Thursday, June 13, 2013

Modeling for MaeLi Rose

This week Kaelyn and her cousin Maddie were asked to do another photoshoot for MaeLi Rose. They're getting ready to market their new Spring/Summer 2014 line and needed some models for the clothes! Both girls LOVE, LOVE, LOVE their MaeLi Rose clothes so they were excited to get another chance to model because it means more skirts, dresses and girlie clothes for them!

Okay, if we're being honest here, Kaelyn was not at all excited about taking the photos, in her words "Mom, I really like Miss Carrie's clothes, but I don't like taking pictures!" After a little chat in which mommy told her that Miss Carrie gives her the clothes as a thank you for modeling them she decided that though she didn't care for the actual picture taking she'd endure it and even smile, so that she could continue rocking the MaeLi Rose clothes!

I was secretly celebrating her choice! For one, the clothes are super cute and she gets oodles of new fancy clothes to wear for free and two we get free (adorable) photos of her and Maddie! I think it's a win-win for all involved! In fact, I'd even venture to say the girl's enjoyed themselves this time! They especially seemed to perk up when we told them we could give some of these photos to Papa Minas for Father's Day! It was an outdoor shoot, they've now met the designer several times and this time her sister (who they'd also met before) was the photographer and the girls seemed more at ease than last time in the studio. It was perfect, by the time they were clearly getting hot and tired, we were D.O.N.E. Then they (and Brennan and Micah I might add) were given a goodie bag full of yummy treats! Carrie knows how to take care of her models!! They were all thrilled!

Without further ado, my favorite photos from the shoot, in no particular order! If you're not their grandma/grandpa or aunt/uncle, feel free to skip this entire post:)

My cutie patootie niece Maddie.




Probably not he best for marketing the clothes, but this was one of my faves. 










Her favorite thing about her MaeLi Rose clothes?? Their twirlability (is that a word)? The moment she gets them on she runs to our room to watch herself as she twirls int the mirror.










These two have SO much fun together!! Their fun usually involves wrestling and giggling today it was whispering silly words to each other.  This is one of my faves from the shoot for sure!




Another favorite of mine. 




Sunday, June 9, 2013

Perserverance

Dear Brennan,

Today you proved that when you set your mind on something you can and will overcome any challenge set before you! Out of the blue you decided you'd like to learn to ride your bike without training wheels. You and daddy set to work with your "man tools" and took off the training wheels which have long been your safety net. Daddy helped you twice on the grass and on the third try you were off pedaling and balancing all on your own! You couldn't have been more proud of yourself!!! Watching you tonight was an absolute DELIGHT!! You approached the challenge with just the right attitude, you were going to try until you figured it out, quitting wasn't an option! This my son, was a HUGE accomplishment for you! As a second generation perfectionist you don't like to fail, you are all too fond of the phrase "I can't" and more often than I'd like, you quit something that you can't easily master! But tonight, you set your mind and persevered and you just went for it!! Mommy and daddy are so very proud of you buddy, but more importantly you were SOOOOO proud of yourself!!

Try number three on the grass.
 

Less than an hour later riding in circles in an empty parking lot down the street!
 


You were so proud of yourself that we let you ride until well past bedtime!

While I would never normally give you froyo at 9 pm at night, today we thru caution to the wind and decided to celebrate you like crazy and speak words of encouragement and praise over you!

A few years ago daddy and I spent some time choosing "life verses" for you and Kaelyn. We'd already noticed your fear of failure and when we read this verse we knew it was the perfect fit! Tonight was a great opportunity to remind you of this verse! It couldn't be more perfect for you buddy!

Congratulations buddy!! The sky is the limit for you kiddo!! Be strong and courageous, do not be a afraid or discouraged because your God is with you wherever you go! 

Love, Mommy

Friday, June 7, 2013

Let Him Eat Cake

Today is my youngest nephew's birthday! Last weekend we celebrated his big day and the pics of him eating his "smash" cake were just too cute NOT to share. This kiddo has had nothing but organic whole foods since the day he was born, in fact even his birthday cake was organic. The whole sugar thing was completely new to him, as it is to most one year olds. As you will see below, the kid can eat! I'd say he devoured about half his smash cake all by his little self!!

His expression here cracks me up! He's so underwhelmed at the idea of cake.

Mr. Serious doing this thang. 



Oh wait, this sugar stuff is SAW-EET!




The aftermath! 

We love you Brady-Pie!! You are too cute for words!! Happy first birthday!!

The best part of his party, other than his EXTREME cuteness of course, was that my sister and brother-in-law asked all his friends and family to donate to New Horizons for Children rather than buy him gifts! I don't know the exact total because some people donated online, but my sister handed me $300 worth of checks made out to NHFC that we were able to use to bless some special kiddos who are America bound this summer! I know of several host families who were struggling to raise the funds to bring their kids here, so I chose two, split the $300 in half and because of Brayden two families will soon receive a little financial blessing from people in CA they have never met! How cool is that?


Thursday, June 6, 2013

American Dreams

Guess who will be back in the states in just twenty days??? This dude of course!!


Yes, that's right, his funds have all been donated!! He's got some very special angels watching over him who stepped in to ensure he wouldn't have to spend the summer alone back in Latvia!!

Instead he'll be SURROUNDED by the love of his family! I'm beyond excited for him and for his family!!

I just CAN.NOT.WAIT!!

Here's to summer NUMERO DOS in America for my favorite Latvian!!