august in pictures

This month we had very little on the calendar. We spent most of our time working and relaxing, so there weren't a lot of Kodak moments. But, we had a good month and are ready for our September adventures!

We finally got a new roof put on and we're working on painting and updating the rest of the exterior. 

We got to put up our tent at the Edwardsville DARE car show. We had a great time and good turn out.

Last weekend we went to our friend's wedding and it was so good to spend time with all of our friends that we don't get to see often, especially Megan!

 Greg was a groomsman in the wedding, so it was great to get to see him. 

The happy couple!

August was a great month and now on to September.

weekend recap

We had such a nice, relaxing weekend in Salem this weekend. Our friends, Beth Ann and Mark got married Saturday and that was why we were in town and relaxing was just the cherry on top. 

The wedding was lovely and the reception was a lot of fun. We got to see and catch up with friends that we don't get to see often enough. I'm so glad we were able to share in their special day. 

Today we went to church with my parents and then had Sunday brunch with my family. I managed to sneak in a nap and Alex watched the Cardinals game, so all in all it was the perfect Sunday. Hopefully our week will be as relaxing as our weekend! 

happy friday

Life lately has been a bit hectic, but in the most welcome ways. We are enjoying what is left of summer and spending time with friends and family. We don't have any trips planned until mid-September, so for now we're going to enjoy life in the metro-east.

In other news, we finally put a new roof on our house, so that task is complete and now on to some more exciting chores, like painting our shutters and doors! I will post some before and after pictures as soon as everything is complete.

This weekend will be a busy one. Tonight we are going to play capture the flag with our high school students in the park and tomorrow is the Edwardsville Criterium. It is a high speed bicycle race and it's a lot of fun. We always look forward to it. We'll end the weekend at the Edwardsville DARE car show on Sunday, where we will have an AW Insurance tent. We will be giving away some goodies and we would love it if you stopped by!  I hope you have a busy, good weekend too! Here are a few links for your weekend reading...enjoy!


This earring trick is a little mind blowing

Take this personality quiz
 

I'm more of a Wheel of Fortune kind of gal, but I've always wondered what it would be like to be on Jeopardy

I don't think I can get behind all of these trends, but they're not all bad

This little girl is quite the hero

How cute is this little pup?!

What happens to your body after drinking a Coke

Have a great weekend!

july in pictures

July was the month of family vacations, we got to spend a lot of great time with both of our families! Other than that we worked, tried to relax and enjoy the summertime. Enjoy some of our July snapshots...

happy wedding day Megan and Eli

it's always so fun to catch up with these girls

this girl has been my favorite since the beginning

Michigan City with my Papa Bear

waiting for fireworks

some sparkler fun

cruising on the golfcart

it started as an innocent cuddle and then turned into a pileup

moose was trying to play hide and seek

my florida road trip outfit

playing in the pool

florida family vacation

Last Saturday we drove to Florida to spend the week on the beach with Alex's family. His grandparents rented an amazing house that comfortably slept all 31 of us, had a pool and it's own sand volleyball court. It was less than a block to the beach and within walking distance to some great eateries. It was a wonderful trip and I'm so glad we got to go. One sign of a good trip: no time to take pictures...hopefully someone else has more documentation of our trip!

playing in the pool

waiting for dinner with two sweet little ladies

Our drive south took us through Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama. So, I'm counting this as our trip to Kentucky for my twenty five by twenty six list...We stopped for lunch in Paducah, so that's good enough.

four years of wedding bliss

Today is our fourth wedding anniversary and it feels like just yesterday that we were walking down the aisle! I am so lucky to have Alex. He is the best, most patient, kind, generous, loving man on earth. I could keep going with the adjectives but I think you've got the picture.

I am so thankful for our adventures, big and small. I could never have imagined how fantastic married life would be. God has blessed us so much and I am so thankful that He brought Alex and I together. I cannot wait to see what the future holds and what our next big adventure will be.

Happy 4th anniversary Alex, I love you!

...........................................

check out our 2nd and 3rd anniversaries

happy friday

We have some mighty big plans for this weekend! These plans include, but are not limited to: pony rides, spending time with both of our families, a 13 hour road trip, sunscreen, the beach and hopefully a lot of delicious food.

Today we are headed to my parent's house. My cousin, Phillip and his family are in town from Oregon, so as many of the cousins that can will be getting together to hangout and watch the kids ride the pony and jump in a bounce house. I'm assuming there will be amazing food too...hint hint mom/Linda/Patty! ;)

Then bright and early Saturday morning, Alex and I will be heading south to spend some time with his family on the beach! I am looking forward to being a lazy beach bum and spending time with his family. This will be our last summer vacation, so I hope to savor it while it lasts.

I hope you have a great weekend! Here are a few links from around the web...enjoy!!


Edwardsville is in the top 10 places to live in Illinois!

I cannot wait for the Bachelorette finale on Monday night...team Shawn also these recaps are great (she's a little behind this season)

I think these tips apply to TJ Maxx and Marshalls too

License and registration, please.

