The Month of Gratitude Begins...

November!!  We have sailed right through October and now have slammed right into Christmas prep, family pics, and all sorts of Thanksgiving festivities!  Loving it all, but we're kinda going at 100mph most days....

{Family Pics 2018}

Got to love all that goes into getting a couple fresh shots of the fam for Christmas cards: getting outfits that somewhat coordinate, doing hair, keeping from kids getting messy, making sure everyone is somewhat happy, and finding a photographer to take those pics who has OUTSTANDING patience, an eye for what looks good, and one with whom your kids will ACTUALLY smile!  

My friend, Niki, shot over on a Wednesday evening no less, and blasted through these sweet pics in no time!!  So grateful for her help and swift action to get some smiles before the kids crumbled- ha!  THANK YOU, FRIEND!!

  

{Kinda love this crew;)}

....my fav pic is always of Pete with his girls- EVERY TIME!!!!  LOVE how much they love him;).

The crew...

 

Double bonus.... being able to head to your friend's (aka photographer's) house after exhausting yourself with family pics, for movie and a cocktail- with her sweet fur baby of course... pretty much LOVE how you do business, Ms. Niki;).

Harper's famous!!!  Trike Theatre famous that is... hehe!  She made their Facebook page from a camp she did last month.  LOVE her and how much she loves theater and the arts.  So far from my interests yet so fun to watch her flourish in that light!!!  I think we'll be seeing her at Trike for years to come;).

Maggie LOVES SITTING!!!

She had another round of botox injections this month and boy-oh-boy is she sitting like a champ.  She sat like this the other morning while I got ready for my day- we sang songs and chatted the whole time.  Just so sweet... love how strong she is getting!!

Every time Maggie comes home from Kansas City after having a new procedure with her doctor there, Harper is ALL over her as soon as she comes home.  Harper is so sympathetic and worries for Maggie when she is away.  Kind of made my heart melt to see how sweetly they were playing and how patient and soothing Harper was with her sister... pretty sure this girl will be Maggie's protector forever and always;).

Speaking of forever and always... I am pretty certain that these two will have a crazy bond FOREVER!!  Rachel was our very first ABA therapist and opened our eyes to the possibilities for Maggie as far as easing her frustrations and increasing her communication.  Rachel has such a gift and it was so great to have her helping us through things last year.  She has since moved away to continue her education, but paid us a visit when she was in town last weekend.  Maggie remembered her right away and the two played outside, chatting away, for a good while... LOVE!

Harper: "Evelyn please come play with me."

Evelyn: "in a minute- i'm busy."

....10 min later...

Harper: "PLEASE, Evelyn, I'm all set up... ready to play!"

Evelyn: "I'm making my Christmas list- you'll need to wait!"

HAHAHAHAHAHA!

see above image for said Christmas list.

It consists of two items: ALL the LOL dolls, and gum-balls... 

She cracks me up... Worked a good 30 minutes on this list and has it ready to go to mail Santa.  Not quite sure I can part with it, would rather it go in her special's box... hehe!

 

FRIENDS!!!!

We got a great visit from longtime friends who moved to Chicago!!  Emmy and Harper met when they were two years old- Emmy's mom and I met when both girls were cooking inside of us, on a work trip-HA!  Lucky for us they moved to Bentonville a couple years later and the girls hit it off!!  Anyway, she and her family moved to Chicago a few years ago and we had only seen them once in those few years.  Well, they stopped through on their way to see family, for dinner and catching up- we LOVED it!!!

We got the whole crew together.... this troop met when they were toddlers and some infants... and now the oldest are 7!!!  We met for tacos and let the kids play...

....and I think it's safe to say the mamas picked up right where they left off!!!  So fun how you can go YEARS without seeing someone, and as soon as you see them again it's as if there hadn't been time apart... pretty fun!

