Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Seasonal Bucket List {Winter Link-Up}

Today, Brittney & I are really excited to have everyone link up their Winter Bucket Lists! We are so excited to see what you have planned this Winter :)
So write up, draw up, think up, however you would like to show us those Winter Bucket Lists! We want to see what everyone is going to be doing this fantastic fall season! Are you going to carve pumpkins, take a hike, make a new delicious dessert, or try something new? Let us know!
I know I'm not the only one that seems to get things done if I write it all out! 

TeaberryTrails
Hosts:

Harris Heart to Hearts


TeaberryTrails

Brittney at Teaberry Trails


Here's what the schedule looks like so far for the rest of the Link ups:
3.11 - Winter Re-caps
3.18 - Spring Bucket Lists
6.17 - Spring Re-caps
6.24 - Summer Bucket Lists
9.16 - Summer Re-caps

So make sure you come back and link up the the recap of how your Bucket List played out and get ready for the others! This gives everyone a chance to get a few things done and show it off!

Have fun Friends! 


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

My Fall Bucket-List Re-Cap

Just to remind myself (and everyone else) what my Fall Bucket List looked like – here she goes:



We didn't quite get everything done on our list, but most were crossed off!  We didn't get to the DC Aquarium & Zoo because of the Government shutdown.  So, it looks like we’ll push that off to 2014 sometime.  We did go to the VA Safari Park since our Zoo trip was cancelled.  We went to a very small "pumpkin patch" at a local vegetable stand, but I cannot find the pictures! Does that count?  There was plenty of football watched in our house, but we didn't have a party :(  

Here’s a list of the Fall Activities we DID get to this year! 
VA Safari Park

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Seasonal Bucket-List Re-cap {Link-Up}

Today, Brittney & I are really excited to have everyone link up their Fall Bucket List Re-Caps! We have been working on this it seems like forever (okay, so maybe it's only been a few weeks) and we have finally made it happen! 
So write up, draw up, think up, however you would like to show us how your Fall Bucket Lists turned out! We want to see what everyone did this Fall! Did you tackle everything on your list? Let us know!
TeaberryTrails
Hosts:

Harris Heart to Hearts


TeaberryTrails

Brittney at Teaberry Trails


Here's what the schedule looks like so far for the rest of the Link ups:
12.17 - Winter Bucket Lists
3.11 - Winter Re-caps
3.18 - Spring Bucket Lists
6.17 - Spring Re-caps
6.24 - Summer Bucket Lists
9.16 - Summer Re-caps

So make sure you come back and link up for the Winter Bucket-List next week! This gives everyone a chance to get a few things done and show it off!

Have fun Friends! 





Friday, December 6, 2013

Some say three’s a crowd...

But, we couldn't be happier!! This is my big announcement and why I had fallen off of the blogging train for a little while – We are expecting baby #3!


Let’s get these bump dates started!  I didn't do these with Hadleigh or Hayden, but I loved the idea too much not to do it.  Although, I have to admit, I do feel a little guilty already that I’m doing something “different” that I didn't do for the other 2. As if they are going to call me out on it in 10 years – which they probably will.

How Far Along: 14 weeks
Due Date: 6.3.14 {I’ve had 4 ultrasounds and baby is measuring consistently with a due date of 5.29.14, but they won’t change it}
Gender: ????
Movement: Not yet! I’m feeling a little left out though – this is my third, shouldn't I be feeling some movement?!
Weight Gain: 3 lbs. since last time I weighed at doctor on 11.12.13; I’m certain this has risen.
Symptoms: I had horrible nausea from 5 weeks – 12 weeks.  To the point I actually had to take Zofran, which then the Zofran would give me headaches.  It has subsided to where I’m not taking Zofran, but I still feel queasy in the morning and at night.  I was also exhausted during those same 7 weeks.  I still can go to bed pretty early, but some of my energy seems to have come back.
Cravings:  Nothing in particular – no sweets. I have a hard time pin-pointed what it is I want to eat.  I did crave a burger a few weeks ago.  I actually think I’ve wanted more salads than anything.
Sleep:  I’m sleeping decent. I get up to go pee at least once and Hayden has been waking a few times at night recently.  I’m hit or miss whether or not I use my pregnancy pillow or not.  I find myself asleep on my back or my left side, so I freak a little and get back to laying on my right side ;)
Stretch Marks: ha! Yes, but from Hadleigh & Hayden. Plllleeeeaaasseee let my skin be stretched enough not to gain any more of them! 
Maternity Clothes: In them, but can still wear some of my normal clothes as well.  As far as pants go, if I'm wearing any normal pants - they aren't buttoned, so my Bella Band comes in handy.
Names:  We've had a boy name since a few years before we even got engaged.  Holden will be the name if it’s a little boy.  Not sure of the middle name. Our girl name will start with an “H” as well, but we have NO clue! I have started a list, but nothing jumps out at us.
Hadleigh is: Indecisive on whether she wants a sister, a brother, or both! I’m setting the record straight to say there is only ONE in my tummy.
Hayden is: oblivious to me having a baby.  Maybe once my belly gets bigger she will want to kiss is like Hadleigh did at her age, but she won’t probably get it fully until the baby is here.

