Well...we are still in the car...driving. It's around this time that as a family we start to dislike one another. We have been on the road for 8 hours and 40 minutes. We are trying a new way because our neighbors said it was faster than the way we have been driving. Well, they were wrong. We can typically makebthis drive in about 9 hours if we stop minimal times and drive fast...er...the speed limit. Right now it's looking like we will arrive around midnight.

In case you were wondering, I am posting via iPhone. So please disregard all grammatical errors. I am working with a small keyboard and an even smaller screen.

Let's see...what to post about so that you don't fall asleep...how about the recent musings of a certain 3-year old.

Some of the silly things he's said recently...

- Ever since our 4th of July trip to Pascagoula he's been obsessed with all things crab-related. We brought some abandoned (MOM Read - ABANDONED) crab "houses" home and they are now accessories in his new surfer room. Well, JD doesn't quite understand that it's pronounced craB. No, he calls them craps. You can imagine how hard it is to keep a straight face when he talks about them..."Mom, there's no more crap in this shell!" "Mom, this is for crapping! See, I made a crap-trap?!" "Mom, I like when I got to go crapping at Uncle Bobby's house!" "Mom, is there crap in there? (pointing to a bayou while driving)" Ahh yes...good times! Boy likes him some crap...err...crabs.

- Not funny but a precious story. JD loves his little sister. I mean, he is just crazy about her. The other day I was in the laundry room getting clothes out of the dryer (I fold them as I take them out so it usually takes a good few) when MacKenzie crawled in there. A few seconds later she fell after attempting to pull herself up on the laundry basket. Of course she started crying and JD came running. He was carrying on in the sweetest voice while rubbing her head, "Oh no, did my Kenzie girl hurt her head? It's okay baby girl. Your okay." And then he left. Well I thought that was too sweet but then he came back with a unopened CapriSun from the fridge and knelt down beside her and placed the cold pack on her face. It was precious and so thoughtful!! I love watching these two...they are crazy about one another.

- Yesterday he informed me that birds do not have weinkers. I am not sure how he knows this but he was pretty sure of it.

- Last weekend we had a friend's birthday party to attend and my brain wasn't working quite right and I got a little (a lot) turned around on the way to the party. We had been on the road for about 20 minutes and I had realized I was going the wrong way. I made a u-turn and about that time JD piped up from the backseat, "Eventually, we will get to Jake's party!" It was at that moment I saw his daddy in him. LOL.

Well, that's all I got for now. I am gonna sign off and maybe nod off for a bit.

A Quick Hello

I really need to get in bed, seeing how I have a million and one things to do tomorrow before we leave for Mississippi. Yes my blog friends, another road trip for The Van Fam. I am VERY happy to report that this trip will be a relaxing one because we have no agenda. Just soaking up every minute we get to spend with Nana, PawPaw, Uncle Chirs, Aunt Julie, Uncle Bubba, AUnt Tina, and Co. I can't wait. This is all JD has talked about since Monday. He has a serious thing for his Nana and PawPaw. It's funny because he knows they live in Mississippi but so does Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alice, which is where we went for the 4th. I know...it's all too confusing. So now he asks, "Are we going to the Nana and PawPaw Mississippi or the Mississippi with Uncle Bobby and the boat?" LOL!!

I also have a 9-monther on my hands. MacKenzie turned 9 months on Sunday. How is this so? How is it possible that in 3 months we will be celebrating a First Birthday. My heart aches knowing how fast time is flying. I want to hold these babies in my arms forever. I just love them both and can't stand the thought of them growing up.

We did the torteous Professional pictures today. Seriously...it was awful. I was so stressed out when we got done. I have never used so much bribing in my life. I was so desperate for a smile out of JD that I even resorted to, "If you don't smile we will not go to Nana and PawPaw's house!" He smiled. Thank goodness b/c I'd hate to have to follow through with that one. I don't have the pictures to show off right now b/c I don't have time to scan them to my computer, but y'all, it was worth the trouble. There are some that are absolutely precious! I will share as soon as we return home.

I will blog soon from the land of Mississippi!

NIGHT!

Summer Travel Giveaway

I am posting about a bloggy giveaway and you don't want to miss this one!!

Obviously...this bloggy giveaway would be perfect for me, seeing how we will be embarking on our 5th summer trip on Wednesday, 3rd with the kids in the car on a 5+ hour-long car ride! Fun stuff, really. So go check out this hilarious blog and comment for a chance to win!!!

GOOO!

