A Perfect Weekend

We had such a nice and relaxing weekend! On Saturday we took the kids to a local festival. The town was beautifully adorned in red, white and blue. This is Marc's and my favorite town and, maybe someday, we will live here. It's dreamy.


We dressed the kids up in proper holiday attire and made them pose for a couple pictures before the fun started (and they got dirty and sweaty-Boy! It was HOT!)

I took about two dozen pictures of the three of them and this is the best shot I got.......

Love the falls and the ducks....
The kids and I rode the carousel first...

It was fast! Cali wasn't quite sure what to think...

Cali rode her first fair ride! The kids loved this one. Again....Cali was so sober the entire ride!

We made sure that Cali rode with Kyle because he is so protective.

Bella rode with a boy she had never met. His name is Will and she says he is her boyfriend.

Kyle did not stop smiling the entire ride! As soon as the ride was over Cali started clapping and said "Yay Cawi!" Every time we passed the ride after that she would reach out her arms and say "Go! Go!" Apparently she did like it!!

There was so much to do and see and Kyle wanted to experience it all- while Bella was content just taking it all in.

Kyle wanted so badly to play the dart game so we let him. Marc and I were shocked when he hit and popped THREE balloons!!!! Three hits out of four darts!

He chose three stuffed snakes for his prizes so he and his sisters could have a prize. My little man.

Cali was content with her red balloon and the live band playing.

Kyle and Bella wanted to ride the Ferris wheel so Daddy went on with them.

And mommy and Cali were quite content staying on the ground watching them!!

This was the point where Daddy started freaking out a little. Realizing the bars didn't quite cover enough and just how high they were going to go. He made sure to hold on to the kids as tight as he possibly could. Such a good Daddy.

And this is when I started freaking out. I do not like heights. Terrified actually. I wouldn't be able to ride this but I was even having a hard time watching! Woozy.

Kyle and Bella, of course, loved every second of it! My little daredevils.

After we rode the rides we had to get something to eat. Ahhh........fair food. Kyle was fascinated with the cotton candy and the woman working was thrilled to answer all of his questions and show him how to make it.

Cali enjoyed her hot dog. Funny girl.

They even got to meet Stanton Island George- the monkey.

Another lesson from another vendor- this time the lemonade stand. And the guy working inside was so cute to explain- and show- Kyle every.single.step. of how to squeeze fresh lemonade.

We ended the day by going to the local ice cream shop and eating ice cream cones on the sidewalk and watching all of the cars and people walk by.

Kyle's face cracks me up in this shot....

Saturday was an amazing day. Sunday and Monday were rather lazy...........and that was such a nice, and needed, change for us. We have been so busy that it feels as though life has been passing us by lately. It was nice to slow things down and absorb life, live life, and enjoy each other.

Is it Friday yet? tehe

I have been working on some projects lately! I can not wait to show you. Soon!

Blessings,

Heather:)

Inspired & Determined

I find inspiration everywhere. Magazines, catalogs, the Internet, nature, hotels and restaurants. I have a folder in my picture file titled "Decorating" and every time I see something that inspires me I save it to my folder. I look back at it often- especially when I am wanting to do a project. Unfortunately, I don't always save the source of where I find these pictures. I so wish I did! I would love to give credit where credit is due, so if any of you own these rooms or know where they came from please let me know.

Lately I have been really pondering what to do in the master bedroom. I started decorating the master bedroom over two years ago. Guess what- it's not done. Nope. Not at all. In fact, I never even really got started. I ordered bedding and sent it back. I bought curtains and returned them. I got frustrated and gave up. Just call me the inferior decorator. Yep. That would be me. I am so afraid of making a mistake in that room that I don't even try. One of my big issues the last couple of years is that I felt like I was finally coming into my style so I was hesitant to make choices. Now I realize, I HAVE found my style, and I have found the confidence to once again start the master bedroom. Another problem is that I didn't have a plan. Or a vision of what I wanted the room to look like. I would buy bedding and then be stumped, or pick out curtains and then get confused trying to get the rest of the room to "come together" in my head. But without a clear vision everything got blurred. I sat down with a piece of paper and wrote down everything I could think of:

1.) How the room needed to function
2.) What I/We wanted to feel when we were in the room
3.) Elements I wanted to incorporate into the room
4.) Fabrics I liked- look, feel, etc.

Once I had my list I started looking through my decorating inspiration folder and picked out all of the pictures that "spoke" to me. I noticed that out of all of the pictures, and my notes, that they all shared a common thread. Hmm. Imagine that. Now I have a plan.

Our master bedroom also has to serve as a home office. The problem is I don't want it to look all "office-y"..............I don't want to see the computer or the printer or bills that need to be paid or filed. I want to disguise that stuff as much as possible. I want the bedroom to be soothing, romantic, fairly monotone, and have sort of a vintage feel. I want it to be comfortable, crisp and airy.

Here are just a few pictures that have me inspired and determined to make this room a reality. Finally.
The perfect duvet...

Loving these gorgeous sheets from Pottery Barn. I think I can get this same look by adding some crochet trim to my existing white sheets.

The detail on this dresser...........swoon

Candles. Lots and lots of candles.

Built in cabinets and shelves to hide the office "stuff"

I heart these slipcovers

Ahhhhh........... a centerpiece for the bed

I love this room by Linda Woodrum. Iron beds.....vintage romance

Monotone, window seat, chandelier...

This window seat looks like a perfect spot for a good book and some hot tea. Oh the hours I could waste away here..........

