日韩电影一区二区三区 in news during a pandemic has been a rollercoaster ride- from the adrenaline highs of constantly breaking news to the lows of 日韩电影一区二区三区 from 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 while trying to 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 school the kids.

It actually led us to break our apartment lease early and buy a house! [That’s for a different blog post!] Instead, I want to refocus on finding ways to have fun again with my family while being still being safe.

Have a Theme Day/Weekend

We celebrated Christmas in July and it was a big hit! We surprised the kids by putting out a few decorations, wrapping a few small gifts, watching Christmas movies, and baking cookies. It was a wonderful weekend! I’m thinking of doing a Halloween day soon!

Outdoor Backyard Movie

I bought a projector off Amazon for about $100 and a FireStick. Boom! Instant “Drive In Theater” will an unlimited selection. You can be as fancy or as budget-friendly as you want, and the kids are bound to find it magical! You can use a white sheet, the side of your house, or invest in a projector screen.

Stroll a Lavender Farm

Okay, maybe you don’t have a lavender farm near you, but I found out we do, and I have every intention of visiting it this summer. Lavender is not only beautiful, it’s proven to have calming effects when breathed in, consumed, or absorbed through the skin. How perfect is that for all the stress and anxiety you’ve likely experienced during quarantine?! If you aren’t near a farm, get some lavender tea or diffuse some lavender essential oil! Or find a coffee shop that serves up lavender lattes- like Dripped + Draped in Omaha’s Benson neighborhood!

Family Pool Day

Thanks to a generous and anonymous donor, Omaha will open multiple pools this summer. And when it comes to COVID, visiting a pool is actually one of the safer public events to partake in because there’s a low risk of spread. If you’re still concerned, a kiddie pool or a sprinkler will still do the trick.

Find Your Beach

Maybe it’s the ocean, a lake, or maybe you need to fake it with some sand, an umbrella, and a kiddie pool.

Have Fun with Food

With all the meals you’re likely having at 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没, consider creating a taco bar or a sundae bar. Do a “baking show” with the kids. Try a fancy Pinterest recipe and see if you nail it or fail it!

Visit the Farmers Market

Fresh air, fresh fruits and veggies, what more could you ask for? Visiting a Farmers Market is a great way to support local, avoid the busy grocery store, and shop outdoors while maintaining 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 distancing.

Explore a New Park or Trail

Most of us have made it a point to get outdoors during the pandemic. (What else is there to do?) Now that the weather is nice, why not try a new park or trail in your state.

Go Tanking or Tubing

If you’re in Nebraska- try Tanking! Four of us adults went and had fun. We played a game and drank along the Elkhorn River for about a 4-hour ride. Would be great with kids because there’s not much effort. I think next time, I’d want to go tubing so I can be in the water more often, but this was a very easy way to enjoy the river and fun to try something different!

Visit a new destination

This doesn’t have to mean travel across the globe. I wanted to make sure this list was doable for anyone on any budget. Maybe it’s visiting a new campground in town. Maybe a new state. Certainly if you can afford an international trip, do it! 2020 should be all about the experiences!

Try a new restaurant

Again, this doesn’t have to be a fancy dinner, but it could be. Save up for a nice meal or just check out a new dive with a greasy burger. I love to search Yelp and find hidden gems when I’m looking for a new restaurant.

Have a self-care day

Hit the spa. Get a massage. Get your nails done. Get highlights. I’ve started splurging on getting my hair done. No more box color for me. I work too damn hard to put myself last all the time. If you’re still concerned about money, doing something as simple as buying some masks and soaps from the dollar store and doing your nails will go a long way. Or maybe it’s just taking a day to sleep in, pop in your ear buds, read a book, or go on a walk.

Go on a date

Finding time for your significant other is important, especially if you have a demanding job or kids. For Josh and I, we haven’t lived near family in years so it was hard to find a babysitter. We used that as an excuse for far too long. Find someone on Care.com or use a vacation day to have a day date while the kids are at daycare or school. If you’re not in a relationship, date yourself! You can’t expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself. Enjoy your time alone. Go to dinner alone. Find confidence in your solo dates. Or grab your best friend and make it a girls/guys night out. Reconnect. Reminisce. Laugh.

