I wanna do it right Nooooow! We always do it pretty early because we are never here for Christmas and I want to be able to enjoy it for a while before we leave for Iowa for Christmas, but yes, I realize it's still a little too early.
What are some Holiday traditions you guys have?
I had a ton growing up- but as Drew and I started our own family we wanted to start making our own traditions.
Our first Christmas as a family we were Juniors in college- with no decorations and very little money. I so badly wanted to go spend a ton of money on decorations to make our apartment feel like my moms house at christmas,- but instead my mom gave me a few pieces of decoration from her collection- we bought a little (fake) tree and some lights and decided that ever year we would each pick out one christmas ornament for a tree. So the first year we just had 3 special ornaments (plus the ugly balls) but our 2nd Christmas we had 6! And this year after we go shopping we will have 12, special, meaningful handpicked Christmas ornaments.
I'd love to hear about all your cozy traditions
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Some of the professional pictures
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| First kiss! |
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| He Totally wasn't cooperating w/ pics- surprised she go this one! |
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| He refused to sit/pose and smile-but he will always give mamma hugs and kisses |
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| During my sisters speech- one of the four times I cried |
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| Our first dance- the first part of the dance Jasper danced with us- he Refused to let go of me |
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| My father and I dancing to what a wonderful world- the 3rd time I cried |
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Who does he look more like?
Ever since Jasper was a baby people have been saying " Oh gosh he looks Exactly like YOU Darlene" And at least as many people say " Oh no, he looks Exactly like Drew" So now you can be the judge
Exibit A.
Darlene as a 2 year old
Exibit B Jasper
Exibit C Drew
Exibit A.
Darlene as a 2 year old
Exibit B Jasper
Exibit C Drew
What do you guys think???
When I asked Jasper what he wanted to be for Halloween in September he said "Sjörövarfabbe" If you don't happen to watch the Swedish Pippi DVD's you probably have no idea who it is- it's Pippi Longstocking's great grandfather- and he's of course a pirate like Pippi's dad. Easy enough. Well then wedding stuff got in the way- we got back from our week and a half in Iowa and all of a sudden it was 4 days till Halloween! All I did was run to target- get a pirate sword (we had a hat and eye patch) and some sweat pants to cup up and $7 later we had a costume!
Friday night we went to a Halloween party at The Little Gym (the place Jasper has gymnastics class every week) and Jasper had a Blast! There was face painting- obstacle courses, games, fishing for candy, cupcakes and more.
Saturday we didn't do anything Halloween related- just boring stuff like target/Whole Foods/ Bed Bath and Beyond shopping....who am I kidding I love those kinds of errands. Even more when we do them together as a family.
Sunday we went trick-o-treating for the first time ever! Okay Drew had gone lots as a kid, but I didn't have a Halloween in America till 5th grade and by then I was waaay to cool for that kind of stuff. At the last minute I decided Drew and I needed to dress up also- so just out of our closets we found a farmers costume for him and a witch for me. It was soo much fun! Except J totally didn't get the whole take a piece of candy and run deal because at Every house he kept holding our group up because he insisted on having a 5 min. conversation with everyone who opened the door " Whas your doggy's name?" "I do has a doggy too, he is a Remi" " I'm Fabbe- see my sword?" "I like tandy (candy) you like tandy too?" "See all my tandy, me share with you" He's the most polite 3 year old I know for Sure.
Saturday we didn't do anything Halloween related- just boring stuff like target/Whole Foods/ Bed Bath and Beyond shopping....who am I kidding I love those kinds of errands. Even more when we do them together as a family.
Sunday we went trick-o-treating for the first time ever! Okay Drew had gone lots as a kid, but I didn't have a Halloween in America till 5th grade and by then I was waaay to cool for that kind of stuff. At the last minute I decided Drew and I needed to dress up also- so just out of our closets we found a farmers costume for him and a witch for me. It was soo much fun! Except J totally didn't get the whole take a piece of candy and run deal because at Every house he kept holding our group up because he insisted on having a 5 min. conversation with everyone who opened the door " Whas your doggy's name?" "I do has a doggy too, he is a Remi" " I'm Fabbe- see my sword?" "I like tandy (candy) you like tandy too?" "See all my tandy, me share with you" He's the most polite 3 year old I know for Sure.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Pumpkin patches
Our first day in Iowa (two Sunday's ago) Jasper and I went with Grammy (my mom) to a pumpkin patch. It was the first one I've ever been to in Iowa and I have to say Iowa pumpkin patches are the ones to beat. It was surrounded by fields of corn, had horse rides, a bunch of jumpy thingys, baked goods, a petting zoo, train rides, play ground, hay maze..it was perfect. My sister, sister in law and soon to be two year old niece Annika met us there and we had a blast!
Jasper was So excited for a horse back ride- and when the lady asked Jasper (who she repeatedly called a girl- come on he was wearing brown flannel!!) which pony he wanted to ride she assumed he would choose one of the smaller ponies- Nope- he picked the biggest horse there so she said he (she) could ride if mommy rode with. Uhm Yes please! (This was before my surprise trail ride)
We got pumpkins to carve at Grammys house when we went in Iowa- but of course needed to get pumpkins to carve for here as well so we met friends on Wednesday at our local pumpkin patch. The boys had a blast and the weather was perfect.
