Around Town

The weather has been really cold here in the Queen City. I have tried getting out as much as possible but some days it's only been an hour tops, if that. We (me and Charlotte) are tired of being cooped up inside. So I thought last night, we will head into Uptown and go to ImaginOn for storytime. 

This morning, after we delivered mascara to a local customer, we headed to the children's library. It was fun and nice to get out! 

My friend, Caryn, who i delivered mascara to this morning, told me about Belmont, NC. It's a little town outside of Charlotte that has a cute Main Street, including an ice cream parlor. Ice cream is the magic word! On the way home, the weather was beautiful, so we stopped by and explored this quaint little town. It was adorable!! We ate at the parlor and then drove around, looked at houses and finally continued home. 

Charlotte doesn't take formal naps anymore, but if she's tired, she has no problem telling me and falling asleep. Which I'm totally fine with!! 

And a little added picture of my silly girl back at home. 

Happy Valentine's Day 2015

I really like spending holidays on the actual day. Whatever the occasion, I don't do well when I have to spend it on a different day. It's not the same. Josh knows this and is very aware and always makes sure things are spent in the corrxt day.  I loved that Valentine's was on a Saturday. All day!!

I woke up first, of course! And got Charlotte and Josh's presents ready. 

All of Charlotte's gifts came from Target...big surprise?

Everyday, Josh and I watch the Ellen Show.  She is always talking about her underwear, so I thought this was an appropriate time to purchase it ;)  It's more of a souvenir of the show then anything!  I also thought I found lemon Hi-Chews during my trip to CA.  He said they weren't the same, but he ate the whole package in one sitting.  I don't think it disappointed!  And the trail mix...cute, huh?  Target!

They finally woke up, we ate breakfast and then opened the gifts!! (Josh was not appropriately dressed for pictures. Coincidence? I think not!) 

Before we left to drop Charlotte off at the Nyborg's, I had to take pictures of her in her festive outfit! It's sad that all of our scenery is dead, but whatever!

We enjoyed a great lunch at California Pizza Kitchen...Yep, pretty creative over here! But it's so good and the last time we went was last Valentine's Day! They were having a two-fer deal for $32! How could we pass that up? Their red velvet cake is amazing too! We thought going for lunch we would beat the crowds, boy were we wrong!! It was packed but we still didn't have to wait long! 

We didn't really like the picture from the restaurant, so we asked Charlotte to take one of us once we got home. She did a great job!  She is very into taking a million pictures with our phones. It's pretty funny what I find in my camera roll!

Josh finally gave me my present. I was getting a little worried I wasn't getting my apple. A while ago, I told Josh any holiday that involved flowers, get me a Rocky Mountain apple instead. The one in our mall closed, but surprisingly enough, he found another one in Charlotte! Sometimes he does surprise me :)  The rest of my gift was in my last post...a trip to California and Disneyland :)

Later in the evening, we drove out to our dollar theater and saw, "Big Hero 6." I liked it a lot more than I thought I would! Charlotte did great, with only one bathroom break toward the end. Josh took her so I wouldn't miss anything (since he's already seen it). 

It was a nice, relaxing day and I wish it were on Saturday every year! I know I don't show it enough or express it enough to Josh, but I love you so much and appreciate everything you do for Charlotte and I. Going out of town made me miss you so much and I'm glad we are back under the same roof! Thanks for being the man of my dreams and always taking care of me. 

I love you! 

Happy Valentine's Day!! 

California Dreaming

If you follow me on Insta, you know I just spent a week on the west coast. And if I do say so myself, I'm ready to move back! Holy moly, the weather was to die for!! Don't get me wrong, I love living in Charlotte. I'm not trying to convince anyone otherwise, but come on, Orange County weather can't be beat! 

I went to CA for my cousin Skylar's wedding and to throw Tahnee a baby shower! It was a great week. Thank you to Cindy and Glen LeSueur for letting us all stay at your home. That was so nice and worked out perfectly! 

I arrived Monday night, February 2, after a long day of traveling (thanks east coast for your horrible weather) and my luggage being on a later flight. 

BUT Tuesday, everything was made right when we went to Disneyland and California Adventures all day! Of course we started the morning (actually, every morning) at the best donut shop in town. Donut World. My family has been going here for years and yes, the donut lady knows us all! 

We headed to the Happiest Place on Earth and it did not disappoint! Besides half the parks (including the castle) under construction and our recent trip to Disney World, it felt good to be home!! I will always love Disneyland and cherish our time as a family we spent there. Charlotte spent half her life there! 

