Christmas Tree Hunting and a Sunday Date Day

I can now officially say I am among the land of the living. I thought I was over my illness mid-week last week, but really, it took a while to recover. I don’t know what I had, but needless to say, I am glad it is behind me! I cranked out some miles yesterday and this morning and feel definitely more myself (thank goodness!) Since I didn’t share my weekend recap with you all, yesterday, I wanted to pop in here today and share it with you before the week went by!

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Last weekend was so soul refreshing. Saturday morning, Landon and I decided to get our Christmas tree and our friends were able to join us! Up until the morning of, we were going back and forth with plans (both families had sicknesses going around). We finally decided to go for it and I am so glad we did.

Normally, in northern Illinois, getting a Christmas tree is a cold affair. However, this time, the weather was in the low 50s and tree hunting felt 103% easier. Although I missed the magical snow, it was nice to feel my fingers and toes the entire time 🙂

My family has been coming to this specific tree farm for as long as I can remember. A couple weeks ago, I asked if our friends could come with and they quickly agreed it sounded like a fun outing! We decided to meet up and chop trees down together (one of my ideal favorite family dates, ever!). After a breakfast of pancakes, Landon, Niah and I traveled to one of my all time, favorite places ever and met our friends.

(I was BEYOND disappointed on the car ride when I realized I didn’t bring my SD card #bloggerfail. I captured some moments from my Iphone, but it wasn’t quite the same quality, bare with me)

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friends

Okay, these friends of ours are seriously such blessings! Kimberly and I are doing a Bible study together, which has been such a blessing! Our little guys are about two months apart and watching them grow up together is so fun. A little after we found each other, we took a sleigh ride out to the trees and roamed down rows of fir trees until we found that perfect one. Landon chopped down the tree, which Niah was very amused with! Once we both had our perfect trees in tow, we headed back to the main lodge for hot coca, a walk through a maze (Kimberly and I totally got lost!), and conversation. It was such a special treat to share memories like this with friends and I was so grateful to have such good friends to bond with!

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Love my boys, so much <3

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We spent the rest of our evening setting up our tree, eating homemade vegan burrito bowls and watching a movie.

Sunday

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Sunday morning started off with more pancakes and scrambled eggs. I don’t know what it was this weekend, but all I could think about what these buckwheat pancakes and eggs. Maybe it’s the cold weather?

After eating breakfast, we got ready for church and headed out (on time, I may add.) On the way over, Landon and I decided last minute to have a spontaneous date after church at one of our favorite breakfast/lunch spots. Landon’s parent’s graciously offered to watch Niah and after a powerful sermon and fun conversation with friends from church; we said goodbye to Niah for the afternoon and headed to lunch. (< let’s take a moment to appreciate that run-on sentence.)

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Shortly after saying goodbye to Niah, we headed to a favorite, local lunch spot and I got one of my favorites their quiona + sweet potato + feta cheese salad with chicken. It was beyond delicious. I also ordered their sweet potato fries, because I love their fries and #balance. Landon ordered a pastrami sandwich with gouda which tasted as amazing as it sounds. It was so refreshing to be able to enjoy each other’s company and conversation, uninterrupted. We always have a Friday night date night (which normally involves board games + movies) but it was fun to change things up and go out. We ended our date with a big scoop of gelato (for me) and a mango smoothie (for him.)

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My handsome date <3

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After our date, I said hello and goodbye to Niah, while Landon and his dad watched him. My mother in law and I had planned to attend my sister’s concert that evening and road tripped together to go watch her preform.

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Abby did amazing as usual, and it was such a joy to watch her sing! I also got to see my mom, dad, grandma and sister, Emily which made the night extra special. How beautiful is this girl!?!!

I came home late, but to a sleeping boy and a clean house (thanks honey!) Landon and I ended our evening talking late into the night, while I snacked on some of my leftovers from lunch.

Weekends like these are so soul refreshing. Thankful for the little moments. I hope you all had a great weekend and I will catch you, tomorrow!

Questions of the Day 

  1. What was the best part of your weekend?
  2. Team real tree or fake?
  3. Do you have a favorite ice cream/gelato flavor?