Emoji's that you have been using incorrectly

Learning to play the ukulele is on my to do list

 

Have a great weekend!

happy friday

We have finally caught up from last week's vacation and it took me until yesterday to find my desk through all the paperwork, mail, notes, etc. Becky did a thorough recap of our week in Michigan City. That place holds some very happy memories and I love that we continue to go back to make more.

Tonight we are planning to go to Art Hill to see Jaws (my first time) and eat food truck fare. I'm pretty excited about it, so you are more than welcome to join us. The rest weekend we're looking forward to doing a few house projects and taking it easy.

This week I only found a few links to share with you, so click away my friends and enjoy!

Star Wars in the words of a three year old

This makes me feel justified...and maybe stinky

If only I could do this all day long...

This is the perfect definition of Midwesterner's...especially the ranch

This easy deodorant trick is so clever, I wish I had thought of it

Have a great weekend!

the sushi experiement

One of the things on my list of 25 things to do before I turn 26 was to eat sushi. I'd been putting it off for as long as I could because it was on the list more for Alex than for me. But, I finally agreed to give it a try.

We went to Wasabi with a group of friends who delights in uncooked fish so they could guide us. We ordered a few different types and Alex eagerly tried them and enjoyed them. I, on the other hand, could barely swallow my first bite (I have a texture thing...mushy foods are the worst ie: pudding, jello, whipped mashed potatoes etc.).  But I gave it the good ole college try and can now (and forever) mark sushi off my list.

Is it normal that everyone's comes out together on a boat?

Either way, the presentation was nice

happy friday

This week was a great week! We were fortunate enough to be able to spend the whole week with my family on Lake Michigan. The weather was a bit rainier and cooler than we would have expected for the first week of July, but we still managed to have a great time. 

I will post pictures from the week when we get unpacked and settled. I was too busy having fun to round up any links to share, so you're on your own this weekend. 

happy friday

This week was a short work week and all in all it wasn't too bad. I tried sushi for the first time-not my favorite food and by that I mean I will never eat it again, unless forced to or if my palate changes. Never say never right?

We hung out with our high school students on Tuesday and they are definitely in summer mode, which is fun but it also makes me miss the carefree days of summer break. We also had some friends over for a game night Wednesday night.

Now, I'm in packing and cleaning mode as we get ready to spend some time with my family on Lake Michigan. I'm looking forward to laying by the beach (hopefully it will be warm enough), reading, shopping, sleeping in and playing with some of my favorite kids and their parents.

I found some links to share with you this week,so enjoy!

I can relate to these Pinterest fails

The updated Siri is sassy now

Since the SCOTUS marriage decision, there has been a lot of social media uproar and I really liked this article

Harry Potter fans: there has been a new mind -lowing revelation 

I have checked out a couple new books from the library to read on our vacation and this one and this audiobook to listen to on the drive

I wish I were a) this creative and b) had this much time on my hands

I don't know if you heard, but this is the "best job in America"...yes that was a corny pun

Have a great 4th of July weekend!

june in pictures

June was a great, low key month. We didn't go on any big adventures or leave our corner of the world. We spent some time with family and just enjoyed the slower pace of summer. Enjoy our June snapshots...

 We celebrated National Donut Day

We started playing tennis again and it's been a lot of fun!

Moose was tired of all the rain

Jansen has mastered the art of the selfie

Happy Father's Day Dad and Eric!

I went bowling with 4 of my favorite kids (5 including Atley-but she didn't bowl)

Ethan is a little ham, right after my own heart

Still hamming it up

Playing at the park with Eli and Jansen

We got a new/old dresser and I'm still debating the mirror. Thoughts?

Now on to see what July will bring!

happy friday

This week flew by and this weekend is our last weekend with no plans or obligations for a while. We've got a couple house projects to tackle and I've got a book to read. Needless to say, it will be a wild weekend at the Williams' household.

July looks like it will be a busy month and I'm excited for all that it will bring: two family vacations, a wedding, our anniversary, birthdays, BBQ's, Friday night movies on Art Hill and hopefully a lot of summer fun!

This week I happened upon some good links I wanted to share, so enjoy (especially the second one)!

1. I can't see Alan Rickman without seeing Professor Snape and now I don't have to

2. I love Amy Poehler

3. Now I feel like I should write a letter to my future self.

4. Ikea is one of the best stores on earth, next to Target and Nordstrom, but now their secret is out

5. The July list of what's new to Netflix is out and I'm ready for the newest season of White Collar 

6. We, as a culture, waste too much food

Have a great weekend!

happy friday

In case you aren't local, all it has done here is rain...for a week straight. Our yard resembles a jungle since it hasn't stopped raining long enough to mow.  Other than work and dodging raindrops, we have been enjoying not having a lot of out of town obligations. We're looking forward to celebrating our dads this weekend and on Saturday we have a full day of house projects to look forward to...yippee!! 

This week I found a few links to share, enjoy!

I having been binge watching Parks and Rec, so now I find Aziz Ansari even more hilarious 

I hate being over or under dressed, but this is on a whole new level

I have been trying to institute this in our office. It's not taking hold...yet

This video makes wearing false eyelashes look entertaining

We are planning a road trip to visit my brother in California and I think we might get our kicks on Route 66

This Sunday is Father's Day, don't forget to call or hug your special guy!

