Mister Marky First Photoshoot

I have been slowly learning all I can about my camera.  So in an effort to learn more, I did my first "photo-shoot" with my nephew Markus.  I couldn't ask for a cuter subject, right?   

So I have no words for this cuteness, just photos.

He is just an angel...
I think I did alright for a newbie...this was so fun!

Meeting Mister Markus

It's always a sweet moment when you get to see great grandma meeting another great grandson for the first time.  This lucky lady has 69 great grand-kids and they are all great!

My boys also got to meet him for the first time.  They were so sweet with him!

 Ah, so cute, I can't handle it! 

The Birthday Club

With all of this thankfulness going around, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to say how thankful I am for this group of ladies.  We have all known each other for many years, and at one point we all even worked at the same grocery store.  Throughout those years we have kept in contact off and on.  We always enjoy each others company, but life just gets busy and we don't always get to chat as much as we would like.

So, one year Allyson came up with the idea to get together around each of our birthdays. What a great idea that was!  So now for several years we have been getting together {at least} 4 times a year to celebrate our birthdays.
There you have it...the beginning of our little "birthday club."

Janelle, Kara, Allyson and I

It has been so nice to get out of the house and close down a few restaurants with these ladies.

Happy "Birth"day Markus!

 I got the call...1 AM September 11th that my sister was having her first baby.  As I was getting ready to go in, I was hysterical.  Going between laughing and crying, but mostly so excited to meet this little person.  I was lucky enough to be in the room and take pictures on this momentous occasion   

A little sisterly support

At one point Beckie asked for a blessing...problem was she was delirious by this point and got a really bad case of the giggle.  Yes, giggles.  It was especially great because she was hooked up to monitors and it magnified every shake of her belly...

Two much needed labor tools.  A Popsicle and a smart phone.

Beautifying to meet her little man, after the epidural of course.

The moment was here...

Welcome to the world Markus!!!

 

 

 

Markus Franklin William Ross,  6 pounds 11 ounces of preciousness.

Testing out those lungs.

Every free hand in the room was used taking pictures of this precious bundle.

 

Aaaawww...

10 perfect little toes

One happy Mamma when it was all over.

My sweet "baby sister" just had a baby!
It was so wonderful to be a part of this special day.  Truly a miraculous day. 

First Day of School

 Summer's over and we are now embarking on a new school year.  I now have a third and first grader. When did this happen?!?  They are just growing like weeds!

My big Third grader...

My "little" big first grader

All ready to go...

 Ugh, They are just so dang cute!
Although I feel a little sad knowing these two cuties are going to be growing more independent, I must admit, I have big plans of my own for that 6 hour break everyday...  

A baby shower & FREE printables too!

I had my sister Beckie's baby shower at my house and I had a blast putting it all together!  I went with a "Sweet Baby" theme because I have been a wee bit obsessed with owls lately.  

I got my inspiration here, then I tweaked some things with Photoshop and these super cute printables.  

First things first.

I'll put links to the free stuff at the bottom of the post, here's what I did with it all...

These favors were so easy to do!  Popcorn and butter toffee peanuts in a zip-lock baggie.  Then I printed the bag label on some card stock, folded it in half and stapled it over the top.  

Just print and frame!

I had random birds nests throughout the house and little cupcake toppers too!

The spread, and yes, I labeled everything because that's how I roll.

The sweets table...my favorite part.

My beautiful sister and her friend Shelby.

 

The "Thomas" gals.

Beckie and Karista

Aunt Tammy and my sister Julie

2 excited Aunties and 1 excited Mamma

Everything turned out great and I really had a lot of fun with it.
Now for the goods...FREE printables!

To download the 5X7 frameable signs click here
To download the something tweet table sign click here 
To download the party favor tags click here