Foto Friday - Shopping Pics with the Kiddos

Shopping is very different for me than it was 5 years ago...

My first trip with the cool cart at Target. We love these carts at Target.

On our way into the mall!

Target...again...

After Target - water sippy cups keeps them happy.

At Hy-Vee Josh and I can take all 4

Minne-SODA: Family, Friends, & Fun! - Part Two

Part two: FRIEND FUN!

During the week, we stayed at our friend's, The Willms', house. I met Laura at UNI (I was her RA) and we've been friends ever since. Gosh...I think we've known each other since 2002 then?! Over 10 years!!! Anyways, she has twins that turn 2 at the end of February. We had SO much fun with BABY Kate and BABY Matt and all our friends!

Side Note: I had to call them BABIES because M was a little rough with them and pushed them down a LOT the first couple days we spent together. I think M pushed all of them or stole their toys at some point of this trip. Oh, and she also threw a toy that just happened to land on baby Lydia's face. So yeah...she made all of the kids cry at some point.

Ok...now for the pictures.

Matthew and M playing at the kitchen set later on Sunday after we had arrived.

On Monday we went to music class with the Willms and the Allens.
M and the Allen girls share the same hair! :)

Three adults and 5 toddlers out to dinner after music class.

On Tuesday we went to an Open Gym. M loved it! Here she is (im)patiently waiting on Kate.

Swingin'.

In the foam pit.

Being so careful on the beam.

On Wednesday we ventured to the Mall of America because I really wanted to take her to The Disney Store. We both loved it!

We also went to IKEA to get some storage stuff for the Willms. M enjoyed the cart ride.

M and Matt playing.


Kate-Kate (my nickname for her) and Me!

Wednesday evening we went to The Allens' for the dinner. The kids were wild...but had fun!

5 Toddlers! Run while you can!


(Picture from Rachel)

Thursday morning we attended a super fun music class at the library. M and Kate were pretending to nap (part of the song). How cute are their matching outfits!?! (Thanks, Laura!) 

Rhythm sticks!

Fun, fun, fun!


After music class M and I headed back to the Mall of America. M really loved the mall. She oohed and aahed at all the lights and fun stores. We spent a couple hours just her and me before heading back to our cousin's house.

Of course she got a Vikings hat.

And I couldn't let her leave MN without having a smoothie from Jamba Juice! 

After our short stay at our cousin's for a couple more nights, we headed out to lunch with our friends, Mark and Allison Pitts and their new baby girl, Lydia on Saturday. After a delicious lunch at Pei Wei (we miss that place so much!), we went back to their house to visit for a bit. M loved holding Lydia.

Then...it was back to the Willms' for a bit. M and Kate were happy to be reunited!

Finally, we all gathered back at the Allens' for pizza and conversation. I didn't take any pictures...so I'm so grateful my friend Rachel had her camera handy and shared these next few pics with me. Thanks, Rach!

The Dads and the Kids.
Madison, Josh, Matthew, Kevin, Katherine, Julia, Steven, Fiona, Mark, & Lydia.

Love this picture! :) Me, Laura, Rachel, and Allison.

We left early Sunday to head home. We stopped in Cedar Falls for lunch at Pepper's!!!!


We had SO SO SO much FUN with The Willms, The Pitts, and The Allens while we were in MN. The last time we were all together was in 2008, and since then we've all become parents and have added 7 children to the mix! I truly appreciate all the hospitality from them as they welcomed us all into their homes. We are so thankful for friends like all of them! :)

Foto Friday - Jeans

From yesterday's shopping trip:

In the dressing room trying on her jeans.

About 2 minutes before her super loud meltdown.

$202.02

I did something really random and sporadic day which is totally not like me.

I decided last minute...literally today at 7:15am...to head to Williamsburg to the Tanger Outlet Mall to check out Carter's...since they were having their 50% off Labor Day sale and I wanted to beat the weekend shoppers. (You can shop on-line too! I just prefer to shop in person.)

This is what $202.02 got M with the help of an additional 20% off coupon they emailed me!
Not too bad!!

