The Beckners

Baby Bryn is ONE!

2012-02-10T22:05:00.001-08:00

One year ago today...ok technically I missed today by a few minutes since it is past midnight...but on February 10, 2010 Little Miss Brynlee Noel Beckner entered this world...and wow times flies!

Brynlee in her daddy's arms 2/10/11

This peanut was sooo tiny...just 6lbs...wow has she grown!

We have not had her 1 year check up...but we were at the doc on Wednesday because she has a little cold and she weighs 18lbs 8 oz! She is growing like a weed...and just like her sisters she is getting longer and longer! Brynlee still has soo much hair...I love it! She has 8 teeth and she eats EVERYTHING! I am serious none of my children have problems with eating!

Brynlee is still such sunshine in our house! She laughs all the time and gives us that toothy grin. She crawls like a crazy lady and so badly wants to stand and walk. She will walk if you are holding her hands but not by herself. She loves to babble and try to say what you are saying!

I put the girls in the car the other morning and went back into the house to get our stuff...when I came back out Hadley announced that Brynlee had said "broccoli" I had to laugh..while she loves to talk we are for sure not saying broccoli yet! Bryn loves to dance and anytime there is music she sits down and swings her arms back and forth. Her sisters and still her favorite entertainment and she will shove you right out of the way if you are blocking her view of seeing them.

Following suit with Reese and Hadley she too is a little princess and we love all of her! Happy Birthday to our Sweet Bryn!

A Toothless Date

2012-02-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

Well, the Tooth fairy came to the Beckner house once again for Reese! I know, I can't believe that she is already missing two teeth! She did get her teeth early...but she is not even 5 yet! Needless to say she was excited for the Tooth fairy to visit...and lucky for her...the Tooth fairy is good at the Beckner house! :)

On to the Date! Reese and Jason had a date last night. They went to a father daughter dinner that was sponsored by the Ballet school that Reese attends. They looked so good...Reese was just beautiful and Daddy was a handsome as always.

A little dance practice before the big night.

Reese was sooo excited...she was ready to go about and hour before it was time. Jason said it was a great night. They had dinner together...then they watch the Ballet school Ballerinas perform a few numbers and then the best part...the Father/Daughter dancing. They played 5 different songs that they danced to. "My Girl" was Reese's favorite! She was in heaven and I am so glad they got to do that.

Don't worry about the rest of us at home...we had a great time too! I baked some brownies so that no one would feel left out...I am pretty sure that Hadley was good with that! I did get her all dressed up and she and I had a fancy dance as well! (after the brownies were cleaned off)

Little Miss Bryn had a great night of course...she did not get brownies but she did get a favorite...Avocado! All in all...it was a good night for the Beckner clan!

Hadleyisms

2012-01-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

She is funny, really funny, so for a little humor for you all I have a few recent Hadleyisms!

1) Hadley calls her dress up shoes her "steppy steps"

2) When she is carrying a lot of stuff...she says "mommy I have too much baggage"! I swear she made that up on her own!

Classic Hadley...wearing someone else shoes and trying to keep it a secret.

3)When I am trying to get Bryn to do sign language, Hadley says, "mommy, she doesn't talk"...every time!

4) She calls lolly pops "wolly pops"

5) When she has to go to timeout, she says, "you are not being berry nice to me".

While Hadley and I were playing she loaded up the barbie car and told me...look they are going on a date night. Apparently, she is still not ok with the fact that Jason and I don't take her with us on date nights!

6) When I am telling her something she does not want to do she says, "I can not understand what you are saying"! Seriously, she does!

7) She calls her toy antelope a "cantaloupe".

8) My favorite...she calls shorts her "short pants".

She came into the kitchen like this and I said...oh my little Hadley ghost! She said, "no mommy, I am Mary and this is baby Jesus."

ELEVEN...only one month away

2012-01-09T20:25:00.000-08:00

Bryn is 11 months old! Don't you just want to pick her up and squeeze her!

Bryn is still the sweetest little thing! She really is smiling almost all of the time! Bryn has 6 teeth now...3 on top...3 on the bottom...and she has a lot of hair! At least in our family at this stage she has tons of hair! Bryn loves to "dance" when any music comes on just like her sisters! She loves to clap...and gets a huge grin on her face when she claps (like in the above picture).

Bryn loves being with her sisters and she lights up when they come in the room. She loves to babble and she still LOVES to say "dada" we have had a few "mamas" recently but "dada" and "dog" and "hi" are the favorites! While we have been working on sign language like I did with the other girls for eating...Bryn will pretty much have nothing to do with it. Instead of signing or "saying" more or please when she is eating...she growls at me! It makes me laugh...and then she laughs! Speaking of eating...following her sisters she LOVES to eat...anything (except fish of course).
I had to include this picture...since Reese took it with my phone and I think she did a pretty good job! Bryn is such a joy for our family and she is moving all around! I don't think she will be walking too soon...but she loves to crawl and she will stand and hold on to things! What is really funny is that Reese and Hadley get down on the floor and crawl with Bryn!

Mother of the Year...2012

2012-01-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

Just in case any of you were going to vote for me as

Mother of the Year for this spanking new 2012....

DON'T!

Why you ask? This is why...this dinner. I was so proud to actually cook black eyed peas for the Beckner family for New Years Day! Some really great Talapia that I cooked, spinach, rolls, black eyed peas....a yummy meal!

Yes, a yummy meal unless it does this to you!

So, apparently Brynlee is allergic to fish! I feel like a horrible mother! Truth be told...NO ONE in our family has a fish or any other "high risk" allergy, and she had Talapia about 4 weeks ago! But...literally it was about 60 seconds after she ate the fish that she started coughing and choking

and then had red welts all over her face and her lips were swelling. I freaked out at first...but then once she stopped coughing and began to "talk" I settled a little. I called the doc...while I was waiting to hear from them I called my childhood best friend who used to be a nurse at children's and she said to give Benedryl (which I really just needed someone to tell me because I get nervous about giving meds).

Then I rushed her to the children's emergency room downtown! Seriously...by the time we got there she had been given the Benedryl about 25 min before...but she looked so much worse! They did say that it was good I gave it to her because she would have been even worse! When we walked in...a nurse took one look at her and called another nurse and they immediately took us back! (now I was scared again). Fast forward 3 hours...after Bryn has thrown up a few times, continued to swell and get worse...then we had a Epipen shot! (so not fun...a forceful jab in the thigh and then held in place for 10 seconds). Thankfully it worked amazingly well...like within minutes...and we were able to go home...with our own Epipen and a warning to avoid fish! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Luckily she is back to her sweet self like nothing ever happened...and hopefully we won't need the Epipen! Seriously, I think it may take me awhile longer to get over that!

On a happier note...we had a wonderful New Year's Eve! This is now our "annual tradition" since it is our 3rd year to celebrate at Concina Superior!

This year was even more fun since we celebrated with the Morrows!

How cute are they? Reese and Hadley love some Graham!

This little bit just loved hanging out across the table from Miss Ellie...I wish I had a picture of them looking at each other!

We got to check out the Morrow's new fire pit and roast marshmallows for S'mores! Seriously, the Beckner clan was excited...and the fire pit was amazing! In this picture I am pretty sure that Hadley's marshmallow is in the dirt!

Shelli, Graham, Mike and Ellie...so much fun!

The best party planner ever here, my dear friend Shelli of course had hats for us! I love this girl and we feel truly blessed to be doing life together with the Morrow family!

So, Happy 2012 to all...hopefully your first day of this year was not as eventful as ours!

Post Christmas Fun

2011-12-30T21:56:00.001-08:00

After all the fun on Christmas day we had to keep going! We headed over to my old high school to watch my cousin Sara Beth play in a holiday tournament! She was incredible and of course they won...the girls loved watching her! Reese thought Sara Beth was so cool and Brynlee was mesmerized!

Did I say how cool Reese thought Sara Beth was?

We had a visit from Aunt B and Uncle Steve...and I think they slept pretty well that night after the wild times with the Beckner girls!

YOU know those Christmas wishes you have that you think won't come true? Well, Jason and I are wishing for a new car for Jason...one that we can fit in...well Santa delivered!

Just not the right size!

Vehicle number 1 - Bryn playing with Reese's Barbie bus

Vehicle number 2...the new Benz for the Beckner family...ok the only Benz we will ever see!

Aunt Ashley brought lots of fun with this car...the girls each got a turn to drive...I could not stop laughing at Reese...she looks like Stewart little in that car!

And now for the real fun...Trampoline Time at Bebe's house! We had a toe touch competition...which you can see now and a little later that both Hadley and Jonathan were disqualified!

Reese catching some air

Oh yeah...I still got it...my good ole cheer leading days paid off!

Go Ash!

Good height but no toes Jon!

Pretty sure that the New Mrs. Woodlief, Caitlin, wins for height!

Bebe wins for symmetry

Daddy wins for craziest jumping face!

Jason and I got to meet up with most of my high school friends...we had so much fun and Jason is always such a good sport as most of the night is spent rehashing stories from the good old days at Pope High School!

We loaded up the Beckner car with 5 little ones...the 3 Beckner girls and then Lindsay's two (Bryson and little Bella). Reese and Bryson were so funny back there together and Hadley was very confused as to why she got booted to the middle row!

Lindsay took us to a great kids place in Marietta called Catch Air! I loved it! So colorful, stuff for every age and pretty creative stuff too!

Brynlee loved crawling across this floor that would light up when pressure was on the tiles!

Hadley driving around on her elephant!

Reese and Bryson at the "dance party"

Reese and Bryson swinging from what looked like and upside down lollipop tree! It was Reese's favorite...she would take a running leap to grab one of the pops and then swing like a monkey!

We are home now...wiped out...Jason put Reese and Hadley down and we have not heard one peep! We had an incredible time seeing everyone and like I said earlier we are more grateful for the time and memories with people than anything else!

**NEW POST BELOW**

Christmas Fun

2011-12-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day was so much fun! Bebe had her house all decked out just for the girls and they loved it! Unfortunately not all of the decorations staying nice and in their spot...they were carried around by a few cute redheads! We had a busy day but it was Fun!

My favorite pictures...the girls "waiting" on the stairs to see if Santa came. As a child I remember that we would wait and my mom would run downstairs and then bells would start ringing...Santa had just flown away! So fun!

Reese dashed down the stairs first and we all had to tell her to wait on her sisters.

The pure joy and excitement over a princess flashlight...wow was that all we had to get? The girls loved all of their presents...but the best part is that Hadley calls them "Presidents".

We headed over to Myrl's house for Christmas lunch and lots more presents...we got a FEW stuffed animals...and you know who was buried in them.

Reese with her 2nd cousin Ryan...this picture cracks me up...I was trying to get their picture and Ryan did that face and Reese was giving me her "I'm too cool right now mom because I am playing with my older cousin face".

Little Bryn loving on her sweet Great Grandmother Myrl...you can tell Bryn is smiling because her cute big cheeks are lifted up!

We got to enjoy the Christmas story thanks to Uncle Jonathan...he once again got all of the younger grandchildren and great grandchildren to act out the story. Here Reese is as a shepherd...she did great...Hadley was a "missing sheep" and Bryn was baby Jesus!

After Myrl's house we headed over to my dad's where missy here got a Minnie outfit...she was not happy that I put her ears on...but she is so darn cute in them.

So, my pictures are skipping around a bit...here is Bryn eating up the Christmas Lunch at Myrl's.

Bebe and Aunt Ashley with the girls! The girls are set to be dressed to the "nines" with all the cute clothes that Aunt Ashley got them!

The girls and Pop

The Hansard Crew at Myrl's house

Bebe and her girls! We are so grateful for our Bebe she let these three wild girls take over her house and they kept her up late and got her up early! We rotated during the week who got to sleep in Bebe's room! We had a wonderful Christmas and more than any gift we or the girls got...we are blessed to be around friends and family and to take time to remember the reason we are all here and why it is we celebrate Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!

**NEW POST BELOW**

Pre Christmas Fun

2011-12-30T20:46:00.000-08:00

Wow...I can't believe it has taken me so long to write anything about Christmas fun! We kicked off our family fun with a visit from Grandma Shirla, Grandpa Dennis and their dog Fritz! We had a great time and the girls loved having so much attention thank you for coming to visit!

The whole gang At Zoo Lights Safari

These girls LOVE riding the carousel

Playing in the playroom...wearing their Christmas Tree shirts made by grandma Shirla!

