Wedding weekend..Rehearsal..

A few weekends back we headed to St. Joseph, MO for Lateaf's cousin Grant's wedding weekend.  Harper was the flower girl so we were in full wedding mode starting Friday evening.  It was a lovely rehearsal dinner and after party.  I am choosing not to share the after party pictures:) except the last picture where Liv found her comfy spot in the bed at the hotel.  (I am sparing those involved with whom I photographed after hours...only fair:)  Teaf headed to bed with the girls and I hung with his family until 2 am in the front of the hotel.  I really can't believe the hotel people allowed us all to congregate in the front and party that late.  So glad they did, because it was so fun getting to know his family better and spend carefree "time away from reality."   Aunt Jeanine and Uncle Randy have always been close to Lateaf and it's always a blast being around their energy....

Mumford & Sons....

What a show!!!  Pinewood Bowl in Lincoln opened this year for outdoor shows. I was lucky enough to go with the girls (minus Aimes) and a few of the husbands. (Jay & David)  My amazing husband opted out of the show and watched the girls.  They rocked out...we danced and swayed while they played with their powerful soul and passion.  I love these guys for their unique ability to overwhelm my heart and send chills throughout my being.  I am also a big fan of outdoor shows.  It does something to my core to listen to music outdoors.   

Lake weekend with no water...

August 15th weekend we spent the weekend at the lake.  This was the first weekend we had been back since July 4th and since that time Nebraska has been in a drought. It was ever so apparent starting from the drive when witnessing the corn fields and their lack of nourshiment to the dried up lake that just a month before was full of water.  Sherman County Reservior is an irrigation lake, meaning the farmers pull from the water in the summer.  This year was crazy in that you couldn't use any of the boat ramps to get a boat on the water since the farmers had to use the water in attempts to save their crops.  Usually by the end of August the water level in our cove is low but you can use the public ramps.  This year not only was the cove empty but the entire lake is nearly dry.  It is a crazy site to see thats for sure.  This particular weekend Teaf had a buddy and his wife visit. 
(Ben & Julia).  We explored the lake and ahh'ed over the dried up lake.  Teaf had Ben gardening;) and we played with the girls.  We celebrated my dad's birthday and my parent's 35th anniversary.  We had smores and the traditional birthday cookie.  It was a good weekend despite the lack of water fun. 

Sisters

2 & 3 year old sisters.  There are 3 months every year where when someone asks me how old my daughters are it will seem like they are only one year apart.  (even though they are closer to 2 years apart)  It is crazy to say aloud and even more crazy to parent these two little girlies.  Everyday is full of ups and downs, beauty and exhaustion, sweet moments and not so sweet ones;), an emotional roller coaster.  Everyday I strive to do better than the day before.  I am a firm believer that they will be a product of their environment so I try everyday to make that environment better.  Some days I progress and others I regress.  Either way, I am a work in progress thats for sure.  What I do know is that I love looking back on pictures and seeing my girls from a different angle and reminicing about the days that have passed.  They have a pretty neat relationship at this stage in the game.  Liv wants to do everything that Harper is doing and picks up on both the good and the bad;)  Harper does a pretty amazing job at being her big sister.  She has to be the bigger person a lot of the time and teach her sister the ways of the little people world.   Tonight I started teaching Harper that she is a "role model" to her sister. "When you do a spitting behavior, you sister does it too."  NOT COOL!!!  Liv does her own thing a lot which is pretty amazing to see.  She is definately her own being.. with her own agenda!  I absolutely love that they have each other and cherish the moments they get along:) 

Mickey Mouse Birthday

Uncle Randy & Aunt Jeanine

sisters:)

 

Leading up the days to Liv's birthday I was quizing her on what kind of themed party she would like.  Each time I asked I gave her a few choices and everytime it was Mickey.  She doesn't watch the show that much and had just a few small Mickey items but this kid LOVES her some Mickey.  There is an old VHS tape at the lake, a sing-a-long Disney tape, and this is where her obsession started.  So we did it.  We had a Mickey cake, balloon, party hats, and plates. She was so into her birthday this year and loved to be sang to.  On her actual birthday we sang to her multiple times upon her request.  She loved opening her presents and seeing all her new toys.  Harper was really into Liv's birthday this year and was so sweet guiding her on what to do.  Impressive enough, she wasn't pushy about it and didn't rush into opening her gifts for her or blowing out her candles.  She would get excited about each gift with Livia and say "look Liv" as she showed her each item.  It was very sweet to watch! 

On her actual birthday we had dinner and cupcakes at the g-rent Dorsey household.  Aunt Shay & Uncle Jay and Aunt Kate & Uncle David came to celebrate.   Aunt Amy made it over just in time to tuck the girls in for bed.  It was very low key but very special.  The Monday after her birthday we had a family party over at Cindy & Franks.  Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Randy, Grandma Shirly (Frank's mom), Grandma Donita, and the Dorseys came to party.  I cannot believe our littlest peanut is 2.  My how the years pass by.  I would say her birthday weekend was a hit!!!  You just can't beat spending time with our family!  Love it!