tips & tricks

I am a huge planner, especially for vacations. I like to plan them at least 3+ months out - planning our daily routines and starting my packing list. This was the first vacation I haven't had a checklist by my side when packing. Yes I started one, but then I said scratch that. This vacation, I had just under a month to get ready for so with a toddler turning 20 months I used pinterest to help me find activities to keep him busy. Mind you his first time flying he did AMAZING! 4 different planes and only cried at take off and landing - BUT - he was 12 months old, he is way more active now! Here are some of the things that I packed in our bag! 

1. board book - this specific board book has different animal textures to keep Mason busy - he absolutely loves this book at home - so I put it in his bag, however there was no need for this book, it never came out of our bag.

2. quiet book -  my plan was to make a 10 page quiet book but when my attempt at cutting felt with a cricut failed miserably the book ended up being 6 pages(velcro shapes to match, counting beads, zippers, a road to drive a car on, and mr. potato head) - this was a big hit for Mason, actually the only toy he played with, it kept him busy for over an hour!

3. new toy - I got him a new coloring set from Target's Dollar Isle, he loves to color so I thought this would be a huge hit, even if he doesn't stay in the lines he loves anything to do with TMNT! - this did not make it out of the bag though.

4. Melrose/Young Living Essential Oil - I was told by my dear friend Katie that his would help with flying, however with our short trip I wasn't able to order it so she let me borrow hers. This works amazing, I put it on myself and Mason so that it would help with our ears, let me tell you - this oil works!!

5. Velcro Popsicle Sticks - This idea I also got from my dear friend Katie, a great-easy activity for Mason to do on the plane that would be quiet. I was had so much fun getting this ready I knew he would love it. - however this as well did not make it out of the bag. He has had fun playing with them since we got home!

6. Lavender/Young Living Essential Oil - This is what we put on every night when we go to bed to help us sleep. The first flight we sat next to a flight attendant going to visit her mom, my thoughts - great, this lady already deals with screaming kids and now she may have to sit next to one. My thoughts were wrong, We had a 630pm flight which didn't leave until 720pm Mason had been up since 7am with only an hour nap so at about 830pm we rubbed some lavender on his feet, he cried a total of 7 minutes while trying to fall asleep- yes I timed it to see how long his crying would last. When we got off the plane that lady next to me said how amazing he did -coming from a flight attendant this would make any mom happy! On the flight home, he cried for a total of 12 minutes again trying to fall asleep. I'd say Mason is like his mom and loves to fly!

7.I-Spy Bag - This was a bag that I already had from years ago. I thought great quiet toy, but again Mason never even saw this toy!

8. Zantac - This is the only prescription that we still "use" - Matt has a huge fear of flying - he gets sick for days/weeks before a trip, has night mares and  just doesn't rest. He only takes this an hr before our flight departs but without this we would not be able to take vacations. We are working on testing some Young Living Essential Oils that will be just as effective but until then we keep this in the cupboard until our next trip.

9. Water Bottles -Not Pictured- Must have, empty your water bottle and put it in your bag to keep you and baby/toddler hydrated - water fountains all over the airport and they give you water on-board the plane!

10. Snacks -Not Pictured- although not all toys were played with, all snacks were gone by the time we got home! our snacks we packed were:
--> GoGo Squeez - applesauce on the go - Mason had never had these, he had applesauce before but he thought these were so awesome! - Big hit!
--> Mott's All Natural Fruit Snacks -  Mason loves fruit snacks and they were small and easy to deal with, no mess!
-->Veggie Straws - Mason also loves these and they were also something easy to pack, store and deal with!

Although I didn't have a plan for each day I knew three things we wanted to do and we were able to cross them all off our "list" - visit to the zoo, visit to the beach(aka.giant sand box) and a visit to a children's museum. Mason loved them all! We also all loved the 50degree weather on their "cold days" and the high 70degree weather on the nice days! 

Hope our 10 tricks and tips that helped us help you in your future travel!

a glimpse of our time well spent

a glimpse of our Labor Day weekend...

while at grandpa and grandmas, Mason enjoyed hanging out in the chair outside while we took down the pool. Life is tough at 14 months!

Mason got to have a special treat after supper, a cupcake, he enjoyed every lick of it!

Electronic Monopoly with my niece and nephew! 

Matt got to play video games with someone other than people online! 

Currently this is what our kitchen looks like, a disaster. A gate to keep a babe out(who loves the cheerios in the background), tape on the trim and a room that is half painted! 

relaxing afternoon spent trying to share our toys outside and be nice to our friends! 

over all it was a great weekend, it was nice to be home a full 2 out of 3 days and sleep every night in our bed for the whole weekend for the first time this summer! 

Weekend at Grandparents

You know that one place, where you can go and get away from EVERYTHING. Sit in relaxation and just enjoy each others company.

