First project of the New Year {complete}

Well, at least I can cross one thing off my home project list for 2013!  It's something small but something I've wanted to complete for a very long time; a gallery wall in our entry way.  I love the way it turned out and am so happy that we've finally displayed some family photos.

This picture is a little more accurate of how it looks on a day to day basis, jackets, vest, backpack ect.  Just tried to make it "pretty" for the first couple of shots :)

Owls - West Elm

Grapevine wreath - Michaels

Porcelain votives w/moss balls - Anthropologie {old}

Butterfly Picture - HomeGoods

"R" - Anthropologie

Family photos but frames are from Ikea

Shelf w/ hooks - Ben built it from an old coffee table.  The coats hooks are from Ikea.

Watch out ladies......

This one is a charmer.  I usually don't post too much about my kiddos but thats about to change because my two and a half year old has just been cracking me up lately.  In recent days he's pretty much charmed his way out of bedtime every night.  I have to share one night earlier this week because it was just too cute.

It was about 8:30 and I was in the office answering some email when I heard some little feet walking up behind me.  Without even turning around I said, "get back in bed Beckett."

Then in his sweet little voice I hear, "but Mommy, I just want to give you a kiss." A huge smile comes across my face and of course I walk right over to him and kneel down for a kiss and a hug.  Then I say "ok baby, time to get back in bed."

Completely ignoring what I just said, Beck starts playing with the "B" necklace around my neck and says, "Mommy........ I like your necklace." I say thank you and tell him again to get back in his bed.  Then he tells me, "Mommy, I just kinda really love you."  This makes me giggle out loud because I just "kinda really love" him too!

That's when I thought, oh geez, we're in trouble.  If at the age of 2 he knows all the right things to say, what am I going to do when he is 16?

Hambone!! 

Happy {belated} Memorial Day: a very special homecoming

Hope y'all had a fantastic Memorial Day.  We spent some much needed time away at my in-laws River House, but this post is not about that.  We are so excited to share a super special homecoming with you.

Gretchen (my sister-in-law) and Ryan (my brother-in-law) live out in Washington state. Ryan is in the Navy and while he was deployed their first child was born.  Declan Christopher arrived 5 weeks ago weighing a whopping 9lbs 7oz..   Last Tuesday their little family was reunited and Ryan got to hold his precious baby boy for the first time.  When the pictures started rolling in, the happy tears started rolling down.

We're so proud of both of them!!  Ryan for sacrificing so much to serve our country and Gretchen, for being so strong to go through this without her husband by her side. I don't want you to think she was alone though, my awesome mother-in-law was with her through all of it and Ryan "skyped" for 11 hours straight so he didn't miss a thing.  How awesome is technology?  I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as we did.

Ryan meeting Declan for the first time.

Such a proud Daddy!

Look at this beautiful family!

What a sweet, sweet boy!

We couldn't be happier for them. Thanks Gretchen and Ryan for letting us share your special day. And thank you to all the men and women that give up so much to protect our wonderful Country!