Adventures to South Carolina for Christmas- Day 3

So we got to Carolina at about 5:45 am, it was a LONG through the night drive, but we were so excited to arrive to see poppie, and see the beautiful ocean from his balcony. I think poppie was quite surprised too that we drove all through the night!

Colt was up and ready to go by this time, so in a few short hours we went to an awesome breakfast buffet, I guess buffets are pretty big down here. It was SO delicious. My healthy eating has sucked, while I have been on vacation, but that's okay, that's what vacations are for right?

It was pretty cold and super rainy on Sunday, the day we arrived, so we bundled up, and also headed to the boardwalk and went to "Alligator Adventures." There was a few people there, so that was the plus to going there on a rainy, cold day.

I have visited this place before when I was a little younger, because my grandparents used to live out this way, and it was just as awesome, as I remembered it, maybe even more awesome. Colt digs "cockadiles" LOL so that was good. He walked around this place like he was king haha

He is OBSESSED with the show "Team Umizoomi" and when we saw a Kookaburra bird (I think that's what they are called on there, and he does too haha so it worked)

Adventure to South Carolina for Christmas: Day 1 & 2

It was super last minute, and very spur of the moment, but he hadn't seen my Poppie in a little bit, so we decided that it is time, and since Jay has some time off of work, then why not now? and why not for Christmas?

So in the midst of unpacking and repacking all of our things for a new move, we packed a few small things, Colts Christmas gifts, and other essentials, and hit the road!!

The first day happened to be on a Friday, and on Colts bday. We left early afternoon, after we had a bite to eat, and after we donated a whole bunch of clothes to someone who had apparently had a house fire.

We were just going to drive to Cincinnati, since I had a tattoo appointment on Saturday.

We stopped at the Marriott and it had a BWW's close by so we celebrated Colts bday there again.

When we woke up in the morning we got some breakfast, in an AWESOME breakfast "bar." Things were actually cooked to order, unlike a buffet style, morning breakfast that I've seen before. It was cute. Colt enjoyed some cereal, and Jay some french toast.

This is where it gets exciting and fun!! We went to an AWESOME aquarium in Cincinnati!! There was so many cool things! Huge Christmas trees, music, even a scuba santa!! This really got me into the Christmas spirit, and now I understand why people like the city for the holidays! How fun!

The fish swam all around us. Colt absolutely LOVED this

 

Colt practiced touching animals with only two fingers and VERY gently. He got to touch a tortoise, horseshoe crab, and some stingrays! 

and then we saw something AWESOME. I couldn't get too good of a picture because he was swimming so fast, but SANTA was scuba diving with an elf! It was incredible. 

And Colt was able to touch more animals, like these nurse sharks!! 

and then there's this...it's terrifying lol

So after we were all done with the aquarium, we were walking to the car, and the little mall area, where the aquarium was, there were people in stilts, music, which colt played and SO much more Christmassy things!! 

Colt making music, and singing was the best part. It melted my heart!! 

Here's a sweet little video! 

If you are in the Cincinnati area, this aquarium is a MUST see!! It's pretty awesome, and super hands on. I was surprised, because it seems smaller than most of the Ripleys and other aquariums you see, but it really is great!! 

Christmas Adventures 2014

I haven't blogged in quite some time, mostly because all of our adventures, and some new opportunities, and new HUGE adventures coming up (will tell soon) are keeping us pretty busy.

I figured what better time to catch up on some blogging than right around Christmas time. This is an awesome place where I can come back to and see all of our adventures and anything else I may put in here.

It keeps things organized for me.

So this year we decided to start a Christmas tradition, we are going to plant a pine tree in our yard every year around Christmas, instead of cutting one down and putting it in our home for a few days. I am so excited about this!! Pine trees can grow up to 3 feet a year, so they will grow huge in the next few years and I can't wait to watch them grow with my family.

We started off at American Tree in Almont, MI. It's such an awesome place. People are also very friendly there, AND they had santa!

Colt was more excited about his candy cane here!! 

 but eventually he told santa that he wanted a "Blue dino" and a "doll house" They had a cute Melissa and Doug house there that came with multiple different keys to open it with, so he wanted that! 

