Tagged again!

Kari over at The Busy Busbys tagged me in another set of questions! Wahoo!

1.  You can only pack three things on vacation. What are they?

Definitely sunscreen, becuase this lady burns easily! Toothbrush, becuase I can't stand yucky teeth, and my credit card, so I can buy everything I else I need there :)

 

2.  Where would that vacation be?

PARIS!! I'm trying to save up for a trip to Paris for my 30th bday. (I've got 4.5 years to go!)

 

3.  Where was your 1st plane ride to?

I'm not entirely sure it was my first but the first one I remember was when we flew to Florida to go to Disneyworld! I was in 3rd grade and it hurt my ears so bad I might have had a slight panic attack and had to breath into the oxygen mask thingys.

 

4.  Do you prefer turkey or ham for Christmas?

Definitely ham, turkey is reserved for Thanksgiving!

 

5.  When is the earliest you shop for Christmas presents?

All year round. Some great presents I've found at after Christmas sales, and I've held onto them all year long.

 

6.  What is your favorite comfort food?

Oh that is not an easy answer. I LOVE FOOD. but some favs would have to be brownie sundae's, pickles (weird i know), and just about any sort of pie.

 

7.  You have a shopping spree to any store you want.  What is that store?

Nordstrom!!

 

8.  What movie makes you cry any time you watch it?

Steel Magnolias. I've seen it a million times, and everytime it gets me. Definitely one of those movies that I know every line to, and never get tired of.

 

I only have so many followers, and I've already tagged everyone once, so if you'd like to play along please do! Just take these same questions and write your answers!

Kansas City Holiday Mart

I LOVE the Holiday Mart. To me it is the quintessential kick-off to the holiday season. Last weekend me and the girls headed to KC to get our shop on at the annual Holiday Mart. For those of you not from KC, the Holiday Mart is hosted by the Junior Leauge of Kansas City, and consists of many many booths of crafts, candies, food, knick-knacks, just about anything you can imagine. And the best part is, most of it is Holiday related. Consider me a holiday junkie, and the holiday mart my crack.

We arrived aound 11:30ish, browsed, had a glass of wine, sampled TONS of amazing dips/soups/candies/etc. We were thoroughly exhausted by 3:30 when we left. Honest to goodness I could spend all 4 days that they're open in there, but with 2 kiddos you make do with what time you're allowed.

The Holiday Mart is something I look forward to every year, and I've already got my calendar marked for next October!! Hopefully next year I'll get to spend a little more, because this year my dear old hubs has me on a strict budget :)

Seeing this just makes me happy!

Gracen clearly not realizing yet the awesomeness that she's in for

Don't Christmas decorations just bring a smile to your face?!?!

entering the gloriousness that is the Holiday Mart

Enjoying a glass of Vino during our shopping extravaganza

Already cannot WAIT to go next year!!

Fill in the blank Friday

Fill in the blank Friday... What a fun thing! Link up and play along!

 

 

 

 

1.   My Halloween plans this year will include      Taking my sweet little girls trick-or-treating! Gracen's going to be a flapper, and Hadley's a bumblebee! Then back to our house to hand out candy to the older trick-or-treaters that last a little longer than a 2.5 year old and a 1 year old!

2.  My most memorable Halloween costume was   when I was Jasmine from Aladdin. My Mom hand made my costume and it was AWESOME. although I was super mad because in KS at the end of October, it's cold and the rents made me where a TURTLENECK underneath. THE MADNESS! :)

3.  For Halloween this year I'm going to be       a Geisha. My Dad had a business trip in Japan, and brought me back a Kimono!!

4.  I've always wanted to dress up as   ohh thats tough. A rockette! I looove their costumes, and the Christmas spectacular especially.

5.  Halloween free association!      pumpkin seeds, jack-o-lanterns... CANDY!

 

7.  The best thing about Halloween is       seeing my kiddos enjoy it. They have such a blast in their costumes, and practicing saying trick-or-treat!! Can't wait for the actual day!

Happy Halloween! Hope you play along!

6.  The worst thing about Halloween is        when it falls on a weeknight

My favorite Halloween Memory

Being a stay at home Mama is something truly special. We get to do all kinds of out of the ordinary things with our kiddos especially around Holiday time. One of the things I'm most excited about is when Gracen starts school, to be a room Mom. When I was in school my Mom was always a room Mom. It wasn't always mine, sometimes it was my sisters' or my brother's. But when it was mine, it was always something fabulous. So in honor of this fabulous holiday weekend, today I thought I'd share my favorite childhood Halloween memory.

