Weekend getaway. At the cabin.

Friday I was busy packing while counting down the hours till we left to the cabin. It was time for us to take a step out of the bubble of "go go go" and step into the bubble of relaxation. Saturday morning we woke to freshly fallen snow. Just a light dusting. Just enough in my eyes. Still enough for the girls to enjoy it. Still a sufficient amount to beautify the morning view while I sipped my coffee sitting next to the warming stone fire place inside. 

Snow doesn't stop us. We still have fun. When we have had enough, we head inside and warm our up with hot coco and marshmallows.

 Of course while we were at the cabin we had to visit our Dog Porter's grave. If you don't remember he had passed away from old age a couple weeks ago. It personally hit me harder than anyone in the family. He is buried next to my husbands family dog. They were "dog" buddies.

We were really able to sit back and enjoy our family time. It was well needed. Although it always lovely to get away it also feels nice to come back home. Isn't that what getaways are for? Ha ha. Now I start the planning for Thanksgiving since I am hosting it at my home this year. 

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner?

Photo Friday!

Is it really Friday already? I feel like this week went by like a flash if lightning. Which it totally fine with me because I am so ready for the weekend and not having to wake up before the sunrise. Wednesday it was just Helen, my husband and I for the morning once we dropped the two older girls girls off at school. We decided to venture out to Riverside Park in Grand Rapids for some picture taking. In the photos is one of my favorite bridges in Grand Rapids.

 Nothing better than a ride on daddy's shoulders. Sometimes I wish I were a little girl again. Ha ha.

 A little skeptical two year old and an old bridge.

 Looking into daddy's eyes as he throws her into the air and mommy gets a gut ache! 

 Something catching her eye. What doesn't catch a two year olds eye?

She has her daddy wrapped right around her finger. Proof here. He he he.

Saturday's Seafood Boil

Saturday we enjoyed a sea food boil with my in-laws. To be completely honest, when I first meet my husband, all I would order is chicken fingers and french fries when we would go out for dinner. When I would watch my husband and his parents order muscles, scallops, etc I would just think to myself, "I am never trying that stuff...ever." Seafood just never look appealing in my eyes.

Years went by...about five to be clear. I finally caved in and tried my first muscle. After all what would it hurt? I have been opening my horizons with food anyways since marrying my husband. That way if I did not like it, at least I tried it. Right? Come to find out I love muscles, fish, crab, etc. I couldn't believe what I was missing out on. I literally started to crave seafood. I think I shocked my husband as well and maybe my in-laws.

So this Saturday my in-laws invited us over for dinner. we had our first sea food boil outside of a restraint. It was an fun experience and great food. Our six year old daughter also loves seafood. I'm so glad she had the nerve to try it at a young age. She won'
t be missing out for the next 19 years, ha ha.

Dog vs. Porcupine

What a beautiful and relaxing weekend to escape up north to the cabin with the family. Although why does it always seems exhausting by the time we get home?! It does feels great to run away from the city lights and enjoy to peacefully quiet country.

Friday night was still cool enough to relax in front of the fire in the fireplace.

Saturday we checked out an auction that had a ton of vintage junk. And I mean junk! This elderly couple had either collected or literally kept everything. It was fun looking at all the vintage and antiques. Makes me wonder where did those boots walk? Whats the story behind the clothes?

Later Saturday we enjoyed spending time as a family watching the girls play. This is when our lovely dog had an eventful mishap with a porcupine. We are not quit sure weather it attacked him or our dog tried attacking the porcupine. Another theory is, it was a dead porcupine and he tried to eat it. That part stays a mystery. But we spent some time getting out the quills out of his mouth. Poor dog had several quills stuck in his tongue and gums. It sure was not an easy task and took 3 of us to get them out. Oh the life of a dog owner right? He is doing perfectly fine now.

Now we are back home and finished the dreadful unpacking for a family of 5. Yet I still sit here wondering why I am exhausted from a weekend get away to relieve stress and take a breather. That shall too remain a mystery too.

Have a blessed week! Check out my instagram for more photos from our weekend!

Dinner Time Madness

I think I'm going to start calling it dinner time madness from now on. The tittle pretty much sums up our daily dinner time routine. If it is not one thing it seems to be another. It's the time of the day I love the most because my husband arrives home from work and we are gathered around the dinner table, yet it can be the most challenging. 

