Memorial Day Weekend Wrap Up

I finally bring you part two to this. I really really wanted to blog more, especially with all the fun Summer stuff going on. "It must be officially documented!" said I. But, the said Summer stuff happened and the documenting part of it fell by the wayside. In an attempt to play catch up, my posts will be less wordy and more picture-y. This way I'll be more inclined to blog because adding pictures is a breeze. Right?

To catch you (as in me) up to speed, we were supposed to go to Vermont over Memorial Day weekend, but Sydney got an ear infection so the Memorial Day festivities remained in PA. We were able to join in on my side of the family's get together at my grandparents house. There was a nice spread of cold cuts, and lots of treats to satisfy any one's sweet tooth. Of course, Sydney was the COA (center of attention). The weekend ended with a relaxing day at home, and then a visit to my parents where I just had to do a mini photo shoot of Syd in her patriotic outfit.

What a ham!

Kisses for PopPop

Lots of heart eye faces

Can't get enough of standing

I'd kill for those lashes!

It's only been a month and a half and that neck roll is gone...SAD.

Rubbing the sleepies out of her eye just like daddy does ;)

Ear infection or not, life is so much more fun with this girl!

Next up on the blog...June! I don't think we could fit anymore in that month if we had tried.

Holly xoxo

We were supposed to go to Vermont [part 1]

Remember how we stayed home from church on Mother's Day because Sydney had a cough which then turned into a cold? Well, fast forward two weeks and that cold turned into her her very first ear infection. Which meant we had to cancel our plans to visit friends in Vermont over Memorial Day weekend. So. Bummed. Not knowing how a nine month old with an ear infection would be feeling for a 7+ hour road trip, we decided to play it safe and stay home. But, we already rescheduled our plans to take that road trip to Vermont in the near future, so here's to hoping for a healthy, sick-free Summer!

The antibiotics did what they were supposed to do rather quickly. Sydney woke up Saturday morning a much happier child. We had a whole three day weekend before us. What ever shall we do? It did not take long to fill up our schedule. After a quick lunch at a small pizza joint, our family of three headed over to Hayloft Candles, where there is a free petting zoo. There's also a store where they sell their homemade candles, primitive home decor items and the like. They even have homemade ice cream! Shockingly, Sydney was not at all impressed. And I get it, the girl can't walk to or really pet animals yet, and apparently the sound of a pond fountain is enough to send any high strung nine month old girl over the edge. So, Steve pushed an empty stroller while Sydney held onto mommy for dear life. The zoo was small, yet cute, and even had a kangaroo! Considering it was free, I would definitely visit again and recommend to other families with children.

Thirty minutes later and Sydney had had enough. So, we loaded into the car, stopped for some much needed iced coffees while Sydney got a much needed nap. Then after a quick stop at Target, we made our way to the other Olsens for a good old fashioned impromptu BBQ.

There was lots of picture taking, lots of futile attempts to get Sydney to smile for said picture taking, matching cousin outfits, and of course beer, steak and Laurie's famous home made mac and cheese.  One then leaves promptly after dinner when there is a child recovering from an ear infection with parents who refuse to stay in on a holiday weekend, because that child needs some much needed rest.

And it was deemed a lovely family day, filled with lovely family memories.

Holly xoxo

A Very Casual Mother's Day

"She'll look so cute," I thought to myself as I picked out a purple and white striped dress for Sydney to wear to church the next day. The little number had Mother's Day written all over it. She never did wear that dress, nor did we ever make it to church. Sickness strikes at any time it darn well pleases. After a frantic midnight call to her pediatrician, our nerves were put at ease to know, that indeed, she did NOT have a piece of burger stuck in her lung {ahem, first time parents}. We were told it sounded like croup or the start of a cold. Which, it was.

Needless to say, we did not go to church. But that is okay. Steve made breakfast, and Sydney gave mommy a new fossil tote! At such a young age, this girl has quite the fashion sense. 

We enjoyed a leisurely, cotton romper, pizza eating, back deck sitting sort of afternoon. And the day ended with a lovely, casual back yard cook out at my sister's place. There were hot dogs, and burgers, and delicious drinks make with gin and pineapple. There was laughing and baby holding (albeit, tears). We even managed to get a family picture of all of us, sans Allison, which rarely happens these days it seems.

hipster in the making. #kale

 

 

So, alas, the only picture I have of myself and daughter on my first Mother's Day is sitting on a camping chair in our non-church attire. What matters is that we were together, and that is enough.

Thanks for hosting, Mandy! 

Holly xoxo

Where I host my first ugly Christmas sweater party

Our young married couples group at church had our first {annual?} ugly sweater Christmas party. And being the proud new home owner that I am was chomping at the bit to play hostess. Due to the fact that winter decided to show up early in full force we had to cancel. Miraculously, almost everyone could still make it when we rescheduled a week later.

Now not everyone chose to participate, but most did and it was entertaining to see what ugly sweaters walked through my front door.

I'm proud to say I won ugliest sweater for the girls. I also won the Christmas movie trivia game...what can I say? Who likes loves Christmas movies and has two thumbs? This girl.

Jake won categories for ugliest turtle neck and most photogenic pup. In my book he also wins cutest dog award, but as his mom I may be partial. Also, check out my red lipstick! An ugly Christmas sweater party was the perfect opportunity to test the lipstick wearing waters. What do you think? Initially I felt absolutely ridiculous, but it grew on me.

Mom and I rocking our vests. Steve rocking his buck sweater... mullet not included.

Ugliest sweater winner for the guys goes to Justin...because it's really a women's sweater and it has shoulder pads.

Most creative sweater goes to Ben! It wasn't a category to vote for, but I say it's creative. It's still up for debate who exactly the character represents on his sweater...is it Moses? Joseph? Jake didn't care who it was supposed to be, he saw it as a toy and a tug of war match ensued between he and Ben's sweater.

Two other couples opted out of the contest, as well as my dad. Party poopers. Just kidding! I meant to take more pictures...you know how that goes. Must have been too busy playing hostess. My parents are the leaders of our young married couples group, just in case your were wondering why they were there, being that they're not in fact a 'young' married couple. ;)

I couldn't be more proud to be friends with such great couples. They are some of the kindest and most fun people I know. I'm thankful for my church family. I'm blessed to belong to such an accepting and caring body of believers.

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,  so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other." Romans 12:4-5

 

Nine days until Christmas! I'm sorry, I just can't help myself. I'll be counting down on le blog from now until Christmas. It came so fast this year. Am I right?