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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Pumpkins

Our trip to the pumpkin farm ~
October 2015


Our little pumpkins...


So serious...


Oh my how she loved the little goats...



Liam almost got licked in the face...



He picked out his very own pumpkin...


Chloe did too...



Liam and I searching for a big one...


And the must-have cut-out photo!


Photos of our carved & painted pumpkins...to be continued.....


Photos of the Pumpkin Farm 2014
Photos of pumpkin carving and Halloween 2014
Photos of pumpkin painting 2013
Photos of the Pumpkin Farm 2012

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Friday, October 23, 2015

Things I'm Diggin' Part 2

I shared a post a few months ago with some of my favorite things. I got feedback from friends and family that they liked seeing what products other people like, so I thought I'd share another one.

Here are a few totally random products I'm diggin' lately:

I bought one for our master bathroom. Then I bought one for our kitchen. And I'm pretty sure I'll be getting one for our guest bathroom sometime soon.  Cute and easy to use. Win-win.



Honest Floor Cleaner
We've tried numerous floor cleaners on our kitchen's hardwood floors, and this is the only one I've found that smells good (like citrus instead of yucky cleaner), cleans really well AND does not leave a residue on the darn floor! It's also non-toxic and plant based, so that makes me love it even more.



Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum. Yum. That's it.



Wool Dryer Balls, found on Etsy here
I pretty much despise dryer sheets (I don't like the smell, the chemicals). I haven't used them in years. So these natural dryer balls, which are hand-felted and have no dyes or chemicals added, work AWESOME to help keep our laundry fluffy. The only downfall is that they sometimes get lost amongst the bedsheets. But I'll take lost balls over dryer-sheet-smelly shirts any day :)



Boots Botanics Micellar 3 In 1 Cleansing Solution, bought at Target
I trio this with my Botanics 100% Organic Facial Oil and Botanics Cleansing Foam Wash. When I want to 'freshen' my face during the day I'll apply it to my face quick and let it air dry. Then at night when I'm lazy I use it to remove eye/face makeup, let it air dry and then finish with the facial oil. I love that it's easy, smells good & is fine for my sensitive skin.



Braun Thermoscan Forehead Thermometer
We bought a different thermometer - the Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer - after Liam was born and it has worked great. But Chloe does NOT let us get near her ears to stick it in, so we just invested in the forehead one (at $50) and it's been great so far! It's easy to use, accurate and it keeps Chloe happy(ish).



And last but not least...the sweet treat that keeps me sane going during the month of October...

Russell Stover Caramel & Marshmallow Pumpkins
Also shaped like eggs during Easter and shaped liked Santa during Christmas :) :) :) I pretty much can't sum up anything better than a) milk chocolate b) caramel and c) marshmallow all in one little nugget. I can't leave Walgreen's without handful of these babies. Who else is obsessed with these?



Have a nice weekend!


For more things I like, check out Things I'm Diggin' Part 1
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Thursday, October 8, 2015

My dad


Today is an anniversary. Not a happy anniversary. A sad one, actually. It has been twelve years since my dad passed away. Twelve years since I held my dad's hand as he took his final breathe on Earth. How TWELVE years have gone by already is just beyond my comprehension!

Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. Not a day goes by that I don't miss him and wish he could meet my husband and kids. I miss his laugh, his kindness and his bear hugs.

His death still causes pain in my heart. I still don't 'understand' why he was taken away from this Earth at such a young age, away from his family and friends that loved him SO much. But 'time' itself has helped heal my soul. I know that he is in heaven. He was meant for heaven! And when I die I know he'll be waiting there for me with a huge smile :)

I remember the great times we had. The support he gave. The hard work he did. The kindness he bestowed upon every person he came in contact with.

And now a few photos to share! Some pretty amazing 70s, 80s and 90s ones! I can't look at these and not smile :) Photos are such a wonderful thing to have...which is why I take so many NOW.

I snapped these with my iPhone straight from my mom's photos albums (the kind of albums with the clear film that holds the photos onto the page) and from some photo collages my mom still has from his funeral (which are behind glass) -- so please excuse the glare & grainy quality of some of these.


My dad's Senior photo.
Is it just me, or did people look WAY older than their age back then?





Check out those pork chops lol! (aka sideburns)



My mom and dad on their wedding day in 1973.
They were high school sweet hearts.
They were even homecoming King & Queen :)



"Up north," sometime in the 70s.



My dad LOVED to dance. 



My dad, holding me right after I was born. 
I guess they made the dads wear gowns in the hospital back then too??


