Lifestyle Shoot 2016

A few weekends ago we had family pictures taken. I like to do them at least once a year, but would really love to do them several times a year. If you are a living, breathing, human raising children- you can understand how getting them done at all is like winning a marathon. Because lets be honest, it's a  freaking rat race getting everything ready for show time. It is like that for everyone, right?? Not just me?

About a month 2 weeks before our pictures were scheduled, I ordered outfits for the girls and myself. Matt being an engineer, has a plethora of shirts to choose from, have you ever seen them in anything other than a polo or button up? Lol!!  But every lady needs something new if they're being photographed. Do you remember that back in May we moved from our old house to our new one?? Yeah... So I had the clothes sent to our old address.  Not only was I cutting it close to having them even make it to the correct address on time, but by having them sent to the wrong address I was pretty much ensuring that they would never make it. They did, however. About 4 weeks later.

We scheduled our pictures on a Sunday evening, in our backyard. It's my absolute favorite part of this home, and I wanted pictures of the girls being themselves- nothing really posed, just two wild ladies outside playing with their chickens! Jeanine, our photographer specializes in lifestyle photography, which is exactly what I wanted. She must be half unicorn or something, because the girls love her and she is able to capture my heart on film! If you are in the Dallas Fort Worth area and need a photographer, let me know- she's amazing!

So the Sunday of our pictures, after going to church, I had a few hours left to find something for us three to wear. Yes, you read that right. The DAY of our pictures, I was running around town trying to find something for us to wear. Praise the Lord for Nordstrom and Gap. Wren's dress. Elle's dress. I knew they'd both love them, and get a lot of wear out of them this fall.

Miss Jeanine was here for about 30 minutes, which let me tell you is about all a toddler and a preschooler can handle. It was just the right amount of time- don't think you have to have an hour or more. I believe less is more when capturing kids, young ones especially!

A few tips I have for getting your pictures taken with littles:

Have outfits picked out in advance! Having a backup outfit isn't a bad idea either.

Don't schedule the shoot during nap time, bedtime, or any other time your kids are normally cranky.

Give your kids (and yourself) a snack before the pictures- make sure they aren't wearing the clothes for the pictures while eating!

Have a drink. Haha! I'm serious. I hate getting pictures of myself, so I had just a little glass of sparkletini before we were about to start ;)

Here are a few of my favorites! Hope you enjoy!

Stuffed mushrooms

This is seriously the easiest appetizer you can make. And if you like mushrooms and goat cheese, the tastiest too!

Over Labor Day weekend I decided it had been too long since I've made these and thought the girls might like them. I knew Matt wouldn't touch them, so I only made a small batch!

It only takes three ingredients. A small package of mushrooms- I used baby portabellos, but you could use something else such as button, small package of goat cheese- this time I bought garlic and herb flavored (you could probably also use cream cheese), and bread crumbs a little less than 1/2 cup. 

While you are preparing your mushrooms, heat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash your mushrooms and dry them. 

Break the stems off (I saved mine for our compost pile)

In a bowl combine the bread crumbs with the cheese. I find it easier to mix with my hands. 

Pinch a little off the mixture off and stuff inside the mushroom cap. Place them on a baking sheet, I greased mine with olive oil. Put on the middle rack of your 400 degree oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. 

My girls loved the way the cheese mixture tasted, weren't too sure about the mushroom!

Labor Day 2016

 I live for extended weekends. An extra morning at home with my girls and Matt are some of my most cherished gifts. This was the first weekend in a while where we had nothing planned, no commitments, just the four of us hanging out! 

Saturday I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Matt putting his tape measure to work in Elle's room. He's been so busy with work and studying for his pe that the crown moulding we bought in June has just been sitting in our garage. With the free weekend he was able to hang it up in Elle's room and ours. It still needs painted, but I'm always so surprised at how well it brings a room together. Can't wait to blog her room reveal. 

To say I had nothing planned is slightly false, I had all intentions of potty training Wren this weekend. She screamed every time I sat her on the potty chair, and was battling a cold so I decided waiting a few weeks wouldn't be the worst idea. 

The girls and I did lots of playing outside, clearing out our garden and picking asparagus seeds, swimming, and just loving being together. 

Elle took my breath away a few times this week with how quickly she is growing.  She told me she didn't need a cup with a lid and that she could get her own water... And then she went and got her own drink. I just couldn't believe it. This baby, she's really growing up, right before my very eyes. I love that she still needs me to hold her when she's upset and that she's confident to try new things. 

I made some stuffed mushrooms yesterday to eat while we watched some zootopia, the girls loved the cheese part but weren't too fond of the mushroom. 

Other than grocery shopping and laundry, this was one of my favorite weekends yet. Did you enjoy an extra day with your loves??