Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Memorial Weekend has always been a big deal in my family. We always go up to the lake. So this year was no different. We packed up our truck and our little family and headed up to the lake which is about 1.5 hours away. Not too terrible of a drive. On the way up there we stopped at a little Trade Days/Farmers Market and let Mavrick ride his first pony. =) He didn't really know what to think of it once he got on. But I figure it was a good $5 well spent for some cute pictures. 

 

We finally made it to the lake. And this time we rented some cabins and a trailer. It was so nice to have beds, AC, a bathroom, and a place for the babies (and pregnant women) to nap. We unloaded and then headed down to the lake. Here are some pictures of us getting use to the water!

It was really nice to have everyone there. We were only missing my sister Kami and Caleb who ended up having to work this weekend but all the nieces & nephews were there which made it really fun. They also had a perfect little kid area with slides, sand area and shallow water that was roped off.

  It didn't take Mavrick long before he got use to the water, which is good and bad! Once he is use to it after 10 min he is fearless which means we have to watch him like a hawk and keep floaties on him at all times. He kept swallowing the water! It was disgusting.

 

Proof that I swam and was at the lake too. 

 I love this picture!

 

 

Mavrick was being a sissy about being on the pier with Uncle Jeremy.

 

So...Ryan is the proud new owner of a Kayak. Jeremy got one for graduation and that is all he has been talking about since then is getting a Kayak. He loves it and went out early in the mornings on the lake to fish while we were there. Happy EARLY Birthday & Father's Day Ryan! =)  

 

  We all tried it out and even had some relays. I even enjoyed using it. I despise canoes but Kayak's are a lot smoother on the water. Here are some pictures of all of us having fun with the Kayak. =) Emma and Mavrick eating some breakfast and being cute together.

Another SUPER nice conveniece was that my Dad brought his golf-cart up for the weekend. I am usually a "lets walk" kind of a girl but not in Texas heat and when I am 6 months pregnant so it was very nice to have that. The babies LOVE riding on it too so it was a god distraction for them when we couldn't go swimming in the lake. I have no clue why these two were BOTH picking their noses right when we took the picture. Haha. =) Goobers.

 

We also got to go down the road to a blueberry farm and pick some blueberries. They were SO good! We definitly want some plants in the future. These were $1.25 a pound! The store rip you off so bad it angers me. AND they are not as good. So we ended up freezing a ton and will probably go back in the next week or so to get some more.

 It was a fun and relaxing weekend away from home and lives stresses. We all got in some good vitamin D in too. Thank heavens. I was starting to glow and Ryan had the biggest farmers tan I have ever seen! =)

Sincerely,

The LeBaron Family

Mavrick turns 2!

This past Thursday Mavrick turned two! I still can't believe Ryan and I have a two year old. We are so grateful to have him and everyday is a fun new adventure. =) Here is a little recap of our day and the festivities.

We started the morning off with snuggles and a happy boy. He is like his Daddy in the mornings sometimes, kinda cranky (I didn't know that was genetic). So I was glad he woke up in a good mood since its hit and miss everyday. I bought his favorite breakfast food for him the night before: "OOOPs! All Berries Captain Crunch" He doesn't get sugary cereal in the morning very often but it was a special occasion and he was so excited!

 The rest of the day was kinda crazy. We read lots of books in the morning, cleaned the house, watched some cartoons, ran a TON of errands with Aunt Kami (thank heavens she was there), nap time, and setting up for his party. His party was a success and I think I did a really good job about not stressing out over EVERY detail that didn't happen. I have a tendancy to go overboard and do too much. Ryan says I am getting better at it so by the time my kids get married I will be so chill. Haha. Anyway...below are what his invitations looks like. I hand delivered them in case you were wondering about the actual Goldfish Crackers I put on there. I did an all blue party last year and still had a ton of things left over so I just through some orange in there. Mavrick LOVES fish! Really he loves anything boy but I had more stuff for a fish party and a dinosaur party. Haha. =)

 Menu:

Sub-Sandwiches

Watermelon

Goldfish Bar

Veggies & Dip

Chips

Blue Jello

I tried to do everything Mavrick liked, which is not much, and still keep it adult friendly. Last year we did WAY too much and made homemade ice cream, grilled kabobs,  and it was just TOO much work! I am glad we simplified it this year. It was also so nice to just have the kids swim in the little pool and play in the sprinklers while the adults chatted it up and did nothing. Below are some pictures of the party and the fun time Mavrick had. He really does love playing with other kids and people. He is a social butterfly like his Mommy so I am glad we invited other kids this year.

