Erin, Author at The Sunny Side Up Blog

Ellie

01.03.11

Party’s over

Well – it’s official. Vacation is definitely over. I was bummed to pack the girls’ lunches today and get back into the routine. I always feel a bit of post holiday let down. Kenny is usually in a funk this time of year because football is coming to an end and I have a hard time letting go of December.

Still working on unpacking from our trip…

and taking down all the Christmas decor. I organized some of my holiday wrapping supplies in these clear sacks I had on hand. It made it easy to see my supplies while I was wrapping gifts this year.

Ellie was so great yesterday to entertain Kole before church so I could get a few things done. The two of them have such a special little bond. She absolutely adores him and he completely lights up whenever he hears her voice enter the room.

Still trying to learn how to use my new computer. I’m in the process of transferring all of my photos over and MAN — I take a lot of pictures! :) I need to become better buddies with my delete button this year. I especially need to go back to a few years ago before I was blogging and sort through what I want to keep and what can go.

One thing I love about January…it’s a great month to organize! Time to get things in order for a new year. Looking at my pictures last night I realized I never shared my hutch organization pictures from last October so I’ll post that soon.

Time to go take down the tree decor. Happy Monday everyone!

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Family

01.02.11

2010 Wrap Up

Hi friends! I’m back. :) Took a little computer break over the holiday. Kenny had the week off and that is RARE. Had to take full advantage. We had a wonderful Christmas at home with our little family and then a couple of days later we drove to Utah to spend time with the rest of our family.

Santa came! The girls got the dolls they had been wishing for all month –

and Kole had a delightful morning chewing on wrapping paper. I told Santa I was so grateful for my three kiddos and already had everything a girl could ever want for Christmas. Then I added that I of course wouldn’t mind a new Mac computer and a flip video camera for my purse to help document all I already have. You know – if he INSISTS on bringing me something. ;) Next post will be done on my new Mac! If I can figure out how to use it. Hopefully Santa will also be generous enough to provide a little tutelage along the way. :)

It’s the first day of the New Year! So excited for everything 2011 has in store. Isn’t it wonderful!? A whole new year ahead. Clean slate. I need to sit down and think about my goals for the year. But before I jump into 2011 I wanted to wrap up 2010.

{JANUARY}

The girls’ first time in the snow. Hilarious. From the Target sack duct tape boots to their reaction five minutes after this picture was taken. 2010 was off to a great start. :)

{FEBRUARY}

{MARCH}

Welcome sweet Kole!

{APRIL}

My mom took this picture a couple of days after I came home from the hospital after my surgery/blood transfussion. Hello death. It’s me, Erin. And yes, I felt as awful as I looked. Definitely the most difficult part of our year (and maybe of our lives this far) but along with all of the bad we were reminded of how precious life and family and friends are. I will be forever grateful to everyone who helped me through this difficult time and wanted to thank all of you again for your kind and loving comments, support and prayers. It truly meant so much to me.

Also so grateful that my girls were totally clueless as to what was going on with their mommy and were up to as much mischief as always. :)

{MAY}

New family of five.

My two boys – this picture always makes my heart skip a beat. A favorite for sure.

{JUNE}

{JULY}

{AUGUST}

{SEPTEMBER}

{OCTOBER}

{NOVEMBER}

{DECEMBER}

2010. A tear filled year for our family. One we are grateful for and will never forget. Thank you so much for being a part of it!

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Christmas

12.24.10

December Randomness

Daily conversations with our elf –

Addison’s pre-school performance –

Making cookies in Ellie’s classroom –

Living room last night as I attempted to finish up wrapping –

Kole sharing in my love for the Pottery Barn Santa Silhouette pillow –

Best I could do with all three. At least they’re happy. :)

Annual visit to see Santa – Addison and Kole are looking at me (as I try desperately to get them all three looking and smiling), Ellie is looking at Kole, and Kenny was looking at his Blackberry. Our family captured in 2010.

It’s Christmas Eve! Our spice candle is burning, the tree lights are on, and we are all still in our p.j’s and may just be for the rest of the day. I went shopping yesterday and bought stuff to make cookies for Santa, cheese for Santa Mouse, and carrots for the reindeer. All I forgot was something to cook for us. Crap. My mom’s not here to make Christmas dinner this year. Guess we’ll be eating cookies with Santa, cheese with Santa Mouse, and carrots with the reindeer. :)

Enjoy the magic of this special time with your family. Love to you all!

xoxoxo

Erin

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Christmas

12.22.10

Holiday gifts

The girls and I had a great time making our Pretzel Hugs again this year. It has become quite a fun little December tradition in our house. :)

I found these adorable glass Christmas trees at Target and knew they would be perfect to hold my tasty little treats. Now all I needed was a tag…

Perfect! Love that little snowman of mine. I just pulled up his picture and added some text and a frame in Photoshop…

and then put two pics together and developed them as a 4×6.

