Andy, Kaysey & the Little Men

Friday, July 26, 2013

Cara Box Exchange




Cara Box

One of my past times is reading other people's blogs.  I have been reading Kaitlyn's blog (Wifessionals) for sometime now and she does a monthly gift exchange among bloggers called the Cara Box Exchange.  I ventured out on a limb this month and decided to participate!

How it works is you get paired up with 2 other bloggers across the nation.  One you send to and one you receive a gift from.  This month I was paired up with Hannah and Lindsay and the theme was "Sail Away with Me (Nautical)".  We spent the past few weeks reading each other's blogs and exchanging emails getting to know each other.

I sent to Hannah who blogs over at Colorado Confessions. You can check out what I sent her here.

Lindsay, from Nickel City Pretty, sent me my Cara Box this month and it arrived last night!  I found the Nautical theme kind of hard so I was eager to see what she came up with.

First things first, I love that she took the time to decorate the box to go with the theme.  I would never have thought to do that.  Luke and Ben loved seeing the art, too!

 
When I opened the box this is what I saw.  She individually wrapped each gift with ribbons in nautical colors and included a nice card.  One thing that I noticed right away was that she included a gift for both Luke and Ben!  This really meant a lot that she would take the time to include my little guys in on the fun.
 
 
I didn't waste much time before I got to opening my presents.  It was like a birthday in July!  Lindsay really had her work cut out for her buying for me.  I don't share a ton about myself here on the blog so she didn't have a ton to work with (sorry, Lindsay).  She asked me a few generic questions and voila- she did GREAT!  She bought me some of my favorite items and didn't even know it!
 

The first things I opened were the cup and the scarf.  I really LOVE these types of cups.  If I am at home they are my cup of choice.  I like to drink my water out of them all day long.  Best thing is that it was pink, my favorite color!  Next, the scarf.  This one is perfect for me.  It is pink and yellow, light weight, and simple.  I love it!


Next, I opened the flip flops.  Who doesn't love a good pair of flip flops??  These are cute and definitely go with the nautical them with the little anchors.  What Lindsay didn't know is that I when I am not in my tennis shoes for work I am in flip flops the rest of the time.  In Texas we can wear flip flops 75% of the year!  These are great and I can't wait to wear them.

 
Last, I opened the eos lip balm and earrings.  Again, Lindsay picked out one of my favorites and didn't even know it!  I love these little egg shaped lip balms and keep one in my purse at all times.  She sent the summer fruit kind and this is one that I don't have!  Finally, the little starfish earrings.  I am not a huge accessory person given I wear scrubs 5 out of 7 days of the week.  I told her I like simple jewelry and I love these earrings!  They are both simple and cute.  I think I will wear them today!

Now onto the boys!  They loved that Mrs. Lindsay sent them each a present.  Luke was so excited that I am pretty sure he took the ribbon in the car with him this morning to Grandma's house!  She sent them both a nautical themed shirt.  Luke's was a headless pirate and Ben's was striped with a boat on it.  I didn't get pictures of them actually opening the gifts, but here they are showing them off (they were pretty pumped I let them stand in their chairs).


Thank you Lindsay for your thoughtful gifts.  I loved each item and I especially love that you included my boys in on the fun!

Please go check out both Hannah's and Lindsay's blogs today!  This was a fun activity and I think I will participate again in the future!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Happy Birthday Sarah!

I have been the given the greatest gifts in life.  I have a God that loves me unconditionally.  I have a husband, children and family that love me unconditionally.  I have two best friends that love me unconditionally.  It does not get better than that!!

Yesterday we celebrated Sarah's birthday with swimming and dinner.  The boys had a great time playing together and I had a great time visiting with my besties! I am so thankful to have these ladies in my life.  God knew what he was doing when he put us all together at the same pharmacy school 11 years ago!

Happy Birthday Sarah!

Look at all those boys!! 
What will we ever do if one of us has a girl??
Rustin, Colin, Luke, Wyatt, Crockett, and Ben

Monday, July 8, 2013

Happy Birthday America!

Luke was really into "America's Birthday" this year.  He spent all week pointing out American flags (and Texas flags, too) and singing "Happy Birthday to America" (which was always followed by blowing out pretend candles).  The day of the 4th was spent with family -- just the way I like it.  We spent the morning at the hospital visiting Papa and then the afternoon/evening out at Justin's house.  We swam, ate fish and watermelon, and finished the evening off with some firecrackers.  Luke really thought he would want to do a sparkler, but once I lit it he changed his mind.  Turns out it was a little too close for comfort. 

 I love this picture of the boys!
 Ginger and Robyn
Maddie and Robyn
 He loved that pinwheel -- I am pretty sure it ended up coming home with us
 Swimming with Daddy
 Andy was trying to knock the kids off the raft -- Luke loved it!
 Jake and Luke
 Nana and Me
 These boys LOVE watermelon
 Robyn and her sparkler


Sunday, July 7, 2013

Roanoke Rocks!

This was the second year in a row that we we met up with the Reals at Roanoke Rocks to watch fireworks.  We had so much fun last year that I also invited Mom and Makayla to come with us.  Before the show the kids got to jump in the bounce houses, play some games for prizes, make some crafts and we all enjoyed a BBQ dinner.  The boys were able to stay up through the entire show and neither of them were scared of the fireworks.  I mark this event down as a success two years running!  We will definitely go back again next year.

 Making their mean Cheetos faces
 Luke and Ben wanted nothing to do with the Chick-fil-A cow
 This is the best group shot we could get
So thankful to have made such great friends
 Buddies
 Waiting for the show to start


Saturday, July 6, 2013

June Photo Dump

Here are our snap shots from June, courtesy of my Samsung Galaxy S3...

Andy and I celebrated 7 years of marraige with a much needed date night

 We spent a lot of time in Gigi's back yard -- clothes were optional
 Nap time in the car
 We played chalk a lot
 Breakfast Danimal smoothie
 A little iPad time with no fighting is always a plus
 We decided to walk to the sno-cone stand one night and all little boys need some cool shades.  This particulary little boy was not happy about it.
 Sno-Cones with Daddy!
 Ben perked up after the sugar
 Gigi made the boys a box house
 Nutella, breakfast of champions
 More time playing chalk
 A tasty ice cream treat
 Waiting on dinner while in Conroe
 This kid loves Mickey!
 Watchig Mickey in the car on the ride home from our weekend getaway
 Showing me some cookie hands and faces
 Blowing bubbles -- again, clothes were optional