I also took an opportunity to steal this guy away for a night away in Kansas City.  Thanks to our thoughtful and SUPER BRAVE FRIENDS (love you, Harrison family;)), Pete and I spent time just the two of us shopping and eating for a weekend together... I think sometimes marriage needs a pause- especially with kids!!  This time of year is CHAOS and I felt like he and I hadn't had a full conversation in months!  He seemed to enjoy himself...

...and I enjoyed time with my man, and all the fancy treats we enjoyed that weekend- ha!

Maybe a new fall tradition for us;)?!?!?!?!

But now we are a week away from Thanksgiving, packing up, to head to INDY!!!!  It's been forever since we have been home for Thanksgiving, but we needed to visit with a new doctor in the Indianapolis area for Maggie Lou and decided to coordinate it with a visit with our families!  The kids are beyond excited and we are thrilled to be there to enjoy Turkey Day!!

I think Arkansas is getting us ready for Indy temps- we had SNOW this week!!!  The day before I was working in the yard with the kids... the next- FREEZING temps and SNOW!!!

Hoping you all have a lovely Thanksgiving... Indy here we COME!!!!!

HalloWEEN 2018!!!

I LOVE FALL!!!!!!

I think this time of year is so pretty: the colors changing, the air changing, and amping up for all the fall festivities!  I LOVE IT ALL!!!  I started out this season a little BLAH though and I couldn't shake it.  I think I was just missing my angel babies in the month of September and just couldn't snap out of my "funk".  One day my mom called and said load up, keep me on FaceTime, and lets SHOP!! She had previously asked Pete to watch the girls and armed with her on my phone we hit up Hobby Lobby!!!  It was SOOOOO fun picking out some fresh fall decor with her on the phone... and just the hug I needed from my mama even if she wasn't able to comfort me physically.  

I kinda loved it and secretly hope it can become our little tradition- haha!

Bony Tails RETURNS!!!

This skeleton that was added to our Halloween "family" last year has ALSO become a bit of a tradition.  Harper spent the first few weeks of October dragging him all over the house with her.  You never knew where you were going to find him or what he was going to be doing- almost like her very own elf on the shelf- ha!  She thought it was hilarious... I lost my breath a few too many times... and he spent the remainder of the month as part of the decor on our front porch;).

We had fun decorating halloween cookies with the neighbors and "booing" our friends with fresh treats and holiday goodies!  Got to love a good excuse to ding-dong-ditch someone- HA!  Well, my kids aren't huge candy lovers and well... ahem, I did enjoy the yummy snacks while I worked- hehe!

Bayer Halloween Party!!!

I am all about parties and participating.  Pete... well, he just takes a little coaxing and then he's on board.  Truly, we had this idea to make a haunted house (put your hand in the window- if you dare- and grab candy) for his work party.  Anyway, he kinda pouted at first, but next thing I know I walk into the garage and he's cutting "shingles" out of cardboard to make the house look more realistic- ha!!!  The kids thought it was awesome, and I loved a bit of crafting for the event!!

Harry and Jasmine had a blast with Pete at the party (Hedwig aka Maggie Lou was at therapy so unfortunately couldn't join us)- taking in ALL the blow up decorations and scrounging up as much candy as they could!!  I loved meeting Pete's new crew.... fun afternoon for sure!!!

Pumpkin Carving/Decorating!!!

Later that weekend we had our fabulous neighbors stop over to get the pumpkins Halloween-ready!  Kids were so pumped... and then lasted about 10 minutes with the paint and carving tools before they booked it to the swing-set.  Made me laugh to look around and see the 4 adults elbows deep in pumpkin guts with no kids around- lol!!

The finished products!

TEAM EFFORT FOR THE WIN!!

Next up... 

Embassy Suites Trick-or-Suite!

We'd always heard such fabulous things about this special needs trick-or-treat event at the hotel nearby, but it usually conflicted with other events.  This year, we were able to go and HOLY SMOKES was it cool!!!

Harry, Hedwig, and Jasmine were armed and READY!!!

The hotel had blocked off 3 floors of suites and there were various organizations in each one: they each had a theme, games, music, and prizes!  The kids were in HEAVEN!!!