Fun Christmas decorations and sporting their reindeer shirts that Grandma made!

Little Bryn with Grandma...she loved some grandma time.

Making cookies..and eating too much dough!

The girls got princess umbrellas for Christmas and the loved them...we walked down to the park and Grandpa Dennis and Grandma got suckered into this ride home!

Christmas crafts and fun

2011-12-22T12:21:00.001-08:00

So...I am a little behind...we have been busy for the month of December cooking up some Christmas crafts...some edible some not! I always say I am not a creative person...but I can copy some creative people...maybe not well...but I can try!

Our felt Christmas tree for the playroom. I actually saw a felt Thanksgiving Turkey in the Pottery Barn magazine and got this idea. Soooo easy...just bought a yard and half of felt. Reese and I cut out the tree...stuck it to the wall with ticky tack and then we cut our ornaments and presents that they can move around all day long!

Now this, I am pretty proud of...not saying someone else out there has not done this...but I did totally come up with this on my own. What do you get with two odd pumpkins and a Styrofoam ball?

Bibbity Bobbity Boo...a Snowman Pumpkin for YOU!
So next year don't throw out your pumpkins add a little paint, glitter, felt and a carrot!

Reese and Hadley both had Christmas parties at school...I helped out with Reese's! Check out the cute snacks...we had so much fun baking!

A little snowman craft...she is a very serious worker

The hanging Santa in her classroom were so cute!

The class with Ms. Lindsey...Reese adores her teacher, can you tell?
We have been having quite a few "movie nights" with all of the fun Christmas movies that have been on TV...Bryn has even gotten in on some of the action!

We had to do gingerbread houses of course...and of course these two ate more candy than they put on the house!

Reindeer cookies with chocolate covered antlers...sooo yummy and so easy!

And of course mommy had a little holiday fun...the 7th annual Ornament Swap! I love all of these girls and we had a great time. We missed the ones who could not make it this year...but there is always next year!These are by far my favorite thing we have made this season! S'mores cups! OHHH...I can not even tell you how good they are! Graham cracker crumb crust, chocolate, half a jumbo marshmallow, a little more chocolate! They are amazing right out of the oven...and still great days later!

A Ballerina and a Hollywood superstar!

2011-12-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

Reese is doing ballet again this year and she really loves it. Their class had a little Christmas party and they performed a few dances for the parents.

This is how they start each class...in a circle and they sing the sweetest song "Make me a good ballerina, Lord" and say a prayer! Precious!

Reese LOVES cats...so the cat dance was her favorite by far!

She was really good!

After about 30 minutes Hadley was past her point of being ok sitting in the stroller! I am so proud of Reese...she did so well and is so sweet with all of her friends and she listened intently to every word her teacher said! I love my beautiful ballerina!

Here comes Hollywood...the best thing about this picture is that it is at 6:50 am in the elevator on our way up for Hadley to have tubes put in her ears and her adenoids taken out. For some reason she insisted on putting on her glasses...and she kept them on.

She wore them while getting her "vitals" taken...the nurse could not stop laughing and about 5 more nurses came in and they all started calling her "Hollywood"...she just smiled like "so"?

In her wagon "riding" to have her surgery very preoccupied by the bracelet they put on her.

She did great...I was waiting on pins and needles the whole hour she was gone (only 25 minutes in surgery...the rest in recovery) When she came back to the room she just smiled at me and said "I want my drink". Poor little thing had not had anything to eat or drink since 7 pm the night before. She got a drink and a Popsicle and she would not let them go! She really did not eat the Popsicle but she would not put it down!

I did not like that she was having to have another set of tubes put in (she had her first set put in last October) but one tube was coming out and the other ear had blocked the tube and she was having a lot of problems with that ear. The great thing was she woke up on Saturday morning like a new person. Jason and I could both tell she felt so good!

10 months

2011-12-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

Brynlee Noel is 10 months old! Can you see that determination! Like I mentioned in our Thanksgiving post, Bryn has started crawling...and now there is no stopping her. She is still her laid back little self, but when you put her down she makes a beeline to wherever the action is going on (meaning where her sisters are)! She is trying to pull up on things but she is not quite there and she has had a few tumbles!

She is getting so big as you can see...I think she weighs right at or under 18 lbs! Her red hair is coming in more and more...I think it is going to be straight like Reese's. She has 5 teeth now...and she can and will eat anything! She loves bananas, of course, and peas, carrots, chicken, applesauce and any kind of bread!

Bryn still loves being with her sisters. She has started "trying" to say Reese's name. When we ask her to say Reese, she grins and says "sssss" as loud as she can! I promise she is trying to say it. Hadley used to call Reese "eese". She of course says "dada" all the time...and an occasional "nana" for mama. Bryn loves music and anytime music comes on she starts moving her feet and hands. She is always happy so when she is not we know that something is wrong! She is just getting over a virus that has not been fun and she has been pitiful to watch. But, thankfully we are on the mend.

Happy 10 months to our sweet baby Bryn!

Mistaken Identity

2011-12-03T04:58:00.001-08:00

You know him...

I know him...

They know him

SANTA!

But, it can be confusing to the little ones! You see, Jason and I took the girls to see Santa yesterday. Reese was sooo excited, Hadley was excited from afar and Brynlee really did not care for him and was confused as to why he was holding her.

Things went relatively well during the whole "sitting with Santa". We went to Brookwood Village, because I like that Santa...he was so chatty with the girls this year! But, the drama of Santa unfolded after they sat on his lap!

You see, this was the first year that Hadley was really too in the whole Santa thing, last year she was only 16 months old! So, she was just catching on the the white hair, red coat idea!

After the girls sat with Santa, we walked right across the mall to eat at Chick-Fil-A. Things were going fine. We could actually still see Santa from afar. It was as the meal ended...

I was cleaning up our table...and Hadley began to say "I want to see Santa...I want to see Santa". To which, I told her that we had, had our turn but we could walk over there and "see" him again in a minute. But, then the next thing I know she is standing in front of someone with her arms up saying "I want to hold Santa"! I was horrified!

Why, You may ask? It was an elderly lady with long white hair, wearing a very long, very big red coat! Yes...you are correct...Hadley thought she was Santa...and wanted her to hold her! As quick as I could, I scooped Hadley up and just smiled at the lady...and we headed the other direction. That pretty much sums it up...it is honestly really funny to me now (ok...it was kind of funny at the time) but I did not want to girls to catch on to that!

SOOOO many things and people to be Thankful for!

2011-11-29T17:47:00.001-08:00

The Beckner Family made the loong trip to Missouri for the Thanksgiving Holidays...and let's just say I am thankful that we made it there and back safely and I am thankful for getting to borrow a DVD player and for books on tape!!!

We stopped off in St. Louis first to see Grandpa, Barb, Parker and Kaitlyn and the amazing St. Louis ZOO. We had a great time...even if it was really cold! So Thankful that Barb stayed back to babysit little Bryn!

Had to climb on the beetle...I am thankful that it was not real!

We then, drove over to Kansas City to see lots more family! Uncle Chris and Aunt Andrea came up from Texas...Brynlee loved Uncle Chris...Thankful for an Uncle who will be a wonderful daddy....soon :)!

Over at Great Grandma Baker and Dale's house...Hadley held their cat hostage...she loved it...I am just thankful that the cat did not claw her way out of that hold!

Traveling with little ones is really hard because they miss naps, go to bed late and are just exhausted...so Thankful that Reese got in a little nap one day...she was passed out!

Uncle Dale and Cameron showed us their chickens and the girls loved them...poor chickens were running wild to get away from these little redheads...I am so Thankful that we got to leave the chicken there! :)

The girls and Great Grandma Baker...so Thankful for this lady!

Great Grandma love

I could have taken this picture 3-5 times a day...every day. These two loved sitting at the bar watching Aunt Joyce cook up so many delicious meals. So thankful for Joyce and Mike who hosted our family of 5 and in Jason's words...we ate like Kings...Joyce is a fabulous cook!

See that grin...she is saying how Thankful she is that she started crawling!!!

And...when crawling happens...it opens a whole lot of other things...like trying to get electrical sockets...I told her "no" and she just looked at me and grinned! Thankful for sweet smiles!

Never fear...big sister to the rescue...So thankful that Hadley problem-solved for me...she stood in front of the outlet!

Trying to get a family picture...Reese was not in the mood...that is life with a 4 year old going on 14! I still love this picture...Thankful for this family!

Brynlee playing with Anna and Katie...she is so thankful for them...so are we! It is so nice to have the older kids really loving on and playing with our girls.

Hadley and Reese in heaven with Aunt Joyce! Hadley would have let Aunt Joyce hold her all week if she could have! Once again...so thankful for family who loves on our girls!

The girls with Great Grandma Beckner...I took so many pictures of these 4 together...and seriously this is the best I got! The girls loved seeing Grandma and we are so Thankful for her!

Reese and Hadley with Grandpa, Barb and Kaitlyn. The girls were so excited to stay at Grandpa's house our first and last night! We are more than grateful for our wonderful hosts...and our 4 babysitters! (we wish you lived closer)

The girls with Annie and Chris...we decided to let them have a lot of quality time with the girls to prepare them for their new addition....so excited for them...this summer the girls will have a new cousin! So Thankful for Annie and Chris!

The trip would not have been near as entertaining without Parker and Kaitlyn's dog, Patches! Reese carried him around everywhere...Thankful that he survived, Hadley chased him everywhere...Thankful she survived, and Brynlee just watched him and grinned...Thankful for that!

Love from Grandpa...thankful for his granddaughters

The girls, so thankful for their best buddies, Parker and Kaitlyn!

We had a great trip...we did not get to see all of our family...but we are so thankful for each and every family member and friend that God has put in our lives! Hopefully we can all remember to be thankful 365 days a year...not just one!

All is quiet...can't be good!

2011-11-18T19:32:00.000-08:00

Not to always be thinking the worst...but 9 times out of 10...if the house is quiet and by that I mean if Hadley is quiet...it is normally not good news. It could mean that pasta or beans or other things from the cabinet are being dumped out...it could mean that my makeup bag is being investigated...my purse is being raided...tooth paste is being squeezed (not on a toothbrush)...toilets are being played in...OH THE LIST GOES ON!!

But the other day I was quite surprised...in a good way! Reese was at school and I was finishing feeding Brynlee her lunch. All of the sudden I realized that Hadley was not in the room...and I did not hear a sound. I dropped the spoon and immediately began to look for her...

Here she is...sooo sweet...just sitting on Reese's bed "reading" her books!

The moments like this make me love being a mom 100% and being able to see these moments during the day with them is priceless! Hadley is a handful...but she is so darn cute and sweet that it is hard to get mad at her...even when you happen to step into a gob of toothpaste on the floor!

Sometimes it's hard to be RED and BLACK

2011-11-12T16:50:00.000-08:00

The Real RED and BLACK that is....at least living in Alabama...sometimes when you don't "roll with the tide" or " yell "war eagle" it can be hard here....BUT NOT TODAY! GOOO DAWGS!!! Since our household is full of Bulldogs...(and one alligator...just kidding babe...we pull for the Gators too...except for that one day a year!)...we feel a little isolated in Alabama...but our girls have already been set straight from the beginning!

One little bulldog...Starting them early...Reese at 19 months old

Two little Bulldogs...Reese (3 1/2) Hadley (13 months)

Three little bulldogs...going strong...even stronger today!!!

*New Post Below*

NINE

2011-11-12T13:08:00.000-08:00

Brynlee Noel is 9 months old!

Brynlee is still such a sweet baby and still really laid back. She just sits back and enjoys the shows that Reese and Hadley put on all day long! She has 4 teeth and grinds them...which gives my spine the shivers! And, as you can see she has a lot of hair! When the girls are in the tub washing her hair...she literally has almost as much as Hadley!

Brynlee is following Hadley's trail of taking her time with moving around. She does not crawl yet...she moves backwards and when she is sitting up she scoots all around! While I want her to crawl...there are days like yesterday that I am grateful that she is content to hang out. I took the girls to Pump it Up and Bryn just sat, smiled and watched most of the time.

She loves "reading" books and really loves being in the mix with everyone! Brynlee has started eating finger foods and she is doing really well! Bananas, pears, sweet potatoes, beans, bread, chicken and tofu are our staples right now! She will also try to take anything and everything that you have in your hand!

