happy happy halloween!

Oh happy day! It's Halloween! And in our county that means trick-or-treat night! On a school night! Which as we all know is going to get a bit nuts so as we did last year, we got the cousins all dolled up in their costumes and Ashley took some awesome photos of them! Without all the layers! We went with a Star Wars theme again this year which they came up with on their own so, thanks kids! The Force runs strong with my family...

a zoo america field trip

This lucky eldest lady of mine had not one but two field trips in the month of October! This past Friday I had the pleasure of chaperoning once more and this time I got to be with Letty's actual class. Which was nice. Because you know me, I like to know all the people she knows. 

a little basement remix - a gym!

As most things do with me and the house, the ideas come to me (or rather the decision comes to me) over the tiniest thing. Like the start of cold weather. Cold weather means space heaters. And well my husband has a thing for space heaters. Every morning before the sun rises Matt and Dom pad down to the basement and lay themselves directly in front of that thing on full blast. All in the wee hours of the morn before the rest of us even wake up... Space. Heater. Best just to accept it at this point. The weirdos. 

hersheypark in the dark! 2018!

Except it wasn't quite dark because well, school night. It was also so so so cold so it was like, winter jackets for all people! We didn't even do costumes! Next time for sure! David grabbed an Iron Man mask and Letty wore her unicorn headband from the party the day before and we deemed it good! My sister was a better mother however and had Lena in her unicorn costume that is just the warmest and cutest thing on the planet. I. Love. Her.

mikayla raaaaae turns four!

This past weekend on a lovely crisp fall day we all got together as a family to celebrate the second of the triplets as she turned four! For any of you new around here my two nieces and Dom were all born within four months of each other, hence the triplets. Mikayla is the middle child in this scenario.... This child. She's tough. She's sassy. She puts up with zero bull. Put her in a ring with Dom and you know she'll be the one walking out unscathed. Which, I love. We ladies need to be tough now don't we? She is just the cutest little Shirley Temple lady with hair of my dreams! I can't believe she is four and watch out world! We all love you so Kayla Rae! 

a laundry room update with lamps expo

You know I'm a girl who loves her lighting. I get it honestly with a father who is a master electrician. Electrician Extraordinaire? Details. Lamps Expo contacted me to see if I would be willing to feature one of their products and after checking out their selection well, I happily accepted. After much much (much) deliberation we decided upon the Yorktown 1 Light Semi Flush in the Oil Rubbed Gilded finish. Originally I wanted it for our little hallway leading from the kitchen to the foyer but to my never-ending shame I did not measure when I ordered. Rookie move there Laur! But never fear! I found the perfect space for it! The most used room in the house actually. The laundry room! Which is actually were we enter the house each and every time we enter. It's our mud room... Our command center... You name it. Craft room? That may be stretching it even though it is where all craft supplies are stored.

the natural progression

I suppose the fact that we are a family that enjoys a nice little family-friendly hike should not at all surprise anyone that we are now a family that enjoys a nice little family-friendly fishing expedition. Well, four out of the five of us do anyways. It's just a natural progression. Maybe. Although Matt did fish as a child so maybe that's allowable? If he comes home one day and tells me he wants to go hunting I'm not sure what I'll do then. But for now if he likes this new (old) little hobby and his Salt Life shirts and tackle box whatever. You do your thang.

disney on ice!

Alternate title: my children are so spoiled and they have no idea just how spoiled.

We don't pay for these tickets, even though I do believe if we did it would be worth every penny. We just love getting to go to these shows! This year they added a few new characters into the mix which was a major hit! Coco and Moana! Two of our recent favorites! They also had a few staples, Belle and Elsa, as well as Toy Story. All three kids loved every second of it which is really a hard commodity to come by. They also had this new I don't even know what to call it, pulley system? Entire groups of characters able to swing and twirl way up high in the air. It was really quite the deal. We stayed for the entire show which probably has never happened in all our years of going to this show with the whole family. 

another apple picking adventure

And one that was pretty much doomed from the start. Over dramatic much there Laur? Why yes, yes I am. 

a diy riser

For the bedroom. Because the pool is closed and projects make Matt's world go round and there you have it. I have a grander image in mind for this bedroom of mine that involves a new storage situation for the foot of the bed but that will have to wait a hot minute. Or two. In the mean time Matt knew he could whip this little riser up for me in no time. I think the whole distressing of the wood situation is most cathartic for him. And I just love having a little place to rest my drink and my book and God only knows what else I'll find for it!

back again! to gettysburg!

