Fall Family Pictures 2024

Last year we had our family pictures at our house. And I love them so much! For so many reasons. When we lost our home last year, I wanted a painting done of it to keep forever. I didn't have a single picture of the way it was. I immediately wanted to have photos taken in our new space that has become so special to us. I was so happy that our favorite photographer agreed! I also thought it would be so perfect for a cute, "new home for the holidays," or "decking new halls" card. Turns out..  I didn't do either! But I will love and cherish these photos forever! 

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King Cake

Made my first King Cake-- for no other reason than I wanted to try it. It was good. I definitely had some feedback for myself for next year. It still tasted yum and was really simple. And next time I'll plan better and have a baby. I had to steal a little Encanto man from the girls :) 

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Super Bowl 2024

We watched the superbowl with friends this year and the host made these fun koozies! I love that it turned more into a Taylor Swift and Usher watch party than a football game! 

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Valentines Day 2024

Somehow this day has become so fun with kids. They love it! The candy, the parties, the pink! I love how excited they get to have little treats from their friends. And to make special cards for their classes. 

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School Valentines for the Girls

I really love craft projects for the girls. And I really love the ones for Valentines Day! This year I kept it kind of simple but saw this cute idea and loved the little tape. So I made a little card on Canva, ordered bubbles on Amazon and also grabbed this cute little tape assortment! Easy and cute :) 

 

Brownie cookies

I just really can't say how wonderful these cookies are and HOW EASY and how delish and how I want to bake them again just looking at them. They are so wonderful. I bet you could do a dusting of powdered sugar and they would be really great as well! 

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100 Days of School

Who knew this was a thing but Kate was super excited about looking like an old lady! And we got the whole outfit, wig, etc, etc and then she didn't really want to look like a full out old lady. So here's where we landed. 

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Central Cheer Clinic

The Central High cheer clinic is a HUGE hit for Kate! She did it last year and loved it so much! Emmy joined this year and was super indifferent about the entire thing. She went through with it but kind of just stood there. The most exciting thing to her was the juice they gave her after... at almost 7pm. :) 

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Italian Sunday: Meatballs and Polenta

OK.. this was amazing. Better than amazing. I love meatballs, Brian does not. He said he would try so I gave it my best go. And I think he's on the way to conversion to meatball liker. 

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Snow Daze

Ya'll... I have a love/hate relationship with snow around here. It doesn't melt and we can't drive but school closes even if it's clear and work is always there. It's a super stressful time and then I'm like stir crazy. But anyway, all the negative stuff out-- the kids loved it!! And had a blast. 

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New Years 2024

Another fun NYE with the Lar family! We love this tradition of spending the close of one year and start of another with Scott, Holly, Ethan and Harrison! This year was so fun. They came to visit us in our new home. Lots of memories made. 

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Christmas at Home 🩷

I absolutely loved our Christmas at home this year. It was so good and so perfect. The girls had a blast and it was so fun to watch them wake up in their own home on such a special morning. Making new memories! 

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Christmas in NWA

Another fun Christmas celebration in the books! We went to Wynne the weekend before Christmas for a couple days of family and fun. The girls love extra cousin time and we had a blast packing in lots of fun celebrations! 

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Corduroy at AMFA

New holiday tradition alert! Must see a show at the Museum of Fine Arts here in LR. Corduroy was so much fun with our favorite little friends. And Annie brought all the kiddos a stuffed Corduroy. Plus we had front row seats! 

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Christmas in El Dorado

We almost didn't make it to El Dorado for Christmas this year. Emmy woke up sick the day were were suppose to leave.. or maybe the day before. I don't remember anymore. We decided we weren't going to make it and were so sad. So last minute we woke up Sunday morning and decided to hit the road for a day trip. I'm so glad we did! We packed so much in one day and the girls loved every single minute. Allll the Christmas things are really the best. 

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Melting Snowman Cookies

Dying over these fun little cookies that I made with the girls. The yummiest little sugar cookie topped with icing (not melted enough!), pretzel sticks, marshmallows, and mini chips. We bagged these up and took one to each on of the girls little classmates. They were a hit! And we super easy :) 

 

Neighbor Christmas Gift

Really loved our little neighbor gift this year. I had these adorable little tea towels made locally then paired it with homemade cinnamon rolls. Who doesn't love hot cinnamon rolls delivered at dinner time? Next year I'm going to work on the timing :) 

 

Cookies with Santa at the Gattins

So fun going back through all these sweet Christmas memories! Second annual holiday cookie party at the Gattin house included a special visit from Santa this year! It was so much fun! And while Emmy refused to wear Christmas PJs, at least we got the right color down. 

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Holly Dolly Bunco

Speaking of decorating for Christmas early, I hosted November bunco but made it and early Christmas themed Holly Dolly bunco :) And it was so fun! Totally worth getting the house all ready early! 

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Christmas Party at the Mansion

Continuing with all things holiday things catch up! Got a couple snaps from the Governor's Christmas party. Love that Lindsay and I both went the route of recycled dresses from years past. Always fun to have a night out and see the beautiful decorations! 