...and Maggie LOVED seeing some of her favs throughout the event!!!

  

Last stop... a surprise visit to Harper's school for her Fall Party Tailgate!

Maggie's therapist was awesome and accompanied me to the event so she could be with Mags while I participated in Harper's event!  I was STOKED as usually I sit out from the parties so as not to be to cumbersome with Maggie's chair, etc.  With the party outside this year, Maggie's awesome therapist, and space for them to all be a part- IT WAS A SUCCESS!!!  Harper's face was the sweetest when we showed up! I loved meeting her new classmates and parents... her room moms did an incredible job!

...and Maggie cheered Harper on the whole way through the party games- so fun!

 

October 31, 2018!

Happy Ghost goodies ready for the munchkins to wake up....

 

Jack-o-lanterns and Bony Tails ready to greet Trick-or-treaters....

...and the table set!!!

...add our sweet neighbors, some fresh doughnuts, cider, wine, and pizza... lol- and we were SET!!!  The weather was less than stellar, so Maggie hung with Yvonne and I to pass out treats, but the kids and their Daddies braved the elements (from their van chauffeur;)), and had a GREAT TIME!!!

Another Halloween in the books!!!  Kinda loved our little traditions this year and the girls' personalities shining through in their costumes!  Evelyn was ALL about NO HARRY POTTER, and Harper was 100% playing the part when she put her Harry Potter glasses on.... and Mags, well she ended up LOVING her comfy owl costume and especially telling people she was Hedwig- HA!!!

Happy Halloween 2018!!!!!

A Fall of Change.... crisp and refreshing

Fall is taking us by storm!  Not literally, but truly I feel like I blinked and October was over!!!  Now we are halfway through November- where is the time GOING?!

Regardless, here are a few snapshots from our month of October in the Lee household....

 

 

{School Pics... she's so cute- and looking so old!!!!!!}

Where you will find her when she is on "Evelyn time": curled up on the couch with her blankie, elephant on her lap, watching/playing on her iPad.  Sweet girl....

These days you will find her doing WHATEVER Harper is doing, riding her bike, or playing doctor.  She loves all 3 equally and we LOVE watching her little personality come to light.

TWINS!!!  

Evelyn to the left - My grandmother to the right. 

I knew Evelyn took after my mom's side of the family, but seeing these side-by-side images is so unreal to me!!!  Her middle name, Marie, is from my grandmother Mary.... who is the woman pictured- so crazy... kid is holding up her namesake for sure!!!!

"Ready to go to Lowes, Daddy"

Because OF COURSE you need to accessorize when going to the hardware store with Daddy.

LOVE.  LOVE.  LOVE.

 

Maggie Lou!!

Well being five suits this little lady just fine!!  She is becoming a little kid right before our very eyes and we are just loving it!

She has learned to use words to express her needs and you better believe she uses them- HA!  We wish sometimes that she would be more patient with us, but girl knows what she wants and will repeat said request until it is granted.... 

"milk, milk, milk, milk, milk, milk"

catch my drift?!

We trialed AAC devices for her that she will soon use one full-time to help in new environments when we aren't real clear what she wants/is saying.  She'll push buttons to say what she wants... should make school next year a bit easier with all those new faces!!!

She is sitting like a champ - LOVING playing with her sister - and of COURSE loves her weekly riding lesson on Vincent.  That little pony has a way with Ms. Maggie!!

Harper is loving 2nd grade!!!  Her teacher is awesome. Mrs. Rippee LOVES sports and phrases everything she does around teamwork and confidence building.  It is so encouraging for Harper and we love what a good learning environment she has!  SHE especially loves that her buddy, Brody, is in her class.  These two attended preschool together, and then reconnected last year when we moved back.  They are built the same: always go-go-go, ready for a good time, but with the kindest heart.  Love their friendship!!!

We were able to meet up with Brody and his sweet family at a carnival at her school- so fun!!!  

