FALL BUCKET LIST

 

So, I signed myself up to do this little Fall Bucket List. The adorable Marie, whom I first started following through her vlogs, check her out here, has put together this fun little challenge.

 

First Up! My favorite MEAL.

Actually I have to be honest, I don't really have a go to "FALL" meal that I always look forward to making. The only thing I could think of was chili, but I'm definitely NOT winning any chili cook-offs with my version.  However, I do enjoy baking this time of year. I thought I would share my favorite baked good.

It would be the oh so delicioso PUMPKIN ROLL.

It is a well known recipe but I just LOVE IT!! I always look forward to making it.

Here is a few pics of me putting mine together.

 

 

I may have to go get another piece out of the fridge after putting these pics up. I am obsessed with pumpkin, but add some cream cheese in the mix.....AhhhMazing!

 

 

BUCKET LIST ITEM #2 DRINK

I so look forward to this time of year because of the seasonal yumminess that Starbucks offers. I am not a serious coffee drinker, actually I never drink it. Here is the problem I have with it...It's not the smell or "taste" that is an issue. I actually have no clue how to make it. Is that the most ridiculous reason you have ever heard ? I mean I can make a pot of coffee, but when it comes to mixing and adding stuff...I get flustered & poor it out. I envy those of you who can walk up in there and rattle of some crazy order. It is totally intimidating to me. So, I get stuck ordering off of the easy menu :)

Insert my favorite lil' dranky drank here!

The PUMPKIN Spice Frapp.

 

I love the cold, smooth, pumpkin yumminess this little guy has all wrapped

up in it's TALL size body.

(and of course I want whip cream on top...did they really have to ask?!)

 

 

BUCKET LIST ITEM #3 OUTFIT

 My go to outfit is a nice pair of fitted jeans with some tall boots & a super comfy sweater.

 

 Boots & Jeans: Target

 

 

 Sweater is from Old Navy! I love that thing!

 

 

 

 

Can't get enough of the red in those leaves. I wish I could pull those trees up and plant them all in my front yard. I'm sure my hubby would love to have more leaves to rake up!! hehe

 

 

BUCKET LIST ITEM #4 Activity

Our sweet lil' family started a new tradition this year. I was dreaming about this last year, but my baby girl was so small we had to go to a small little pumpkin patch near our house.

She was born in early October with "orange" hair...she is truly my little pumpkin head.

 

 

Natalie's first Halloweenie dressed as a skeleton.

 

This year we got to take her to a bigger venue with tons of pumpkins & tons of fun!

This will be an activity I will look forward to the most I think every year. What a perfect day.

Check out our whole day HERE!

 

 

 

 

 BUCKET LIST ITEM #5

Make-up

 

 

Sorry it is not the best pic, but I would say my colors for fall are a lot of greens & browns. They compliment my hazel colored eyes. The colors are from an old Nars sample I was given (sorry no name on them) & then I add bareMinerals glimpse color "Peacock." It is a pretty shimmery green.

 

 

 

 

I know this isn't make-up, but being a nail tech I had to throw in a pretty

nail color that is fitting for fall.

This is an Essie color I picked up at Target: "Wrapped in Rubies"

 

 

BUCKET LIST ITEM #6

 This last item on the Bucket List kind of stumped me. I did not get a chance to pull out any of my "Fall" decor this year because we have been non-stop this month. I have started really trying to get this blog going, train for a half-marathon that is in 2wks EEK, celebrate 6 birthdays, 1 baby shower, & all the those other little adventures that fell in between!

However, our old friend Lloyd always makes an appearence this time of year regardless.

He is our candy holder, & one of my favorite pieces of holiday "decor" this time of year! I am calling him decor ok...so just go with K?!

 

 

He may look spooky with that mischievous smile on face...but don't be alarmed! I mean he is holding a sweet pumpkin face & has CANDY coming out of his head. Well, ok that is a little creepy but we love him & I love handing candy out of his head for the trick-or-treaters!

 

 

Marie thank you so much for putting this fun bucket list together for everyone. I have really enjoyed every bit of it. I can't get enough of all the FALL FUN to be had!

 

Thanks for stopping by, & comment below on what it is you order from Starbucks!

I may have to write it down to order it, but I will need something new when my pumpkin treat goes away....sad face!

 

LATA ALLIGATA-

MELISSA

OH MY PUMPKIN!

Oh Pumpkin Patch, Oh Pumpkin Patch, thy colors are so unchanging...

 

Well, the day had finally come & we were up & at 'em super early to get going. I know Natalie had no clue where we were going, & Andy Pants probably wasn't quite as excited as I was.

 I think I held enough excitement for all three of us.

 

I couldn't wait to see Natalie's face when she saw all of the pumpkins we were going to let her run around. I was so proud of us getting out the door on time, picking up Auntie Kelly, & getting there just as they were opening. Not only was the weather PERFECT, but we had the whole place practically to ourselves. Which meant awesome photo ops for us!

I am no professional photographer but I LOVE taking photos.

 I hope you enjoy looking at these, as much as I did taking them...

 

 

I was in pumpkin HEAVEN!