Brynlee loves to babble..."Dada" is still the favorite...but ever since Hadley's famous "Dirty Dog" phrase I swear Brynlee says it when Hadley does!

She LOVES to dance! Shocking since that is all Reese and Hadley do! Anytime there is any hint of music she starts moving her whole body and grinning!

Hamburger Cupcakes!

2011-11-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

Don't worry they are really good...and Reese had that same reaction when I told her we were going to make them! But, once she saw the ingredients she was sold!

Don't judge my hands...I was trying to hide my chipped nail polish...and on this one the lettuce may be a little drippy!I know you are all dying to do this and to see the finished product...so what you need...
A very willing assistant

One that is very hardworking... A Taste Tester...

(don't worry that spatula was not used after this picture was taken!)While I wish I was one of those people who takes pictures of every step of the process...this is about as far as I got. The hamburger buns are actually just mini cupcakes...Betty Crocker yellow cake mix and mini muffin tins...cut them in half and there you go!

See...told you I did not take pictures of the steps...so viola...the final product! Aren't they so cute! I mean I am no Martha Stewart but I was pretty proud that I tried something and it actually worked (I have had a few failures...ok more than a few on things like this)

So why? Well, Reese's class is working on writing their letters and early reading...so this week they were on the letter "H" and so Reese was in charge of an "H" snack! I was trying to be creative and not so plain...I may have been that mom who sent carrot sticks...trying to be healthy! So, I found this on one of my favorite blogs, Bakerella, (please note it is one of those blogs that 99.9% of the stuff I can't do and don't even attempt...but if I did these...anyone can!)

You can find the exact recipe on Bakerella, mine was not an exact copy of hers.

I used

1 box Betty Crocker yellow cake mix (used egg beaters instead of eggs)

1 box Betty crocker fudge brownies (used applesauce instead of oil and eggbeaters for eggs)

I did not use cupcake liners...just baked them straight in the pan

I did not have the "handy" circle cutter that she has...so I improvised..I tried any and every little round plastic thing until I found a new bubble bottle top that worked!

1 container of Betty Crocker cream cheese icing

Yellow, Green and Red food coloring that I had

Sesame seeds..(these are key...it makes them look so real!)

They were a HUGE hit with the kiddos...and they are really tasty!

A little comedy

2011-11-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

I could (should) do a post about this one every week...about how stinking funny she is! Seriously she cracks us up all the time...her timing on things is amazing! I just have to share what she said today...

I was putting laundry away in my room...Hadley was on our bed "reading" some of her books. I began to hear loud thuds on the floor....which I knew was the sound of her tossing the books to the ground. So, I called out from my closet "Hadley, I hope you are not throwing your books onto the floor"...to which she replied.."I hope you're...not a dirty dog"! Yes...she did...but actually it sounded like "I hope you're not a derrtay dawwg".

I just stood there in my closet, trying not to laugh and trying to figure out how in the world she came up with that. I finally walked out into the room to see her sitting on the bed "reading" her book, Harry the Dirty Dog! So, it made sense now...but seriously cracked me up!

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T19:24:00.000-07:00

Halloween came to the Beckner house again! Two little ballerinas and one little poodle made the rounds! The poodle costume has officially been worn by all three Beckner girls. It is crazy to think that Hadley was in the poodle costume just last year!

Little Miss Poodle

We headed over to the Morrows for a wonderful dinner and some trick or treating fun!

Reese and her best buddy Graham the fireman!

Hadley and her buddy Ethan (so cute in his little plane costume)

Daddy and his poodle

Shelli and Ellie as a cute flower!

Most of the kiddos...we were missing Ethan...but aren't they cute!

Before we set out to get some candy everyone went wild about the idea of getting candy!

Really wild

Not a great picture...but one of the first houses...they just had a bowl of candy set out...and everyone was so good...the all just took one...I think!:)

Little Bryn just hanging out in the stroller...she was so content...at 8 pm I thought she would be out...but I peaked down and just saw her grinning at me...then she just started saying "da da" over and over!

Hadley taking a break in the wagon with Ellie!

Then we found someone's nicely raked leaf pile...well it was a nice pile until these cuties found it

We had a great time and are so grateful for the Morrow's hospitality!

Bryn's Dedication

2011-10-27T18:07:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was Bryn's dedication at our church. It was a really special day for us to focus on Brynlee and remind ourselves of what is really important! It was a simple day but full of meaning. Jason and I wrote letters to Brynlee telling her our hopes and dreams for her and to let her know how grateful we are for her and for the honor God has given us to be her parents!

The Little Queen

Ashley and Bebe made the trip over to celebrate this day for Brynlee...it was so special to us that they would come and Reese and Hadley were sooo excited to have them. (Please notice Hadley's face...I took this picture 4 times...she did that face in all of them)

Bebe and Brynlee, Bryn is wearing the same gown that all the girls have worn...the gown my sister and I wore and the gown my mom wore...so special...and barely holding together!

All the girls

Daddy and his Bryn...like always I am so grateful for this man. He truly is an amazing father...especially for girls...he loves them and builds them up. I loved hearing the words he wrote to Bryn.

We are so blessed to have Brynlee in our family and we are so excited to see how God molds and shapes her!

The flower girls...The progression of Hadley...Dancing

2011-10-18T18:15:00.001-07:00

Here come the pictures...sorry there are so many but they are funny and cute...

The flower girls and ring bearer...Reese was so cute...she had her arm around Hadley the whole time

It begins...the progression of the littlest flower girl...

Sweet and tired

Tired...or mischievous?

She dumped the petals and is asking for Bebe...Bebe is rubbing her leg trying to make her feel better

Curious George trying to see what Bebe is doing

Momentarily got her wish...Bebe!

Can you find the missing flower girl?

Daddy found her

Back to Judy...ready for cupcakes

Little Miss Bryn with Nina

Hadley dancing with Miles

Reese and Miles playing around

Seriously one of my favorite pics of Reese...she was loving twirling in her dress

She looks like a little princess on her tiptoes!

So much fun!

Mealtime Excitement!

2011-10-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

I just had to post these...Brynlee gets so excited sometimes when I am feeding her and her faces are hysterical!

Best Wedding...Best Weekend

2011-10-10T18:33:00.001-07:00

I am biased..I know...he's my brother...but it was the best wedding and the best weekend celebration ever!

The New Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Woodlief

I have loved Caitlin since I met her...but this weekend took it to a new level. I adore my new sister and I could not be happier for Jonathan and Caitlin! They had an incredible wedding, at a beautiful place with an incredilby beautiful bride and handsome groom. They had planned to get married outside...but weather changed plans so we got a few shots outside after the wedding...but having it inside was incredible! I have been to more weddings than I can count...and I have been a lot too...but this by far tops them all! It was to me a true picture of marriage and how God intended it to be. A wedding that was about HIM...not about only the bride and groom but about God...and it was amazing...I will say that over and over...but it was...I have never been a part of anything like it!

It was a huge honor that Jason and I were in the wedding party and then that these two were the beautiful flower girls! They did so great...Reese was incredible you would have thought she was 10 years old the way she sat and watched the whole ceremony without making a peep. Hadley was so cute...but quiet...not so much (she may or may not have said "I want some cake" multiple times...oops). Not surprising that before the ceremony this is where I found them!
Giving my brother a little love and tears before the walk down the aisle! He brought me to tears here...and the whole ceremony...I could not hold it together (be glad you missed that )!

This weekend we had so many people helping out with the girls. Having both Jason and I in the wedding proved to be challenging having the three girls there. The McBrayers took charge of Brynlee during the wedding, the flower girls were with the Eubanks (well Reese was...Hadley was doing her own thing) and before and during Ashley and everyone else was lending a helping hand! WE are so grateful to have so many people who love our girls like we do!

Trying to get energy out before the ceremony...a lot of energy!

The cakes were sooo good...and of course we had to have a big G! The girls kept asking the whole night when we were going to have cake!

Speaking of some of the helping hands...seriously all of these people have played such huge roles in the lives of our family especially in Jonathan's and my moms! It was amazing that they would take a whole weekend to make the long trip to Dallas, TX to not only come to the wedding...but to help with the entire weekend...including a little babysitting!

This scene...empty chairs...empty tables....because EVERYONE was dancing!

These girls danced and loved it...I did not do a good job of taking lots of dancing pictures.

Trying to get daddy on the dance floor! Poor Jason's arms were getting quite the workout holding his girls!

These two...tore it UP...They can dance!

Dancing with her BEBE...Hadley wanted Bebe to be with her the whole weekend!

I am serious they were incredible!

They had the coolest photo booth...it had some really fun props to use, and then it printed out a sheet of four pics for you and four for them to keep...like a real photo booth but a little cooler!

Guess Who?

LOVE THEM

The Happy Couple making their exit...I am so excited for them to start their lives together...and even more excited to see what they are going to do together...seriously they are amazing and their hearts for God are incredible!

And after all of the excitement...this was the scene in our hotel room at almost 9 am this morning....seriously we are all beat!
We headed home this morning (without Jason...he stayed in TX to do some work) and let me just tell you that getting through the airport and through a flight with 3 little ones...not a task I would like to do again! We all made it...with very little crying and screaming...but wow...when we got home I was sooo happy! (more to come on that)

Eight

2011-10-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

So, I am a little early...but better than late. This little bug will be eight months on the 10th...but we have a busy weekend so I am getting this out early! Brynlee, Bryn, Bryna or Bryna B...she has so many nicknames around this house is such a joy and she is growing up so much! Brynlee is sitting by herself all the time now...still with the occasional push to tumble by her loving sisters! She rolls around...but really still does not love being on her stomach. She does not sleep on her stomach which blows my mind since Reese and Hadley started that so early and have never changed!

Bryn's favorite entertainment is still that of watching her sisters all day long. I will say that the dogs (Ellie and Bailey) have started to come a close second...when we are outside she LOVES watching them. She laughs when they jump around and she loves to pull on their ears (they are sweet puppies). She still just has her two bottom teeth and she is getting more hair...red hair of course!
Bryn is very ticklish like her sisters. She laughs a lot and is "trying" to talk. When I try to get her to say "da da" she says "di di" and when I say "ma ma" she says "ga ga" so we are getting there! I am trying to get her talking soon...if not I am afraid she might be mute forever because her sisters won't let her get a word in!
Brynlee loves being outside and she has really started enjoying the swing in the backyard! She cracks me up because she holds onto the ropes when I swing her! She loves going for walks and she is still so great in the car! I am so grateful that each of my girls have really loved being in their car seats...especially Hadley and Brynlee...because those poor 2nd and 3rd children...they just have to go.go. go.! We are starting to see little Bryn's personality develop and it is so fun! Reese and Hadley are so different and I am sure Bryn will be as well! Everywhere we go people love to talk about her cheeks...I think they are so darn cute and kissable! We are so blessed to have this little princess and of course I can't believe she is almost 8 months!

Pumpkin Time

2011-10-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year again! We headed out to the Pumpkin Patch again this year to get some pumpkins and have some fun with our little pumpkins here!!

A little bit of sisterly love Riding some tractors...good ole Fun!

This little peanut was hanging out in the stroller for the first part!
Hadley getting really excited about going to see some animals!
Getting to see a baby duck..Reese loved it so much..a little too much I think! The girls loved the little ducks and rabbits...and pig...and goats...and sheep...and cows...ect...they love animals!
Cotton! Who says you can't have a grand old time in a trailer full of cotton...the loved it...Reese kept saying it was like snow...just not wet!

One of my many attempts a picture with the three little ones...we did not do well. And, yes, I feel like a bad mommy that Bryn does not have a matching shirt...but honestly they are the girls shirts from last year...Hadley's is a little too small now! Oh well!

LOve...seeing the calves...they wanted to feed them like they did last year...but it was not feeding time!

Somehow I got this one out of order...but we headed over to Dan and Katherine's to see James and Luke after the Pumpkin Patch! Reese and Hadley love these boys...and Katherine had cupcakes for them so they were super excited!

On the hay ride out to the pumpkin patch...Hadley was starting to slow down here...right in the middle of nap time...and she needs a nap!

The race is on...find your pumpkin...you can see who got a head start!

Trying to find their favorite pumpkin...they were so cute...I love that you get to actually walk around and pull your pumpkin from the vine! They have all kinds...the white ones are my favs!

Another try...

One more...got Bryn..but can't get Hads to smile...soo tired! I thought for sure she would sleep on the ride home...but she and Reese were laughing too much...but not 5 minutes after we were home, I was making dinner and looked on the couch to find my little baby!