 We walked away with:
1 winter coat (2 layers - with a fall fleece that zips out)
1 hoodie
3 dresses
2 long sleeve cardigans
1 short sleeve cardigan
1 pair of jeans
2 leggings
3 pairs of play pants
5 long sleeve shirts
2 pajama sets

We also made a quick stop at Old Navy (where I actually purchased 2 shirts and a pair of jeans for myself), and we couldn't leave without these two items.

I'm usually not that into characters on her clothes...but for jammies and a play shirt...I can compromise with M for sure. :)

Oh, and another stop into The Children's Place for some tights (for her dresses)...we couldn't stay much longer because M was losing it. Which is too bad because I barely looked at Children's Place...and didn't even make it into Gymboree or OshKosh! My wallet probably thanks me anyways...

The only thing we will still need are SHOES for M. I love fall/winter...but I will miss being able to forgo socks and being able to just slip on her crocks or sandals.

And, I'd probably be lying if I said I was completely done clothes shopping for M for the fall/winter. :)

Spring...where are you???

Josh surprised me and told me we were going shopping Sunday at the Outlet in Williamsburg.

I LOVE Carter's brand, and I love a good sale...50% off everything! (And, I love my husband!)

I figured I have to stop dressing her in sleepers everyday at some point. Haha.

Thanks to our very generous family and friends, this is the first time we've really had to invest in clothing for M. I have to admit...it was fun shopping for her. Although, at one point when I thought I was done, Josh had to force me to pick out two more things! :)

I'm loving all the yellows, oranges, greens, and pinks! I'm also loving all the mixing and matching I can do. Plus we got her some comfy gray sweatpants and a zip up hoodie so she can match Mommy.

A close up of a few of my favorites. We got her first pair of overalls at OshKosh. Josh picked out the blue/green outfit.

Shoes...and sunglasses picked out by Daddy.
The shoes are a bit big still...oh well....

Now, we just need warmer temperatures!

Daddy got his cool stroller (that also hooks to his bike)...we'd like to take her out without the winter hat soon...

We want to go on more walks, without being bundled in blankets!

(And, I want to dress her in new clothes!)

Spring, stop hiding, please!!!

Shopping for Baby and Mommy

Thursday I headed to Williamsburg, IA with Tracy and Bev for a day of shopping at the outlet mall. I actually hate shopping in general, so it was my goal to get ALL the main pieces I'd need for maternity wear for the summer. I am happy to report I feel that it was a success!

Usually, my main stops at the outlet are Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. but today, Motherhood Maternity was the only place to be for me! I was able to get 3 pairs of capris, 2 comfy pairs of yoga pants, a cardigan, and 8 short sleeve and sleeveless tops! Can you tell I like black? Tracy and Bev were super generous and thoughtful and purchased some of the pieces for me as an early birthday gift. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I am sure I will pick up a few more tops here and there this summer, but I'm really happy with everything we were able to find, and at such good prices, too! I also got some cute new undies and bras after Tracy and Bev would basically not let me leave without "pregnancy underwear and bras." They mentioned it so many times that I finally decided to buy them just to get them to leave me alone about it. And to clarify again, as I told them as well several times..."Yes, I appreciate you two mentioning that, and I know I will need new bras and undies. I agree, I just wasn't planning on buying those with my mother-in-law and grandma-in-law!" (Ha! Love you, Tracy and Bev!) Sorry if this is TMI!

And of course we checked out the baby clothing stores. Tracy had a hard time containing herself, but Bev and I kept her in check. :-) It was a good thing we weren't sure of the sex of the baby because I think we all would have wanted to buy more if we knew for sure.

I'm so happy to show you Baby Smyser's first onsies (from Grandma Tracy) and bibs (from Great Grandma Bev)!

I'm *thinking* of going with a yellow/duckie or zoo animal accented theme for the nursery now. Those were the clothes and accessories at the stores that really stuck out the most for me. Anyways, that's not final...just my initial thoughts regarding the theme.

Well, this is the end of my 20th week. I'm halfway done...and I can't believe it!!!