Have a great weekend!!

happy friday

On Monday morning I asked Alex if it was Wednesday, from then on I was turned around on what day of the week it was. But finally today is Friday! We are going to Food Truck Friday tonight in Tower Grove Park (weather depending) and tomorrow we are celebrating Alaina's birthday! It looks like another low key weekend to just enjoy life and the slower pace of summer.

This week I have rounded up a few  links for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Just wash your hands...it's a gross world out there

Can you solve this as fast as a 6 year old?

To eat like an Olympian should be an Olympic sport in and of itself. 

It's been said that most of Taylor Swift's songs sound the same, but at least they sound good together

French Fries are (allegedly) very bad for you but yet so tasty

These dogs are over "it"...whatever it may be

These shoes have been on my wish list all spring

Have a great weekend!

do you have this condition??

Yesterday we were sitting in a meeting and I looked at Alex and he was looking pretty salty, so I called him on it. There is only one term for his salty expression and it started a long conversation about "resting b**** face".  Apparently it's a problem for a lot of people and may affect you or a loved one.

If you're not sure you have this condition, this article gives a very thorough description. I also recommend this article or this article to help you determine if you're unknowingly suffering. Even Hollywood A-lister's suffer, so you're not alone.

happy friday

This week we got back into the routine of life. We caught up on house work and work work, we got to spend time with friends and cooked in our own kitchen and we even got to sleep in our own bed. It was a good week and I'm looking forward to a restful weekend. The only excitement on our schedule is: today is National Doughnut Day!!  To celebrate this fantastic "holiday" I will be eating far too many doughnuts and you better believe there will be sprinkles involved.

This week I found a few links that I wanted to share with you, so enjoy!

We have only had one cactus survive since we've been married, but maybe there's hope for my not so green thumbs

There is finally a diagram to make life easier for those of us who can never remember how much to tip

Since summer is here, there will be more last minute get together's so, this list of quick desserts is just in the nick of time

As a dental professional, these are true statements and for the record we know you don't floss

Decoding the Patriot Act for those of us who are a little foggy on the details

The June issue of Rue magazine is now available on your digital newsstand

Happy Weekend!

it's june already?!?

May flew by so quickly that I keep asking myself how it can be June already?! It feels like just yesterday we were packing to go to Oregon. In May, we were gone five weekends in a row- Oregon, Little Rock, Salem, Memphis and Little Rock again! Therefore, I have decided that Alex and I will not be leaving our little corner of the world until July.

The furthest we're going is to Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park. We were all over last month and I'm not too keen to repeat it just yet. I love adventure and spontaneity but I'm finding that I enjoy a bit of a routine and consistency too. This month, I'm looking forward to waking up in the same bed all month! It's the little things in life right?  

goodbye's are never easy

This is not an easy post to write, but my Grandpa Bob passed away early Sunday morning. He had a quick battle with cancer and while I'm glad he didn't have to endure the pain for long, that doesn't mean I am ready to say goodbye.

I am forever thankful for everything he taught me and for all the memories I have of him. It's hard to process that he won't be here to help me plan adventures, to chase Moose around, to play dominoes with or to finish a bowl of chocolate ice cream with before bed. There is so much more that I will miss, it hurts. But, he was an extraordinary man and lived a wonderful life. I am so thankful that I was able to call him Grandpa and that God put him in my life.

happy campers

This weekend I had nothing planned and that was the plan, to do a whole lot of nothing. I wanted to  catch up on my reading, finally watch the Bachelorette premier (team Kaitlyn) and do a bit of yard work. However on Friday at about noon, Alex decided that we should go camping. So, after looking for a place to go (apparently everyone goes camping during the Memorial Day weekend) we found a campground that still had a few openings so I made a reservation in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park (a little north of Memphis).

After making the reservation, I ran to Target to buy a tent and get some camping essentials. When I got home I packed as fast as I could and we were out the door. We arrived at the campsite at around 10:30pm and set up our brand new tent in the dark. Surprisingly, it went well and was very easy to set up. Moose was excited and a little confused when he got in the tent. He spent most of the night walking around trying to look out the little windows and trying to place the strange sounds.

On Saturday morning after we woke up, we went for a hike and decided that the mosquitos were a bit too thirsty to keep hiking so we headed into Memphis. We went to checkout Beale Street and of course we had some BBQ. We ate at Charlie Vergos' Rendezvous and it was great. Sadly, we missed the ducks at the Peabody Hotel so we'll have to go back and see them someday. On our way back to the campsite we swung by Graceland to see what it was all about. We didn't take the the tour since Moose wasn't welcome, but we could see what they hype was all about.

Before starting our fire, we drove down to the river to watch the sunset and it was beautiful and peaceful. It was very picturesque. As I've mentioned, the mosquito's were the size of my thumb and veeerrrry thirsty! It made sitting outside a little uncomfortable, but we still roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and chatted around the fire.

On Sunday morning we decided that we would pack up a little sooner than planned and headed home after breakfast. But, we had a great little trip and I'm so glad we decided to go on a camping adventure.