Have a goal writing session

Sounds corny, but do it. Block out an hour or two and write down all your goals for 2020. What do you want out of your job? Your personal life? Your finances? Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? What do you need to organize?

Get your yearly physical

This one is so important. My husband hasn’t been to the doctor for a physical in years! I’ve got to get him there in 2020. For one, you get a free physical each year. Use this trip to talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have; A strange spot, a pain that won’t go away, abnormal stressing. By attending your annual physical, you may also catch a problem early- like pre-hypertension, pre-diabetes so you can start fixing it before it becomes a problem.

Find your tribe

Humans are 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 beings whether we like to admit it or not. At work, if I see an employee struggling, I encourage them to connect with their coworkers. Attend a net日韩电影一区二区三区 event. Talk to the moms in your child’s class. Put yourself out there. In this day and age, the nice thing is, even if you’re 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没ly awkward or an introvert, you can also find your tribe online. Maybe it’s a Facebook group for moms, maybe it’s connecting with travelers on 小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集. Have you heard of Mastermind groups? They’re groups (in-person or online) where you brainstorm with people who have different strengths. You’ll inspire each other, get new ideas, and find motivation.

Play like a kid

Yes! Just have a night of good old-fashioned fun this year. Go bowling. Play laser tag. Have ice cream. Hit up the arcade. Go swing at the local park. Slide down the slide.

Donate to a charity

Do. Some. Good. Donating doesn’t have to mean money. Donate your time. Go visit the animals at the shelter. Ring bells for the Salvation Army. At the very least, take Facebook up on its offer to ask people to donate to a charity of your choice for your birthday.

Read a book

I’m the worst at reading. I can read 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 media for four hours straight on my phone at night, but somehow I can’t find time to read a book. I only seem to do it on vacation. I’m going to try for at least five books this year, which I realize is nothing compared to some of you.

Try a new activity

Go axe-throwing. Paint. Try calligraphy. Step outside your comfort zone and try something new. If you’re bad at it, you’ll have a few laughs. If you’re good at it, you might just find a new hobby!

Have a board game night

Monopoly and the Game of Life are my favorites! Grab a couple board games and play with the kids. Pull out Cards Against Humanity and play with your friends. Pull yourselves away from the screens for a few hours and make some memories.

Go see a movie by yourself

I know this strikes fear into some of you. How can I be seen at the movies alone? We’re not 13 anymore. It’s cool to do stuff solo. When I worked overnights, I went to the movies sometimes by myself and it’s pretty liberating. For one, you get to pick whatever you want to see. You don’t have to worry about someone talking to you during the movie. You can laugh, cry, and no one will judge. PRO TIP: Go to a weekday matinee if possible. You might have the entire theater to yourself!

Try a new style

Spend a day off trying on clothes you’d never wear; Put on that bold, red lipstick. COLOR IN YOUR EYEBROWS! It took me 32 years to figure out how to color in my eyebrows. I should’ve been doing this for years! You’ll never know what you like and what you’ll look best in if you don’t try!

Do something to connect with your spiritual side

Maybe it’s reading scripture or praying. Maybe it’s just taking a walk in nature and breathing in fresh air. Maybe it’s yoga.

Compliment a stranger

We should do this more than once a year, but make it a goal. There have been many times where I liked someone’s outfit or thought they had beautiful hair– I should have told them. They may have needed that compliment that day. You can never go wrong saying something nice to someone.

Organize something

We all need to organize something. Maybe it’s your closet, your drawers, or your finances! Decluttering your life is good for your mind. Check out Marie Kondo or A Bowl Full of Lemons. They’re organizing geniuses who will help get you motivated!

Do something artsy

Find a new appreciation for beauty by doing something artsy. Sketch, paint, craft, body paint (wink, wink)… grab some color pencils and one of those adult coloring books. It’ll be good for your stress level!

Take a bubble bath

We have this huge, deep-soaker tub in our apartment, and yet I never take a bath. Always showering because I feel like I never have the time for a bath. MAKE TIME. Force yourself to decompress. Get one of these cool bath trays and multi-task by reading, too!

Update your resume

Even if you’re not looking for a new job any time soon, it’s always a good practice to keep your resume updated. For one, you may forget some of your accomplishments if you wait too long in between updates, or your company could reach out to you out of the blue for a promotion.

