As Fall Arrives

Fall is here... as of tomorrow, officially.

It sure doesn't feel like the fall we're used to.. and that is FINE by us!

We've been enjoying the warm and sunshine and I have not stopped to say "Wow its Hot!" At all.. I remember where we came from.

Samantha had a half day last week, and this is how she wanted to spend the extra time, at the beach of course! Andrew is SOOOO happy when she is with us. When its just him and I, it isn't nearly as much fun as having big sister there too. They come up with all sorts of hilarious games, and they swim together ..Below I think they were jumping off a sand bar and they probably did this 40 times at least.

Even though its still 90 and sunny, I felt the urge to bake.

I used Trader Joe's pumpkin bread mix and turned them into cupcakes and mini pumpkins.

 

These two are already thinking about Halloween time.

Andrew keeps saying he wants to be a Bat or a Ghost.

Samantha wants to be some kind of Monster High girl. The name changes every day.

 

Running has never been more beautiful.

Living on a golf course and running past the open scenery just never gets old. The Carolina pine trees are so pretty and that distinct smell - one I remember the first time I flew here to meet Mathew.. I think of that every time I get a hint of the pine smell.

Pumpkin all things... all day.

 

I tried a new granola recipe and it was pretty good. Since it had the word PUMPKIN in it..thats what really motivated me to make it.. I'll be honest.

Ive come across the cutest beachy coastal thrift stores here, its the thrill of the hunt that draws me in. Ive found so many cute DIY project bases, cute decorations and vintage items on the cheap! And Andrew loves going too... he appreciates the need to browse and take our time

Sunday Funday last weekend at the beach.

It was so calm and relaxing ... and the water was so calm.

Today.... theres a hurricane heading our way, but last weekend it was gorgeous.

I went on baking up a storm in the air conditioning.

I made my FIRST ever pecan pie in mini mason jars

Omg. I had never had a pecan pie ever before this ... and it might be my new favorite pie and favorite way to eat pie. Theres only one more left and Im hoarding it in the fridge for an appropriate time.

 

I've falled up the house a little bit, and now tomorrow being October 1st - I feel like I need to incorporate a lot of Halloween into it

I couldn't resist this adorable garland



It doesnt really feel like fall outside yet... But inside we have the pumpkin and apple candles on rotation, and everything decorated for the harvest 

It's FALL

I started out baking rather than decorating for fall

As soon as I got the new Southern Living in the mail, I found this recipe - basically homemade oreos.. and I had to try it. 

They were so good and fun to make 

I bought some black and white gingham dish towels and hand towels. (above)

and (below) I've had this little guy for a few years now.. from Christmas Tree Shops. If you have one near you.. they'll help you get your house ready for fall for sure.. dangerous, wonderful store.

This is our dining room.

This picture has always been there.. but it kind of goes with the fall feel next to the pumpkins

I keep all the themed books in appropriate bins (Easter, Christmas, etc)

And every year they forget about them and its like theyre new again

Paper straws... I cannot resist for any holiday, or just because.

I got these at the dollar tree!

Fall-ing up the house always includes new candy and chocolates of course!

And feeling like where'd my baby go a LOT lately... 

(above) circa 2011) 

Below, last week at Target... 

So thats basically it.

I keep changing lots of things around daily, as I come up with ideas, runners on the kitchen cart, fall towels & candles. But it sure does look like fall around here!

As we Welcome December...

As we're welcoming December, here's a few things we've been up to around here..

I had a nice morning break and tried making Samantha a christmas tree shirt.

I figured if it was sparkly, she'd wear it..

Menu Planning...

I feel like I've been in a rut.. eating the same old things week after week..

 We came up with a really good and cheap meal idea recently.

Hubby actually found it online.

Chicken Burgers via Martha Stewart

They are sooo soo good.. and we even had fresh Chives from my herb garden that werent frozen/wilted yet... so so good!

 The mailman brought me some presents I had been waiting for this week

Some pretty necklaces... and pens for my planner..

 

Samantha and I love getting out for our much needed girl time.

She loves the grocery store, and I really can tell she loves being one on one too.



She's hysterical with the things she remembers.

I was pulling in to get gas and she said "mama, mama, mama, ... That looks like Gordon's car!"

