Thursday and Friday, on a Saturday!

heading out to meet Andrea for breakfast, loving my new Petunia Picklebottom bag. It's the perfect bag for summer.

Hank has been on a business trip all week, so I took advantage of having a few days to myself in a row, and Henry and I came down to Phoenix to see friends and spend time with some girls I haven't been able to see a lot of lately.  Thursday morning I went and met an old and dear friend for breakfast in downtown Phoenix. Andrea has been in my life for a long, long time, and was close friends with Hank years before I even met him!  We have seen each other through a lot of ups and downs and life, and been friends for about ten years now. Over the past couple years as life changed the most, we drifted apart a bit, but over the past month we've been back and touch. Thursday morning was the first time we'd hung out in so long outside of mutual friends' weddings or events, and it was just the best time. It was as if no time had passed and we spent a few hours talking and laughing, and walking around downtown Phoenix. I adore Andrea and all of her positivity; she's truly a burst of sunshine, and I'm beyond ecstatic that we are back to talking, texting and hanging out. I've missed her!  That morning we enjoyed veggie breakfast burritos at the Phoenix Public Market (click the link to read more about their support of local farmers and business), I had a delicious jasmine iced tea and Andrea had coffee, and then we went over and visited the adorable Ashley at the GROWop.  On a side note, have you ever been to the GROWop or checked it out? It's the cutest store, full of handmade and vintage items inside, and a million plants, fruits and vegetable gardens on the outside. Really cool. I had sleeping Henry with us of course, but if I would have had more time I would have loved to try on some of the super rad vintage dresses and tops. Next time, for sure!  So we hung out with Ashley for a bit (be sure to pop by her blog for tons of handmade goodness and crafty creativity), then headed out.

Andrea and Henry

inside the GROW-op

Ashley!

Henry and I headed over to Autumn's house, and Shirley popped over on her lunch break from work so we could all have lunch together. Autumn made us her famous Strawberry Balsamic salad and a tartlette from Trader Joe's, and we caught up for a bit while the babies played. It was so good to spend the afternoon with two of my favorite girls and best friends. Shirley is getting married in the fall, so I'm looking forward to dress shopping and all of the wedding fun to come!

All in all it was the best day. Delicious food, good conversation, reconnecting with an old friend, and spending time with two of my oldest. Happy bellies and happy hearts!  Later that night I worked out with my sister's personal trainer so I got to end the day on a fantastic note too. But let's not talk about how sore I STILL am today, two days later. It's a good kind of sore though, and I feel really inspired to take my workouts up a notch and finally lose these last pounds. Thanks again Lauren!

Friday was another fantastic day.  I hadn't seen my friend Zoe (visit her Tumblr here- seriously one of my faves!) since she came up for my baby shower in the fall, so we were way overdue for a catch-up date, and for her to meet Henry!  She suggested that we go to La Grande Orange in Phoenix, and since I've been wanting to try it forever, I was really excited. We got there and ordered at the counter- I got egg whites and fruit, and Zoe got the most delicious looking pastry, and we sat in the main dining room to eat and chit chat. Henry was in a screaming mood (happy screaming, but screaming none the less), so after awhile we moved back into the market area so H. could look around. We checked out all of the adorable items they had for sale, from toys to cards to candy, and I promised myself I'd be back soon to try one of the delectable looking sweets in the case. Tammie Coe cupcakes anyone?  After breakfast we ended up talking in the car forever. Of course. haha. It was such a fun morning. 

After breakfast I went over to visit my friend Emily and meet her new son Maxon. He's about 3 weeks old, and in the excitement of seeing the Barnas I forgot to snap any photos, but next time for sure. It was so refreshing spending time with Em though- I admire her so much as a mother, and I feel lucky to call her a friend. Shirley is actually marrying her husband's brother, so pretty soon it will be all in the family! Very excited. 

After our fun day Henry and I hightailed it over to the mall so I could find a dress for our girl's night last night and then headed home so we could squeeze in a nap! More on our girl's night tonight.

I hope all of you had the best beginning to your weekend! Today is a family day for us, so my parents' and I are headed over to Green for lunch in a bit. Have a great day!

Saturday in photographs

Today was a great day, and a special one, because little Carter turned one! I can't even believe that the he is already a year old- it seems like only yesterday I was meeting him in the hospital for the first time on his actual day of birth! It only makes me realize how quickly Henry will be one and that makes me a little excited but also quite sad. At the same time though, it's a great reminder to cherish every day and every stage, right? I think so. But any and all sadness aside, today was awesome! Autumn had a jungle themed party, complete with animal hats for the kids and a bounce house! Everyone had a blast.