When I was in kindergarten (yes I remember alll the way back then hehe) my Mom volunteered to come help with the Halloween party. Everyone dressed up and had tons of treats and it was a big deal as a little kid. My Mom dressed up as the Pumpkin Fairy. You heard that right. I soooo wish I had a picture, because you would die laughing. She got to wear one of her old bridesmaid dresses from a wedding that she was in, and it was pumpkin orange. You heard that right, pumpkin orange. But anyhoo, she had a wand and a crown, and everyone just giggled and crowded around her when came in. It was one of the best feelings in the world as a 5 year old, to know that your Mom was THE  pumpkin fairy. I felt like the luckiest kid alive.

It just makes my heart smile thinking about all the wonderful things she was involved in with us kids, and I just can't wait to make memories like that with my own sweet girls!

It's time to start thinking about...

Christmas Cards!! That's right. Thinking about this just makes me so happy, and what's even better is that Shutterfly is giving away 50 FREE Christmas cards to bloggers!! Click here for details. It's never been a better time to be a blogger!

Here's a few that I'm having a difficult time deciding between!

I absolutely adore this one, becuase it really IS the best time of the year!

How cute is this??

Ahh LOVE!

And how perfect is this with my 2 little ladies??

Hope you get some free cards!

Today

Today Hadley is officially 13 months old! It's hard to believe she's been one for a whole month. She is truly no longer a baby. She loves mischief, and waits until you're watching her to try something dare-devilish, and than giggles like a heyena (no idea how to spell that). We're definitely going to have to watch this little lady like a hawk in her teen years. Lord help me.

I missed my blogiversary! As of Oct. 20th, it's been 2 years!! That just seems insane to me. I started this blog to keep my family and friends up to date on my little family, but it's turned into something I never truly expected. I love finding new blogs to read, and connecting with people from all over the world. My little blog tells me I have an audience in Italy, Spain, Australia, South Africa, Canada and of course the U.S. I'd love to hear from you all! Having a new follower is like Christmas morning, I grin from ear to ear and can't wait to get to know them. And my goal is to have 50 by 2011, and then have my first give away! So follow on my friends, and you just might get something out of it (besides my daily ramblings :)

embrace the camera: oct. 28th

This is another pic from the pumpkin patch. I love candid shots the most, and Daddy pics melt my heart.

Aren't they too precious??

Head on over the Anderson's blog and play along!

Happy Thursday!

What's for dinner Wednesday

What's for dinner? Bacon cheeseburger meatloaf!!! Holy cow people this thing was amazing. Probably not the best for you, but I mean come on it's Paula Deen. So easy to throw together and pop in the oven, definitely on the top of my easy week night meals list. Click here for the recipe. Ac ouple of side notes, there was quite a bit of bacon in it, so next time I'll probably cut out a few pieces. And I forgot to buy the onions for the top, so we just did without and it was still D-licious!!

Just mix it all together (sidenote- I don't like touching raw meat so I used a fork, it worked quite nicely!)

Put it in a bread pan and cover with sauce and pop it in the oven!

Enjoy! That little slice was PLENTY for me, it's that rich. I just whipped up some mashed potatoes and heated up some green beans, and voila! dinner!!

What I'm loving Wednesday!

I love linking up with other blogs, and getting to see all the wonderful things people come up with! And of course I love finding new blogs to read. So this is what I'm loving Wednesday...

I'm loving that this weekend is Halloween! Even though it's on a Sunday, it still means that Daddy will be here all day long and gets to take the girls out trick or treating!

I'm loving that I only have two, that's right TWO Christmas presents left to by and it's not even November yet!

I'm loving that today at the grocery store they FINALLY had pumpkin spice coffee creamer! Hey I'm on a budget and this lady can't afford Starbucks everyday!!

And here's a little sneak peek of what I'm loving... that also just so happens to be on my Christmas wish list:

I am absolutely in love with this Betsey Johnson white boyfriend watch. LOVE.

I can't wait to get my hands on a MomAgenda!! So chic and this lady wants one ASAP.

Ahhh these boots are just screaming my name. $35 from Target. Seriously. $35. And there's a red zipper up the back. I just love the pop of color!