They also had a horse that Colt got to ride, a couple crafts that he did. He made is first ornament here! So so sweet. And an awesome camp fire with a man who played the guitar to Christmas tunes. Colts favorite Christmas tune is "Jingy Bells" and he sung the whole thing in front of the crowd well the man played his guitar. It was hilarious. 

He also requested "Charlie Brown," as he is obsessed with this song as well. 

This is the place we got our "potted tree from." We loaded it in the back of the truck, after we picked the most "perfect" one, and headed home to plant it. 

Colts favorite part was digging the huge hole for the tree. 

After they dug the hole, naturally they put the tree in and filled it back up. Colt also got to play with lots of earth worms! 

And wah lah! A new family tradition, and an adorable tree (and a serious husband hahaha) 

In the next few days, Colt and I plan on making some ornaments and garland for the tree that the birds can eat!! 

Colt also got to do his very first gingerbread house!! He was more excited about the candy then actually making the gingerbread house, and even though I put it way up high, he attempts to climb up there daily. 

He got into it a little bit.....

and now we have a finished (and half eaten "Toodles the elf") gingerbread house! 

Speaking of Toodles the elf (on the shelf). I am such a bad mom. Toodles is most likely suffocating in a moving box at the moment. :/ 

Fourth of July Festivities

Well this is embarrassing to even admit this lol I am sure you want to know what landed me in the ER. So read on to find out :) It was overall a wonderful day. It started off pretty slow and relaxing, we did some stuff around the house and then decided to go to what I thought was a fair. It was actually "North branch days." North Branch is a small town near our home. Well turns out there was no fair at all, but there were llamas, llamas that you could ride. Well not me, but Colton :)

 

He just thought he was a professional llama handler. All serious and giggles. In fact, he didn't want Jason to hold on to him, which never happens. He usually wants to be held by Jay ALL the time. I say we all convince Jay to let us get Llamas!! 

Colt even got his first "tattoo"

We of course found some games, and colt was too excited when he got the ring around the bottles.

We found out that there was going to be a bump and run, which we were so so excited to show Colt, because this kind of stuff is all him. He was so excited to see all of the cars roll in. 

We got all settled in the stands, and realized that it didn't start for about 2 hours. Try occupying a toddler in stands for 2 hours. Two Words. Not. Easy. 

As we sat waiting, we saw an awesome Police officer that Colt insisted on getting a picture with. 

Can we talk about how sweet his little hand is around the polices neck? Oh my heart melts. So anyways...we waited a really friggen long time for this to start. We were so so excited. They started singing the Star Spangled Banner, Colts attention was finally on the race about to begin. Well....that was the exact moment something flew into my eye, I had no idea what or how but it was the most annoying thing ever. I tried my hardest to get it out, with no avail. Jay couldn't even see what was in my eye, so I walked to the truck. Looked in the mirror, could not see anything. Many people passed the truck and asked if I was okay, because it clearly looked like I was crying. It was super painful now, I waited about an hour and then Jay and Colt walked to the truck. At this point, I had put a bottle of water in my eye, googled and tried every single thing possible to try and get this thing out, nothing. Went to get eyedrops...didn't move. It was going on 2 hours, and I was just getting more and more annoyed. Since it was 4th of July, not much was opened, so Jay thought it would be good to go to the ER. I was seriously so embarrassed to go there with such a stupid problem. They were absolutely wonderful though, and the Doctor got it out, it had been stuck to the inside of my eyelid. I am so so glad I went. It was instant relief, and probably a $6000 visit, but the relief was worth it lol We got out just in time to get ready for fireworks in Lapeer. 

Colt had not taken a nap, so he was in a terrible mood, basically throughout the whole entire firework show. It was great to see my sister in law, brother in law and the family and the Fullers. We have some great people in our lives. So, even with a probably uneccessary ER visit, it was a wonderful 4th of July. We of course didn't forget what the day is for and the amazing country we live in, and all of the amazing women and men who have fought and fight for all of our freedoms, so we can enjoy beautiful days like this. Every day thankful. 

