{Spring Fever}

Wendel and I have been up to our elbows in spring cleaning so when we had the opportunity to meet our family for some Mexican...I was thrilled to pieces! 

I threw on this new dress and we walked out the door...

Simple, easy outfits...my favorite! 

Dress: Target {recent} Shoes: Madden Girl via DSW {recent} Bag: Fake Tory Burch :) Necklace: J Crew Factory {old} Jean Jacket: Loft {old} Sunnies: Nordstom Rack {old}

Oh a side note...my legs need some serious sun...so ready to get our pool ready for some fun in the sun!

Have a fabulous weekend! 

{Railing...}

One of the things that I hate the most about our house is our entrance railing...

Not so pretty right? 

Way too curly and ornate for our taste...

And this little thing collects so much dust...it's crazy frustrating! 

So we're doing some research on how to fix this puppy right up! 

So what kinds of things do we have dreamed up? 

Pretty much...this! 

I'm obsessed with this entire redo...you have to go and check out the before and afters! 

So we are going to be working on the following: 

1. Taking down the current railing

2. Doing a victory happy dance because said horrid railing is no more

3. Build a chunky newel post for the bottom of the railing

4. Install simple white painted wood posts with dark stained wood railing

5. Perhaps install a curved step to create a more cohesive look from the two stair cases. 

It's number five that we are doing lots of research on. The tutorial above has the plans for the newel posts {so that's just following directions} but the curved-ness just may not happen :) 

Why do I like the idea of the curved step? Because our house is a bi-level, sometimes out upper and lower levels feel chopped off and very separate. I feel like the curved step would create a more cohesive and open feeling. 

Anyone have any experience with building a railing? Any help/tutorials you've seen would be greatly appreciated! 

{Easter Easter Easter}

As you all know...Mrs. Wendel loves her a holiday! 

Probably a little too much...but Wendel is cute and participates with a smile on his face! 

To get the weekend started, Wendel had Good Friday off, so we headed to the outlets for a little bit of shopping therapy!

I gave up shopping {for myself} for Lint so I was thrilled to go to J. Crew Outlet and get a few pieces! I didn't go crazy {everything was 50% off...good timing right?} but it was so exciting to freshen up the wardrobe a bit! 

Saturday morning was greeted with a huge Easter egg hunt in our town...I mean ya'll it's crazy! So many people! Parent's strategizing with their kids, and bowling kids over so their kids get as many eggs as possible. I'm not kidding...adults were on the ground at one point. It's hilarious and always a sight to see! 

Anyhoo...

Can this little one be any cuter? And ya'll...the personality in this child...she's hilarious!

We were in charge of the two older kids and this was our "I hope we don't loose anyone" photo. 

This is Elizabeth...she has an "interesting" fashion sense...

And here they are...so excited! 

And I think this was the moment when we lost Charlie...don't worry...we found him! 

And then we got to snap a photo once we found everyone... 

Then it was time to open up the goods! The littles were in a different area for their Easter egg hunt! 

After the Easter egg hunt, we came home to dye Easter eggs and cook some yummy goodies for Easter Sunday! 

After that we went to the Saturday Easter service with Wendel's parents and then for dinner! No picture snapped but of course a fun time was had by all! 

When we got home, we stuffed Easter eggs and read one of my favorite Easter books. Then we did a little Easter themed mad libs that I got for free when I ordered books from Scholastic for my classroom. Ya'll it was hilarious! 

Saturday morning started started a bit rough...{my pantyhose ripped...tears happened...so we took an early morning trip to Walgreens}...but then we got back on track! 

The Easter bunny made a little visit at our house! I got some gift cards to Loft and DSW {Mr. Bunny knows me well} and Wendel got a new shirt, a movie, and some candy! 

Then we did a little Easter egg hunt and searched for our annual "sweet message eggs"

Every year, we take a moment to write a sweet note and hide it in an Easter egg. 

It's a little thing, but it's sweet and always makes me smile! 

Ya'll...my husband is so strange...but he's a keeper! 

We snapped a few pictures before heading to my sister's for brunch...

Then we actually got a real picture on Easter which we never get! Shocking! 

And all of the littles! My mom and oldest niece are in San Fran visiting my brother, and it was so strange not having those two celebrating with us. But it was still so fun! 

After my sister's, we headed to Alex's parent's for lunch with his family. Of course I didn't snap any pictures but you can just count that it was fun! 

Do you and your family have any fun traditions? I'd love to hear about them if you have any fun ideas...I love me a fun tradition! 

{Wendel's Birth Week}

Wendel's birthweek was busy and so much fun! 

I went with a "5 year old boy" theme, so we did all things dorky and fun! 

We started out a week early with dinner with his parents! They were going to be on vacation for his actual birthday so they took us out for a special dinner! 