My Little Mermaid

Randomly in our house we have photo sessions. It's what you do as a mom. I was going through clothes in MacKenzie's closet and making sure all of the clothes she could currently wear are in her armoire. The rest hang patiently in her cloest for their turn. She has a few. Well, I came across a custom outfit I had purchased from a friend. A group of girl's and I have a wonderful friend that enjoys (and can afford) buying custom-made clothes for her daughter. She's got a mild addiction. And we support her and her habit, especially because we also reap the benefits. Well, one of the precious ones I purchased from her many, many months back finally fits. I have been waiting for the right occasion - it's defintely a "party outfit". And I am so excited because we have the perfect party to wear it too next month. A sweet friend's little one is turning 1 - not only is it special because of that but it's my first birthday to plan!! It's the first actual event for A Mudcake Soirée.

So, excited I am indeed. It's beach-ball themed and Kenz has the perfect getup! So...back to the picture party we had today...a few of my sweet model.

I realize some of you think we are a bit over the top (Nana) and I must add, you haven't seen anything yet! =)





Some might say she appears embarrassed...I know that she's really trying to eat her hand.




I love how she's looking over her shoulder...




Seriously...I'm in love.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. We get to celebrate two birthday's tomorrow - Jake Wood's 4th birthday and Lezlie Johnson's 5th birthday! Don't worry...MacKenzie has cute outfits for that as well!!! Sunday we are heading to the lake. We haven't take the boat out in almost 2 months and we are just dying to get out on the water!!!

Pure Sweetness....

I have to share some MacKenzie cuteness...seriously! I was trying to video her snorting because that's what she does, she snorts. Instead I got this...oh, but do ignore the extremely annyoing talking, huffing, whistling, and awful laugh at the end. I have no idea who that is...



How precious is that? That's her newest trick and she waves bye-bye to everything. I had her in my lap after I uploaded this video and she even thought she was cute. And she waved bye-bye to herself waving bye-bye.

Other MacKenzie news...still no teeth. Which is fine because my hooters are quite happy not being nibbled (the first time I typed this and went back to re-read I defintely typed nippled on - LOL) on. Jimmy is worried that when MacKenzie finally does have teeth we won't be able to afford her. Well not her and myself. She eats all day. All day that she's awake. Seriously...her faves right now are corn on the cob, fresh steamed peas and carrots and graham crackers. Y'all think I am kidding.

She can also climb the stairs. I swear I am not making this stuff up. My hands are full. I always thought JD was going to be my wild one, afterall, he's the boy and, well, very wild. He has no fear. Or so I thought...WRONG! MacKenzie is my wild child. She climbs the stairs...



She can climb straight out of her bumbo seat with no problem.

And...brace yourself...she has climbed out of her crib already. Yes, at 8 months my daughter has mastered climbing (falling) out of her crib. She was and is still okay - Praise You Jesus - but it was a bit scary. I wish I could say that the crib was on the high setting but I'd be lying. When standing in her crib the top rail hits chest level - see previous posts for proof. I don't know how she did it, but she did. She now has nothing in her crib - no bumper at all b/c I am scared she'll figure out how to stack things up to get out. I wouldn't put it past her. So now she either wakes up with her face smashed against the wood or gets her thighs stuck in between the bars. She's a mess!!!

Besides being my little adventurists, she's a pure joy. She is the sweetest thing these days and I can not begin to tell you how much I love that sweet thing. Never in a million years did I think I could come close to loving another child like I love JD, but I was wrong. I love her just as much and in such a different way. It's amazing how God created a woman's heart to be able to love all her children equally and yet so differently. What a blessed species we are!!

And on to my little man...he's getting so big!!! I mean, he's still skin and bones. Tan skin and bones, but he's getting so much taller. He's put on 2lbs since March and grown 1-1/2 inches since then!

He literally never stops talking and feels the need to repeat the same sentence six times until you acknowledge that "Yes, your shirt is red and no, we do not throw our balls into the fan." He's a pure mess.

He's also a sick mess right now. He has strep throat - poor baby. I took him to the doctor yesterday morning b/c of a fever. He ran a week long fever in December and another week long one in April. I called in yesterday morning and they wanted me to bring him in for some blood work since I thought we were starting the fever thing again. They did a strep test first and POSITIVE! I felt so silly for not seeing the blisters on his throat before. He's not acted sick at all except when the fever spiked so how was I to know?! Anyways...we are on amoxycillian and resting!!