We got to go to that place this past weekend, it's called 

"The Grandparents House" in Clara City, MN

Yes, Clara City the town of 1, 360 it is always so relaxing. Sitting in the man cave, with the fire going(ok, it's electric but still dreamy), eating real popcorn(not just microwaveable), all along with waking up to an amazing breakfast(eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes) 

Mason loves playing there and grandma even showed him the toy box! 

Although, we also had to get out the noise makers! 

We also got to play with Grandma on the floor! 

Great Grandma even came over to visit and to read to us! 

All in all a great, relaxing weekend! 

Recap of 2013

2013..what an amazing year! 

1. We found out that we were going to have a baby boy!! 

2. We welcomed another niece into this world, Gracelyn Joy Gniffke! 

3. We welcomed our beautiful baby boy into this world who has been a wonderful gift from God, Mason Matthew Speiser! 

4. We went to our first Twins game at the new stadium for our ONE year anniversary(time flies by when your in love with your best friend!) 

5. Went to my first ever Renaissance Festival! 

6. We had Mason dedicated and had the whole family together! 

This year was amazing and it is so much fun to watch Mason grow! I can't wait to see what 2014 will bring us! 

a little bit of vintage

Day dreaming again but let's be honest though, who doesn't day dream, What should the theme of our kitchen be? is the topic that is on my mind today. 

After talking to Nola(Matt's sister-in-law) and telling her I wanted a vintage feeling in one room she gave me the idea of the blue mason jar and going off of that. I LOVED it instantly! 

This was 3 days before our family Christmas with the Speiser side. 

We got to Christmas and I opened our gift from Nic and Nola and it was blue mason jars!!! Then we continue opening and both Nola and I got these awesome candles! 

I decided to go to Pinterest to find some ideas on what to do, needless to say I found LOTS of ideas! 

I am so excited for the rest of my ideas to become creations! 

Head is spinning it's so crazy around here!

What a crazy last 3 weeks it's been since I last updated! Lets see here..

Mason got to meet Grandpa Blough who was visiting with Grandma from Pennsylvania. 

10/18/13

We had him dedicated - 10/20/13 

Grandpa and Grandma Blough, Grandpa and Grandma Speiser, Great Grandpa and Grandma Stager, Great Grandpa and Grandma Wolff, Gniffke Family, Uncle Nic, and Nicole attended. 

Our family with Pastor Doug

Cousins

Love his smile

I attempted to run a 5K I did about 1/2 mile straight(pretty good for not running for so long) and walked the other 1/2 so I ended up doing the 1 mile walk. This is also the longest I have ever left Mason, we left Friday night to go to the cities and came back Sunday afternoon. Daddy did a GREAT job taking care of Mr. Mason!!

Disney Ladies

When I was in the cities for the 5K I found this adorable little costume for Mason! Halloween we went to Studio B, and then we ate at the Hitching Post and came home! 

My lil caterpillar 

JD was a classmate of mine. The last time I saw him was in July at a wedding and I left upset at him. On October 14th he was taken from us by the Sioux Falls police. He was having a hard time and needed help. When police arrived they thought he was a threat to everyone since he had a gun, little did they know he would never harm anyone. He now leaves behind a beautiful little girl that will be 1 in a few weeks, and many friends and family that love him dearly. We had a benefit for him this weekend(11/2/13) and it was amazing the support that was there for his daughter, and family. 

T-Shirts, Car Decal, Bracelets, Can Koozies that were made

4 months and growing!! 

Mason is 4 months old! 

Weeks 7 & 8 of Mr. Mase :)

Time is going fast, I can't believe how big our little guy is getting! 

--7 Weeks--

Isabella babysat so that Mommy and Daddy could go down to the band downtown and then to the pub for appetizers with Auntie Heather and Uncle TJ on Thursday(8/15). Then in the morning we got all packed up to head to the lake with the Speiser Family for our yearly weekend trip! We had a good weekend of relaxing! 

We took Mason on a "Ranger" ride around the lake and he slept the whole time in mommy's moby wrap(that auntie made!)

Everyone giving you lots of love! 

(Grandma Kathy, Great Grandma Marcella, Great Grandpa Ron, Aunt Nola, Cousin Brooke)

Grandma & Grandpa Stager Babysat Mason on Monday(8/19) in the morning and daddy watched Mason in the afternoon. I heard when I got home you peed on that silly Grandma of yours but of course she didn't care!! They love you so much!! It was also Auntie Heather's birthday so we went to the great Wood Lake Fair and after that we went to the Granite Falls Golf Course to eat supper! 

Tuesday(8/20) was Mason's first day of daycare and we also bumped up his feeding to 4oz he was seeming to be really hungry still! He did great at daycare and Amber and Josh send us updates! :)

Wednesday(8/21) Mason is 7 weeks old! Amber and Mason at daycare! Mason is still sucking down 4oz and is still hungry so we started to try 5oz, he seemed to be content after that! 

--8 Weeks--

Thursday(8/22) - Mason had an eventful day at daycare today! He is starting to not feel so good and fuse. Having a hard time sleeping and just not acting like himself, content and happy. 

