Easter 2012

This Easter was such a blessing for me. It was the first holiday - in my life - that I told my family what I was going to do and invited them to come, rather then driving all over town, being stressed out, making people upset with me and not enjoying the day. I have a very "modern" family, my parents were divorced when I was very young, then my parents were both remarried. Then 25 years later both sets of parents divorced. I adore my step parents so I have 4 separate sets of parents to see on holidays {plus Ross's family}. Luckily my mom and step mom are close, that is a gift. I guess the reason I am telling you all of this is because I wish someone would have told me that the best way to deal with this is to invite everyone and then they can decide {maybe people did suggest it, this was just the first year I really felt brave}. This year we sent an email to our families explaining our plan for the day, hike in the morning, hunt, brunch etc... and told them how much we want them to be a part of it, then it was up to them to figure out when and if they could come. From my perspective I think it was successful, I didn't have the anxiety of making everyone happy {of course I had a little}, being late or not giving everyone enough time {I had a little of that too but much less then normal}. It was a bit of a break through for me.

HAPPY new year.

A very impromptu party = lots of fun. Hope this is a very Happy New Year for you all.
I see big things for 2012... I can't wait.

from our home to yours.

May your holiday be full of love.

wrapped up {almost}

wrap:
Ikea drawing paper
bakers twine
jute twine
candy canes
Delphine Press tags

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Just 12 more days... we are half way there on the Advent calendar. Christmas is going to be magical this year ~ I can feel it ~ bike under the tree magical.

bunny tracks

Our holidays always consist of lots and lots of running around... our families all live close by so it usually means that we are hopping all over town. I hate to complain because I know how fortunate we are to have family close but sometimes it is hard. One of my biggest challenges during holidays is making sure that we {my little family; Ross, Henry and I} slow down enough to enjoy the holiday together. On Easter morning we stole a few hours in the morning hunting for eggs and 'playing toys.' The night before we put carrots, kale and the eggs we dyed outside for the bunny. Henry woke up at 5 {yikes! child} and so I hopped out of bed and hid the eggs at dark o'clock. With my robe and flip flops I ran around the yard, as I turned the corner from the side yard I could barely believe my eyes. There were perfect little bunny tracks all the way up to our front door. I felt like a child who saw Santa. I still have no idea who made these amazingly magical little tracks but it made my weekend; pure and sweet. Thank you mystery Bunny.

P.S. If you know who the mystery Bunny is please tell... Ross and I had some guesses and so Ross texted a couple people in the morning saying "The Easter Bunny came!!" and our replies sounded something like "Rad Dude"... which gave us a good laugh.

happy Easter

Our eggs are dyed, goodies hidden and Henry's excitement is high. We are looking forward to a very fun weekend... Whether you will be hunting for eggs or just enjoying a springy weekend with the ones you love, I hope it is lovely.

valentines + a giveaway

A whole new world has opened up since Henry has been at school. I am such a dork. I love looking in his box and finding little messages from his teacher, I even got excited about the book drive... I know, I know. But the most exciting thing was the note about Valentines. Since then we have added cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and grandparents to the list of valentines we need to make. Henry tends to poop out after 4 or 5 so I think they might take us a while. This is what we have made so far.
To make these little cards I have been cutting hearts out of different kinds of paper, fabric and string. First Henry fills the card with lots of stamps, then he VERY liberally pours glue all over. I hand him a doily and he does the rest.

And below is one of the Valentines that I have been playing with. As you all know I am pretty smitten with my new obsession, calligraphy. I have been trying to incorporate it into a Valentine so this is my first pass. I thought to spread the love I would give it away for one of you to give your true love. It is made with a page from the dictionary, a piece of quilt {the same one that made this guy}, sewn together with lots of room for a juicy love letter. Leave a comment by next Tuesday, 2/8, and I will announce a winner on Wednesday. good luck.

And one more thing... my sweet friend Sarah who writes Walking Around {where the sidewalk begins} has asked me to guest post on her blog today. Have a lovely weekend... see you all Monday. ox

true & lovely

I was so busy running around that I am so glad I got these few shots before my family came over. This was the stage for lots of presents opened, lots of wine drank, many laughs and lots of love. My three sisters, brother, mom, aunt, step mom, and step mom's boyfriend came over. We also had a special guest come over just in time for a cannoli, a game and a cigar. Despite the stress that leads to Christmas every year {I would tell you about my family but that would take an entire blog of posts + it isn't that stylish} it was honest and true.

