In Search of Simple Living

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Brooke and Matine!

Everyone meet Brooke and Matine!!! Brooke is a friend from high school and we are getting reacquainted through blogging. We have discovered kindred spirits with one another and wished we would have really gotten to know each other better then. Brooke is now living a dream life in Montana with Peter and their new baby, Matine. Brooke and Matine were in town seeing family and came by to say hi and spend some time with us! I couldn't resist picking up the camera for a few shots. Check out Everyday Brooke and Peter here and obsess over their beautiful and simple life...http://brookeandpeter.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Brooke, Kerri and Matine for stopping by to say hi!!!

Grace and Peace.

Baby Moon in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Here is in no particular order some shots from our "baby moon" in Eureka Springs. We really, really, really enjoyed ourselves. For the most part we lazied on our porch of the B&B reading, painting, eating...it was glorious. The weather could not have been more perfect, never above 82 degrees on a July 4th weekend - wow!

This was immediately following our couples massage. The massage therapy place was just a couple of blocks down the street so we walked. When we came out of our cozy hour and a half glorious massage heaven, it was raining the most beautiful, summer rain. We walked back to the B&B barefoot in the rain. How romantic!!!

Clay did a henna tattoo on my belly on the 4th of July. For those of you who aren't familiar with henna, it is not forever, it only lasts a couple of weeks, in-fact is already disappeared.

Final design, Henna is used in eastern countries as a blessing on many occasions. Mom's are tattooed with henna for a blessing of health and happiness before delivery.

Trying for a self-portrait.

Delicious Italian restaurant and my dessert to take back and eat at the b&b.

We ate 3 square meals a day - and I gained 4 pounds in two days!!!

More eating, this was our breakfast brought to the porch on our first morning there! YUM!!!

This is what Clay did with most of his time.

This is what I did with most of my time!

Yum - gourmet Mexican food!

Sitting in the main park down town Eureka.

We took in every moment possible, even getting up early to enjoy our quiet time. It has been almost three years since we had a little weekend to ourselves (one night at homeschool convention doesn't count) and we know it will probably be close to that before we get another one. It was heaven, but if we are honest we really missed our precious girls a ton.

Grace and Peace.

water play

Call me the in-spurts blogger... here is a little bit of fun at another fun water park.

Grace and Peace,

Holly

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Eden's 2nd birthday!

My precious baby Eden turned two years old today. Where has time gone? It was just yesterday that I birthed her into this world. She was such an unexpected miracle in so many ways. She is a joy, a laugh, sweetness always when most unexpected. We celebrated a day early, yesterday evening at the splash park in town with family and a small group of friends. It was by far the most laid back, no preparation birthday I have ever put on for my kiddos and hands down the most fun!

Clay's sister Aunt Michelle taking a pic of E.

Zinnia's on the birthday table!

At the birthday girl's request, I made a pink ladybug cake. Her favorite color right now is pink.

This girl LOVES to swing, anytime we pass a park she says, "I swing!"

When did she get so big? Makes me want to cry.

We have been working for several weeks on getting her to say that she is "two". But when you ask her hold old she is, her response is, "I'm five," because that is what her sister says. So I asked her today on the swing before her party started and for the first time, her response was correct and I caught it in a photo!!

Our precious friend Alexa that was born one month before Eden.

Let's get this party started!

Our buddy (and Payton's self chosen future husband) Mason.

She had a blast with friends and family hanging at the water park for her birthday!

Daddy sneaking kisses from his birthday girl.

Anticipating the water drop.

Dishing up Ice cream!

Jo-Jo and Payton. Kaytie Jo our roommate/sister at heart has officially move out from our nest. She is greatly missed in our home, but is so sweet to come by and spend time with us during the week. (It helps that we have a washer and dryer she can use for free.:)

Opening birthday gifts with Momma.

The day (Saturday, June 20th). We snuggled in bed with our birthday girl and shared many giggles as the sun came up. Then continued our morning at Starbuck's (yes, one of her favorite breakfast places), Utica Square for a nice morning stroll, a visit to one of our favorite stores Eco Baby, a visit to the aquarium, lunch at Riverwalk and a splash in the fountain! All before naptime at 2:30ish.