Strawberry Pickin'



On Thursday we went to Braehead Farms with my mom for some end of the season strawberry pickin'.

 

It ended up being the perfect day for it-- overcast and not too hot.

 

 

Testing out the goods.

 

 

Afterwards, Grammy treated us to lunch at Cracker Barrel. Yuuuum.

 

 

Intense game of checkers.

 

XO,

 

Laura

 

 

Birthday Shenanigans

Remember last week how I went on and on about how much I love my own birthday and basically consider it a national holiday, blah blah blah? Funny thing happened the day before. I woke up feeling like death. And it only got progressively worse throughout the day (crazy sore throat, chills, sweat, no energy). I spent the day in bed and the kids spent the day watching 8 million movies on Netflix & eating oreos. I was hoping it was just a 24 hour thing but alas it only got worse the next day (yup, my bday). My dear sweet mama called to see if we were still on for strawberry picking and lunch and when I told her I was feeling worse she offered to take the kids (all 3 of them) for the entire day. God bless her.

I can't remember the last time I spent an entire day by myself. Aside from the whole sick thing (it ended up being strep), it wasn't a bad way to spend a day, vegged out on the couch watching an entire season of FRIENDS. ;) Thanks again mom for watching the kiddos!!

Friday night, we went out for hibachi with a group of friends for my birthday. So.much.fun. We enjoyed some amazing food and then came back to our casa for cake and games. I didn't get too many pictures and then ones I did came out kind of blurry. Boo.

 

Happy Birthday is the most awkward song ever. The End.

 

XO,

 

Laura

 

 

 

 

 

Day Trip to Shenandoah

Birthday shenanigans got an early start yesterday when my good friend Em surprised me with a fun day hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains. I've been wanting to go fooorever and it just hasn't worked out yet. She knew this, so she planned with Ryan to take me after church and he graciously stayed back with the kiddos
(one of those being a teething baby. Thanks babe!).

 

 I don't know what it is about mountains but just being surrounded by them makes me feel closer to God. Seeing His amazing work displayed on such a majestic scale is breathtaking. Creation really does proclaim his name.

Psalm 19:1- "The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

 

 

When we got to the top, a storm was rolling in across the valley. As a lover of storms it was so cool to watch it all happen from a mountain top. (Random fact: One of my dream jobs is to be a storm chaser. Yes, I'm serious. Maybe after the kids are graduated and out of the house? I could be the world's oldest storm chaser...)

 

Pictures really don't do these views justice.

 

 

 

Other than some chipmunks, a bunny and a little snake (which came with a mini heart from yours truly), this was the only bear we saw ;) Such a happy fella.

 

 

Thanks for an awesome day, Em!! :)



Hello, June

I love June. It's the start of summer, the pool opens up and it's my birthday month. If you know me then you most likely know I love holidays (yes, birthdays are holidays) and any excuse to make themed food and decorate, gets me all giddy inside. I'll admit it-  I am one of those narcissistic birthday people who forces everyone to celebrate me for as long as I can milk it. The enthusiasm usually dies out around day 3 for most people (read: my family), but I can usually get another day or so out of them with bribes of cupcakes for breakfast. I promise I'll only dedicate one post to b-day shenanigans so I don't lose friends over my obnoxious love of my own birthday.

Lurve this tassel cake topper from Anthro.

 

What are some birthday traditions in your family? I usually decorate the night before (streamer their bedroom door, balloons all over their room, decorate their chair at the kitchen table), funfetti pancakes for breakfast, fun activity of their choice and then cake and presents at night.

 

confetti balloons

truth

 

All for now! Have a great weekend!

 

 

XO,

Laura