Apple Picking

We had a great day for apple picking.  We loaded Gabe up and headed out to Eckerts in Belleville for a late morning of apple picking.  I wasn't too sure how Gabe would do out in the fields, but he did better than I thought. 

When we, Scott, Grandpa Ron, Gabe and I, arrived we grabbed some kettle corn and waited for the tractors to pick us up.  Gabe was in awe of the big tractors pulling the wagons full of people.  It was a good thing he had his tractor shirt on. 

Check out how happy this kid is on this tractor!

Once we were able to get on the wagon to go out to the orchards, Gabe had a HUGE grin on his face.  We were able to sit at the top, right behind the tractor pulling us.  I'm pretty sure that was his highlight from the day. 

Once we made it out to the designated apple picking area we were pleasantly surprised with the large amounts of apples still on the trees.  Over the years, we've learned that you have to go early or the trees get picked over.  Not the case this year.

Gabe was more interested in picking apples up off the ground and trying to take a bite of all of them.  He wasn't too sure why we wanted to take them off the trees.  Once we had filled our bags, Gabe and I were on the look out for more tractors while Scott and Grandpa Ron waited in line. 

Looking out for tractors

After apple picked we headed to lunch. Gabe was fighting sleeping the whole way to the restaurant and then completely crashed 2 minutes from the parking lot.  He slept in Scott's arms the entire lunch and woke up with just enough time to eat his mac and cheese. 

Sleeping face down amazed us all

It was a tough day. 

Hello New Flooring

**I think it's fitting that this is my 500th post**

My husband rocks.  That might not be even close to saying how awesome he is and how much we love him.  Back in early July we came up with a HUGE honey-do-list to be completed over the next year and some that may seem a bit rushed before Baby A arrives in early November.  But we've done pretty good at marking things off that list. 

The biggest, craziest, most time consuming thing we need to do was get rid of the nasty, stained carpet and put in new flooring in the living room and kitchen.  It was one of those tasks that we have known for years and would have loved have completed way before Gabe arrived, but life gets in the way. 

Remember that cute kid reading instructions on the nasty old floor?

So over the last 2 weekends Scott has been working his tail off to make this little dream a reality.  There was a lot of blood, sweat, burns, cursing and tears that was put into that floor.  And we still need to finish the transitions around the doors and put the base boards back. But, I can say without a doubt, that he did an amazing job and I love how it has completely changed our house.  I'm still not in love with this house - probably never will be, but for the next year or so that we are here I will love that floor. 

Blood, sweat and tears



I will eventually compose post with more pictures than you will ever care to see about the process and a better before picture of the living with the once gray/blue carpet.  But for now, we are enjoying our new floors (baseboards coming soon) and the pitter patter of Reily trying to run or walk or prance down the hall.

Our next project before Baby A gets here is painting the kitchen, living room and hallway.  Thankfully, my awesome Maid-of-Honor, Kelly is arriving in 1.5 weeks to help out with our paint color in the living room and hallway.  She wasn't sold on my yellow.  But the kitchen will be painted (maybe) this weekend, depending on Scott's work and RLF schedule and my wanting to spend a weekend doing a family outing. 

Home Improvements

We've been very busy lately.  Whether it's a home improvement project, work, or fall fun activities, we are BUSY!  Scott has been very busy with work and deadlines coming up, right before Baby A makes an appearance(7.5 more weeks!).  Plus he is trying to finish the number 1 home improvement project on my list (new flooring).  And then there are a lot of things planned for each weekend that I can't wait to share with Gabe. 

So far, Gabe and I enjoyed a Saturday of Birch-filled sports.  Mathew's soccer game and Catherine's volleyball, plus a fun trip to the mall with the Birch girls.  This was meant to keep us out of the house while Scott and Mike worked.  We took advantage of the beautiful day and drove all around St. Louis.

Enjoying Mathew's water at the soccer game

Gabriel and Mathew hanging out in the trunk of the car

Gabe and Mathew racing up and down

All while Scott and Mike were installing new flooring in the living room and hallway. 

The hallway before

Section of the living room, after the carpet was pulled up

Starting to lay the flooring

Look at this Helper reading the instructions over lunch break

So far, the flooring looks amazing and I love it!  Reily is getting used to sliding everywhere.  Overall, it's a huge improvement and there will be more to come on this.  We are hoping it will be done this weekend and then the fun project of painting can start!

Coffee Bar

Since we aren't big drinkers, our basement bar has been neglected for quite some time.  Last weekend Scott got a crazy idea to move all his coffee stuff down to the basement.  It will free up some much needed cabinet space in the kitchen and allow him to use all his espresso cups. 

So we've slowly started moving things downstairs.  At first I wasn't too sure about having all that down there and I'm not a huge fan of clutter on the counters.  But it's been working out so far.  It seems to be the place to hang out at these days.  And someone is taking full advantage of it.  I mean, can you really resist this face??

Little Chef

Gabe is really starting to like helping out when we cook.  It's good and bad.  We love that he is into it and has fun, however, a quick meal takes a little longer cook these days.

We had some bananas that were just about done and need to be tossed or turned into banana bread.  I'm not one to skip out on some banana bread, so I quickly mixed up the big ingredients.  Then Gabe was able to step away from watching Cars for a few minutes to help with the mixer. 

 

Then he just had fun with the mixing bowl and beaters. 

Labor Day Weekend

It was incredibly nice and needed for us to have a 3 day weekend.  Scott has been working like crazy and I was just tired of being beyond slow at work.  Plus I really like being at home with Scott and Gabe. 

Friday night, Scott and I took Gabe out to dinner at Houlihan's.  We rarely eat out with Gabe and I was little nervous as to how he would do.  But he was a champ and ate a lot of his Mac and Cheese and even tried pot stickers.

On Saturday we were up early and out the door quick.  We headed to Soulard for much needed coffee and then to Wilmore Park to check out the new playground. 

Our goal was to go to the Greek Festival for lunch but a huge downpour stopped us.  We ran to the car and were soaked.  Gabe loved it.  Instead of gyros for lunch on Saturday we opted for sandwiches at LeGrands.  It had been a while since we ate there.  And of course, what is a trip to LeGrands without a free sample of little smokies.

We made got home in time to try a nap for Gabe and watch the first Husker game of the season. 

Great football game and zero napping happened.  Instead Gabe helped me make banana bread.  He is becoming a great little chef. 

As soon as the bread was done we headed south to meet Scott's parents at Garvey's for some wings.  After that busy day, Gabe was asleep 10 minutes after we left dinner.

On Sunday, Scott skipped Cross Fit and cut the grass at 7:30am instead.  I'm sure our neighbors loved us for that.  But it was sorely needed and we were trying to beat the rain.  We got cleaned up and met Scott's dad for breakfast at Bee Tree Park. 

A little playground time on a Sunday is always needed. 

After the playground we took off for the Greek Festival.  The food there is amazing.  Even though we weren't really hungry, the fresh gyros hit the spot.  Gabe did his best to pick and choose off the menu, he enjoyed some fries.  We were there early enough to catch a little bit of the Greek dancers.

On Monday we hit the mall as soon as it opened.  Gabe was in need of some new shoes and Scott and I are still looking for ways to decorate the house.  So, new shoes, Bread Co. for lunch and then a good walk around the mall for morning work out.  We got home in time to get a nap in and chill out before going to Scott's parents house for BBQ. 

A busy, but uneventful weekend for us.  The only thing we missed doing was watching the Gateway Cup bike race.  I'm sure we'll catch it next year.