And last but never least my grandmother's funeral was lovely. She was beautifully honored and her spirit was definitely with us. There is a passage that has been with me a lot lately and when it was read on her day I knew that my grandmother wanted me to listen.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Wishing for true and lovely things... Merry Christmas. love, Alexis

PS. 4:30pm on Christmas day Lauren had her baby, a beautiful baby girl, Olivia James!

the Christmas Card Book

This is one of my favorite things that comes out at Christmas. Now there are only 5 pages filled but my wish would be that it is filled by our growing family over the years. Towards the end of the book we might even have grey hair with little grand babies on our knees. sigh.

happy happy 4th

I hope you are all no where near your computers but rather enjoying this day. Sending you all lots of love on my favorite holiday of the year. Tomorrow is my 31st birthday, Tuesday is my husbands 32nd birthday and the 11th is Henry's 2nd birthday, I love this month!
Happy 4th, oh and don't forget to make a wish during the fireworks tonight.

ox, Alexis

lovely lovely weekend

The weekend started with a big ol' egg hunt in our backyard. I will never forget all the little kiddos running out the backdoor looking for eggs. There have been so many special memories in our backyard {our wedding, many parties, Henry's blessing...} that it makes it hard for me to ever imagine leaving our little spot.

Chloe pulling Henry. Chloe's mommy and I have been dear friends for over 20 years. Seeing our children love each other is such a blessing.

Party favors. I had so much fun in the dollar isle at Target. I found slinkies, bunny books, lip gloss and trucks... what more could you ask for?

Our good friends rented a costume {Elizabeth & Justin you guys are amazing!} 50% of the children loved the Easter bunny but the other 50% will have nightmares until next Easter {Henry is in the nightmare set}.

Little sidewalk chalking {or crayoning} while we waited for all the egg hunters.

So cute. no?

Our sweet God~daughter on the left & the cutest little legs in the world on the right.

Our weekend ended with a little hunt. Just Ross, Henry, Syd the Dog and I. It was so special. I will never forget Henry's Easter attire; PJ's, rain boots and helmet. I love being a mommy.

spring into Easter

I think because of my little guy I have Easter on my mind more than ever this year. I cannot wait. All of these things have been getting me in the mood.

Little boys in ties.

A light. fun. springy drink.

The perfect basket.

Yummy Coconut Cake. {image from Reverie}

Meals in the garden.

Adorable Easter dresses. {Liberty of London at Target is so darn cute. How can Target do this to us 'boy moms'?}

Dying eggs.

Pretty tables {image found on Style Me Pretty}.

be mine.

Wishing you all a day full of love with your sweetie.

~ag

PS. If you are feeling stumped on a gift for your Valentine don't underestimate the power of a good old fashion love letter. Those are my favorite {wink}.

packed up

The last bit of the holiday has been put away but before I move on to 2010 I had one final thought. What do you do with all of those beautiful cards filled with well wishes and happy~growing families? Well this year I used them to wrap up all of my garland. It is kind of like a little gift I am packing away to revisit next December.

a quick hello + happy new year

Being away from my blog for so long I realise how much time it takes out of my day. I have very little laundry to run and the 'dust guerrillas' (not bunnies) under the sofa have found their way out. The chaos from Christmas has slowed down, I have a pretty good handle on Thank Yous and every gift card has been spent {I cannot hold on to those!}. Here are a few highlights from the last 6 days. I have a lot to blog about but I will keep it for next week {I am still on vacation, but couldn't resist a quick hello}. Now one more holiday to go. Happy happy New Year.
until 2010 ~ ag

{This is the first Christmas that Ross & I have set up for the morning we stuffed stockings, set up toys and went to bed way too late... such a joy}

{I love this picture of my two guys on Christmas day}

{Every family has their issues and I would have to say that our family is no exception {wink}! This picture makes me happy because my greatest gift this year was to have all 3 of my sisters, my brother, my grandma, my aunt, my mom and my dad in one room. I love them all so much and sometimes as life gets complicated it is easy to forget what a blessing it is that we are just simply together.}

{Henry loves his new train table that Paula Mom, Popi, Nini & Buck gave him this year}

{This is just about the time that the tree and I develop a love/ hate relationship. I love it but I want it to go away.}