I will leave you with that picture and not one of what happened when I woke her up to eat. Let's just say it was a full blown meltdown...like something out of a weird sci fi movie...I am not kidding! Lesson learned...don't skip Hadley's nap!

Jason's Trip

2011-09-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are just a few pictures from Jason's trip. He did not take a whole lot...but there are some good ones! The organization they worked with over there was Refilwe...pretty cool site if you want to check it out.

Here is the mural that is on one of the walls of the place where the community center was. In some of the preschool classrooms
Hanging out with the kids
She is so darn cute...Jason gave her a hug and then she grabbed his sunglasses from his shirt!Hanging out and singing

I loved seeing these pictures and hearing all about the trip. It truly made me want to be there with him. Our hearts desire and dream is that in the very near future Jason and I will be able to do some mission work together and then be able to bring the girls as well.

Lots of love and laughter
Letting balloons go for one of the churches there.

Jason got to see a lot of incredible things are one was this enormous elephant crossing the road right in front of their car.

We are truly so grateful that Jason had this opportunity. You can truly never come away from something like that the same. It changes the way you view your "problems" big or small and the way you think you "need" things. We are so blessed...or maybe overindulged in this country!

"I...I will SURVIVE!"

2011-09-21T20:36:00.000-07:00

I love that song...I have for a long time...but this past week...well, it has been my theme song! Seriously...it was in my head all day...every day. You see...this guy down here...he was in South Africa for a week!

It was for a good reason. He went on a mission trip and he had an incredible time (pictures of his trip to come...I promise). And, honestly, when we talked about him going a few months ago...I was like, "Babe, seriously, go we will be fine...I can do this with my eyes closed"...really...really! I mean Jason travels a couple times a month...normally for 2-4 days...so no big deal...right? Well, let's just say that by day 4...I was wishing I could take back the "eyes closed" statement...and that my eyes could really close...sleep...I need sleep! Truth be told, we had a great time...wild...but a great time...we missed our daddy!

We had lots of dance parties...sorry the pictures look blurred but I wanted you to know what my vision was like after a week by myself!

Two crazy dancing little ones...loud dancing little ones.

Ahh...but there were moments of peace...had by her that is...it is like she was born with earplugs!
If I could just bottle up some of her energy...the things I could do!Hadley developed a little more independence when Daddy was gone...wanted to dress herself...so there you have it!

Oh...and then this...yes I spent the morning getting everyone ready to head out the door...only to walk outside to this...I had to laugh...seriously...are you kidding me...my husband is in SOUTH AFRICA! I know, I know...some of you are thinking "can't you change a tire"...well the answer is No...and I don't want to learn how either!

Then there was this moment...when I came out from putting Bryn down for her nap...a slightly larger "baby" in the exersaucer!

Bryn may be sweet...but when I told her what Hadley had been playing in...well they say a picture says it all!

Disclaimer "no children were hurt in the following pictures...but a lot of fun was had by all involved...ie..mommy and Reese"

Yes...she is dancing on the washing machine...better than on the ceiling!

I am not going to say where she may have seen these moves!

And...finally, our daddy is home! We all SURVIVED...and we are all so grateful that our family is back together! Things just aren't the same without our daddy!

How have I not blogged about this...

2011-09-13T13:52:00.001-07:00

Or about Them I should say!

YES...these two! My brother and his FIANCE, Caitlin! This weekend we had a few wedding showers for these two...and I realized that I have not talked about this! I mean, my brother is getting married...to an amazing girl...and we are SOOO excited!So, we headed over to Atlanta...to just hang around for a few days...

Well, we really did not hang around...we really ran crazily all over the Atlanta area! We started at my dad's house to have a celebration lunch for Jonathan and Caitlin with my family, my Aunts and Uncles from South Carolina and Caitlin's mom (we had the best time meeting her)!That night we headed over to a Tool Shower for Jonathan...where you can see he got a really big tool box! (he is going to kill me for that picture...but what are sisters for?)
Here is the whole group from the shower. It was an incredible night....lots of laughter and a few tears as we shared about the amazing man my brother is and how his journey has brought him through so much! I truely do think he and Caitlin are an incredible match!

We stayed with my grandmother, Myrl, and the girls loved it! I say this all the time but I can not even describe how incredibly beautiful I think she is. We headed over there for a bit on Saturday afternoon...and then Aunt Bethany and Uncle Steve graciously agreed to take care of Reese and Hadley while we went to the tool shower...we did not get any pictures...but the girls had a great time!
Then, Sunday afternoon we headed out for a shower for these two again...it was really a shower for Caitlin...but we let the "soon to be groom" come along!

OOOOOHHHH...this is serious business! Seriously, some of the hostesses had to let Jonathan know that it might not be time efficient to give everyone a hug after each gift....he is just really nice like that...and you can't blame him...this was his first time at one of these! (ok, truth be told I may have told him first to put a stop on the hugs...bossy sister...I know)

The gift opening was fun...although Jonathan looks like he might be sleeping...I am confused...why is he not excited about new towels and dishes!

But, in case you were worried...this little one thought the shower was sooo much fun!

Giving a little thank you speech...they are so darn cute together!

The whole Hansard crew

So...in just a few short weeks...these two will be Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Woodlief!

We are so excited!

***New Post Below***

7...ahhh...I keep missing these!

2011-09-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, September 10th came and went and I forgot to post this little peanut's 7 month birthday...not that it bothers you...but it bothers me!

First...in case you have not seen her...she totally has more red hair coming in...and her second tooth is popping out! She still loves to hang out and smile and squeal really loud (she has to be heard somehow in this crazy house). Bryn can sit up all by herself now but she still takes a tumble...when she gets loved on a little too much by her sisters! She still loves her feet...from the minute she is on the changing table she grabs those little toes and tries to get them in her mouth. She is 100% entertained by her sisters and she laughs really hard when they tickle her! She has started noticing the dogs and she smiles when they get close to her...she gets a little nervous when they bark (so does our mailman). We love this little one...hard to believe she is 7 months old!

Three Sad Bulldogs

2011-09-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

Technically it is 4...actually 5 (even though Jason is a Florida fan he does cheer for the Bulldogs as long as they are not playing the Gators...he is such a good sport...I wish I could say the same for myself)!

We were sad that the Bulldogs did not pull out a win over Boise State...but we are not fairweather fans...it was just the first game (and a hard one at that)...GOOO DAWGS!

Three little Bulldogs!

2011-09-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

STARTING OFF THE SEASON RIGHT!

Of course we have to get a little silly...

Firsts...

2011-08-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

The Beckner house has been full of firsts this week!

Brynlee has been sitting up by herself this week. She still falls over to the side, back and front after a bit...but she is doing well. She sat up in the tub tonight for the first time too!

This little cutie had her first day of preschool today...AHHHH! She is going to 2 year old preschool 2 days a week! It is weird to me because Reese was 2 1/2 when she started and Hadley just turned 2...but she is ready! She did not skip a beat...she literally got out of the car so fast took Reese's hand and just walked off without even saying goodbye! And yes, like all of the past years with Reese...I cried..but she did not!
Hadley has the same teacher that Reese had for 2 year old preschool so I am really happy about that. When I picked her up she had been crying so I was upset at first...but then her teacher told me that she had fallen down and bit her lip...our little Hadley is full of bumps and bruises! She really did have a great day...I knew that she was ready when we dropped Reese off yesterday and Hadley cried for the next 10 minutes saying over and over that she wanted to go to school too!

I was trying to take a picture of Reese on her first day, yesterday, and Hadley wanted to be in it...Reese loves her little sis...Hadley loves her big sis!

Last, but not least, here is little Miss Reese. She is LOVING school. She loves her teacher and Jason and I were really excited when we met her last week. She is really sweet and totally on her game! When I picked Reese up yesterday...she got in the car and said, "I want to do school again Mommy" I said we will tomorrow, and she said, "no, now I want to do it again now!" This was her first year of being sad that certain friends were not in her class...she was sad...but now that school has started she loves her class. She goes 4 days a week from 9-1 and yesterday and today she has come home talking all about what they did and learned...I LOve IT! I feel like for me...I have had two days of getting my head screwed back on...seriously!
Oh...and in case you can not see it...her shoes are some Sketcher light up shoes...she has been asking for them since her birthday...I am afraid she may never take them off!

You know I have to do it...a look back...

Reese last year...August 2010 3 years old

Reese first day of 2 year old preschool

August 2009

The half milestone

2011-08-24T18:18:00.001-07:00

August has been a month of milestones in the Beckner family. Hadley turned 2, Brynlee hit her 6 month mark and Reese is 4 1/2! I am behind on Reese's milestone...but as she reminds me a lot...she is 4 1/2! That is a big deal!She is right...that half of a year has been a world full of change and growing up for my little Reese! Reese really has grown up a lot...she is so much more than 4 1/2. Sometimes, I forget that she is only 4. She helps me out tons with Hadley and Brynlee and really loves playing the role of a little mommy. Since Hadley has started using the "big potty" Reese loves to take her to go potty and then tell her "Good Job Hadley...you are such a big girl", it is really sweet!

She loves doing things herself...and I really love it too! She can pretty much get anything out of the refrigerator that she needs, including getting the milk out, pouring it into her glass and putting it away without any spills! She loves to help me cook dinner and she likes to pretend we are on the cooking show Chopped...I always get chopped!Reese loves reading books...and we are starting the process of helping her read on her own! She loves to memorize books (seriously she knows sooo many) and tell me she is going to "read" them to me! She also loves to tell stories and to have stories told to her...her imagination cracks me up. She loves having time with just mommy and daddy. We have had a few date nights with her and we are going to continue that with each of them!

Reese has had quite a few play dates with friends this summer. It has been hard for Hadley when Reese leaves...but yesterday I overheard Reese telling Hadley (in response to Reese going to a friends house) "don't worry Hadley...I will be back and mommy will play with you while I'm gone...and I promise this is the last time I will leave!" I could not decide whether I should laugh or cry at that!

So, there you have it...my little peanut Reese...is growing up so fast...4 1/2 on her way to 20!

6 Months... a little late

2011-08-12T19:03:00.001-07:00

Oooo my little Bryn is 6 months old! Brynlee still holds the place of "calm" in our house! She just takes all of the drama in and watches (I hope she is not saving up for drama of her own). This girl loves her tongue...she sticks it out and it is long...she pops it on her lips and giggles! Brynlee had her first tooth pop up on the bottom on her actual 6 month birthday (August 10th). She had been a little fussy, so we thought something was going on!

Check out the tongue Pictures tell it all...we tried giving Bryn "food" for the first time last week...did not go so well! She would have nothing to do with it! So, we tried again this week...and she likes it...I think. She still makes a horrible face, but I really just think she is getting used to the texture. Right now she has been eating squash and sweet potatoes.
Brynlee loves bath time. Normally she takes a bath by herself so she can stretch out and kick up a storm...but sometimes we throw them all in! The tub gets really small...really fast!
She has discovered her cute little face in mirrors. This is me holding her in front of a mirror...she was grinning and talking to herself! On her play mat she gravitates right to the place where the little mirror is...vanity starting early! But, I don't blame her...I would want to look at myself if I was that cute!Brynlee loves being in her "Johnny Jumper" and she laughs when Reese or Hadley get in front of her and give her a little "swing". Truth be told I was in the kitchen and heard Brynlee laughing so hard...I came around the corner to see her swinging...really swinging...Reese helping...I had to calmly let Reese know that it was not a swing...one of those moments!

Brynlee loves being held and really will just hang out with whoever has her. She just observes! At Hadley's party, Bebe held Brynlee for a long time (sorry Bebe...I think I got a little distracted) and she loved it!
Brynlee loves sitting in her Bumbo to play and in her exersaucer...greatest invention...but that things takes up sooo much space! We are working on sitting up...but as for right now the Bumbo is her "helper".

Like our other girls...she is a daddy's girl. She gets a really big grin when he starts talking to her or when he comes in the door! Brynlee is still a great sleeper...and she is starting to love books. She tries to grab the books when we read to her! We love you little Bryn...you really do make our family complete!

Hadley is 2

2011-08-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

August 7th....Happy Birthday To Our Hadley Grace!