A fun and simple gift for friends and neighbors.

We drove around listening to the Chipmunks Christmas CD in the rain last night (man has it ever been raining here!) and delivered our little gifts. The girls were simply giddy running up to doorsteps and handing out treats and telling everyone Merry Christmas. And I was simply giddy watching them.

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Addison

12.20.10

Favorite Things

In November my friend Ann threw a “Favorite Things” party. It was so much fun! Each guest was supposed to bring three of the same favorite thing – something we can’t live without – for 10 dollars or less. I chose my Conair 10 dollar curling iron from Target. Definitely something I can’t live without. Love that thing! Anyway, we all shared our favorite thing with the group and why we love it so much and then the shopping began and things got really fun! We went around the room and each chose one favorite we wanted for ourselves – then back around the room again and again until we each had three new favorite things to take home. We also took notes and came home with tons of great gift ideas for Christmas. (Oprah’s got nothing on us!)

And we also ate lots of yummy food….

and we also gabbed the night away. So fun. A new tradition for sure.

A few more of my favorite things these days…

Several favorite things about this picture. First, my girls are quietly playing together – helping each other – not fighting. Love that. They are in p.j’s and have messy morning hair. That’s a favorite thing because it represents a morning (probably a low key Saturday) where we don’t have to rush to be anywhere.

Ahhh…my Lean Cuisine pizzas. My friends who know me well know just how much I love my lean cuisine dinners. I would be perfectly content to eat one of these babies every single night.
But alas, I have to think of the rest of my crew who don’t seem to care for them as much as I do. *sigh*

My new Plumberry lipstick and glitter gloss by Bobbi Brown. In fact all things Bobbi Brown would be at the top of my favorites list. Best make-up ever. EVER!

Fixing snacks for my girls on Christmas plates. Really all things Christmassy are at the top of my favorites list. Can you believe this weekend is Christmas!!?? I’m so excited! And stressed. I still have so much to do. I’ll think about that tomorrow. :) Marshmellows are a favorite of Addison’s.

Wearing my various boots is always a favorite thing this time of year, but this season I’ve also enjoyed seeing mini boots on my mini man. Even though he won’t hold still long enough to show off his latest fashion.

And another favorite – Miss Addison in her mommy’s boots. I see this pose on my little fashionista multiple times every day. As she parades around in multiple outfits. Every day. Aside from the drama and laundry that always accompanies this pose – a favorite for sure.

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Christmas

12.17.10

The Halls are Decked!

Finally took pictures of our Christmas decor! Sorry for the picture overload. I just can’t help it. Christmas decorations make me soooo happy. We are really enjoying the coziness of our little home this season.

We usually do a snowman tree, but this year I mixed it up a little and just used red, white, and silver decorations.

Along with all the cherished ornaments the kids have made.

I also bought a new tree skirt to match our stockings from Pottery Barn.

The only thing missing was something to put on top. I stuck this snowman up there and the girls were so sad because they like to play with him. So – back down he went and our tree is currently topless. He looked a little funny up there anyway… :)

I can’t wait for it to get dark outside each night so I can really enjoy all the lights inside and out. There is something so magical about Christmas tree lights. I wish December lasted longer.

My little snow village. I’m hoping to inherit more pieces from my mom next year. She has so many of them and you can’t buy a lot of my favorites anymore. I told her she needs to down size. It’s just too much work for her to store and display them all every year. Yup. Always looking out for my mom.

Our advent calendar my grandma made for me and my siblings when we were little. My girls love it so much and it brings back so many childhood memories every year when I pull it out. My sister wasn’t very happy that I claimed it as mine so last year I bought her a cute new advent calendar from Pottery Barn. That seemed to smooth things over a bit.

Favorite Christmas p.j. pictures. My girls look so little and it feels like I posted these pictures just last week.

