All The Haps . . .

Hey friends! Well it's been life as usual at our house, a whirlwind, as we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall. After spending a lot of August on the road we welcomed September with a smorgasbord of doctor's appointments, play dates, Gymboree, and (drum roll please) Jackson's first day of Co-op Preschool!!

Having been just Jack & I for so long I was a little nervous about how he'd react to the insanity of school, in all honestly we've had a number of play dates where he's looked scared for his life. Really. But from the moment I set him down he was off and didn't want a thing to do with mommy for the next two hours. I don't know if something was in the air, we had beginner's luck, or it was the magic of the class room, but whatever it was, I couldn't ask for more!

Here's the little academician after class . . . hmmmm, someone looks mighty tired!

Our last trip of the summer was our annual trek to Winthrop but this time due to multiple babies (thank you babies) we decided to not camp and stay at the River Run Inn where Brad and I were married. I have to say after this trip I'm a big believer that camping with little babies is highly overrated, hotels equals ease people, not to mention no sleeping bags!

It was a one of the best Winthrop trips we've had in a number of years, the perfect balance of relaxation, family chaos, and a good dose of Methow Valley beauty. Being our first stay at the River Run since our wedding I was wondering if now, with all my wedding knowledge and old age wisdom :), I would still see it as the ideal wedding site. Short answer, yes!! The property has grown even more beautiful and inspired me many times over for the Sliger vow renewal to come (one day!!). Ahhh, the ideas are endless!! Here are some of my favorite pics from the weekend.

 The last thing on the summer agenda was a baby shower (or sprinkle if you prefer) for my dear friend Molly. She's about to become a mommy for the second time and being me, I couldn't let the occasion past without a little celebration! Seeing that she's already had a traditional baby shower (for baby girl #1 Ella) I figured she was done with the huge extravaganza complete with belly measuring and baby food tasting, so for this event I wanted to focus more on the mama. What does every mom or pregnant woman (make that any woman actually) need more than an intimate day with her gals pals, complete with good food & a little pampering?? Nothing!! Personally, now that my 'free as a bird' status has greatly diminished, I live for days like these.

So for Molly I planned a ladies luncheon followed by pedicures, all done at home. Hoping that summer would shine down on us for one last day (it didn't) the menu celebrated the flavors of the end of summer and the lunch was set up outdoors, with garden-party inspired decor, heavy on the whimsy. After lunch we moved inside, to the Sliger Spa, where the fantastic ladies of Sense Salon where waiting to treat us all to pedicures while we munched on bite-sized desserts.

I am so excited to be able to be a part of Molly's journey of motherhood, believe me she's one of my most sought after mama's in the know, and can't wait to help her family welcome their second baby girl! I hope she felt like the deserving gal she is that day! Life is a crazy ride, for me being a mom reaffirms that daily, but to me one of the things that makes life so great is the people you share it with and the joy that comes with sharing your gifts with each other. I would die without the gifts you all bring to me!!

I think it goes without saying that my gift is helping others celebrate both the big and small milestones in life, whether it's a baby shower or a Tuesday night dinner, whatever the excuse I love planning & throwing celebrations, and even more love the joy it brings to my loved ones. Someone once told me that "being a hostess does not equal being a friend", well I have to disagree. As Martha once said, "love is in the details". I'd be lying if I said this isn't one of my own personal motto's as well. So keep on, keeping on folks and I'll keep celebrating you, because this is my gift, my love to you and I hope to be able to share love and joy for many, many celebrations to come . . . . or until my hubby puts the kibosh on parties :).

Happy Fall all!