Mother's Day {2016}

I love Mother's Day! It's one day out of the whole year where I get to just relax all day and celebrate being a mommy.

Since I met Kale, Mother's Day has been SO dramatically different for me. I cherish these moments like never before. I'm so grateful for him and for my babies.

This Mother's Day was sweet. I did not wake up to kids jumping all over me in my bed but I did wake up to my favorite pancakes. Whole Wheat Mill Pecan Pancakes with real maple syrup and more pecans! Goodness I LOVE pecans!

Tyler made me a book with paper. He drew a photo of each member of our family and create a name for them. He also made a basket out of paper and filled it with Hershey's Kisses {which the kids ate I might add}.

Colten bought me roses and a card. It was adorable. Like, he's growing up. Trying to be more like Kale with his gifting.

Morgan .. and Ryker gave me TONS of sweet kisses. ALL DAY LONG Morgan repeated Happy Mother's Day under her breath. Cutest thing ever.

Later that evening Kale and I took off to West Baden. We had an engagement session. {it just happened to work out this way}

We photographed a 1.5 hour session and then went on a nice date. Nothing fancy. I was "Hangry" and wanted something good... like bar-b-qua. So he took me to Legendz Bar and Grill. They had THE BEST sweet Potato fries I've ever had.

Then we went looking at land. Future plans for a "Lakehouse" are in the works. More in another post.

It was fun. I had a really great time! Then when we came home another surprise was waiting. Our sitter and friend Caitlyn had the kiddo clean the entire kitchen. Light my favorite Limoncello candle and make a sign that said "Happy Mother's Day". Just that little sign melted my heart. Oh and they cleaned my kitchen!

Happy Mother's Day!! We love you! 

~ Our Shank Family

He Is Risen! Easter 2016!

Our Easter Day was pretty great. I have to say this because we didn't follow our usual pattern for this celebration this year.

Normally we do an easter basket search with sticky notes, dye eggs, cook huge meals, hang out at home, fill easter baskets with tons of candy and goodies...etc. etc.

This year was kind of different. We didn't do an Easter basket search, egg hunt or dye eggs. No huge cooked meal and no mounds and mounds of candy.

This year we all woke up early to smaller easter baskets for Morgan and Ryker filled with grass + a stuffed toy + a fruit pouch {they adore these}.

The boys got Easter Cards with $10 and a small bag of their favorite candy.

Kale cooked everyone pancakes and we all got dressed ready to focus on the Story. As jurors of HIS story.

We arrived at church and we heard one of the most beautiful sermons I think Kale and I have, together, ever heard when it comes to the story of Jesus rising from the dead.

We were the jurors. Our pastor was an attorney. And the "story" was on trial. It was amazing the way that our pastor taught us today. 

HE IS RISEN! He is not dead. It's 2016 and the tomb is STILL EMPTY! It was a really great story.

After church we attempted an Easter Pic. Attempted! We absolutely failed! Kale got nervous and Ryker was not having it! So, our beautiful attempt: but we still love it!

blurry and the baby is crying. lol.

After church we went out to eat as a fam and hit the zoo. It was a fun filled day with LOTS to do. Thank goodness the zoo rents strollers {we forgot out stroller} because I think Kale and I both would have lost it without a stroller for little Ryker man!

 Happy Easter!!

~ Our Shank Family

The Renewal "Reception"

Since Kale and I renewed our vows in West Baden privately we decided to have a little party at Bar Louie when we returned home so that our friends could see us before we hit the road the next day for Christmas Vacation. 

We brought our cake back from West Baden with us so we could cut it for real this time and share it with our closest friends.

We all had dinner and drinks. Ate Cake. Played the "Shoe Game". It was hilarious and so much fun. We are so grateful for our friends!

Left to Right: Brianna, Melissa W, Melissa J, Me and Amanda

Tara and Jack + their kids attended. Melissa and John + their kids attended and our other friends Christine + AJ along were also there.They all just had babies so they were a little busy :)

Cake Cutting was hilarious.

I was surprised that the cake even made it back on a 2 hour trip and the fact that I stacked it all lopsided totally didn't' matter. IT was SO good! So I guess since we have already been married 5 years we eat the top when? I have no idea. The cake top is in our freezer. I've thought about eating it a few times... ha. Does it even matter? Nope. I guess one day when I feel like having some really delicious cake... I'll bust it out :)

This was a great night to remember.

