Apple of My Eye

Apple picking is one of our favorite fall traditions and we couldn't wait to show Greta around Wilklow Orchards! We headed upstate a bit earlier than usual this year, which resulted in less crowded picking conditions. It also turned out to be our hottest day apple picking yet, with temperatures in the mid-eighties! We made the most of it and came home with a big bag of apples and a few yummy baked goods from Wilklow's country store.

Coincidentally, we ran into my friend Allison and her family as soon as we arrived at the orchard. We also saw some of my old students from New York City, who traveled with a group from another school in the neighborhood that I teach in. Pretty crazy! It made the visit even more memorable. Now, fingers crossed our fall weather arrives soon in NYC. It has been in the eighties and nineties for almost a week and we are ready for some cooler temperatures!

See our past apple picking adventures here. This was our sixth year picking apples together upstate as a family!

Long Island City

A few weeks ago Brian and I took Greta to Long Island City for the first time. Before walking along the waterfront park we stopped in LIC Flea & Food for lunch. We started with an empanada from Empanada Papa and a BBQ sandwich from Miss Holly's Smokehouse. The BBQ was so delicious we went back immediately to Miss Holly's for a second! It was really nice enjoying the summer day as a family of three.

Showering Sweet Baby

I headed home to Minnesota at 30 weeks pregnant to celebrate our sweet baby girl with my closest friends and family. My mom threw me the most beautiful baby shower and I am so grateful for all of the memories created that afternoon!

As guests arrived they sipped pink lemonade and champagne as they wrote on Project Life cards for baby girl's baby book. I received amazing pieces of advice and encouragement, along with some messages for baby, too. I also got to meet my nephew, Leo, who I couldn't get enough cuddles with!

After we settled in we played a few quick games before eating lunch. The Price is Right game was a big hit; it also was so nice to go home with all of the supplies my mom included in the basket! Guests also guessed my belly size. Almost everyone thought I was way bigger than I actually was! My friend Coley was only a few centimeters off and went home with the prize.

My mom prepared an amazing lunch, including my favorite chicken salad, a veggie pizza, and cucumber sandwiches. For dessert we had frosted sugar cookies, Rice Krispie bars, and cake. Everything was so delicious!

After lunch I opened gifts while everyone ate dessert. I received so many beautiful things for baby, including the handmade blanket photographed below from my aunt. I will be bringing it to the hospital to keep our baby girl warm and cozy.

We snapped a ton of photos before everyone headed home, including the gem below with my dancer girls. After 12 years of dance photos it is a guarantee that poses will be struck every time we are together.

The ladies departed with Brian's homemade granola as a thank you for attending. I cannot express how grateful I am for all of the love and support I received at my shower- baby and I felt so special! 

Our Minnesota Wedding Reception {family love}

Our Minnesota wedding celebration was all about family. I am one of eight children and Brian is one of nine, so we knew the majority of our guest list would be our relatives! Our celebration was held in my hometown at a golf club less than two minutes from my parents' house. Many of Brian's relatives live in the Northeast and could not make to Minnesota, but all of my siblings and immediate family were there! We took photos together before our festivities began at 11 am. I will cherish these images forever!