Celebrate: Corban turns 4!

Little man turned 4 this past week and we had a great time celebrating his life.  Corban is such a sweet boy and we are thankful for him.  His favorite things right now are Fireman Sam and Jake and the Neverland Pirates.  He's still on the tall side for his age (84%) but he's probably not going to be quite as tall as his daddy (momma messed that up!).  We went with a camping theme this year in order to enjoy the fall weather and lots of chocolate.  As usual, I got distracted socializing with other moms and didn't take near enough photos.  For food we did hotdogs (pre-grilled or cook-your-own), baked beans, kettle corn, wild berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries & pomegranate perils), wild veggies (veggie straws), kindling (pretzel sticks) and of course smores and cupcakes.  Thanks to all who could celebrate with us!

 These were the invites.  I just printed on a natural colored cardstock and stuck in an envelope.  Super easy.

 Ok, I've made some pretty ghetto cakes/cupcakes before so I'm gonna toot my own horn for these.  I didn't even steal them from Pinterest!  The log is a Pirouette cookie broken (they were out of the chocolate ones) and the flame is red, yellow and orange Starbursts.  Melt in microwave for 10-15 secs, mash together, roll with rolling pin and cut in desired shape.  Just so I don't get too proud - let's look back at some of my past cake flops:  Dakota's Melted 2nd Bday Cupcakes, Corban's 1st Bday Frankenstein, Corban's 3rd Bday Pumpkin and Dakota's Melted 5th Bday Cupcakes.  

 Jacob made a perfect little set up for the kids to enjoy the fire.

This was the first year we did presents for Corban's party and he got some fun toys.  All of which he has enjoyed a lot since receiving.  We will probably establish an every other year schedule for the kids' bdays.  I love throwing parties but I don't want parents to feel overwhelmed by yet another gift to buy plus I like teaching them about giving to other needs as well.

Sage - 6 Months Old

6 Months Old

Milestones

Sitting Up

Scooting Backwards

First Tooth (5.5months)

Likes:  spinach, squash, peas, sweet potato, applesauce

Dislikes:  lima beans

26.5" long (77%)

16lbs 12.5oz (66%)

Fall Break - Hilton Head Island

Dakota's Fall Break conveniently coincided with a business trip for Jacob so we decided to hit the road rather than stay home by ourselves.  Since Grammy and Poppy had just bought a beach house in Hilton Head, we wanted to see it before all of the renovations are done and they start renting it out.  It was a long drive down there with the 3 kiddos but they all did great.  Next time should be better since Smiley won't have to stop and eat so many times.  We only spent 2 days on the beach but really enjoyed our other adventures like a nature preserve hike, running the bike paths, visiting animals at Lawton Stables, climbing to the top of the Harbour Town Lighthouse, playing pirate putt-putt, and learning all about the brave dog, Jake at Salty Dog Cafe.  Thanks Grammy and Poppy for hosting us, we had so much fun.  I hope you had enough energy to paint after we left!

View of Braddock Cove from their back porch (which was under construction).

Our first day's walk on the beach showed us jellyfish, horseshoe crabs, sand dollars, dolphins, a skate and lots of fishies and birds.

Stopping for a break to visit the Indian shell ring on our nature preserve.  I'm not going to lie, I was a little unimpressed with said shell ring.

Finally saw a gator at the end of our nature hike.  We are actually across a little creek from him.  Don't you love a good zoom?

Lawton Stables has a petting farm that the kids really enjoyed.  When they get older, they can go on horse rides.

This is how you enjoy a meal when you don't have furniture yet.  We call it fine dining! :)

Corban said, "Get a picture of me throwing my water in the air."

Check out her little tooth that popped through while we were there!

Bday celebration #1

Progress on the porch!  It's going to look so good with the Ipe (eee-pay) decking and cable railing.

Bday celebration #2! On the way back to Memphis, I went through Greenville for a night to visit dear friends and have a play date/bday party with the cousins. Thanks Gigi & Papa for the cupcakes and pizza and fun!  Stay tuned for bday celebration #3!!

Creeping Along VA

Every time we travel to southwest Virginia we find ourselves falling more in love with the state.  We've been to some pretty awesome places in the USA but there is just something about a quaint Appalachian town with blue-ridged mountains that gets our heart a flutter.  This past weekend we took our family of 5 to Damascus to meet up with Jacob's family for our 2nd annual trip with them.  Our last trip with the whole gang was in April 2012 (I never blogged about it).  We had such an amazing time we decided it would become an annual tradition but in order to avoid sniffling and sneezing for the pollen afflicted, we made it a fall trip this year - and the weather was PERFECT.  Jacob and I took Dakota to this area in 2007 and 2008 and then in 2011 we took the puppies and Corban.  Damascus, Virginia is a tourist town with the Appalachian Trail walking through it's main street but it's most popular attraction is probably the Virginia Creeper Trail, a former railroad turned bike path that any level of skill can enjoy.  We get a shuttle to the top and then bike the 17 miles into town but since Sage was a little small this year to be in a bike trailer and I am training for a marathon, I decided to run into town while the rest of the family rode along.  This year Dakota also rode her own bike rather than a tag-along.  I was so proud of her.  She got pretty tired and swapped with Oliver some and hitched a ride in the stroller for the last 2 miles but I was still impressed with the miles she put behind her as a 6 year old.  We are already looking forward to next years trip and the rest of the excitement that fall has to offer!

Gigi's Girls

Green Cove is about 3 miles from the beginning.  Still smiling.

Georgia is in love with baby Sage.  She wanted to hold her and love on her the whole trip.  They are going to be such good buddies when they get a little older since they are only a year apart.

We visited the Grayson Highlands Fall Festival and let me tell you, this was the place to be!  It was packed with artisans, yummy food, bluegrass music and a few hillbillies.

Making molasses.