Local Dinner

Another local adventure for dinner tonight, this time burgers and fries. Oh, and a root beer in a frosted mug! Our goal of eating at more local places instead of chain is starting to get better and better each time!

Memorial Day 2012

We went to my in-law's house on Sunday night and spent the night with them to be there on Memorial Day. We all had a great time just being together! We slept in, had a yummy breakfast, sat around and talked, played a board game, ate junk food, played with Noah while he went "swimming" for the first time, and had a picnic in the backyard with hamburgers and chips. It was a relaxing day after a busy Saturday and Sunday. Even though I spent the whole weekend with a cold, which I still have, I had so much fun with my family! I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day! And because I didn't get to say it yesterday "Thanks for those who have served our country and those who are currently serving our country!" That's what it's all about!

Also, I was suppose to announce the Fashion to Figure giveaway winner yesterday and didn't get a chance to blog so the winner is...Lilly! Comment #10

Congrats Lilly! I'll be sending an email to Fashion to Figure and they will be contacting you with the email you provided. Thanks to everyone who entered!

weekend finds

As I mentioned in my breakfast date post, we went to a few yard sales last Saturday and I picked up a couple of things. I found this set of 8 plates/cups for only $6. I can't wait until I have a white hutch in the dining room to fill with these beautiful dishes!

Fashion to Figure Giveaway

Giveaway is now closed!

Fashion to Figure contacted me about a week ago to do a product review/giveaway. I took a peek at the collections on their website and found several things I wouldn't mind having for myself, but I do not personally wear plus size so I contacted them back to do the giveaway. Fashion to Figure offers the latest trends in sizes 12-26. Above are just a few of my favorites. In addition to trendy clothing, Fashion to Figure offers great accessories that fit any size!

Winner will receive one item of their choice at $30 or less. Giveaway open to US residents only! Comment your name and email below for a chance to win! Giveaway ends this Friday and winner will be announced on Monday, May 28th.

Good luck!

Breakfast Date

We've driven past this cute little donut shop so many times, but it's on the other side of town for us so we have never gone and ate breakfast there before. We drove by it last Thursday and decided that since we had the coming Saturday free to ourselves we would get up early and have a little family breakfast and go to some yard sales. We slept in a little longer than we planned so we ended up getting to the donut shop around 10. They were out of sausage rolls so we were a little disappointed that we didn't get their earlier. However, a plain glazed donut will never disappoint! Oh, and I picked up an adorable set of plates and cups that I'll share with you this week.

The Pie Hole

Paul and I are trying to make it a goal this year that we eat at more local places instead of chain restaurants. On Friday night we decided to try The Pie Hole. I had been there 1 time previously with some friends, but couldn't remember a thing about it so it was basically like trying it for the first time. It's such a cute little hangout. You gotta love the name and they even have mid-century chairs. I seriously about asked if I could have one...or two! The pizza was New York style so you can imagine it was yummy!

What about you, local or chain restaurant?

Life Lately via Instagram...

Indiana Bible College // new tunes

mani-pedi with my MIL // lunch at cracker barrel

wedding season // a long 3 months ahead

the little things // first car

The Pink House

On Friday my in-laws came down to take care of Noah while Paul and I shot 2 weddings over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon we took my in-laws to a tea room called The Pink House. We've heard a lot of people talk about it and we had never been there before. Paul's dad is from England so you can bet they would love to go to these kinds of places. It worked out as a Mother's Day lunch for my mother in-law. I had a wonderful chicken caesar salad, peppermint herbal tea, and a chocolate layer. Although it was more restaurant than tea room, we still had a great time!

My First Mother's Day

I had an absolutely wonderful 1st Mother's Day! The day started out with me waking up to Paul and Noah giving me breakfast in bed before getting ready for church. We had a Mother's Day service at church and then Paul took us to a local park for a surprise picnic lunch. We had sandwiches, chips, watermelon, carrots with ranch, and our favorite kiwi strawberry soda! The best part was making memories with my little family. The weather was perfect so we took our time and just enjoyed playing with Noah and laying around on my favorite vintage sheet that Paul packed. I got flowers, a card from Paul, a card from Noah, and a family session booked for next month with Madison Vining Photography. And, not to mention the best gift already given by God, Noah!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Some Days Just Aren't For Bloggin'

Today would be that day! Right now life is in the fast lane. I'm constantly trying to keep up with everything that we do and I'll be the first to admit that it's really hard with a baby. Noah is first priority and when something is pressing to be finished I start to stress and let Noah be a little more independent (not left unattended, of course). This week has been cram packed with photo editing, church related projects and more. I've don't really like to express how stressed I get because I want to do those things. Some days (like today), I wish I had someone nearby to help out. So bear with me as I try to find the time to do some more exciting things and actually be able to post about them.

Teeth, Splashes, and A Spoon...

As mentioned before, Noah is eating cereal now. We started it in a bottle at 4 months and then tried it in a bowl. He didn't do so well, but we didn't expect him to knowing that it was his first time to eat with a spoon. Since then, we have been eating cereal in a bowl every night before bed. He has finally learned how to slurp the cereal off of the spoon and push it to the back of his throat and swallow it. We end up in a big mess, but he looks so cute with food all over his mouth and bib! 

It seems like he is learning everything this month. He splashes in his bathtub, rolls over, spits with his tongue sticking out, chews on his teethers, and eats cereal in a bowl. I can't believe he will be 6 months next month. Time really does fly by!

And speaking of time flying by, how can my baby already have 2 teeth coming in? I keep telling him to stop growing, but he won't listen to me :)

weekend in instagrams

Sometimes I count Thursday as part of the weekend because Paul and I go out on Thursday a lot. It's usually our only free evening these days. This last Thursday we ended up going to the hospital to see Paul's grandpa. He had to have a stint put back in his heart. Everything is a-ok! After leaving the hospital we headed to Best Buy so I could get another camera. I had sold my D70 a while back and needed one of my own again. We have a couple of 2 photographer weddings booked for this weekend so I'm ready now! After picking up the camera, we went out for dinner with some friends.

On Friday we took our youth to a sectional rally and went to McDonald's after. You never know what teenagers will do, but I do know they will crack you up sometimes. Seriously? A happy meal and a coffee?! 

Saturday we headed to Persimmon Hollow, an outdoor 1800s style antique mall. I've mentioned it on the blog before. We were in the area and decided to stop by. They just so happened to have quite a crowd since there was a Western Festival going on. Unfortunately, a lot of the buildings have turned into handmade salsa vendors, handmade western wear, and wooden carving. Not what I'm in to, but they did have a couple of antique shops so we searched those out and I came across this...

What do you think? Isn't she a beauty?! I think I'll paint her a light blue or white! I wasn't really expecting to find anything since there were only 2 shops with antiques, but this was sitting in plain sight and the tag said $40 so Paul negotiated her down to $30.

51 and Spaghetti

On Monday we celebrated my dad's 51st birthday by going to Spaghetti Warehouse for dinner. Noah is finally getting a little bit of a personality and he loves to laugh and smile when you talk and play with him. He is quite the entertainer himself. He let my family pass him around and take pictures. 

After we ate dinner, Paul and I took Noah to a walking trail here in town. The walking trail is along the water and the breeze that night was wonderful. We walked at least a good mile. I'm really wanting to get back in shape and loose more baby weight. That's my big goal for this year. I, of course haven't even started. I have managed to loose 11 lbs though. I actually enjoyed myself and it was probably because I had Paul to talk to. It's no fun to exercise alone.

Anyone have any great exercises for loosing stomach weight besides sit ups...those do me in!