I can't believe that about two years ago you were this little peanutNow look at my cutie pie!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of my little Hadley! She truly is just my spot of sunshine each and every day! Hadley continues to just soak up everything she sees and hears. She talks like she is 4...not like she is 2...and she continues to baffle strangers who hear her talking so much and so well! She makes me laugh all day...she is the comedian of our family for sure! She has surprised me this past week by deciding she wanted to start going potty! So, for an entire week she has worn big girl undies all day except for nap times and of course during the night! She has done great...and so far we have only had 5 accidents in 7 days...so I am pretty excited!

It is challenging being out and about with the 3 of them...and not having her in a diaper...but the thought of not worrying about diapers for her makes me push on! So...just beware Birmingham people if you see a crazy lady with 3 little redheads making a mad dash for a public restroom!Hadley still loves to eat and she sings during most meals! She eats really well...but we still have to work with her to eat her green veggies! She is the queen of going up to anyone who has anything in their mouth to ask them "what do you have?" You can not hide anything from her!

Random but Hadley captivates every waiter at basically any Mexican restaurant! The love all of the girls...but for some reason they eat Hadley up. We will be eating and there will be 5 different waiters that come by and wave and talk to Hadley...she just grins and waves at them.She still adores her best friend Reese...they have the typical love/hate relationship. In a span of 1 minute it can go from hugs and laughing to crying and yelling...ahhh sisters!

Hadley loves being outside and she loves being in the water....she would take a bath twice a day if I would let her.

Hadley laughs all the time and normally Reese is the one making her laugh the most. She loves being tickled!

Hadley still loves her babies...she caries them everywhere. She is quite the little mother...she tucks her babies in, swaddles them, feeds them and talks so sweet to them.

Speaking of her babies...Bryn is by far her favorite. She wants to hold her all the time...and she loves to talk to Bryn and get Bryn to smile at her..."Mommy, Bryn smile at me...she said cheese!"

Little Fancy Hadley loves to dress up...she watches Reese and literally does anything and everything that big sis does.

I love being able to spend time with this little peanut. She is a mess...but she is a mess full of joy for us!

Happy Birthday my sweet Hadley... we could not ask for a sweeter little girl. Your daddy and I are so lucky to have you and we pray every day that God would help us be the parents you need....We love you!
****NEW POST BELOW!!!****

BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!

2011-08-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

Someone had a birthday party...

IT WAS ME...(all week Hadley would say...guess who's having a party...ME)

Oh Yeah...and I am a ham!

We did a low key party at our house...really in the backyard. We invited a few friends and grilled out, watched the little ones swim and play...and just had fun! Aunt Ashley came a brought the girls a princess pool...which was a huge hit for the party!

Ashley and the girls

Here are the pools...Lillian was taking it all in...

The Beckner girls were a little wild...very unusual!

Pop came up to see Hadley and the girls and helped us get ready for the party...I knew he was here because while Reese was "suppose" to be taking her nap...I heard her squeal and say "Pop is here"!Random picture...but while I was taking pictures Reese wanted me to be sure to take a picture of the punch fountain...she called it! She was sooo excited about having punch (truth be told it was Crystal Light pink lemonade)

The eating area before the party started! We had the torches lit to keep away the mosquitoes...and I think it worked pretty well. I wish we had, had something to keep away the heat!
Bebe came over for the day as well to help out with the girls so we could get ready for the party...thank you Bebe! Hadley and Maggie...both with the same idea...cool off!
Shocker...look who pulled her chair right up to the table...she was ready to eat!
Ellie taking a dip in the princess pool
The cake...so cute and soooo good! I love Publix...seriously they have done all the girls cakes! And while I know I could make my own for very cheap...everyone has their things they like...and well mine is cakes...I like them to look really cute...and if I made it...well let's just say it would taste good...but that is about all!
Hadley getting ready to blow out the candles...she is normally not shy...but I think everyone singing to her and looking at her shut her down a little!

Now I said shut her down...it did not slow her down! She went after her cake!Hadley with her Aunt Memi ( Hadley's godmother) in her new outfit made by Grandma Shirla...so cute!

Opening some presents with daddy...she really loved the presents...but I guess typical 2nd child...Reese was all over ever present that Hadley opened...Hadley does not stand a chance!
A present from Grandma Shirla...a princess sleeping bag...thank goodness they can both fit in it!
We had a great time and these three were worn out! Lots of swimming, sweat and sugar will do that to you! Happy Birthday my little Hadley!

Day with friends

2011-07-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

I took the girls out to spend a day with one of my best friends, Katherine, and her two boys, James and Luke. We had a great time and the girls were whipped by the time we came home. I love when we get together...Reese and James are just a few months apart, Hadley is about 9 months older than Luke and Brynlee is about 9 months younger. One of my favorite things is to watch my girls playing with some of my friends little ones...just one of those moments!

Hadley, Luke, James and Reese enjoying a mid morning snack after playing hard with toys, water balloons, water and chalk!

Speaking of our snack...check this out...a yellow watermelon! Katherine had a huge one and the kids ate tons of it. It was sooo good...it was my first time to have a yellow watermelon!

After playing hard, we took a break inside, and these two watch the movie Oceans for a bit...they sat this close...too cute!

Then we loaded up to head over to the lake for some fun. Reese wanted James to ride with us...he was not too excited about being in a car seat with butterflies on it...but they had a great time back there! The whole way home Reese kept saying how sad she was that James was not riding with us anymore.We kept these two contained at the lake...and I put Hadley in her vest just in case she decided to check out the water.

Katherine brought a fishing pole and we really tried to catch something...but for some reason the fish were just not around us! But Reese and James still had fun "catching" some sea grass and other things in the lake!
Reese really wanting to catch a fish!

A little moment between friends...hopefully these friendships will continue to grow! Thank you Alexanders for a great day of fun!

One on One

2011-07-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

One of the many things that I have found challenging being a mom of my three girls is finding a balance of having some "one on one" time with them! Honestly, it took until Brynlee was about 3 months old that I actually felt like I was coming up for air...and feeling a little more normal!

I have had days where I feel like a horrible mother because it is just an "ALL HANDS ON DECK" mentality trying to take care of everyone and play what everyone wants to play. I often feel pulled in a million directions and I have just been trying to find some balance. So...in an effort to give some attention to my girls I have changed up our "smooth" schedule somewhat! I have been reading the book The Five Love Languages of Children and it has been a motivating factor in this!
Brynlee playing with mommy! So, now I space out when I put Reese and Hadley down for naps (yes, Reese still takes a nap...and seriously I hope she naps until she is 14...that girl needs her sleep). I put Hadley down first, and then Reese and I spend about an hour together...playing, working on writing our letters and just hanging out! Then, once I put her down, Brynlee normally wakes up a little later and she gets a little one on one from Mommy...she is just so easy that sometimes she gets left out!

Smiley little girl Hadley gets up before Reese, and she and I get to spend some quality time together...which normally consists of playing with her babies and cooking in her kitchen...oh, and snack time! This adjustment has left less time for me to have "quiet time" and to be able to get things done....but honestly, it has made a big difference for me and really for Reese! She needs her "quality time"!

This is the position Bryn is in all day trying to see what is going on as her wild sisters run around!

I am sure this may sound crazy to some of you...but, I really had just been struggling with having time with my girls. I think I would just remember what it was like when we only had Reese...and thinking about all of the one on one time she got. While I understand that as our family grows the individual time gets less...but I also know that chidren need a little one on one. So, there you have it...I am sure it will continue to be a juggling act to fit it all in...and so it goes!

Birthdays, Fairy Birthdays, Boyfriend Birthdays and slip and slides!

2011-07-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

So catching up just a little...we have been party hopping! We celebrated this Guy's birthday last week...I won't say his age...I will just give you a hint...the two numbers add up to be 9...and he is not 27 or 45!

We headed over to Tuscaloosa earlier in the month to celebrate Addie Gail's (our goddaughter) 5 year old birthday party...it was a fairy party!
Addie Gail excited about the cake
Aunt Memi (Hadley's godmother) was at the party and helped out with the girls like always! Hadley was wearing her "tulip fairy" costume.

Here is Reese dressed up like a ballerina Fairy...she was really cute...I just could not get her to look at me...she would not take her eyes off of the dessert!
That same day we headed back to Birmingham to celebrate Walt's birthday(that is Reese's boyfriend...at least in her mind...she told me today that she was in love with him...ahhh)!
They had a blast and I had a really hard time getting Reese to leave!

Aunt Ashley surprised the girls with a slip 'n slide, and we finally tried it out the other weekend! The girls were laughing and running around crazy...it was a huge hit!Someone else thought it was fun too...

really fun

oh...he is such a fun daddy...and ok, I will tell you his age...he is 54!

You have to make this...

2011-07-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Pepper and Chicken Nachos
Seriously...they are good! I wish I had thought to take a picture of mine when I made them...alas, I did not so I am using the one from Southern Living...where I got the recipe! Southern Living is one magazine that I love! It always has great recipes!

They are a variation of the old nacho...which to be honest...I would really never make! I am not a nacho fan...but I am a fan of nachos like these! Like I have mentioned before...I AM NOT A COOK...I mean, I can copy a recipe and I like to try new things...but I am not one of those who can come up with something just by tasting it!

Anyway...so the other night we had our friends, The Morrows, over for dinner and I decided to go out on a limb and try something I had never made before! I am pretty sure it was a big hit!

Here is the recipe...I thought about typing it here...but, they have it all on the my recipes site...sooo much easier! I will say that I made a few changes...I used less olive oil, salt and cheese. I mixed the cilantro into the bean mix instead of adding it at the end (honestly I did not mean to do that) and I did not grill the peppers before hand...I just broiled them before and once I added the mixture!

I made this for a meal...so to "beef" it up I used the mixture and did some on peppers and then I did two variations on blue corn tortillas...one with the chicken and one with shrimp! (Jason was a little nervous that the peppers would not be enough...but once we ate...he said he was wrong...hehe)

We had a great time with the Morrows and the kids had a great time playing...

Ellie, Hadley, Graham and Reese...I think Bryn was in her swing

Graham pulling Reese around the room by her feet...so fun

Reese pulling Graham...it was fun to watch!

5 months

2011-07-10T14:14:00.001-07:00

Who me?

Yes...Brynlee is five months old...and she is really excited about it!Brynlee continues to be such a sweet baby and really easy! I think easy is relative when you have 3 children 4 and under but she really does seem like such a go with the flow baby! She adores her sisters and they really entertain her.

I finally dropped Brynlee's late feeding (9:30 pm) and she now goes to sleep at 7:30 and she wakes up at 7:30! I am so mad that I held on to that for so long...she had been going to sleep at 7:30 and then I would wake her up, feed her and put her right back down. I think I was just afraid that I would rock the "quiet nights" we have right now...our girls really do sleep great at night! But, all of that said I dropped it and she did not miss a beat...I think she was like "finally that woman has stopped waking me up while I am sleeping"!

She has gotten so big and so strong! She rolls on her side and just hangs out there and "talks"! Her cheeks are so cute...I think she might be hiding something in them!

She has found 10 new toys....

Five little piggies on one foot and five little piggies on the other. She loves them...she grabs them and puts them in her mouth...she talks to them and gets so excited when she holds them!

In case you have not noticed in some other pictures...Brynlee has what I like to call her little "cockatoo" on her head. Her hair just stands up in this one little place on the top and even if I put lotion on it...it still stands up...I love it!

We love our little Brynlee and she makes our family complete.

Water, sun, water, sun, family, fun, friends and food!

2011-07-04T18:35:00.001-07:00

We headed over to Atlanta to spend part of our long weekend with family and friends...a lot like last year! We spent a lot of time swimming (Thanks to Big Daddy and Nina) and the girls were worn out each day! Bebe and Ashley were worn out as well....keeping up with these two wild ones in the pool is a lot of work!

Reese continued to be magnetically drawn to the water...and finally decided to use her goggles...and began to swim under water! She had never liked goggles because they "hurt" her eyes but I think that she finally thinks the trade off of being able to see in the water is worth it!
Brynlee napped most of the time we were at the pool, but she did take a few relaxing dips. I am pretty sure she was trying to get someones attention to bring her a drink!

Bebe and her little shadow, Hadley, relaxing! Funny story...the McBrayers have a little machine that swims around the pool to clean it and "his" name has been "Mr. T" for years. Anyway, Hadley was a little scared of him but the best part was that she kept calling him "Mr. Teeth" - which sounds like "Mr. Teef"...so funny! No matter how many times I would say it is Mr. T...she would smile at me and say, "yes, Mr. Teef"!

