Family and Football: A fun three day weekend!

Whew – Does it feel like Monday to anyone else besides me?  Us "bankers" in the Lunsford house had a three day weekend thanks to Martin Luther King Jr.    We jam packed our weekend with a lot of fun and a little bit of rest. 

We started our Saturday with playdates and The Little gym.  Then home for naps while I worked on the laundry and prepped some appetizers to enjoy during the Panthers game on Sunday.   I’ve been taking his greek dip EVERYWHERE we go lately.  It’s literally the easiest thing ever, all you have to do is chop and layer.  

  Tub of traditional humus

    Tub of Tatziki

   Cucumber, Tomato, and Green Onions

Mediterranean Feta, and Black olives (I only put black olives on half since I feel like a lot of people don't like olives)

 I also put together some anti-pasta skewers.  I got the idea from snoopnattynat when she posted this on her instagram.   They also ended being delicious and a hit.  I’m going to have to remember these for our xmas party next year.   It’s not shown in the picture but right before I served them I drizzled deli oil over them. 

 Saturday night Grami came to babysit and Hunter and I snuck away for a date night with my brother and sister-in-law.   Some noshing, followed by a nice dinner, made complete with a bucket of "juice" from Howl at the Moon (which i hadn't been to in like 10 years). 

 Sunday we were up and at em again and headed to Big Daddy’s (my father in laws) house BUT...Not before watching our first snow fall.  Hunter V has been DYING to see snow so he was super excited.  And well..monkey see, monkey do so James Penn was equally excited as his big brother.  They sat here at my bathroom window and watched it for a good 15 minutes while I got ready.  So sweet! 

 Big Daddy lives on Lake Norman so we enjoyed a cozy day, with family, friends, football and a great view! 

 The cousins on Hunter's side.  Aren't they cute! 

 We stayed the night and headed home first thing Monday and after two big nights for us old folks Monday we spent relaxing and getting ready for the week! 

Only three more work days and its another weekend!!!  Woohoo! 

Easter 2015

My original plans for Easter Sunday was the traditional wake up to baskets, easter egg hunt, then church followed by brunch and then I thought better.  I remembered how terrible church on christmas eve was with the kids and how jam packed every brunch place was going to be.

 We are just not at a good age with the kids to attend church on holidays.  I don't want to go to just "say" I went.  Or go because thats what your "suppose" to do.  I want to go to worship.  To grow as a mom, wife and friend for Jesus.  To better myself and those around me.  And when we go with two small kids all I end up doing is shoving fruit snacks in their mouth to keep them from talking or screaming and 99% of the time that doesn't even work.  I leave frustrated, tired and feel like I missed out on what could have been some nice family time at home because I certainly didn't hear a thing the pastor said.  Hunter V just became of age where he can join the children's ministry so their is hope for us in the future but for now...

... we enjoyed some nice family time at home.

The boys woke up and as I was changing James diaper, Hunter V peered his little head over the banister and what to his little eyes dismay but two full Easter baskets on the living room coffee tables.  "Mommy Mommy the Easter bunny came."  These are firsts for us.  It's the first holidays that Hunter V is starting to understand the excitement and meaning of all that is happening.

 We headed downstairs and had fun discovering what the Easter bunny brought as well as finding all the eggs he hid.  After coffee and cinnamon rolls we got showers and started on Easter lunch.

Hunter IV made a picnic ham.  And I made Pioneer Women's Layered Salad. 

Big daddy came over and we ate lunch.  The easter bunny brought Hunter V water balloons in his basket and he was DYING to go out and put them to use.  So, after lunch we headed outside and all had a grand time playing with water balloons for literally 2 hrs.  175 balloons to be exact.  Even little James got the hang of it.  I would hand him a balloon and he would throw it and laugh and laugh.  The boys would throw them together and at their play cars.  They rolled them down the hill and squeezed them until they popped in their hands.  who knew all the fun water balloons could be.

 Church and brunch aside I did want to get some Easter pictures of the boys.  We have the most beautiful cherry blossom trees in our front yard at this time.  My hope was to get them in front of the trees but in case you couldn't tell I'm a TERRIBLE photographer.  The boys semi co-operated but I didn't even get the trees in the pictures.  I'm totally trying again next weekend (after all, the easter bunny brought plenty of bribery candy)  "Hunter smile and I'll give you a jelly bean"

We are looking forward to having more family around in the future for holidays...after 12 years of living in Charlotte I'm finally getting family near by!!! My brother, sister in law and two nieces are moving down to Charlotte next month and we could not be more ecstatic!!!  They are such a fun, light hearted, amazing parents and people.  We laugh ALOT when their around and I'm sooo looking forward to the cousins becoming close.  So much to be thankful for yet so much to look forward to too.  

DIY: Magnolia Wreath

Magnolia trees are a dime a dozen around here in Charlotte. We don't have one in our yard...but our neighbors do ;) SHHHH, don't tell, but I snuck over there and borrowed (ok stole) some leaves off their three to make us an oh so pretty Magnolia Wreath.
Here's what I used...a wire wreath template and green floral wire both from Michaels.

and some leaves of course...

There are some turtorials online that use foam wreaths and I might try that next time in order to make the wreath fluffier looking but what I used did the trick too...

And just start outside in tieing leafs on the wire template. I must say this was more time consuming that i would have liked, a few hours all combined.

But I'd say the end product was well worth it! Jakey wanted to help but I wouldnt let him...so he gave me his best "puppy dog face" HEY! Write it down, record the date, I did a post that wasn't about the baby :) Merry Christmas!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

Even though he's not even one yet, we just had to do it. And even though he might not know what a pumpkin is yet I'm fairly certain he enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine and tractor ride!! Here's some pictures from HL5's first pumpkin patch adventure!