It was a VW Yellow Bug and she was referring to Gordon's car from the movie "Follow That Bird"

I nearly died... the things this child says... cracks me up

My kids are getting so big.

Its scary.. I no longer have a little baby anymore either.

I've started jotting down little things he's up to at 10 Months.. (post coming soon)

 

He had a follow up Dr's appt Friday.

He STILL has an ear infection.

This has been since early October.

I just dont know what to do anymore..

 

The Dr gave us a referral for an ENT.. and we think he's on the road to having/needing tubes.

Nothing has worked for him.

The Doc gave us one more antibiotic to try... so we're hoping in a few days we notice a difference.

I think the doctors just dont want to have to put a small baby to sleep for the procedure.. tubes are the last resort.. but they make them try 4-5 antibiotics first to see if it will go away ... and NOTHING is working for my poor guy.

 

He fell asleep for a nap, and woke up screaming 15 minutes later.. I held him, and rocked him until he fell back asleep.. then I layed him on a comforter on the floor..



 

I thought he'd wake up within 5 minutes..

He stayed there for 45 more minutes.. bonus!



 

And Im attempting to make our own Christmas cards this year..

I've got about 10 completely done.. so if no one develops another cold within the next week or so I hope to be done...

 

This extra week of November has really helped me get organized and ready for Christmas.. shopping that is.. Im compleley done with the kids..

And I have plenty of time to get what I need for everyone else.. I dont feel rushed this year which is nice.

Thanksgiving Weekend 2012

Forever... thats how long I feel its been since I sat down and blogged!

I have a ton of posts half done.. hopefully the kids will allow this one to happen though..

 

We left for Ohio on Wed afternoon before thanksgiving day.

Before we left I downloaded a ton of apps for Samantha on the ipad and on my iphone.

Oh yea.. I made sure I was armed for what could be a very very long ride.

She loved playing all the new games... I bought a few.. like Charlie Brown Christmas and Disney Princess, but I found a Wizard of Oz app.. that was FREE.. she was in heaven...

Mister Mister fell asleep before the NY border.. and slept right through Pennsylvania, and woke up shortly after entering Ohio. It was looking like a pretty good drive..

Until we entered the east suburbs of Cleveland... We were in stand still - crawling - stopped traffic for miles.. and about 45 straight minutes.. Needless to say.. that kind of ruined our "pretty good ride".



We finally got there.. and relaxed and played outside a little.. it was pretty warm.. i'd say around 50

Thanksgiving Day

It was about 60 degrees and sunny.. perfect.

Samantha playing in the front yard..

I was watching through the bedroom window.. because..

 

Sleeping beauty needed his rest.

He was super cranky the whole time we were visiting.. and Baka had the shingles.. so she couldnt even get near him. So he was pretty much glued to my side.. I finally got him to sleep here in the pic, and he was on the bed though.. so I couldnt really leave him in case he woke up. I just watched Samantha play outside, and organized our clothes, and straightened out room, made lists, did a little Pinterest.. it was nice I guess.. If I have to be stuck in a room with a sleepy baby.



 

After naptime was over, we headed to Aunt Meghan and Uncle Mark's

 

Since it was such a nice day.. the girls took the car for a spin..

 

 Andrew was nearing his boiling point just as everyone was about to sit down to dinner..

But the girls played so nice together.

 

And while everyone was gobbling up turkey...

 

He finally passed out...

So Andrew and I took a walk while everyone ate.

 

Im pretty sure he was cutting his 6th tooth that day.. and the days leading up to it, because after that... he was so much happier the whole trip!



 

Samantha and Teta Nina with their "sleep animals"

She had so much fun playing with Teta.. They colored and did legos..

Friday we headed to the mall just to get out and walk around.

I did my black friday shopping online.. and only got a few things

We left the mall with only some sparkly tights, hair clips and new purple sparkly shoes.. 

As if we dont have enough sparkly shoes around here...

 

 

 

Andrew discovered drinking through a straw this weekend too.. it was so much fun to watch him as he figured it out

We had such a nice visit...always too short.

Not sure if we're headed back for Christmas though

The ride home was very .. uhm, awful....

It was nothing like the way there..

And to top it off.. we were greeted home to this!

I guess winter has arrived...