Pumpkin Patch

We decided to take the girls to the pumpkin patch last weekend.

 We had a lot of fun playing and spending time as a family!

Aren't they cute?

They have slides and teeter-totters and swings and bounce houses, too!

Finlee loved watching the other kids that were there.

We're excited because our bestfriends are here. They surprised us by coming last night! :)

 Here's to a good weekend!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Leaves

Fall is by far my favorite season. And it also happens to be my favorite season to photograph too. So when the leaves barely start changing colors and falling to the ground, you can bet I'm outside capturing every possible color of Fall that I can.

All different colors of leaves are gracing my front yard right now and I'm in love. I love the crunchy sound that they make, their beautiful shapes, and of course the array of colors that they come in.

Today I took the girls outside for a little taste of Fall and they loved it.

Jaelyn

Finlee

And the fact that they love Fall makes me love it that much more.

I'm so grateful to our God who crafted and created something so beautiful and inspiring.

Xoxo,

Tanna

Home Made Best Made: Hundreds of Ways to Make All Kinds of Useful Things

My Grandma Vivian gave me this book not too long ago and as I've been reading through it, I've found so many cool things to make. It is a bit old fashioned, but I believe that is what makes it so unique and interesting to get ideas from. From homemade cleaners to gifts to foods to furniture, it has so many fun ideas inside. I just wanted to share it with you all in case you were interested. It's around just $5 on http://www.amazon.com/.

I plan on sharing what I have planned on making from this book later on this month!

Here's the link just in case you want to check it out:

 http://www.amazon.com/Home-Readers-Digest-General-Books/dp/0762100761/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287615943&sr=1-1

Xoxo,
Tanna

 

Parenting

When Jaelyn was born, our world was flipped upside down. We were so in love with our little girl but we never knew how much work it would actually be. Here I am, a young mom, trying to teach my little girl to live up to her full potential in life. And even though I would never claim to have it all together or to know it all, I have learned a few things that I try to live by everyday as a mom. I thought I would share them today.

1. Don't expect perfection from your kids. They are kids. I've learned to be patient with my girls and realize that mistakes happen and children do get cranky or hungry or grumpy. They are learning and do make mistakes just like you and I.

2. Let your kids know that you love them everyday. This is big for me. Even though we have expectations for our children, they must know that we love them too. I am constantly trying to let my kids know that I love them but I don't think they will ever know how much I love them.

3. Praise your kids 10 times more than you correct them. I heard this statement not too long ago. There is nothing wrong with disciplining your kids but instead of constantly correcting them, we can't forget to praise them for the good that they do too. I have tried this with Jaelyn the past few months and it has worked tremendously.

4. The best thing we can do for our kids is be an example for them. This is a really big deal for me, too. I think we often forget how much our kids follow us, look up to us, and rely on us. I'm not perfect but I do feel like setting an example for my children makes a big impact on how they learn. For example, I believe that a man should know how to treat his wife just by watching his own father and the way he treats his own wife.

This blog is really a place for me to journal so that my children can read a piece of their life when they're older. Never will I have it all together but I am learning about myself and my life and I love sharing it with the ones I love.

Xoxo,

Tanna

Photo Booth

Here is my sweet Finlee-girl. I couldn't help but share these pictures. :) Everyday after naptime when I pick her up out of her crib, she points to all of her bows hanging on the wall. When I take her to them, she chooses no less than 3 bows that she wants to wear. And then she giggles because she thinks it's so funny that she has so many bows on her head. So cute!

Xoxo,

Tanna

Fall Festival

This morning I hosted a Fall Festival at my house. It had been awhile since I spent time with my friends from church so I decided to throw a fall-themed party. We had a lot of fun! And it happened to be just what I needed to get back in touch with the mom in me. I love spending time with other mom's who know exactly what life is like with children.

We played the classic game where you guess how many candies are in the jar and the closest person to the actual amount wins. Cristina/Isaias and Amanda won!

These are the party favors I put together for the mom's. I think every mom deserves a treat when they arrive because of all of the effort it takes to get there with their children. :)

I made delicious pumpkin muffins! I frosted them with cream cheese frosting and a candy pumpkin!

I used these flowers that Matt got me on the snack table. I thought they were pretty!

(Thanks, hunny, since I am sure you will read this!)

We also made caramel apples. I also had a few toppings that we could choose from to put on the outside of the caramel. Yum!!

Mini M&Ms, Chocolate Chips, Oreo, Graham Cracker, and Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

We even painted pumpkins!

Jaelyn painting her pumpkin!

Jaelyn

Brogan

Brody

Zander

Gabe

Isaias

Ariel

Finlee

Bobbing for apples.

It was so great to see all of the kids playing games and having fun! I think it was a great way to bring in Fall. I managed to get a few good pictures so I hope you enjoy! Thanks to everyone who came!!

Xoxo,

Tanna