the osborne fam: July 2012

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

getting in the spirit

The Olympic spirit that is!! If you have talked to me at all in the last few weeks, you know that I am ridiculously excited about the upcoming Olympics! I love, love, love the Summer Olympics. I just love the sense of national pride, and the fact that everyone in our country is united on something for at least a couple of weeks. I love the friendly competition among nations. And I love that it is special because it only happens every 4 years! My favorite events are gymnastics, swimming, diving, and beach volleyball.

I have been getting Noah excited about the Olympic Games as well. He has been watching YouTube videos of Michael Phelps from the Beijing Games in 2008, and it is so funny to see him shout with excitement each time that he wins, as if it is happening again for the first time! Yesterday I decided to do a little Olympics craft with the boys and it was a lot of fun! I totally felt like my friend Morgan :) If you read her blog (which you should!) then you know that she is always doing kitchen table crafts with her kiddos. I channeled her a little bit yesterday with this easy and fun craft.

(my little ragamuffin showing off his handiwork)

We made the Olympics rings using a toilet paper roll and some paint. See, so easy! But Noah thought it was fabulous.

We tried it two different ways. First, we dipped the roll into the paint and then pressed it onto the paper. And next, we painted the edges of the roll before stamping with it. Then we talked about which way worked better. Noah decided that although the dipping way worked better, he prefers the painting. That boy does love to use a paint brush!

I can't believe I didn't think to explain to him the meaning of the Olympic rings! (they symbolize the 5 continents that participate in the Games) Oh well, I have a feeling we will be doing this craft again soon so we will talk about that next time!

Sam thoroughly enjoyed painting in his highchair. He really prefers to use himself as the canvas!

I'm so pumped about the Olympics, Josh and I are even hosting an Opening Ceremony cookout Friday night with a few friends. Morgan and I are having the best time planning some backyard Olympics games for the kids! Here is a little peek at some of our inspiration. I can't wait to put it all together and watch the kids compete! :)

Monday, July 23, 2012

Georgia comes to Arkansas

We've had such fun getting to see Aunt Nancy, Micki & Tim over the past week! First, Aunt Nancy and Mama Dot came to Little Rock for a couple days after their trip to Destin. The night they got in town we had the whole family over to our house for pizza and lots of backyard play, but I didn't get a single picture! :( The next night we had family girl's night, a tradition I thoroughly enjoy. We went to Loca Luna which was crazy busy for a Sunday night, but was as delicious as ever.

Monday was Christmas in July! Mama Dot likes to do this for the great-grands every year because it gives them something fun & new to play with outside of the holiday season. Noah & Sam got a trampoline this year, which they have already enjoyed every day since.

Aunt Nancy and Mama Dot headed out Tuesday afternoon to spend the rest of the week in Magnolia--but not before a little shopping and a yummy lunch at Big Orange that day! Again, no pics.

On Friday, Micki & Tim (remember their fabulous wedding weekend of fun back in March?) made the trek from Atlanta to Magnolia for the weekend. I got up bright & early Sunday morning to drive down there and spend the day with them. I got there early enough to visit for awhile, then we headed to church.

(Scott & Emma had come in town Saturday and stayed until after lunch Sunday).

After church, this happened:

Mmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm!! (I do want to say, I did NOT eat all of that...well, maybe all of the pie)

After resting and visiting some more back at Mama Dot's, we made a Sonic Happy Hour run (of course!) then headed over to search for treasures at the old Hunt's Grocery store. It was my great-grandparents' store, and my dad worked there as a teenager.

The place was a pretty big mess, but we did score some treasures! I got a box full of old books to place on my built-ins, and we got some old Coke crates (and then proceeded to scour Pinterest for ideas of how to use them)

The store apparently closed down in 1974, as is evident from the calendars that were laying around.

Anyone need some tampons or panty hose from the '70s?

We rested and visited once again after treasure-hunting then went on a pretty hilarious search for a dinner destination. Apparently there are a total of about 3 restaurants open on Sundays in Magnolia, and we had already been to one of them for lunch. On top of that, Micki & I were being typically picky about our options :)

Being silly in the backseat:

We ended up at Joe's Place, a nice little "Italian" :) spot that turned out to be a great place to fill our bellies and enjoy some more company before I headed back home. Micki & I had to have our picture in front of the lovely mural on the wall

Mama Dot preferred to stay seated for her photo op:

I forgot to take a single picture of Tim on his inaugural trip to Magnolia :( I promise he was there (and Chloe, too!) I loved spending time with my GA family--and Mama Dot!

Friday, July 20, 2012

slippy slide

This morning we set out on some mundane errands--Wal Mart, groceries--and ended up coming home with a "slippy slide" (Noah's term). Fun commenced, and now naptime. Happy Friday :)

I also caught this gem of a moment at Wal Mart

Friday, July 06, 2012

settling in

We have officially moved into our new house! Wahoooo! We're in serious settling in mode right now, but I'm hoping that normal life will be back sooner rather than later. Ever since we put our old house on the market back in April, I feel like life has just been W-I-L-D.

There is SO much that I love about our new home, but this is pretty much top on the list

Our backyard is heavenly! Even in 105-degree heat we are enjoying it. Maybe I'll get around to posting pictures of the rest of the house eventually, if the settling in is ever complete.

Truly, we are so thankful to God for providing a wonderful home for our family. We've been in love with this house for quite awhile and I'm just amazed at how He has provided. It's been quite a process!

Back to the boxes!

Sunday, July 01, 2012

making it through

Our life is a wee bit crazy right now and apparently my blog has been officially neglected. There is so much going on that I want to document, but for now all I can manage is a brief iPhone picture update.

In the hammock with my boy:

We were so glad to get to celebrate some Boonie birthdays with our pals in town from way up in PA. My boys loved riding the horse!

I had the privilege of sitting with Heather (aka Fighting Fancy) at chemo last Thursday. I asked her afterward if it was weird to say that I really enjoyed that time with her. I did! I love that girl. I'm completely amazed and in awe of her strength and grace. If you aren't already following her blog and praying for her, please join in!

We got Noah's t-ball pictures a couple weeks ago and this picture just puts a big smile on my face! I love that precious face and big sweaty curl in the middle of his forehead :)

Josh & I had a date night last night (thanks, Mom & Dad!) and Noah took this picture of us before we headed out.

This morning we were actually ready early for church. If you know me, you know that means a photo shoot in our church duds! (by iPhone of course) These two boys--and their daddy--have my whole heart! It's amazing to me how different two brothers can be, in looks and in personality. I love them both exactly how they are!

I took Noah & Brady swimming this afternoon. Noah was beside himself when I told him Brady was coming with us. Whenever he hears that he is going to see Brady he starts jumping up and down saying "Brady! My best friend!" My boys are beyond blessed to have so many cousins to grow up with.

I'm going to do my best to really get back in the blog game as soon as I can!