 If you haven't already read it (here) , then you wouldn't know

what a PUMPKIN head I really am!  

 

 

We set her down & she was off!! Finally someone was as excited as I was!

 

 

 

It's like Where's Waldo of the Pumpkin Patch. She blends in perfectly!

 

 

 

Me & My Boo!

 

 

I love that she is starting to not try & put everything she picks up in her mouth.

HAAAY girl you're getting dirty!

 

Pumpkin Heads!

 

 

 

Yup Girl Drivers!

 

 

 Now the FUN was really about to start.

They had this thing called the Jumping Pillow!

Kelly & I had so much fun on this thing. (As you can see in the pics below)

I want one for Christmas Andy Pants..K?! Thanks!

 

 

THEN IT WAS MOMMA'S TURN!!!

 

 

HIGH FIVE TO THE FACE!

 

 

Andy Pants had to drag us off of this thing so we could do the corn maze & all the other boring stuff..hehehe We really could have jumped all dang day!

 

 

Andy Pants & Natalie conquering HAY MOUNTAIN!

 

CORN MAZE!!

KELLY WAS OUR GUIDE!

Auntie Kelly took too long to get us out, so Nat took a Nap!

 

After the corn maze, we all pretty much needed a nap. It really was a dream come true getting to take my sweet pun'kin head to the pumpkin patch. I loved seeing her light up running around everywhere. I will never forget these moments with her. I am getting all excited just thinking about the years to come & all the different memories we will make as she gets older.

 

This past weekend was jammed pack full of FUN events.

We actually participated in a ZOMBIE WALK on Sunday with friends. I have some fun pics & a great little video to go along with that I will post soon!

(I may save it for Halloweenie...MUhahahha)

 

stay tuned!

 

LATA ALLIGATA-

MELISSA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



CRABBY NATTY

I don't even know where to begin for this post. I guess I will just start with the facts.

 

Our daughter is part Crab.
 

Yes, you read that correctly.

She has the perfect little pinchers & she knows how to use them!

 

 Don't let that sweet little crab you see in that picture sway you!

Oh no no no! I am being completely serious right now.

You got me?!

 

Let's see if I can explain a little better. Andy Pants & I are not quite sure where this all began. Our little Crabby Natty earned this name early on. She has always had this weird fixation on rubbing on our arms or neck when we would rock her to sleep. It started as a "aww melt my heart" kind of thing. I mean what parent doesn't melt when their baby rubs on their arm with those soft little Johnson & Johnson baby hands?!

 

Well, from there she started getting control of those fat little baby hands, & learned how to use her fingers. Especially how to PINCH, & every day they got stronger.

 

Sure, pinching is a great tool to have as a wee-one.

 

-Picking up tiny puffs or food

-Turning pages in little books

-Pulling tiny threads on Mommy's sweater

-Being the Ultimate Competitor at a game of "Operation"

-Tightening those tiny screws in Grandma's glasses

-Picking up every tiny speck on our living room floor

 that Momma missed with the vacuum

 

You get what I am saying here?

This ain't no joke!

 

I mean even Andy Pants is scared to be shirtless around her.

Lord help him if she gets ahold of one of his nips! YIKES!

(FYI: this HAS happened...ever heard a grown man screech like a little girl?)

 

 

 

Here is a great picture as proof of what I have been trying to convey.

She is double teaming me with both hands in this pic. I went in unarmed, knowing good & well what I was getting myself into. Look at my red neck!

OH, & let me forget to trim those little daggers she calls nails.

I swear she sharpens those things every night.

Why don't you swaddle her hands down you say?

This child has HATED being swaddled since the beginning.

She cannot stand to be wrapped up. What do I do?!!

 

Use Socks on her Hands you say?

HA! That only worked when she had no control of those pinchers.

 

I have even tried putting a silky blanket on my arms or around my neck to get her to get the affection for something else...& not human flesh!

 

So, now here is my new game plan. I'm a little scared she may find my eyes.

 

 

She doesn't only do this now when it's time for bed. She will even find that nice sweet spot on the back of your arm, while your checking out at a store, that will make you wanna scream & holler like a teenage girl at a Bieber concert.


 

 It has brought tears to my eyes.

(I look like Natalie Portman in Black Swan w/ those sock hands)

 

Can anyone out there help us? I am clueless on how to break this habit.

These pinchers are only getting stronger...& people at work are starting to question these bruises ;)

 

 LATA ALLIGATA-

MELISSA

 

I may have a problem...

 

Ok I will admit it...I am addicted to anything PUMPKIN!

 

This time of year always puts a pep in my step. I don't know if it's the cooler weather, the halloween candy galore in the stores, or all the pumpkin flavored crap goodies I can get my hands on!

 

OH YEAH! & my own little pumpkin was born this month as well!

 

 (grumpy pumpkin girl)

 

Sooo here is just a little evidence of the problem I "may" have.

(I type this as my pumpkin candle smells up our living room)

 

 

 

I mean really?! I may turn into a pumpkin. I wish I had more time in the day to try more pumpkin recipes. Right now my quick go to ones are pumpkin muffins & the

OHHH SO delicious PUMPKIN ROLL.