Mmmm this little clutch is fabulous and $30!! From DSW. Seriously people, start shopping.

And of course Vera Bradley. I lover her totes. And I love these colors! So versatile!!

What do you love this Wednesday?? Link up and tell!

Painting Pumpkins

After our trek to the pumpking patch, I was trying to decided whether or not to carve Gracen's pumpkin. But since it's her pumpkin I wanted her to be involved, and sharp objects and a 2.5 year old don't exactly mix. So I decided to let her paint it with some finger paints Hadley got for her birthday. This was a sight to be seen! She was SO funny while painting, she doesn't like to get dirty so I gave her a paintbrush instead of telling her to use her fingers, and every 10 seconds she was asking for a paper towel to wipe off her hands. The finger paints weren't the best idea either, out of 4 colors, the blue was the only one to show up on the pumpkin, so pretty much now we have a blue pumpkin :)

Can't wait to roast the seeds!!!

She was SO excited when I told her she got to paint her pumpkin!

Making sure even the bottom got some attention

I just want to eat her up! Who knew all we needed to get her to smile in a pic was a puppy or a pumpkin??

hahah I love this pic, this is one of the time's she was asking for a paper towel becuase she got some on her tummy

Hadley just got to watch, have a snack and play with her baby pumpkin. Rough life isn't it Had?

hehe Happy Wednesday! What's for dinner will be posted later!

Adventures in Puppy-sitting!

While my sister and her hubby were on their honeymoon, we offered to watch their dog Scout for the week. Gracen and Hadley absolutely LOVE puppies, so this was perfect for them.

Hadley was very intrigued by Scout's kennel

She would hide underneath the slide outside when she would get tired

Love this, she couldn't escape the girls! She had a busy week!

Pooped by noon! She'd hide under the table and the girls would just crawl under there with her!

even right before bedtime Gracen had to get some Scout time in. I love this pic!

They literally chased each other around the yard all day. every day.

Gracen would just lay next to Scout and talk to her. No idea what she was saying!

Maybe this can convince Daddy we need a puppy soon :)

Punkin Patch!

The fall would not be complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch! Luckily we have one close to our house, and it's free! Well free to enter anyways. We went on a Sunday afternoon, and couldn't have asked for better weather. We enjoyed apple cider slushes, playing in the hay and on the seesaw, and Gracen rode the train and the bouncy slide! We picked out a baby pumpkin for Hadley and a medium sized one for Gracen. I absolutely LOVE pumpkin, and can't wait to roast the seeds!

She's getting so big!

She loved this thing, we thought she'd be scared of the ghost, but she kept trying to give him high fives!

Did not want to leave the hay!

this little lady would not give up the apple cider slush, if you tried to take it from her she would scream bloody murder!

she absolutely loved the seesaw!

yup don't mess with me and my slush!

hehe it was $1.50 to go down the big slide 3 times, but this little sneak climbed right up for a 4th time!

so sweet!

1/2 way through the train ride she didn't like it anymore, so Daddy walked next to her the rest of the way

So big!!

Happy Fall!

Movie Review Monday

Here we go with the start of another beautiful fall week. You know what that means, movie review Monday!

First on the list: Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue

This was super cute, and Gracen LOVED it. We watched it 3 times before we had to return it. Luckily it's only an hour long, which is good and bad. I'm glad it was short since we watched it so many times, but if I would've bought it, it still would've been at least $20. But I guess that's worth it if she loves it so much! Definitely recommended!

Next up: Letter to Juliet

Since the hubby picked out the last movie, I got to pick this time so of course I went with a romantic comedy. But I wasn't impressed with Letters. I won't spoil it, but it was super predictable and kind of cheesy. Although it does make you want to go (go back) to Italy. The scenery is one of a kind. I would definitely consider this a renter. Nice to see once if you're in the mood for a happy ending.





Last but not least: The Rescuers

Since Daddy missed out on the festivities this weekend, he stopped and picked up the girls a movie. This is an oldy, but still a goody. And if you recall from this weeks movie review, Gracen highly enjoys "mouse" movies. So this was perfect for her. I loved watching Disney movies as a kid, and it makes my heart smile that they're still around for my kids to enjoy. I personally like the Rescuers Down Under better, but this is still a good wholesome family movie. Definitely a keeper!



Happy Monday!

I'm tagged!

I got tagged! And I'm really excited about it!!

