Easter 2012

On Friday, Patrick and I went to the movies for the first time in almost 3 years. And we even got our good friends, Stephen & Holly to go with us! We ate at 54th Street (with coupons - of course!) and went to the movies with my FREE movie passes from YouNeverLose.com. I cannot wait to have another double date in the future! It was so much fun!

The Easter Bunny came to our house this on Sunday...and left scooters, helmets and tons of eggs/candy!

Baby on the run!! She would not pose for me!

We spent the day with Patrick's family on Easter Sunday, and enjoyed the beautiful weather...I hope you had a wonderful blessed holiday! I am so thankful for having such a wonderful husband, two gorgeous daughters, and a family that anyone would ask for (more family pics to come...).

Its the little things...

Its the little things in life I appreciate...like staying under budget at the grocery store, and having both my girls behave when we go places. Last week I had one of those moments...and this week - well, not so much. 


There is no consistency when it comes to children...at least with mine that is. At times they can be very well behaved, listen, help and offer love for one another. Then at other times they can be honory, mean, and beyond fun.

Needless to say, we have a lot of pouting, and sad moments that I wish would go away, rather than reoccur daily. I wonder how many other families go through this? Stressful days, misbehaving children, tears, sweat and whatever else. 


I am sure there are more than I can imagine. 


Yay for Spring! We got to spend another fun week with family on Spring break. We rarely go anywhere without "help" so this was quite a treat!

Last week, we had quite a few fun adventures...we went to Crown Center with my mom, and little brother (see pics above). We got to check out the FREE exhibit, watch fudge being made, and eat lunch at Fritz's (where they serve your lunch/dinner with a train).

Then we went to Chuck E. Cheese. And then finally to the Zoo on a rainy Friday. 

You gotta love Spring Break! And any time spent with Grandma Melanie and Uncle Joe is so much fun! 


The following weekend we attended a birthday party for Patrick's cousin's little girl ~ Gentry who turned One.

Aren't these matching dresses adorable? We just got them that morning in a package from Great Grandma Reta. 

Happy 1st Birthday Gentry! Isn't she gorgeous?

G is for Gentry!

Then the following day, Patrick's mom and step-dad came for a visit. 

Can you believe Easter is already here??

This past weekend, we went to our first Easter egg hunt (which was the first one for our city that we live in). It was CRAZY packed, and definitely needed a little more organization. But we still had fun despite the large crowd. 


Oh - and Pat started Softball season again from now until Fall. 

We also started working on some front yard work - pulling weeds, planting flowers, putting rock down, etc. It looks pretty good, but I would NEVER take up gardening as a hobby. It is hard work and incredibly HOT.


I still can't get over our 85 degree weather we are having in March/April. We finally caved in a couple days ago and turned on the A/C. The attic fan just wasn't cutting it...so we will see what happens between now and actual "summer". All our fall/winter clothes are put up - and Spring/Summer clothes are in full swing!


Until next time, I hope everyone has a wonderful week and Easter weekend ahead of them!!!

Is summer here already?

This week our local school district was on Spring break, which meant that we got to have a few play dates with our best friends ~ Holly, Karly & Kynly. On Monday, we all went to Paradise Park for under $5 - which was incredible...thanks to Holly's BOGO FREE coupon & Moms' get in Free day (every Monday, by the way!). 

Then on Tuesday, we all went to the Zoo, with my Friends of the Zoo pass that our family buys every year. It only costs us $75 for a family of four to go year round, including train, tram and carousel. ALL of us got in for FREE...and were pooped after only visiting "Africa" with a big group of friends. I think there was a total of six adults, and seven children.

Later on this week, we played outside and even got the water table out (see pics below). It has been 80 degree weather, so we figured...why not? The girls' absolutely love to get wet, splash, and being outside in general. 

On Friday, Patrick got off work early, so we took the girls to get some flowers to plant out front, and to visit the baby chicks at Tractor Supply company. They loved it!

On Saturday, Patrick and I spent the day together - just the two of us - while my mom watched the girls. We went summer clothes shopping, and got some great deals at Old Navy! We even got them some adorable flip flops at Walmart for $2.30? each (see pic below). I can't believe how fast their feet grow! Arwen is wearing a size 5/6 (and may need a 7 soon), and Destin is wearing a 7/8 (but will need a 9 soon). They are 17.5 months apart, but so close in sizes...I think that may be because Arwen is bigger than Destin as this age. 

Then after some shopping, Patrick and I enjoyed a nice lunch together at On the Border. Yum! It was nice to spend some "us" time away from the girls, and enjoy each others company. When the girls were younger, we hardly ever did this...but since they are older now, I don't worry about them as much. I am hoping that Patrick and I can do more things like this in the future...maybe even take a trip somewhere someday - when the money is available. 

I think we may plan another "day date" for Easter shopping in the next couple weeks...

For the past couple weeks, Patrick and the girls have been battling a cold/cough/fever/getting sick...it definitely is NOT fun. Long sleepless nights, and germs that just won't go away..I am wondering if I may need to call the Dr soon and see what else I need to do. My allergies have been up and down with the craziness of the weather...and I am wondering if that may be why this cough/cold combination won't go away for everyone else. I will just keep hoping that it goes away soon...being sick is not fun or healthy for anyone. 

On Sunday, Patrick went to the shooting range to try out his new gun that he bought a couple months ago. And the girls and I went to Kohl's to get Destin some new nightgowns. I cannot believe she has never had any up to this point, so we got some good sales and used a coupon or two and had a girls adventure. 

Then we came home and added some toppings to a frozen cheese pizza that we shared for lunch...aren't these pics adorable?

I hope everyone had a wonderful week, and a super weekend! Next week, we are going to spend some more "Spring break" time with Gma Melanie (my mom). 

