Gift of Lights

Last night Josh, myself, Ruby and Ryan drove to the Gift of Lights at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. I must say everyone had an awesome time. Ruby pointed out the different characters in the lights as we drove around the more than two miles of lights. "Mom more lights, Dad Snowman". She loved it. Ryan did as well! I think it will become a family tradition for sure. Even Josh was raving about how great it was :)  

Christmas Shopping

Only 7 days until Christmas! I can't even believe it. This month has flown by in a whirl wind.

I have gotten all of the gifts made for my family and friends and I only have a couple little things left to buy. I think I'm in pretty good shape this year. 

Slowly but surely I'm getting all the wrapping done. I don't mind wrapping but it gets tiring after a while. I really am not a fan of wrapping things that are odd shaped. I will wrap things in square or rectangle boxes all day long, just don't throw anything odd into the mix, unless you want it to look like my toddler wrapped it. 

I am like a big kid when it comes to Christmas. I really enjoy watching my daughter open all her presents. She has gotten the unwrapping part down, so this year is going to be a lot of fun. I have a funny feeling that it's going to take hours to get through everything, but that's the fun of it all. 

Happy Holidays! 

Advent Calendar

Happy December! 

I still can't believe it's here, 23 days until Christmas, and still so much to do. 

One thing that we do in our house is we have a countdown to Christmas, we have two advent calendars, bags with 24 chocolate kisses in them, and I've wrapped 24 Christmas books so everynight before bed Ruby unwraps one and we read it. I really like the Holidays. 

I remember being so excited when I was younger coming down every morning and doing the advent calendar. When myself and my sisters got older would would race to get down first because we knew the others wanted to do it ;) Sisterly love! 

It builds up the excitement til the big guy in the red suit comes. And you can never be too old to believe in Santa. 

MIA

I apologize for being missing in action for a month. Life got busy and hectic. Some days I was not sure which way was up. But this weekend life has slowed down a bit, at least long enough for me to take a second for myself to write.

We had an amazing rest of October which included a family birthday party for Ryan, the Storybook Hayride, Rubys first time ice skating, a Halloween party, and a great night trick or treating. 

I made Rubys Elsa costume, Ryans Sven costume and my Olaf costume so that did take up a lot of my time. Plus countless Drs appointments for myself and Ruby, gymnastics, play dates, etc. 

November so far has been crazy as well. We have started to get ready for the baby, starting by cleaning out the spare room and ripping up all the carpet. Now waiting on the installers to put the new carpet in so we can set up that room and move stuff out of the basement and mud room. Ruby and I went to the aquarium in Boston, we had a friend birthday party for Ryan, more Drs and blood tests, and now preparing for Thanksgiving. We are hosting and it will be the first time for us, so a new experience. 

But besides all the craziness that is life things are good! I am exhausted all the time and starting to get uncomfortable but it comes with the territory. So I am planning on writing more in December, I'm hoping to have a lot of my shopping done and I have started my sewing projects for Christmas. So my plan is to have some time to do things I enjoy...that's the plan. So we will see.

I really love the holidays and everything that comes along with them, so I am looking forward to sharing my favorites and traditions with you all. 

Touch a Truck Fall Addition

Yesterday we got to go to another touch a truck event. It was pretty chilly but we got all bundled up and headed out. There were lots of trucks to sit in and some big enough to walk through. Everything from a police vehicle to massive moving trucks. There was something for everyone. Lots of snacks and small gifts. They were even selling pizza. 

It really is a blast to go too, especially if you have kids that absolutely love trucks like Ruby and Ryan. 

Corn Maze

I had no idea Fall could be so busy, but it is! So much to do and no time to do it. 

Last weekend we did fit in a corn maze at a farm near us. It had 3 separate mazes that you have to get through. They were in the shape of a bee, a hive and honey comb. 

We had a crew of us, so it was a blast getting through it :) First Fall activity, so fun!

Self Portait 30 days later

Sleepy self portait. It has been a long busy month, and I don't see a break anytime in the future. But I wouldn't change it for the world. 

Something in your fridge

1% milk, Whole milk and apple juice. All gets drank on a daily basis. 

Your Favorite Color

My favorite color has always been yellow!

Photo of your handwriting

Something that means a lot to you

When I read something that means a lot to me, I automatically think my family. My human family and my furry family. But it says something not someone, and I think everyone knows how much I love my family. So something that means a lot to me would be The Jimmy Fund Walk. Which we did today. Myself and my little sister Gillian have done the walk for 9 years now. We have had new members come and go but the two of us have stayed. I love raising money for children cancer research. It's a charity that is close to my heart, and saved my life. 