I love going to Gettysburg in the fall. We used to go more often, back when the amount of kids didn't out number the parents. And one incredibly brave time I took the three kids solo. But there's just something great about heading out there on a fall day. Wandering around. Seeing the sights. Enjoying the crisp air. Soaking up some history while we are at it! And it's only an hour or so away so really, it should be done more!

the millersville homecoming parade

Let's just go ahead and say the weather people that be lied  this weekend. That's all. Down right lied. It was supposed to be a mostly sunny, albeit colder, weekend. And so with that mindset we planned on heading down to the college town of Millersville for their annual Homecoming Parade. Except it was rainy. One might be surprised here, or one might not, but the rain did not keep us at home no! Onward! Rain be damned!

some construction themed birthday invitations with basic invite

It's never too early to plan a party, if you ask me. In fact I think Dominic's birthday party date has already been chosen for months now and yet it isn't until December. But what with the holidays and school things it is best to be prepared. I mean are you even the slightest bit surprised? It's me we are talking about here. So when Basic Invite contacted me to check out their construction themed birthday invitations I jumped at the chance! What little boy doesn't love construction!? The digger love is real. They were kind enough to send me some samples (custom samples are huge!) so I could really just dig my pointy black fingernails in.

i am farm showed out

The Farm Show is quite the deal around these parts, much to Matt's surprise and never-ending chagrin, but it is just the same. The kids always tend to have off school too which means we make quite a few trips. And field trips. Dom's field trip was up first! And I, of course, chaperone. First of what was supposed to be three. Prepare thyself Laur. 

a birthday beach day for matteo!

Matt didn't want much for his actual birthday. He wanted a sunrise and coffee... toes in the sand... and nothing but the sound of the waves crashing and the kids squealing. I'd say the day delivered. We weren't sure the sunrise would be anything to write home about but here I am writing home about it just the same. We had to wake the kids up of course and basically carried them to the van in their pajamas so they wouldn't miss it. I ran and the kids played and then we headed back to the house to say goodbye to his aunt and uncle who had some work back home to do... The kids stood on their steps and waved goodbye with the most forlorn expressions...

another assateague boat day

These day trips down to Assateague Island while we are visiting with Matt's aunt and uncle are sure becoming a favorite of ours! The nice leisurely boat ride down.... the beach mostly our own.... the potential horse sightings... the grilling right there on the beach...the sun! It's just really nice. And we may have perfected it this time around? Third times a charm? 

we are a bunch of fishermen now

This weekend past we were invited down to the beach with Matt's aunt and uncle for the long holiday weekend slash see also Matt's birthday weekend. We arrived late-ish Friday night after a lot of traffic but that Saturday? Well that is the day I learned my family likes to fish. Me? Not so much. But them?They sure do.

so what's new with you?

If I had to pick a favorite month, besides Christmas time, October is that favorite of months. It really starts to fell like fall, the leaves may even be changing in some places, fall activities are in full swing, my husband was born this month! We got married this month! It's good times, October.

In September I wanted to have a no spend month. Or a low spend month if such a thing exists. Well I made it like three weeks maybe and that was shot when Hobby Lobby opened their doors the last week of the month. But! I definitely did not buy a single item on Prime! Okay other than two birthday gifts. That. Is. Huge. Birthday gifts don't count. I kept adding things to my wishlist that I would normally have just purchased and wonder of wonders don't you know it that I really didn't need all that stuff! But come the first of this month you bet I was back on Prime. And what did I purchase you are all wondering?! Well, I shall keep you in suspense no longer. Another birthday gift. Haha! Okay but also I got this set of wood pot brushes because the one we have is older than I care to admit and yeah. I know I'm about three years late to getting these but fairy lights! I got a set of six because don't you know it I'll be putting them everywhere. And this rug to go under my other outdoor rug because, I'm basic. After a month off I think I showed serious restraint.

