Quiet

Jon and Kate Plus 8 was an awesome show.

You know...back in the good ol' days when they were just a normal family.

Well as normal a family as you can be with a set of twins and sextuplets. 

I used to get such a kick out of watching them live life. 

They were real and funny and their kids were pretty darn cute. 

Almost as cute as mine. 

And after watching them I almost always thought to myself
If she can survive with 6 two year olds, surely I can handle just one! 

Plus I learned a lot of organizing and cleaning tips and other useful tidbits about having a large family. 

But one of the reasons I am most thankful for Jon and Kate Plus 8 is that they introduced me to these babies. 

     

Because sometimes Mommy just needs a little quiet time in the car.

My little computer geeks

I came out of the kitchen yesterday to find the kids like this. 

All 3 lined up on the couch with their computers.

I don't even know what to say about this but it was pretty funny. 

And if you know my husband you totally know these are his kids (with little Mac's of course). 

A snake, 2 lizards and an almost mountain lion

The Sellars' family loves the outdoors and nature 

and getting dirty (well 3 of us like getting dirty the other two not so much).

And we love love love camping. 

In fact I think the kids ask me once a week if we are going to go camping today.

We have a couple camping trips planned for this summer that I am so excited about!

I've already got a whole bunch of pins on Pinterest for some yummy camping food (most of which are related to marshmallows which are my absolute favorite part of camping!)

Just last week it dawned on the hubby and I that we don't have to wait for a camping trip to do all the fun outdoor things that we love so we decided to go on an adventure.

And an adventure it was! 

We set out last Saturday morning to hike up to a nearby waterfall called Holy Jim...

After driving 45 minutes (half of which was on some really bumpy terrain that was definitely not meant for a minivan) we finally got there to realize that you needed this special parking pass that you had to buy at a totally different location to stay. 

Major bummer. 

So we turned around and headed to O'Neill Regional Park which we had passed on the way to the waterfall. 

When we got to the park a ranger told us about a couple hikes that would be good for kids so we set out hiking.   

Don't we totally look like the family from this book?

"We're going on a bear hunt,

we're gonna catch a big one,

what a beautiful day,

We're not scared..."

Just as we started out on the trail we saw a snake! 

Cool...kind of. 

Then we kept going and Mackenzie leaned on this tree and screamed super loud because a lizard almost ran on her arm. 

We went a little further when Aaron and I heard some large rustling sounds coming from the brush ahead of us. 

A long time ago Aaron and I watch this Discovery series called Bitten which I am totally regretting.

I was convinced that a mountain lion or something large and dangerous was crouching behind those bushes waiting to get us so we turned around and headed back.

I think I need some of this spray just for peace of mind before we head out on a deserted trail again.  

After our almost run in with a mountain lion (or whatever it was) we headed to a playground in the park and then had a picnic lunch.

My little explorer. 

Since our first hike ended abruptly we decided to try another one.

In a less remote (i.e. cougar invested) area. 

We survived with all 5 members of our family and can't wait to go back adventuring again
(with some bear/cougar pepper spray that is). 

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

I'm so excited about today's giveaway! 

In fact I kind of wish I was winning it myself. 

If you have never heard of Shabby Apple before you are definitely missing out. 

They have the absolute cutest dresses (and lots of other cool stuff). 

Their clothes are vintage inspired, girly, flirty and pretty.

You know, the kind of clothes that make being a girl fun.

And I love their company motto,

"A return to what dresses were always meant to be — a one-piece outfit. No need to add anything...no tank tops, no cardigans, nothing (except accessories, of course!)." 

That's what I need! 

Sometimes I can be a little (or a lot) challenged when it comes to coordinating and accessorizing.

Maybe I should just wear a dress everyday.  

I searched for a few of my favorite dresses to give you a peek of the cuteness.

Aren't they adorable? 

Ok...Are you ready to win some moolah for a Shabby Apple dress of your very own? 

Shabby Apple is generously giving away a $50 store credit to one lucky winner! 

Yippee!

All you have to do is "like" Shabby Apple's facebook page and then come back here and tell us what dress or item from Shabby Apple's store is your favorite.

Check out the PunchTab below for extra entries as well, but remember to be eligible for the giveaway you MUST "like" Shabby Apple on facebook :)

Giveaway ends Monday June 4th at Midnight. Winner will be announced the following morning. 

*Must have a USA mailing address to win. 

A peek at our week

Yay! It's Friday!

I'm so looking forward to the holiday weekend. 

The plan is to spend as much time in the sun and water as we can

and maybe get a tan (which is kind of impossible for me!). 

Anyways, here's a peek at our week through the lens of my camera phone 

via Instagram of course :)

If you want to follow me on Instagram my name is kristinsellars (super original, I know)

Aaron, the kids and I went to dinner and a trolley ride at the Spectrum as a little pre date and then the hubby and I dropped the kids off at church (they had a parents night out) and went to see the Avengers movie. 

It was so good to get a night out with my love!

Wesley took this picture (not bad huh?!) 

He's my little photographer. 

We went on a little hiking/wilderness adventure last weekend.

It's so good to get outdoors! 

I love nature! 

And my little explorers. 

Madelyn loves to rock on her rocking chair. 

It's pretty much the cutest thing ever.

Mackenzie is a biker chick!
I think she can ride her bike faster than I can.

Getting into trouble. 

The kids are still super excited to earn money and I'm super excited to have someone help me do chores. 

 It's a win, win. 

buddies

One of our almost daily bike rides this week. 

She melts my heart. 

Another yummy recipe (vegetarian not vegan because sometimes you just need a little cheese)

I went on a red velvet pizookie date with a friend. 

Mmmmm

craziness. 

My weekly woman's bible study had its final meeting before taking the summer off. 

We found a secret blackberry bush by our house! 

It's like we hit the jackpot or something. 

Have a great weekend and make sure you come back Monday to check out a giveaway I'm hosting! 

You won't want to miss it!

Instagram

Why is my super nice camera covered in dust?

The answer is Instagram. 

There's just something about the cute square shape and the awesome filters that steal my heart. 

Now all I have to do is figure out something to do with all my Instagram pictures.

Maybe I'll make an album out of them (although I would need a million more pages)

or turn them into postcards (genius idea)

or stickers (too bad my kids are crazy sticker fanatics...they would be gone in less than a minute)

or a new iphone case

or magnets (definitely doing this!). 

There are so many fun options! 

What's your favorite way to show off your Instagram pics?

A butterfly party- Madelyn's first

I still can't believe our baby is one! 

To celebrate Madelyn's first year of life we had a little butterfly party at a local park.

It was simple.... just food, family, and friends 

oh and lots of fun. 

It was perfect! 

Here's a little peek at some of the details 

(I wish I would have been better about taking more pictures but you get the gist)

The park already had these great tables with yellow umbrellas so I just made some happy and colorful banners to hang from them.

This one was made from scraps of fabric. 

Something I definitely do not have a shortage of around here.

I also made a paper banner our of card stock and I used this pendant banner from Wesley's first party.

friends :)

The birthday girl!

I'm pretty sure she had no idea the party was for her but she sure liked being the center of attention. 

Maddie and my mom

Getting ready for the cake...

which was most definitely Maddie's favorite part of the party. 

I don't think I have ever seen her so happy in her life.

Don't worry Maddie...

Funfetti cake has the same effect on me. 

Then to finish the party off we all went for a ride (actually a bunch of rides) on the carousel. 

I love the carousel :)

Oh and for the party favors I made lots of cake pops.
They are always a crowd pleaser.