Here's a picture of myself and my sisters walking :) 

Silly faces

Ruby and Uncle Matt

A picture of something new

When I went to Walmart yesterday I noticed that all the school supplies were on sale! So Ruby and I went through the aisle and found a binder and a clipboard. I've been looking for a clipboard but never want to spend much. So I was happy when I found one for half price. And I've also wanted to start a family binder just hadn't gotten a binder yet, so I grabbed the cheapest one there :) 

Now I can continue to get organized.

A book you are reading

I love reading. But since Ruby has come along I have not had a chance to sit down and read. When I have a free moment I am doing the dishes, sewing a gift, cleaning, getting everything I need to get done while she's sleeping. I do need to make more time for reading, I use to read all the time and I do miss it. I mean I do read but they are children's books haha. 

But before Ruby arrived I started this book and I've been working on it ever since. I started reading the True Blood stories before the show came out. And I must say the books are nothing like the TV show. 

I'm a little over half way there. Maybe I should leave it out and try and read a little before bed everynight. 

A souvenir from a vacation

Ruby got this dolphin from Sea World on her first vacation at 3 months old. 

Something you are currently borrowing from somebody

I'm borrowing this book of names at the moment. Going through the entire book and writing down every name I like and then we will start narrowing it down. 

A picture of something sweet

Today at our play date with her friends. 

They are so adorable. 

Someone that you love

These two light up my life. Love them more than words can express. ❤️

What's in your purse

I have my wallet, Tylenol, sunglasses, coin purse, keys, mirror, a bag with chap stick, lip gloss and hand cream, and a manicure kit! 

If Ruby and I are going somewhere I usually end up with a couple of toys and drinks for us in there as well :) 

Anything; whatever you want

Love this little girl 

A Picture of Something Fun

Spending time with our family.

Something you have too much of and is taking up space

Plastic grocery bags! I never remember to bring my reusable bags to the store. So I always end up bringing everything home in plastic bags. And then I forgot to bring them back to the store to recycle them. When I remember them there is a ton to go. 

My pantry is full of them and there are even some hanging from the coat rack, and I still forget them. 

Something you own but never use

As I look around my house I see too many things that I don't use often enough. But maybe someday! I'm sure that's what everyone says. I have way too many hand and body lotions that I barely ever use, and baseball hats that I wear once a year maybe. But one thing that I haven't used in probably 10 years would have to be my curling iron. 

I much rather my hair straight.

Somewhere you went today

Today I went to the dentist, fun right?!? Well I'm happy to report no cavities or problems at this time. So that was good. I always worry about my teeth because of my loss of enamel from when I was sick. So I take extra good care of my teeth. 😬

Something out in nature

Odiorne State Park. It is right on the beach. Absolutely beautiful.

Ruby and her friends :)

A picture when you are out and about

Today we went to Touch a Truck. They let the kids sit in all the vehicles and honk the horns. :)

Checking out the ambulance.

Pictures of your pets

Scrappy, Brembo and Nikko

Buttons and Nikko

Sookie 

All my furry kiddos, and Ruby 

Something that I made

I've been pretty crafty now that I've become a stay at home mom. 

So picking just one thing was hard to do. I've made around 30 hooded towels, 2 oversized pillows, aprons, kitchen hanging towels, iPad cases, etc. Ive got big plans for Halloween and Christmas!!!

This oversized pillow is one of my first successful sewing projects. 

I also made Ruby a pillow case dress for her birthday party. 

It's hard to get her to sit still.

My favorite shoes

I love flip flops, I live in them all summer long. So of course my favorite summer shoes are these flip flops that my sister bought me when she was in Florida. I need to buy a few more pairs to match some different outfits :) 

They are very worn haha.

In the winter I live in my Uggs. But they are packed away right now and I don't wish to see them for a couple of months :) Wishful thinking.

What you had from lunch today

My very sweet husband drove 30 mins last night to get my favorite Chinese food :) So I'm eating left overs for lunch! 

Yummy!!!

A picture of your phone

I smile everytime I unlock my phone :) 

Someone who inspires you

My parents are an inspiration to me. 

My father is the hardest working man I have ever met. When we were younger he worked hard everyday to make sure we had everything we needed, and he still had time to coach my soccer team :) Still he works hard and makes time for all of us.

My mom is a saint, and by far the nicest lady in the world. She stayed home with 3 girls and I believe that made for such an amazing childhood. I remember her picking me up for lunch from school some days, and always putting up with us having a million friends over. She is always there to listen and give advice.

They have been married for 37 years and now live in different countries. They show that if love is true it can last :) They are truly an inspiration in so many ways.

