Week #17 {2016}

Sunday morning Chris got up before me and brought me a cup of joe. #helovesme

Downtown Franklin was having its Annual Main Street Festival so we headed down there for a bit.

We didn't get there early enough and parking was a bear....then Rylan dropped our huge Frozen Lemonade we were all sharing and we had to buy a new one... but the rest of the time was a blast. It was a fun family day.

See the top right photo {above} where Payton is shooting a bow and arrow? Well Dylan REALLY wanted to buy one. We asked him to wait and think about it, and when we got home he ended up making his own!

Best buds.

He may have turned 4, but he still is my baby boy.

Monday morning my mom sent me this picture:

My parents officially sold their house, are moving out here and are retiring!  I am so excited for them {and for me too!}

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Papa & Yaya gave Rylan the Snoopy video game for his birthday. We tried it out today so he could play with Papa {just like Dylan does} and Rylan was STOKED. The joy on his face was awesome.

After dinner, Dylan hopped up, loaded the dishwasher and cleaned up the kitchen...all...on...his...own. I about fell over. It was so nice! {And yes, that streak is Rylan...he runs all.the.time.}

Tuesday Ry had his well check and we goofed off on Snapchat while we waited.  He laugh/cried when he got his shots {I wish I had a video of it}.  It was pretty funny and the nurse said it was the first time she's seen that happen.

He played blocks when we got home and I found all these pictures on my phone.

Wednesday night nuggles.

Thursday we had BLT Pasta Salad for dinner. I prep it a couple of hours early {before the kids get home from school} and add in the bacon crumbles right before we eat. Yum-E!

While the kids were playing outside and I looked over and saw an adorable game of hangman going on.

Friday - My neighbor just told me that Rylan can sit in a high back booster instead of a car seat now. Although we have one from Payton, I went and got him one that has a 5 point harness {for my peace of mind} and it gave us SO much more space in the car! {Thanks Nikki!}

I was SO excited about dinner tonight.  Italian Chicken is super easy and one of my favorites. I went to cut up Rylan's chicken and it was harder than steak to cut. Chris took a bite of his and spit it out. Something {I don't know what} was wrong with the chicken...so we threw it all away. #bummer #dinnerfail

Saturday Dylan was invited to a Nerf War Birthday party...and had a blast while he worked up a sweat!

While we were at the party, Chris was home finishing up {this} amazing project!

Faux Shiplap Accent Wall

We, like the rest of America, have been watching Fixer Upper and fell in love with shiplap.

Chris had a brilliant idea to take this space:

And shiplap it to look like this:

I l.o.v.e. how it turned out! 

~

We searched the web and found out that you can "shiplap" with plywood boards ripped into planks. 

The hardest part was around the mantle when Chris had to hand chisel that area. {Or so Chris said.... I just took pictures!}

The project cost about $25 bucks total. {We already had the white paint on hand.}

Looks great doesn't it?

I love the subtle contrast of the white shiplap against the light grey walls.

Yup, my hubby is amazing.

Shattered {book review}

I'm realizing that I'm liking reading on my cell phone more and more. I downloaded the Kindle app and use Overdrive to "borrow" books from my library. I didn't know that there was a setting for how long you can borrow the books, so once I changed my 7 day borrow length to 21 days it made it so much easier to actually finish a book. Plus there are more books available on Overdrive than at my local library....like this one:

Back in February, I read Submerged, the first book in the Alaskan Courage series and I really enjoyed it.  Shattered by Dani Pettrey was just as good as the first.  It's about a murder investigation featuring the same family, so you learn more about them, and more secrets unfold.

I give it 4 stars!

~

Here are the other books I have finished so far in 2016:
(10) Dancing Through Life by Candace Cameron Bure

(9) Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

(8) That Certain Spark by Cathy Marie Hake

(7) In Between by Jenny B. Jones

(6) Baggage Claim by Amanda Tru

(5) Letter Perfect by Cathy Marie Hake

(4) Submerged by Dani Pettrey

(3) All is Grace by Brennan Manning

(2) Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

(1) Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers

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Week #16 {2016}

Sunday morning drive to church.  We love driving the back roads here.

Grilled Cheese BATS {bacon, avocado, tomato} Sandwiches were perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

We got this beverage dispenser and Chris whipped up an awesome stand for it. {He's super talented!}

I got "flowers" {aka weeds} from Payton and Rylan.

We got some uplighting for the front of the house.

I found a great deal on ground beef so I spent some time Monday packaging it up to freeze for later.

The weather has bea-U-tiful. So the kids played in the sprinklers and then had popsicles on the porch.

Tuesday we woke up to another stunning sunrise by God.

Payton wrote her principal a sweet note.

This guy gives the best hugs and sweet kisses...

and still loves to "nuggle" when he's upset.

Wednesday - Payton called this her "Rey from Star Wars" hair do {I guess its somewhat close!}.

I babysat the neighbor kids for a bit.  Rylan loved having his buddy Levi around to play with.

While I was working, Rylan FaceTimed me from the other room and thought it was stinkin' hilarious.

I told him he had to walk with me to the bus stop to pick up Dylan.  Such a #threenager.

Mia and Payton made these SUPER yummy cupcakes.  Grab a box if you see it at your market... you won't be disappointed!

Thursday Levi and Hattie came back over for a bit and the boys quickly resumed playing.

And rocking out:

Then I spent my very last evening nuggle-buggling my sweet 3 year old....because tomorrow he turns FOUR!

Friday was Rylan's 4th Birthday.

Saturday Payton had softball evaluations. She was nervous because she hasn't played before, but she did great!

Back at home while doing some yard work Chris spied this nest!

The kids played...Payton and our neighbor Marley drew pictures and sold them to other neighbors and Rylan played with his bubble machine he just got from Auntie J!

And while sitting out back Rylan kept bringing me these "flowers". Such a sweet boy!