Auction adventure

I LOVE auctions. I feel like I should be on one of those auction shows. You can find some AMAZING deals at an auction. Sometimes you don't know you even want something until it goes for like a dollar, and then you need 6. The rush I get from raising my hand and saying yuuuupppp is enough even if I don't win. I do have to admit that I get super competitive though. Do it though. Go to an auction. Even if you don't bid of want to buy anything. They're a blast. It's a great experience. 

And if you do decide to buy something, it's even more exciting, especially when you get something you've wanted for a super great price.  So our goods...the stuff that got me super excited for today's auction...

We got a Lionel train set for colt, that was brand new, in the unopened box, for a Xmas, we got it for $50. It retails for over $300!! 

We also got an acuostic guitar for $25...brand new. I've wanted to learn to play for a while now. This makes me so so happy! 

Jay had to get a remote controlled boat for our pond lol he just had to have it. 

Which is fine because what we got next is probably the best deal we will ever get and I almost peed myself in excitement over it. I've wanted a paddleboard for the LONGEST time. I've dreamt of myself pulling over to the numerous lakes around us with colt and just paddling my little heart out, while he rides. Water is one of our favorite things. Well when we got to the auction EVERYONE crowded around it and thought it was a sailboat or something and that it didn't have the sail, so it wasn't really worth it. Ignorance is bliss here lol jay and I were convinced it would go for at least 800 and we weren't going to spend that much on it...I wasn't even going to spend 200 on one. So I said to jay, 100 is the top for that. He laughed and said "it probably won't even start at 100." After a very long and hot auction, it was one of the very last things to get auctioned off, it was game time! The bid started at ONLY $15...some other guy and jay were going back and forth with each other bidding. Jay turned on his mean mugging face, and kept outbidding him...until it got to $100...I thought to myself "oh darn...but that was still fun." To my surprise, the auctioneer said "SOLD to number 19" that was us!!!!! so we got a $1500 paddle board for $100. 

Can you believe that?! 

Brand new. In bubble wrap. 

Have you ever been to an auction? If so what were some of your good finds?

Homemade powder laundry soap

Lots of my friends have inquired how I make my laundry soap...it's super easy and AMAZING for people who have sensitive skin. 

In fact, my husband (Jay) didn't want to try it at all because his skin is so sensitive and didn't want to try anything except dreft, what the doctor recommended for excema, at the time I was cloth diapering Colt (our son) and any detergent was a huge no no on cloth diapers. I used Charlie's soap, which really was amazing too but it started adding up, so I ventured into making my own. I found a recipe that I loved, that's easy, and have been using since. And oh...whole point of me starting this story...my skeptical about everything husband even loves it and has shared it with the guys that he works with. (Back story about that lol..I noticed my soap was going REAL fast...I thought it was so odd...maybe it was disintegrating...so when I told him that it was the weirdest thing that the soap was just disappearing so fast...god knows I don't do laundry THAT often...he fessed up and told me he took some to work for Denny, a guy at work to try...who also got hooked...but gave him the recipe because grating soap is hard work for me). 

Now to the goods...what you'll need

borax (you can find this in the laundry aisle) 

Washing soda (laundry aisle too..sometimes right by the borax)

Bars of soap...I generally go for all natural ones with lavender or tea tree in them..you can use fels naphtha, ivory, castille, etc.

A container with a top...I use a glass one I got at meijer

A little scoop...you have one laying around I'm sure

A Grater (I use the big mama jama of graters) 

You mix 1 cup of borax, 1 bar of finely grated soap, 1 cup of washing soda. I put a little bit of coconut oil in the mix and some essential oils, maybe tea tree or lavendar. I also do more than one batch at a time because I hate grating soap..so obviously you'd double everything. 

