What's Up Wednesday

I can't even believe July is ALMOST over!!!  Seriously, where has summer gone?
Time for another rendition of.....





Click on one of the graphics above to head over and read all the posts!

What We're Eating This Week:

I shared in Mondays post about what we're eating and some of my fave food blogs!

What I'm Reminiscing About:

Nothing I can think of?

What I'm Loving:

The ages my girls are at!  My girls are 16, 14 and 11 and they are just so much fun right now!  Yes we get the sass and eye rolls, but you know you're doing something right when your 16 old tells you she's rather spend one on one time with you than hang out with her boyfriend, haha!!

What We've Been Up To:

I shared on Monday's post that we were up at my dads for the weekend, lots of fun family time!  This week is full of sports activities.

What I'm Dreading:

I swear our pool is going to be the death of us this year.  We have a large above ground 4' deep pool that we cannot keep the algae out of.  We're spending damn near $50/week in chemicals and it's getting old.  If anyone has any tips, please share!!

What I'm Working On:

Back to school!!  I'm over here like...



And the girls are like...



I have all of their paperwork done, physicals done and Alayna is pretty well set with everything she needs.  I got her a super cute backpack from Lands End and we went school supply shopping last week.  I also ordered her some clothes from Old Navy, so all she needs is shoes.  Emma is next.

I also meal planned through October, but I'm a little nervous this fall as we will have 3 in after school sports.  I'm going to have to be on top of my game with meal prepping!


What I'm Excited  About:

We have family coming into town this weekend and I'm just really excited to see everyone and hang out!

What I'm Watching/Reading:

Now that my craft room/office is done and (somewhat) organized, I am finally getting back on my treadmill.  I've struggled at finding a good Netflix show and someone mentioned "When Calls The Heart" and I love it!  It's about a school teacher's life back in the 1800's.  I'm only on episode 2, but so far I love it!
Reading wise, I've really missed my Patricia Cornwell books.  Back when the girls were little and napped, I read quite a bit, now not so much. I actually found one of her books on my bookshelf that I hadn't read yet.  Love her books!

What I'm Listening To:

Still Pandora.  My fave stations are 80's rock, Fleetwood Mac, Hall and Oats, Allison Krause and 40's Big Band.  What did we ever do without Pandora?

What I'm Wearing:

Same old same old.  I would really like to spend a couple hours putting outfits together to switch things up.  I just have to find those couple hours to do it, haha!!

What I'm  Doing This Weekend:

Hanging with family!

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:

Not sure.  Sports start on the 14th, which means it's gonna get crazy, ugh.

That's it for this month!  I posting this early simply because my blogger gets super funky if I save a post.  I'll open it back up and half of it will be gone.  Strange...

Weekend Shenanigans

Well, well well, hello Monday.  It was SO freaking hard to get up this morning.  I seriously laid there praying it wasn't really Monday.  Why is it that on the weekends you wake up no problem at 5 am, but the week comes and you have to drag your arse out?  Ugh.

We had a wonderful weekend up at my dad and step moms!  Every summer we get together (I have one brother and 2 step siblings) up in Walker and enjoy the weekend.  Typically we get crappy weather, but this weekend was gorgeous!

Brad and I were both off on Friday and it was so nice to get caught up around the house before we left.  Brad and mouse went fishing and Rachel was doing some volunteer work in town.  We got up to my dads around 4:00.  I think my favorite thing (besides being with family of course!) is not having to cook all weekend, it's glorious!!  And all the moms said amen...

My third favorite thing is this sweet boy!  He is SO sweet and fun right now.  This was his play-all-day-no-nap, haha!!  

Each day we got out for a nice walk and enjoyed the scenery.  We also got lots of shopping in!  Alayna has to take a pic with this statue in town.  I have no idea what the story is behind it, but it cracks her up!

The best part of the weekend was the concert my dad and his buddy put on.  My dad sings, plays the guitar, banjo, dulcimer and different native flutes.  He's kinda musical.  It was so fun to hear them sing!

He even convinced all the grandkids to sing with them!  My brother and I got up and sang "You Look Wonderful Tonight", which was so fun to sing with him.

After the music, we got a nice bonfire going, we enjoyed the colored flames and smores (the smores were made before we used the powder to change the fire colors, so no worries!).  It was a wonderful weekend with family!

This week is full of volleyball camps for Rachel and Alayna, and softball for Alayna.  Emma is having her girlfriends over one night and then this weekend we are getting together with my mom, her husband and that side of the family.   My step sister and her family are here from Oregon, and we are SO excited to see them!  Saturday we are having family pics done since they will be home and then every one is staying for supper.  Brad is going to smoke some ribs and chicken and I'm just so excited to have everyone here!

I also want to share what's on our menu quick...

Monday: Chicken Salad Caesar Wraps from Mels Kitchen Cafe

Friends, these were AMAZING and so easy to whip up!

