It's been awhile...

Well hello everyone.

As you can see I took a bit of a break from blogging for a few months. I started this blog as a way to keep my family updated about things in our lives and as a journal in a way to look back on things we've done as a family. I took a break for 2 reasons... I wasn't sure anyone was even reading it and I wasn't enjoying the writing process. 

Over the past few weeks I've been asked when I'm going to post again and I've actually started to miss it. 

So I'm back! I am not doing a typical "catch up post" where I just dump pictures from the last few months to update you all on things. 

If you want to see what we've been up to check out my Instagram kimmurray36. https://www.instagram.com/kimmurray36/

Working on a fun post for tomorrow in between ordering our Christmas cards... so check back in!!

Thanks 

Xo's 

Quick Getaway

This past weekend we took a little road trip down to Maryland and Delaware to visit some great friends and family. 

We piled into the car at 4:30 am, or the time the sun is still sleeping according to Madison, and started our weekend adventure. Madison was asleep before we were even out of our town but Elizabeth had other plans! That girl was up until about 9:30am before she finally fell back asleep! The ride down was easy, we stopped in Maryland at Denny's for some breakfast and headed off to our friends! 

Friends that are willing to do the fun kiddie tourist stuff with you are the best! 

Isn't this the cutest owl? It is 16 years old and so tiny!

We spent the afternoon at the Maryland Zoo. It was such a different experience from the Bronx Zoo, as Maryland Zoo is much smaller and not as spread out! Madison was so happy to see her favorite - the pink Flamingo!

 She thought it was "crazy" that one of the flamingos was standing on two legs. We also checked out the brand new penguin exhibit, where Madison was quick to point out that the penguins were tagged so they knew who each penguin was!

Seriously where did this girl learn all this?!

The children's zoo was incredible! They had so many fun interactive exhibits, Madison's favorite, and I am sure most other children's, was the lily pads!

Beth was just happy to be able to walk around not be stuck in the car!

After the zoo we headed back to our friend's house for a BBQ with some other friends were we ended up playing a couple games with the frisbee and a few rounds of "head's up".

The next morning we were on the road to Rehobeth Beach nice and early as we wanted to be at the beach by noon. 

It wasn't the nicest afternoon for the beach as it was very windy and overcast but we spent a few hours playing in the sand. The girls had NO interest in going into the water. 

The next day was sunny and hot! We hit the beach and there was no stopping Madison & Beth from jumping into the ocean! 

They loved it!

 It was so nice to be to spend time with Chris' aunt and uncle and cousins, and his cousins son! Beth wouldn't stop hugging him and he wasn't a fan! 

 Beth loved being in the water, she took a couple waves to the face and would just laugh and keep going. There was no taking your eyes off of her she was determined to get in the water at all costs! She didn't seem to mind the taste of sand as she ate a couple handfuls!

 Once Madison got over how chilly the water was she was back to being the mermaid that she is. Brian, Chris' cousin, was tossing Madison into the waves, she was jumping over the waves as they rolled in and even swimming! She described the ocean as "so awesome".

After a couple hours at the beach we jumped on the Jolly Trolly and hit the boardwalk! Madison played a few games at Funland and rode a couple of the rides before we went to dinner and had some ice cream in celebration of National Ice Cream Day! After all that fun it was time to pack up and head home!

It was a quick but fun, relaxing and enjoyable getaway!  We are already looking forward to next year!

Happy Birthday America!

We celebrated America's 239th birthday like most other people... with a BBQ! We actually celebrated with 2 BBQ's. 

On Friday night we had a few people over for a small bon fire. Madison and Beth had a blast! Madison was super excited that Chris blew up a little pool for her, Beth wasn't so excited. 

 floral bathing (similar)

Beth spent most the afternoon playing with chalk and driving her sisters jeep around!

  

She isn't tall enough to reach the pedal so she would reach down and hit it with her hand and pop up with a massive smile and do it again!

Madison & Ryan got to have some fun with sparklers, both were a little confused but had so much fun!

Saturday we spent the day like we normally spend 4th of July at a family friends Pool Party! Madison spent most the afternoon in the pool with her friends from where we used to live. Beth really isn't into the pool but did go in for a bit with Pop! I have to get those pics from my mother in law!

We tried to get a good picture with our chalkboard but Beth had other ideas.. she wanted to lean against the board!

Stars & Stripes // Blue & White

Leaning against the board meant- chalk all over her new dress! Thankfully it washed right out!

Sunday was more relaxing. Chris took Madison out on the boat with my in-laws and Beth and I got some stuff done around the house.. including taking all 1278 photos off my phone to make room for new ones!

Since Beth couldn't keep her little tush off the chalkboard I didn't get a good shot of this years design so here it is!

