Cousins and Crackers

It's the little things. Maddie, Jack, and Finn.

Reading with Pops

Happy Birthday Jesus

Make a joyful sound unto the Lord. Click here, but know, it's a no judging zone. I'm tone deaf.

His Great Love

I stumbled across this awesome barn one morning as I was getting acquainted with our new neighborhood.
Something about it strikes me. It's beautiful in a wise, worn way, and it reminded me (yet again) how His hand has been on us; on our lives; our marriage; our plans. He makes all things beautiful. He brings restoration and peace. Why?  Because
He loves us.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23

You Must Really Like Sugar

Invitations the girls and I created by thumbprint for their first annual Crafts and Cookies Party.

The girls had a few of their sweet friends over from school to decorate ornaments and sugar cookies. A precious tradition our mom started for me and my sister as little girls. I thought my mom was amazing then, but now I know she is amazing. Without a doubt.

After 7 little girls (and a 1-year old baby boy) running around, painting ornaments, rolling, cutting, baking and decorating sugar cookies all afternoon, I.Am.Wiped. There are sprinkles all over our floors and paint all over the craft room, but the girls had such a great time!

At the end of our evening, I asked: "Piper, what was your favorite part of today?" Immediately she bursts, "Sticking my fingers in the icing and eating it!" Cue Buddy the Elf: "You really must like sugar, Buddy?" Piper loves sugar (and babies), if you'll recall.


Kenna.Tallie.Jane
Riley.Piper.Lina

The after crumb pile consisting of sprinkles and sugar.

Thank you mom for making our childhood chalked full of traditions and fun memories when it was certainly much easier "to not to" (Mater).

Thankful

"Give thanks to The Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." I Chronicles 16:34

Every sunrise and sunset, we are reminded of God's loving kindness to us. We are so thankful for these beautiful views from our living room window at #thehouseonthehill and for our four beautiful, healthy babies. 

Bunny Hill Farms at The House on the Hill

I keep hearing that I should blog about my life as a stay-at-home "pioneer woman" and mother of these four "knuckle heads" as John calls us. I tell people that I already do blog, poorly. Mostly just pictures for family and as a record of happenings in our insanely busy life, because I can't remember anything anymore. I used to be smart. Really, I did. I may make an effort to get better at blogging, but right now this ABM (A Beautiful Mess) App will have to do, because I'm really digging the picture collages. I'll probably regret it one day when this dinosaur of a laptop crashes and I'm unable to print photos for baby albums because my blog pics are all collaged. But for now, ABM and I are tight.

As for the collages above, the girls have named our egg business "Bunny Hill Farms" and a week before we left for the wedding (for 17 days!), all of our fruit at The House on the Hill was ripe and it was harvest time. And I mean all of our apples, pears, basil, and tomatoes needed my full-time attention immediately. It was on. We dried apples; made cayenne-cinnamon applesauce; created Bourbon spice apple pies; canned cinnamon pears; canned tomatoes and even dried tomato chips (the jury's still out on those); made homemade basil pesto and marinara with some killer Italian sausage meatballs to boot.

Like the new app I'm obsessed with, it was a beautiful (sticky) mess.

All I kept thinking was, "It all has to get done!" But God provided some resurrection strength for this busy mama and we are loving the fruit of our labor this winter. 

Next year, we will be making some serious amounts of apple cider. Even with all the apples we preserved, we brought 5, five-gallon buckets of apples to our neighbor's horses that had worm invasions. Next year we'll beat 'em and you'll be here to partake in the sticky, beautiful mess.

Silence

Every mama knows the sound of silence is not a good thing when you have a toddler in the house. It was too quiet for about 30 seconds and this is what we found when we finally found Jack: A snow dusting of baking soda covering the kitchen floor, and all those sweet footprints in it.

J+S: The Toast

This is for Jess. With all my heart.