What’s on your 2020 Bucket List? Drop ideas in the comments below or connect with me on 小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集: @The.小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集.日韩电影一区二区三区.Mom

If I’m being really honest… that feeling has lasted all day. (In my defense, I think I’m getting an inner ear infection because I’ve been dizzy, off balance, and my head hurts.) But alas, that’s nothing compared to what so many people are going through.

This year, I’ve decided to put down what I’m most thankful for.

My dad’s in remission from prostate cancer

When I got the call in late March that my dad had Stage 4 Prostate cancer, everything changed. I think it’s particularly tough to hear it when you live 11 hours away. I’m a daddy’s girl, I call him everyday, so you can imagine the rollercoaster of emotions this year has brought. But, it was great news to hear just days before thanksgiving that his PSA level dropped from the high 220s now down to .02! He’s been responding well to treatment, and doctors consider him in remission. He said he saw the words in remission on a piece of paper, and I can only imagine what that felt like for him.

My Marriage

We just celebrated 7 years of marriage on November 24 and this was probably one of our best years yet. We got out and had several date nights this year, we went on several trips as a family. I’m thankful to have a good teammate, a good co-parent, and a funny and handsome one to boot!

My Children

I’m thankful both children are happy (for like 60% of the day) and more importantly, healthy. (Although the doctor just said Hayden needs to switch to 2% milk ) They are exhausting and drama-filled little mini versions of Josh and me, but they make me smile and make me proud.

My Career

I love my work fam and I love my job. This has been a particularly rewarding year. I’m now 16 months in and it’s really starting to feel like 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没. Because of our position in the Omaha market, I feel like I have a bigger opportunity to make a difference. We have a large reach, surprisingly bigger than what I had 日韩电影一区二区三区 in larger markets because we have such a bigger piece of the pie. We’ve gotten to do some meaningful stories and investigations that have been inspiring to be a part of. Management can be really stressful and draining, but also very rewarding. I’m thankful this opportunity found me and looking forward to what’s next.

My Squad

I’m so thankful to be making friendships here in Omaha that I suspect will last for years to come, and I’m also thankful that I still have a large support system that spans the country. Technology I has certainly helped this. I get to FaceTime my family often, I have so many group chats that still connect me to buddies from college, Detroit, Pittsburgh and beyond. I love that if I need to vent, need a shoulder to cry on, or just want to reminisce or have a few laughs, they’re only a text away! Also so thankful that I actually got to see Mary, Jackie, Cindy and Barrett over the course of a few trips… and the entire Yobbi family when we went to Natalia’s wedding this year!

Travel

One of my favorite things about Omaha is how it is within road tripping distance to some other great cities. We had so many adventures this year. And with both of us making more money, there have been more opportunities for getaways! We spent a week in Denver, I visited Minneapolis twice, went to Kansas City twice, spent a week in Michigan, had a quick trip to Pittsburgh, got to meet up with Cindy and Barrett in Sioux Falls, day-tripped to Lincoln. And in just a couple weeks, Annabelle and I will be flying to New York City to get into the holiday spirit!

Memories Made

We’ve made more of an effort to use our weekends and time off the clock to make memories. Annabelle and I have seen so many shows this year like Cats, the Wizard of Oz ballet, Phantom of the Opera in the front row. Josh and I saw Hamilton and went and saw Third Eye Blind in Concert. We’re going to see the Nutcracker next week. Josh and I did one of those “float tanks”. We’ve been to the zoo and museums multiple times this year and of course the pumpkin patch and local farms!

It’s like a festival on a farm

After two trips, I will say both times felt like a big production. There are more than 150 vendors from not just Nebraska, but across the Midwest, and some from even further! There are also about 20 food trucks.

There’s something fun for everyone

There’s a stage where you’ll find live musical acts all day long. There are craft brews, wine slushees, a coffee house on the grounds, as well as fun for the kids. You’ll find a free bouncy house and face painting for a fee.

It costs to get in, but there are ATMs everywhere

So it’s $10 per adult to get into Junkstock. Parking is free. Kids 12 and under are also free. They take cash only for admission, but there’s an ATM right at the entrance. Most vendors take credit cards, but in case you find one that doesn’t, there are more ATMs on the grounds.

