Easter Weekend in Ohio

We hit the road for another trip to Ohio.

This one was planned, and involved a LOT of packing.. and Easter Bunny supplies, baskets, etc.

 

We made it in about 4 hours, and the kids were EXCELLENT ... the entire time and both took pretty good naps on the way. We drove straight through, and then enjoyed being outdoors for a change when we got there. 

The weather was pretty decent all weekend...

Signs of spring were everywhere.

This little one slept just Ok.. waking several times during the night .. but took decent naps while we were there..Those baby blue eyes just melt me.. 

 

Samantha loves Disney... movies, princesses, and obsessed with going one day to Disney World.

Very different from my childhood preferences.. mine was consumed with Muppets, Sesame Street, and Looney Toons, etc..

So we found a Disney Store nearby and took the kids early Saturday morning to the mall.

She almost had a mini meltdown when she walked in.

There were characters, barbies, toys.. of all sorts of movies.. everywhere...

I took her outside and said.. "just look at one thing at a time... and take your time"

We spent about an hour walking around just the Disney store alone... looking at all the characters and toys.. 

After that, we popped the kids in their carseats and drove over to World Market.. another store we don't have in NY. Mama got her fix while Daddy drove around a very sleepy Andrew, and Samantha kept herself busy with her new purchases.

I picked up some mini Bonne Maman jars of Apricot and Strawberry Jam, my favorite Jam..

And these rainbow Egg Cups for only 4.99!

Rainbow .... I was sucked in...

She settled on Bullseye.. to complete our Toy Story collection.

and a stuffed Rapunzel Doll.. couldn't be happier.. boy she was in heaven in that store! But I think actually traveling to Disney.... we better wait a few years.. Especially since she was slightly overwhelmed with JUST the store! ha!

 

We had dinner... Yummy Beef Stir Fry with Rice Noodles... Im definitely going to try this..Everything my Mother-In-Law makes is so good!

 

After dinner it was still sunny and around 50 degrees... so Daddy went out and hid some eggs for our little Easter Egg Hunt 2013.

This year we had an extra finder... Andrew!

 

 

Samantha loved the egg hunt just like she did last year..

I went to Party City and found some really cute non-candy items to hide

This one didn't care.. he just wanted to run and run and run... fine by us!

He successfully swong a golf club and hit the ball... and he was SO SO proud.

 

Easter Eve....

The kiddos were in bed by around 9pm..

And the Bunny got to work... and made a stop at Baka & Papa's...

Here's what they got:

Samantha:

Melissa & Doug Clock, Tinkerbell lightup Doll, Color Wonder Princess Glitter book, Ariel Doll, Hello Kitty fruit snacks, gum, m&m's peeps, reeses , a chocolate bunny, and a bunch of crepe carrots with little prizes inside.

Andrew:

Melissa & Doug Stacking Blocks, Puffs, Plastic Stacking Cups, Baby Cookies, Pirates Booty, New Sippy Cup, and a White Chocolate Bunny.. (for Mama.. ha!)

 

Baka coming down the stairs with SJ

Andrew went right for the puffs.. as expected.

SO happy with her ColorWonder Glitter 

Teta Nina and Sassy are good buddies!

 

After the Easter celebration... both kids took naps..
Samantha fell asleep at 11am....probably hasn't happened since she was 1.. She was pooped.. And we were going to My brother in laws at 2.. so it was perfect..

They BOTH took 2 hour naps.. and it was nice to just do nothing.. relax and enjoy our coffee.. and put together the girls' baskets.

 

We got all fancy in our Easter best.. well, at least the kids did..

I cant stand his outfit.. so so precious!

I was determined to get a family pic.. just ONE

C'mon!

And this is as good as it got.

We had a nice Easter afternoon.. the girls played so nice, and Andrew took a nice nap, and I got to sit and EAT!! ha!

Andrew's cousins love him so much.. 

 

And that was our trip .. it seemed to go by so fast this time.

Happy Easter!



December Happenings, Crafts and Decorating!

5 Days till Christmas...I cannot beleive it!

Pretty much Im done I think except wrapping and decorating gifts...

I also have been doing a lot of nesting (for baby).. and crafting too

I made these cute initial tee shirts for my neices Grace and Julia

I thought they turned out so cute!

Samantha's shirt was my "tester"...
Here she is modeling her cute pants (from last year) ... and momma's homemade shirt

She insisted on me taking a picture of her Belly as well..

Craft #2.. Burp Cloths.

My friend Kristen just had a baby boy and I have LOTS of fabric for our baby boy .. so I put together a little mixture of burp cloths for her too.

And Craft #3.

I wanted to make a wooden "Oh Holy Night" sign for our mantle this year.

I found a wood plank at Joann's for under $1.00..

Printed and traced the letters, painted in white.. then used a stain over the letters for a more vintage/older look...

I usually have many more decorations, but this year I am going for a more simple look.... Simply (ha) because Im about 6 weeks away from baby #2, and walking up a flight of stairs can be challenging on some days.. ha..

Its been surprisingly warm this December. But last weekend, we had a little chill.. It was in the 20's at night. We havent had hardly ANY snow. Nothing that has stuck.. a few flurries here and there but NOTHING like a storm or anything. I think its gonna be a Green Christmas this year unfortunately...

{the frosty falls, near our house}

Here is our real tree.. It smells so good in our house!

The tree (picked and cut down by Daddy) is the perfect shape and size, we are very happy with it, and Samantha has loved picking out her favorite ornaments, and has not broke ANY!