My other new additions this year. This pillow…

and the matching rug. I LOVE them. Both from Pottery Barn (I seem to be mentioning that store a lot lately!). I wanted the pillow last year but it was 50 bucks so I thought I’d wait and see if I could get it on sale after Christmas. Nope. They were sold out. So this year I tried ordering it on line at the beginning of December and it was sold out again! I was so sad! I thought K – I’m going to have to try ordering it next year the second Halloween is over! Then about a week later I was at the mall and ran in PB just to look around a bit and there was my pillow! ONE LEFT! I grabbed it and the sales clerk told me I was lucky because they wouldn’t be getting anymore in. I was so giddy! I bought it so fast and then called Kenny at work:

“I have the BEST news!”

“What!?”

“I just found MY PILLOW in Pottery Barn! You know! The one for 50 bucks I’ve wanted for two years! I can’t believe it – they had it in the store! I’m so happy! And I bought a rug to match!”

“How much was the rug?”

“30ish….”

“So you’re calling to tell me you spent 90 dollars on a pillow and a rug? Not good news Erin.”

What a grinch. Anyway, I’m thrilled!

I think this pillow was made for my red couches and I smile every time I look at it. :)

I framed my all time favorite Christmas picture.

Me and my sister on Santa’s lap – 1979.

And I Christmassed up the bathroom a bit with a new little towel and soap dispenser.

We are SO ready for Santa! I was looking at the post I did last year of my Christmas decor and teared up a bit remembering how we decided on Kole’s name. I’m so grateful for my new little addition to our family this year. A baby’s first Christmas is always a special one. A crazy, exhausting one. But a special one just the same. :)

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Addison

12.15.10

You Better Watch Out

You better not cry
You better not pout…

Stop right there Santa.
It appears we need more time to work on the “better not pout” part. :)

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Christmas1

12.14.10

Christmas Card Photo Garland

I’m so excited to share our Christmas Card Photo Garland with you today!

Cards are all sent out! Such a good feeling. This is the front of my card this year. I love the vellum wrap around it. Such a fun touch. It’s all about the details. :)

And since that beautiful vellum wrap is covering Kole’s head, this is a better look at our family picture this year.

The inside and top view of the card. It’s a tri-fold and I love the design my friend Haylee came up with.

Now for a fun idea of what to do with your own past Christmas cards. Last December when Sarah from Clover Lane posted this idea of how to create a photo garland I was thrilled! I have a Christmas album that includes our past Christmas cards, but loved the idea of also having them displayed in my home each December. Plus it was such a cute way to decorate the stairway banister. My friend Ann and I were simply giddy about this! We talked about it several times throughout the year and couldn’t wait to do something similar with our cards.

So here is my version! I decided not to use just the family picture like Sarah did even though I LOVE the way she displays her cards. Because I’ve made a lot of my past Christmas cards I wanted to see the whole card, including what I wrote about our family for each particular year.

It was so simple. I just punched a tiny hole in the top corner of each card…

and then pulled some red ribbon through each hole and knotted it in the back.

Then I tied the ribbon in a bow and hung it on the garland going up my stairs.

I hung each card a little different because I wanted to be able to open the card and read the inside. This card I pulled the ribbon through the front of the card on the left side, but only through the back of the card on the right side.

So it hangs like this –

and the card opens easily. Last years’ card (to the left) opens from the bottom to the top.

A view from the bottom up.

I love this Christmas card photo garland! It has been so much fun having my cards displayed this way. Everyone who stops by my house enjoys looking at them and so do my girls. Such a fun way to see how our family has grown and changed.

Christmas cards are the best, aren’t they!? It’s like getting happy little presents in the mail each night.

Wishing all of you happy mail this December!

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

organization2

12.13.10

Jewelry organization and a story

It’s already Monday again!? This month is going by way too fast! I always wish December lasted longer. I checked off most of my to-do list from last week including organizing my jewelry. I’m not much of a jewelry person really so I didn’t have too much to organize. But it still felt good to get rid of pieces I never wear anymore.

What little jewelry I do wear I keep on/by my dresser.

I found this jewelry box at Target several years ago and knew it was just the right size/style for me and my little stash.

I also picked up this butterfly hook/hanger from Marshall’s for 6 bucks to use for necklaces and bigger earrings. I got this idea from my sister who hangs her necklaces in her room as part of the decor.

Nice to have that finished!

