Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! We had a great evening trick-or-treating complete with homemade pizza like this, a deliciously fresh salad and pumpkin pie dip. Since this was our first year in our new neighborhood, we weren't sure what to expect. However, we were pleasantly surprised with well-mannered kids and thoughtful gifts... despite the cold and wind!

Nina dressed up as none other than Annie!! Even though she doesn't have red curly hair, I thought it would suit her. :)

p.s. That is a sucker in her mouth... not a chain-smoking-Annie!! :) Hehe.

p.s. Here is our Halloween fun last year!

5 Bits

1. People inspire you or they drain you - pick them wisely. -Hans F Hansen

2. People wait all week for Friday, all year for summer and all life for happiness. - unknown

3. Keep your mind on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, the best not the worst, the beautiful not the ugly. - Philippians 3:8

4. Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change. - Jim Rohn

5. Be grateful instead of complaining for what you do not have. You will never see God's favor in fullness as long as you are not thankful. When facing hard times do not go round talking about your problems. Do all things without complaining or disputing. - Phiilippians 2:14

You are a good mama.

After reading this post and then this article a few days ago, I knew I had to pass the message along to my readers. :)

READ IT.

It's so good to hear and so great to say.

You are a good mama.

(I get to parent this little girl every day... it IS a blessing.)

5 Year SNC Reunion

A few weekends ago we celebrated our 5 year St. Norbert College reunion. I didn't take nearly as many photos as I should have - of friends, of our beautiful campus, laughing about fun memories, things we jammed into our time together, and more. As usual, the memories live on. Here's a few photos anyway... :)

Missing you Angela... :)

Mr. Evans pretending to be an alum... :)

Dinner at Bleu... yum!

It was so fun to have spouses along as well... typically our reunions are "girls only" (we also had TONS of good news to celebrate so I'm so glad everyone was there!!)

P.S. I loved this... 29 Underrated Things about Being in your Late Twenties. Perfect for us girls who are inching closer to our "late twenties".... :)

Nina's 2nd Birthday Photo Shoot

Nina turned two on September 13! As we do every year, we turned to McManigal Photography to help us out! I just LOVE how they turned out. I may be biased, but isn't she seriously the cutest thing ever?? :)

p.s. Here are photos from Nina's 1st birthday photo shoot!

Baby #2!!!!

The Evans household has some exciting news to share! We are expecting baby #2! Mr. Evans and I are excited, but Nina is THRILLED at the anticipation of having a little baby brother or sister. Please keep us in your prayers for a happy and healthy baby come end of April/beginning of May!

p.s. Here was our announcement about baby #1 (Nina)! :)

Tao Te Ching

Random piece of nothingness to share today... :)

The Tao Te Ching is one of my favorite books to read in one sitting. Its simplicity helps me be mindful and keep things in perspective. When I feel my life is out of balance, I skim its pages. If you've never read it, I encourage you to take some time for yourself.

For your reference, I read the translation by Stephen Mitchell.

For moms of young kids...

I came across this post yesterday from one of my fav blogs. It's a must read for moms of young kids, babies, toddlers... whatever the age!

Here are a few excerpts that resonated with me...

I was thinking yesterday about how every single stage of childhood brings it's joys and tribulations, it's challenges and it's rewards, but it is all good in the end and all of it needs to happen.  Sometimes when a stage gets frustrating, I think of the alternative.  The alternative being that I don't have little feet pattering after me constantly, and my house sits perfectly clean but empty, and there is no little body to cuddle which will always be a great excuse for a nap.

...

I want to always remember the work I am doing won't last for long, it is fleeting, it is precious and not ever to be taken for granted.  I will wish it back one day, I already look at the years and wonder where they've gone. There are women who would give anything to be in my place, whether struggling with infertility, or experiencing the sickness or loss of a child and wishing they could have every thing back the way it had once been.

...

A feeling-sorry-for-myself moment can become a thank-my-lucky-stars moment.  

Nina playing hide-and-seek in her carseat... silly girl!

Third Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip

We continued our annual tradition and recently went to our local pumpkin patch. Click here to see last year's trip.

This year, we went on my birthday per my mom's suggestion. It was early, but we managed to find some unique pumpkins! Later that afternoon, my mom cooked my grandma's famous mac and cheese for dinner. The perfect comfort food... yum!

Lately...

I mean... c'mon. These photos were too cute not to share. :) Happy Friday everyone!

Nina was pouty over something, but I just LOVE her hair in a ponytail. She looks SO old! :)
P.S. I got my hair cut a bit. Like it?

Here's my father-in-law taking Nina and her cousin Evan on a walk. So cute!

Potty training was/is a success!! She did fabulously. Literally, it could not have gone better. I was totally spoiled. Love you Nina!

P.S. I think I need to find some grey nail polish to keep up with this fall trend.

P.P.S. I wanted to share a few new recipes I've been loving lately... you cannot go wrong.
- Giada's Butternut Squash Lasagna (I used my immersion blender instead of transferring to a blender)
- Pioneer Woman's Italian Salad with Creamy Dressing (deeee-lish with take out pizza)
- Gnocchi with Pesto, Green Beans and Ricotta (a perfect way to use up your summer batches of pesto)

P.P.P.S. Are you a wine drinker like me? If so, you'll like this article!

Lobster Rolls

Mr. Evans and I have a thing for lobster rolls. So, as part of our anniversary celebrations a few months back we ordered from Luke's Lobster. Direct from the East Coast Luke's Lobster is the place to go. We ordered their famous lobster roll kit online (click here). They overnight you all the necessary elements and voila ... an ahhh-mazing dinner. I won't lie. The kit serves 4, but Mr. Evans and I pigged out and ate most of it! Yummm. It's delicious! I am still thinking about it even all these months later!

Pretty, right?? :) Notice the big roll of paper towel? They were so buttery, juicy and lemony. Yum!

Lobster rolls, Caprese salad, cold beer!

One of our pretty PeeGee Hydrangea trees!