
and then we let him 'think' he was playing Wack the Mole.
too funny!
well, enjoy your day!!

the circus was in town

we're still recovering from the 3 ring circus that landed right on our doorsteps last Saturday for Brigham's 3rd birthday party!!
yep, still have balloons floating around...I've popped most of them, but out of the 60 plus that we had.. I just don't want to break his poor little heart with them all gone! amazing how much a kid and a bright colored balloon can have!!

we turned our house into a big top!!
as each child entered, they had to put on a big red clown nose.. it was a big hit!

we had a big bounce and bubbles in the front yard. balloons everywhere!
inside were streamers, and balloons and some stuffed animals(lion, tiger, elephant, horse, etc) corralled with a sign, that said 'dont feed the animals'.





we had a consession stand , which the clown, aka, my mom worked hard at serving up everyone's favorite circus treats.
we had popcorn, and cheese popcorn, jumbo soft pretzels, snow cones, and hot dogs.
bright colored licorace(which tastes horrible by the way, but looked awesome!)and of course the (nasty tasting) orange mallow circus peanuts!!
I served lemonade, water and ice tea for the adults, and the kids got those lil jugs of various fruit punches.


there were cupcakes shaped like popcorn bags.. (seriously, one of the cutes things I have ever made!.. and so EASY!!)

I made 24 cupcakes with random bright colored icing, and clowns or confetti on top.
...and of course, Brigham got his clown cake!!



it turned out super cute, even though I finished it like an hour before the party started!!.. yep, I am a procrastinator..
sent Andrew back to Wal mart 4 times to get things, I had forgotten!

and people, I started planning this party months ago!! LOL
anway, outside we had a fish pond, where the kids fished for the red crab.. out of several fish we had put in our swimming pool!
then there was the hanging monkey.. aka Curious George pinata that took a LONG time and finally Andrew's baseball bat to bust it open!!




we played pin the tale on the monkey..(adorable set that I got from Potterybarn kids),
tattoos, and a ping pong ball in the bucket toss.
all the kids had loads of fun. I had all kinds of different circus themed prized for them, like big striped lolli pops, animal figurines, circus themed coloring books, juggling balls, bubbles, etc.
needless to say, after George busted, the kids were on an extreme sugar high... and this was before cake and ice cream!! LOL


it was a perfect night.. hi 70's with a breeze. the party started at 5 pm and people were just leaving around 9-9:30p!!
everyone had a blast.. and when it was over, I sent Brigham to bed and Andrew to the liquor store!!
I was so pooped, and needed to relax. He surprised me with some new parot bay strawberry kiwi mixers.. mmmm, they were delish! but, I only had one, before, I crashed.. it had been such a long day!

so here's a pic of my two cuties decked in their circus duds.
the big clown collar.. (luckily he's too young to be embarrassed!.. and sweet T in her first Hanna Anderson dress.. thanks Steph!!)




whew!! that was a long post.. maybe thats why it takes me forever to update this thing...LOL I have no patience.. lol
well, I am going to scrap some.. have a great one all!! =)

Check out my Slide Show!

my little cutie heads...

can't ya tell, she just loves her brother??? LOL
two months is not long enough to get used to her crazy mama posing her for the camera!!
(notice the home made outfit for T.. onesie with some ribbon ironed on!!)I didn't want to spend the money on something, she'd wear a total of 1 time!!
Our 4th was pretty wild..
10 am went to my moms house , met our friends and decorated bikes..
headed to mom's neigborhood park, where there was a street parade. Probably about 65 kids with decorated wagons and bikes,scooters, etc.
the fire truck was a big hit, and the kids got to climb on it.
Then after the parade, the kids could play at the park, and the local Kroger donated watermelons and popsicles!!
my cute 4th outfit for Brigham got ruined in about 2.5 mintues!!
wait a minute, his first red white and blue shorts got ruined in 1.2 seconds at home, b/c I thought he could actually wear his Thomas bigboy underwear, and of course he peed in them right away!!).. so on went the diaper!!

after the parade, we all went to my moms back yard for water fun and a cookout.Our friends' parents came into town too, so that was fun to meet them again.
Here are the kids running in the water and Brig's first time husking corn!!


we ate and ate, and survived the heat. we had fabulous hot fudge brownie sundaes!!

then we went home for naps, and off to some friends' house for a pool party/ cookout and fireworks!!
here are the kids eating with their life jackets on!!


A couple weeks ago, there was a scare with one of the kiddos falling in the pool, so now the rule is, all kids wear life vests when they are on the deck! so here they are with their clothes on too!!
We did finally get Brigham into the pool for a bit.. he still wasn't too thrilled!!
after more pool and hot tub time, we headed outside for our 'own fireworks'.
Brigham did great with the sparklers!! I was a tad uneasy about it, but, he wasn't scared, and did real well. Of course, my camera died , so no pics!! I am hoping one of the other crazy camera mamas captured one for me!!

we caravaned to the local firework display and then hung out in the big field for awhile, as the adults tried to one up each other with high school gymnastic routines!!LOL ( I DID not participate, thank you!)

It was a fun filled day, and we were all tired! brig slept in the next day until 11:30am!! It was great =)
Friday, we had playgroup at the Purdue fountains.. Do you think my little guy would get in??
NOpe, of course not..did capture his piggies getting wet though....
We had a date night Friday night, and did some birthday shopping for Brigham's party, and ate at a Thai place.
Saturday I spent all day running errands with Tatum.. such an easy shopper, she is!!
Brigham, not so much, so my mom watched him all day Sat, kept him the night, and then watched him most of Sunday too, so I could get some stuff done!!
SO thankful for having family in town!

well, I have a crying baby, so I better run..
hope you all have a great week!!