Gorgeous Weekend

Finally, it felt like spring outside this weekend, and we took full advantage. We had a busy weekend, but it was fun, and it was so nice to spend some time outside.

On Friday, I worked a 12 hour shift at work, and I didn't get home until pretty late, so we pretty much just watched a little TV and went to bed.

Saturday, we spent the morning hanging around at home and catching up on some things, and then we headed to Taco Bell for lunch and Target to pick up a baby shower gift.  John's cousin Tyan had a baby boy, Seamus, about a month ago. They live in the Twin Cities, but had a shower in Sioux Falls for everyone to meet the little guy.

It was fun to hang out with John's side of the family, we hadn't seen some of those people for a few months, so it was nice to catch up. Also, holding a newborn is always a perk. Emma was so good during the shower, she ran around playing with Anna and Abby and just being adorable like normal.

During the shower, John's cousin Kristina and her husband Johnny invited us over for a BBQ. After a family nap at or house, we headed out for the BBQ. It was great to visit a little more with the relatives, and this time with delicious food :)

We also spent sometime outside on the play set and ended the evening watching the movie Frozen. It was a late night for Emma :)

Today, I took Emma to church by myself because John had a photo shoot with Tyan and Seamus. I was a little worried about controlling a 21 month old by myself in church, but it actually went pretty well. Emma did great through church, I was so proud of her.

Also, today we hit a high of 68 degrees. It was absolutely gorgeous. So, we brought Emma to a park and she was just squealing in delight the entire time.

Conquering the play set 

Through the tunnels 

Over the bridges

Peek 

Loves to swing :)

 After the park, we ate supper at Backyard BBQ and then did some grocery shopping. Once we got home, we spent some more time outside trying to soak in all the nice weather we could. We did some sidewalk chalk, bubbles, and a lot of just plain running around.

Having a snack on the floor 

Enjoying her backyard BBQ 

Emma loves to sit right on top of anything I draw-hence the sidewalk chalk pants :)

How many can she carry?

Emma with her "puppy"

Because who doesn't get dressed in the garage...

Besties :)

Checking out the ducks at the park

Drawin'

Emma finally went down about a half hour ago. She was really tired, but fighting off that sleep of course. It did not take her long to pass out once she was laid down in her crib.

I loved, loved, loved the nice weather we had this weekend, but unfortunately it is not here to stay. This whole next week is supposed to be in the thirties, and a mixture of snow and rain. Boo. Oh-well, hopefully soon we will see a little more sunshine and consistently warmed temperatures.

I wish everyone a fabulous week :)

John's 28th Birthday :)

John turned 28 yesterday, wow-where does the time go? It's crazy to think I have known John since he was 19, and now he's closing in on 30.

We had a good time celebrating yesterday though. After work, I stopped by the grocery store for some grilling supplies, and found some sidewalk chalk for Emma to play with. It was about 60 degrees out, but very windy. Emma and I had fun running around outside and playing until John got home.

Emma also got her little red sled out of the garage and had me pull her around on it all over the grass, and she thought it was awesome. She kept asking for "more".

At around 6, John's parents and brother stopped by, and we grilled out for supper. Emma enjoyed all the company and attention, and just ran around like a crazy little toddler :) John's family hung around and visited for a while, and then it was time to put Emma to sleep, and they headed home.

It was a fun little birthday celebration and it's always nice to hang out with family.  It was so nice to have some warmer weather for a day as well. Today looks like 30s and some snow...boo.

So, my plans for today are to sit downstairs by the fireplace, catch up on some TV from this week, and catch up on some scrapbooking, I'm about 6 months behind. Afterwards, I will got pick Emma up from daycare and enjoy some bonding time and giggles.

Also, I hope to do some shopping and buy some things for Emma's easter basket. So excited :)

Workin' Mama

This past week has been pretty uneventful. It was a call-filled week for me at work, so I spent a lot of time at the hospital and not much time at home with Emma and John (boo).

Last Friday, I had the day off work, and spent some much needed time with Emma at home. We also had a photo shoot with Lifetouch for out church directory. I was a little nervous on how Emma would do, but she did ok. She didn't really smile in any of the family pictures, but the ones with her by herself are pretty adorable. So, we got suckered into buying some pictures. But we FINALLY have a professional photo of all 3 of us, it only took us almost 2 years :)

Over the weekend, I worked 12 hour day shifts, so there was not much time at home. Saturday night John and I went to a Skyforce game, but otherwise it was pretty much work, work, work.