It was Saint Patty's weekend so I decked myself out in a green necklace and ring {and the spring was an added bonus!}

We went to Palamino downtown...we went there for a little Christmas dinner during our advent fun! 

Sorry it was so dark..but at least I snapped a quick picture! 

My sweet, precious in-laws!

They were playing Irish music on Fountain Square but we didn't stay long...it was freezing! 

Then on Monday we started birth week fun. Monday was filled with ninja fighting. 

Yes...real ninjas came and invaded our basement and we needed to take them out! 

You can't see them but they had masks on them to keep them extra sneaky. 

Don't worry though, we took them down really quick with our nerf guns! 

So then Wednesday we had a little obstacle course in the hallway...

The kids were over so they participated and it was quite the hit. 

Ya'll...so easy to make and such a blast! 

On Wendel's actual birthday {Friday the 22nd} I told him I would meet him for lunch...

Ya'll...he picked Frisch's...seriously? Hilarious! But we enjoyed the salad bar together! 

Then the real fun started! 

When Wendel came home there was quite the intense little situation. 

I had tied all of his presents to a piece of yarn and wrapped them all around the house. He would have to follow the string to find his presents...

We've decided THIS is the way to do presents! A new tradition has been started!  

Hard to see but it was quite a yarn mess! 

Wendel followed the string and found four fun presents! 

Then I prepared a little bourbon flight for him! I went and bought five little bottles of bourbons and then    I mapped out which was which. 

It was crazy...his favorite was still Woodford! He quite the bourbon pallet :) 

I mean come on...how cute are these little bottles? 

Then...my simple man wanted pizza and wings and a movie night.

Simple man I tell you...

We wrapped up birth week with family dinner! 

It was beyond perfect! 

So yeah...that was birth week for Wendel! 

What were ya'll up to this past weekend?? 

{Sorry For Slacking...}

Hey guys...so sorry I've been a blogger slacker lately! 

Last week was Wendel's birthday so we were busy with birth week fun! I'll be back tomorrow with a full post on the excitement! 

I also have a few projects we've been working on...and actually haven't even finished my Easter decorating {I'm not joking about my slacking!} 

So to make myself feel better :) Here are a few Instagram photos I haven't shared! 

We are beyond blessed to have these two in our lives to show us how to "do" marriage! We look up to them so much and love that they will go on date nights with us! 

Wendel and I did date night last weekend and it was just what the doctor ordered! We tried out a new restaurant {to us} Virgil's, and went to see a movie! Love these nights with him! 

Yup...rainbow pancakes on Saint Patty's day! 

We had a little day date with our two five year olds last week! We had a blast...they keep life fun and exciting! 

This week we are doing a beans and rive challenge, eating what most of the world eats all the time and then donating the difference to some local charities. So far so good, but we'll see in a few more meals! 

Okay guys...I'll be back tomorrow with some Wendel Birth Week fun! 

{Spring Clothes Cravings}

For lint this year {and last year} I gave up buying clothes/shoes/accessories. 

Ya'll it's so hard! 

It feels harder this year for some reason, but I cannot wait to go and pick up a few things I've been eyeing. 

The whole point of this is to save some money {or catch up a bit from Christmas} and give a little more to church...but really it just helps me realize how much I spend by picking up things here and there! 

Anyhoo...here are a few things that I've been eyeing!

1. Boyfriend Jeans : Loft

Totally obsessed with these jeans! They would be perfect to dress up and dress down! 

2. Pointy Toe Flats: J. Crew Factory 

These flats are absolutely classic and amazing! I've been dying over these for a while and with my teacher discount, they will be a little more affordable! 

3. Missimo V-Neck: Target

Under $10 and so soft! These are a staple in my spring/summer wardrobe, but I end up getting fresh ones every season because I wear them so often! They make great rags/painting clothes after :) 

4. Brown Casual Sandals: DSW

I saw these in the store and fell in love! They're a great price too! 

5. J. Crew Factory Gigham Button Up: J. Crew Factory

I love these shirts because they are thin and perfect for layering! I wear these all year long, but these feel extra seasonal in the spring! 

6. Tory Burch Flip Flops

I always end up buying cheap flip flops and they break before the end of the summer. This year I would love to invest in a good pair that will actually last a few summers! And let's just be honest...Tory's are too pretty :) 

7. Eyelet Tee: J. Crew Factory

Is there anything for summery than eyelet? This looks so fresh and comfy! 

8. Cute Walking Shoes: DSW and DSW

Wendel and I get to go to Ireland with Wendel's family, and I'm looking for a cute pair of shoes to walk in a lot. So these are the two I'm drooling over currently! 

What things are you dying to add to our spring wardrobe? I'd love tips on some new things!