8th Anniversary

A couple weeks ago we celebrated 8 years of marriage. Hard to believe we are almost to 10 years! I keep mentioning a trip to celebrate year #10!

We went to Tony's for dinner a few days before our anniversary to celebrate just the two of us.

Then on our actual anniversary we started the day with school pictures for Sissy!

Doesn't she look fabulous? We picked out a dress at Old Navy and the night before pictures we had a girls night at Target and did a last minute outfit change.

Eric, Oliver and I loaded up to pick Elle up from school with plans to go to lunch then apple picking.  Elle came down with her class, we got back in the car...and our battery had died. So after a jump from my dad we headed to Costco for a new battery. Keeping these crazies occupied while Eric worked on the car.

Next we were finally headed to the ferry and soon we were stopping for lunch.  I told Elle there were frog legs on the menu thinking she would make a funny face or be grossed out instead she asked to order them!  

When they came to the table she questioned why they weren't green.  I truly think girlfriend was expecting (and hoping for) raw frog legs. This girl keeps me on my toes. Just when I think I know how she will react to something she throws me a curve ball. 

Enjoying her frog legs.

Next stop, Eckerts for apple picking!!

We stopped to say hi to the animals.  Look at Ollie's little arm in a cast waving to them.

We love Halloween!

8 years and 2 babes later!!

We heard "look! look! look!" a lot on this day. :)

Her 3rd year apple picking! My baby has grown so much!

This little dude was more interested in darting through the field than picking the apples.

Or picking rotting apples up off the ground. 

My tall girl!

And my tiny little doodle!

We had the best day!! We did get lost on the way home but at this point it's such a tradition that it would almost be disappointing if we didn't. :)

Life Lately

October is my most favorite month!  There are so many fun things to do so the month always flies by but I try to enjoy every second of it.

Here's a look at our Fall so far.

Friday nights are made for popcorn and movies.

My Ollie boy was helping me fold clothes.  This boy still hates laying on his belly so he had himself flipped over right after this picture was taken. 

World's cutest doodle...I'm sure of it!

Unc and Aunt Paige came over one Sunday to babysit while Eric and I went out to celebrate our anniversary. 

We went to Hermann for some lunch and wine drinking...and people watching!

Eric...get back in the car. ;)

I laugh at my own jokes. :) :)

7 years as the Hylton's!

Ollie boy was so happy to see me when we got home.  Here he is attacking me with kisses.  Elle took these pics. 

Sometimes you just need a cheese quesadilla at 9:30 at night, according to Eleanor.

Stopping at Starbucks with mommy. 

Trying on Thanksgiving hats!  Notice Elle also has her camera out for a picture...and a chocolate mouth from a cakepop. :)

She wanted to wear one of my tshirts to bed.

While sissy napped, doodle enjoyed a snack and I caught up on Ladies of London. 

Best Buds! 

How big does Oliver look here!?!

We met my mom at the O'Fallon Fall Festival last Saturday.  Elle was on the hunt for Woody and Jessie for some reason. Not sure why she thought they would be there? Although we never saw them, she was so excited to see this guy!  There was a tiny bit of fear (she wouldn't touch it) but mostly excited!

We headed to the grocery store after and during a brief meltdown by Eleanor (apparently the pink cookies in the bakery are a seasonal summer only thing and girlfriend wasn't happy about it :) Oliver managed to eat part of my grocery list. Super fun shopping trip. :)

All decked out in her Halloween glasses and light up necklace poses next to her scarecrows.  Elle is loving Halloween decorations this year, especially scarecrows. On Main St. they are having a scarecrow contest and one business put up an Elsa one.  We drive by them every morning so Elle can take a peek. 

Headed to Henry's soccer game!

Last Sunday we went to the New Melle sausage dinner. We met Mom and the Voss family there for a yummy meal and some bounce house jumping. 

I bought these little Birkenstock sandals for Ollie at the beginning of the summer and they are just now fitting him.  This is probably the one and only time he will be able to wear them. 

Elle loves this song called "Rotten to the Core" that they are playing on the Disney channel. One day she went and grabbed her princess outfit and karaoke machine so she could sing along.  So so cute.

Someone's Halloween costume arrived and she is in love!

Here is a sneak peek of our beautiful bird!

My baby boy is going to start crawling ANY DAY!  Look out world, Ollie boy is coming for ya!

Cheers to 6 years

After our fun apple picking adventure Eric and I hit the rode for Chicago Saturday morning.  Actually our first stop was Mary's house to drop Elle off for a weekend of fun.  She rotated between Mary's house and my mom and dad's over the weekend.

Our first stop in Chicago was IKEA, of course!  I love IKEA, I could spend all day there...Eric doesn't share the love.  He was a trooper and shopped with me, we left with a new bed for Elle's big girl room, a step stool so she could help in the kitchen, little side table, chalkboard easel for Elle for Christmas and some Christmas decorations.  Successful shopping trip...for Elle at least!

After Ikea we checked into our hotel downtown then headed out for dinner.  Cheers with beers and root beers. :)

When we were walking back to our hotel from dinner a group stopped us and asked if we wanted to come into the church and light a candle.  I had been suspicious of the church being the one in My Best Friends Wedding so I was up for it...and I also wanted to say a prayer...it wasn't all about the movie set. Honest.  I'm still not 100% sure if it was the church from the movie but I'm thinking it was, wish I would have taken a picture.

The next morning we walked to breakfast where Eric may of had his most favorite breakfast of his life.  Actually it was the meal I ordered (Santa Fe Fritata) but he was obsessed and talked about it the rest of the trip.  We had lunch reservations at RPM, I have been wanting to try this restaurant on our last couple trips to Chicago.  It's the restaurant owned by Giuliani & Bill Rancic.  The pasta I ordered came with a raw egg on top and a little man that personally sliced and diced it to shreds right in front of me.  We were dying. 

I always say this little bbaby in my belly is going to be a mini Eric Russell and even the foods I'm craving are some of Eric's favorites.  Like spaghetti, I hate spaghetti but ended up switching plates with Eric because his meal looked and smelled so yummy.  There is a mini Italian baby making all food choices for me these days.

After lunch I hit up Michigan Ave for some shopping (after walking a million miles in the wrong direction, my poor prego feet were awarded with new boots :) and Eric hit up a liquor store to stock up on some of his favorite beers that aren't sold in St. Louis.

I had started reading Gone Girl on our drive to Chicago in the car and was determined to finish it so we could see the movie while away.  I don't think Eric and I had been to a movie together since before Elle was born.  We had tickets to a dine in theatre so we planned on eating dinner there.  On our walk back to the hotel before the movie we decided to pop in M Burger and share a snack since we were starving.  Our snack turned into sharing a bacon cheeseburger, fries and we each got an ice cream.  Mine was this delightful peanut butter crunch dip cone.  I've been dreaming about M Burger ever since...again the mini Eric Russell I'm growing, I would normally never order a cheeseburger...ever!

Monday morning we got up early and hit the road, we were both excited to see Elle...who probably wishes we would go out of town more often, she was having the time of her life with her MiMi and MawMaw and PawPaw.  She got to go to my cousin Cordie's baby shower, hang with her best buds Henry & Charlie and go to the Pumpkin Patch where she rode a pony.  She's a very lucky little lady...and so am I for having a husband take the time to plan something special for our anniversary.  Now if I could just get him to drive the 5 hours to M Burger because I'm having a craving. :)