As a prologue to this post, the crowd was the most amazing I've had the privilege of speaking in front of. They laughed at every punch line and cried when I cried. In fairness, I would attribute it to their love for Jess and Sean, and the fact that the top-shelf liquor and 9-tap of home brews were flowing freely. Thanks for warming them up for me, you beautiful bride!


The Toast.

I'm Linde, for those of you I haven't had the privilege of meeting yet, Jess' sis. You wouldn't know we're sisters until you hear us talk. Anyone who has a sister knows how lucky I am. The most precious relationship of a lifetime. And some of the most rockin'est fights too, or so I've heard. Jess and I have never fought.

My 4 little ones were in the wedding, which makes this a REALLY special day for my entire family. And even though we're missing one very special member, Mya is here in spirit today, Jess.

You may have noticed how all the little girls' hair was braided. I would tell you I had lots of practice as a little girl learning to braid because of Jess. She would tell you that if she wasn't perfectly still, I would whack her in the head with the brush. That may or may not have been true. Needless to say, I didn't do Jess' hair today. We needed her in one piece.

Jess you look like a fairy tale princess today. Absolutely beautiful.

You didn't forget a thing when it came to all the details that went into making this week and today perfection.

In fact, over the course of the past 6 months whether it was her I DO BBQ, her weekend in Crested Butte, or something she and Sean planned for this week, she wanted to make sure everyone was having a wonderful time. This night is just as much for you, as it is for Jess and Sean. Are you having a wonderful time? Hear! Hear!

For those of you of who haven't realized yet, Jess is amazing. So talented. She could win any public office if she decided she liked politics. When you do decide to run for mayor, I might know someone who can manage your campaign.

In all seriousness, at one point during the course of wedding planning Jess was holding 3 jobs, taking guitar lessons (which you will see why in a minute), getting her PADI certification, and VRBOing her home ... and still managing it all with such grace.

You embody beauty tonight. Your soft heart radiates joy and love. You look absolutely stunning. You are a piece of my heart and soul and it does a sister good to know you are so happy.

And Seanie (yes, we call him Seanie), we couldn't be happier to have you join our family! You are perfect for Jess. When she's with you, she's at home. She's herself. She's loved.

If I could pass along one piece of wisdom from my marriage experience, please remember that the most important gift to any marriage is the gift of forgiveness.

And on a selfish note (and a total non-sequitur), John and I can't wait to start taking vacations together!! And for those beautiful babies that will follow this magical night. No pressure.

For everyone here, we love you both! Cheers to Jess and Sean!

J+S:10.18.14

Mom and I are both a wreck in this pic! I had to post it.

Pinterest has nothing on this day! A beautiful celebration for the hopeless romantic that Jess is. Their love for one another was evident throughout the whole day. Thanks for letting us be apart of it! #SeanandJess2014

Carp

We had a sweet couple of days on the beach in Carpinteria, Cali before "J+S: The big day." The kids ate it up. Literally, Jack stuck his face in the sand, mouth wide open. Turns out it doesn't taste like sugar even if it looks like it. I would like to move there one day. You will too after these pics.

With nana and papa

Disneyland: Truly, The Most Magical Place on Earth

A rite of passage for most, and we wanted to go at an age when the girls still believed the princesses were real. Let's just say it was a huge success.

Merida aka "Brave" was so fun in character with her Scottish accent.

The tea cup on the left, of course.

Taking a quick break from the heat in Toon Town.

Tom Sawyer's Island



If you asked them what their favorite part of Disneyland was, they would either say the parade or the Bibbidee Bobbidee Boutique, where they picked out princess dresses more expensive than their wedding dresses will be. But they were worth every penny! It was magic to watch their faces and experience their excitement!

SoCal!

J+S: The Countdown

The countdown to Aunt Jess and Uncle Sean's BIG day has begun!! We are trying on wedding day attire, practicing hair and packing up some found treasures for her magical, whimsy, ranch wedding in Santa Barbara, Cali. #seanandjess2014