More exciting news...my dear sister is at her freshman orientation as we speak. I am so excited for her. She's actually at the Huntsville State Park with my mom and Tim. They just purchased a GORGEOUS 5th-wheel camper last week and they are breaking that bad boy in! Shan leaves tomorrow morning for a full day on campus and has to stay the night in the dorms tomorrow. She's a teeny tiny bit nervous to say the least!! Praying for her wouldn't be absurd!

So that about sums up the last few days. I will leave you with a few cute pictures...

The all-to-often nose scrunch...


JD doing a little rock climbing....


I like big bows and I cannot lie, you other sisters can't deny...




There's a good chance she'll break a few hearts....

Girl Done Gone Ghetto

The eagle has landed. That's my new phrase of choice. But maybe it should be the goose has landed, as in Mother Goose, as in I am back home.

Sunday evening I returned home to a mostly-clean (mad props to dad) house!! I spent 3 glorious days in Hot Sprins, AK with my some of my favorite ladies - my Nana, my mom, and my sister. Y'all, it was a serious good time, seriously. We spent endless hours laughing and being silly. At one point we were laughing so hard that I seriously thought I was going to have to recessitate my mom!

My sister is ghetto-fabulous. Seriously...she's as white as the come. A beautiful blue-eyed, freckle-faced, sweet thang, but the girl's got some ghetto in her. She can seriously talk in the best ghetton-fab voice you've ever heard. So at any given moment this weekend you'd find yourself talking to Shaquita! I love her, seriously. My Nana on the other hand is not very ghetto. No, she's more of a southern-belle, minus the big hat. She's country, so a lot of times she didn't know what Shaquita was even saying. It didn't matter. Actually, by the end of the trip we had Nana singing "Dance, too much booty in the pants!" Seriously. Does your Nana do that?! That me and my sister's theme song. It's usually followed by some awesome, booty bumping move. Really, it's great. You can't make this stuff up.

Our trip was made even more exciting by the fact that we got to ride in my new ride. I got a new black Ford Expedition last week, whoo-hoo, and it was just perfect for our girl's trip!

I wish I had pictures to share but I forgot my camera. Luckily my mom and sis brought theirs, check out my mom's blog (hopefully up soon) for some photos!!

FINALLY...our 4th of July Recap

As usual, life has been at warp speed the last week. All this unpacking and packing can sure keep a mama busy!!

I am including mostly pictures below! There are the pictures of our wonderful 4th along with some updates on our kids. Kenzie girl is blowing our minds daily!!

Before leaving for Pascagoula, MS...

Daddy and the kids on the slip-n-slide!






Our smiley girl...she's such a joy!








JD playing on the dock...


My Sweet Girl in her wagon


SHE LOVES TO EAT!!! IT NEVER ENDS!!!


Aunt Alice and JD on the jet skis


Kenzie in her wagon


Can you imagine waking up to this view every morning?


I could do some serious quiet time!


The back of Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alice's house


My 4th of July Babies!












Kenzi asleep on the boat


Kenzie chilling on the beach


Eating her chicken bones!!

JD and the fish...ewww!




So...as you can see, we had a wonderful time. Uncle Bobby and Aunt Alice have a beautiful house and we enjoyed every minute of it. I didn't want to come home and back to my cooking. We had fresh fish and fresh crab almost every meal! It was sooo good!!!

I will update more tomorrow on the kiddos but I must get in bed!!

Later!

Taa Daaa!!

Seriously...how cute is my new blog??!! I am in love with it!!! Thank you Jennifer, you did an amazing job! It's sooo fun and perfectly describes my life right now!! I couldn't be more blessed by my toad playing and tutu wearing kiddos! Thanks again!

We are off to the pool for some sun and swim!

Creative Outlet

I am well aware that this will be my third post in less than 24 hours. Just pat me on the bag and call me an over achiever. I am waiting up for Jimmy. He had to bowl tonight to make up from missing last week and I am starting to think he went by the bar on the way home and is now currently at Jack in the Box. I have been car-searching because I think it may be that time.

Anyways...I have to share a passion of mine and something I'd desperately like to pursue professionally, on-the-side. And by on-the-side, I mean while I am not fully emerged in stay-at-home-momness. Actually it's two things and both revolve around children. Gasp - I know. You'd think I'd like the little things.

1st - Party Planning! I have shared this with several people in the past but y'all, I love to plan children's birthday parties. Seriously. It's so bad that I have MacKenzie's first birthday pretty much planned and it's 3+ months away. I also have her second, fourth, and 6th or 7th! JD's birthday is also somewhat planned out for next year and also already working on 2 different parties some time between ages 7 & 9. How crazy is that?!