We hope you and your family had a great weekend!

How is this possible?

How it is possible that we are already looking at shopping for fall and winter? Summer just started. Madison finishes her first week of camp today, which means 7 weeks left and here I am going through clothes figuring out what she needs for fall!

Yesterday I mentioned Joe Fresh an amazing Canadian company. I used to love their clothes and shopped there alot! Since having the girls I haven't purchased a thing from the store but after being home in Canada a few weeks ago I fell back in love with the brand! The good quality and low price are key with kids!

I have my shopping list ready for a day in the city.

Here are a few things I picked.

Toddler Girls' Print One Piece // Pretty In Black Tee // Sueded Boots
Smile Days // Sequin Pocket Tee // Neon Jeans
Floral Stripped Tee // Sequin Skirt // Skinny Jeans

The sequin skirt and the camo shirt might just have to be her first day of school outfit. It's the perfect mix of girly and tomboy which is Madison!

Happy Thursday!

Hockey, Beaver tails & Poutine .. Oh My!

Happy Birthday to my home country, our neighbour to the north, America's hat---- CANADA!!!

And no.. I did not spell neighbour wrong.. that is the correct english spelling!

In honor of Canada Day today the little ones are rocking some "Canadian Cutie" shirts that my aunt gave them last week while we were in Canada. They are from one of my personal favorite stores - Joe Fresh! It used to be sold in the supermarket back in Canada (weird I know) but now they are huge! They have a gorgeous 2 story floor on 5th ave in the city which I need to make a visit to soon. I have some adorable clothes pick out for the fall for Madison's last year at Preschool!

Check them out..

Half way through June..

Already half way through June! Where has this year gone! 

This weekend was our first official weekend of Summer Vacation! School ended on Wednesday for Madison, and Thursday for me!

It blows my mind that Madison only has 1 more year left of preschool before she ventures off the kindergarten and Beth starts preschool!

Catching you guys up on everything over the past month would take forever, so here is the quick run down.

Beth is now 15 months, weighing in at 18lbs and just barely hanging onto the chart! She has become a very chatty little girl! 

Madison finished the 3's program and is looking forward to her second summer of camp!

Mommy is also looking forward to camp because Madison is going all day, which means lots of mommy and Beth time! Chris has been working hard and enjoying softball.

The girls and I try to make as many of his softball games as we can, Madison loves going because there is a nice park for her to play at.

If this past weekend is any indication of how our summer will be I should stock up on sunscreen, and make lots of room on my camera! We went to the Bronx Zoo friday with 2 of my friends and their sons, Saturday was spent at Community Day and we finished off the weekend on Pop's boat!

We have lots of fun things planned for the girls over the summer including some beach trips, Sesame Place and some awesome outdoor activities in the back yard!

I can't wait to share them with all of you!

xo's

Mother's Day Weekend

Happy belated Mother's Day to all the mom's out there!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and were spoiled by your spouses and little ones :)

Our weekend was a busy one, as usual! I was at Home Depot at the lovely hour of 6 am on Saturday morning to get the flowers for my mother in law's and the girl's godmother's gifts. I found a cute flower pot on pinterest that had children's foot prints on them as butterflies and I thought it was the cutest thing! We did the foot prints on Wednesday but I waited to plant to flowers. Everyone loved them!

Do you know who goes to Home Depot at 6 am on Saturday morning? Men doing their weekend projects and mom's who take every chance they can to run errands without their children. On the plus side I was home from Home Depot and Stop and Shop and coffee by 730 am and was ready to take on the day!

We spent the afternoon at a local varsity softball game and then headed over to my in-laws for our Mother's Day BBQ. It was a beautiful day filled with family and a special gift for Madison! Mike (Chris' brother) gave Madison her flower girl gift... a Barbie jeep! Madison was so excited and wanted to drive it home! 

Sunday was Mother's Day! Both girls actually slept by 7, which isn't normal in this house. They actually slept til 745! We started the day by heading over the local park for the Mother's Day 5k. I ran the same race last year, it was my first 5k ever so this year my goal was to beat my previous time (38:20) and I was also secretly hoping to place in the top 3 in my age group. 

It was so humid but I gave it my all! I did beat my previous time.. this years time was 33:25! The hills slowed me down but thats ok! I came 5th in my age group.. also fine! I am so happy with my improvement over the past year. I went from never running to running a 1/2 marathon and numerous 5k races! I am already looking forward to next weekend for The Running Goddess 5K!!!

After the race Madison and I headed for mani/pedi's followed by brunch at a local southern restaurant that we have all fallen in love with! 

It was the perfect Mother's Day!  I am so lucky to be a mom to the 2 most amazing little beauties (yes I am biased) in the world.