Let the shopping begin!

I'm loving some of these cute things for Ella for Fall/Winter.

And we can't forget about Madeline...

Six Wonderful Years

We celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary on the 16th. October is such a busy month for us. My birthday, my MIL's birthday, our anniversary (we share it with my MIL!!), Ella's birthday (30th)...so I wasn't able to sit down and write a sweet note to my husband for well...being the best husband I could ever ask for. There are times when the house is quiet (mainly naptime) and I get to gather my thoughts and one thing I always think about is: I am happy. Happy happy happy. Okk and a little tired, BUT I truly love my life. Not many people can say that, but I really do. I thank God I have been blessed with this incredible life. Incredible husband. Amazing, funny daughters who are healthy and happy. For six years Tom has taken such good care of me. He's a fantastic chef, a wonderfully loving father, and my very best friend. There are so many roads my life could have taken. But I am grateful for traveling this road we are on. Even though I am a lot to handle and sometimes I can get a little 'tude, I know he adores me;) I love the fact that even after six years of marriage, I still feel like we are newlyweds. I'm still excited to wake up next to him (even if he snoozes his alarm a few times too many), still excited to see him walk through the door each day and I am still excited to throw my leg over him at night and use him as a big body pillow. Six years of marriage isn't a huge milestone by any means, but it's been a fabulous six years and I look forward to many more years of our life together. Love you my baby daddy;)

The message I woke up to on our anniversary...

Playtime.

Ella really adores Madeline. If she's not reading her books, she's showing her new toys. She loves to make her giggle which of course always makes this mama smile. I think they already have that sisterly bond I always hear so much about...

Love her.

It doesn't matter to Ella if she is tucked in tight at night...just as long as Jessie is snug as a bug:)

3 Months old!

Isn't Madeline getting so big? She's already 13 weeks old and she has brought us so much joy. She is rolling over now, weighs about 13 lbs, fits in 0-3 month clothing, kicks her legs like crazy and waves her arms like she's exercising, can bounce in the jumperoo, seems to loathe guacamole whenever I consume it, still won't sleep through the night, but loves to cuddle with her mama and daddy.

Austin Part 2

Lots of fun was had by all in Texas. I would go back in a heartbeat!

Lunch in Austin with my cousin Christine...she's a professor at University of Texas...she's the smart one in the family;)

And Ella loved her by the time lunch was over...just in time to say goodbye!

To view more photos from our fabulous TX weekend, click here!

I heart TX!

We decided to accompany Tom on a road trip to Austin, TX this past weekend. He was headed to Austin City Limits so we tagged along to visit one of my favorite Army wives, Michelle, and her daughters Cadence and Kennedy. Ella was thrilled to see them and so was I. We took the girls to a local pumpkin patch at SweetBerry Farms. Our day was spent painting pumpkins, going on hay rides, picking flowers, a picnic lunch and we ended it with choosing a mini white pumpkin and some homemade delicious pumpkin ice cream. I absolutely love fall specifically because you can find anything made with pumpkin. Yum:)

What is better than a field of candy corn? Hmm a field of real candy corn.

Michelle and baby Kennedy

Painting pumpkins!

My child uses two brushes. I think she didn't want to share.

Love this sweet photo

Me and my girls on the hayride!

Picking flowers...reminded me of our days in Germany with the wide open flower fields and you cut your own bouquet. Beautiful! Ella loved it and would have spent all day there if I let her.

Madeline relaxing in the radio flyer

And this is how we got around that day:)

Strawberry ice cream for the girls and pumpkin ice cream for the mamas.

That wasn't so bad...

Turning 30 was easier than I thought! I pictured myself hiding under the covers all day, dodging any mirrors where I might see new wrinkles and barking orders at Tom to take care of the kids. Well the latter sort of happened anyway, but I definitely didn't hide! Tom woke up early and brought home a delicious pumpkin spiced latte from Starbucks (oh how I love these!) and Ella ran into my room giving me big hugs and every ten seconds she would say "Happy Birthday Mama!" and kiss my cheek. I opened up a few presents in bed, one being a most fabulous Tory Burch satchel from my MIL. I about passed out from happiness. Then Tom gave me what I am typing on now...a new Macbook! Yipeeee! I have been eyeing these bad boys for years and I literally cried when I opened it. I'm a dork;) He also gave me a card full of money to pamper myself whenever I want. (I think he's just tired of looking at my fading pedicure)...

He cooked me my favorite breakfast of biscuits and gravy and had my favorite raspberry lemonade stocked in the fridge. He made a delicious burgandy roast beef with homemade mashed potatoes and sauteed mushrooms for dinner. I was totally spoiled all day long and I loved every second of it. Needless to say, I asked if my birthday could continue all month. I knew my answer this morning when ESPN was on;) Oh wellll It was WONDERFUL while it lasted and I am looking very forward to my 30's now. Thank you babe for making my 30th birthday a perfect day.

I love my "30" card

Ella was so excited to eat cake (and that was a Carvel ice cream cake...yes tiny, but that's what I wanted so we didn't eat cake for a month)

Making my wish...don't you wish you knew what it was??

Aww gotta love those timers on the camera!

Look at my big "lil" nugget!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I can't believe 30 is already here.

10 weeks old

Madeline is still sweet as pie. She has days when she doesn't cry. She has days when she cries a lot. Her giggle is A-dorable and she smiles a ton (especially when her big sister is getting in trouble). She loves when Ella reads to her and plays with her and so do I. We love to smother her with hugs and kisses. Daddy loves to sing to her and make her dance. She's just a happy, healthy growing baby and we are so very grateful for that.