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

Christmas 2015 {Colorado}

After we spent a few days in Kansas we headed out for Colorado. This year was full.

beautiful Colorado :)

The first thing we did when we got here too was shopping! Morgan and I got to go shopping together and then Kristen and I took a trip as well.

THERE was a POTTERY BARN...Williams Sonoma...I mean seriously? Did I die and go to Heaven?

Tuckered out from shopping all day :)

We got to spend Christmas with everyone. Literally everyone on this side of the family. Every grand kid was present. We have a LONG list of grand kids on this side!

Morgan

Ryker

Tyler

Colten

Nora

Sawyer

Kolter

Noah

Josiah

Samual

Nathaniel 

That is a lot of grandkids! Speaking of grandkids... Grandpa & Grandma Rush had So many stockings this year!

Blessed? Beyond Measure!

Everyones Stockings in the family. Grandparents, Parents, Kids and grandkids. Holy moly! Blessed!

Merry Christmas 2015!!

This crazy blue thing? Oh... it's a crash pad. Grandpa Rush got each family one. So the kids would jump from the stairs onto the crash pad. Talk about some family fun!

Adam, Wes & Kale

The three boys with their Christmas PJ's from Tache...Where is Kyle?

This year was great. We loved seeing all the SIL/BIL, cousins and families all together in one place.


~ Our Shank Family

Christmas 2015 {Kansas}

We spent Christmas this {past} year in Kansas and Colorado. It was a long trip but well worth every minute spent road tripping! Goodness we love taking road trips!

First Up on this Christmas Road Trip...Kansas!

As always..A road trip Selfie!!

Our little chauffeur  :)

The first thing this mama and her baby bear did when we arrived was a little pre-Christmas pampering. It's a must. Seriously. We really needed this :)

Then Morgan and I did some shopping. It was a fun little trip.

Grandpa Shank and Tyler spotted deer in the front yard

Morgan making cookies with grandma Shank

We always take a Braums trip!

While we were in Tennessee, Morgan was unable to ride the horses. Her heart was broke. I mean seriously broke. So while her and daddy were on their wagon ride daddy called in a favor to his dad. Who then called in a favor for our little Morgan. Horses! That she could ride! Her heart was full.

Some outdoor play at Grandpa Shanks!

We didn't get many pics while there. Entertainment was at its best... we had a blast as always. The kids adore going to Grandpa and Grandma Shank's house.

We love that we got to see everyone as the kids are getting so big and growing like weeds.


~ Our Shank Family