Devil's Lake State Park 25

We're back to reality after a wonderful week away in Wisconsin!

We spent last week in The Dells and enjoyed one of our very favorite spots Devil's Lake State Park.  The weather was a little different than the July weather we have come to expect.  It was a little rainy, more humid and a little hazy.  We've never dealt with any of that before so the weather kept us on our toes a bit.  Thankfully, it didn't stop us from doing anything.  It really just made us have to be a little more spontaneous to take advantage of sunshine and fun opporunities.

We arrived at Devil's Lake one afternoon and it was busy!  The lots were full, we circled a few times and then found a great spot.  It is a popular spot and yet somehow it doesn't ever feel crowded once you get past the parking lot.

Summers here are so much fun.  Everything is running a full capacity - snow cones, ice cream shops, equipment rentals, beaches, bbq, hiking, swimming and more. 

Fletcher made the decision that he wanted to get baptized this Summer at Devil's Lake.  He made the plan months ago, told his class about it and was so excited for Kevin to baptize him there.  Just like Olive did last year.  It was a really special moment and family tradition to carry on.

We all swam.

The warmer temps meant the water was a little warmer than usual.

The kids collected cool rocks and shells.

Leo dug holes and floated around the lake.

We enjoyed the gift shop and a snow cone treat.

It was a wonderful day at Devil's Lake.

Homemade 4 Berry Jam

I have always wanted to make berry jam in the Summer.  We tried it last year with our wild blackberries, but it wasn't amazing.  I didn't love the consistency or the pectin.  I found a recipe that didn't use pectin and only had berries, lemon juice and sugar in it.  It was the perfect recipe for us.

You'll need 6-7 cups of your favorite berries (We used blackberries, strawberries, raspberries & blueberries - hence 4 berry jam on the 4th of July)

1 cup of sugar

and 1/4 cup + 1 T fresh lemon juice and zest of one lemon

I also had two small jam jars and lids to hold the jam.

Follow the directions linked above to a t.  They were perfect!  Wash berries, let dry, chop and start cooking.  I did this on a day when we were home and I could also tackle other projects while the jam cooked.

The jam turned out so pretty!

Our backyard blackberries were extra yummy this year!

The prettiest 4 berry mixture!  I made this on the 4th of July and just might have started a new family tradition.

Put all ingredients in a pot and start cooking low and slow.

Smash, mix and stir, stir, stir.

Turn up the heat and wait for it to thicken.

Cool and put in a cute jam jar.  The above recipe made two jam jars.

The perfect addition to any breakfast plate!

This was the easiest, yummiest jam recipe I have ever tried.  I will definitely make it again with yummy summer berries.  I think I'm going to try strawberry and raspberry jam next.

Only Buy What You LOVE

We have been trying something new that has been a game changer.

Only buy what you LOVE.

It is something that I started doing and then introduced it to Kevin and now the kids.

We apply it to everything - shoes, toys, home decor, thrifted items and Amazon purchases.

Think you purchase over, try it on and then only purchase it if you LOVE it.  If it's a little too tight, a little too short or the clothing doesn't fit you perfectly, then pass on it.

I adored this orange top from TJ Maxx.  I wanted to purchase it so badly, but it was pretty cropped and wasn't lined.  I was thinking of ways to layer it or alter it and no matter what adjustments I came up with, I realized that it just didn't work for me.  Now I'm inspired to be on the hunt for a similar citrus top that works for me without any changes.

I also really wanted to like the flowy pants in the background.  BUT they were both very see through and would require special underwear to make them work.  I passed on all of them even though I really liked the idea of each piece.

Kevin and I have been weeding out our closets to make sure we only hang on to things we love.  I have been consigning tons of stuff from all of our closets.

It's been great to see the kids thinking through this concept.  Do I love this toy?  Do I really love this book or this shirt?  If they do, then we will purchase it.  If it's just okay then we think about it.  They will add things to their own Amazon wish lists and think it over, read reviews and spend their money wisely.

You'll have to give this a try - only buy the things you love and then you'll be surrounded by things at home and in your closets that you LOVE.

Surprising the Kids

We are having a great Summer.  Sometimes the simplest things are my kid's favorite parts of our day.