We met up with Aunt B and Uncle Steve to eat a little Mexican and the girls had a blast! I always laugh whenever we go to Mexican restaurants because I always feel like the waiters love Reese and Hadley. This visit was no exception...before the night was over the girls had been given two balloons each, 4 bags of Teddy Grahams and each a vanilla ice cream cone! Note...we did not ask for any of it...but the girls felt like they had won the jackpot! And, in typical Beckner style the evening was full of a little drama...ending with Hadley taking a spill on the sidewalk and letting the tears loose! Hopefully Aunt B and Uncle Steve will want to eat with us again! The girls got to spend some time with Pop and Hadley had him reading the same book over and over...hard to turn that sweet little face and those good manners down!

We came home to enjoy today's celebration of Independence! We took a walk, did a little work and took some long naps! Brynlee took one of her naps on our walk!

These two on Reese's "hidden nature trail" trying to find some worms or bugs to put in their buckets! You can't see it too clearly but they are wearing outfits that my sister and I wore when we were little! I love it!

We had to end our day with some good food! Jason grilled for us (despite the rain) and even though Hadley will never eat corn off the cobb she sure did love the corn on the cobb!We had a great weekend and always love being with our family and our friends! Even better to try and explain to our girls the meaning of celebrating our Country's freedoms! We are so grateful for the big and little things we take for granted every day! Here's to praying that the leaders of our Country will keep our freedoms in mind when they make decisions...and not take them away!

My girls

2011-06-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

Yes...these are my girls...but these are not the girls I am talking about

(although these 3 are the most adorable little red heads you could find!)

These are My Girls! You see this past weekend was the "Annual Roommate Vacation"! Katherine, Bethany and I have all known each other since our freshman year at Samford (a few years ago....ok, maybe more than a few). Pretty much we bonded, made our way through college and continued to room together after college! We decided upon that first year of graduation that we would do a roommate vacation every year! We have pretty much done that with the exception of one year (due to weddings, babies and pregnancy). So, this weekend Kat and I drove over to Alpharetta (where Bethany lives) and did a low key girls weekend! Steve was out of town, Dan kept Kat's two little boys and Jason was at home with the 3 Beckner girls!

It was a much needed break for all of us...and we had an incredible time! We had a lot of time to talk (normally I can never complete a conversation with another adult) and talk and talk! Bethany was the perfect hostess of course and took us to some fabulous places to eat and we found time for some pampering too! Steve gets props too for making our vacation complete with some incredible cupcakes that he bought for us! A huge bonus is when your best friends marry people that your husbands really get along with...and for the three of us that is definitely the case!

Cheers to my girls! My life would not be the same without you! Here's to "two days off" ha!

I have to say that Dan and Jason were both Super Star Dads! Jason loaded up all 3 girls and took them to the zoo one day and Dan loaded his boys up and took them swimming! Seriously, our kiddos are lucky and so are we!

Father's Eyes

2011-06-19T12:42:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when we are out...people are thrown when they look at Jason and me and then see three little girls with red hair...but then they look closer and they clearly see that the three cuties share their Father's Eyes...bright and blue! I love that they have his eyes and I pray that they will grow up with his kind and selfless heart that serves the Lord as he does.

These girls are truely blessed to have this guy as their daddy and I am so grateful every day knowing that they are seeing a great reflection of their Heavenly Father's love through their daddy!
Jason is going to kill me for this picture...and early morning Father's Day pic!

Happy Father's Day!

Beach!!!!

2011-06-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

We have been at the beach for the last week with my mom, brother and Caitlin and we had an incredible time...proof...3 mad little faces on the last day of the beach trip!In all seriousness...we had an incredible time and we soaked it up!

Reese did a lot of this...she is doing a great job swimming and worked a little on swimming on her back...I think by the end of the summer she may never put the vest on again!

Brynlee did a lot of this...she "swam" in the pool and loved it like she loves her baths!

We did a lot of cooking and Jason and Jonathan did a low country boil one night...it was great!
Jason and I did a lot of this...the stroller is the best and worst at the beach. It is fantastic to carry all of the beach stuff and Hadley (and Brynlee at times), but it is a serious workout pushing it in the soft sand!

These two did a lot of this...Sand everywhere...I am pretty sure that we brought sand home with us. On the first day Hadley cracked me up...she walked right down towards the ocean and then when a big wave crashed and the water came towards her she turned and ran away saying "NO Mammmmmeee"!
My nature girl...I think Reese might have the new nickname as the "lizard whisperer" she caught at least one a day...and with ease! She also caught many crabs (with a few pinches) and frogs. She has no fear of animals...she wanted desperately to bring a few lizards home...unfortunately for her...mommy said no!

Hadley was the brave little swimmer...she must have jumped off the side to us with and without her vest about 30 times a day! She would jump...we would let her just go under and then she would come up and we could grab her just to hear..."I want jump again"!

Brynlee only came down to the beach a few times (so grateful that my mom or Jonathan and Caitlin stayed at the house a few mornings to be there while Bryn napped). When she came she just snoozed in the stroller.

Our beach setup...I think I said this last year...but I used to spend so much time in the Sun at the Beach but now...I try to stay more in the shade...or buried in the sand...or swimming in the ocean with the girls...so much more fun!!!

Jason and I had time for a few little dates just the two of us...thank you Mom!

Seriously, if you saw this family you would think they belonged together...Caitlin has the same beautiful red hair as our girls...good thing she will be part of the family soon!

Bebe surprised Reese with some sparklers and she had a great time lighting up the night!

Bebe and her girls...Hadley was pretty much attached to Bebe the entire week!

These three melt my heart! I am excited for another great trip next year!

We had an incredible family vacation...full of fun and laughter and a little craziness! I love the beach...but it is always nice to come to your bed...and for Reese and Hadley you would have thought they had new toys...we got home and they both went straight to their toys and played forever!

***NEW POST BELOW***

4 months

2011-06-15T19:09:00.001-07:00

Smiles here is 4 months old! We have been at the beach for the past week so I missed her actual day but here she is...4 months old...wow! Bryn continues to be such a great baby...she smiles alot and really just hangs out! She loves to make noises and "talk", she laughs and giggles and she LOVES her sisters. (and they love her)

Sister love

Hadley loves her "Ben Ben"

Reese loves her Bryn

What happens alot during the day..."we want to hold Brynlee"

This girl loves to smile!

To Share or not to Share...

2011-06-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

Two sisters...

One car...

Hadley's turn...but someone is hanging on

After awhile little bit had, had enough Reese's turn...Hadley hanging on (monkey see monkey do)

Big sis has had enough

After many times of "sharing and taking turns" I told them to work it out...

Seriously, they hugged it out on their ownThen, they compromised
I will say that I am tempted to just end the post now...but then that would be a little misleading...letting you think that is how it ended! I am not going to post a picture but let's just say that it may have ended like it started! There are times like this that I sometimes understand the families that get one for everyone!

Water Fun

2011-05-30T18:47:00.001-07:00

This weekend we enjoyed the weather with some water fun!

Reese and Hadley LOVE running in the sprinklers...Hadley has run in them a few times with her clothes on...I was glad to have them in their swimsuits! Some time in the baby pool...which looks crazy this summer...we have way outgrown this! So, we headed over to the pool...but I did not bring my camera for that one!

We love our neighborhood and part of that is because we have a great walking/running trail that goes along this creek...so the girls suited up and had a blast! Here is Reese exploring Daddy and Hadley

Yes, little bit got in the action...she hung out with Mommy...and kept smiling!

Trying to catch some fish

Hadley going for a swim

Bryn...still smiling!

Reese loves the creek
FUN

Crazy Fun

Loud Fun

Hadley doing a water dance

Caught in the act...take a guess...let's just say that in our potty training with Hadley...if the creek was the potty we would be set!

A wedding weekend away

2011-05-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

This weekend we celebrated the wedding of these two beautiful people!

The New Mr. and Mrs. Wyn Smith

The wedding was incredible and Merry Michael was an absolutely beautiful bride, of course!

Now when I say we went to the wedding....I mean only WE went...no little ones! What?

These two cuties went to Atlanta to spend some time with Bebe, Ashley and Pop. We picked them up today and they were worn out! It is so great for us to know that our girls are in great hands and that they have the best time! Thank you...thank you! And our littliest cutie stayed in Birmingham with our incredible friends, Mike and Shelli Morrow. This is Brynlee hanging out with their little girl Ellie!
This is Mike and Shelli's son, Graham, reading to our Brynlee. I mean seirously, not many people would offer to watch your 3 month old while they have two children of their own! To say that they went beyond the call of friendship is an understatement. They allowed Jason and I to have a child free weekend away...and we will be forever grateful!
Back to the wedding weekend...it was at a place called Gorham's Bluff...INCREDIBLE...this was at the rehearsal dinner (Audrey, Merry Michael -the bride- and me)
Such a great wedding weekend and so much fun to see friends!

The weekend was an incredible celebration of Merry Michael and Wyn and as a huge bonus a chance for Jason and I to get away for a few days together! Thank you so much Mom, Dad, Ashley, Mike and Shelli...thank you is not enough!

Don't Mess with the Bull...

2011-05-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

You'll

Get

The

Horns...

Cute HornsReally Cute horns!

I have been dying to give her little piggies...but, well, they look like horns...and it makes me laugh so much...she loves them!

3 months

2011-05-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

I had such good intentions of posting this yesterday...on her actual 3 month birthday...but well intentions were all they were!

Moving on...little Bryn is 3 months...and she is getting bigger and bigger and cuter and cuter! She truely is a VERY easy baby! I am still not sure if it is because I am way more laid back this go around than I was with the other 2...or if she is just that easy. She just goes with the flow and honestly...she rarely cries! She sleeps great...normally from 10-6:30 or 7!!!! She naps great and well, she just hangs out! Brynlee smiles all of the time and she loves watching her sisters...especially after dinner time when Reese and Hadley take to the living room floor for some good dancing! (if you could only see it)! She still has so much hair...I can not believe it...the old man bald spot is coming on the back...but the rest is still there! And yes...she will be a red head...she has to be!

Here she is on her favorite playmat trying to roll over...she has made to her side so far! Oh that smile...it gets me every time!
Hadley looks a little drugged here...I promise she is not...I tried to get the moment before this of her loving her little sister!There is that smile again!The big and the little

I'm 3 months old!!!

Mother's Day and a little Ballet

2011-05-08T19:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend has been lots of fun...family time, ballet recital, and mother's day! This morning I woke up to 3 little girls bringing me breakfast (with daddy's help). Reese and Hadley both said "happy mother's day mommy"...which was quickly followed with "can we have a bite?"! We had a great day together and I am so grateful to be the mother of 3 precious little girls that seriously have taught me so much...mainly by allowing me to see and hear myself through little ones eyes and ears! (which can be sweet and scary)

Honestly, the best part of the weekend was getting to go to Reese's ballet recital! I was so excited...I loved ballet as a little girl...and I loved getting ready for them...so did Reese!

The ballerina in her ballet pose

The ballet bun...seriously that thing is sprayed, gelled, and hair pinned tight!

The sassy ballet pose

Two sisters
This was actually a picture from the dress rehearsal...no pictures were allowed during the actual performance

Reese with two of her ballet friends
Tight squeeze

After the performance with mommy...she did so great! Lots of smiles the whole time!
With daddy and Hadley holding the flowers that Hadley gave her.

This peanut had her ballet tights on....but she slept through the whole thing!

Flashback

2011-04-26T19:32:00.000-07:00

While we were in Atlanta to celebrate Easter we had a treat to see one of my best friends (since we were tiny tots) and her 3 children. They currently live in NC...soon to be GA...so we don't get to see them much. That being said we took all 6 little ones to a gym play date and then after naps to swim. It was a great day and brought back a lot of memories of Merritt and I doing gymnastics and swimming together as children!

Avery and Reese sliding together

Griffin, Avery, Reese and Hadley jumping

(the little ones...Graham and Brynlee did not make the photo)Hadly hanging on! She was so proud of herself

Griffin and Reese going down the big slide...Reese opted to go upside down...she thought it was the best thing ever!

Avery and Reese climbing the wall
Bryn chilling at the poolThis picture cracks me up...Griffin was a little upset and was having some time by himself...and true to form Hadley was all up in his business. At our house when Reese gets put in time out...Hadley immediately runs over and sits by her in time out...so cute!