 

 

 

 So I had to put this picture up cause its so funny! Haha. He got into trouble for hitting Miss Annabelle on the head with his dinosaur. Sorry Annabelle...we are still working on that. =) She took it like a champ though.

Friends and family just chilling out and having fun.

 Grandpa showing Mavrick how to splash like a pro.

 Man! Does that boy look like his Daddy or what!? Same facial expression and everything!

 

Cake Time! Ryan made the shape and design of the cake the night before and my Mom decorated it for the party. They did such a good job! 

  Singing Happy Birthday & Blowing out candles!

 It was so funny...after we were done Mav points to his candles and says..."Hot. Hot."

 

Blowing out his candles and he did it all by himself! He is such a big boy!

 

Do kids do this on their second birthday or just first?

 Miss Emma who is older and more experienced, came out of no where and showed him how it was done! Haha. She is so cute. =)

 

Then Mavrick really dug into it!

 

Opening Presents Time!

Thanks everyone for bringing his gifts. He loved every one of them. =)

 

Eating cake with his dinosaur? Ok.

 Getting some quality time in with his new toys.

Mavrick loved his party and at the end of the day we had a happy tired worn out little boy and Mommy to go with it. =) We love you buddy.

Love,

Ryan & Kayla (Mom & Dad)

Mother's Day 2012

I am late on posting about Mother's Day but as usual...it was wonderful! I didn't have to change a diaper, feed Mavrick his meals, and just chill at home with my little boy and husband.

I really do love being a Mom and even though some days are hard and I feel so inadequate and that I am not doing as well as I should I know that I am doing an important work for the Lord. Its hard to always keep that perspective that raising children is part of HIS work but I can't think of anything more important or anything that I would rather be doing than being with my little boy at home.

Below is one of my favorite Mormon Message Videos about the work we do as Mothers. I came across it and have watch it 10 times since. It is so good! I cry every time. Haha. =)

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

Happy Mother's Day!

Sincerely,

Me

Ashlen's Bridal Shower & Wedding

One of my best friends, Ashlen, got married last month. She was such a beautiful bride. I am glad I got to go be a part of all the festivities with her. I threw her bridal shower here in Texas and it was a whole lot of fun. I am going to do a more formal post about it on my design blog with more pictures but this is just a quick recap.

Menu

 Baked Potato Bar (I had tons of family members bring just 2 things each and it was so easy and everyone loved it. New favorite "big group" entertaining meal.)

Fruit Tray

Vegetable Tray

Raspberry Lemonade

Homemade Tartlets

Serioulsy it was so nice to have everyone help bring stuff. Before when I have thrown showers I try to take on way to much and do everything myself but I am getting better at delegating. 

Here are a few pictures from the bridal shower. I am not a very good photographer so sorry. =)

 Her main color was coral and I knew some rustic burlap was going to be used so I had Ryan make this serving tray and mason jar crates out of scrap wood for me. They turned out better than I thought they would and I love them with the coral and peach roses.

 Bride to be and little cousin. =)

 Baked Potato Bar was a hit.

 Bride-To-Be and Mom

 Girlfriends!

 This would be Ash and all her INSTA-Nieces and girl cousins. So cute. =)

 Grooms Siblings. And YES! There are that many. =)

 Bridesmaids and Groomsmen...the end of the shot got cut off with me on it. Haha.

 Family Pic. My boys are so cute.

 Bride and Groom chilling out for a minute.

Daddy Daughter Dance.

All in all it was a beauiful temple wedding and they are a super cute couple. 

Congrats Ash and Joey. =) Marriage is all its cracked up to be. 

Sincerely,

Ryan, Kayla, & Mavrick