Can't wait to share this journey again!!
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Thursday, December 5, 2013

Spreading Cheer this Holiday Season

This is the time of year when everyone’s hearts are full of joy and happiness.  I love how simple little acts can cheer someone’s day or brighten up their week.  The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU does so much for children and their families throughout the year.  My husband and I are both VCU alumni and are extremely proud of The Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.  This movement of Spreading Cheer is a wonderful way to boost the joy throughout the area and beyond.  The doctors and staff do so much for the families and children, but would love to hear how each of us #SpreadCheer!

There are 2 easy ways to #SpreadCheer this Holiday Season:

1.       Sending us their 6-word plan to #SpreadCheer this holiday season on CHoR’s Facebook page using the #SpreadCheer hashtag.

2.       Texting HEALTH to 50555 to donate $10 to help children in the hospital.
 

But, that’s not all!  Our favorite local bloggers Young House Love are involved as well.  Head on over to their blog for updates on how they will be Spreading Cheer to one of the hospital’s family waiting rooms. Their ideas are great and I cannot wait to see the finished product.


To learn more visit CHOR at VCU’s #SpreadCheer Launch page


How will you #SpreadCheer this Holiday Season? 
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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Cup of Cheer!

When I was contacted by Auntie Anne’s Pretzels to participate in their #CupOfCheer, I couldn't wait!! I received my box just a few weeks ago, and the contents were amazing.
Auntie Anne’s #CupOfCheer T-Shirt
Essie Red Nail Polish
$20 Amazon Gift Certificate

I knew that I wanted to make the pretzels with Hadleigh.  She loves helping me bake and this was a perfect opportunity for her to do some “hands on” baking J I usually am telling her the whole time we make brownies not to touch the batter, not to eat the batter….etc.
I prepped the dough and let it rise just like the directions said.  The kit comes with everything you need and the directions are very easy to read through.  Once the dough had risen, it was time to make some pretzels! I rolled a few long strings of dough (is that what you call it?!) and attempted to make the pretzel shape. I’m no expert, but I’d say they turned out decent.  Hadleigh ended up making “a bunch of pretzel babies” {aka pretzel bites}. J  
After popping them in the oven for 5 minutes (that.is.it) – they were done.  I sprinkled a few with butter and salt, but most were sprinkled with butter and then the cinnamon sugar mixture (selfishly my favorite). They tasted so good and the girls loved them as well!



We have Auntie Anne’s pretzels around us, but I love that you can have the same great taste in your own home.  It was a nice plus to be able to incorporate some Cheer into our day by spending the time together making them.


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Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving ya’ll!  I hope everyone is eating lots and spending time with their families!

Just some things I’m thankful for this year:
Daniel – My rock. Without him life would be no fun.  We’ve been together for almost 12 years and I love him more now than ever. He’s the best daddy and husband us girls could ask for.
My girls – They’ve blessed me to be called “mama” and that is amazing! They keep me on my toes and give me so much laughter and love.
Family – Our families are great – they are supportive, loving, and great examples of what love and family should be.
Jobs – Thankful for steady incomes to be coming in. It lets us provide for our families necessities and even some extras.
Health – So happy for the blessings of health all around us.
Friends – Even if we don’t see each other or talk to each other as much as we used to.  I’m thankful for when we do; we pick up right where we left off.  
Blog World  - I've met so many wonderful ladies through this blog and I wouldn't trade it -  you all have been helpful in so many ways.
Isis & Duke – They are both our first babies and a huge part of the family.  I don’t show them enough now that we have kids, but they are loved tremendously.