Now. I have to tell you my jewelry story. So I was at the mall last week trying to find a dress for Kenny’s work party. No luck. (Why is it that when I have Kenny’s approval to spend money I can’t find what I’m looking for? I seem to have much better luck when I don’t have his approval – which is probably the reason I shop without it most of the time – ha!) Anyway. Back to my jewelry story. I couldn’t find a dress so I decided I’d just buy some new jewelry to wear with a black dress I already own. So I’m in a store trying on different pieces – necklaces, bracelets, holding up earrings. I have Kole with me in his stroller and as I try stuff on we’re making faces and smiling at each other. We’re having a great time. He loves to shop with me. Especially for jewelry. Finally after trying on half of the store, I realize that I’m going to be late for school pick up (my day to carpool) so I make my decision, buy some jewelry for the party and leave the store. I get clear across the mall to my car (trying to really hurry now so I’m on time to get the girls) and lean down to get Kole and his car seat out of the stroller.

And then I see it all.

GASP! You have got to be kidding me! Sitting in the top shade of Kole’s stroller hiding in the crease are several pieces of jewelry from the store! Pieces I tried on but didn’t buy! I must have set them there without even knowing I did. I stand there in shock realizing that I’m a shoplifter! I shoplifted! I’m a thief! Holy crap. And this isn’t cheap jewelry. I don’t know what to do. I don’t have time to go back to the store because I have to pick up my kids and their friends. But I can’t STEAL! I decide I have to be a thief – at least for an hour. I hop in the car (feeling like somebody who just robbed a bank and is making a quick getaway – in a new Honda Odyssey mini van) and floor it to Ellie’s school. I picked up my girls, dropped off their friends and then headed with my three kids back to the mall. In rush hour traffic. Knowing that our evening routine of homework and cleaning was now shot.

I dragged the kids to the store and returned the jewelry explaining to the clerk what I did. She was nice so I felt better. No cops were waiting to take me to the big house. (phew!) I was sick of the mall because I’d now been there all day long, but my kids were hungry so we got some food (I paid for it thank you very much) and watched the ice skaters.

It ended up being a fun night with my girls and I think they still love me.

Criminal and all. :)

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Christmas

12.09.10

Christmas Books

I thought it would be fun to share some of our favorite Christmas books today. We are having so much fun reading them. I let the girls pick one out every evening after homework and we snuggle under our Christmas blanket and read together. Reading Christmas books with my kids is definitely one of my favorite parts of this season and I love giving Christmas books to friends and neighbors at the beginning of December. Books always make great gifts!

Fancy Nancy – Splendiferous Christmas written by Jane O’ Connor – if you have little girls I’m sure you know all about Fancy Nancy! This Christmas book is just as “fancy” and fun as the rest of the series.

Olivia Helps with Christmas written by Ian Falconer – I LOVE the Olivia books. They are hilarious! Olivia the pig is a crack up and these books are humorous for kids and for adults.

The Elf on the Shelf written by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell – This is the book that came with our Elf and was our new Christmas book and tradition we started last year. Some of you asked where you can get the elf. Aside from the North Pole, I have also seen him hanging out at Hallmark and Pottery Barn Kids. :)

Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect written by Richard H. Schneider – One of my all time favorites. This story really illustrates Christs’ love for all of us and the true meaning of Christmas. I tear up at the end every time I read it and have to explain to my girls that I’m not sad – my tears are happy tears.

Santa Mouse written by Michael Brown – favorite Christmas book from my childhood. Santa Mouse is Santa’s tiny helper and he too visits each house on Christmas Eve. The story ends saying “And so this Christmas, if you please, beneath the tree that’s in your house, why don’t you leave a piece of cheese? You know who’ll thank you? Santa Mouse!” We always left cheese out for Santa Mouse with Santa’s cookies and milk when I was a little girl. Now my little ones do the same.

(cookies and cheese from Christmas 2009 along with letters and pictures for Santa)

A Christmas Dress for Ellen retold by Thomas S. Monson – a gift from my mom. We especially love this book because it reminds us of my grandma Ellen who Ellie was named after. The illustrations are beautiful.

I Believe In Santa Claus written by Diane G. Adamson – I gave this book as a gift to friends and neighbors a few years ago. It’s a special story that shows similarities between Santa and Jesus (he wears red, he loves little children, he wants us to be good, etc.) It’s so simple and shares such a powerful message. I love it and it is now the book we read each Christmas Eve.

The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Elwell Hunt – Another special book that illustrates God’s love.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey written by Susan Wojciechowski – darling story – it’s a bit long though so I always just tell it to my girls instead of reading it. :)

Christmas Oranges retold by Linda Bethers – same as above – darling story that is a bit long to read so I summarize. Another book with beautiful illustrations.