1. I've been cashing in all of my rewards and gift cards to do fun things with the kids this Summer.  The kids had never tried Nothing Bundt Cakes before.  They noticed the s'mores flavor of the week... maybe month?... and wanted to try it.  One day we were in the area so I surprised them with getting to pick out their own flavor of bundlet.  I think the lemon was the yummiest, but we all enjoyed our flavors.

2. We don't eat out a ton so eating in a restaurant or trying a new restaurant is so fun for the kids.  Kevin was out of town for several days and I surprised them with a dinner at Hacienda.  They wanted to try their version of chicken on the beach (chicken, rice and white queso cheese).  I got guacamole for us to share and we had the best time eating out together.

3. Surprise them and let them each order their own thing.  We'll often times share or split fun treats, but this summer I have let the kids order their own thing.  This was delicious frozen hot chocolate in Santa Claus, IN.  They got a straw to share a sip with me and then they enjoyed the rest on their own.  Each of the kids got to pick out their own special candy treat from the Candy Castle, too.

4. I have also tried hard to just say YES to requests that are easy to grant.

Can I play fortnite with my school friends?

Can I go over to my friend's house this afternoon?

Can you play volleyball with me?

Can you play puzzles with me?

Can we make pumpkin cookies today?

Can we stay up a little later tonight?

Will you have a slumber party on the couch with us tonight?

Can I add a couple things to our grocery pick up list?

Can Olive babysit us?

Can we go to the library today?

YES!

I challenge you to surprise your kids with something fun this week!

Friday Faves

Happy Friday!  I hope July is treating you well.  We're squeezing in all the fun things.

Let me recap our favorite moments so far this month.

We are doing things that we don't usually have time for during the school year - like a late breakfast at one of our favorite donut shop.  It's the cutest and the donuts are the best.  It's also my favorite when Leo grabs his siblings and tells me to take their picture.  Mom win!

Lemon, s'mores and carnival donuts.

My BFFs came in town with their sons for the day.  We met them at our favorite donut shop again and then had the best time showing them some of our favorite spots around town.

We grabbed an afternoon iced coffee from Fletcher's friend's coffee shop as the kids played.

We wore them out!

Leo said, Let me sit by my beautiful mama! one morning and made my day.  I love slow days at home in our pjs.

Mr. Mittens has claimed a new perch.  One where his rascally sisters cannot reach him.  I've been working really hard at home to declutter everything and it feels so good.

I've been in a good walking routine this Summer and when it gets HOT, I head to the treadmill.  Leo loves to be close so he plays with his toys right next to me as I walk.

My zinnia seeds sprouted and I'm getting the prettiest flowers!

I was just saying that I was sad to not see many butterflies this year since I planted far fewer flowers than usual.  I looked out my window later that day and look what I saw visiting my pretty flowers!

My parents came over for dinner and brought their puppy.  Hardy was so happy to see us, but playing sure wears a puppy out.

We dropped off treats to Kevin's Grandma.  We chatted all about our cruise and she told us about some of her travel adventures.

We stopped by the library to check out a big stack of books for each kid.

We went on a road trip to Santa Claus, IN to spend the day with my parents.  Leo was so excited to hop out of the car and find a big turtle waiting for us.

Cute Hardy.

We had to keep an eye on this busy guy.

I hosted book club this month.  We read Beach Read by Emily Henry.  We all enjoyed it and I made cookie bars for everyone.  We rotate meeting at different local restaurants.

Prime Time impressed us all!  This salad was delicious.  I'm still dreaming of those onion straws and soft pretzel.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

My favorite guy turns 44 today!

Kevin brings the fun to our family.  He plans all of our trips, makes sure that I'm the passenger princess and is always looking out for us.  He loves a good deal and is great at finding hidden gems.  He could survive on trail mix, protein bars and coffee.  He's doing big things at work and making sure we are all doing great things at home.  He takes care of all the important paperwork, is our tech support, builder of all the things and loves a delicious dinner at home.  He's the one who leads bedtime devotions and always has his nose in a book.  We're thankful for him!

Olive loves to play volleyball with Dad.

Fletcher loves to go backyard camping and shoot airsoft guns with Dad.

Leo is so sporty and so silly - just like his Dad.

We celebrated with Kevin's family earlier this week - burgers, homemade cake and his favorite people.

Leo was present, just did not want to quit playing with cousins long enough for a family photo.

Wishing him a wonderful year ahead!