The Last "Land" Turns One!

Just a few days ago, we were able to celebrate our nephew Michael's very first birthday! We all drove down for the big pre-Halloween bash. Shannon (M's mom and Kendal's sis) went all out with "monster cupcakes," Halloween decorations, hubby Patrick's 5-alarm chili and a fantastic "ghost cake" designed by our super talented sister-in-law, Jennifer. The twins were so excited to celebrate alongside their other one-year-old cousin, Casey Land. The house was packed with kids and friends and we had a fantastic time! We absolutely cannot believe all of these "babies" are now toddlers, but watching them play together just gives us precious glimpses into what is to come!

After the birthday bash, we took all the kids to the annual "Trunk or Treat" party at the Land's church. The adults all decorated the trunks of their cars, then invited the decked-out kiddos to grab as much candy as they could. The twins were again in their bumblebee costumes and looked pretty darn cute!

Carli with the other girls (I think she had too much candy!)

Sunday Afternoon

On Sunday, our church celebrated their 150th Anniversary. It was a wonderful day, complete with nearly 200 members, friends and special guests. Kendal worked so hard on his sermon and it was absolutely perfect. Following worship we all enjoyed a yummy lunch catered by Arkadelphia's own Honeycomb Restaurant. The ladies at church were so considerate and "reserved" two chairs for Jackson Camper and Carlisle! The kiddos ate their lunch pretty well and were very ready for naptime!


That afternoon, Kendal was mowing our lawn (he's always mowing the lawn!) and I brought J and C out to play. Jackson Camper started reaching for Kendal, so we put him on the mower and he just loved it. He sat quietly and was a wonderful helper. Kendal said it was a little surreal because he distinctly remembers riding the mower with his dad not so long ago! Those boys and their daddies!

Halloween Preview

What an exhausting week! We've been recuperating from our church's 150th anniversary celebration and Ouachita's Homecoming, both of which were a wonderful success. Last night, Kendal took a group of college students camping for their Fall Break so the kids and I decided to drive up to the Malvern Presbyterian Church, where friends Meaghan and Carl work, for their Harvest Festival. Unfortunately, the kids were as tired as Kendal and I have been and we just could not get out of the driveway. So... we decided to do a Halloween Style-Show Preview! We went into the front yard to get some photos. The twins liked their costumes far more than I thought they would. Our only issues are (1) Jackson's black "bee" shoes are WAY too big and he trips when he walks and (2) Carli HATES the bee antennae I ordered for her on eBay. Like really, really hates it. Otherwise, success!



Today, I was in the process of moving all of our office furniture out so new carpet can be laid tomorrow when I got a call from our nursery school that sweet J was sick. The poor baby had a fever and stomachache and was so, so sad. He's taken two naps this afternoon and we hope he feels better soon. We planned to go see Nana and Papa in Louisiana today, but we're delaying that trip until tomorrow. Luckily Carlisle is healthy and happy today!

We also want to wish an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our fab cousin Michael, who celebrates his first birthday on Saturday with a special "ghost" party in honor of the Halloween baby. All the Land twins are now one and older - toddlers and big kids everywhere! Happy Birthday, sweet Michael, and special congrats to parents Shannon and Patrick for a perfect first year! We can't wait to get the kids all together this weekend to play. After Michael's birthday, Nana and Papa's church is having their annual "Trick or Trunk" party for the kiddos, so we'll get to see everyone in costume! I bought a crown yesterday so I can simply be the "Queen Bee" this year :)

I'm now in the midst of Homecoming at Ouachita, an event we plan for a year in advance. It's stress city in our house! Luckily, our family had some time on Sunday to hang out in the backyard and play. The kids both LOVE the slide now and can quickly climb the wooden ladder on their own. Jackson especially is very good at sitting on his bottom and grabbing the sides of the slide and waiting for one of us to help him down. They still like to swing, but sliding and climbing is definitely their preference.



On Saturday, I think Kendal is going to bring the twins to the Ouachita tailgate. Good for us the Ouachita Tigers are also purple & gold so we have lots of spirited clothes for them to wear to the event!

I want to introduce our newest twin buddies - Natalie Adele and Abigail Grace Miller of Baton Rouge, Louisiana! The girls are the daughters of Lauren's best friend from LSU, Elizabeth. These babies have been prayed for for so long and we could not be more excited to welcome them to this beautiful world! We can't wait to meet you, Natalie and Grace!

Fall Daze

I wanted to post this precious photo taken last weekend by Nana and Aunt Shannon. All the cousins in the Dixie cotton! They had a great time and I can't wait to make this an annual photo op!

Yesterday, Kendal had to go to north Arkansas for a Presbytery meeting so mom and babies have been having a blast! Last night - after the gym - mom treated the twins to FRIED MAC & CHEESE from Arby's. Needless to say, they loved this new treat (and it's one they won't get too often!). Today, we played and attempted the clean in the morning, then went to the playground at their school. On the way, we stopped at Sonic for "Happy Hour" (an Arkadelphia must) and mom again treated the twins, this time to the absolute best food on earth - a Banana Pudding Shake! Seriously, bananas, ice cream, Nila wafers and whipped cream in a cup, fantastic. We all enjoyed it a little too much! We then played and played at the playground. The twins climbed on all the equipment and even tried the slide for the first time - on their own! We all slid down together for the first few times, then Jackson Camper slid down on his belly, laughing the whole way down. They climbed up and slid down again and again - it was a blast and I tried to take as many photos as I could. Carlisle also enjoys spinning around (and only falling every so often!) while Jackson Camper is proving to be fearless on the playground! It's crazy to watch them gain more independence and confidence each day and it is SUCH a blessing to be able to laugh and play with them.



Now we're home and waiting on dad to get back. Mom has Homecoming at work next week (we've been working on this since March!), so please pray for me as anxiety is starting to get the better of me!

Mommy Va-Ca

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Chicago - and Kendal kept the kids! I went to see one of my best friends, Susan (pictured with Jackson Camper last Christmas), who just relocated to Chicago from Seattle. She lives in a fantastic garden apartment in Lincoln Square and we had an amazing time exploring the city (well, the stores). We shopped at H&M (I think we went there three separate times!), found some cute kids' stores, ate fantastic food, met up with friend Kathy (Susan's BF from college and my first Atlanta roommate), shopped, rode the train, etc. She has a great group of friends in Chicago and I got to meet a ton of them on Friday night and at a 30th b'day party on Saturday. I am so happy she is closer and already settled in her new home.

I also had the opportunity to catch up with another old friend, Amy. I met Amy 10 years ago during our Campus Crusade Summer Project in San Diego and we've stayed close ever since. Amy is a dancer and has lived in Chicago with her hubby, Ryan (who we also met in San Diego on Project!) for the last 5+ years. We caught up over our all-time favorite Starbucks coffee, then went to see her new apartment and grabbed lunch at a yummy neighborhood bakery. It was such a blessing to catch up with her after way too long!

Meanwhile, Kendal took the babies down to Louisiana for a good long weekend with Nana and Papa. While Kendal and his dad worked on their fish camp (and got a tiny bit of fishing time in) Nana and the twins PLAYED! They also got their very first introduction to "Dixie Cotton" and played in the southern snow with their cousins and spent time with great-grandmother Bebe (Kendal's dad's mom). We'll post photos of the cotton soon! The twins even got to go to church with Nana and Papa before coming back home to Arkansas. They were tired from a full weekend (fell asleep at 6:30pm!) but happy, happy, happy.

Bebe and Carlisle