Random: but I was craving elephant ears BIG time and made them one night to surprise the kids.  OMG they loved them!!!  So funny... but yes Harper BEGS for them now- HA!!

 

She is becoming a better reader each and every day.  She reads wherever we are and LOVES reading to her sisters!!!!

FIRST GRADE REUNION!!!

We were able to meet up with Harper's first grade teacher and a handful of her classmates from last year at the park.  It was SO GREAT to see her old teacher and give the kids a chance to play together again... what a great group of kids!!!!

Some of the BEST times we had in October were the house guests that came to visit!!!!

First up: Nana and Papa!!!!!

They came for a long weekend during Harper's Fall Break and we had SO MUCH FUN!!!  My dad and Pete added on to our swing set, adding a clubhouse, swings, a slide, and all sorts of accessories- so fun!!!

{taking a break to do a puzzle with little miss}

Us girls tried to steer clear of the sawdust and went to a craft fair.... got to love when your bag of popcorn is as tall as you are- ha!  Evelyn LOVED it!!

 

Harper LOVED having Nana right there to help make a Christmas list....

and Maggie LOVED that Nana sat and read most of the Halloween books we had out!!!!

I LOVED having a double date night out!!!

We took Mom and Dad to one of our favorite restaurants: we eat well, but had such great conversations just the 4 of us... it had been so long since we had enjoyed an uninterrupted conversation together- much appreciated!!!

{love for Nana and Papa}

{Bakery Fun}

The next weekend, I was surprised with a visit from my youngest sister, Anna, and her boyfriend, Tucker!!!!  Ahhh- so fun!!!!!!  We enjoyed spending some quality time with them and also showing them a few fun parts of Northwest Arkansas;):

 

The pumpkin patch!!!

The first pretty day in October... I decided it was the perfect day to head to the pumpkin patch with Anna (the boys were finishing up the swing set;)).... I don't think I was the only one with that idea- ha!  It was SO BUSY.... but Anna and I prevailed!!!  

The little girls had a blast, rolling in corn kernels, sipping hot chocolate, climbing through the hay, going on a hayride, and picking out the perfect pumpkin!!

 

I was able to get some friend time in which is always so refreshing!!!  Loved visiting with a group of ladies I met when I FIRST started staying home with Harper!  So fun to continue to meet up as those little toddlers turn into big kids and catch up- GREAT GIRLS NIGHT!!!  Also, loved celebrating Shannon for her birthday night out... this lady sure does know how to have a good time;)!!!

 

Husband's Happy Place!!!

Pete decided a year or so ago that he wanted to build a kitchen table for our family... he had a vision and wanted to construct a custom piece for our dining room.  Fast forward a year later and he is making that vision a reality.  He has bought tools, researched, watched SO MANY youtube videos, drawn, and drawn, and redrawn plans, and has now purchased the rough lumber!!!  When he's not in the garage working on it... I know he's daydreaming about how wonderful it'll be to have a nice piece in our kitchen where we can all gather around comfortably!!  SO EXCITED to see it come to life!!

{Couch Cuddles}

Love how these 3 are playing together more and more....

Biggest Changes this season: Pete took a new position at a new company and I started working!!!

Bayer Corporation for Peter Lee.

JetBlack for Amy Lee.

We are still working into our new normal, but I think the change has been all for the best!  I think we both feel refreshed and I personally love having a little something more to focus on outside from my rugrats.  I honestly feel like fulfilling that "adult focused activity" helps me to be a better, more present mother, when I am with the girls.  The job allows Pete to be a little more involved with the girls' activities- gives him more one-on-one time with them, and he seems to so enjoy it.

I'm not the biggest fan of change, but I feel like this season has brought some good ones: new school year, new POSITIVE role models in the girls' lives, and fresh starts for Pete and I.  I think we all feel a little more balanced and we are more at peace with where we are.  I truly feel like after the last few years of transitions, Pete and I can finally take a deep breath- feeling content with where we are... and it does feel so good.

Looking forward to breathing in that balance and enjoying the holidays with my crew.....