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Capitol Lighting 2023

We went to the Capitol lighting and didn't get a single picture of the actual lights or fireworks! Another one of our fav things to do! This year we hit the Oyster Bar prior to the show. It was fun, per usual! 

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Christmas tree shopping

One of my favorite days of the year! I'm kicking myself because we take this picture every year and I did it from the wrong side this year! But they are still super cute and excited. First year we got smart and took straps! And that rack (or whatever it's called) was a deal maker when shopping for a new car for this ONE reason! 

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Brian's 38th Birthday!

We went to Benihana's for Brian's 38th birthday. The girls loved it so much and ask about going back all the time. Nothing like dinner AND a show! 

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The Perfect Sidecar

One of our favorites! Except when we swing into the Haywood Hotel in El Dorado. Don't order this. Just stick to the menu :) 

1.5 ounces pierre ferrand ambre cognac (or other)

1 ounce pierre ferrand dry curacao

3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon simple syrup 

garnish: 1 orange twist

Shake all the ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled coup. Express the orange twist over the drink, then gently rub it around the rim of the glass and place it into the drink! Enjoy! 

Kate's 6th Birthday!!

Our little girl turned SIX!! And had the best time at her Dolly Parton themed gymnastics party! It was the perfect place for a fun celebration. 

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Halloween 2023

I feel like we celebrated Halloween like seven-hundred times this year. And there were so many events before the actual day! Which was fun and the girls loved it! Brian and I actually dressed up this year and went to a party too. Who are we?!

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Pumpkin Patch Field Trip 2023

Kate's second year to go to the pumpkin patch on a field trip! Emmy was suppose to go this year but LRSD will no longer carry 4-year-olds on school buses. SO SAD! Loved being able to go with my big girl again and spend time with her and her new friends from school! 

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Molten Lava Cake

We wanted something for dessert one night but didn't have a lot of ingredients on hand. Somehow we landed on this molten lava cake for two recipe. It was delightful. And easy and so chocolatey! And just so so so delish. Enjoy! 

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Fall Soccer 23

Both the girls played soccer this past fall and it was a hit! We signed them both up thinking they would be playing at the same places on the same days. Totally wrong. Showed up for the first practice and couldn't find Emily's team. Turns out we were at the wrong place. So I ran down to Riverdale to take Emmy and left Brian and Kate at Murray Park. When we picked them up, Brian was the assistant coach. 

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Labor Day Weekend 2023

Happy Labor Day weekend from this set of cute little cousins! David, Amanda, Kai and Camden came to visit us for the holiday weekend. We ate great food, watched football, went to the pool, played and had a great time hanging out! It was nice to host family in our new home and watch these sweet little cousins have some quality time together! 

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dutch baby pancake

Hello world! Let me introduce you to this amazing thing in the form of breakfast-- dutch baby pancake! It's so easy and so fun and really quite delish. You should add this to your weekend plans, now! 

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First Day of School 2023

Back to school was so fun this year! So many sweet memories made and so fun to do all this with the Cherry kids! Major props to Michelle for getting the sweetest pictures of the kids before school! 

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Last Weekend of Summer

Last weekend of summer was so jam packed and SO FUN! I don't even want to pretend like I want to put these pictures in order, so random order is what you've got! Just want to remember these sweet moments in the years to come! 

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End of ECEP

It's crazy to think it was our last day at ECEP! Kate started when she was 11 months old and Emmy as as 12 week old baby. So since 2018... wild!! Kate went back for summer care so she got to see her old friends and teachers. Emily was not looking forward to leaving Rocket Room! It's been her favorite thing ever!!! 

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VBS 2023

VBS or BBS as Emmy called it was so much fun!!! The girls loved this week at our church and still sing the songs on the reg. Good luck finding our girls in the picture. Emmy is on the left sitting next to Charlie (seen below) and I think Kate is just right of center. 

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4th of July 2023

Raise your hand if you love the 4th of July?! All hands raised over here!! This is our... I've lost track... year to spend with the Lar family in Rogers. The kids love this holiday probably as much as the adults at this point! 

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Emmy's 4th Birthday!

Emily turned FOUR!! We had an early celebration for her the weekend before her actual birthday. It was so much fun! I still think of her as a partial COVID baby so she hasn't really had a big blowout with all of her friends there. She LOVED it!! And it was so much fun for all. 

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40 Under 40

I made the 2023 class of Arkansas Business 40 under 40!! And was so excited for this honor! We attending the luncheon back in the summer and it was so fun to look around and see so many people who have supported me during my career. 

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Spring Choir Concert

Finished the year with Kate's spring choir concert. She's done so great all year and has loved her time with Mrs. Amy. And how adorable do these little ones look in their robes?! I love it! 

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We Bought a House!

Let's start the new year (on this blog) off on a good note-- we bought a house!! Actually it was last May but we've loved being in our new home and it's been really exciting having a new place to call ours. 

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