I am thankful for so many more things.  I could go on and on…


Have a great day!!!!
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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Painting Pumpkins

A few days before Halloween, we decided to let the girls paint their own pumpkins.  I thought carving was too much for them.  Daniel and I would end up carving and they wouldn’t be as involved as they would want to be. So Paint it was!  Last year, I let Hadleigh put stickers all over her pumpkin so I wanted to do something a little bit different.
Hadleigh really enjoyed it.  Every time the paint would get “low”, she had to get more.  Hayden was interested for a few minutes, but then lost interest.  She was more interested in walking around and playing with the push car, so Daniel ended up finishing hers up.  Next year Hayden will have a lot more fun for sure.




 Can you tell what Hadleigh's favorite color is??


After we finished painting, we went inside for a lunch picnic.  While the girls ate, we watched Cinderella.  I love having picnics on our living room floor J


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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Rapunzel & Fairies, Oh my!

Halloween! The girls had a BLAST this year with Halloween.  Last year Hadleigh was super shy and didn't really like going to people’s houses saying “trick-or-treat”.  Well, now that I wrote that (and read it out loud), things weren't super different this year. Ha!  Hadleigh did great going up to our neighbors’ doors, but fell silent as soon as the door opened.  Maybe next year she will actually say “trick-or-treat”.  Hayden was all over it.  The people didn't faze her one bit, and she loved carrying around her pumpkin full of candy {even if she was dragging it by the end because it was so heavy}.
 Our group for Trick-or-Treating!
 
Hadleigh wanted to be Rapunzel, and she wanted Hayden to be Rapunzel as well.  I started down the path of making both girls tutus to wear.  It’s super easy to make, and actually turned out really cute!  My mom ended up having a purple dress she bought last year on sale, so we showed it to Hadleigh and she immediately said it was her Rapunzel dress.  So, that meant I only had one tutu to make for Hayden.  At the last minute, I decided to also make Rapunzel hair for Hadleigh.  Otherwise, she just would have looked like a little girl in a pretty purple dress.  I scratched the idea of even having Hayden as Rapunzel and we went with a fairy.  Both were happy with their outfits – Hadleigh loved her hair and Hayden loved her wings.  Hadleigh actually had to wear wings as well once she saw Hayden had some.  She also had to wear her pink cowboy boots, so she was definitely a unique Rapunzel ;)
Neither would sit for a picture
Hayden!

 This is what I got when I asked her to smile for a picture
 Better picture of her Rapunzel hair :)

I, of course, didn't take any progress pictures of the tutu or Rapunzel hair.  For the tutu, I googled how to make it.  Once I had the elastic cut to size, I just started knotting the tulle around it.  It was a little tedious, but really easy.  As for the Rapunzel hair, I cut a bunch of long strands of yellow yarn.  I then gathered them into 3 separate groups (this made it easier for me to braid).  I knotted the 3 groups of yarn together, started braiding it, and then tied it all in a knot again at the bottom.  I then wrapped it around Hadleigh’s head to get a measurement.  I made it too long, so I wrapped it twice and hot glued it so the head piece would stay intact.  To spruce it up a bit, I hot glued different colored flowers all over.  I was really impressed with my crafting skills!
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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Apple Picking

Holy crap! I blogged! That’s right ya’ll – I’m back on the train after falling off for most of this month.  I promise, it’s for good reasons! Stay tuned J

Back in October, we took the girls apple picking.  We started the “tradition” last year by going to Graves Mountain.  We really enjoyed it, so we wanted to make sure we went again this year.  In Virginia, you either go to Graves Mountain or Carter Mountain to do your apple picking.  Since we experienced Graves last year, and Carter Mountain is a bit closer, we decided on Carter Mountain.  My friend Jen and her family joined us, as well as my parents.  Our day was great – the kids had fun picking apples and afterwards, we went into downtown Charlottesville to have some lunch.
 
 
 

 In comparison, I liked Carter Mountain because there was a ton of apple picking options and the views were a lot prettier than Graves.  BUT, I think I’ll want to head back to Graves next year.  Their festival has a lot more action and fun activities for the kids to enjoy other than just apple picking.  Either way, we had a great day spending time with family and some friends!

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Thursday, October 31, 2013

That Friday Blog Hop {Link-Up}

This blog hop is meant for anyone and everyone to join in and find other great blogs to read. 
You are welcome to link up anything from your blog, any & all social media {and everything in-between}

Please follow each host via ♥Bloglovin' by clicking on the buttons below

          

Also, take a moment to check out this week's co-host as well.

That Friday Blog Hop

Grab the button if you would like and tweet about the blog hop.
If you are interested in being a co-host for an upcoming week, please let one of us know.

Our co-host this week is Erin from Harris Heart-to-Hearts.
Stop by her blog and say hello.

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