I'm Tagged!

My new sweet blog friend Kari tagged me!  Here's how it works: I answer the 8 questions that she asked me, then I come up with 8 questions of my own and then tag 8 of YOU to answer MY questions. Here we go:

 

1.  If you could be in any tv show when you were a kid what would it be?

Definitely Kids Incorporated. Back in the day you had to pay extra for the Disney Channel, and my parents didn't fork over the cash (rude I know! JK) so it was a special treat to watch it when we'd go to my Grandma's house who somehow got it for free (Granny's are sneaky like that) and we would dance around her living room. I loved that show!

 

2.  What has been your favorite Christmas gift as a child?

This is definitely a toughy. I would have to say a sweatshirt I got that had an "E" on it. I'm pretty sure that it stood for "Esprit" but I loved it so much I wore it out. I was convinced it was for Emily.

 

3.  What actress would you want to play you if your life was a movie?

Rachel Evan Wood. I know she was with Marilyn Manson (maybe still is?) But I like her!

 

4.  What decade fad do you wish would come back?

Hmm. I'm not sure I really have an answer for this becuase it seems like everything's coming back around! Some I love are menswear inspired oxfords, big belts, and of course chunky jewelry.

 

5.  What song describes your life?

My goodness Kari you come up with some hard questions! Perhaps livin on a prayer? I don't remember all the lyrics, but you never really know what the future holds, and all you can do is pray!

 

6.  What was your favorite subject in school?

Definitely math. And no I wasn't a nerd, actually I didn't do very well in school except in math. In my algebra 2 class I had 102% and my teacher would always call on me because I wasn't pay attention and then get really mad when I'd get the answer right. Apparently I just had a knack for algebra!

 

7.  If you could have a dream job for a day what would it be?

Wedding planner! I would totally do it for a living, but with a hubby and 2 kiddos I don't want to have to give up all my weekends.

 

8.  If you could be any animal what would you be and why?

A giraffe! For sure. They have always been my favorite animal!

 

And I'm Tagging....

Stephanie at It is what it is

Kelly at Dressing Mommy

Brittany at Just Another Day in Paradise

Julie at Julie's Blog

Stephanie at Grey House Red Dog

Jenny at A blog about Nick and Jenny

Jordan at the deFlon Family

Paige at Paige's point of view

 

And you can just re-use Kari's questions, I'm not that creative on Sunday nights!!!

The wedding! (wedding extravaganza part tres)

Saturday morning I was up bright and early to go get bagels and head to the salon. All the bridesmaids and of course the bride got our hair done at Salon Sola. I loved the salon becuase they had individual rooms, so we were completely private and didn't have everyone else staring at us becuase we were a bridal party. My friend Krista from college came in from Wichita to do all our make-up, and she was fabulous. Everyone loved it! She did such a great job and it lasted all day. Bravo Krista!!

From the salon we headed to the Church to eat some Jimmy Johns (delish!) and get into our dresses. Steph and Matt decided not to see each other before the ceremony, which is awesome I love that tradition. The ceremony was beautiful and Gracen did AWESOME! She walked/ran down the aisle like a pro. Hadley was a little fussy during the ceremony, but the ol' hubby did awesome watching the 2 of them by himself.

Right after the ceremony was pictures and then on to the Trolley! My Aunt and Grandma were gracious enough to watch the girls for us so the Mr. could come on the trolley with the rest of us. The trolley was such a blast, we had champagne and beer and stopped a couple of places for pics. And the photographer did awesome. It was such a beautiful day out, that outside pics were no problem.

The ceremony was kind of a blur of feeding the girls, talking to family and friends and of course drinking! Daddy took the girls home around 9 (yay Daddy!) so I could stay and hang out. The food was absolutely yummy. There was tons of dancing and chatting and again champagne! The Sawyer room was gorgeous, definitely something out of a fairytale.

The whole day went so smoothly it was almost surreal. We had no issues (at least that I know of) and everyone had a great time. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Sharkany! So glad we got to help celebrate this special day!!

me and my sisters right before

isn't she gorgeous?

love this pic!!!

me and the hubs on the trolley

the new Mr. and Mrs. Sharkany!

champagne!! i love all their faces!

cheers to the mr. and mrs.!!

*the hubby took our cam home with the girls so unfortunately i don't have any pics of the reception. but take my word for it, it was spectacular!!