Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Lil' Belle Boutique
Here is an update on the latest from the Lil' Belle Boutique (inspired by Harper Belle, of course!).
 |
I opened my Etsy shop (after being an avid Etsy shopper myself for quite some time!) back in September, not really knowing what to expect. I started off displaying a few of the projects I had done for friends and family and slowly my shop grew as I began to get orders.
|
 |
| I have stopped doing traditional scrapbooks (except baby books), so this is my new creative outlet! |
 |
| I just painted this step stool last week to go in a little girls' bathroom... |
 |
| ...and this one for a more "grown up" look in an adult guest bathroom. |
 |
| A nautical themed nursery |
 |
| Certainly my most ambitious task--the child rocking chair! |
 |
| It is still a little crazy to me that I have my own little side business! I love that Etsy enables individuals to step out there and try to sell stuff with virtually no financial risk. |
 |
| I imagine that at some point this summer I will put my shop on "vacation-mode," but once I feel like I can handle it after our newest addition arrives, I hope to open it again and continue on! |
 |
| Another artist hard at work! |
 |
| Harper's first time to paint with me |
 |
| She uses the same term I use and, therefore, calls anything she is working on her "project." |
 |
 |
| The first of many masterpieces, I'm sure. Good job, Harper! |
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Church Camping Trip
In March several families from our church decided to spend the weekend camping together. We had a great turn out and had such a good time! A few of the guys had driven out earlier on Friday to reserve our sites and set up camp. We had the perfect location all together.
We drove out Friday early evening after Brent got off work, and Harper fell asleep during the last ten minutes of our car ride. Needless to say, we woke her up when we arrived, and she never quite recovered that first night from her deep state of grogginess. But hey, Brent and I got to fully relax and enjoy ourselves because Harper never budged from her camping chair until it was time to go to bed. :)
Everyone brought their own food to grill out Friday night. Here are some of the kids chowing down, and you can see Harper mid-giant yawn.
Brent and Ryleigh
Beckham...this was his first camping trip, and I would say he loved every second!
Angela, Kamara, Allie, and Melody on Friday night
Sweet Kerrington put forth a valiant effort trying to draw Harper into some conversation, but I think Harper remained pretty dazed.
Some cuddle time with Mommy before going to bed in our tent in the pack and play
All the kids (who were still awake) made smores around the campfire. Then the adults stayed up late talking around the fire, which is my favorite thing about camping.
Saturday morning breakfast
Catching this frog was a definite highlight on Saturday morning!
Beckham had an insect collecting kit, and the frog spent some time in the little observation box.
Jackson holding the frog before he was released near the water. I'm sure that frog was super relieved after passing through so many little hands!
Blowing bubbles with Kerrington -- fully recovered after a good night's sleep
Several kids and parents also went fishing.
Zoe is really into critters! She did not squirm a bit holding frogs, worms and caterpillars.
No fish were caught (I'm sure the kids throwing rocks and wading in the water did not help-ha!), but it was a fun time nonetheless.
Jason fishing with his daughter Edie
Sarah Kate, Collin and Kamryn playing with the live minnow bait
Rod and Aubrey fishing
Sarah Kate and Kamryn enjoying the cold water
Jackson and Beckham discussing fishing strategy
Harper also waded in the water!
Group shot of kids present on Saturday
Ryleigh and Edie playing in the dirt
A girl shot on Saturday...
...and the guys
Harper's creative frisbee trick :)
Most families went home at the end of Saturday, but we had left Saturday afternoon to attend a birthday party and came back. Therefore, we decided to spend one more night camping along with Rod and Kamara's family.
On Sunday morning, we walked to a nearby playground. Sweet girls.
Ryleigh was on-the-go the whole weekend and had a fabulous time enjoying a little (supervised) freedom in nature.
Aubrey, the fearless climber
Me, Brent and Harper in front of our tent
What a sweet smile!
High fives
After the playground, we changed into swimsuits and went to the sandy lakeshore for the girls to have some water fun. Ryleigh was too cute saying hello as she got changed. :)
And finally here are a series of pictures of the girls playing in the sand and water. As you can see, they had a great time!
Squeals and giggles
I think everyone would agree that this camping trip definitely needs to be an ongoing tradition!