Tuesday: Taco Pasta- another recipe from Mels!

Wednesday: Creamy Orzo with Chicken- again, Mels recipe. 

Thursday- Burgers on the grill

I really love Mel's blog (in case you didn't already know), her food is so, so yummy and full of real, healthy ingredients.  I'm really picky about the ingredients in our food, so I tend to find the blogs that have easy, healthy recipes with ingredients I can easily find.  Here are my most favorite blogs:

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Iowa Girl Eats

Fannetastic Food

Carrots and Cake

Kath Eats Real Food

I also love the last three blogs for their workouts they post.  Kristen from  Iowa Girl Eats has a ton of treadmills workouts I've done and loved.  Her blog is full of healthy gluten free recipes.  Anne from Fannetastic Food and Tina from Carrots and Cake have both ran marathons, so when I was training for my half, I got a ton of info from their blogs!

Hope you all have a great week!!

The Weekend

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I had one of the BEST weekends I've had in awhile, lots of relaxing and prepping/planning.

Last Thursday I came down with some kind of a stomach bug.  I felt like I had morning sickness all over again, I was miserable.  I would go to work, come home and sleep.  I missed mouses softball game on Thursday and a fun night out with friends on Friday.  Such a bummer.

However, I got SO much planning done and it feels amazing!

This was my view for a few days, Pinterest, planner and my lazy cat, lol!

Pure lazy.  But pure cuteness.

I was able to meal plan through October and get the girls' school supply lists written out and organized.  I know I'm crazy to even think about back to school, but with 3 kids (and girls), I have to start early.

Alayna and I had our coffee date last night and got all her school supplies bought!  I also ordered her a ton of clothes from Old Navy, so she's pretty set!

Saturday we had a family reunion, thankfully I was feeling better and was able to go.  They had a ton of different types of beer, I tried this one and it was delicious!

However, my fave drink right now has been lemon sparkling water with limes and lemons.  So refreshing!  I finally gave up my beloved Diet Coke.  It's been 2 weeks and honestly. I've never felt better.  How sad, right?!

It's been a hot few days, but thankfully we finally got some rain last night. 

Hope you all are enjoying your week!!

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!  I was dreading this week after having such a short week last week.  I figured this week would draaaaaaaag on, but thankfully it flew by!

I didn't get a chance to recap last weekend....we spent Saturday and Sunday at our friends cabin.  We got there around 2 on Saturday and spent the day tubing and just relaxing by the lake. 

Emma had her bff Kyleigh with all weekend too.  These girls are two peas in a pod.  Kyleigh's mom and dad and I went to school together, and I did daycare for Ky and her brother until they started school.  These two are still super close.  Ky comes and spends the weekend with us every couple months, she's our 4th daughter.  :)

Saturday night the bugs were bad, so we just sat inside and played cards.  We borrowed a tent and all the kiddos slept out there, another thing to cross of mouses bucket list!

Monday night Brad and I went out for supper to celebrate our anniversary that was on the 11th.  We decided to skip softball on Tuesday and the girls made supper for us!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mouse had volleyball camp at St.Ben's.  She was super excited since her cousin Isaac's girlfriend plays on St.Ben's team and was helping out.  She had a ton of fun!

Wednesday Brad decided to take the younger two on a work trip to Wisconsin.  They had a blast swimming while daddy worked!

Rachel worked from 5-9, so I actually had the WHOLE house to myself!  It was amazing!  I literally sat at the island in the kitchen all night while getting my planner organized and getting meal planning done through September. Call me crazy, but I also started making a list of back to school stuff!!

I know, I'm crazy.  I just like to have an idea of what we need so  I'm not shelling out hundreds of dollars the end of August.

Have a fantastic weekend!!  Linking up with Andrea as usual...

19 Years

19 years ago Brad and I said I do.  19 YEARS AGO.  I can't even believe it's been that long!  I remember on our 5 year anniversary thinking that 5 years is such a long time....HA!

We had a wonderful day!  We got home from work and the girls were busily getting supper together.  They made fettuccine alfredo and homemade biscuits.  Do you know how amazing it is to come home from work and be told to go sit in the living room?  I could get used to this...

For dessert they made a raspberry cheesecake parfait.  Heavenly.

We had actually gone out for supper the night before since Alayna had softball (which we skipped) to this amazing new restaurant in town.  Always so fun to be able to go out, just the two of us.

If you know us, you know that no picture is complete unless we make a face...

After supper they told us to go up in our bathroom.  They made each of a "Reasons Why We Love You" post it notes in the shape of a heart on our mirrors.  Cue the tears!!  I don't know when I can take these down.  Brad placed them all around his mirror, so I'll probably do that too, I can't even think about taking them down yet!

