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More Rainy Day Fun + A Few Favorites in Threes

We had another rainy day here in the ‘Burgh, so we decided to get outside and have some fun. We pulled on our rain boots and rain jackets and hung out outside for a bit!

Mother and daughter rain boots

Mom and daughter walking in rain

I’ve been working on teaching Sadie the colors of the rainbow, so we collected leaves for a little project.

She was so excited to show Jimmy her craft when he got home from work! The second he walked in the door, she took his hand and dragged him to the fridge and signed leaf. So sweet!

Toddler leaf craft for fall

Onto some of my recent favorites in lists of threes because I love a good list!

Favorite Moments Lately

  1. Playing Elefun with Sadie and Jimmy. Did anyone play this game growing up?!
  2. Working on Christmas crafts. I’ve been making wreaths and upcycled a mini Christmas tree this week.
  3. Hanging out with our church family. I love spending time after services just watching all the kids play and catching up with everyone!

Recipes I’ve Been Cooking and Baking

  1. Chickpea Soup
  2. Apple Cider Pork Chops
  3. Pumpkin Spice Ginger Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Ginger Cookies

Cookbooks I’ve Been Using Nonstop

  1. The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion
  2. Artisan Sourdough Made Simple 
  3. Modern Jewish Baker

Things I’m Excited For

  1. Jimmy and I are doing a staycation this weekend!
  2. Thanksgiving–I have no clue what we’re doing but I’m pumped.
  3. Decorating for and celebrating Christmas.

Pet Products We’ve Been Using On Repeat

  1. Waterless Shampoo. This has been a lifesaver with the rainy weather we’ve been having and Niva smells amazing after I put this on her. 
  2. Car Harness. It’s perfect for keeping Niva secure when we drive her to and from doggy daycare.
  3. Cat Toothbrush Toy. That’s right… a cat toothbrush, haha. 

Cat toothbrush

Tell me some of your favorites!

Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

Visiting The Outer Banks in September

Last year when we were evacuated from the Outer Banks in early September due to Hurricane Dorian, we vowed to never visit in September again because of the high risk of hurricanes. So what did we do this year? We went to the Outer Banks in September, LOL. 

Family photo at the beach in Outer Banks

We were blessed with no hurricanes and a blissful week of rest and joy. We met my parents at their beach house in Kill Devil Hills and had such a lovely time.

The weather was definitely a mixed bag; the first few days were windy with rough surf due to remnants of a couple of hurricanes that thankfully didn’t hit the Outer Banks. The rest of the week was just right, though. Some sun, some clouds, high 70s and a calm ocean.

What we were up to all week:

  • Relaxing! Jimmy and I were in the hot tub every day, sometimes multiple times a day 🙂
  • Attending church. We visited Son Rise Church of Christ and also watched our home church’s revival via Facebook Live.
  • Playing at Dowdy Park. Sadie loved all the play structures there and so did the adults, ha!
  • Vlogging. I posted two vlogs from our trip; this one and this one!
  • Hanging out on the beach. Sadie was a little fearful of the ocean but loved playing in the sand.
  • Ordering in lots of seafood. A few of our favorite restaurants if anyone is looking are: Black Pelican, Awful Arthur’s, and Miller’s.
  • French braiding. Yes, I regularly braid six-strand challah bread, but just learned to french bread hair. 
  • Walking on Jeanette’s Pier. We saw a surfing competition the day we did this!
  • Visiting the Duck Boardwalk. Jimmy and I got Sadie her birthday gifts there (this book, this book, and this little toy) and grabbed some vegetables from a farmer’s market stand.
  • Playing mini golf. Jimmy and I went on a little mini golf date and he beat me!
  • Celebrating Sadie’s second birthday. Sadie turned the big t-w-o while we were away! We bought her a balloon at Dollar Tree and she has been playing with it ever since. 

Alright, enough typing. Here are a few photos!

Duck boardwalk in Outer BanksOuter Banks with a toddlerOuter Banks surfing competition at Jeanette's Pier in Nags Head North CarolinaGrandpa with toddlerOuter Banks fishing off of Avalon's PierDowdy Park in Outer Banks North CarolinaCouple sitting by pool in Outer BanksGirl holding cocker spanielGrandparents with toddler at beach in Outer Banks North CarolinaCute family photoOuter Banks North CarolinaMom reading to daughterDowdy Park Kill Devil Hills North Carolina in the Outer BanksThree generations of women braiding hairToddler playing with magnetic play house toySmiling husband and wifeJeanette's Pier aquarium

The Outer Banks are such a special place for us. I grew up visiting almost every summer of my childhood, Jimmy and I honeymooned there, went on a babymoon there, and now we take Sadie to visit as much as possible!

There’s just something about being near the ocean and having time to relax and not do much of anything that brings so much joy and refreshment to us. ❤

 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3