I just love planning unique parties that are just as much fun for the kiddos as the parents. I am not a Disney theme kind-of-gal. At all. I've spoken about this before. I'm all for a "Bob the Builder" or a "Thomas the Train" party, minus the Bob and the Thomas. Anyways...I'd so love to go into the business of planning children's birthday parties. I'd seriously love it. It's something I think about constantly. I do feel like I have some great resources: cakes - check! invitations - check! goody bag supplies - check! I have sat down at my computer several different times to create a blog in regards to party planning and then come up short. I have no idea how to even get started in something like this. I just know I love it!!

2nd - decorating kids rooms! Again, another passion of mine. I absolutely love redoing my kids rooms. This all started with MacKenzie's room that is suited for a princess. I had such a good time putting it together and still walk in their smiling because of how much fun I had while doing it. It's the epitome of shabby chic and one she can really grow with!

I am almost done with JD's room! I *love* it and so does he! It's quite possible that it will be my favorite when I get done, but that's only because it's so boyish without being too much! It's all surf-themed and bright and fun. It really has come together better than I ever imagined! I am just waiting on a few more decals and a shelf. This weekend Jimmy and I are going to Home Depot to figure out how to bring our curtain idea to life. It's going to be a "tiki hut" but we are still in search of the right materials. I will post pictures when I am finished!

Oh, and one other thing about the kid's room. I am pretty dang thrifty as well. I don't like matchy-matchy, but I of course want it to all flow together. I have used etsy to my best ability and had so many custom made things for such great prices!!

So...this is where I am right now. So desperately wanting to follow one of my passions and not sure hot to get off the ground! Any advice? Hopefully only time will tell...

Presenting...Iggy the Iguana

I am marking this as a Fave but it has way more importance than that. True, it will soon be a "favorite" among 9 year olds every where, but not only is it a fave, but she's one of my faves!!

A great friend of mine from high school is in the works of having her first children's chapter book published - Iggy the Iguana. It's due out late August. Melissa is an amazing person and friend and such an inspiration!! I am so excited for her and can not wait to see what the future holds.

So, please, please, please visit the new Iggy website at http://www.iggytheiguana.com/ and get to know all the wonderful characters!!!

And if you have or know any 3rd - 5th graders, pick the book up for them!! They will love it and I will love you for supporting my dear friend! Also, please forward this information on to any teacher friends or librarians that would be interested in her book tour!!

Visit the website below for more details or email Melissa (also below) for more information regarding the book tour and pre-orders!!! The book is only $9.99 ($10.81 after tax)!!

http://www.iggytheiguana.com/
melissa@longtalepublishing.com

Oh, and check back in a week or so because I am going to also host a Iggy the Iguana giveaway as well!! You don't want to miss out!!!

And the winner is....

SO it took me an extra day or 2 to get this posted, but with all of the out of town traveling it's hard to get some things accomplished. I am home for a week and a day until I leave again. I know...it's crazy, but I wouldn't know life any other way! At least not in the summer...



I used the Random Name Picker to pick the winner. And the winner is....

Meghan over at Simple Chaos! Congrats!!

Meghan, I will send you an email letting you know you won and all that good stuff!!

Even if you aren't a winner...check our this wonderful etsy store at Kristin's Cosmetics. I know you'll find some great stuff! Just last night I soaked in some Mayan Gold bath fizz! It was divine!!!

And check back soon for some pictures from our vacation....

Another Travel...

Blogging from the wonderful state of Mississippi! We are in Pascagoula visiting Jimmy's Aunt and uncle for the 4th! We are having a blast already!

We got in late, very late, last night. We were happy to get out of the house early and we well on our way out of town by 1:00. We were cruising with no problems until Vidor. The lovely town of Vidor I might add. It was there that a 12-15 car pile up kept us in the same spot for 3-1/2 hours. It was a lot of fun. Did I mention we add a certain 3 year old and a certain 8 month old with us? We did. It was fun. Actually, I have to brag on the both of them because they were so good for being trapped in a truck!

Anyways, we finally got here last night around 12:30. It was soo good to see everyone; Aunt Alice, Uncle Bobby, Andrew, Sammy, and Susan.

We've had a pretty relaxed day and enjoyed every minute of it. Bobby and Alice live on the water so we've spent a lot of time outside. JD swam all day!! I have to run but will end with this cute photo...