THE BASTINGS BUZZ: September 2014

I am growing up fast and I'm on the move. I crawl all around the house and pull myself up every chance I get. I have recently discovered I can stand myself up without holding on to anything but after a few seconds I quickly drop back down. I'm a little timid that way and like to take things slow. "What's the rush?" has been my motto since I was born.

My favorite toy is the I-phone...for some reason mom and dad are always trying to hide it from me. But when I do manage to get ahold of it, I like to push the button so I can see the picture that come on. With my mom's phone it is a picture of Austin and Mikayla and on my dad's phone it is a picture of me. I also enjoy my noise-making toys and pushing cars and balls. In my sisters room I like to pull the books off the shelf, play with the things set up in her doll house, and get ahold of the markers which are usually out on her table. I also love to be outside, can "dance" to music, and enjoy watching Sofia the First with my sister.

Even though I have said "mama" several times, my first and favorite word to say is "oh." My mom has switched me over to one long afternoon nap which I need and she enjoys. I still wake up once a night but mom and dad have learned to just give me a bottle and I will go back to sleep. They may think they have me trained but I'm pretty sure it is the other way around.

Favorite Foods: cereal, oatmeal, watermelon, cantaloupe, graham crackers, granola bars and ice-cream. My mom gives me a sippy cup with cold milk in the daytime which I tolerate but I love my milk warmed up in a bottle at naptime and bedtime. Like I said....who is training who?

Things that make me cry: when someone tells me "NO!"...why would anyone say no to me?

Things that make me laugh: watching my brother & sister be silly, getting tickled by mom & dad

Things I like to get into that I shouldn't: the dogs water bowl, the drawer of hair-bows, and pushing the power button on the computer. Dad and mom's computer was getting close to its final days and they have had trouble getting it to come back on after it gets turned off so they just leave if on. But when they weren't watching I turned it off one day and it never came back on. Secretly, I think dad was happy cause now he has a new and better computer.

Everyone thinks I am the sweetest and cutest baby ever.

And I think they are right!!!

1st Day of School

Austin is in 2nd grade this year. I know that he really enjoyed having the freedom this summer of doing whatever he wanted but getting back into school will be a good thing. One of his best friends, Braxton, is in his class so I know he is going to have a great year!

Mikayla moves up to Kindergarten this year. I tried to keep her entertained this summer with friends but I know she will enjoy going back to school and being with friends all day long. She only has a couple kids from pre-k in her class this year but I know she will make friends fast. She is my social butterfly.

The second week of school I started having the kids ride the bus home. They were so excited about it. The bus drops them off about the same time we would be getting home if I picked them up myself so why not? There are also lots of kids from the neighborhood that they know riding the bus so I'm sure it is a party. Plus, the bus stop is at our house so it couldn't get any better than that. I am loving the bus ride home and the kids love it too!!

Brooklyn Turns One

This sweet baby of ours turned one in August!!

Does that make her no longer my baby? She is growing up too fast.

She received lots of nice gifts from family and friends.

Her mini-cake and cupcakes for the party.

At first she wasn't too happy about the cake. After singing happy birthday I didn't blow out the candle soon enough and she touched the tip of it when it was still warm. Oops!

But after a few minutes she got happy again and enjoyed her chocolate cake.

Brooklyn faces.....

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Girl!!

We love you and are so blessed to have you in our family!!

(more on her 1 year old accomplishments and favorites in a future post)

Kelsey & Todd

Kelsey and Todd also got married this summer!!

But before the wedding.....

We had a super fun girls day in Tulsa for Kelsey's bachelorette party!!

First, we went to Ihloff Salon and Day Spa to get pampered. We got things like facials, body massages, pedicures, and body wraps. I loved my facial but the Organic Cocoa Body Wrap was so nice and relaxing!!

After spending several hours at the spa we headed over to dinner at P.F. Chang's.

We each ordered something different on the menu then passed it around so we could get a taste of everything. It was all so good!!

After dinner we did some painting at Pinot's Palette.

Our instructor showed us how to paint this picture by following his directions. I think we all did pretty well for amateurs. Doing this was so much fun!! It was a pretty awesome girls day out!

Then the day finally arrived!

After the rehearsal dinner, the bridesmaids and flower girls spent the night so we could all get ready together the next day.

These three girls had fun playing together and were so excited about "their wedding!"

And the wedding prep begins....

It was a full day of wedding prep so we kept the girls busy with movies, games, and coloring.

Mikayla did a great job as the ring bearer.

First Look Picture

I have known Kelsey since I was in high-school and she became my sister-in-law when I married Craig. She has been a part of my life for so many years and I have seen her go through ups and downs in her life. I knew that this day would someday come and I couldn't be more happy and excited for her. She is such a beautiful person and deserves the best!

And these girls are surely the cutest flower girls ever!!!

The Bastings family who attended the wedding....quite a crew!

From the beginning, Kelsey had a vision about what she wanted for her wedding and she worked hard to make that vision a reality. She put a lot of time and effort into all the details.