Saturday(8/24) We took Mason into urgent care, he was spitting up his whole bottle at feedings and was congested. They said he just had a cold and to watch it. We also went to the chiropractor which helped a lot. We spent the afternoon cuddling and I went to help with Kandice Mae Photography with a photo booth at a wedding reception at night! 

Cuddles with daddy!

Photo booth I helped with! 

Sunday(8/25) We are ready to watch some Minnesota Viking football in this house! 

Tuesday(8/27) we took Mason back to urgent care after work, he has had 48/51 poopy diapers in the last 3 days, still not seeming like himself. They told us to switch formula to the sensitive formula and that should help. 

Where has time gone?

Where has time gone? Mr. Mason is now 4 weeks old! We have had such an amazing 2 weeks together though! 

--3 Weeks--

Mason 3 Weeks - 7.24.13

This wee we were busy again with Mello Yello events and it was also Crazy Days so we spend Thursday(7/18) at the pool! 

We also went the my friend Amanda's wedding on Saturday(7/20) and Mason did an awesome job! 

Great Grandma/Grandpa Stager along with Grandma/Grandpa Speiser came to visit on Sunday(7/21) and we went out for lunch! 

--4 Weeks--

4 Weeks! Where has the time gone! On Saturday my baby boy will be a month old!! This week Mason met his daycare provider, and it was my birthday(7/25), Auntie Heather took us out for lunch to Applebees and then took us Mini Golfing(Heather won)! This was a lot of fun! On Friday(7/26) Mason and I went all by ourselves to the cities to pick up Grandma Blough.

 Matt and I went out for a little bit with some friends and Auntie Heather was the first babysitter we had for Mason! We babysat Mason's cousins the Gniffkes on Sunday(7/28). More Mello Yello events and a nice lunch at the Coffee House to bring back memories from when we were growing up! Tueseday(7/30) we went mini golfing in Belview for FREE how awesome of a double date was that! What a great week it has been! 

Changes are happening tho: Mason has lost weight and we have found out it is because he wasn't getting enough milk from me when I would breast feed. So I am pumping as much as I can but otherwise switching to formula. I am surprised I could even make it this long with my breast reduction. I also got a job at Schwans and will be starting Monday, yes, 8/5/13. I am doing half days the first week (1-5pm) and the full time the next week. Auntie Heather will be watching Mason until he is 6 weeks and can go to daycare. This was a really hard decision to make but with the economy the way it is we need the 2nd income By the time I get paid it will be 10 weeks since I last received a paycheck. I am just trying to spend as much time with Mason as I can(yes I am even holding him as I type this) It hurts so much to think about it but I know it's the best thing right now for our family because who knows if I will be offered another job for awhile. As someone said to me "By it hurting so much it just shows how much you love Mason" I know he will be in great hands though and it will be easier this way then just having to drop him off at daycare. However I have only left him 2 times now and both were for 2hr so this will be a little bit of a change! Prayers would be appreciated! :)

Gender Reveal Party!

A special thank you to everyone that came to our gender reveal party! Big thank you to Brianna & Megan for throwing the party for us! It was so fun to finally be able to tell everyone what we are having!! 

It's a BOY!! 

Where: Wooden Nickel

When: February 17, 2013

Time: 2pm

Guest: Brianna, Megan, Nicole, Codie, Aubrey, Lory Jo, Ryan, Kristina, Karen, Gary, Jayni, Macey, Aiden, Tiffany, Brett, Ashley, Craig, Julie, Ron, Crystal, Carrie, Anthony, Kathy, Steve, Lowell, Lila, Hannah, Chelsea, Josie, Casen, Heather, TJ

Twin Cities/Valleyfair

We decided to have a getaway weekend with friends for Labor Day!! We went up to the cities on Saturday with Cory & Tricia! We checked into our hotel, then went shopping at MOA and had supper at Hooters(yuck! our food was bad and our waitress was TERRIBLE!!) Sunday we went to Valleyfair...Matt's first time on rides in years!! It was a blast! Matt's favorite ride is the Wild Thing, we are meant for each other ;) Brianna & Jeremy met us at valleyfair and it was a blast!! On our way home, Tricia & Cory dropped us off with Steve & Kathy in Granite Falls and we went out for supper at Duffy's followed by a stop at the casino!! 

 All in the back seat! 

 On the Wild Thing! 

 About to go on for the 2nd time! 

 Cory with his pizza hat!

 BFF :))

All of us!! 

..Lake Get Away..

We went to the lake this past weekend with Matt's family! It was so nice just to have another nice, enjoyable, relaxing weekend!! With family, the sun, jet skis, and relaxation! I haven't been on a jet ski in years so it was so much fun for Matt & I to get to do this!! It was also his grandma's birthday, the main reason we all got together!! 

 Steve & Kathy, relaxing having a couple! 

 Nic & Kase on the jet ski!

 Matt & I on the jet ski!! -- Brooke fishing away!! 

 Steve & Kathy on the jet ski!! 

 Kathy, Brooke and I on the paddle boat!

Matt & I before we left!!