Top Two Tuesday:Favorite gifts
Since 24 yrs is a Long time for receiving gifts I'm going to do top two fav. wedding gifts. We got a lot of wonderful gifts- but my favorites were from the people that know us best and are really meaningful.
Number 1- Art mirror w/ favorite Swedish saying. We have a local artist in the town I grew up in Iowa who does Amazing, whimsical sings. Her husband does pottery pieces and the two of them are so talented. I have many special pieces of hers- some bought from the gift shop, some from them as gifts (went to school w/ her son and church with the family) and a couple as gifts from my mom. I have an awesome gift box my mom had her make for me for my high school graduation- its completely one of a kind.
The mirror is so special because my mom had her make it- the colors are beautiful and it's a great Swedish saying on it- it doesn't translate as well in English and it rhymes in Swedish and flows so well- but it's basically about learning lifes big lessons/riddle- how to love, forgive and forget. Again- one of a kind (the artist was at our wedding- and our gift from them was painting with our last name on it :)
Another favorite is a gift from my grandmother and uncle in Sweden- my Swedish friends brought it over (sofie's fiance works w/ my uncle Lasse) and I started crying as I was opening it. She had an artist in Sweden (from the town I grew up in) paint a picture of "us" on our wedding day, which a church in the background, our names and wedding date. It's so special. It's antique looking and just perfect. Thanks Farmor and Lasse!!
And since it's across the wall from the mirror and also special here's another favorite art piece and gift. It's from Drews parents as an engagement present and is a coat rack made by one of my favorite artists- also from Iowa. If you haven't heard of Story People you should google it- very whimsical and amazing sayings on prints. It says "We sat side by side in the morning light and looked out on our future together". Beautiful saying.
Number 1- Art mirror w/ favorite Swedish saying. We have a local artist in the town I grew up in Iowa who does Amazing, whimsical sings. Her husband does pottery pieces and the two of them are so talented. I have many special pieces of hers- some bought from the gift shop, some from them as gifts (went to school w/ her son and church with the family) and a couple as gifts from my mom. I have an awesome gift box my mom had her make for me for my high school graduation- its completely one of a kind.
The mirror is so special because my mom had her make it- the colors are beautiful and it's a great Swedish saying on it- it doesn't translate as well in English and it rhymes in Swedish and flows so well- but it's basically about learning lifes big lessons/riddle- how to love, forgive and forget. Again- one of a kind (the artist was at our wedding- and our gift from them was painting with our last name on it :)
Another favorite is a gift from my grandmother and uncle in Sweden- my Swedish friends brought it over (sofie's fiance works w/ my uncle Lasse) and I started crying as I was opening it. She had an artist in Sweden (from the town I grew up in) paint a picture of "us" on our wedding day, which a church in the background, our names and wedding date. It's so special. It's antique looking and just perfect. Thanks Farmor and Lasse!!
And since it's across the wall from the mirror and also special here's another favorite art piece and gift. It's from Drews parents as an engagement present and is a coat rack made by one of my favorite artists- also from Iowa. If you haven't heard of Story People you should google it- very whimsical and amazing sayings on prints. It says "We sat side by side in the morning light and looked out on our future together". Beautiful saying.
A few of my favorite things..
I love finding products- ANY products that I end up loving. I waste a LOT of money on products that I end up hating- so I figured I'd start a segment featuring products that I Love. Anything form toddler gear, make up/lotions cooking gadgets, household stuff--if I find it and Love it I'll let you know so hopefully you won't waste your money on unsatisfactory products.
The first products I want to rave about is....
Dior Show Iconic Mascara
First off let me say I've never bought the same mascara twice- every couple of months I like to try a new one- and I've never been in Love with a mascara. And since most days thats my only make up ritual I'm always on the hunt for a new fabulous mascara- and THIS IS IT!!
When shopping for make up for my upcoming wedding someone suggested this so I decided to give it a try even though the price tag is a little more than some- but a good mascara is priceless!! I don't have any good shots of my eyelashes the day of our wedding- but here is Kind of one, but you might just have to take my word for the fact that my eyelashes looked amazing.
What I love about it: Its NOT clumpy
One coat is all you will need
I didn't even need to curl my eyelashes- this did it for me!
Made my eyelashes look even thicker/longer
Even though I don't think it said water proof there was def. some tear shedding that day and none smeared or came off! I applied ONE coat at 2:30 PM and when I left our reception at 1:30 AM it still looked amazing
The first products I want to rave about is....
Dior Show Iconic Mascara
What I love about it: Its NOT clumpy
One coat is all you will need
I didn't even need to curl my eyelashes- this did it for me!
Made my eyelashes look even thicker/longer
Even though I don't think it said water proof there was def. some tear shedding that day and none smeared or came off! I applied ONE coat at 2:30 PM and when I left our reception at 1:30 AM it still looked amazing
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