Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Everyone!
Hope your day was just as good as mine! This week has been a crazy one! The hubby came home, went back out and came back home, the in laws came, we went to Williamsburg and celebrated Easter all in one week!! I am so ready for reality to kick back in!

But, as for Easter..here is a look into today!

Started the day off with some Mimosa's and a French Toast Bake; stay tuned for the recipe!

 The Easter Bunny came with out baskets in the morning, then for dinner the table was set and the menu was written! My favorite for dinner was the mashed potatoes!

Then came desserts! I made a nice honey lime fruit salad and a nice chocolate Easter bundt cake!
For the rest of the night the family played "Smart A**." Its a fun game if you never played before!!

Although not the best picture, it was a really awesome day! I am so happy that I was able to spend our first Easter Holiday as Mr. & Mrs. I can't wait for all the adventures that are coming our was this April! Including our one year wedding anniversary! ;D

Hope you all enjoyed your day!
-Alison<3

Tampa Homecoming #2!!

Sunday March 24th, 2013. This was the day I've been waiting for, for about FIFTY SIX DAYS! I have only been able to communicate with my husband through email and the occasional phone calls on port calls. This day has finally come! 

My friend and I waited in the windy cold weather for about an hour to finally be able to see our husbands. We watched the boat pull in slowly and watched them tie it down even more slower!

After waiting and waiting we finally got to rush down the pier and find our hubby's! We all climbed aboard since it was soo freezing outside! 

 The hubby and I! We couldn't let go of each other!! All I wanted to do was hug and kiss him all over his face! I missed him soo much!!

A few of the other couples that were as excited as I was seeing their husbands! We get two months of them being home!! Although, they are working soo much the first two weeks that they are here. Then they give the boat to another crew. And NO DUTY DAYS!

So, now that the hubby is home, he is currently at work. He has duty today and I am home sick. I feel like I am getting a fever, I have a sore throat and my ear is itchy! Also, the first night we got home we went out to dinner and after we ate I felt so sick to my stomach. I will be cuddled up on the couch all day!! Tomorrow my in laws are coming for the weekend and for Easter! 

Hope you enjoyed your weekend!

-Alison <3

Daddy-To-Be Gift!

Normally when you go to a baby shower it's all about the mommy and the baby! But I mean there would be no baby without the DADDY! So why not make him feel appreciated during the day too! I came up with a few things other than the essential stuff (diaper, paci's, wipes, etc) that I absolutely think would be super cute if a daddy had. 

Here's the list:

 

one  - two - three - four - five - six

1. The Night before Father's Day Book: I think that Father's day tends to fall in the back ground. This book brings it to the front again. Gets the kids excited to celebrate what a great dad they have, also will get this DADDY TO BE excited about the things to come. 

2. Daddy Coffee Cup: For all those nights that leave the dad drained, this coffee cup will remind him how much he is loved and thought of. And not only will the coffee cheer him up but so will the cup!

3. Dude Diaper Bag: One of my favorites and something I plan on getting my husband when we have kids. This can be the "packaging" of the rest of the items you get the daddy. It is manly enough for any man, this way they don't need to be caught carrying you coach diaper bag, or your metallic gray, or the one with the cute pink flowers! :D

4. Embroidery for a Onesie: Cute way of making the man feel like he's the "man!" haha! No, but really, I usually see the shirts that say, "I'm cute, Mommy's Cute, Daddys lucky." And I like this one so much more, to make the daddy to be feel appreciated.

5. Dad Rattle Ties: Recently found these, they seem pretty awesome. If he is always wearing ties then this is for him! It has a rattle/squeaker in it, the perfect way to keep a baby busy without tearing the tie off the daddy's neck!

6. Daddy bear and Little bear T's: Mommy's and baby's normally having matching outfits, but how cute are these for the daddy and baby! I bet it even works with a baby girl too! 

You could also add wipes, diapers, pacifiers, coffee (to fill the coffee cup), chocolates, beef jerky, axe body sprays, advil and anything that the daddy may love!

Hope you Enjoyed!

-Alison <3

Liebster Award #2!!

Yesterday I was nominated by Kelly Mae another Military Wife! Thank you so much!

I was nominated by another military wife before and you can see the rules here. I would like to nominate more bloggers, but I tried to do it last time and NO one responded to it. Also, I am excitingly waiting for my husband to come home from being going on patrol! Its been almost two months! I am so excited! But anyway, I will answer Kelly's questions!

(1) Did you play any sports in high school? 

- I was a cheerleader all throughout highschool. 
(2) What made you smile today?

- I smiled today because my husband is coming home soon!! 
(3) How many kids do you have or want?

- I do not have any kids but I do want four eventually. 
(4) Taco or burrito?

- Both? I like burritos more but taco bell just came out with the cool ranch taco and its AMAZING!
(5) What is one word you would use to describe your life?

- Unpredictable 
(6) What kind of music do you listen to?

- Taylor Swift lol 
(7) What is the last thing you ate?

- Taco Bell!!! ;D 
(8) If you were stranded on an island with just a beach chair, what would be your drink of choice?

- Uh, well I would like Passion Tea Lemonade. 
(9) Are you a morning person or a night owl?

- Night owl! For sure.  
(10) Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather?

- HOT HOT HOT! 
(11) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

- I see myself with four kids, hopefully in a home that is ours after moving around so long!

Those are my questions! And speaking of Passion Tea Lemonade, I made some for myself. It is beyond yummy! I am so obsessed and at least I don't need to spend a fortune on it at Starbucks!

Enjoy! 

-Alison <3

First Day of Spring!

