Wild Kratt's Live!

This past weekend was a busy one! In addition to Touch a Truck on Saturday, we took Lincoln to Wild Kratt's Live at the INB Center on Sunday afternoon....to say it was a hit is an understatement! Pictures below are a bit blurry...because iPhone + dark setting, but you'll get the idea.

I was a little leary about whether or not we'd make it through the whole show. Last year I took him to Daniel Tiger Live and we only made it about 45 minutes before he was over it. That was not the case this year and he joined in the fun, screaming with the crowd when the Kratt brother's asked questions, jumping up and down, and when the lights came up for intermission he exclaimed, "What happened?!"

After convincing him that it was only a small break (and taking him out to buy some Wild Kratt's swag), he happily settled back in to the second half and watched intently all the way to the end.

It was a great show and they really knew how to engage the audience, especially the little ones. I'm so looking forward to more live shows with my little partner in crime!

Touch a Truck 2017

This past weekend, we headed out to Touch a Truck for Lincoln. This is literally toddler heaven. If your little one has any interest in fire trucks, police cars, helicopters, buses, ambulances, and any other type of transport vehicle, this is the event of the year! And when it only costs $5 per person to get in, it's kind of a steal.

The highlights were definitely the FedEx truck, firetruck and helicopter!

Spokane Interstate Fair!

We crossed our first official fall bucket list item of the list this weekend with a trip to the Spokane County Interstate Fair. This year was a big year, because Lincoln was FINALLY tall enough to ride something other than the carousel...although I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that the carousel was still one of the highlights for our little dude.

We headed out Friday evening, hoping to avoid the crazy Saturday daytime crowds and it worked! The kiddie section of the fair rides wasn't very busy at all and we were able to get on most of the rides without waiting in any kind of a line. Lincoln was cautious about riding without us, so there were a few rides that he missed out on since Kevin and I were too big to ride, but he did enjoy the choo choo train, spinning cups and carousel more than a few times each!

In addition to the rides, the games were a big hit since they involved getting to pick out a new toy! He even won a real fish! Here's to hoping we can keep the little guy alive.

A trip to the fair is not complete without fair food! The highlight was definitely the cinnamon roll funnel cake that we shared. And even with three of us, we were only able to eat about half before giving up. Lincoln ate the whip cream on top like it was his job.

Needless to say, this year's trip was a good one. Can't wait till next year!

15 Week Bump (Baby #2)

Happy Friday! We've got a busy weekend ahead, but I thought I'd pop in and give a little bump update. I haven't been nearly as good about writing about this pregnancy as I was with Lincoln (#secondkidstatus) but I still want to write things down as I remember them. So without further ado...a little 15 week bump update, with baby #2!

Total Weight Gain: 4 lbs. Really trying to keep the weight gain under control this time around. I blew up like an elephant last time and am working on avoiding that like the plague! 

Symptoms: Puke. Puke and more puke. I thought this was supposed to pass in the second trimester! All of the the sickness has me convinced this baby is a girl...I was not sick at all with Lincoln so this pregnancy has been much rougher on me than the last so far. 

Gender: We find out October 12th!

Nesting: All of a sudden this morning, I had the urge to clean. All. The. Things. I stopped short of going through each and every one of Lincoln's toys and organizing them/throwing out the junk, but that is most definitely on my list to do soon. 

Lincoln's  Thoughts: I don't think he quite understands that this baby is actually going to make an appearance in real life in a few months. Right now he's happy to say "hi baby" and "love you baby" to my stomach when prompted. 

Are We Ready? Not even close! This babe can take its' sweet time cooking for a while. 

Fall Decor

It's not too early to start decorating for fall is it? I definitely didn't think so this weekend, and decided to whip out all of the fall leaves and pumpkin everything.

Below are a few photos of some of the festiveness we've sprinkled around our house.

And if anyone wants to send me an early birthday gift...I've got my eye on this throw, a few of these throw pillows, and this front door wreath!

Fall Bucket List

Hi It's officially the BEST time of the year!! I've made a Holiday bucket list and a Summer bucket list and now it's time for the best bucket list of all time....FALL!

And for all of you out there, who want to rain on my parade and tell me Fall doesn't officially start until September 22nd, I say....ba humbug! Halloween candy is on the shelves, Costco is selling costumes and we are officially back to school...fall is here!

We'll kickoff Fall with a trip to the Spokane County Fair!

It's not fall without our annual trip to Greenbluff! Trips up in the past are here, here and here! 

And I want to decorate our front porch for Fall this year. I've tried (and failed) several years in a row now.

We'll be cozying up around the fire and watching plenty of movies, including everyone's fall favorite, Hocus Pocus! 

Lincoln will most definitely learn the joys of jumping in leaf piles.

We'll be carving pumpkins galore and roasting pumpkin seeds.

There will be lots of hot cocoa and warm apple cider all Fall long. 

I'm hoping we can head to another Eastern football game this year! And I'm sure Kevin will make sure Football Sunday is an officially observed holiday every week. 

Trick or Treating! Lincoln has requested to be a Super Hero this year, but he also fell in love with a Pooh Bear costume my mom gave him...we'll see what kind of costume we can pull off!

And of course, it wouldn't be fall without lots of warm, cozy, comfort food! Below is a list of some of my favorite recipes I make each year!

Slow Cooker Beef Short Ribs in Cabertnet Sauce from Eat Live Run

The Best Ever French Onion Soup

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Pumpkin Waffles

Autumn Spiced Cupcakes

Butternut Squash Risotto 

Homemade Chili 

Apple and Gouda Grilled Cheese 

Annual Hat Island Labor Day Weekend Trip

It's time for another Hat Island Labor Day weekend recap! This is becoming one of my favorite traditions and this year we had a full house!

This year, my parents, my sister and her family, my mother-in-law and our little family of three all headed out for the weekend. We arrived Friday and wasted no time getting into relaxation mode. Everyone changed into their PJs, poured some cocktails and grazed on apps while we all settled in.

The next day we woke up, lounged around the house, while Kevin and Jesse kayaked out to drop crab pots and the ladies and kiddos picked blackberries.  Kevin also took Lincoln out for his first kayak ride! We sat in the sun before heading down to the Yacht Club for a Mexican Fiesta! My mom helped host the Hat Island party, where drinks were flowing, food was plentiful and they had a kid friendly and adult pinata! I even managed to squeeze in a nap!

Sunday was a bit more relaxed...with even more lounge time, a few long walks to discover some pretty epic forts,  movies and late afternoon apps before an even later dinner!

The whole weekend was perfect and the best way to end summer. Now it's time to roll out all of the Fall fun because it's the VERY BEST TIME OF THE YEAR!

Lincoln's First Day of Pre-School!

Yesterday was Lincoln's first official day of pre-school! While he's been going to the same school since he was one and has been in their toddler room, today is the first official day of his first year of pre-school.

And, like most mom's these days, I had to get his first school photo with a big chalkboard sign in front of our house!

A few things about Lincoln on his first day of school as well:

How old are you?  

Holds up three fingers and says "100"

What is your favorite color? 

Halloween Color! (maybe orange???)

What is your favorite food? 

Squeeze Packs! 

Favorite movie? 

Halloween Movie! (We're on a halloween kick over here)

Favorite toy? 

Fire truck!

What do you love the most? 

Cupcakes!