Sam A. Baker 2015

Last weekend was our annual Sam A. Baker weekend. It's funny because we don't stay at the park cabins anymore, since we have the rental cabins at my Mom & Dad's, but it'll forever be called the Sam A. Baker weekend. 

Nate & Lila didn't have school on Friday, so we made the short trip after we loaded up all our stuff. It was a beautiful afternoon, so we hopped in the Ranger with Mom, Dad, Hamil & Thane to explore. 

We went to see twin calves that were just born. Lila is a natural cowgirl. Note that she is inside the fence with these cows. Note that I am not.

We explored a few creeks where the kids were ecstatic to get wet.

Me and my beautiful Mama.

Truly, you'd think they'd never seen water before, especially Lila. She was wet from head to toe.

Our friends arrived later that night and we were so happy to have Michael, the Baker clan including Emily & Justin, the Pooleys, and Ryan & Jamie (Sarah's brother & SIL).

Early Saturday morning, we loaded up and went for a canoe trip. Me with my fabulous Dad, who does his very best to keep my feet dry every year. I'm happy to say he held up his promise again this year. I'm spoiled.

Scott coming down one of the harder spots. Where is Nate? Oh he jumped out at the top to walk down. He doesn't trust Scott very much not to dump him:) Actually now that I said it was Scott, I think it's Hamil. Oh well, pretend. Scott was there and he did in fact keep Nate dry.

The Pooleys! We were so so glad to have them all here this year. And Ryan did a fantastic job of keeping them all dry.

The water and the weather were nearly perfect. It was such a pretty day to be on the creek.

I love this picture. Dad was trying to get Lila to put her hands up in the air and scream. She didn't get it. That's all I can say.

Be still my heart. Love them.

Discussing the plans for the upcoming rapids. Everyone was listening intently:)

Where did the time go????? Quinn (8), Nate (9), Myra (10), Lila (4), Sullivan (6), Thane (2), Reid (6) 

On Sunday, we went to the park to do a little hike before heading home. Looking for salamanders. 

But why look for salamanders when worms are so much more fun!

It was truly a fantastic weekend and one I look forward to every single year. Until next year!

Lately Loves

I haven't done a Lately Loves post recently. And I wanted to do one today, but I could only find 2 things that I have loved lately. So in lieu of a third item, here are some random thoughts that have been swimming around my head. You're welcome. 

1. I am losing the war in my house right now. The war that puts me & my broom on one side and pet hair & dead grass on the other. Anyone else? 

2. Lila has taken to saying, "Mom, that is sooooo last season." She's 4. Enough said. 

3. I had Nate start washing his face with our soap in the last few weeks. He's 9 1/2. Poor thing has a long road ahead of him with having 2 greasy parents and all. 

4. I'm convinced one of Truman's parents is a dog. He is a dog in a cat's body all day long, every day. 

5. Why is home ownership so attractive in your 20s when you are living in an apartment??? We're nearing our 40s and apartment living is looking pretty darn nice right about now. Could have to do with the torrential down pours we've had in STL this week. You wanna know something that doesn't go together? 100 year old house basements and torrential rain. 

On to my lately loves...I have always been very skeptical of the "tan in a bottle" products. And I have never used one. But this year, I decided I'm going to try to be more conscientious about my skin. But I didn't want my tan game to be affected. You know. Important stuff. 

I was reading a blog a few weeks ago and the author said that the Jergens Natural Glow was a really good option because it is a daily moisturizer and basically fool proof. So I decided to try it. I am a skeptic no more. 

There are 2 options - Fair to Medium and Medium to Tan. After much deliberation in the Target aisle, I chose the Fair to Medium. Now, I'm fairly dark complected most of the year, so I'm probably not Fair. And probably not even Medium. But we're coming out of winter and I didn't want to orange myself on the first try. 

The bottle says you should see results in as little as 7 days. I just started using it as my daily lotion after I got out of the shower and I started to see results in about 3-4 days. When I finish this bottle, I'll probably try the Medium to Tan to head into summer. I have not tried anything for my face yet. That's up next. If you want to have some color without a lot of fuss, this is it!