After the party Hank surprised me by driving down to Phoenix after doing a cert. class, and my parents watched the little guy while we went on a date. It was SO much fun and so nice to have some "us" time. We went to Green for dinner and then got frozen yogurt. Delicious!

Here are some photos from today:

getting ready while my mama watched Henry

If someone would have shown Autumn, Erin or I this photo back in our sorority/college days...we would have been in shock. It's amazing to think we all used to be at NAU together, and now we're all mommies to these beautiful little darlings.

Henry and Kyler, best friends!  Kyler is 6 months old- they're just almost exactly 3 months apart.

Libby and Henry...this is Autumn's wonderful Mom and someone who is like a second mama to me. She's seen everything in my life, from me meeting Hank, to being at our wedding, being there through the pregnancy, and now here she is, holding Henry. So awesome.

Autumn and her birthday boy!

Happy birthday Carter!

at dinner- my handsome date :)

annnd me and my big baby! How I love him so. Not the best photo but I always want to remember his size, so in a few months I can compare. He's sleeping in his little co-sleeper next to me and I love hearing all of his baby sleeping noises. I'm about to join him.

Night all! xo

Weekend fun (image heavy)

This weekend was really, really wonderful...and incredibly busy!  I spent part of Friday with my sweet Amber Joy, went down to Phoenix and helped my Mom throw a bridal shower for my sister, spent the evening with two of my oldest, bestest friends and our families, got some shopping done for the house, and got in a lot of family time.  I feel accomplished.  And tired!  Here are some photos from the past few days:

Henry and I got a little photobooth crazy ;)

 

 

Later that afternoon Amber came over and we spent the afternoon running errands, eating frozen grapes, and looking through interior design photos. So much fun. Now I just need to find her a Prescott guy to marry so we can both be housewives and live next door to each other and do this everyday.  haha.

 

 That night Hank, Henry and I headed down to Phoenix.  The photo below is from the next morning, as I was Moby-ing while helping my Mom get ready for Lauren's bridal shower.  Henry seriously looves his Moby Wrap and loves spending time in it.  And I absolutely love it too.  It's great to be able to move around freely while keeping him snug as a bug (in a rug?).

Henry and his Great Aunt Pat, Great Grandma, and Grandma!

Lauren! The guest of honor.

a bit of the food table.  My Mom did SUCH a great job with everything on her own, since we live hours away.  She's amazing.  If you're curious about the little sign below, I wrote that so guests would write a little wish for the couple (like "always love unconditionally") on the rocks I provided and place it in the glass container.  It's a really cute keepsake for the bride.

already giving his Dad looks like this- we're in trouble! ;)

below is a quick game my Mom had everyone play- different teams make wedding dresses for the MIL-to-be and the Mother of the bride (Aunt Pat also participated).  It was super silly but a fun little ice breaker.  Afterward I did some trivia on the couple, read a sweet letter from Abe to Lauren out loud, and then quizzed Lauren on some "Abe facts."  All in all it was really fun and went quite well.

the winner of the dress making contest, Abe's mama

Lauren's bffs since elementary school/bridesmaids Kelli and Kristin

Lauren and the two Moms!

opening up her presents

Henry spent the afternoon upstairs entertaining his papa while the shower was going on. So cute.

Later that night we headed over to the Loops to enjoy Autumn's delicious homemade chili and hangout with all of our families.  Here's my little goddaughter Chloe in her new kitchen and apron (from us, from Anthro- I forgot to rip off the tag, oops!).  She loved it.

playing Wits and Wagers- have you ever played this game?  We LOVE board games and somehow hadn't played this one before.  I'm definitely going to go pick up our own from Target this week to add to our collection.  Lately I've really been wanting to start a regular board game night.  Who's in? ;)

We tried to get a photo of the boys but Carter was squirming and Henry was tuckered out.

I love this picture of Shirley and her fiance Nate- they're getting married in the fall and I'm so, so excited to be a bridesmaid. Shirley is one of the most amazing people I've ever known in my life, and I'm just ecstatic to be a part of their big day.  Nate's such a wonderful person too, and hellooo, how adorable will their future offspring be?!  Seriously.

Henry LOVES his Aunt Shirley so much. He went right to sleep and was so comfy.

The next morning my family and I went to IKEA so we could get some odds and ends for our home. Can I tell you how much I love that place?  It's so fun to just walk around and get ideas.

Annnd, after a long, long (fun) weekend we are finally home, safe and sound.  Henry is sleeping peacefully next to me, and I'm going to go ahead and join him in a moment.

Goodnight everyone, I hope you had a wonderful, wonderful weekend. xo