Easter 2011

2011-04-25T19:39:00.001-07:00

We've had a busy couple of weeks...so I am playing catch up with pictures, but here are a few from Easter! We headed to Atlanta (a tradition) to see family and friends and of course have the annual HUGE Easter egg hunt at my grandmother Myrl's house. Here is Easter last year...I love looking back at how fast they change in a year!

I had to lead with this picture...how cute is she!? And this bib...making round 3 with the Beckner girls...it was a gift to Reese from Aunt B...looks of use...and it is still white! Amazing!

Brunch with PopThe girls were in heaven to get to have time to play with Aunt Ashley (or Ashee as Hadley called her)

Bebe and Bryn (Bebe let Jason and I have a few mini dates this weekend and a date night on Saturday night for a pre-anniversary celebration) Thank you Bebe

Getting ready for the HUNT...the girls with the second cousins...the little ones got a head start! Hadley was so funny...she would get an egg open it and just want to eat what was inside! She gets right to the good stuff!
Speaking of the good stuff...she racked up

(which means Mommy racked up...come on she has to share!)
We had a wonderful weekend...the girls had a great time and we will be handing out some extra candy to our neighbors soon! :)

Lucky 7

2011-04-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day of celebrating and remembering for many reasons! First and foremost we celebrated Easter and the real reason that we celebrate! Remembering that Jesus died and rose again to give us new life and eternal life with him is something that I need to remember each and every day. So, happy Easter!

Jason and I also celebrated our 7th anniversary today! We had the chance to think back over the past 7 years (the movie of our of marriage) and realize that we are so lucky to have each other but even more so grateful that Christ is the center of our marriage to help keep us focused on the right things and to keep us on solid ground! It seems crazy that just 7 years ago it was just Jason and me...and now there are 3 little princesses added to the mix running around and we love it!~

Marriage is a lot of work...and I would say that anyone who says it is not...well they are not telling the truth! (since I am such an expert!) But, the great thing is that like most things in life anything worth having is worth working for...and marriage like a lot of other things when you work at it only gets better! Again...since we have been married for 7 years we know sooo much...ha ha! Seriously, we have had incredible advice given to us from family and friends and the advice we have taken has been that to point us in the direction of keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord ...and thus keeping us focused on loving and caring for each other rather than ourselves! I love Jason with all of my heart...and I look forward to the rest of our lives together! Thank you to all of our family and friends who pray for us in our marriage and have encouraged us along the way!

Music and Movement Show

2011-04-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

On Monday, Reese had her Spring Music and Movement show for school! We all were able to watch and it was so cute! All of the 3 year old preschoolers came out dress with Hawaiian leis and flowers and dancing to the Beach Boys. They sang about 7 songs, did some of there movement things and then danced for us! I loved watching Reese...she comes home singing all of the songs she has learned so it was fun to see her up there!

The Whole Group

Reese with her "boyfriend" Walt

Waving to us...trying not to smile!

Part of their "movement" was walking across the balance beam, jumping on a mini trampoline and doing somersaults

Here is a little clip of one of the songs..."You are Holy"...I got a little choked up during it. She is on the top row...second to the end on the left side! Hadley was trying to jump out of Jason's lap the whole time to go see "sissy"! Turn up your volume!

2 months

2011-04-10T14:22:00.000-07:00

Today our little Brynlee is 2 months old! She truely is a little princess in our family and the girls adore her! We have given her the nickname of "Bryn Bryn" and Hadley calls her "Ben Ben" which I think is so cute! She has started to smile alot...and if you talk to her she grins ear to ear and tries to talk back! It is already evident that she will be quite the talker like the other two...poor Daddy will never get a word in (not that he had a chance when he married me)! Bryn has adjusted to life as baby #3 well...she just goes with the flow. She eats every 3-3 1/2 hours and she really sleeps well! Babywise is still my go to for my babies...it has worked with everyone so far! Bryn started to develop what I thought was baby acne about 2 weeks ago...but we found out it was actually eczema! It has cleared up almost entirely and I am just trying to figure out if it is something in my diet or another factor! Little Bryn still has a head full of hair and I am pretty sure it is going to be red like her sisters! Here are some favorites...

Brynlee loves being on the changing table and looking at the alphabet pictureHere she is kicking and smiling awayThis is a ritual every Mon, Wed, and Friday while Reese is at school...Hadley gets some time with her little sister

Seriously the best invention ever...the playmat...all of my girls loved this and Brynlee is no exception! This particular one is the Tiny Love Lights and Music...we love it!Finally she loves bathtime...and everyone likes to watch!

Sweet Words

2011-03-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Today, Reese and I were doing "arts and crafts" together...she stopped what she was doing, looked at me and said,"this makes my heart feel like cupcakes", then she just continued what she was doing. She said it like it was no big deal...little did she know that she had made my heart melt! These little things remind me that when the days are hard...long...and I feel like I will never have adult interaction again...it is 100% worth it! The best part is that I don't even know where she came up with that, except that if there is one thing that makes Reese happier than anything it is cupcakes!

Sounds in the morning

2011-03-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

So, this morning these are the sounds we woke up to...let me preface this with the fact that we are "trying out" the girls sharing a room to see if it will work. We would like to move Brynlee out of our room and have Reese and Hadley share a room...

6:55 am...

Hadley- singing...then she notices Reese sleeping in the other bed in her room

Hadley : REESEEE...REESEEE...REESEEE...GE UP (which is get up)

Reese: HADLEY, GO TO SLEEP

Hadley : REESEE...REESEE

Reese: HADLEY ...GO....TO...SLEEP

Hadley: No Reesee

THE SOUND OF LOUD FOOTSTEPS

Reese: HADLEY...Here's a book...go to sleep

Ahh...the sounds of two sisters "sharing a room" well it is better than it could have been. We are planning a transition very soon. There may be some adjustment, but I shared a room with my sister and I loved it (now she may not have)! We will see!

Spring Break part 2

2011-03-25T18:56:00.001-07:00

So to continue with our Spring Break fun...we made it back from Atlanta last Wednesday and then had a great visit from Grandpa, Barb, Parker and Kaitlyn. Let me just say...Reese wanted nothing to do with us anymore...it was all about the other Beckner clan...and really about Parker and Kaitlyn. She wanted them to play with her every second they were here...and they were so great to really play with her and love on her.

If Reese had it her way...Hadley would not have gotten any attention from Parker and Kaitlyn...but they shared the love. Hadley asked about them for days after they left.

Parker getting love from HadleyBarb giving love to Brynlee...she gave me a break and would hold Brynlee to free me up...thank you!!!

We went over to their hotel to swim...and this little one is a fish! She was pulling and kicking and she has not even had lessons! Reese having a blast!
Here the girls were in awe of Kaitlyn's Nintendo DS game (I think that is what it was)
The whole crew

Thank you for the visit everyone...we loved seeing you...and I think the girls are ready for you to come back!

Spring Break part 1

2011-03-20T19:04:00.001-07:00

I distinctly remember the first Spring Break that came and went once I had graduated from college...it was very sad...I did not get a Spring Break...I just had to keep on working...I was in the real world. Well, life really has not changed since then, now when Spring Break roles around it just means that all of our activities normally take a break but we are still here!

All of that said...this past week was Alabama's Spring Break...so since Jason still had to work I decided to take the girls to Atlanta for a few days.

To start off...I would like to say that if I had a picture of this moment I would not post it because I am sure I would scare all of you...but let's just say that of course during the drive over to Atlanta, Reese decided that with only an hour left she HAD to go potty! So, on my first trip alone with the three girls I proceeded to get Brynlee in the baby Bjorn, hold Hadley's hand on my right side and Reese's hand on my left side...with the diaper bag across my shoulder and we slowly made our way into a McDonald's bathroom (I hate stopping in public bathrooms)!! I felt like everyone in the place was looking at me like I was crazy...maybe because my hair was in a crazy bun...no makeup and I had 3 wild little ones with me. Once we got into the bathroom, I realized that Hadley for sure needed a diaper change...Brynlee woke up and she needed one as well...and Reese announced that she did not need to go to the bathroom after...TO WHICH I PROMPTLY informed her that, "oh yes she was going to the bathroom"! I am not even going to discuss how I was able to have a potty break of my own while holding Brynlee and trying to keep curious Hadley from touching every nasty thing in the bathroom...Reese was a help...but the loud hand dryer seemed to be more interesting than helping to contain Hadley! Seriously, like almost an hour later we all got back into the car and on the road to Atlanta...thank the Lord!

Happier times...we got to meet up with Lindsay and Bryson...the girls loved playing with him It is seriously so fun watching my girls play with one of my best childhood friend's son
Pure bliss
Bebe played hookie from school to take me and the girls to a play gym

Pretty much this is what Brynlee did while we made our rounds in Atlanta...she loves her seat and was just an angel

Here is Jane looking for her Tarzan!The foam pit...I have great memories as a child playing in these
This girl can jump

Bebe was trying to help Hadley get used to jumping
Pop helped the girls jump some more...what can I say...it really is the best way to burn some energy!

We had more spring break fun...soon to come!

1 Month

2011-03-10T20:14:00.000-08:00

Slow down...speed up...slow down...speed up.

That is what I feel like my heart and mind are saying all day long! I so want to cheerish every day with Brynlee as a newborn and she is already 1 month...and then at the same time I am ready for her to be at the point of sleeping through the night! :)

I do LOVE the newborn stage...seriously it makes me melt when she makes all of the crazy faces as she is falling asleep...little grins, frowns, cries, laughs...I could eat her up! She is growing every day...and changing it seems. She has started to really focus in on us and follow me when I walk around...I think she gets a head ache when she tries to follow the girls...they are too wild (or maybe that is me that gets the headache)!

I love rubbing her little head because it is so soft...with hair...still so funny to me! She is your typical 1 month old...she eats alot (every 3 hours during the day...and pushing 4-5 hrs at night), she sleeps alot, and we change alot of diapers! She loves to be held...and honestly I find myself holding her alot...I think I am just realizing with Reese that soon I can't hold them anymore...they are too busy! We are in love with you little Brynlee.

The face of a little one trying to focus on her crazy sisters running around!

Looking into her daddy's eyes

And now for you entertainment...a series of pictures of 3 girls...crazy girls...silly girls...I love them so much girls...

What we have been doing

2011-03-07T17:23:00.000-08:00

Life with 3 little girls is really fun...really exhausting...really entertaining...frustrating at times...but totally worth every hour of sleep we don't get!

These three love each other...we have been having family time on the floor...making forts and pallets.

We have been putting bows in little bit's hair...I am just amazed by this...I am literally just now able to put a bow in Hadley's hair!

Well...if only I had pictures of everything she gets into now...and always with a happy grin...as if to say...hey mommy look what I did!
We've been rocking out...well Reese has been...and it is soo funny (take note of her outfit...picked out by herself)!Fun playing outside in the great weather we have been having!
Life is tough for the 18 month older sister...double fisting...wow!

Sleeping...a lot...maybe we need a little more at night

Loving each other

The timing of little Brynlee's arrival has been great...and these two have seemed to grow closer in the midst of the craziness. Hadley loves to come and love on her big sister!
More sleeping

The way we ride with 3...ha!

Reese and her princesses...wearing her new wedding gown...and a stroller net as her veil!

Hadley got a dress up dress in her size...compliments of Aunt Ashley...she has worn it out

Well, there you go! The Beckner house is officially full...but we love it!

Guess Who...

2011-03-03T18:35:00.000-08:00

So, while I totally think Brynlee has a different look to her...look at these three pictures and tell me...are they all the same baby or 3 different babies with very similar profiles...

So, the top one is Reese...the middle is Brynlee and the bottom is Hadley. Brynlee is easy because she has sooo much hair...but I do think they all have similar looks. I think Brynlee looks so different to me because she has soo much hair and because her head is very small in comparison to the other two! What do you think?

Lots of help

2011-02-25T17:06:00.000-08:00

One thing for sure...having a new little one...well you need some help! I am so grateful for the help I have on a daily basis...

She would love to babysit her...if only 4 year olds could do that!

Hadley was so excited the first time she held Brynlee by herself...even though she is only 18 months..she really is sweet and pretty gentleBaby holding a baby

Seriously, we have had some help...Grandma Shirla came down over the weekend to meet Brynlee and to help out with all of the girls. It was really nice to have someone to play with Reese and Hadley and to help me out and give me a little break

These girls had a great time with GrandmaThen we got spoiled a little more when Ashley came for a few days. I think that Reese and Hadley thought she was here as their permanent playmate. Hadley wore Ashley out getting her to push her on the bike.

