Just another photo dump post

Oh, hello there! So, I know I haven't been around here much. Here's the deal. So we made the decision as a family to eliminate processed foods with all the additives, preservatives, and so on and so forth. And it's been three weeks and it's been going well (and delicious)! The only downside is that I have been cooking everything, for every meal, three times a day... EVERYDAY! It's getting easier the more it becomes our new normal, but then there's still the planning and then the clean up! I feel like it's all I think about... which in turn fills up all of my blogging ideas.

Oh, and I'm studying for the National Counseling Exam (the test I have to pass to secure state licensure) and boy does it ever make me feel as if I learned nothing in grad school! It's keeping me humble. Hopefully the paperwork comes quickly so I can get registered and get the silly test over with! I'm done with tests!!!

Okay, so now for the reason I know most of you are here anyway-- kids pictures. Here's my latest Instagram photo dump from the past few weeks.

Belle applied her own mascara a few days ago. And when I got the camera out she was all melodramatic. These pics, taken just moments apart just crack me up.

We visited the local fall festival a few weekends ago and we enjoyed a funnel cake! (now, before you're asking how this is considered appropriate for our non-processed foods... well, two things 1. we get to have treats every now and then and 2. it was homemade and even if the ingredients are practically all sugar-- there weren't additives, chemicals, food coloring etc.)

Belle made a hedgehog at the library!

We went to the zoo last Monday-- it was officially the beginning of sweatshirt season!! 

This girl needs a Permit Driver sign on this cart! Thankfully the other patrons just thought she was cute. In other news, my Achilles tendons were practically bleeding when we left the store.

I found these two playing the other day... They was so cute!!!! I was told that this was their "little sister" named Amy. (This was all purely imagination. We have no pregnancy news to share.)

Belle cooks me breakfast almost daily. She the cutest little chef, isn't she?

I've been doing some yoga videos these days and Belle likes to join me! She is really good at doing what she sees on the tv! How cute is the toddler downward dog???

Another thing I just happened to find my kids doing... Jackson was reading Belle a "bedtime story". A long one, too. I'm either a great mom for letting them explore and develop a love of textbooks and learning-- or I'm a terrible mother for introducing them to the world of substance abuse at this incredibly young age. Time will tell, I suppose...

Today, Chacey (and her little sister!) came over to play for several hours! The kids were SO excited. Chacey giggled like a little school girl when she walked into Jackson's room. And as I was taking the picture, Jackson said "I love you, Chacey. I'm going to give you lots of kisses!" (no kisses were exchanged!). It's hard to believe that these guys have been playing together since they were newly one year olds!! 

That concludes the photos I've taken.... I could take pics of all the food I've been cooking but I've vowed to stay away from documenting every meal. You're welcome!! Happy Monday everyone!

Instagram photo dump

This is just a photo dump post of a ton {or 24} pictures from my phone that haven’t made it to my blog yet.

1. Belle feels the same way about doritos as her daddy!
2. Playing sherriff at grandma’s house—Jackson sure has that mean face down!
3. Chilling during break time at the pool.
4. Oklahoma Joe’s—the best BBQ in town!
5. I was so proud of my “initial pancakes”!! My mom used to make these for us!
6. A total bookworm. He’s reading me the story—almost word for word.
7. Storytime before bed.
8. Cuteness!! Love that smile.
9. Aunt Ashley and Iron making a cake
10. The finished cake balls—Jackson helped with the whole process
11. Never too early to start teaching the kids about laundry! {we made a trip to the laundry mat to wash our comforter}
12. Holding baby Yooli. He loves babies!
13. There’s a daddy underneath there somewhere!
14. Jackson got the Queen Frostine card while I was still just a few spaces from the start. Needless to say, he won the game.
15. Dried beans provided much entertainment for this gal!
16. Jackson gets to drink an entire “sod-EE-pop” when he hangs out with Papa Johne.
17. Squirt guns with Uncle Phil
18. Belle was giving Uncle Phil quite the stink eye!! {in her defense, I had just woken her up from nap}
19. Another rock concert with more free tickets from the radio station!
20. Messy hands for a special project!!
21. Girls night out gone bad. Car broke down. A bazillion degrees outside. Walked to Panera. Pushed car. Not a relaxing moment. :(
22. We’ve enjoyed the 50¢ cones at BK too much!!
23. Jackson performed in his first program at VBS…  and by performed, I mean he sat down and didn’t participate one bit.
24. Walking through the grocery store with Optimus Prime!

Never a dull moment with us!! :)