This isn't a detergent, so I put a little bit of white vinegar for disinfecting powers. White vinegar is awesome to have around anyways...if you're a serial 1 load washer (you know...when you wash the same load 67 times in a row), like I am, 

white vinegar takes the musty smell out. 

healthy pizza recipe! 21df approved

Yes, you read the title correctly...it says HEALTHY pizza. And for all of my 21 day fixers...it's 21df APPROVED! ✅ what you'll need:

 1 Green container of Cauliflower 

1 Green container of tomatoes (I love tomatoes, and put a whole container in there, but you can go with 1/2 too) 

1/2 of an egg (1/4 of a red

) 1 blue container of cheese 

 Your 21 day fix all seasoning mix and any other 21df approved seasonings you may like. I would add extra of this, if you don't want it too bland. 

A little bit of honey (weird, but it cut down on the bitterness) Any other 21df approved toppings (I did jalapeños) turkey would be good, or even a spinach and feta one would be great too. 

 First take your cauliflower and either grate it or put it in the blender. I put it in the blender. Blend it up until it's pretty fine, like mush basically.

Microwave it for 2-3 minutes. Let is cool! Important!! I tried to drain it without letting it cool all the way. 2 words.Molton. Lava.  

Preheat oven to 450. 

Mix your all spice, and any other spices you'd like, I wish I would have added more as it was a little bland because I went light on the spices. Put your spice concoction in with your tomatoes, and a tablespoon or two of water. Depending on how thick you want your sauce. Throw it in your blender and blend that sucker up. 

Once blended into a sauce, put over a stove and boil. Add a little bit of that honey here to it. Bring down to a simmer, and make sure you stir it occasionally. 

If your cauliflower is cooled down...put it in some cheesecloth, and squeeze it to death...make sure you do this good...the more you get out...the less of a hard time you'll have flipping your masterpiece of a pizza. 

Once all drained out...add in a half of a mixed egg and mix it very well together with the cauliflower. 

IMPORTANT: oil a cookie sheet up very well! Use coconut oil or a little olive oil. 

Pat into a little circle on the cookie sheet, or a heart, or a bunny, whatever shape your heart desires. 

Put in oven for 10 minutes

Flip over and put back in for 10 mins. When you take it out put your sauce on, cheese and toppings. I broiled it for a few minutes. Watch it though. It can turn from cold to flames in a matter of a second, in broil mode. 

Tadaaaaaa you have your awesome healthy pizza 

It was definitely no jets pizza but it surely did hit the pizza spot and kept me full for a long time. Will definitely do this again. I was surprised at how close the cauliflower crust tasted like bread. 

What are some of your unhealthy cravings? 

Travels to Tennessee

It's so nice being so close to multiple different states. When the hubby gets a long weekend off (generally on a VERY short notice) We pack very fast and head south, or to one of the surrounding states. It's awesome! This last weekend, we decided to go to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. We generally go glamping in little camping cabins that just have beds and an A/C. Sometimes we get lucky and they have a fridge and a microwave. ;)

We went to Gatlinburg National Park, I really suggest that for anyone who is traveling that way. It takes a while to drive up the mountain, make sure your "oh Sh*t handle" is engaged and strong.


We played in the river. Colton's favorite part.

He played with rocks, and threw them in the river, over and over, and over. 

After that we went even further up the mountain, and saw what was my favorite part of the trip. Wayyyy wayyy up there, there was a huge ranch full of horses. 100's and 100's of acres of flat land in the mountain, and lots of amazing horses. We got lucky enough to get super close and pet them. 

We then went back to our cabin and got cleaned up, and went to Hatfield and Mccoy dinner show. It was hilarious, and completely worth it. The pulled pork was great, some of the best I have had. The actors and actresses were on point! Once we got back to the cabin, we had a little camp fire and made plans to head back north in the morning to stay the night in Corbin, Kentucky. It was a smaller town, and right up the road there was the Cumberland falls. (on a full moon, there's whats called a "moonbow" which is like a rain bow, but only happens there on a full moon, we weren't there at the right time though) It was gorgeous though. 

It was definitely awesome but by the falls, there were a lot of people, and it was only tied off on the top by a few pieces of rope. Definitely hold on to your kids lol It was a beautiful trip and adventure but it felt so nice to be home with all 62 of my pillows.