What I Wore Wednesday {Las Vegas 2012}

I'm in Las Vegas, and I knew I wouldn't be blogging while on vacation.  Do you blame me?  I took photos of my outfits before packing my suitcase.  Here's what I've taken with me. By the way, I know I've over packed, but I'm always guilty of doing that.

Apparently I only buy clothes from about 3 stores.  It looks like most of my clothes all come from the sames places.  WIWW always makes me aware that I don't branch out a lot when it comes to fashion.  I suppose those stores are my "comfort zone" when it comes to shopping.

#1
white shorts: Old Navy
orange tank with bubble hem: Loft
brown sandals: Shi

#2

denim shorts: Gap outlet

orange pattern top with bubble hem: Anthropologie

#3

blue shorts: J Crew outlet

top: Banana Republic

sandals: DSW

#4

Bermuda shorts: J Crew outlet

blue top: Loft

#5

blue, yellow & gray dress: Banana Republic outlet

#6

green strip dress: Banana Republic outlet

brown belt: Nordstrom rack

#7

navy dress: Banana Republic outlet

#8

skinny jeans: William Rast for Target

flowy top: Anthropolgie

nude heels: Guess purchased at TJ Maxx

#9

white linen pants: Old Navy

black top: Loft

silver flip flops: Gap

See more ladies who are much more fashionable than I am at

the Pleated Poppy.

Flashback Friday: New York City

Flashback Friday {Tuesday}

New York City

June 2008

When we left our family in Virginia, we made our way north to Princeton, New Jersey.  We stayed in Princeton and took the train to New York City.  Our day in NYC was packed full.  We went to a Yankees game, which was special to Mark.  He saw a game at the original Yankee Stadium in its final season of use.  It was also a special father-son moment because he had Will with him.  We'll have to make another trip now that we have Ben so we can all go to the new Yankee Stadium.  We've always heard that New Yorkers are rude, but our experience was quite the opposite.  I was offered a seat every time we rode the subway.  Also the workers at the Yankees stadium were extra helpful.  Fans at the Yankees game helped us to our top row seats, and one gentleman even offered to help carry our stroller.  I think New Yorkers are pretty friendly.

Do I look smarter?  Maybe not!  I felt a little smarter walking around the campus of Princeton University.  It was such a beautiful campus.  So much different than anything I've been to in Texas.

Flashback Friday: Virginia

Flashback Friday {Monday}

Virginia

June 2008

The first stop on our road trip in 2008 was in Virginia to visit family.  Will was 18 months old and this was the first big trip we'd taken with him.  After leaving Virginia we went to New Jersey, New York City and Pennsylvania. 

Since we'll be in Vegas most of this week, I won't be blogging.  I'll share flashback photos all week of our road trip in '08.

Mark, Will and I are with my two brothers, sister, sister-in-law and niece.

My brother Brian lives in Fredericksburg, which is a very old town founded in the 1700s.  The downtown is a historically-rich area.

Maybe not historically significant but still recommended by the locals.

One final shot with my brother Chris, Laura and Will.

Flashback Friday: Great Smoky Mountains

Flashback Friday {Saturday}

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

June 2011

Last year at this time we were in Tennessee spending time at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Will was 4 1/2 and Ben was 2.  We made the trip with Mark's parents.  We enjoyed driving around the national park and hiking on several trails.  I love looking back and seeing how the boys have grown and changed.  It's also sweet to reminisce and remember the good times we've had on our vacations.  More photos from that trip are here.

Mark and I will be leaving for Las Vegas on Monday morning.  I'll have several posts lined up for next week to share flashbacks from family vacations/road trips we've taken in the past--Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and maybe some vacations before we even had kids.

Summer So Far

We've been on summer vacation for a few days and so far it's been all that summer should be.

Silly!

Which one of these is not like the other?

Will has 4 monkeys that he keeps by his side.  He's given them all names.  From L to R: George, Ben, Jacoby and Fannin.  I shared this photo on facebook and my friends and family loved it. 

Fun and Games!

Ben had his 3-year checkup on Monday, and he was terrific.  I expected him to be terrified (because he normally is).  He surprised us and was very brave.  We took Will and Ben to Chuck E Cheese's since we had to cancel Ben's birthday party.    It was also a treat for Ben for being so good at the doctor.

A trip to the mall!

