From that time we road tripped to Texas + surprised my sweetest Mimi!

At the end of April, our little fam revived road trips + drove to Texas to join in with others in surprising my sweet Mimi for her 80th birthday! The road tripping truly went better than I could've hoped for. We left late at night so the kids were able to sleep for a good chunk of the drive + that served us wellllll. They were troopers, even Isla (who hates her carseat) was pleasant. It was a quick trip, but we were able squeeze in Magnolia Market, a few of the local favorite spots, and seeing lots and lots of family we don't get to see enough! Mimi was blown away + we were so happy to be a part of it. Here are a few little snaps from our time :) 

Things I hope never to forget + photos from lately!

I hope I never forget... 

...This little ragamuffin scene above. 

...When Chris cut the grass, and Lucy walked outside + exclaimed, "Something smells soooo good!" - It was so sweet to witness her notice something that is loved by most + not even taught, the smell of freshly cut grass. 

...Running for the porch with the kids anytime it rains. Today as we sat on the couch out there, Abel said, "I LOVE the smell of rain!"- Again with the smells of spring! 

...The head nodding, while she raises her eyebrows up + down at the same time thing that Isla is doing. It's usually accompanied by humming "mmmmm" + is 100% the cutest thing I am experiencing these days. 

...The way it feels to be lifted up by those who love you.

...the other night when isla started kissing charlie + giving him love, then the next day harlow.

...the way Abel's face lights up when he plays "I guess" + you get the answer right -- the way Lucy's 2.5 shows when she plays, by both describing + answering her own turn. 

...Worshipping in the car + seeing the big kiddos in my rear view with hands raised.

...Lucy's first ballet performance to Moana, and all the proud mom tears I cried. 

...Our coffee table being flipped over on it's top 80% of the time these days. Isla has learned to crawl up on it and then taunt us by standing there + smiling because she knows she shouldn't be, so that's how that went. The other 20% of her time is spent climbing in + out of the same yellow cabinet the way the other kiddos did at her age.

...How the big kids love on Isla.

...The GDJ. 

...Abel's first soccer practice, and how excited he was. The way he kept looking over at us, giving us thumbs up, face beaming.

...Isla's over the ear hair.

...All three of their little faces, today... tomorrow they'll already be different. 

...The way Isla reaches out for me or for hugs.

...Tiny hands on the back of my neck. 

11 Months of Sweet Bitty Jane.

I don't know how Isla is closer to a year... ONE MONTH FROM NOW... than she is to being a newborn. I certainly still feel like she was born just a minute ago. But everything about her is telling me otherwise, from her walking, to the way she would rather eat food than nurse 90% of the time, to her smiles + her chatter. 11 months of Isla. She is a dolly if I've ever seen one and remains the sweetest addition to our little family. I love her, endlessly, more than alllll the things. Happy 11 months Bitty J, we'll pretend a one year celebration isn't around the corner ;)

A SPRING STROLL

Over the weekend we took our new camera out for a spin, and the verdict is that we love the quality + we still think our kids are really cute!  We walked a new spot by the river + all of the green trees were so beautiful, I have truly been converted to a Spring + Summer lover. Hope you're having a happy week wherever you are!