It all starts when the clock strikes 5:00; an hour before my husband gets out of work. It is usually when I start preparing and cooking dinner. While I cook dinner I am constantly tripping over our lovely dog.  I feel like I'm always repeating myself to our dog during dinner time madness, "Move out of the way!" Or yet another popular phrase," Get out of the kitchen Porter!" He is a big chocolate Labrador who loves waiting for food to drop. I don't blame him. If it's not the dog, it's our 18 month old I have to keep reminding, "careful it's hot," while shes tugging at my legs. This is our 18 month old  daughter's cranky pants time. At this time she's not getting my full on attention, therefore she throws little fits and wants everything.  I love letting my daughters help out with dinner, I believe it's a great learning opportunity for them, but only age appropriate. 

Once dinner is finished and the table is set, which I try my hardest to have complete when my husband walks int he door. But it is not always easy task after battling a sisterly fight, tripping over a dog and our cranky 18 month old. Finally we are able to sit down and enjoy our family dinner and talk about our days. It' a very important time of the day. But of course can't forget the begging dog. He knows hes suppose to stay on the carpet, but doesn't always listen. Or our cat begging as if she were a dog too. We believe she gets confused at times, ha ha ha. Lastly it's not madness dinner unless one of the girls drinks accidentally gets spilled, or Helen puts her food in her hair. 

But once everything is cleaned up and put away until the next morning, it is well worth it. Our dog is getting up there in age, so I know I will miss tripping over him someday while cooking dinner. Along with our daughters growing up so quickly; I'll cherish the messes made into memories. And I will sit back and laugh at myself for trying to always have dinner made and the table set before my husband walked in the door from work, knowing that some days it was beyond impossible. I sure wouldn't change it for the world.

              

Christmas Review

All the festivities are complete, and the gifts are all put away; we may now recoup.  Although we have our tree up still and Christmas decorations out; which is unusual for us. I'm the type who wants the tree down and decorations put away right after Christmas. But, this year our daughters had requested that we leave the tree up for a few more days.We were blessed to be able to have Christmas with family. I love getting together with our family for Christmas, but I will admit it can get exhausting once the fun is all over. I never noticed this till I became married and a parent. I wouldn't change it for the world though.

   Santa, or should I say we did a good job this year. I absolutely love the priceless expressions on their faces as they open their gifts. Our daughters were pleased with their gifts they received this year.. After all the treats we snack ed on and the gifts we opened, the most important part was spending it with family and remembering Jesus's birth.

 

Myself as a child, did not believe in Santa ever. I was the one who would tell the other kids he's not real and make them cry. Therefore once our oldest started believing in Santa, I went along with it. I figured it would be fun as a parent, and it sure is. We even had Santa email our daughters this year a video of how well they were doing on the Good or naughty list. I'm sure the older they get, it will get tougher to keep them believing. And even though they believe in Santa, they do know the true meaning behind Christmas.

 How long do you keep your Christmas tree up after the holiday??

As Of Lately...

Lately around our home we have been spending a lot of family time. During the busy holiday season it's important to take a step back and remind ourselves what's truly important. This time of the year can become so hectic and stressful. From Christmas shopping with the long lines at the check outs to preparing for Christmas day. So this year I made sure we took that step back and relaxed. I grew up with what I would call, "go with the flow" parents who were rarely stressed. If they were they were super at hiding it. I want to be those parents. 

During our step back, the girls spend special time bonding, remembering what sisterhood is about. Something I wish for them to never forget. 

 While taking our step back, our oldest daughter learned to spell out words and write complete sentences all on her own. We are so proud of her big accomplishment. 

Although we had to take an unwanted trip to urgent care for our youngest daughter due to an ear infection, she did exceptionally well. Her first one yet at 16 months. She is now feeling much better now!

Our silly middle daughter. "take a picture of me mom!"

 We taught Our youngest how to color. She loves it, and does quit well.

We have been spending a lot of time finger painting with sponge brushes.

I snapped a picture when I caught Daddy reading with Baby H. I didn't want him to notice so it's a little fuzzy. I can tell this step back is rubbing off on him finally. 

 At night I may be guilty of letting her stay in our bed a few times. Their only little for so long. I feel so blessed and thankful for to enjoy these moments as a family.

Have you took a step back to relax this holiday season?!

Weekend Review

After feeling in a rut with our daily routine, it was time to get away. My husbands parents have a cabin 45 minutes north from our home, so we went to relax. Our daughters love going to the cabin. We enjoyed family time warming by the fireplace. Of course we took a hike into the woods. We wrapped Helen in the KTan wrap, and we were off.  I love treasure hunting with my girls, and enjoying God's beauty. While the girls play, I enjoy some time knitting. We don't do much when we go up there but relax. That's the whole idea though! We really enjoyed going up to the cabin, and definitely needed it. Here are the few pictures I snapped with my phone!

We zipped Helen in my coat to keep warm.

Finished my husbands hunting hat!

my new project; a washcloth for the girls! Their request. 

Hope you all had a relaxing weekend!