Junkstock is very dog friendly

You’ll find sweet pups all over Sycamore Farms. As long as they’re on a leash and friendly, they’ll fit in! There are also vendors who sell dog and cat products like bows, collars, leashes, and of course treats!

Wear Boots

For the love of God, wear boots. Even for summer Junkstock, you should consider boots. And I’m not talking the cute kind, I’m talking about big rubber ones. The parking area has suffered from the floods. But, being #NebraskaStrong, the show must go on! This is probably the number one mistake first-timers will make.

So yes, if you love all things vintage, Fixer Upper, country, farm, or locally-owned, it’s a good time. It’s nice to get outside the city, breathe in the fresh farm air, and get a little muddy!

You can find more on the official page for Junkstock and feel free to drop your review below, or visit me on 小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集: @the.小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集.日韩电影一区二区三区 mom.

Vendors I supported during my visit:

• Carson’s Cookie Fix -Delicious Cookies & Cream food truck
• Gracie Pie Apothecary– Got the most delicious soaps from the cutest trailer
• Master’s Hand– Had delicious hand-dipped caramel apples
• Fat Head Honey -Got some honey made by Nebraska bees to help my husband’s allergies!
• Sunshine Blvd Handmade -Annabelle’s sweet handmade deer doll

Twice this year now, we’ve chosen to use one of our vacation days to have a day date. The bonus here: We don’t have to pay extra for a babysitter like we would on the weekends, and it feels like we’re playing hooky from the rest of the world.

So for our fall Friday date, we decided to go wine and cider sipping in the small town of Ashland, Nebraska. It’s situated right between the state’s two biggest cities- Omaha and Lincoln.

So quick back story on why I chose Ashland. I was at my friend Midwest Essentials house and she had these cans of Glacial Till Hibiscus Ginger Cider. You guys, it was amazing and at the time I had no idea it was Nebraska-made. So when I was searching for places to wine taste and saw Glacial Till come up, I was pumped!

Let’s start with ambiance. First off, the space is large. Two floors, plus a rooftop patio. As you can see there’s a rustic industrial vibe at play. The service was great. We had a wonderful woman who was outgoing and knowledgeable. My husband did the wine tasting while I came to try all the ciders!

As far as the wines go, they were alright. Nothing exceptional, except for maybe their Prairie Fire port- a dessert wine served with chocolate.

While I already knew I loved the hibiscus ginger (the pink one), I also loved the original. It tastes like green apples. Each cider just bursts with flavor. The dry was my least favorite- but it was still very good. My new favorite though? The honey lavender! I can’t even explain how smooth, calming, and delicious it is! We were also lucky enough to try their seasonal cider- caramel apple. They tapped the first keg of it while we were there and gave us a taste! I ended up buying a growler of it and a growler of honey lavender to take 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没.

Cellar 426

Being from Michigan, wine tasting in Traverse City is a fall pastime. I doubt many other states (with the exception of California and maybe New York) will live up to the beauty and perfection of the wine tasting along Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas, but Cellar 426 was at least reminiscent of it.

At Cellar 426, you’ll find a wide variety of red and white wines as well as some sangrias. Josh mostly stuck with dry reds while I tried the semi sweet whites and sweet reds.

We ordered the cheese and salami board. The cheeses were delicious! The stuffed olives were amazing. The chocolate-covered almonds and apricots went so well with their cherry wine! We bought a bottle to take 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没.

We sat and enjoyed the view as the breeze blew through. We talked and connected. November will mark 7 years of being married (holy hell how did that happen) and it’s admittedly hard sometimes to find something new to talk about or laugh at. Days like these help refresh our relationship.

After finishing up our wine and snacks, we took a walk around the property.

It’s an interesting mix of farm, vineyard, and even spruce trees. At one point I said, “I wonder if this is also a Christmas tree farm?” Josh cracked up saying they would be some damn big Christmas trees

We will definitely be back to visit both. It was also great to see children during both stops. Sometime we will bring the kids back to run through the vineyards while we taste some wines and stop at Glacial Till to refill my growlers!

