I-don't-want-this-day-to-end type of day!

Today we went to Fredericksburg for my niece's 4th birthday--which by the way, I can't believe is even possible!  It seems like just yesterday we were "flying" down the interstate to make it in time for her to be born.  My sister-in-law and brother had a wonderful party and we had a fantastic time!  Her sister did a fabulous job with face painting and the kids enjoyed hours upon hours of fun with games and a huge bouncy house--princess style. What a delight sharing this special day with such a special little girl!  Confirms what I have said before--that outside of a mom, being an Auntie is the most amazing role in the world!

The birthday girl!  Miss Addison!  Beautiful inside and out!  I love you my sweetie!

 

Abigail's butterfly face! (thanks Liz!!!)

 My sweet Grandma was able to make the party!

 Gabriel with his Batman face!

Cousins are truly a child's first best friends!  Love how they all adore each other!

"Hokie power!"

 My so adorable nephew Matthew!!  How cute is he????  He has grown soooooo much!  I loved seeing him and sharing a little one on one Auntie-nephew time with him--we had to catch up on life of course! 

While in Fredericksburg, we visited their Love Sculpture -- ignore the kids --post face painting stained faces-- for a few pictures.  I loved (no-pun intended the logo that showed in the "o" for this love!

One of those, I-don't-want-this-day-to-end type of days!  Thanks for the memories Addie and for sharing your birthday with us!

Slightly Bent...

"Under the earth."

I am a part of a photography group that I have really enjoyed and within this group we are each responsible to take a picture each week of the given topic.  We can choose how we interpret the topic. This week, our topic was "slightly bent".  I took about 70 pictures during Abby's field class trip to the Luray Caverns on Thursday.  

Abby partook in capturing the shots that she desired as she would tell me "Mommy, take a picture of that, and Mommy I want you to take a picture of this one".  We hung back to the end of the group and were in our own little world and I loved every minute of it--she was so engaged.  Until one little boy started teasing her about taking so many pictures.  But (Insert proud mommy moment here!) my little girl, and mind you, I do believe she is the smallest in her class, turned to the boy who was much bigger than her and said "don't bully me.  I want my Mommy to take these pictures; she is making memories of my memories; and my book will be the specialist so leave me alone."  She wasn't mean with the way she said her words but let me tell you...she made her point and he didn't say a word to her again.

This was my favorite of "our" memories of memories which is the one I submitted to my group.

And here a few of the others that we took.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When you become a Close To My Heart Consultant, and join my team, during the month of April, for just $99 you will receive over $415 in product including a Cricut Collection!  And if you are one of the next SEVEN to join my team, the Hearts and Sass, you will also receive $25 in Flip Flaps of your choice.  For more details, e-mail me at: inallsassiness@gmail.comor visit my website to sign up!

What beauty...

Our family is so blessed to live in, my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on earth and we are witness to it each day.  The kids and I have taken quite a fondness to a particular spot up on the Massanutten Mountain and we have been wanting to see it's beauty in the snow.  So today, we piled on the layers, and layers, and then yet another layer and headed up the mountain.  The roads were actually clear until we hit the road that leads to the trail...and then they were not. But once on that road there was no turning back (literally) so we slowly crept up the mountain hoping that no one was coming down at the same time.  We made it to the path without incident and I must admit that was the quietest my children have EVER been. lol.  The trail was untouched and in all her beauty.  It almost seemed a sin to walk in the snow but the kids saw the untouched snow as an invitation and they were off to explore their beloved path under her winter blanket.  Once we reached the edges we decided (well, I decided...Gabe wanted to be Mr.Daredevil) to stay somewhat close inward as the winds picked up several times and I didn't want to lose anyone although I would have loved to go a little further out.  The landscape was absolutely breathtaking just as we had envisioned.  One of my favorite parts parts about this spot is the depth you can see and feel--I love climbing on the rocks, having the trees so close and yet the depths of the mountains so very close: together they just create an amazing view!   Here are a few of our favorite snapshots of the morning!

Here comes the wind!

A unique Sweetest Day gift...

For Sweetest Day, Abby and I decided to take Jay and the boys to a Civil War Reinactment in Middletown, Virginia.  My husband has been interested in the Civil War era for as long as I can remember so when we heard about the reinactiment I thought it would be a nice surprise.  We were first time "live history" watchers so we weren't sure what to expect but we were delightfully surprised.  The children asked many questions of the historians and came away with much knowledge--they are writing "reports" so I am sure I will be sharing them with you as they are already turning out to be rather informative.  :)

 

One of the soilders was nice enough to let the Abby wear his hat!

Loved the marketing!

North (hats) or South (flags)...didn't really matter to the kids however when the kids started cheering "Go Blue"  in reference to the soilders I thought my husband was going to have heart failure!  (He is a big OSU fan).  They did get quite the few stares for appearing to "cheer" for both sides.  Truth of the matter...they chose the blue hats because they liked them better and they liked the Confederate flag the best...then again since Mommy is from the South and Daddy from the North, I guess it all worked out!

The never-ending (uphill) corn maze...

Had to write that one down as I thought it would make a cute title for a layout of today's family adventure (I have CERTAINLY been having a lot of adventures lately!) to the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze.  We surprised the kids and picked them up after school to maximize sunlight time and quickly found that it was almost too bright...at least for pictures.  We let the kids lead the way thru the maze which they thought was pretty cool even though Abby and Nicholas kept following the same path over, and over and OVER and over again.  Luckily after awhile, Gabe took the lead and we started making progress.  We had a great time in the pumpkin patch and couldn't have asked for a more beautiful natural landscaping around the farm.  If you live anywhere close to Luray, VA...the peak is beginning and it is breathtaking all around!