CAMPING-STYLE LUNCH

Zack had the brightest idea! He packed a camping-style lunch and took us to the park. Just what we needed.

We went to our favorite look out spot. It was cool with a lovely breeze, and just the right amount of sunshine. Magical.

Where there are rocks, you’ll find happy girls.

Zack made chicken salad and baked beans. Can you have a camping-style meal without baked beans?

The hammock was the cherry on top!

Okay, okay, we all know the two lovely ladies in the hammock are the cherries on top.

This girl hoards kisses. For this family, that’s a big deal! We’ll break her. :)

Thankfully she hugs like a grizzly bear!

Ah, this girl. She gets cooler by the minute.

I really hope we make this a regular lunch scenario! We could get three seasons out of this type of outing! I bet autumn would be even more magical…

JUNIE MOON’S + SNOW

Last Saturday we met Zack’s mom halfway for lunch…or brunch. We managed to sneak our visit in just before a big snow storm landed in our laps!

Grandma came prepared!! Toys, coloring books, sticker books, stick notes, a sweet jingly Christmas tree pen, lip gloss and two types of crayons! OH, and a Hello Kitty coin purse. Waiting for our food flew by!

Showing Grandma her “Sophia the First” watch. Full name required. ;)

Zack and I both chose the spinach + mushroom omelet and Shari and I split an order of pecan waffles. We really could have split a single pancake, as they were twice the size of the faces we were stuffing them into.  - but SO GOOD!

The girls split an order of blueberry pancakes. Can’t go wrong with blueberries!!

Sunday we woke up to a winter wonderland. We couldn’t see far since it was a blizzard, but once it cleared we were left with sparkles and long blue shadows. Worth it. Now if only we could raise these negative temperatures…

Most places we have over a foot of snow. Amelia’s swing filled to the brim within two hours. The pine tree (that is usually above of roof) is hanging down, nearly to the deck floor. Maple has to be forced to take potty breaks and has been taking shelter in the s l I g h t l y warmer living room. Zack is on his second snow day, and we should be getting more snow tomorrow I hear. He actually had to take a trip to “the big city” for some groceries and fire wood.

So cold.

Poor Mia has been bundled to the max, but still sports purple lips, hands and feet. We have been creating obstacle courses in the living room and running them to stay warm, and rotating that with movies from the safety of Mama’s warm…er bed. Ten blankets, ya’ll. Ten. Ten more on the couch, five on P’s bed and the best heater in there room. Making the best of this excuse to snuggle in bed with our ladies!!!

“HETLAND”: : PART TWO

You can see part one, here.

Ben’s favorite place in the town he holds so dear has to be the First Baptist Church of Headland. I could see why the moment we walked in the door., and I didn’t even have a chance to meet the people that make it so special.

This is the old sanctuary. Both sanctuaries have these gorgeous (nearly floor to ceiling) windows.

They all have a dedication at the bottom. Isn’t it beautiful??

[The rest of the church photos are in the newer sanctuary]

This is Ben’s seat in the choir. :)

Amelia’s favorite part of our entire trip, I do believe, was spending time in the sanctuary at First Baptist church of Headland.

The Blur formerly known as Amelia.

She was so giddy when she discovered the pews. Never has a child been so happy.

Thanks Dad for keeping a swift eye on her!

If you were wondering where Penelope was while Amelia was dashing from stage to pew, she was playing the tambourine with Grandma Penny.

Oh, Penelope… I love you so much.

We took Ben out to Cheeburger Cheeburger for lunch. Very good food! It was packed, but I think that just goes to show how worth the wait it really was.

After lunch we strolled through a few outdoor stores in search of (much needed) new work boots for Ben. The shoe featured in the photo above was the good one (by far!)…

Penelope found a new mannequin friend! I have yet to discover what is so charming about a mannequin. However, “Mannequin” is a setting on Penelope’s this-is-the-bomb-o’meter. Few things have managed to surpass this particular setting.

Walking on your heels is high-larious!

She found the shoes ;) Shoes have never been an interest of mine, but I do believe it will be one of Penelope’s.

Uncle Ben must have made fifty laps around the store with these two. Amelia’s face as he zoomed around corners was priceless.

Penelope told me multiple times “Ben is my fwiend.” – safe to say, that will always be the case.

Thank you for spending your twenty-fifth with us Benjamin!