I had to run a few errands at the mall and the boys went into the Apple store.  I wasn't sure if I'd ever get them to leave ;) 

Gardening and Yard Work!

My little garden is growing.  I didn't plant very many things this year.  I only planned to plant tomatoes, but I let the boys pick one packet of seed and they chose pumpkins.  The pumpkins will probably be ready to harvest in the late summer, if they survive the hot summer.

My tomatoes are looking good and the rain tonight will only make them grow even more. 

Playing outside!

Someone was a little grumpy and didn't want his photo taken. 

Mark's parents gave Ben a toy chainsaw for this birthday.  Ben's wanted that thing since he went to a birthday party at a friend's house several months ago. He couldn't wait to get it out in the backyard and start trimming trees.  He's just like his Papaw Jerry.

 Playing inside!

We've tried to keep the boys busy with things that preoccupy their time other than the TV and computer.  The puzzles seemed to do the trick yesterday afternoon.

Riding bikes!

This photo shows that sometimes the fun is a little forced.  It's too hot to play outside in the afternoon so I try to make the boys get outside in the morning.  This morning was a challenge, but in the end, they had a good time. 

Being outside isn't so bad after all.  Riding bike IS fun! 

Well, we're 3 days into summer break and I'd have to say that it's off to a great start!

Ben's 3rd Birthday Party

We had a big party planned to celebrate Ben's 3rd birthday today.  We were going to have hamburgers, hot dogs, cake and ice cream.  We bought all the fixings and were ready to go, and then around midnight Will came down with the stomach bug.  We made the decision to cancel the party because we didn't want to expose anyone else to it.  So, at midnight I sent out a mass email to all of our friends and family on the guest list and let them know about the situation. I planned to text each person once it was morning.  I couldn't hardly sleep because I worried about our family traveling from out of town and wanted to make sure they didn't get on the road and then realize they would have to turn around and go back home.  I worried about canceling the cake order and balloons.  I worried about Ben being disappointed.  And, of course, I worried most about Will because I can never rest easy when my kids are sick.  Will had a pretty rough night and morning, but felt better later in the day.  Ben had a restless night because of the commotion in the house.

We made it through the night and rested during the day.  In the morning I took Ben to the florist downtown and bought him some balloons and he was pretty happy about that.  Later in the day we decided to have a little family party to celebrate our special boy's 3rd birthday.  Luckily Ben is young and he didn't act disappointed at all.  I think Will was more disappointed than Ben.  He's actually old enough to understand that the party was canceled.

Even though today didn't go exactly as planned because Will got sick, Ben was as happy as could be when we sang happy birthday to him. You would have thought we had 40 people there celebrating not just 4. Such a sweet boy!

Happy Birthday, Ben! We love you so much!

He was really happy once he saw the cake and candle, presents and balloons at the table.  It's really special that it doesn't take much to make him so happy. 

I bought the single serving of cake at Wal-Mart the day of Ben's birthday.  I had planned to take a picture of Ben on his actual birthday blowing out the candle, but since we got home later than planned we saved it.  It came in handy today since we didn't have a birthday cake.  He loved it! 

Will finally felt better and was happy to sing happy birthday to Ben and help him open his presents. 

Make a wish!

I love that he eats mostly icing and very little cake. 

I think we'll always remember this birthday. 

Do you think my boy likes icing?  Umm, yes!

Presents! 

Happy Birthday, Ben!  He had the best time playing with his new Cars toys and can't wait to get in the yard and play with his garden tool set. 

*After this experience, I've decided that it's much easier to plan a birthday party than to cancel one.

Ben is 3!

Ben is 3, and we no longer have a baby in the house.  Our little boy is growing up.  He's at such a fun age.  His sweet personality is really starting to show.  He's talking more and more.  I've been surprised at how much his vocabulary has increased in the last few months.  Now that he can express himself, he tells us stories and what's on his mind.  He's very observant and the wheels in that little mind are constantly turning. 

Things that Ben loves--

playing outside

cuddling with mommy on the couch

playing catch with daddy

being silly with his brother Will

watching Team Umizoomi, Curious George & Caillou

his bear & blankie

juicy

chocolate milk

french fries

playing in the dirt

singing songs and listening to music

the movie Cars

going to Mamaw  & Papaw's house

playing with his cousins

waking up early

being a helper

favorite Bible story "David and Goliath"

Ben is such a blessing.  The perfect addition to our family. 

We love him so much!

{Photos by Lauren}