Bentonville Film Festival 2015

Earlier this month, our little town of Bentonville held a film festival. It brought thousands of people to this area to see what it was all about. Our family had to find out too!

 BFF! Jackson had a great time!

 There were many places in NWA that showed independent movies and familiar movies as well. VUDU lounge was one of them. Popcorn, Coke, or M&M's, anyone?

 Jackson kept holding on to that bottle of Coke. Too funny.

 We also had fun photo booth pictures made. So fun!

 The next day, I decided to take Jackson to the festival and it was just he and I hanging out together. Our first stop was the Coca-Cola vendor booth. I was so excited to get our names on coke cans. :) It's the little things, y'all. It was great to see Jonathan Martinez and Laine Baker from our local news station while I stood in line. :)

 Jackson and I even met Laine and she asked to get a picture with Jackson. Jonathan even took the picture and he kept commenting on Jackson's "little locks." It was great meeting them!

 What's a film festival without the Oscar Mayer weinermobile? Just fun to see.

I even ran into Amy Duggar! It was so crazy I met so many well known people in a short amount of time. Haha! Amy was very sweet and so friendly! So awesome meeting her.

I think there will be a festival every year, so that's pretty exciting!

I hope that next year, we can participate in more events at the festival. I just love this place!

 

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to savesinners-of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15

Sleigh Ride on the Square

We are truly savoring every moment and definitely taking way more pictures than the average person should. Ha! We absolutely adore making memories and documenting it all!  

One day last week, the weather was absolutely perfect, so we took pictures on the square.

Jackson loved looking in the window! Love those vintage toys!

Peeping in the window. Love this of my boys!

Jackson was very interested in everything. Oh, I love my sweet boy!

It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you!

So fun.

He was so proud of sitting up. Sweetness.

Lights!

We are looking a little bright!

Looking at the tree close to downtown square.

Showing Jackson the ice rink.

Love our town!

Okay, so do y'all have all your shopping done yet? I have to admit, I don't. But that doesn't matter. What truly matters, is remembering that Jesus' birth is the true reason for all our celebrating!

Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Extra Special Visitors

We had extra special visitors come a couple of weeks ago. I was so glad when Emily and Kim came to meet Jackson and visit with Russell and I.

We were so ecstatic to see each other!

Emily and Kim are two of my very favorites in the world! They held Jackson and kissed him lots. :) I told Emily that I wish she lived here so she could babysit Jackson. :)

Russell, Jackson and I went to dinner with Kim and Emily at Table Mesa. It was Jackson's first time "out to eat" with us. He was asleep most of the time and hardly made a peep.

Kim and Emily on the square after dinner. We enjoyed walking around together.

Emily is studying Elementary Education at OBU. She loved this wall art that children in the area drew and colored. It was made into tiles and is displayed downtown.

We also went to the buckyball in front of Crystal Bridges.

Jackson making faces.

The next day, Kim, Emily, and I went to lunch at Crumpet Tea Room. They loved it just as much as I do.

Too fun!

They loved meeting Jackson. He was so good with them, too and hardly cried any.

Thank you, Kim and Emily, for coming all the way from South AR to visit us! We love you!

That Friday, Russell's parents, Ricky and Jackie came for the weekend. They babysat Jackson for us so Russell and I could go on a date night. We went to see this movie:

It was SO SO good!!! If you haven't seen it, go see it soon. :) We also had yummy pizza for dinner. Always good. :)

We enjoyed spending time with Ricky and Jackie and of course, they loved holding Jackson and playing with him. He's pretty cute, I have to say. :)

Jackson loves them lots.

Too sweet.

We went to Babies 'R Us in Joplin on Saturday. It was a fun little road trip. And the first time I changed Jackson's diaper in the car-dirty diaper of course. HAHA! We laughed the whole time.

Soon, my family will come see Jackson and I can hardly wait! Hope y'all are having a great Summer so far!

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Romans 12:3

Busy November!

Happy early Thanksgiving, y'all! Oh my goodness, this time of year just gets busier and busier, right? Russell and I have been extra busy this month. Here's a little recap.

A couple of weeks ago, we filled our shoebox (or plastic box) for a little boy. We really love participating in Operation Christmas Child every single year and look forward to shopping for children every year! 

 Here are the toys and things we picked out together. Yes, I realize we went a little overboard, but we realize that most of the children who receive these shoe boxes do not even have a toothbrush or toothpaste, or even socks to wear. We just had to get these goodies for him!

 Even Belle enjoyed helping!

 Russell knew just how to fit the items in the box. He was such a pro! Ha! There really was a technique to this!

 Our letter we typed up for him!

 Stickers to decorate the box!

Saturday, Bentonville Square held a special lighting of Christmas lights. We decided to go. Here is the community Christmas tree...so pretty!

 It was so windy outside! We got a picture together anyway!

 The ice rink was open Saturday too. It was too warm to stay open so we didn't get to ice skate! I have only ice skated twice in my life, but I was going to drag Russell on the rink anyway. Maybe next time! HA!

 Beautiful lights on the square!

For the kiddos: go to Lawrence Plaza to drop off your letters to Santa! :) Drop it off in the Gingerbread House!

Can y'all believe it's almost Thanksgiving? WOW! I hope y'all have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! XOXO!

I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30