Fort Days Star

IMG_4552, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

This is what I got at Fort Days... It was my first purchase from the craft booths there. When I got it, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it... couldn't put it on the door- it'd get weathered quickly on our uncovered porch... I think it looks great in the living room though... It helps transform the look of the whole room, or at least I think so...

Potty training on hold again

Seems as if every time that Matthew starts doing well with potty training, he has a bad day or two at the same time that something else crazy is going on- and I throw my hands up in the air and put it on hold for a bit.

Why are we stalling this time? Because Erik is home and stuck to the couch, for nearly a week now. He's been to the Doctor and had an MRI... some arthritis, some swelling which likely caused the pinched nerve... and internal displacia.

Our family Doctor's office, which I was singing the praises of just weeks before Sophia was born, will now be losing our business. We've had too many disapointments since then with their office to continue trusting them for our family's care.

Any how- prayers are appreciated greatly in this time, both for Erik's back and for my sanity.

More fun posts about our Fort Days when this has started to clear up. :)

spicy lime chicken

spicy lime chicken, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

Yum.
We had this dish last week. It's from the dream dinners cookbook- I think it was better this time than last time... 2nd half of the batch was frozen for another dinner. I still thik that's such an awesome way to cook.

poping in...

we've been busy busy traveling, but now we're back and working on getting into the swing of things...

While you're waiting on an update of our extended weekend, hop on over to see Sara's wee one, or say a prayer ofd thanksgiving that Frances' little GIRL has finally arrived! yeah- a friend for Sophia.

ready for a fall fashion show?

ready for a fashion show?, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

Sophia woke up in a good mood, and her brother was sleeping... so why shouldn't we have some fun getting ready for Fort Days and cooler fall weather?

first we tried on a cute white blouse with some overalls that were Matthew's when he was little. Every baby girl should have a white dressy blouse in her wardrobe.

to girl it up a little, we added this headband. Erik doesn't like it, but I do. I think I've always liked headbands on baby girls... well, some headbands- this one is one of the good kind (I think any way... it's ok if you agree with Erik).

in between outfit changes, I just had to take a moment to pause and marvel at this beautiful girl God has given us.

ok- now that you've adored her too, we can get back to the runway...

hey! Remember this dress? (my mom still hasn't made hers)

It is a bit... summery- but look... when you add this cartigan ->

pretty cute huh? I'd have to add some tights so no old ladies yelled at me for having baby skin exposed to the elements though... I got enough lectures when Matthew was little to know that once the weather gets colder, you cover the baby. (My favorite was when we walked into Church on a rainy night and someone in the gathering area practically yelled across the space "no SHOES on that BABY!?!" Well, yes, it was a cold and rainy night but he WAS wearing socks and he was covered in a blanket while we were outdoors....)

how about the ever adorable overalls, with fall colored turtleneck?

or the long sleeved white shirt with coordinating pants? Isn't that top the cutest? I was thinking a few days before Mia got this for her that I had never seen a little girl shirt with a doll on it, which would make sense since boy shirts have trucks on them...

another shirt that goes with the pants (Can you tell that she was loosing her enthusiasm?)

and the final outfit- because Sophia had had enough and was ready to nap again...

So- what do you think? Which outfit is the cutest and therefore wins the award for family pictures in a beautiful fall Pennsylvania setting??

Steeler's fan pictures

Sophia recieved two Steeler onesies in the mail from our provider of Steeler gear, Erik's Aunt Chari and Uncle Jeff. How could I not at least attempt to take a picture??

Attempt one turned out ok...

Attempt 2:

attempt 2, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

Sophia seems to look like she's slipping a bit... lets try another pose...

attempt 3, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

ok, I think they were in kahoots on that one- how else would you get two smiles, but both so silly and mischevious looking?

all right... enough sillyness guys, lets try again...

attempt 4, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

Woah- somebody is a little too happy in this picture... and I think I'd be a little shocked if someone's belly were bumping into the soft spot on my head....

attempt 5, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

this one is decent... but it's best to be fully clothed in a picture taken BECAUSE of your clothes...

attempt 6, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

and then we lost one- and Sophia wasn't going to smile by then... so I gave up too... oh well. The Steeler onesie is still a little big on her, so we should still have plenty of time to try again...

on the way home from WV last week...

sleeping in the car, originally uploaded by SIMPLY.MADE.

It wasn't 10 minutes before Matthew looked like this.
The book was going to be saved for a Christmas present from Mia and Bebop- but Matthew spotted it and was very excited. He fell asleep reading it, and then later when he woke up, looked at it the rest of the way home (30 minutes to an hour).