All in all, it was a near-perfect day together. Soon, I’d like to check out two other wineries that are closer to Lincoln. James Arthur Vineyards and Windcrest Winery. If you’ve ever visited those, or know of any other wineries in eastern Nebraska or Western Iowa, I’d love to hear about them. Drop me a line in the comments or visit my 小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集 account: @the.小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集.日韩电影一区二区三区.mom

That’s why we chose to pile everyone together in the Chevy Traverse, including our two dogs, and head out on the wide open road.

Destination: Denver

Cost saving tips:

One thing I’ve learned at this juncture- road trips are our best option so we’re not shelling out airfare for everyone. (Also, I absolutely love my Chevy Traverse and when I bought her in November, a road trip to Denver with the moon roof open was part of that game plan.) Another way we save money: We make it a point to find an AirBnb that’s pet-friendly. That means you’re not paying a daily fee back 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 for a pet sitter which can run anywhere from $50 a day into the hundreds! Think of how much that adds onto a 5-day trip! Added bonus? You don’t have to worry about whether they’re being properly looked after.

Finding the right AirBNB is important. I looked for weeks to make sure we found one with great amenities, a good location, and one that was pet-friendly.

Tip: Be sure to check if there are any pet fees. Some AirBNBs will charge a flat rate or a nightly rate for pets.

Another thing to keep in mind when looking for an AirBnb in the mountains, you need to make sure you’ll be able to access the roads to get there in the event of a blizzard or rockslide. Most owners who have questionable driveways will require you to have an AWD or 4WD vehicle in order to book.

Make sure you read lots of reviews. Guests are usually honest and you can get a sense of what amenities you can expect. Some AirBnb owners go all out with stocked pantries and lots of linens and toiletries; others will require you to bring your own.

Our AirBnb was near Red Rocks Amphitheater in the Evergreen/Indian Hills/Morrison area.

Arrival Day: Sunday

We arrived on St. Patrick’s Day. There was some snow on the ground. I was shocked at how warm 40 degrees feels in Colorado! It’s so mild! 

We brought a bunch of board games and LEGO sets with us. This trip was all about relaxing. A hotel room would never have worked. We had so much room to sprawl out, eat together, play together, and snuggle. We ordered a pizza and just spent the day indoors.

Monday: Red Rocks Amphitheater, Golden, and Lookout Mountain

Red Rocks Amphitheater includes a beautiful hiking area— and the best part for a family with small kids, you can still access great scenery with a stroller in tow!

I bet watching a concert here would be incredible! It was fun to watch people run the steps, too, though!

Be sure to bring sunglasses! There’s plenty of sun in Colorado and it will reflect off the snow and into your eyes!

Golden

We took the short drive over to the town of Golden for lunch. 

It’s 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 to the MillerCoors factory and you can take a tour for a small fee that includes tasting and a glass: https://www.millercoors.com/breweries/coors-brewing-company/tours

However, because it’s not stroller-friendly, we didn’t do the tour. Instead, we had lunch at local craft brewery, Barrels and Bottles, where we tried all sorts of appetizers and played board games. https://www.barrelsbottles.com/

Golden has great views of the Table Mountains- flat, like a table!

Lookout Mountain

The drive up Lookout Mountain is winding and beautiful. There are several pull-offs along the way up to stop and take photos and soak up the scenery. The thin mountain air will do wonders for your soul.

Notice neither of my men are wearing coats! It’s so temperate! I was blown away! Be sure to also pack the sunscreen. You’d be surprised how a day out in the snow and sun can leave you red! 

Once you get to the top, there is a large parking lot at the Buffalo Bill grave site and museum. It’s also 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 to more amazing photo ops!

The museum does cost a fee, and the kids were getting worn out by this point, so we skipped out on that. We did, however, go into the gift shop and grab some hot cocoa before making our way over to the grave site.

Tip: I used the Lariat Loop website to help plan out my stops. They have a variety of pre-planned trip routes or you can plan your own! https://www.lariatloop.org/

We finished out our day with dinner and a trip to the American Girl store in Lone Tree.

If you’re a shopaholic, the mall in Lone Tree is excellent!

Tuesday: Dinosaur Ridge

We made a big breakfast, played with legos, and then got ready for a day at Dinosaur Ridge.

This place is a great for adults and kids and is totally worth the money! Plus, it’s a non-profit, so the money goes toward preserving the fossils on-site.

