Riding Free

That's right ladies I am now riding solo in the cart...I am hot stuff and am now ready and available for flirting while Mom is shopping...come to papa.

Pete and Repeat Were in a Boat

This is Emma's boat. When I am putting clothes away and the basket finally becomes empty she loves to climb in and act like it is a boat. She fishes, she rocks it, she loves when Daddy drags it around. So it was HUGE when she let Calvin into her boat. We are making progress with this brother/sister thing. They are really beginning to form a close bond and play together a lot.

Look Out Here We Come

My mom is watching the kids tonight so guess what Nick and I are doing? Shopping! I am not sure where we are going except one place...ULTA! I am sure Nick is going to have a good time there! I am looking forward to the deals of this place as in our area it is their grand opening. I am a veteran ULTA chic from when we lived in the big city and now they have followed us to the little city...fun! Anyone else have fun plans for the weekend?

Shoes, Blog, Blog, Shoes

I thought I would introduce you to my newest piece for my collection. These Anne Klein beauties were originally 59.84 at DSW and I took them home for $2.14 after the sale and my rewards certificate. And I love them! Aren't they cute? And so perfect for Autumn. Sigh. Now I just have to figure out where I am going to store them as I am almost out of room.

What I love about Autumn

There are so many things I love about Autumn. Fall is one of those times when I will jump out of bed with excitement screaming "I love Autumn." And why you ask? Because I am a dork. That is why. There are many things I love about Autumn including:

Sleeping with the windows open

The way the sun streams differently through the windows

The jewel colored decorations

How crisp the air is

School supplies...everything is more fun when written with a new pen

Football! Okay I do not watch football but it is so much fun to curl up with Nicholas on the couch and take a nap in our fuzzy pants while a game is on.

Comfort Foods-apple pie, pot roast, meatloaf, macaroni, stews, chili...there is nothing like it on a cold night to be shared with family

The fruits-apple picking, pumpkin picking, apple cider, on and on...I love it!

Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves...enough said

The clothes...first of all you can wear anything. Your fav tank with a warm sweater. And mentioning the sweaters you can start pulling out all of your fab sweaters and you don't need a coat!

An Update on Calvin

If nothing else, I realized from having Emma that every child does things in their own time. When Emma was developing, I was telling people what she had done that day and I got either one of two responses: "oh already?" or "isn't that a little late?" Both infuriated me. So I have been closed mouth about Calvin. However I can post and you can't annoy me so I will tell you. He is clapping. He is scootching across the floor while sitting and somewhat while laying down to crawl. He is teething like crazy and he is adorable. He has said Momma, Dada, and Emma. I am amazed at how big he is and how I fall more and more in love with him each day.

Repurpose Summer Items

Whether you bought them and didn't use them hardly ever or if you are like me and are eyeing the summer clearance, I encourage you to think of other purposes for the summer items. Here are just a few off the top of my head:

Do you have extra sunscreen? Mix it with your fav moisturizer for light protection through the year. It is only good for one year so using it next year is not a good idea.

Beach toys are amazing in the bath tub. We don't use ours all of the time in the tub but it is definitely a good time when I bring the beach toys down to play with. I think it helps break up the mundane bath times.

Specifically talking about beach buckets, they are great for storing things. Craft items such as beads, buttons, stickers and so forth are easy to throw in a bucket. They are also really handy and a good size for stocking stuffers. Have one bucket per family member and throw the stuffers in there. They are about the same size so you know when the bucket is full your stocking will be too. Last year I had so much for Emma's stocking I had to literally shove it in...oops.

Some things are just for their purpose...towels, sunglasses, floppy hats. But purchased together on the cheap, they would make a mean gift basket for the person in your life with that summer birthday. Or maybe you know someone who is taking a winter vaca. A new beach towel would be a dream come true...have you ever tried to find one in December?

Our Big Girl

Doesn't Emma just look like such a big girl? She's not my baby anymore! Sniff. This was taken earlier this week when she decided that she wanted to help me garden...her helping gardening turned into watching an earthworm crawl around for half an hour. But I'm cool with that. I love that she loves worms and bugs and dirt. She'll be running for President in a blink of an eye.

Straight Hair
Curly Hair

Her hair spring up so much, isn't it funny! Emma's curly hair is one of the things that drives me nuts and that I love all at the same time. It is just hard to contain and loves to do its own thing. Thought I'd post these cute photos. If anyone has any products to recommend I am all ears.

So, About Our Anniversary!

I realized I never told you guys about our anniversary! It was the most romantic thing ever...well except for the night Nick proposed. Anyway, just a recap this was our big five year anniversary, so Nick had this big secret planned. He refused to tell me anything about it. On the night of the Saturday before our anniversary he blind-folded me and had me in the car driving. When we were behind a police car driving is when he told me I could take the blind fold off. He drove for a while and ended up taking me to the beach. How romantic! He had a wine and cheese picnic planned! For those of you who do not know I love the beach: the sand, the waves, the birds. Nick on the other hand despises it. So for him to do this just brought tears to my eyes. It was a picture perfect day and it was nice to lay on the blanket and stare up at the crystal blue sky. We talked about our past, our future, and how blessed we truly are. We laughed hard. Below are pictures of Nicholas and I. I don't know why we didn't get the bright idea to take a picture together!

Afterwards Nick said we could go to one of the fancy beach side places we frequent or grab a burger at Redamaks. And did I go for the burger? You bet I did because I am an All-American kind of girl. And to be honest, holding hands while watching the Cubs and waiting for our food made me feel young again. Really young. And I love Nick for it. Because despite everything that comes our way, we are still the same young couple that fell in love all those years ago. We still make one another giggle. He still gives me butterflies. And we still are both so darn passionate that we argue over lots. But that's what makes us us. And nothing can break us apart.

Saturday Movie Madness

Last night we decided it would be fun to have a movie night. But not just any movie night. We popped popcorn and then decimated our living room to be a movie watching fort. It was so much fun. I hope it is something Emma remembers us doing. We watched some of the Jungle Book before it was time for little ones to go to bed.

Our Holiday Weekend

So we are planning on not doing anything this weekend and it is going to be fabulous! We have no plans which just sounds heavenly to me right about now. I am ready to just bum around the house and get some cleaning done. Doesn't that sound nice? I am getting ready to do the Organized Home's cleaning routing starting Sunday in an effort to get ready for the holidays. Hopefully this will be something that I can follow and stick with. What are your plans for the weekend?

Go Cubbies

We are Cubs fans, no secret there! Nick is at the Cubs game being wined and dined by companies that want his business. Isn't he a lucky duck? I am a lucky duck to have him and my family. Tonight since he is away the kids and I are hanging out with Jaime and Gram. I love living so close to everyone.

They call her Weigel...

We don't look alike at all, do we? This is my cousin Arielle, aka my little sis. This is a photo of the night we went out for a drink for her birthday! We had so much fun and I must admit that it was fun to get out of the house and act like a grown-up...although we were in a hooka bar...shh!!! We are also drinking adult beverages but were not drunk, nor on the hooka so shut your gossiping down now please! Just had to introduce you to my cousin because she's cute and single and I love her to death.