A cup you drank from today

I drink at least 60-70 oz of water a day. I have a 20 oz cup that I keep refilling all day long. Here it is!

Something that stresses you out

So it says something not someone, so something that stresses me out.... I am an anxious person, always have been. I think too much and worry a lot, usually for no reason. One thing that bugs me everyday is the ceiling on one side of the house. Last winter was crazy cold and we got a ton of snow. There is not enough insulation on the left side of our house, so we got ice dams and the roof leaked a little. So simple fix, need to get new insulation and put it in and then use Killz on the spot where it leaked. Only problem is its soooo very hot in the attic right now that it's a job for the Fall. So I have to look at it everyday. Really not a big deal just annoying and stressful waiting until Fall to fix it. I like things done right away. Get it done and over with. So waiting for things to get fixed that I can't do myself stresses me out. 

Something you collect

I've been collecting shot glasses for what feels like forever. I always pick one up when I'm in a new place. I never use them, I just keep them. Anytime any of my family members go away they bring me one back. So I have quite the collection so far. I'm only able to display some of them because I have so many. Some day I will find a way to display the all. 

Self Portrait

Day 1, here we go! I can't take a nice picture for some reason, so 30 pictures later and I came up with this one. It will do haha. 

I also got photo bombed so I have to share that as well

She's so cute! 

We have a busy day ahead of us. I have 2 tests and an appointment with my cardiologist at Dana Farber in Boston today. Just need to make sure my heart and lungs are good to have this baby in NH at a regular hospital (and not have to drive to Boston when it comes time to deliver) come February. 

Happy Tuesday everyone! 

Something that makes you smile

There are lots of things that make me smile, so it's tough to pick just one thing. It's mostly people and my animals that really make me smile. But I did notice that there is a day dedicated to my pets so I won't post pics of them today. They do 110% make me smile though.

My daughter makes me smile almost all the time, unless she's being naughty! I go to sleep watching her in the monitor and I wake up to her chatting away. We are together all the time and I absolutely love it. I'm already dreading her starting school in 3 years haha. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing daughter. 

30 Day Picture Challenge

This month I want to post a picture a day. A lot of people do this on Instagram, but I'm going to post them all on here and write a little something. 

I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things. And starting this picture challenge on one of the busiest weeks in a long time probably isn't the best idea, but really when am I not busy! 

So here it is, I found this on Pinterest of course, one of my favorite places :) 

I may tweak a few depending on what I'm doing that day, but I will try my best to do one a day for 30 days :) 

Bad day...try one of these

Sometimes when I have a bad day I don't know what to do with myself. Here are 31 things to do when you're having a bad day. 

I'm going to print it out and put it on the fridge so I'll remember it when I'm having one of those days. 

I found this printable on Pinterest via whitehouseblackshutters.com

Let it rain!

Looks like a rainy weekend ahead of us. And that is totally ok with me. The plants need the rain and we need a down weekend. Life has been really hectic and busy the last month, we need some low key family time. 

Watching the rain fall. So relaxing. 

Toys toys and more toys

Trying to organize the family room this week. The toys have completely taken over since Rubys birthday. So I went through all the toys and boxed up a bunch that were not age appropriate for a two year old and ones she doesn't play with anymore. I got them all packed up and ready for the next baby. I bought a book case and filled it with children's DVDs, books and some toys that I didn't have room for in the toy box. Now it is all tucked away nicely in there. Everything has a home and a place, just like I like it. I dislike unorganized spaces, which is what we had going on in the family room. 

The next house will need to have a playroom, no question about it. I want my living space back! 

Getting back into the swing of things

I haven't written in a while and now I can explain why. I have been beyond exhausted and feeling not so great because my husband and I are expecting baby number 2! 

When I was pregnant with Ruby I worked 50 hours a week up until the night my water broke. With this one I can not get out of my own way. I couldn't stomach anything for 6 weeks, but I finally am feeling better! I can get back into my old routine. 

I am going to try my hardest to keep up with the blog now that I am feeling a little more like myself :) 

Garden Apron

My older sister has a green thumb; she can make any plant grow and her garden shows that. She has the most beautiful yard. I am totally jealous. My yard is full of weeds, pricker bushes and plants that are getting eaten by bugs. She doesn't have any children yet so her yard (and cats) is her baby. 

So I try to sew something for everyone in my family for their birthdays and Christmas. We are working off of one income so if I can make something amazing and from the heart it makes up for not being the most expensive gift they get. So this year for my older sister Laura I made a gardening apron. It has 3 pockets for seeds, tools, and whatever else she wants to put in there. I must say it came out really good :) And she seemed to really like it. 