You’ll take a guided bus tour along “dinosaur ridge” where you’ll make various stops. Check out those fossilized dinosaur footprints!

Once the tour is done, you’ll have the option to ride the bus back or hike back. It’s not terribly far, but since we had the baby in tow, we rode the bus back.

There’s a gift shop and a mini museum that my daughter enjoyed.

Outside, they have a large sandbox where you can “dig up” your own fossils. If you find a bunch, they will let you pick one to take 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没.

After that, we drove around the area some more just to take in the mountains

That’s part of the reason this vacation was actually a vacation. We didn’t have to spend a ton of money for a big payoff. The views are free. Reconnecting with nature brings serenity, and the kids were shockingly peaceful. 

I’m not sure if it’s because we were more relaxed, or the lack of screen time, but they were satisfied just riding and looking out the window, even!

Wednesday: Garden of the Gods & Royal Gorge

Wednesday was the day my husband and I were most excited for! He was looking forward to Garden of the Gods and I was pumped to ride the Gondolas across the Royal Gorge.

We could not have asked for a better day! Incredible blue skies against the red rock, white snow, and green trees made for even more amazing pictures! 

Garden of the Gods is especially stroller-friendly and handicap accessible. It was amazing all the flat and paved pathways that winded through the rocks.

From there we got back on the road and drove from Colorado Springs to Royal Gorge.

Royal Gorge

When we got to Royal Gorge, I realized this wasn’t going to be as “fun” as I thought, considering I’m terrified of heights and I assume the worst is always going to happen. See that red dot? That’s the gondola we were about to ride. I was really nervous.

1,250 feet down is much more terrifying than I expected. I spent the entire ride freaking out and barely opening my eyes. Hayden loved it though, and bonus, the gondola is stroller and wheelchair friendly as well!

Once you get to the other side, you have the option of just riding the gondola back or walking across the suspension bridge. 

Also on that side, you’ll find a variety of activities. In fact, I was shocked at the “amusement park” feel to this place. 

Note: You do have to pay admission to get in and there are fees for different thrill attractions you may want to try.

Then we headed back over the bridge. I was once again terrified and power walked across that puppy. My heart was pounding, my knuckles were white as I pushed the stroller across. I was a sweaty mess by the end.

We ended that day with dinner in Colorado Springs and headed back to the AirBnb. We were beat!

Thursday

Thursday was our final full day. Again, our main priority for this trip was reconnecting and unwinding. So Thursday, we slept in, ate breakfast and played board games.

That evening, we went to a mall in Lakewood and took the kids to the LEGO store and to Build-a-Bear. 

Then we went to Casa Bonita for dinner.

That was an experience I honestly could have probably lived without. The line to get in was crazy long, it felt dirty, and you have to carry a tray to your table.

Annabelle loved the live shows though, and Josh loved the fact it was featured on South Park. 

We ate dinner and called it a night.

Friday: Travel Day

One thing to remember when you stay in an AirBnb, it’s common courtesy to leave it like you found it. So you usually spend your final morning cleaning up. We packed up, checked out by locking up and sending a quick text message and set off for Nebraska.

My final travel tip is that when you’re driving with kids and pets, try to plan ahead. Have snacks and drinks, and remember that you don’t have to do an 8-hour trip in one day. We cut it in half both ways and got a pet-friendly hotel for the night in North Platte, Nebraska. 

It allowed us to savor the final moments of vacation by playing in the pool and eating pizza, instead of pushing everyone too hard to fit travel into one day. We made it 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 refreshed instead of feeling over-extended.

What I may be most proud of? I never checked my work 小少妇的粉嫩小泬 once in Colorado. I truly unplugged. That can be hard when you’re a manager in news, but it’s so important so you can prevent burnout. 

If you have any questions about traveling as a family on the road, or any questions about Colorado as a family destination, or even if you just want to chat about Parenthood or AirBnb, I invite you to give me a follow on 小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集 @the.小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集.日韩电影一区二区三区.mom or drop me a comment below!

Because work is demanding, I try to make sure that weekends are for relaxing and connecting. And with only having lived in Omaha for a year, we still have lots to explore.