Frosty the Snowman retold by Annie North Bedford – gotta have the classics!

Rudolph Look and Find – my girls LOVE hidden picture books and we are total suckers for anything Rudolph.

Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear! written by Don and Audrey Wood – This book is just as fun as the original The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear. One of my girls’ favorites!

The Night Before Christmas – one by Jan Brett and one by Mary Engelbreit – We have two versions because I love the illustrations in both of these!

Favorite Christmas Stories – Rand McNally & Company – another fun book from my childhood.

Look Alikes Christmas by Joan Steiner – hidden pictures – my girls love hidden picture books and the illustrations in this are so colorful and fun.

Dick and Jane A Christmas Story – Ellie’s loves this book because she can read it herself. :)

Bear Stays Up for Christmas written by Karma Wilson – a cute rhyming story that is my little Addison’s favorite.

Santa Mouse Where Are You? Part two of the original Santa Mouse.

And then just a few of the classics. We love little golden book stories and we are huge fans of Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter books.

The Story of Christmas by Patricia A. Pingry – a little board book that does a great job explaining the reason we celebrate Christmas.

So those are some of the books we love and are enjoying this time of year! Nothing better than cozying up with a book next to the lights of the Christmas tree. Happy reading everyone! :)

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Christmas

12.07.10

Recent Events and Christmas Fun

Catching up on some pictures I need to post! We went with friends to the latest So You Think You Can Dance show a couple of weeks ago. Kenny and Marc surprised me and Ann with tickets and the show was amazing – the best one yet! Ann and I had so much fun and were patting ourselves on the back for how well we’ve trained our husbands.

Here they are waiting in line to get us a snack. See what I mean? Well trained indeed. :)

A quick look at past SYTYCD performances. I love that show! Counting down until the new SYTYCD season starts again.

Last Friday Kenny’s firm had a little party in honor of the new partners. We were supposed to be there at 4:00 and I had been having the craziest day. Running errands – carpooling – Kole hadn’t had a nap. I looked at the clock in my car on my way to pick up the girls and realized I’d have about 20 minutes at home to get all four of us ready. Of course when I got to Addie’s pre-school to pick her up she was covered in dirt from the sand pile. I flew home and threw her in the tub, got everyone dressed and ready and fed the girls a snack and gave Kole a bottle in the car. Record speed!

We got to Kenny’s firm and came bursting through the door – 5 minutes late. I was shocked at how many people were there. So many friendly faces waiting to congratulate our family. Kenny shot me a look that said “are you kidding me – you’re late!?” I shot him a look that said “you have no clue what it takes to get us all four out the door – be grateful we made it at all!” Then we hugged and started mingling with the crowd. :)

The managing partner at his firm (pictured with us above) spoke about Kenny and the other two new partners. Then it was Kenny’s turn to speak and thank everyone publicly. I tried to relax from the harried afternoon and enjoy the moment. My kids were loving so much attention from various adults. It was a special afternoon for our family and I was reminded again of how grateful I am for Kenny’s job and for all of the great, supportive people he works with. (just need to remember that when his clients are getting much more of his attention than I am…)

In other news, Christmas is in full swing at our house! The halls are decked and we are counting down to Santa’s arrival. My girls are at such fun ages. Their excitement for all things Christmassy is completely contagious!

Our Elf has been visiting every day and the girls can’t wait to run downstairs and see where he is hiding each morning. He was in our tree on Dec. 1st and the girls couldn’t keep their eyes off of him! (They know not to touch him – rubs off some of his magic, of course). This is such a fun tradition that we started last year. If you aren’t doing this with your little ones, trust me – they’ll love it! (Some pictures of where our little elf was hiding out last December)

Time to go finish my Christmas cards! As of this point I’ve assembled them all. A third of them are in envelopes, with stamps and addresses written, another third that just needs stamps, and the rest still need to be addressed and put in envelopes. As soon as I finish this post I’m turning on Family Man (one of our favorite Christmas flicks) and wrapping things up!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

xoxo, Erin

Leave A Comment

Christmas

12.06.10

Happy to-do’s

I’m a little excited. About my 2011 planners. Yes – plannerS. That would be plural. More than one. I like to have a big planner that stays at home and a little one for my purse. I take my planner shopping each year pretty seriously. I have tried multiple brands from multiple stores. I search high and low. I fell in love with these beauties the second I saw them. They were calling my name… from you’ll never guess where… a little speciality store I like to frequent. You may have heard of it before? It’s called Target.