LIFE IN IPHONE PHOTOS

1) cute soapery we found downtown and love. I bought the most divine smelling aluminum-free deodorant and coconut lip balm. no turning back! I gave justin the business card so he could refer back to it at christmas ;) 

2) emery posing as a bunny in a drive through at a local mexican restaurant. I'm THAT mom. we love tacos and photos. 

3) mimi and emery trying out snapchat and enjoying it.

4) grayson pre-haircut. he looks so much older now and it tugs at this momma's heart. 

5) grayson eating his mid-morning snack with "london the dog" at the "art area" where emery likes to show off her schoolwork for daddy.

6) exploring the hot springs downtown where grayson likes to trespass and venture off on his own with momma trailing (running) after.

7) celebrating sophie's second birthday at the park.

8) a snapshot taken on memorial day of a bathhouse rich in history and marble. 

9) just another frequent nursery visit

10) staying home and playing indoors on days it's way too hot to go anywhere. 

Our week has included muggy naps, schoolwork, reading alice in wonderland at bedtime until emery drifts off to sleep,  bedtime kisses through the crib slats, dance parties, as much watermelon as we can handle, watching emma the goat graze in our backyard, letting the kiddos stay up way too late, the smells of freshly laundered bed linens as they hang to dry, little pruned hands and feet from long bubble baths, movie nights, thrifting for treasures, scattering cut flowers from our beds around the house, "camping" in the teepee, racing diecast cars, and spaghetti dinners. The little things truly are the big things for us. I'm not usually a summer person, but I'd be okay with it staying awhile. :) I hope you all are having a lovely week! Happy Thursday! 

SALVATION MOUNTAIN

In 2014 Justin and I went on vacation to Phoenix sans kiddos and it was probably my absolute favorite vacation. Not because we went without the kiddos-even though it was nice to have a break and spend some one on one time with the hubster- but because we got to see and check a few places off our list. One of those being Salvation Mountain. Our drive from Arkansas to Phoenix took about 18 hours, and I just knew Justin wouldn't be willing to drive another ten hours (round trip) to So. Cal to visit Salvation Mountain. I was shocked when he so kindly agreed. I remember driving on really windy roads that had no shoulder and were spotted with patches of sand and tall mountains on each side. it was like driving through a sandy maze of rock formation. It was interesting and I loved it. Even if you're not a believer, i still think this place truly is a piece of art. Its beautiful. its creative. and it's very very hot! haha! I think we stayed a total of thirty minutes. once we had taken all the pictures our hearts desired, we packed up, all hot and sweaty to head back to phoenix. we actually ended up getting a little backwards and ended up at the U.S.-Mexican border checkpoint. In that moment I was thankful for blonde hair, alabaster skin and a southern accent!! ha! I knew my inability to tan would come in handy eventually and it didn't disappoint! anyhow, if you've never heard of Salvation Mountain, you can read about it here.

Thinking of our trip to phoenix and salvation mountain has me wondering where we'll go on vacation this year. I've got a few places in mind, but will be completely happy with whatever we decide to do! do you have any suggestions of great vacation spots that aren't the typical tourist scene? Do you have any vacation plans for the summer? Happy Tuesday, friends!!

                                                                                                         Amanda

EMERY TURNS FOUR & A FOREST FAIRY PARTY

We celebrated Emery turning four a few weeks ago, and I sometimes find myself still calling her a three year old. I wonder if it's due to me wishing she still was that age because another year closer to turning the big five seems too surreal. With another birthday comes new phases, and new challenges, but also new adventures, and new experiences. As a mom, I feel like the seasons of motherhood change rather quickly and rather swiftly without me even realizing it in the moment. Then, bam it hits me all at once and I'm aware of the change taking place and I'm constantly learning how  to embrace it with open arms as nothing ever stays the same for our family. Not even the ages of our once babies.

For Emery's party we threw a "forest fairy party" using a neutral color pallet of white, gold, and natural elements like greenery, twig pencils, and floral crowns. I used mainly things we already had on hand, with a few new items thrown in the mix. I set everything up the day before the party with the exception of the greenery. since I knew it'd all wilt quickly, I saved gathering it all up until right before the party started. The kiddos and I foraged vines and branches from around our yard that we then tied twine around  and hung up on the walls using gold thumb tacks.  Watching Em's face light up as she spotted the perfect vine really was the sweetest, and I couldn't help but smile a little too. Letting Emery have a say in even the smallest details really added a touch of magic I think.

Celebrating Emery with our family and friends is always a gem, and I treasure the vibrant sounds of chatter and belly laughs that filled the whole house that day.

Cheers to a year of teaching Emery how to write her letters, impromptu dance parties, pizza nights, ice cream dates, playing with dinosaurs in the dirt, clipping roses from our flower beds, reading alice in wonderland at bedtime, jamming out to anything and everything on the radio, and giving the beloved puffalump her "baths" when she starts smelling loved.

I have a feeling this year is going to be pure bliss. I just know it, and I plan on soaking every second of it up, filing it under the "I never want to forget this" tab.

Items Already Had
Swan Vase/Planter // thrifted

Small Latte Bowl // Anthropologie

Little Fawn Figurine // Hobby Lobby

Bubbles // Leftover from our wedding

Cake Stand // H&M Home

Burlap Table Runner // Hobby Lobby

Jute Rug // Tuesday Morning

White Wire Basket (used for holding unwrapped gifts) // Target

Buffet Cart // IKEA

Modern Child's Chair // Hobby Lobby

Large Square Planter // CB2


Items Bought:
Twig Pencils (party favors) // Amazon

Fairy Wings (party favors) // Amazon

Wooden Cutlery // Amazon

Plant Based Plates // Amazon

Floral Gift Wrap // TJ Maxx

Floral Crowns // DIY


Emery's Wearing:
Fairy Wings // Pottery Barn Kids

Lace Dress // Thrifted

Sandals // Saltwater Sandals