This weekend, we found a new gem! Nelson Produce– a charming family-owned farm in Elk City, Nebraska.

The Sunflower Field 

We started with taking a hayride out to their magical sunflower field; Sunflowers as far as the eye can see. Before we set off, the farm’s owner welcomed us all, and talked about how they used to deal primarily in wholesale–selling to big stores like Hy-Vee, Wal-Mart, and Baker’s. But this year, they decided to go in a new direction, focusing on their family, and in turn, the families of Omaha who can now come visit the farm and enjoy this experience.

The Market

Tell me this doesn’t give off a Magnolia Market vibe? For this being year one, I’m incredibly impressed. In the market, you can enjoy a selection of fresh produce, some Nelson Produce merchandise, and some cute extras. I’m betting we’ll see an even bigger selection of items as they grow and expand in the future.

I was also shocked at the food operation! They offer farm fresh meals at an affordable price. We bought the “little farmer meal” for Annabelle: A (very large) hotdog, chips, watermelon slice and Capri Sun for $5. A BLT meal- thick, cut bacon on a croissant, pasta salad, watermelon slice, and can of pop for $9… and a grass-fed cheeseburger meal-same sides, same price. There were lots of other options. Next time, I want to try the Mexican corn dip.

U-Pick Berries & More

Both Josh and Annabelle agreed, their favorite part of our day was picking strawberries. While mine was the sunflower field, hearing that made my heart happy. Something so simple. No bells or whistles. Just good old-fashioned strawberry picking made my 6-year-old happy.

Fun for kids of all ages

From the animal train ride (just $1), to visiting with farm animals, again they’ve thought of it all. What’s not pictured because we were having too much fun, big hay bails to jump and play on, a giant sand hill with toys, water pump duck races, a tricycle track with lots of trikes, and multiple spots to take cute photos!

Support Local

I’ll end this by saying after re-charging with my family, the next best thing about this experience was getting to support a local business. It’s obvious they care about the community around them and I look forward to returning and spending my time and money there! You can support this local gem by visiting NelsonProduce.com

If you have recommendations for must-visit Omaha hot spots, drop me a comment below or visit me on 小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集: the.小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集.日韩电影一区二区三区.mom

Our family of four (plus two dogs and a cat) packed up and moved 1,000 miles away to Omaha. Seemingly out of the sky, I got a job offer as Assistant News Director at our sister station and after visiting Omaha, we realized it would be a wonderful place to raise our family.

However, timing is never perfect. As you’ll notice on the blog, we were mid-renovation on our 1930s Craftsman. The upstairs had the old, raw hardwoods that we couldn’t afford to finish. The kitchen still had the yellow linoleum and dark green painted cabinets. Our downstairs bathroom desperately needed an update. We had a month to figure out how we were going to get it ready for market and move across the country with basically no savings. (Remember, I was just a couple months back from maternity leave.)

Welp, with help from my dad, our friends, and a freshly opened Chase Sapphire card (I would have to wait to be reimbursed for relocation) we got to work.

My dad drove from Michigan and stayed for a two-day flooring blitz. He extended the Pergo floors from the dining and living room into the kitchen.

He also helped us get started on the main bath remodel and started to lay the tile for us. I did all the painting though!

Our friends came over and spent their Fourth of July helping us paint the kitchen cabinets and install new hardware which was a great update for under $100. I’m so mad we didn’t do it sooner. It wasn’t hard and made looking at the kitchen way less painful!

Upstairs, we laid carpet throughout. It cost us about $1300 from 日韩电影免费观看在线观看熊出没 Depot which was labor and materials. I was happy with that. It was an acceptable quick fix to get it listed. We also finished painting the master bedroom to match its 小少妇bbbbbbbbbbbb half-bath reno we had completed a few months before and hung the black and ‘crystal’ glam light fixture.

Then came the time where I had to leave, but Josh had to stay behind. There was still work to be done, but I needed to be in Omaha to start my job. I had a 5-year-old, an 8-month-old, a yorkie and a goldendoodle all with me in the van. Josh packed up what we needed for our new apartment in the U-Haul and we made our way for Omaha.

After getting us settled in, Josh flew back, my mom and cousin flew to Nebraska, and for two weeks they helped me care for the kids while I started my new job.