Oh...we love this little thing!

2011-02-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

7 days old...pure cuteness

She is still very tiny....

Brynlee dropped down to 5 lbs. 8 oz. in the hospital but I think she is on her way up!

Officially 4

2011-02-15T19:25:00.000-08:00

I had such good intentions of posting this on Reese's actual birthday...February 13th...but things were a little crazy that day. (we came home from the hospital with Brynlee)

All of that to say...my baby girl is 4 years old and all of 4 she is! She is truly grown up and so independent! She amazes me each day at how grown up she is and how much she can do by herself! She dresses herself (so great), makes her bed (granted it is not how I would do it...but that is part of being a parent...letting your kids do things the way they would), cleans up after herself when she eats, and she is a huge help with her sisters! She is 100% FEISTY...and she comes by that honestly...from me! But, I know first hand that if she can reign that in...she can do whatever she puts her mind to!

She makes me laugh because she has turned into quite the negotiator...when we are telling it is time to go to bed...or to stop playing, ect...she will say something like, "ok, mommy here is the deal...or mommy, I have an idea....or here is a better plan".

She loves coloring now and writing her name. She makes up stories about anything and everything and they are quite entertaining! She loves her sisters and on Monday she came in the door from school and said, "Mommy how is my Bryn Bryn?" I love her so much and I am truly grateful that God chose me to be her mother!

Reese's favorite gift by far...having her new sister at home! Reese got to celebrate her birthday at school and Bebe and Jason took cupcakes to celebrate!
So happy for birthday celebrations!
Excited!
She loved that her daddy got to come to school...mommy was still in the hospital with Brynlee.

When we came home from the hospital we had a little birthday celebration with Bebe and Ashley and then Aunt B and Uncle Steve came over

Playing a little "go fish" with Aunt B and Steve

Eating her cookie ice cream cup to celebrate...they were good!

MAKING HER DEBUT

2011-02-11T00:18:00.000-08:00

Well, she made it~

Brynlee Noel Beckner

Born at 1:35 pm February 10th

6 lbs (.07 basically 1 oz)

19.5 inches long

Head full of hairI was dying to see this little thing...my first moment with her

Best Dr. Daddy ever loving on little BrynleeShe was wide eyed looking around at everyone

Can you see the excitement...she could not get enough of her little sister

Kisses from the sisters (big sisters that is....that is what the shirts say!) Hadley was intrigued with her...she kept holding out her arms saying"hold baby"

Reese wanted to know every little thing they were doing to her baby sis

Bebe with Brynlee...Bebe and Ashley came to take care of the girls for us...and seriously the girls were way more excited about Bebe and Ashley coming than anything else!

Her "itsy bitsy sister" onesie sums it up for sure...I again was shocked that she was so tiny. She has the smallest little feet and legs. She is so darn cute...and really sweet! We are in love with our little Brynlee!

18 months

2011-02-07T19:09:00.000-08:00

This is the month (week) of milestones in the Beckner house...an almost 4 year old, 18 month old and one to soon enter this family!

Hadley turned 18 months old today! She truly is a joy for us and she makes me smile every day! (I do mean that...even though she makes me cry too). She continues to be a wild talker...she has been my little parrot for months but over the past 2 months she has begun to really communicate in sentence form. Some of her favorites are: "what making mommy?"...whenever I am in the kitchen/ "bump your head...sorry" telling me that she has hurt herself in some form and going ahead and saying "sorry" for me / "mommy take away" when she puts a toy or something in her mouth that she knows should not be in there/ and my favorite "whacha doing?" she says this all day long...it cracks me up!

Just like Reese she loves books...and will bring them to me and say "read this....peease" A little miss independent for sure...she has mastered the slides for the past 2 months
she loves to go down backwards...taught all by herself

laughing the whole wayEating is still a favorite time to be silly...and messy
A new trick I guess you could say..."singing" at the dinner table...as loud as she can!Right after this picture came the famous "whacha doing mommy?"

Hadley loves to carry her baby doll around all day...I am hoping that her love for her baby doll will translate to Brynlee very soon! Sad...my little baby girl is soon to be a big sister!

4th Birthday Party

2011-02-05T14:50:00.001-08:00

I am realizing that I am going to be a broken record for the rest of my life saying this about my children...but seriously how do I almost have a 4 year old? We celebrated Reese's 4th birthday today...a little early as her actual birthday is the 13th...but we wanted to do it before Brynlee arrived (and I know I was pushing it a little close...but my children never come early...I think I would be pregnant for 50 weeks if it were up to my babies)

Back on track...we celebrated today at Serendipity Sweets (an ice cream/candy shoppe-shocking I know....from the anti candy mom...but that is what turning 4 is about!) right down the road from our house. It was a great party...no mess for us to clean up and the children were all entertained!

The cake...Reese's prize possession

Ice Cream Galore

Balloons are a must and very entertaining for little Hadley
My homemade ice cream cone game..."pin" the cherry on top!The shop did a little sand art activity with the girls...and of course it was sand art candy!
Then the girls each got a scoop of ice cream and were able to decorate them with a few fun toppings! (which I found Reese eating directly out of the toppings bowl)
Next...blowing out the candle...trying really hard!

Finally it is out!

Sugar and all smiles!

They each got a little treat bag and to pick out a little toy from the store!Daddy here was the lone boy...just getting used to life the next 20 years...he helped to keep Hadley entertained
Two sugared up and pooped out girls!

We had a great time but I still can't believe that Reese is almost 4!

Love and Marriage, Love and Marriage.

2011-02-03T13:41:00.000-08:00

...

They go together like a horse and carriage...that song...so catchy!

But, my reason for writing about it...well it is all my little Reese! Here are two conversations from this week...

Conversation #1

Reese: I want to have Walt over to play

Me: ok...we can talk to his mom about it

Reese: Yeah, that is what I told him...and I told him that when he comes over I am going to wear my best princess dress and he is going to wear his best boy dress...or what do they wear?

Me: oh...he can wear whatever he wants...lots of boys wear suits or prince outfits or something when they dress up.

Reese: and I told him that when he comes over we are going to do something (laughing)...but mommy I can't tell you.

Me: (a little curious) oh you can tell me...let me guess

Reese: (grinning ear to ear)...ok guess guess

Me: (only because she talks about it all of the time) are you going to GET Married??!!

Reese: (screaming excitedly) Yes...you guessed it we are going to get married...but it is a secret. Me: ok...but we better talk to your daddy first

Conversation #2

Reese: mommy, I want to marry someone...like Hollis or Fowler or Walt

Me: well I am sure that when you are older you will marry someone wonderful

Reese: but I want to get married now

Me: why do you want to get married now...that would make me so sad...if you get married then you would not live with Daddy and me anymore...why don't you wait until you are a little older...at least 5!

Reese: Mommy (saying it with a look like, duh!), we are just going to get married in the gym at school and I won't like the person I get married to, so it is ok!

Me: oh well you want to like the person you get married to...I love your daddy and I am married to him

Reese: I know but we are just getting married in the gym and I don't want to like any of them

And yes...I am aware that the pictures have nothing to do with this...except for the sister love fest in our house!

Her NAME!

2011-01-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

I guess I could blame it on the fact that we had a hard time deciding on what her name would be, or that with the holidays it got away from us, or well chasing two very busy girls around all day makes me forget my name!

Basically, I realized awhile after Christmas that everyone was surprised to see baby #3's name announced on our Christmas card. Honestly, that was not our intention I just did not realize that I had not told people!

So...our soon to be here little girl's name is Brynlee Noel Beckner! Jason and I both really liked the name Bryn...but we wanted a little bit more. We had also tossed around the idea of using Jason's middle name (Lee) as part of one of the girls names...and so we just put them together...Bryn and lee...BRYNLEE! Her middle name is Noel, after her Aunt Andrea Noel (Jason's sister).

So, there you have it. We are so excited to meet our little Brynlee Noel...just counting down the days now!

Watch out Jane Fonda...

2011-01-23T15:06:00.001-08:00

There's a new workout queen in town!

What...you don't wear a swim diaper over your clothes when you workout?
Check out the rear view

Come on dad keep up...calories don't come off walking slow!

Striking a pose!

Princess 1 Princess 2

2011-01-15T13:20:00.000-08:00

What does a house of girls...and one daddy do all of the time? Dress up like princesses of course!

Laughing at their silly daddy...seriously he is the best!
Still laughing...now we just have to imagine three little princesses in about 3 weeks!!!

SNOW DAY

2011-01-10T20:22:00.001-08:00

Well it was not really a snow day...more like an ice day but we enjoyed it regardless! The roads were really bad...so Jason could not go to work...YEAH! The girls were dying to get outside...so at 8:30 am...we were out! And we were the only crazy ones on our street for sure!

Snow/Ice House

Running in the ice grass and loving it!Smiling with daddy

Trying to get a picture with mommy...I am having a harder time squatting down these days...something is in my way...hmmmm. And yes...Hadley did not like me keeping her from running around.

These two enjoyed the weather for a bit and then were ready to get warm again...like the rest of us!Don't laugh at our snowman...or snow penguin!

Fun New Years Day Friends

2011-01-10T19:41:00.000-08:00

A little behind I know...but we are watching Auburn play in the National Championship now...and I am realizing I did not post these great pics. We got to spend some time with the Alexanders on New Years Day...I am remembering this now because Dan and Katherine are in Arizona at the Big Game...so excited for them. I have to say that yes I am cheering for AU...ONLY...and ONLY because I love the SEC...and more because a guy that Jason mentored for years is Auburn's back up quarterback...Barrett Trotter...he is an incredible guy and a great football player. Auburn is lucky to have him.

Anyway...so here are the pics from New Years Day...

Hadley telling Katherine that this is Luke's ear

Hadley was so excited to have Luke and James at our house. She and Luke are about 9 months apart..but I think she thought he was her own little toyShe kept getting closer and closerUntil she finally got him...don't worry he was smiling you just can see it!

Reese got in on the Luke action...much to Katherine and Luke's surprise...she just tried to pick him up and carry him away...she does that with Hadley often!

The kiddos had their belated Christmas gift exchange...Reese gave James a pair of straw glasses like the ones she got...they were a hit!

Reese and James drinking it up
You can see the effect of the glasses so much better with milk!

We are so lucky to have such great friends whose children are so close in age to our girls. We love celebrating with ya'll every year. It is amazing how much they have changed...here is last year and then the year before that.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T08:52:00.001-08:00

After our whirlwind travels from Atlanta to St. Louis to Kansas City and back, we barely had time to regroup for a New Years celebration...but we did! I guess we are making a tradition of celebrating New Years Eve at Cocina Superior like we did last year!

Hadley giving everyone the "eye" as she waits for some more Avocado...or Avadado as she calls it. Reese and Daddy enjoying the foodTrying to get a picture of the sleepy girls....Happy New Year!
Finally, to show everyone how Hadley feels about mommy taking so many pictures (I got a new camera as a surprise Christmas present...I love it).

A little more Christmas

2010-12-31T21:15:00.001-08:00

Our Christmas celebration continued in Missouri with more family! Reese was especially excited to get to play with Parker and Kaitlyn...I think she drove them crazy! We got to see Great Grandma Becker and lots of Aunts, Uncles and cousins too!Hadley and Aunt JoyceThe girls with Grandpa and Barb...and puppy Patches of course!Poor patches...he spent a lot of time being carried around by this cute Redhead!Reese and her buddies Kaitlyn and Parker

Hadley with Grandpa and Cecil the stuffed dog (who by the way Reese called Rover...and would not call him Cecil)

Our pictures don't do justice to the fun we had with all of our family in Missouri! The girls were wiped out when we headed to the airport yesterday...I think delirious is the correct word...this is how they entertained themselves in the airport....banging on all of the signs!

Our travel home ended up taking a lot longer than anticipated (flying during the holidays always does). Reese played and played on the plane which was nice.

Hadley finally passed out...Reese eventually joined her! We were lucky to have two whole rows to share...6 seats for 4 people! Pretty much when people walk by the family with a 3 1/2 year old...16 month old and a very pregnant mommy...they keep going!

We finally made it home to Birmingham around 10:30 pm...we were excited to be back at home...Hadley literally lunged into her bed from my arms!