Today my sissy and I headed to a few stores for some ingredients ... we're gonna start baking and cooking a LOT this week and next. We have big plans that include:

Oreo Balls, Cake Balls, Merengues, Cutouts, Hashbrown Casserole, Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip, Okay I'll stop now.

We have a lot of family gatherings over the next week.. and its my favorite thing about this time of year..

While in the toy area.. I thought Samantha doesnt have a Washing Machine!

I know my husband is going to say.. what does she need more toys for???

I keep thinking the tree wont look "FULL" enough with gifts.. and this toy was a cheapo one, but very cute! You can put little doll clothes in it, and the lights and sounds are so cute!

Ahh my little spoiled princess....she's worth it.. haha..

And I couldnt forget my little man.

I love these little cargo pants, and onesie.. and for under $8 for both.

So we're getting ready for Santa ...and all that comes with Christmas.

I am getting really excited. Because as soon as the holidays end.. we also have only about 4-5 more weeks until we welcome our next miracle. Im just praying for a healthy baby again, thats all I want for Christmas!

What Im Loving Wednesday

No matter how busy I am with life, blogging slacks on some days... but I always make it a point to remember to post for this linky! Maybe because it forces me to take time out to be thankful for things, and its also mid-work week.. which means the weekend is almost here! yea!

So here goes:

What Im Loving Wednesday

{New Cute Tops}

My wardrobe after being pregnant/nursing & living in the south where it was too hot to be cute most days.. has suffered.. So living up north again, I look for little bargains wherever I can find em!

I treated myself last week and found a couple cute things!

Strapless Dress/Tunic

I love this dress/top.. I say dress/top because I remember watching "Monster In Law" and loving all of JLo's outfits.. they were simple, yet adorable.. and in one scene she pairs a dress/long top like this one with tight jeans.. which I plan to do with this shirt as well.

Zebra Boho

Im loving animal prints and they are everywhere ... babies, decor, women, girls, teens..

This is a lightweight shirt that I picture me wearing with a tank underneath/with jeans/shorts/or as a bathing suit cover up! It was only 12.00!

Purple Pumps

I "lost" these during our move, and just found them again.. I love love them, not sure where Im going to wear them, but I just love the deep purple.. very "sex and the city".. and I WILL find the perfect outfit for them!

{SJ's New Monogram Decal}

I made her a canvas..

well that didnt turn out so well.

(its now hanging in her CLOSET.. ) if thats any indication to how bad it was.

I decided to try decals, since that seems to be the new hip decor choice seen lately..

{pic is a little ok VERY dark.. its very dark and rainy today}
I really like how it turned out.. I think I like decals. I can see more of them in my future.. Plus, no nails in the freshly painted walls.. which hubby appriciates! ha!

and Lastly.. but maybe my favorite LOVE:

I CAN SEW!

My Aunt came over and showed me how to hook up my machine, and get it going..

Stay tuned, I think Im gonna like it.. Im already loving fabric hunting...

A little of everything...

Gosh, I feel like I haven’t updated in a while!

Some weeks/days I get so much done, and have time for 2 or three blog entries..

Other days/weeks, Im forgetting to eat lunch,

get the wet laundry into the dryer, and yep, even forget to go to the bathroom!

Ever have days like this?

Here are a few things we’ve been up to since my last post:

Grocery Store Finds:

I was super excited to find these two things the other day:

Alphabet Pretzels:

We're working on letters and numbers with her constantly.. and she knows quite a few letters already.. this is another fun way to keep up learning I guess, and they're really good!

{top of our stairs..3.25.11}

Jamba Juice Bars:

I have no idea why they sell these here.. no Jamba Juice for at least 500 miles or more.. the closest I've seen one was in the Charlotte,NC airport..

yogurt and Sorbet.. and 90 calories? Yes Please!

I think they have 3 other flavors, Vanilla Pomegranate Blueberry was one.. mmm.

uhhh.. so good! I plan to try them all!!

Sunday Playdate

We headed over to my Mom’s friend’s house Karen’s for a playdate with my childhood friend Nicole! I cant remember the last time I’ve seen her.. maybe when we were in grade school? Anyhow, the Moms have remained close, and Nicole has a blog so I feel like I’ve re-connected with her in that way too. She had her daughter Avery 1 week before I had Samantha. The girls were so adorable together..

{samantha was especially fond of the giraffe .. seen in the background}

{Avery.Samantha.Hugs}

It was a fun time, and I can’t wait to get the girls together again soon! Thanks Nicole for having us over!

We relaxed the rest of the weekend, we did a little shopping yesterday and I picked up a gift for my friend Julie who had a baby girl a few weeks ago. I dont think she reads my blog, so I can show you the adorable MudPie socks I got for her baby Annabelle

Im slightly obsessed with MudPie...

I was just dying to find out if she was having a girl!

I've had my eye on these for months! - Julie HAS to have them!! ha!

I would not mind if I had another girl the second time!!

Homemade Sauce:

I made a HUGE batch of Homemade Sauce on Friday.

I froze half for later meals...

It was so yummy...

My secret ingredient to make it extra good is Sugar though.

Yep.. plain white sugar.. makes the sauce taste sooo yum!

Last night I made Eggplant Parmesan for dinner too

Eggplants are hard to come by I've noticed.

I went to 3 grocery stores looking, and finally found them at the 4th store!

They were pretty pricey too! But after I ate dinner, I have to say it was worth the $5.00 for 2!

Happy Wednesday though... its smooth sailing from here!

Onto another weeekend, and I hope to find something fun to do!