John and Emma had a lot of bonding time over the weekend, and he kept me updated with some photos :)

John and I ended the weekend watching an episode of Game of Thrones and relaxing. I have today off, so I kept Emma home with me today, and we have been having fun playing the morning away. Right now, Emma is napping and I am enjoying a little quiet time.

Now, can we please get some nice weather so we could spend sometime outside please :)

Enjoying a beautiful spring day

Scootin'

Snack time

Snacking on the counter

Someone fell on the sidewalk and got a bump :(

New obsession: coloring :)

Family-filled Weekend

This past weekend, my mom, dad, and brother came to visit. They arrived on Friday night, as usual, and we spent the evening just visiting a little and getting them settled in.

Saturday was kind of a lazy day, but it was nice to hang out with my family without feeling stressed with the hustle and bustle of life. We spent the morning just hanging out in the house, and then after Emma's nap we headed out on the town for a while.

While the rest of the family shopped, I went to a hair salon and got my hair colored, cut, and styled. It has been so long since I colored my hair, so it was fun to spruce my hair up a little. I had a great stylist too, so it was a fun (and expensive) visit.

After my family was done at the mall, Kohls, Target, and Hy-Vee we went and checked out Costco and then finished the shopping spree with Lone Star, a wonderful Steakhouse.

Emma has a cold (again!) so she was a little crabby and restless during our outing, so it was a little exhausting trying to keep track of her all day. She's just at that fun age where she does not want to sit still at all.

Once we got back home again, we put Emma to bed, and the rest of us played some Sheephead for a while and visited some more. It was a great day!

On Sunday, we skipped church due to Emma being kinda crabby again, and we went to a Verizon store because Dad wanted to buy an Ipad to use in the tractor for something or other, and they ended up get the Ipad and mom and dad each got Iphones as well. How crazy is that? My dad now has a newer phone than me-that's a weird feeling!

We ate some lunch at Hu Hot and then mom, dad, and Ryan headed back home. It was a fun weekend, and Ryan got to spend some quality time with Emma which was really nice (and cute :)

Bedtime Snuggles with Uncle Ryan

Checking everyone out at Hu Hot

Mmmm, Bib

Grandpa Jack helping Emma eat

Fun at the zoo :)

Emma and I ended up going to the zoo today, and we had a great time. Emma spent most of the time toddling around and splashing in all the puddles, but she did look at some of the animals as well. Her favorites were the monkeys, ducks, and the penguins.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, it was a perfect day for a little visit to the zoo. We literally walked the entire thing, and Emma did a lot of the walking herself, so it took quite a while. I think we were there about 2.5 hours total.

Checking out the penguins

Emma's got her game face on

We had a great time at the zoo :)

Selfie in front of the monkeys

Conquering the zoo-one small step at a time

Emma being Emma 

Ready to be carried now...

After walking around outside, we explored the indoor museum for a while. Emma absolutely loved being able to run around on her own, without me steering her away from all the mud puddles like I was doing outside.

She only wanted to drive this about 12 times

That's a carload

Once I was pooped out from chasing Emma around for close to 3 hours, we headed home to make some supper. Once John got home we went outside again to enjoy a little bit more of the beautiful day before it was gone.

Right now, Emma is peacefully sleeping, John is at a Summit League Basketball game with his dad, and I have a Game of Thrones book in my lap and a glass of wine in my hand. It is the perfect end to a great day :)

Think Spring

So, apparently it was really nice outside yesterday. Like, above average highs in the 50s. I wouldn't know, I was stuck at work for 18 hours. Yep, it was one long day of working.

Luckily, John and Emma came by to visit around lunchtime to just say hi. It was very much appreciated since I didn't get to see either one for the rest of the day.

After visiting me, they headed out to Jim and Barb's farm and Emma had a blast running around outside and playing in the greenhouses.

Good Morning :)

John told her to say "hi" to mommy

Having fun in the Greenhouse

Hard at work already

I sure missed out on some fun! Today, after blissfully sleeping in, I have some housework to do (of course) and then I am going to go pick up Emma and we may go walk around the zoo for a little while. We renewed our zoo membership for another year, and we are supposed to get up to a high around 58 degrees, so I plan to take full advantage of that.

I don't know how long the nice weather is supposed to last, because it is only the middle of March. I am sure we will have more snow before spring is officially here, but I plan to enjoy this beautiful sunshine while it's here.  :)