Tag: vacation

2019, Americana, family, home tour, pets, photography, summer, vacations

End of Summer 2019 Recap!

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on End of Summer 2019 Recap!

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It’s really hard to think about summer being over, but it is. I’ve gone back to work, Emorie is back in school and we are settling back into our routines. I’m not going to share every single thing that we did, but I’m definitely going to share the highlight reel.

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This little cutie turned eight and celebrated her fourth recital and did a fantastic job. She was by far the busiest member of our family this summer: she went to tennis camp, volleyball camp, acrobatics camp, swim lessons, art camp and Vacation Bible School. Thank goodness these camps were all half day camps, or I’d have never seen her!

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Aubrey finally, actually let me take some pretty cute pictures of her! She also attended acrobatics camp and swim lessons.

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I took a break from blogging to spend more time with my family, and I also discovered a new love- weightlifting. I worked with a personal trainer and have lost almost 35 pounds. Here’s a pic of me in April, at the heaviest I’ve ever been.

 And here I am after working with a nutritionist and personal trainer for two months.

We also adopted a sweet little kitten this summer and Emorie named her Daisy. She is a sweet cuddler and loves to play. We are truly enjoying her.

We also took our first vacation as a foursome in two years.

And lastly, my precious big girl went to third grade.

I hope you have had a wonderful summer. I cannot wait to show you some of the really cool things I’ve been working on lately!

Visit on Thursday for a super cute wreath tutorial!

 

family, kids, planning ahead, summer, traveling, vacation, vacations

What to pack in your toddler’s pool bag

by LumberInMyMiniVan1 Comment on What to pack in your toddler’s pool bag
What to pack in your toddler’s pool bag

Summer is quickly approaching, and for most of us, summer means pool and beach trips. Those of us with more than one child have a pretty good idea about what your tiny tot will need for a trip to the pool, but if you aren’t sure, I decided to share what’s in our pool bag.

We are a family of four, so our pool bag is this giant monogrammed Land’s End tote with a zipper top. It holds everything we need for some fun in the sun and I love it!

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For our toddler, we always pack the following items:

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  1. A snack (not pictured). We try to always bring a healthy snack for both kids no matter where we go. Dry cereal works well, as do small fruits (grapes) or veggies (carrot sticks), and things like granola bars or Belvita biscuits.
  2. A swimsuit, a cover up (a hooded towel will work well for a small child), and sunglasses
  3. A sunscreen for sensitive skin
  4. Swim diapers and wipes (if your toddler isn’t quite potty trained. Ours is not).
  5. Diaper ointment and lotion. Some kids’ skin is sensitive to chlorine, so it’s a good idea to have some lotion on hand to replenish their skin’s moisture
  6. Pool shoes and goggles
  7. Something to drink in a plastic, lidded cup
  8. Detangler and a hairbrush (not pictured)

I always feel the most organized and prepared for anything when I create a checklist beforehand, run down my list, and physically check it off. I decided to share that list with you as well. To download it, simply right click on the picture below, save it to your device, and then print it. For best results, do not print larger than 8X10 inches.

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Enjoy your pool and beach trips this summer!

 

2018, NC Mountains, North Carolina, travel, Tryon, vacation, vacations

What can you do in Tryon, NC?

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on What can you do in Tryon, NC?
What can you do in Tryon, NC?

Tryon, NC (1)

Last month, my husband and I visited the towns of Landrum, South Carolina; Saluda, NC, and Tryon, NC. I’ve already briefly written about our trip once, but wanted to write a little more detailed post for you about our experience.

Tryon is a small town, but there is a lot you can do. There are a number of stores, galleries and shops downtown you can visit.

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Photo via The Laurel of Asheville

There are also some truly wonderful restaurants you can try. Our favorite was Harper Eatery and Pub, where we had a delightful dinner of maple bacon meatloaf and potatoes.

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We also visited a cute coffee shop and a bookstore where I would have happily spent all day.

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Photo courtesy of Tryon Bookshelf

Tryon and Polk County are famous for being horse country.

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You can also visit the famous Tryon International Equestrian Center.

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Photo via Romantic Asheville

And of course, you can make the short drive to Pearson Falls for a lovely hike that ends at a 100 foot waterfall.

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And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. Enter the Rafflecopter below to win a $25 Visa Gift Card. To be eligible, you must comment below with the activity you’d most be interested in in Tryon: shopping and dining downtown, hiking, or visiting the Tryon International Equestrian Center; follow Organized and Simplified on Facebook, and enter the raffle.

Click here to access the raffle

Good luck! Winner to be announced at midnight.