Dillon's Surprise Birthday Party

Around here we do things last minute.  Sorry. It just happens that way.  Drives some people crazy, but for the most part our little group of friends make it work! So when we woke up last Wednesday morning to Facebook reminding us it was Dillon's birthday (Dillon aka Aric's "brother", "best friend", etc.) we made a last minute surprise party happen! :)

I'm so thankful we have all these wonderful people in our lives! Life just wouldn't be as sweet without them!  Happy Birthday Dillon! Glad we were able to keep it a surprise! (Pretty sure that's the only surprise party I've ever been a part of!)

Here's everybody hangin' out.  I love that we have the island in the kitchen! Everyone said when we were building it that this is where everyone would hang out- and it's so true!

Everyone hiding for the surprise (Paden found the best hiding spot) & Dillon's surprise face! ;)

Boys attack

Hugs all around...

Pics with the babies!

My sweet husband.  He did most of the planning for this- and while he was out running some errands for work, he picked up some cakes for Dill.  Not sayin', but I'm just sayin' Nothin' Bundt Cakes is where it's at, ya'll! YUMMMMMM

And sadly, I put the camera away and didn't get any shots of the guys outside playing spike ball to all hours of the night...  It was a good night. Good times. Good friends. Love ya'll!

xoxo

Casey

Hello! + Some packing tips!

Hello! :)  I don't know how this happened, but after the initial super excitement of starting a new personal blog I forgot how much time it takes to actually keep up with it! HAHA!  Oh me.  It's a busy season for us.  But then again, when is it not?  From now on we can skip the pleasantries and without asking you will know - it's busy. :)  Lots of catching up to do for weddings and editing, and apparently August is the month of anniversaries because it's been like boudoir craziness right now.  All the while we've spent almost every spare evening that we've had sitting in front of the TV on our laptops researching flights and train rides and itineraries for our big trip to Europe at the end of the month! 

On that note, I've been stressing about what I'm gonna pack!  We are gonna be over there for a good 2.5-3 weeks and I DO NOT want to be lugging around a giant suitcase on all those planes and trains and ferries! So I've started to plan ahead.  If you know me, you know I like my toiletries.  I just like to have options! What if I wanna do my hair a different way? Or wear my makeup more dramatic for a special occasion!? You just never know! So I've been doing some packing bootcamp with my makeup and toiletries bag to see how much I can squeeze into a very small bag! ;)

I found these magnetic palettes (z-palette) online for a decent price and then found a video tutorial on how to depot my mac eyeshadows so I could take all the ones I want without those little pots taking up all the room in my bag!  I'll probably depot a blush or two and voila! A custom makeup palette with all my favorite products in one neat compact little palette! Obsessed! 

Now onto the next challenge...packing a carry on with enough clothes & re-wearable clothes for like 20 days of travel... whew!

(Oh and excuse the selfies... I had just got home from a shoot and wore a new lipstick that I love, so I had to document it! Duh!)

4 Years!!

What in the world.  Where has all the time gone? I can't believe today marks 4 years of marriage with my love.  I wouldn't have believed you if you told me we would be where we are today 4 years ago. Marriage is fun.  It's exciting.  It's hard.  Really hard. And it's the ultimate refinement of your character.
I've learned so much in 4 years.  We've been so many places.  Made so many friends. Done so many things.  And today I'm grateful for this man that loves me so well.  That loves me through my flaws. That loves me like Christ.  I'm so blessed to get to call him mine.  To walk through life with him and learn and laugh and love with him.  I love you, Aric! Happy Anniversary, love! Can't wait to see what this next year has in store for us!

xoxo
Casey