White linens

My dresser is almost the same as this one. I just need to paint it black and distress it like this one. What a great look.

So, there you have it. A sneak peek into my plan. I can't wait to get started on it!

Where do you find your inspiration?

Blessings,

~Heather:)

Spaghetti & Oreos

Oh how I love her face! No matter what it is covered in.

Have a great weekend All!

Blessings,

Heather:)

Snowy Days

Our part of Ohio has been bludgeoned with snow storm after snow storm over the last month. The snow is one thing but the freezing temps...............well that is a whole new ball game. So what do you do with three kids with cabin fever? Like- BAD cabin fever.

Well, you bake cookies.......................

Teach your 3 year old how to "criss-cross" the dough balls! lol!!

You play in kitchen cabinets...............

You have tea parties................

Lots of tea parties...........

You build with legos and connects and anything else you can find......

I LOVE watching their imaginations at work!

Oh the things they can create!

And when your son wants to build a snowman in the snow..............you bring the snow in for him to build a snowman!

Big bowls of snow and cookie sheets to "hold the mess" (Ha!)

Gloves optional ;)

Don't forget the toothpicks and Skittles!

I love how the snow looks when the Skittles start to melt.

The snow activity entertained the kids for a good two hours. And that- for my kids- is unheard of!!

Today's forecast: more snow. Shocker. Hmmm........what else can I pull out of my hat?

Hope You All are staying entertained!!!

Blessings,

Heather:)

Food Service

Last Wednesday my parents came up and brought my niece, Rachel, with them. We only had 24 hours together but I was not going to complain. I am glad for every minute I get to spend with this girl. I was thrilled that she wanted to spend some of her Christmas break with me!

Rachel and Uncle Marc love to tease and torment each other. I think, in this picture, she was really wanting to hit him with the spatula!!

And there is no doubt in my mind that he was asking for it.

We didn't do a lot of "running around" this visit like we typically do. We did, however, eat. We ate well. And a lot. We made quesadillas Wednesday for dinner. Easy- peasy and oh-so yummy.
I got to use my new mini-chopper that my mom got me for Christmas. New kitchen tools make me happy. And it's red. So I was really happy.

My Dad told me he could eat the quesadillas all night. I think he would have too. That made me feel so good. I love it when people enjoy my cooking. Rachel loved them so much she is going to make them at home.

Thursday morning we made crepes. Rachel has been wanting me to teach her how to make crepes and what kind of Aunt would I be if I didn't??? I love that she loves to cook. We got some good bonding time in the kitchen. Memories I will cherish forever. It had been forever since I had made crepes. We decided two things: #1 Aunt Heather needs a crepe pan. #2 We will call this effort "craps". They weren't all that pretty but they sure did taste good!!!!

Rachel decorated hers with chocolate and whipped cream. I had strawberry preserves and whipped cream. Oh.my.goodness. So good. We also had bacon. Dipped in chocolate. Seriously. It is mega good.

Isn't she beautiful? She really is. Inside and out. She is an amazing kid, er- young lady. She is kind and generous, oh-so smart, considerate, funny, strong, and respectful. My sister truly is an amazing mother. She has done an incredible job of raising such a fine young woman. I love having her around.

The two chefs.

A horrible picture of me but it had to be documented. The dynamic duos' first time making crepes together. Early morning pictures are never supposed to be pretty, right? Bed head and all. Marc teased and said we were running a food service with all the cooking we did in the time we had!

It was a fun 23 hours. My family left and I was exhausted! I actually laid down a took a nap. That never happens. I have been sick sick sick since Christmas. Actually for weeks before but that's another post!!

Thank You Rachel for spending time with me. Thanks to my "O Sister Gorgeous One" for sharing her with me, and to my parents for driving her up. I had a ball and miss her already.

Blessings,

Heather:)

A New Year

Over the past couple of weeks I have been reflecting on this past year as most of us tend to do around New Year's Eve. Honestly, when I think of all we did, went through, accomplished, experienced, and suffered in 2009- it makes my head spin. All in all it was an incredible year ending on a high note. I know that 2010 has more wonder and blessings in store for us.

Today my thoughts went in a different direction. I read a quote that said something like: New Year's Eve isn't an end or a beginning, but a goings on. That is SO very true! I have this incredible, almost overwhelming feeling of Gratitude! I am SO richly BLESSED!!

I have a wonderful family- immediate, extended and in-laws. I have a roof over my head when so may others don't. I have food on my table, electric, heat and running water. I have clothes and shoes to wear. I have good friends who have made my world a better place to be in.

I have the love of my life. A man that loves me for me, unconditionally. My best friend, to hold my hand through this journey of life. And he is always there for me just like he promised- in better and worse.

I have three amazing children whom I love more than I could ever try and put into words.

They are the reason I wake up in the morning. They make me strive to be better.

They fill my life with more joy than I could have ever dreamed possible.

I may not have it all but I have everything I will ever need. Everything that is important. So no matter what 2010 brings............. I will be up for the challenges, rejoice in the accomplishments, be thankful for my shortcomings (so that I can learn from them) and Praise God for all of His continued Blessings on my life.

My New Years Resolution is to make every day count. I do not want to wait an entire year to say "I'm going to make next year better than the last." I want to make every day better than the last.

Every day I wake up with air in my lungs is a blessing, a new opportunity, another chance. I am going to make them count.

May You ALL have a Blessed 2010!!!

Heather:)