Happy Birthday John!

We celebrated John's 35th on September 18! He had a pretty smooth day at work and came home to Olive Garden for dinner complete with cupcakes for dessert (Mellany insisted on having one for her when we were purchasing John's cupcake at the store). Mellany had made him a birthday card and even got him a special M&M gift. Since we made quite a few large purchases over the summer, we decided it might be best to keep birthdays low key this year. I would say I did a pretty good job! 

The 3 of us are truly lucky to have such a wonderful husband and father!! I am so thankful that God chose him for me/us. John is one of the hardest workers I have ever known, he's always willing to try new things, super handy with any kind of tool you give him, he's so easy going, caring and patient and loves to have a good time and be spontaneous. I really could go on and on about how great he is! And in my eyes, he's absolutely perfect! 

We love you so much!!

Here's to MANY more birthdays!

(Is this not one of the best pictures I could ever get?! I'm pretty sure it belongs in a frame!)

The happy birthday song!

Mellany had such a hard time waiting!

{{Somewhat}} Wordless Friday!

The Barrett family LOVES fall! ....the cooler weather, the fall colors, the scents of fall, jeans and long sleeves, open windows, football, the pumpkin patch....we love it all!!! The arrival of fall also brings structure and order back to our lives and we all know that this mama likes a little structure. Preschool is in full swing and Mellany LOVES it (she has cried on many occasions when it is time to leave because she doesn't want to leave), gymnastics is going great, and we've been trying to take advantage of the awesome weather we've been having by being outside as much as possible. Harvest officially started this week and we're hoping John doesn't get taken away from us on too many nights. We're also praying it is safe and smooth for everyone involved!! 

Here's what we've been up to!

Mellany really loves to help me in the kitchen.....baking some chocolate chip cookies

Saturday morning..... breakfast in mama's rocking chair from when I was a little girl....with Mickey of course

Mellanys picture taking skills are improving!

Johnny loves the jumper

One of Mellany's favorite things to do

Sleeping like a man lol

Target selfie

Walking the balance beam all by herself!!!

Perfect Saturday night....check out Mellany's face in the family pic haha!

This is probably one of the sweetest videos I've gotten to date. I laid Johnny down on his belly and when Mellany laid down next to him to look at his face, he just started laughing....which lead to peek-a-boo...and more laughing! Moments like this are so great! 

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

{{Somewhat}} Wordless Wednesday!!

I've missed a week yet again and now I feel like I've got a ton to catch up on. In just two weeks, it's like a lifetime of events can occur! I'm sure it won't be the only time I am behind though, as we begin to enter one of the biggest Harvests we have ever seen!! Here's what we've been up to: 

Johnny recently took on the project of re-staining our door. Our front door faces the evening sun so it definitely gets a "beating" and needed a little "love". I think it turned out great! 

My favorite time of day....snuggle time!

I was getting ready one morning and left the room to grab something from the laundry room. When I walked back in, sister had found her way into brother's cradle. 

Mellany's neighbor friend Lauren came to play play-doh!

Cleaning day! Mellany has become quite the helper lately!

Spontaneous bike ride

Helping mama with dishes. She could have done the dishes all night; in fact she kept telling me "Watch TV mama" so she could continue doing them. 

Her most favorite thing to do outside: play in the mulch.

This little guy cracks me up!

Quite the outfit: Safety glasses, "beautiful dress", baseball bat and princess shoes.

Naptime snuggles

I could watch him sleep all day

Mellany's picture taking skills...she doesn't do too bad really

Mellany and Johnny discussing major events

"Take a picture mama"

Just a little duck calling

Look what I can do!!

He found the birds!!

Is this not the sweetest little baby face?!

"CHEESE"

Morning workout buddy

Playing before bedtime

Entertainment by Mellany

Sunday discussions with Gammy

YouTube on the iPad + princess dress and shoes

My happy boy!

Soooooo close to rolling over!

The video this week is pretty plain and simple but I love it....Mellany playing with her Little People Princess Castle before bedtime and Johnny intently watching her. To me it is just so sweet!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!