We can't go to Disneyland without having Monte Cristos!

Grace's first time on Indian Jones

Charlotte was obsessed with this suitcase and rolling it around for 20 minutes in the store.  I held strong and didn't give in!  It was difficult!  It was just her size!

Wednesday we ran around Orange County with a stop at the Irvine Spectrum. Another place we went all the time! I loved meeting Josh for lunch there or just shopping with Charitte (oh the good ol' days of her sitting still in the stroller). We waved to the KPMG office and are at Pieology. I cracked up when I saw the ice skating rink! It was in the high 70's that day! 

Thursday we made an attempt to go to the beach. It was nice and warm in Mission Viejo. Down at Califia beach was a different story! I stayed in my coverup and wrapped up in a towel. We froze our buns off. Charlotte loved it though. Even if she did give me a heart attack when she fell in the ocean and couldn't get up!!! 

We called our good friend, Molly Allen, and she let us come lay out in her backyard while the girls played in the jacuzzi! Charitte had a blast. She is such a fish! Luckily she is starting swim lessons in two weeks!

The one souvenir I did give in too, matching shirts for her and her Bitty Baby!

That night, Tahnee and my dad drove in from Arizona, but we had already fell  asleep! 

Friday, we had lunch with my grandparents and aunt Robyn and turned over Charlotte and Gracee to them. They watched them while we attended Skylar and Alyssa's wedding and reception. It was a beautiful evening and so fun to be with the Neilson's! 

Saturday morning was Tahnee's baby shower. I put all the details on my party blog but nothing really about who came or any of the personal stuff.  Of course, I just deleted all the pictures of people, so I am going to have Tahnee resend them to me.  Sorry.  Your face will be up on the blog soon enough! It was so fun to, once again, see many of the Neilson's  and other friends we haven't seen (besides connecting on Facebook) for a while! Tahnee got a lot of fun baby girl gifts...tons of cute clothes! I can't believe all the fun baby stuff they have come out with just since I've had Charlotte! It's so crazy! I still can't believe I hauled most of the decorations across the country! I just have so much stuff that I wanted/needed to use! Thanks to my mom and Nicole for helping and Carrie Bench for reserving the venue for us! It seriously takes a village to pull something like this off so far away! 

The rest of the day we spent with my Grandma Sheila and aunt Robyn and then went over to Nicole's parents house. We got to see their new puppy and visit with the whole family. We love the Vin Zup's and the great friendship we have had with them over the years! Thanks Tahnee and Nicole for becoming friends in junior high! 

Sunday morning we headed out to Arizona so we could spend a couple days with Tahnee and Tyler. It was even warmer there! My body really does much better in warmer weather. My husband will tell you it's a "choice" but it's so true! We had a lot of fun shopping, eating, shopping, eating, AND laying out!! While we were there, Tahnee and Tyler bought their crib, bassinet and a few other baby necessities. It is fun watching them getting all the nursery items for baby Eunice! Oh whoops...did I spill the beans? 

We put Charlotte in clothes my grandma made for Tahnee.  She didn't want to take anymore pictures!!

Kneaders

Last Chance

Sprinkles

I was really looking forward to go to a boutique I follow on Instagram and her blog, The TomKat Studio.  I was thrilled Tahnee drove me there.  Thanks!!  One day, I'll have a room in my home that looks like this haha. 

Charitte loved being there too. On Tuesday we went and hung out with Josh's cousin, Jess and her little ones. We went to lunch at Chick-Fil-A and just gabbed! Of course I only got one picture...it's hard when you have kids to watch and time flys, you realize no pictures are taken :( We love Jess and Trent! I wish we lived closer to them! 

Can you even tell Tahnee is pregnant?  She looks amazing!

Sleeping at DownEast Home

Tuesday we took the red-eye home. It was horrible but you fly on whatever your points/miles will give you.  She was awake the whole time from Phoenix to Atlanta.  Literally, as we were landing in Atlanta, she fell asleep.  She stayed asleep as I transferred her to her stroller, our flight to Charlotte, in the carseat and once we got home.  She slept until 3:30 in the afternoon!!  Every day since, she has slept in until 9:30 am.  Jet lag??

Lovin' on her Bitty Baby!

On the flight to Charlotte

We had a great time out west but after these long flights, I have no desire to get back on a plane anytime soon!  Hopefully this summer we will get back out to Utah for some July festivities!!