~ Our Shank Family

Daddy's New Toy

I have always noticed that guys like to call their tools  "Toys". I understand the concept when it comes to a big truck, fancy car, boat etc. BUT a lawn mower? It took THESE moments for me to really realize how much fun a lawn mower is and why it is called a "Toy"

We knew Kale and Colten both could not mow our new property with a push mower which is all we have. So Kale spotted this gently used one and without thinking twice went and tested it out and purchased it. The kids went with him to bring it home and they all went for a ride :)

He was excited like it was the best gift he had ever received on Christmas Morning. I thought it was beyond cute. He's cute. So are the things he chooses to spend money on. BUT I can totally relate. I watched my dad growing up getting all happy over a new rod and reel :)  I. GET. IT. NOW!

Kale is teaching Tyler to mow. He feels a little left out with Colten doing most of the "big boy stuff". I know Kale will get some good exercise if Tyler decides he is going to start mowing too.

Kale's New Lawn Mower + A fun filled Evening enjoying Fall Weather

Our little visitor for the day

Gorgeous sunset down our new street :)

~ Our Shank Family

Faith and God's Timing

Our new little home as a family of 6 + 2 dogs.

We have had a plan for sometime now to find a new home for our growing family. Either it wasn't the right property. Wasn't a big enough yard. No basement. No rec room for kids. Way too expensive. There was always something that didn't make us smile from ear to ear or didn't give us a little peace in our hearts. 

Honestly, for a while we thought this is it. This is the one. But we just weren't ready. 

We had faith. We knew we would know that THIS is where He wants us to be. We patiently waited.

Finally. The time came and we couldn't be happier.

It's so true. I love this poster. We've waiting a while to move and to find our little piece of heaven back in the sticks. We have viewed at least 20 homes. 20! That's not including the ones online we viewed on our own. Our poor Realtor. Goodness are we really glad we waited. This house is smaller than the one we have now but boy it meets almost all of our needs. The property, the recreation room, the space, the redesign, the kids smiles, the dogs and just the happiness, the HUGE tree in the backyard and knowing the relaxation is there. No traffic. No loud noises. It's just perfect.

~ Our Shank Family

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was a blast this year. We were invited to a pool party with friends and it was just what our family needed! We got to get out of house, away from work + other things and just enjoy life!

Our friends had a great pool party followed by a walking taco bar and then an outdoor movie!

The Kids LOVED it! We did too :)

A little photo recap of the festivities!

It was a kid friendly & adult fun labor day weekend! 

No Permanent Damage

A night of horse-play and fun turned into crying, tears, lots of blood and an emergency dental visit for our little miss morgan.

Everyone was playing and having a great time then Morgan started crying (while holding her mouth) so hard she couldn't breathe.

I felt terrible. There was nothing I could do.

She swelled up immediately. Her gums around her two front teeth were purple and it appeared one of her teeth shifted a bit {which was later confirmed by dentist}. She also had a strip of bruise from top lip to bottom of her nose.

POOR BABY!

We were fortunate enough that she let us ice her mouth for around 30 minutes. Then in the am as soon as our dentists office opened I called it in. We were seen within 30 minutes. She was seen by our family dentist while still in her pajamas :) It was really cute. She wasn't very happy at all but mom HAD to get a picture for memories sake!

After a few x-rays and exam...our little miss is going to be fine!

No permanent damage and her dentist does not believe her teeth will be discolored! So that's all great news.

Every good story ends with an ice cream right?

This little girls story did. Ice Cream for breakfast and she was a REALLY happy camper!

Home #2

 New Home. New Project. New pretty shiny things. LOTS of work. I can't even tell you how much work will be put in this house.

I think it's safe to say Kale and I are ready for the guts, sweat and tears that will come!

Praying for His guidance and patience first and foremost. This is going to be a challenge having small children to say the least. This remodel will also test our patience at times.

But we are pretty ready to rock this joint :)

I say home #2 because we have future house plans but for now this will definitely do! Anything to get out in the country, closer to kale's work and our plan is complete to find a home that we can remodel :) But ya never know, we could end up being very happy here. I know Kale and I both will never miss our old neighborhood but we will definitely miss our first home. SO many memories were lived at 407 Maxwell. It will be bittersweet when we finally leave.


Here are a few pics of our home #2.

Front of Home

Back of Home

We are really excited about this house. It's seriously outdated and needs an entire gut and remodel but at the price range it was actually perfect for a complete renovation. It currently has a most of our requirements!! Plus a few that we weren't counting on like an acre behind the home and a POOL!


A photo our realtor sent us as she was opening the doors for us :

I don't know who they belong to or where they came from but I will definitely be feeding them when they come over to visit!

This photo was the icing on the cake for us.

If this doesn't scream countryside I don't know what does!

Right now we are in the process of closing here in around 30 days. Tons of paperwork, estimates etc. We are hoping and keeping our fingers are crossed for everything to go through smoothly.

We will post all of our updates on our blog. We are super excited to start this journey!!


~ Our Shank Family