Jackson's 4th and Bailey's 2nd Pirate Birthday Party!

I decided on a Pirate themed party this year, actually...Jackson gave me the idea when he was playing it with his friends one day at this same playground :)  I made their shirts match this year, I can't believe they are 4 & 2 already.  Wow, time flies!

I made all the kids pirate 1st mate hats (out of fabric from Joann's.  I cut it in the shape of a triangle, I used a bandanna for my pattern and cut it in half. They turned out great!), I also made the eye patches (with a pattern I found by Googling "eye patch pattern", foam,and then I used some elastic from Michaels).  I bought the swords off Amazon-you can also buy them at Pigtails and Crew-cuts.

Here are the kids doing the treasure hunt I drew up...thank goodness it went well and they all stayed together!  They got a sticker at each stop and then once their map was filled with stickers they went to find the treasure!

Off they ran to find the treasure!!

How sweet are they?!?!  Arrrr matey!!


I think this is always their favorite part!


This was my first time doing a swirl on the cupcake and making my own frosting (thanks to Jessi for my million phone calls and questions!) and they turned out great :)

Treasure map!

mmmmmmmmmm

So cute!  Love Grandma and Pop!



She spent probably 80% of her time hanging out with Pop.  Funny she knows just who to bring her present to if she needs it open!


Bailey and her party girl friends :)  So cute!

LOOOOOVE her...how sweet is this!

Boys will be boys :) They had a blast!

St. Simon's Island for Kristin and Neal's Wedding

We went to Kristin and Neal's wedding this weekend and had the. best. time!!!!  We were lucky enough to have a free amazing place to stay at Meredith's parents place.  If you look over our shoulder to the right, the tall building and palm trees was where the wedding took place!! How cool is that?!?!

 Playing catch phrase!

 It really was like high school spring break, it was so surreal to be there with all my best friends and our significant others :)  Really was just an awesome weekend!

 Wedding time!!

 They both looked amazing.  Such a PERFECT wedding, really...it was just a beautiful day all around!

And here are my best girls...sadly we forgot to get one with her wedding dress on, but we did remember after she changed ;)

What we have been doing...

Baby Morgan and Nicole came over for a visit today :)  Of course this is the only picture I got b/c we were too busy being Mama's to even attempt a photo ;)  But, Bailey (on her own) saw Morgan laying on the couch and RAN to get a book and started reading it to her (MELT my heart!!).  She would say "see bird??" and then started her rant of Brown Bear Brown Bear (from memory).  It is truly amazing how different little girls are and how it was just automatic that she felt the need to read to "her" baby :)  And I have to say Jackson was as sweet as pie...love him and how loving he is with her!!

So I am on our consignment sale committee at church for our HUGE consignment sale we have going on.  On top of that I sold 181 items (which were tagged, entered into the computer, hung up, cleaned, put in size order, and then delivered to the sale by me), I am working (4) 4 hour shifts this week, and trying to not loose my mind.  Don't get me wrong...I LOVE consignment sale time...especially with all the sweet and amazing women I get to meet and socialize with the whole time ;)  But, it is a lot to take in and hard to go to sleep at night from how wired I am from it all ;)

We had Tucker and Kessler come over this past Sunday after church and the kids had a BLAST!!  Here are a few pics...the one above CRACKS me up!!  It is TRULY a glimpse into our future...LOOK OUT LADIES!! LOLOL


This pic is funny & sweet, b/c the boys put these big marbles in their ears...and Tucker actually had ear surgery this week b/c of all his hearing and ear issues.  We have been praying for him and hope he has a quick recovery.


We also went to Auburn for Mile's 9th birthday...yes he is 9 years old already!!!


Amy did a "Ballard Messy Olympic" themed birthday party and it was AWESOME!!!!  The pics speak for themselves!








Of course, Bailey was infatuated with Uncle Dan and would barely let him put her down! LOL  She knows how sweet and wonderful he is :)


Dan made these bunk beds...is he not amazing!?!  The Ballard boys sure know how to make some COOL stuff!!!!