Happy 4th of July

A lot of time has passed since I've written, and a lot has happened. Sometimes life gets so busy and hectic you can't catch your breath. But it seems to be slowing down a little so I should be able to catch up. 

To is a low key day so far. Played this morning, and Ryan did some reading. My parents popped by and now Ruby is napping, I'm having some alone time and Josh and Ryan are playing a racing game. I'm trying to decide if we should attempt the fireworks tonight or stay in and watch the neighbors light some off. Decisions decisions. 

Last Day of School

The last few weeks I haven't been able to get out of my own way so I apologize for not posting anything for a week or so. 

Today was Ryans last day of school! He ended up going home early because he has an ear infection :( But school is over for the year! 

Yesterday at his school they had Fun Day. His school did it last year as well. The day is spent doing fun things, movies, crafts, games, snow cones, bubbles and lunch with family. So Ruby and I met Ryans mom at the school to have lunch with him on the field. It's always cool seeing him at school, we do all kinds of homework but never see him there in action. So it was fun. Ruby loves seeing him and spending time with him.

We were supposed to get him today but we decided with the ear infection he would probably want to be home for now anyway. So we will get him tomorrow and he can stay until next week sometime. We have some playdates set up and a few outings and things to accomplish around the house. So I will have another little helper for the week. 

I can't wait to see his Report Card, I bet he did great.

Summer Bucket List

I was sitting down with some of my girlfriends at a play date, and we were brain storming some ideas of things to do for the summer. A summer bucket list for us and the kids. 

Here's some of the ideas we came up with:

Santa's Village - kids amusement park

Beach 

Legoland

Liquid Planet - water park

Splash Pad

See fireworks

Leave the kids home with the Dads and go out for dinner

Playgrounds

Franklin Park Zoo

Pool

We also have 3 kids birthday parties to attend. This summer is going to be a busy one, I can see it already. :) 

First Saturday in June

It has been a very busy week. It's not even summer yet and we are going flat out already. My head is spinning. 

On a happy note we had the most amazing day today. Started out with Ryan doing homework and Ruby coloring. 

Then a visit for Laura and her boyfriend, then a visit from Gillian, Mom and Jimmy. Also Facetimed with Dad. Got to see all of the family today!

Got some stuff done that needed to be done, inside and out. And tomorrow we have big plans to fix a couple things that need fixing :) I love when things get accomplished, it's such an awesome feeling. 

I'm exhausted and totally ready for bed! Night!

That about sums it up

I found is on Pinterest. So funny. That totally sums up my day! A million and one different feelings. Oh the joys of being a woman. Haha

Happy Saturday :) 

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day is all about those who have lost their lives to keep us safe. I am so thankful for all them. Without them we would not be able to live the way we do. 

It was a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. We spent time with family and friends. It was very busy though. Today I am exhausted and relaxing with Ruby. 

Picture via haightvineyards.com

Prehistorix

Today we went to the grand opening of a reptile zoo called Prehistorix with Sue, Charlie, Jayden, Michele and Ray. It was not what I thought it would be. It claimed it was a 2,000 sq ft area. When in reality it was a small room that use to be a pet store. There is also an outside section that will have some reptiles in it during the summer, but right now it's just empty. 

They had turtles, piranhas, different types of lizards and snakes, but that was about it. From the hype of it all I was expecting more. It was still fun for the kids, but you can get through it in 15 minutes. So the price I think was pretty high for that. 

They did have a karate school there doing demonstrations and the kids all got to spin a wheel and got a prize. Ryan got a free Birthday Party! So that will be fun in October. 

Once the kiddos were done with decorating cookies and eating chips we all went to a park to let them burn off some energy. We spent about two hours there, playing, snacks and running a muck :) 

Family Photo Album

When Ryan was learning how to read I made him a photo album with pictures of all the members of our family. 

I bought a inexpensive photo album from Walmart and counted the pages. There was 24 pages in the particular one I bought. Once I counted the pages I figured out the different pages.

We have 19 pages of family members and for the last pages are different relationships in a family. Like father and son, brother and sister, mother and daughter etc. 

Then I went through my pictures and found all the ones that I wanted to use, and had them printed at the one hour photo at Walmart. I labeled each picture with who the person is or the relationship like I said above. I put all the names in word, printed, and cut them out. Once I glued the labels onto the pictures I just popped them in the album and it was good to go. 

It was a fun project. He could put a name with the face and learn how to sound them out. 

So now Ruby is big into looking at pictures and books. She will point to a picture and wait for me to say who it is. So I went and dug out the album and she loves it!