I tell you what, I hit the jackpot in so many ways.  Brad is such an incredible husband and father.  There is not a day that goes by that he doesn't tell me I'm beautiful, and at least once a week he will send me an email telling me that he's the luckiest guy on earth.  

We have certainly had our ups and downs in our marriage, and we in no way, shape or form have it all figured out.  But we make the time for each other, in the summer we spend every morning on the porch before work, and most evenings you'll find us on the patio.  There is no one on this planet I would rather spend my time with, he makes me laugh ALL the time and I'm so proud of the man he is.  

Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for this man, our dating days were pretty rocky, and I'm SO thankful He kept us together.  Not only am I the lucky one, but our girls are so lucky to have him as their dad.  We truly hit the jackpot!

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday everyone!  I completely thought that today was Tuesday until Brad asked the girls to help him take garbage out for Friday morning, woot woot!

Linking up with Andrea again...

So, so glad Friday is near, we are just chilling at home and then Saturday we're heading out to our friends cabin for some lake time.  Even though we just had 4 days off, everyday was packed full, so ready to just relax.

It's been a strange week not having Jazzy around.  I miss seeing her every morning and waiting for us when we get home...I have her pic on my phone and computer at work, I just wish I could smooch her sweet face.

I love this pic of her in her Halloween costume!!

I will say that I cannot believe how clean my house has been, you forget how much dogs shed, yikes.  We had a local company come out and clean our carpets and air ducts.  With all the remodeling and cat/dog hair, it was bad.  We've been here for almost 12 years and never had the air ducts cleaned.  Feels so nice to have that done!

This week we celebrated the 4th of July, it's kind of a big deal around here!  In fact, I'm still recovering!  

Rachel started her new job this week.  She is a cashier at Scheeles which is a locally owned sports store, kind of like a smaller scale Cabela's or Gander Mountain,  We are so proud of her, her manager told her that they chose her out of 33 candidates!!  I love that she will have money of her own, but I hate how much she's gone, ugh.  I do have a pic of her in her outfit, but she made me promise not to post it anywhere, so I must oblige...

Brad and I went antique shopping on Saturday and found some awesome stuff for the bar area.  LOVE this sign, my favorite!

We also picked up this old boat ore, some antique shell boxes...

For Fathers Day the girls and I got Brad this Mn Wild sign that was locally made.  He uses old barnwood and hockey sticks, we love it!

And an old Coke crate.  Brad and I love anything and everything old!

The weather here has been HOT and sunny, this weekend is supposed to be not so hot but still gorgeous, looking forward to enjoying some lake time!

Have a great weekend!

4th of July Weekend

Happy Wednesday everyone. I hope you all had an amazing 4th of July weekend!!

Ours was fantastic, Brad and I both had all 4 days off and it was a perfect mix of couple time, family time and pool time!

Saturday my mom took the girls for the day/overnight so Brad and I could have a date day and it was glorious.  We drove to Alexandria to do some antique shopping and we found quite a few things for the basement/bar area.  So excited to get some decorating done!

Sunday we went to our friends cabin to get in some lake time, relax and watch the girls have a blast in the water.  

In our town, the 4th of July is a pretty big deal.  Our church puts on a huge festival that starts on the 3rd with with live music, games, food, beer gardens, the whole shebang.  On the 4th they have a huge parade and then more live music/games/food.  This is an especially special day of the year for us because on this day 20 years ago, Brad proposed to me!

He had my dad make a sign that he put on the side of the fire truck and pulled me out in the middle of the road when the firetrucks came along and got down on one knee.  I was SHOCKED!  This was so unlike him!!  It was so special because he made sure my whole family was there and his also.  I love the look of shock on everyone's faces!!!

So of course the 4th has always been one of my favorite holidays.  I realized this year that I decorate almost as much for the 4th as I do for Christmas, ha!  I absolutely love all the red white and blue... 

We went up to the church grounds on the 3rd like always to listen to the music and watch the fireworks.

We were up bright and early to get to the parade.  We typically get there an hour early to get our spot and then walk around and chat with everyone.  Still is so fun to watch the kids!

My sweet grand niece Reagan...

After the parade everyone came to our house to swim and play bean bags.  It was SO HOT!

Brad made a flag meat and cheese board, love it!  I also made corn and black bean salsa, a pasta salad and Emma made cupcakes.  Everyone brought snacks, so much good food!  I absolutely love having everyone over, it's so fun to sit back and see how much fun everyone is having.

Around 7:00 we cleaned up and then headed to the farm for a campfire and sparklers.

It's always so neat because we can see the St.Cloud fireworks from the farm (St.Cloud is about 10 miles away)!  We were all completely wiped from the day.  In fact I'm STILL wiped today!

I'm a little sad that the 4th is over, I love our little town and all the festivities.  It's kind of like the day after Christmas.  Depressing.  

The rest of this week we have nothing going on.  Thank you Jesus.  It will take this old lady a couple days to recover from all the busyness!!