Photo credit: www.jergens.com

One day last Fall, I was randomly in Wal-Mart (I don't go there very often) and I was also randomly in the athletic wear aisle. I don't even remember what I was there to purchase. But I stumbled upon this Danskin Now workout top on the sale rack and I was intrigued by the cut. It has a drawstring bottom but is tighter on top. The only color they had was neon orange and it was a medium. It was only $3 so I decided to try it out anyway.

It quickly became my favorite top and I have since worn it slap out. I couldn't find any more at my Wal-Mart so I went online and found them there. I got a 2 pack for $10. I mean that's a deal. And I looked them up today and it is a 2 pack for $9. A steal. Quality work-out top for like very little dollars. Score.

Photo credit: www.walmart.com

That's all. Only 2 loves, but I really love both of them. I'm not getting paid by either company to share. Promise.

If anyone has a face color "enhancer" that they love, hit me up!

Easter Sunday

We've of course been talking a lot about Easter's meaning over the last few weeks and I have to brag on Nate because he has asked so many good questions and really tried to "get" Easter this year. Lila has been a good listener too, but it's just a fact that she's 4 and understands on a different level right now. 

So on Good Friday at the breakfast table, Nate and I were talking about the word Good and it's meaning. Lila was eating her breakfast quietly and I didn't think she was really listening. I ended my explanation to him with a phrase that I had seen several times over the last week, "It's Friday, but Sunday's a comin!" 

It was quiet and Nate was processing. 

Lila looked over into my eyes, made her little hand into a fist and said, "Fist bump to that, Mom." 

Yes, my dear, you're so right. Fist bump to that. 

 

We shopped our own closets this year for Easter wear. And I think we did a pretty good job. I got this dress for Lila last year, but for some reason I didn't choose for her to wear it on Easter. So add some leggings, and we're in business for another year. Sadly, this will probably be the last smocked anything that she wears. My dress was purple too, so we coordinated well! 

Truly. They are truly so funny. Roll the out-take footage...

Really? Is something wrong with your eyes?

Like really.

 Seriously. Open your eyes.

Okay, eyes open. I have a question!

Mom. Really. Call on me, I have a question?!

Nate telling her to get in line.

Now trying to make her get in line. Does her chin look like a Corse here or what??

And my very personal favorite. I've lost all control.

But, alas, they smiled pretty for at least one picture. We had a great church service and came home to hunt eggs in our backyard. For the 63rd time during the weekend.

Good Friday and Easter Saturday

The kids had Good Friday off from school, and after a beautiful weather week, Mother Nature decided we needed a rainy, chilly day. On their day off from school. Good thinking Mother Nature. 

So we entertained ourselves by dyeing Easter eggs in the morning. The kids were very into it and did a great job!

Ignore the backdrop. We are in the process of painting (finally!) the breakfast room and kitchen (uh...er...for the third time). I have to say we both lost steam after the kitchen was finally functioning again. So we're back on the wagon now and hopefully will be completely done very soon. Pictures to come.

Truman supervised the egg dyeing. He always has to be a part of what we are doing. So different from Kitty P who wants to be far far away from whatever we are doing.

On Saturday, the sun came out again and we got ready to go to our park's Easter Egg Hunt put on my one of our local churches.

Warning, picture overload. I just wanted to be able to remember how many pictures I actually had to take to get a couple of good ones.

They were cracking themselves up.

And Lila found something to cheer about...

Or sing about...

 Anything but look at the camera to smile...

And my very personal favorites...Nate must be telling her a joke.

Because she roared with laughter.

I mean really.

I don't know why I bother sometimes. That's a lie. I do.

Off to the park with a classic Lila face.

Nate had to hunt further down from us with one of his friends. So Lila and I waited the long wait until they told us to go.

She got lots of eggs and we found a place to check them out with Nate and our friend Cate.

We walked home and had a lazy afternoon and evening. I think Spring has officially sprung and we are SO happy about the warm weather!

Up next, Easter Sunday!