Our Weekend: BBQ and Chicken Pox x 2

Not a real eventful weekend...but it was a nice one. Saturday, we hung out most of the day, and Patrick and I went out to celebrate our anniversary (while my mom watched the girls for us).

We ended up going to Jack Stack BBQ, which is the place that Patrick and I went to 9 years ago (and he proposed to me afterwards on top of the Halls building on the Plaza). Ahh, memories. I cannot believe it has been almost 9 years!! Wow!

Last week, we discovered Destin had the Chicken Pox. They still look awful, and I am thinking that Arwen is getting them too. She has a few spots on her tummy, and one on her arm. So...we will probably be on lock down yet again this week.

It really stinks..but I can only hope that we won't have to go through this again. Anyways...I hope everyone out there had a wonderful weekend! Have a great week!

Here's what came in my mail box last week:

• 2 pair of Sunglasses from Sharp Shades (Free w/Voucher from SaveMore Daily)
• Thermal Cinch Tote from Thirty-One Gifts (Previous PR & Giveaway at FFF)
• Wine-Wall Wine Rack & No Drip Stop (PR & Giveaway for FFF)
• Personalized Photo Thank You card I made from CardStore.com (freebie)
• Parents magazine (February)
• Zevia Package from Moms Meet (came with a free cooler and coupons for free Zevia beverages)

Mail Call: Dec 12 - 17

Happy Monday! Time is just flying by...and in less than a week, Christmas Day will be here. Wrapped presents, cookies for Santa and a house filled with (more) laughter and smiles will be here soon...

I am really excited for this year, since Destin is the perfect age to really understand Christmas and all the fun songs/movies/books that go with it. I just know next year, when Arwen is over 2, she will be just as excited :D

This week we had a surprise visitor...Grandpa Todd (my dad) came from Colorado for the weekend. The girls absolutely LOVE him, and had so much fun playing with all day/night! We even had an adventure to Burr Oak Woods (a local nature center) one day, and a trip to Bass Pro Shops the next. We saw all sorts of animals, including snakes, birds, turtles, deer and more! And on Sunday, we went shopping just the two of us...and spoiled everyone in the family. New shirts for Patrick, new clothes/toys for the girls, new clothes for me, and treats/toys for Daisy & Duke. :D

I only wish that he could have stayed longer...and I wish he could have brought my step-mom, Grandma Julie. Destin asked me every day where she was, and pointed out everything that Gma Julie had bought her. She has such a good memory!

My next project, I think...needs to be a photo/memory book for the girls with all the family members that love them. I think they would really like something like that, and would definitely put a "face to a name" or vice versa. I have seen these online on various sites, and would love to invest some time into making one for them.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! And if I don't post before this weekend, please have a safe and very Merry Christmas with your family!!

Here is what came in my mailbox this week...

• Ralph Lauren {orange, white & purple striped} belt (freebie from Nomorerack)



• 2 rubber bracelets from OpenDoors (freebie)


• Parents magazine for January


• $50 Visa GC that I won from One2OneNetwork


• Totsy.com order (Christmas gifts for the girls)


• Cowgirl boots for Destin & Arwen (Christmas gift from Gma & Gpa Sowerby)


• $25 Gift Certificate to ALDI (payment for PR & Giveaway at FFF)


• Earrings from DarcusTori.com


• Christmas cards from family


• Photo Ornament from Snapily.com (freebie I made)

Mail Call: November 28 - December 3rd

Good Morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful week/weekend! We had hopes of getting our Christmas shopping finished, but still have a couple more people on our list to buy for...so I am planning on going one night this week (by myself - YAY!).

Oh, and since I didn't post a picture last week when we went to see Santa...here is one:

Over the weekend, we had lots of events going on. On Thursday, the girls and I went to the library for story time (where Arwen tried to run out the door a total of three times - AHH!). On Friday, we went to Paradise Park (for FREE) thanks to our local Parents as Teachers. Destin just loves it there - but she put up quite a fight when we had to leave (REALLY NOT FUN for me!).

Saturday, we did shop shopping w/the girls at Target, Walmart, and Sears Grand - too many places at once, but we made it! Then that evening, we went to Destin's best friends house for a Princess Birthday Party! Oh my goodness! That was so much fun! My very good friend Holly even hired a REAL princess to come to the party ~ Rapunzel. I just could not believe how awe-stricken all of the little girls were! Destin just loved it!!

Sunday, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry and then we celebrated Patrick's brothers' 20th birthday. Happy Birthday Eric! Its crazy to believe how much he has grown since Patrick and I started dating back in 2003.

Overall, a crazy packed weekend! This week, we really don't have much going on - other than the usual library time and cleaning house. I hope you al have a wonderful week ahead of you!

Here is what came in my mailbox this week:
• Cappuccino machine from Whole Latte Love (PR & Giveaway for FFF)



• VTech MobiGo system & game (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Baby doll for Arwen from Amazon (Christmas gift ~ free w/credit)


• Teas’ Tea bag, pen and 2 Teas’ Tea sample bottles & pen (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• “Zero” board game (PR for FFF)


• Washable Overall Dog Diaper (PR for FFF)


• Stadium Jerkey sample (freebie)


• The Princess and the Pee underwear (PR & Giveaway for FFF – comes w/eBook too)


• Shutterfly photo mugs and calendar (Christmas gifts I ordered)


• Personalized New Years cards from Mixbook (PR for FFF)


• Thriving Family magazine (December – freebie)


• Fijit for Destin from Amazon (Christmas gift ~ free w/credit)


• Tylers coffee (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Teacarina (PR & Giveaway for FFF)


• Ear Peace (PR & Giveaway for FFF)