But Josh had a big job to finish in the main bath so I had to FaceTime in to help with the design. We picked things out over the phone… and luckily, I think we did alright. Check out the before and after.

I love the oil-rubbed bronze finishes and off-center sink! I wish I would’ve had all that extra space for doing my hair and makeup!

We listed the house on the market for a short time, but due to the fact that we were bleeding over $1400 a month in mortgage costs, utilities, you name it… we couldn’t keep it up long enough to sell. Instead, we decided to become landlords! So that’s where this blog is going to pick up next… Stay tuned!

In the meantime, Omaha has been such a welcoming place. If you’ve never visited, you should put it on your list. The food scene is incredible, it’s so easy to get around, and super affordable. We’re living in a lakefront apartment with some high-end finishes (Josh’s favorite is the bidet)– such a big change from the renovation environment.

Annabelle started kindergarten and Hayden celebrated his first birthday. Josh is slaying his new engineering job here, but there still aren’t enough hours in the day. We’re still trying to figure out how to keep our 1,200 square feet here clean and get everyone to where they need to be on time. As the hashtag goes… #AdultingIsHard.

(This is an actual photo of the tile after Josh installed and grouted it. This is NOT a stock photo.)

The moment I saw it, it reminded me of my trip to Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland- the most magnificent sight I had ever laid eyes on. The black sand, the blue skies and water, the white snow on the mountains.

[Go back and see my inspiration board and more pictures from our trip here!]

The photo above was the main print I wanted to display.

As for the rest of the bathroom, let’s get something straight, this “master bath” is a glorified closet!

I had no intentions of spending much on the space, so I was hoping to get the most glam & bam out of my buck.

Annabelle of course helped with painting. We went with “Ultra Pure White” by Behr.

Josh demo’ed. I took all of the existing hardware– the brass light sconces, the old toilet paper holder, towel rack and the cabinet that was here when we moved in- and I spray painted everything a matte black.

This saved us a good amount of money… $50-$100 I would estimate and I love how all the pieces turned out:

This may sound weird, but the toilet paper roll holder may be my favorite! I love its detail.

Purchases:

Outside of the tile, I did buy a few things for the space.

I loved this silver geometric votive holder from Walmart. (Under $3!)

I also bought all of the icy blue hand towels and wash cloths at Walmart. I may have purchased this 3-set of masks just because they matched the decor

The Reveal:

Don’t forget to check out our Ceramic Tile Tutorial Here!

We replaced that ugly sink with a new vanity from Lowe’s.

The baroque-style mirror I found at Walmart for just $20! I think it gives the illusion of higher ceilings with its shape compared to the square medicine cabinet that was in there before.

REMINDER: Compared to what it looked like before…

I’d say we added storage and some value all for under $250!

That has me happy dancing all over these new floors!

If you have any questions about this reno, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. Also, add me on 小少妇人在线观看免费版电视剧全集 @birchtreescoffeebeans for more renovation ideas!

The second I saw this ceramic tile online– it took me back to the shores of Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland.

Just the most magnificent place on earth!

I’ve known for sometime I wanted to use our photos from Iceland when we makeover the bedroom but I had never planned to put any effort into the half bath. It’s so tiny, my guess is that it was one time a closet.

My hope is a beautiful, patterned ceramic tile like this will give this tiny space a high-end feel without spending a huge amount of money. I found it on Wayfair.

In addition to the tile, I’m planning to paint the walls a stark white and use some good old fashioned black matte spray paint to do a few diy projects on the fixtures and cabinet that are already in there like these sconce lights.

While I’m cutting costs by revamping some of the existing fixtures, I am planning to spend a little cash on a pretty mirror for the space:

You can find the “Alissa accent baroque oval mirror” on Wayfair as well.

A drastic change like this will also require a facelift once you walk out of our bathroom into our bedroom.

I’ve purchased this chandelier from Target.com and bonus- it’s on sale right now.

I’m also considering buying a small vanity sink so that we have extra storage. This will probably be a function over fancy decision because a basic white vanity runs about $80 while you can spend hundreds on a fancy one. I think I’ll go low-cost there .

日韩电影一区二区三区 to my blog now and get an update once we finish the bedroom part of this makeover. The half-bath is now finished. See it here!