You may have to roll my my butt off this couch after I eat all these muffins.

 

I plan on making my pumpkin roll this weekend, after we visit the pumpkin patch first of course!! My pumpkin sized head may explode when we get there!! SO. EXCITED.

 

Do you have a go to pumpkin recipe I MUST try?!

I NEED THEM!!

(don't worry you won't be an enabler)

 

 

 I have to include this last ridiculous picture of me & my VERY PREGGO self!

Natalie's OPA still thinks this is the reason she was born a red-head. The orange paint must have gotten to her! hehe

 

I can't wait to tell you all about our Pumpkin Patch trip!

Natalie Momma is going to have so much fun!

 (# of times "pumpkin" is on this page: 23)

 

LATA ALLIGATA-

MELISSA

The Wheels on the Bus...

Whew! What a whirlwind of a weekend. October is a big month in our family for birthdays, 6 to be exact. My sister, April, had my nephew a week & a day after I had Natalie. We even have another 1st birthday to go to this coming weekend. (Andy Pant's nephew's son was born a couple weeks after Natalie as well) That's 3 in a row! I have chalked it up to a party month & I have been cramming every chocolate covered oreo I can get into my mouth. Actually the last 3 months of the year are party months. I love this time of year. The holiday season is MY FAV, & October definetely kick starts the festivities.

 Happy Birthday, BOO, Happy Turkey Day, HO HO HO, & 3,2,1 Happy New Year!

(image from google)

 

So we packed up my parents brand new RV & headed up North to the beautiful state of Virginia. Traveling with a toddler in an RV is so much more convienant.
 I can pack my whole house up practically.

Although packing for a toddler is just plain ridiculous. Even if we are going to Wally World to buy groceries five minutes from the house, we have to pack like we are going camping. I just like to be prepared for whatever experience we may encounter, & if you have a toddler you know exactly what I am talking about.
Who doesn't love that perfect timing of a diaper explosion. BLEH!
 

I was so worried about what to pack for Miss Natalie that I completely forgot to pack my OWN pair of jeans that I planned on wearing for the main event: Carson's 1st birthday party. Thankfully there was a kick ACE Target near my sis' house. I know I keep getting off of subject but I am so jello of the selection at her Target then at the one near us. Their FALL clothing choices are killer. I had to make sure I just bought jeans...they were a perfect fit with my boots.
 I was too excited to finally put my boots back on!

We arrived in VA around 6pm on Friday. We fed the kiddos ,
let them run around & destroy play in the house before bedtime.
Once bedtime came for them, a little drinky drinky came out for us.
It was a long day & much needed, don't judge me.

Morning came & the party planner in me got to work. The theme was a YO HO HO, Pirate Party. My sister found some of the cutest Pirate "treasures" to decorate with. We lined the driveway with pirate flags, and set out tons of bandanas, gold clip-on earrings, foam swords, tattoos, & chocolate gold coins any pirate would "kill" to have! She rented a bounce house for the kids & all that was missing was the barrels of RUM for the adults.

Here are some pics of another successful first birthday!

 

 A quick pic of my sis & I preggo together!
Hard to believe we both have just celebrated our babies 1st birthday.

We were able to reuse our little pinterest project we made for Natalie's Circus Party for the Pirate Treat Table too!

I see us using that stand at all our parties!

 

Carson getting some bounce house time before all the kids get there

He loved it!

 

Then it was time to get the party started. My mom made him his Pirate Costume.

Have I told you my mom is an amazing crafter. She should have her own show for realS!

 

 

MOM LOOK! Dad is a Pirate!

 

Cute pics of the Birthday Boy we hung around the canopys!

 

Sista Sista! Rockin' the Pirate hats my mom made.

 

Cute little Pirate ship cake my Mom made as well.

I'm telling you this woman can do it all. I only wish I can learn half of her skills.

 

Natalie looking for treasures.

 

She did not stop moving once the party started.

 

Giving Pirate friend some kisses.

 

She got a hold of my cupcake when I looked away. I have never seen her move so fast.

That's my girl! Outta our way when it comes to chocolate.

 

Then it was time for the birthday boy to taste some of his yummy smash cake. My mom made him a little treasure chest to dive into.

 

THIS PIC IS MY FAV OF THE ENTIRE DAY.

"I pity the fool who tries to touch my cake"

 

The bad girl in me wants to photoshop a little middle finger on that hand. He just looks so hardcore with that little look & his tie on. Love that Face!

 

 

Well, I am finishing this up as we head back home. I like to pretend I am I am pop star traveling in my tour bus. Minus the hair & make-up & and no screaming fans....just a screaming toddler :)

 

 

I know we have another birthday this weekend to attend, but I am hoping we can squeeze in a fun fall trip to the pumpkin patch with our own little pumpkin head. I have always invisioned my own little one running around the pumpkins & through the corn mazes. I. CAN'T. WAIT.

Is anyone else doing any fun FALL trips? I would love to hear what traditions you & your family have!

 

LATA ALLIGATA,

-Melissa