A Family Getaway

My family of 6 went up north for a few days, to a little town called Bailey's Harbor which is in Door County, a really lovely peninsula that's just about 40 minutes from our home and a place that offers all sorts of fun outdoorsy activities, shops, restaurants, and the water. It's tradition for us to visit in the fall when we think it's at its most beautiful. But we were offered a chance to visit a resort called The Rushes and boy, it was perfect for us and the boys. We met up there with my sister and her tribe on the first day and then stayed on with just the 6 of us for another night. The kids had an incredible time and I feel wonderfully relaxed now too. Here are some pictures!

 The view from our condo, just a teensy walk to a private beach which offered kayaks, sail boats, paddle boats, paddle boards and beach toys. 

 When the afternoons became too long and hot for the littler ones, they cozied up for a nap, either in their car seats outside being lulled to dream land by the swishing trees, or inside with soft pillows and blankets.

Both evenings were spent at a local pizza restaurant called Pizza Czar, the outside of which was transformed into something out of a child's wildest imaginations. It was spectacular! There were pedal cars and a huge maze of a course for them to explore. And colorful doors floating throughout the forest and cool artwork which on further inspection looked to be individual plaques painted by the restaurants patrons through the years. Giant chess sets and basketball hoops. Happy pink pigs and abandoned school buses. It was awesome. And while we sipped margaritas they played. Plus the pizza was delicious too. A must visit if you're nearby!

Scarlet and I stole a few pictures in the late afternoon glow. 

Mama Style

{shrug - Gap, dress - Target, necklace - J Crew Factory}

Grubby hair - pretty clothes. That's how I sometimes (have to) roll. 

The Butterfly is 2 Months

She stayed asleep when I put her down to take these pictures ... well, until little E layed down next to her. 

... sleeping ... big stretch ... where am I?

back it up bro

and a bit of the bro too

Scarlet loves to smile at her butterflies during a diaper change (those that fly up her wall). They've proved to be such a great little piece of art as they completely engross her. She seems to love diaper change time ... lots of smiles for whoever's on duty.

She enjoys a good chat too and has a particular fondness for Monty chats this week. And another huge one, she found her thumb! I've never had a child take a dummy or suck their thumb but she certainly might. It's unbelievably adorable so I can't mind it at all. Serious cuteness.

We love you Miss Scarlet. You've everything, EVERYTHING!

(PS: Here's a doll/Scarlet size comparison in her 1 month shoot and newborn shoot ;)

This Summer I'm ...

... wearing oodles of chambray and denim

 ... going to try this look at home, industrial chairs around my shabby farmhouse dining table

... planning to have a pretty backyard party!

... missing that time I used to have to just make things

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3 Birds and a Butterfly

{this a part of a series called the 52 project, a portrait of each of my children almost every week of the year in 2013}

The middle of July 

Parker - summer sun on your pale skin

Monty - picking flowers for me 

Elliot - spiderman is baaaack!

Scarlet - teary eyed princess

Mom and Babe {hit the pool}

Okay so maybe this sort of thing doesn't really happen all too often or in my case specifically, has not happened at all (as I've fully and completely avoided slipping into my swimsuit and am unsure if my "new" body will keep itself modestly contained in one). BUT if I was so brave, this is how I'd do it ... and I'd have a little babe on my hip to match!

{mom: suit - J Crew, hat - H&M

babe: suit and hat - Janie and Jack}

The bunny night light had to jump in too just cause she's so darling. Also, this is the first in a new series  of style posts called Mom and Babe. Hope you enjoy them!

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Our Summer So Far ...

Well it's about mid summer and, like much of the country, we're in the midst of a heat wave! It feels pretty spectacular though and we're loving this week's sweaty swagger, the same one that accompanies us to the pool for a dip, the boat for a spin, and Fine Arts camp for some fun with friends and Jesus juice (some really cool lessons on serving with a smile and obeying your parents - yes! - all shared in a way mommy could never pull off).

I've collected a few of my favorite iphone photos to share with you. They're summing up the first half of our summer quite nicely.

 Scarlet, Scarlet and more Scarlet. Brand new squishy baby in our arms. 

 Sunshine and sisters

Laid back, unrushed, sleep in, stay up late quality time with family. 

Jet setting to Nashville and not just once, twice!

Yes, that's our first pair of cowboy boots!

I really should have about 45 shots of ice cream in this post as I've surely eaten that much since summer's beginning. An ice cream collage! Why didn't I think of that?

What's the best memory you've made so far this summer?

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