October brings the start of all the things. Field trips, book fairs, parent lunches, volunteering in the classroom, Wednesday night church, Girl Scouts, field hockey, you name it. My calendar is looking a bit intense. Anyone have any like super duper perfect way of staying organized as far as kid's calendars go? I have a desk calendar hanging on the fridge that I update but most importantly we use Cozi. Matt and I can both access it from our phones and it always updates. You can color code based on kid too and even set up reminders. We have been using this for like... years. Back when having kids was like oh what do you want to do today baby? Care to sit in a stroller as we take a walk? Ah.. the good ole days.

Letty is starting up with a new tutor here soon. We loved her other tutor, do not get me wrong, and I loved that she actually works in Letty's building but this new one has more specific training so... we are giving it a whirl. Time will tell! 

The middle child. I feel like I could talk in circles around Letty and her world and her activities and Dominic well, we are together all the time so that just means I talk about him more. David though? I mean he is doing awesome in school... Gives us no issues with homework. Makes friends super easily. Doesn't get into trouble. He's just been, easier. He can still go to pieces for no apparent reason and might lose his mind over something like, losing a race on his iPad. But overall he's so good. So don't forget that David! Just because I don't have much to report doesn't mean you aren't awesome and loved! Oh! Speaking of reporting! We have been asking the boys to at least try what Matt makes for him and I for dinner, yes, we are enablers, and the boys have been doing so good! They even tried shrimp!!! If you know David, then you know this is like... MASSIVE. One tiny piece of shrimp at a time!

Dominic is loving school. Mainly the playground and the urinal and his friend Jaxson. Not in that order or anything. And get this! His teacher said I had her worried but he is doing great and she wants to clone him. I mean. Dom? My Dom? Praise hands! Exclamation marks!! And me? I'm doing okay too. I either go bug my mom while he is at school or go bug my Grammy or maybe meet up with friends or something. It goes by so fast. Thank goodness.

I know the holidays are far away but! I signed up to be a part of our home town's Holiday Home Tour and well... Suuuuure I won't need any new decor Matt! I mean, I already do so much! But we know this to be untrue. So. Two more Christmas trees were purchased for my foyer and I am just so excited. I have some other ideas percolating for the kid's playroom just to make it less mess and more Christmas! We need more Christmas!

Sorry. Let's get back to all things fall and ignore that prior paragraph, yes?

Andddddd new to me Instagram accounts! I went a bit nuts following new home decor feeds, so if that's your thing might I suggest: Blessed Ranch. The Curated Farmhouse. Park Crest Lane. White Vintage Lane. Our Home Life. Rustic Wild Arrow. Annnndd just regular awesome feeds I've found not home decor related: Charlie. Sena. Ramona. Daria. Our Way of Wanderlust. Kate. Marzena. Julie. Humphrey and Grace. Wow I went a bit Instagram crazy in September I see! Back to school loneliness means more 'Gramming!

So. What's up with all of you?

Linking up with Kristen ! Thanks for hosting!

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diy rustic ceiling beams

All summer long as a diy project idea came into my head I saved that little idea for later and planned on bringing it out after the pool closed, just to give that husband of mine something to do when he can no longer go out back and whisper sweet nothings to his best friend (which is the pool, to be clear here). The pool may not be closed yet, but the swimming has been far and few between. So he did the first of these saved for after summer projects. Beams! In our living room! 

Annnnnd don't mind Dom's shoes just lined up all nice on the bench there please but. Real life! I prep the kid's clothes for the next day and their shoes go there. Clearly all kids are dressed and only Dom is left home when I took these photos! Gah!

a fall fest on a sunday

I mentioned yesterday that we hit up our local garden center's annual Fall Fest on Sunday. It's free and it's close and the kids get to paint pumpkins! Don't forget the hay maze and the corn kernel table! What's not to love!? 

the weekend of weekends

I went in to this weekend like okay Laur, let's just put our head down and do the damn thing. Because overbooked? You betcha. Running in different directions? Sure thing. Long, long days? Oh girl, uh-huh.

Friday night started off with a friend's bridal shower. Totally doable. I even put on big girl pants. And I cooked. We are talking, big deal here people. Annnnd the bride and I had matching shoes which I'm pretty sure means that I shouldn't be wearing them because I am so not as cool as her but.... there you have it.