27 candles

Last weekend marked my 27th birthday.  My sweet husband took me out for an afternoon full of birthday surprises.  We started out back where we began our journey of marriage five years ago...St. Paul.  I had always wanted to check out W.A. Frost & Co.  We didn't have a lot of extra money at that time being newly married and in college, but that didn't keep us from admiring the charming architecture and big beautiful windows as we drove by.  Well, Saturday Josh made reservations for us at this special spot and let me tell you...it lived up to all of our expectations!  The ambiance was inviting and had a "turn of the century" feel.  The food was so fresh and delicious.  After almost every bite we commented on how good it was!  The waitress even gave me a cute little creme brulee with a candle as a complimentary dessert!

Afterward we headed a few blocks over to visit the first apartment we lived in.  Hand in hand we strolled the streets and recounted all of the memories of our first year of marriage.

Our next stop was Starbucks for a free birthday drink...I got a salted caramel mocha...yum!

Lastly, we enjoyed a long walk along Summit Avenue and admired the grandeur of the mansions and the colors of fall.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate 27 years of life!  One of my favorite birthdays so far :).

  How do you like to celebrate birthdays?

*photo templates found here

eight weeks and on

Hello Friends,
Ernie boy is napping right now but I have a hunch he will be waking soon so I will make this short and sweet.  Thursday marked eight weeks!  He is changing each day!  Earnest loves to listen to voices and "talk" back, his neck is getting stronger from tummy time, and just yesterday I heard him make a happy squeal (very short but on the verge of a laugh!)!  He's even been sleeping one 5 hour stretch in the evenings (minus last night...that's a different story :) ).  We sure do love him. 

Here are a few recent snapshots: 

I hope to share more photos this weekend.  We are traveling to my parents house.  I am looking forward to home-cooked meals by mom, snuggling up by the fireplace, and having extra hands to help with the babe :).

What are you looking forward to this weekend?

drive thru date

I have always loved date night.  For 5 years of marriage Josh and I have made a habit of having a date at least once a week.  Dates can be anything from dinner and a movie to a walk around the lakes with a coffee stop (one of my faves!).  Since Ernie's been born we've missed several weeks of date night.  Josh must have noticed this downward trend so he decided to do something about it.  


One evening last week  we had finished running errands and were on our way home when we remembered we had a few movies to return to the redbox.  I returned the movies and hopped back into my usual spot (the backseat by baby) when Josh asked me from the rearview mirror if I wanted to have a little "drive thru date" with him.  I smiled; it sounded perfect.  We both ordered ice cream and I moved up to the front seat.  We sat in the McDonald's parking lot, listened to the Jayhawks on The Current, and caught up on life in whispers.

 Ernie Boy slept through the entire thing.  

It was a great date; I am anticipating the next!  

Thanks sweet husband for always finding creative ways to make me feel special.

wide-eyed nights

Ernie's supposed to be sleeping right now; you know, because apparently newborns sleep a lot?  Well, Ernie's not your typical newborn; most nights he winds down around midnight.  And I guess technically he's not even a newborn anymore.  Wow.  Our little Ernie Boy is already six weeks old.  I am stunned!  I guess it shouldn't surprise me; he's already grown out of all of his newborn clothes (the jammies were the first to go!).  We have been loving these weeks with Ernie.  I can't seem to put him down for the life of me.  I guess it shows too...the house is a complete disaster most days and I haven't really cooked a "meal" for, well, six weeks?!  Oh my, I can't believe it's been that long!  Thank you friends and family for lavishing your love on us by providing meals, encouragement, and extra hands for holding the babe while we get a few things done around here.  Life will eventually get back to a somewhat normal state I assume.  Until then, we are learning how to be parents and do life at the same time...a tricky task!  I will leave you with a few photos taken at the cabin last weekend.  

Good night friends!  And guess what?  Ernie fell asleep at 11:02; we are making progress toward a somewhat decent bedtime :).

Much Love,

Jen

   

the sun and a song photo shoot

A few weekends ago my sister and her fiance (Zach) allowed me the pleasure of a photo shoot (I am attempting to build my portfolio as a photographer).  My parent's backyard was the perfect spot.  The sun was setting and gave this wooded space a romantic glow.  I love the light in these shots.  The models aren't too shabby to look at either :).

If you are looking for a photographer, contact me.  The rates have never been better :).  Justine and Zach-thanks for helping a sister out!  Love you two!

birthday wishes

I want to wish a very special girl a very happy birthday today! Jemimah, we are so happy to have you in our life! We love you!
Sent from my iPhone

Away We Go!

We are off to the cabin!
Enjoy the long weekend friends!