FIRST SNOW

we woke the kiddos up to a winter wonderland a couple of weeks ago and it also happened to be gray's first time to play in the snow ever! we had gotten a little bit of snow a couple of years ago but he was still so little (and sick that day) that we decided to keep him warm indoors. the twenty minutes it took to get these two bundled up was totally worth the excitement and pure joy they felt and the pure joy i felt too as i watched the kiddos play with justin and snapped a few photos. gray absolutely loved the snow until his pants and gloves became wet from the mini snowball fight him and emery had against their daddy. i think gray's face says it all in these pictures! emery just wanted to stay outside forever and as soon as we went inside to warm up, all she wanted to do was go back outside. i think all the running and playing she did wore her out because she curled up in mommy and daddy's bed while waiting for hot cocoa and fell asleep. i've always loved the snow, but playing in the snow with my little family... well, that's the icing on the cake. hands down. 

2017 GOALS

it doesn't feel like it's time to be writing another goals list for a new year again! 2016, where did it go?! this year was pretty steady for us again this time around and I am so thankful. 2016,  like every year, was about growth and setting terrifying yet satisfying life goals. because that's how we roll.

anyhow, here are some of my goals for 2017:

1. GET BACK ON A FUNCTIONING SLEEP ROUTINE: i don't think i had a great night's sleep once this past year. two year olds. enough said.


2.READ MORE BOOKS- i love reading mom/wife/homemaking books and would love to take the time to read more often!


3. CONTINUE MAKING OUR HOUSE A HOME- my ideas and goal of furnishing our entire home in a single year was a bit lofty. good things take time.


4. BABY TIME- i know, i know. this was on my goals list for last year too... the timing just wasn't quite right for baby. justin and i decided to put baby #3 on hold in hopes of better health insurance options, so we shall see! i have my eye on everything baby related these days!! eek!


5. SEND SNAIL MAIL- In my meghan trainor voice "we're bringing snail mail baaaack!"... i've always thought it would be so neat to receive snail mail from close friends and family. why not send it too?! my Mother-in-Law sends emery and gray cards for birthdays and valentine's day sometimes, even though she lives in the same state as us, and i don't think i've ever told her that i secretly really love it when she does that! i plan on keeping those sweet cards forever. sending someone a handwritten letter just to let them know you're thinking of them is so special!


6. DIY OUR OWN SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, ETC.- with grayson and his hypersensitive skin, finding hypoallergenic/natural products that he and emery both can use is no easy feat. i would really enjoy making our own products i think knowing the kiddos aren't being lathered in toxic chemicals.- or if you have any recommendations of more natural products, they'd be greatly appreciated. 


7. CONTINUE LEARNING TO SEW- i've enjoyed learning the basics of sewing recently and even made a few pillowcases and duvet covers! i hope to make clothing for the kiddos at some point.

what are some of your resolutions for 2017? I'd love to hear them! Happy New Year, friends!                

STAYCATION 2016: NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

A few weeks ago Justin and I took the little ones to Northwest Arkansas for a weekend family trip. I'd been to Rogers when I was younger for Taekwon-do tournaments, but never explored the area outside of the convention center, so I was really excited to dig deeper and adventure with the family. We were impressed with how nice the area is and truly loved Northwest Arkansas - so much, that if we owned a store up there, we'd maybe (seriously) consider moving! It's truly a special place with a sense of busy-ness, but also of a tight-knit community. Everywhere we looked there were people out walking their pups, and beautiful manicured areas filled with flowers(mine and Em's favorite!). I think my favorite part of the trip was the Farmer's Market, Crystal Bridges, and Savoy Tea! The first night we explored The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, walked around downtown Bentonville, and then went to Cabela's just to mosey around looking at animals without spending much. win-win. Grayson somehow managed to eat an entire pack of gum so you can imagine how the rest of the night went for us! haha! Motherhood, I tell you! Let's just say I've learned to pack multiple changes of clothes not only for him, but for me as well! 
Anyhow, back to beautiful downtown Bentonville. I love old homes, old cars, old buildings, so I really was in heaven with all of the architecture and charm. Of course, Emery and I had to stop and admire the plants-the fiddle leaf fig trees and rubber trees in particular!! LOVE! (I can feel my family rolling their eyes at me through the computer screen right now!ha!) While downtown we parked at the 21c HOTEL/MUSEUM located about a block from Bentonville's Courthouse Square. The museum was super modern with curiosities scattered throughout. We stopped to have dinner at The Hive located in the museum but ended up leaving once we sat down with the kiddos. I'm sure it would have been totally fine for the kids, but we just felt really out of place. Grayson resembles something of a bull in a china shop if i'm being honest. We needed something more laid back. like a food truck. and we ended up eating at both of the food trucks located directly across the street from the 21c Museum on Sunday- but that's a different story we will get to in just a bit. 
On Saturday, we braved the Farmer's Market, Savoy Tea, The Amazeum, and then drove around scoping out all of the old, historic homes downtown. Have I mentioned how much i adore old homes? Needless to say, we fell asleep as soon our heads hit the pillows that night! Savoy Tea was Emery's favorite and I can't blame her one bit. She might be little, but the girl has style! While at Savoy Tea, Emery (and Grayson) were brought tea in delicate china tea cups and a tea pot for pouring. Seriously a dream. She loved it so much I may buy her a saucer and tea cup for Christmas from their online store. Grayson needed a little more guidance and instruction on how to properly pour tea from a teapot. Bull in a china shop.
On Sunday, we walked around Crystal Bridges (and accidentally stumbled upon the food trucks located near the 21c Museum in Downtown Bentonville like mentioned previously) before heading back home. Emery and I tried our first ever crepe while at the food trucks. Although not bad, it was different than I had imagined.This trip was relaxing yet invigorating and We are chomping at the bit to visit NWA again soon! 

Happy Thursday, friends! Hope you all have a great weekend! -xo Amanda