Three kids. I wonder why he looks so tired?
Nate - this photo reminds me of you!


A good 'ol family trip to Wisconsin Dells. In the 80s....
Nate's shorts are hilarious.
Jason, are you even wearing shorts?



I wonder what he's thinking in this photo? 
I also wonder why he wore that shirt.



My dad and I up at our cabin. Mid 90's.


Okay...so I just saw this photo yesterday at my mom's house and my immediate thought was "holy cow, that totally looks like my dad is holding Chloe!" But it's really my sweet niece Caroline when she was around 1-year old. Check out the comparison of Caroline/Chloe:


I could add so many more photos! But I have to stop somewhere. So I'll add some more next year :)

I miss you dad!
Love,
Erin

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Monday, October 5, 2015

Just add ice cream

Some friends of ours recently welcomed their third beautiful child into the world (yay cheese!). I'm well aware that the first few months post-baby are awesome-amazing-crazy-chaotic-tiring all rolled into one. A new baby takes up so much of your time. And if you have another kid or two or three in the house already, add a newborn to the mix and the other kid(s) miraculously NEED your attention every second of the day too :) Am I right?

So what is a friend to do in this situation? Maybe do something nice for the mom, dad and preexisting kids that EVERYone can enjoy? Something fun and yummy that gives everyone a bit of a break from the normal day-to-day craziness (meals, diapers, naps, etc). 

I took to Pinterest to look for some ideas and came across a little 'care package' basket that was ice cream themed. Basically, you fill a basket with ice creams toppings so the family can set themselves up a little 'ice cream bar' at their home when they find the right time!

So that's what I did. Because I'm pretty sure all kids and adults love ice cream, right? And marshmallows and sprinkles and cherries?

Here's the quick little box I put together for our friends. I had Matt drop it off on their front doorstep this weekend.

















These little blue containers worked great for the toppings -


I found this box in our basement. A decorative basket would have looked much nicer but a) the box was free and 2) they don't have to return it to us, which is important!


And a quick little note -

Hopefully the kids are over their ice-cream-sundae-induced sugar high by now..... he he he :)



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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Summertime

Summer was busy. So busy that I neglected this blog for a couple of months! But I'm okay with that. I  tried to sit down and write on here SO many times, but I just didn't feel like it. But now that Liam is in 3K (eek!) and it's starting to feel a bit like Fall (ick!) I'm going to find more time to sit down and do this. I love blogging, it's just that taking the kids to the park, and walking down to the beach, and grilling fresh corn, and running through the sprinkler trumped everything else :)

So here's a real quick recap of some of the things we did this summer. I'd love to share it ALL, but that would take me too long. So here's what I have for you:

We kept busy with art & activities (a.k.a. time for me to get some laundry done).
I can give my kids a bowl full of beans & noodles & a scoop and it keeps them busy for an hour.


We took our first trip to Bay Beach as a family.
And you better believe it, Matt and I took turns riding on the Zippin Pippin.


A bike ride & dinner with friends.
We borrowed our neighbors' tandem bike and it was awesome!


We did lots & lots of walking to many places. 
Exploring neighborhoods, the waterfront, the farmers' market, piers, downtown, etc.


We met neighbors and friends at the beach for bonfires.


And hung out at our favorite beaches as a family.


We visited one of our favorites, Bookworm Gardens, a few times.


Matt and I attended my St. Mary's School Class of 1995 (8th Grade) class reunion.
It was so, so nice to see everyone and catch up.


And spent LOTS of time on our back deck & in the yard.
Our sand/water table got an insane amount of use this summer from both kids.


Play dates every Tuesday.


Outdoor concerts and food carts (dinner) at the JMKAC and downtown green space.


And more music and food...


Evenings out with my girlfriends.


I helped plan my future sister-in-law's bridal shower.


And went to the PGA with my mom.


These two grew up so much this summer:

THIS sweetie is full-on walking & running everywhere, eating every food imaginable, screaming/mumbling/pointing, giggling, loving on her brother and just blooming with personality, love and smarts. Chloe, you are simply my favorite little girl ever.


And THIS handsome little man has started going to 3K twice a week, for two hours. Happy and energetic one minute, cranky and moody the next minute. A total 3 1/2 year old! Smart and funny and artistic. He amazes me every day. Liam, I love you 'more than pancakes & syrup.'


Matt, I have not forgotten about you! You are still my favorite man in the world. Thank you for working so hard so we could do all of this fun stuff this summer :)


Peace,
Erin
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