Today is the official first day of spring!! I keep hearing stories from my mom and in laws about how much snow they keep getting back home, this makes me so much happier about living in Virginia! Even though it is still not officially warm here, it's definitely getting there! So, in honor of today I went out and bought a few things for plants and our patio. 

Our little apartment, its all decked out in Easter decor and a few potted plants in the front!

I picked up the yellow pansy's, english bell's, and some kinda of really pretty red flowers, I forget the name but they look like eyes! They're very pretty!!

Added  few solar lights along the patio, string flower lights on the fence along with the USA sign!

Then added a few potted plants on the window sill of pansy's! Keeping with the red, white and blue theme. I can't wait to be able to have BBQ's and maybe even get a slip and slide for the Coastie guys when they come over! :D

Hope you all had a fun first day of spring!

-Alison <3

Bedroom Makeover!!

Happy Belated St. Patty's Day!!

I usually do celebrate St. Patty's day, but with my husband being deployed/underway, I did nothing yesterday. I actually totally forgot to wear green too. Hope you all had a fun celebration though!

Anyway, here is my master bedroom makeover. It's actually not quite that finished. I am looking everywhere for throw pillows and the picture frame on my dresser still needs pictures and to be hung! My dresser looks empty because the other side is where the television that my husband currently has on the boat goes. This makeover all started when I won the contest for the $200 Tina Turk comforter. The original post is here, so here you go!

Those are stuffed animals I sleep with when my husband is gone. The cat is in a coastie uniform. Don't judge!

This is what you see when you first walk into the room. We only have a full size bed for now. The pictures above the bed were all bought from a place called Garden Ridge here in Virginia. They have a few stores across the country, check out if you have one near you!

Window panels are from Brylane Home, the shelves you see on the side are from Garden Ridge, the frame on the left and the letters are from Marshall's/TJmaxx and the last frame on the right is from Kohls.

The top three pictures are of my dresser. The wall above it has frames that I have had from my old room, gifts from the bridal shower, walmart and the salvation army. not completely finished and still trying to fix the crooked-ness of the frames. The one picture of my dresser, is not finished. I am still trying to figure exactly what I want to do with my dresser. It is also missing the TV on the other side of the dresser. 

 These top pictures are a view from the window of our bed and my husband's dresser. On the dresser I placed pictures of my husband from the places he has been underway. Also the back right corner is the Oath Of Enlistment. Along with the coin he gave me before we got married saying, "I love Alison Walton." Kinda how he asked me, but not technically!! ;D

Hope you enjoyed the room makeover tour. It is very small but we only currently live in a one bedroom apartment. So everything is small except for our walk in closet, which I absolutely adore!!

Thanks for reading!

-Alison <3

Baby Girl Baby Shower

Last but not least, baby girl shower ideas!

I am so in love with everything on etsy that is for baby girls. I hope one day I am able to have a baby girl and to not only give her the world, but to share that connection that my mother & I have. 

As for these ideas all of them are from etsy except for number four. I just needed to add it because many mommy's have posted about these. And yes, majority of the blogs I follow are new mommy blogs! I have BABY FEVER, but currently living it through my friend until my husband and are are settled at our next duty station. 

Here's the list:

one - two - three - four - five - six

1. Baby Girl Headband Wraps: I saw a little girl wearing these on another blog and wanted to go out and buy one myself! (which I did) This isn't a necessity but it is just to darn cute to not have for your little princess.

2. Personalized Monogram Onesie: Also not a necessity, but a girl wouldn't complain about their baby having to many outfits. Especially this one! It has a cute ruffled bottom and handband! I don't see anyone complaining about someone buying clothes for your baby!

3. Personalized Baby Wipe Case: Wipe cases can be so big and bulky, this allows you to take a handful and carry them in your diaper bag or even your purse. Another good thing about this, is sometimes if your baby goes to child care and you bring your own stuff it can never be lost or stolen due to the personalized name. 

4. Aden + Anais Sleeping Bag: "Breathable: helps reduce the rise of overheating. Comfy: the more you wash it, the softer it gets. Safe: replaces loose blankets for safer sleep." If that doesn't make you want to get one then I don't know what will! If it allows for your baby to be safer than what more reason do you need.

5. Baby Bibs: These bibs are supposed to be ultra soft and absorbent. No mom or dad will say no to more bibs. The more you have the less you have to wash and clean them. Especially if your baby is a messy eater!

6. Closet Dividers: I see these everywhere, and they are so helpful in keeping your life a little less crazy and more organized. As a girl, we all know how hard it is to keep your closet organized and now you got to do it for another person. These are easy and stylish for any little girls room. 

I know that these things aren't necessary for any new parent, but baby showers aren't always just about getting the things you need the most like diapers and onesies, or baby wash. Most likely someone else will be getting it for them. So why not be different and go out and buy stuff that they might actually enjoy and be different. That's what  would do! 

Thanks for reading!

-Alison <3

Baby Boy Baby Shower

So after yesterdays post I decided to do a baby boy baby shower gift idea post. 

I found these ideas off of pinterest, which lead me to a web page that was the top 50 etsy shops for babies! I went through them and came up with a few gift ideas. These are items that I would give my friend, this is personal items I know she would like. These items may not be for everyone.  

Here ya go!

one - two - three - four - four - five - six

1. Natural Organic Treated Wooden Teething Ring: I came across this item through the website and thing its perfect for the time of the year since it looks like bunny ears. This is a teething ring that is all natural. 

2. The Classic Collection Bow Tie: Cutest for your little man, they can make any onesie or shirt classy! It would be cute to have your baby wearing one of these to distinguish that he is indeed a he!

3. Shopping Cart Cover: I have seen these a lot, and am absolutely in love with them. They allow your baby to be comfortable when they are able to sit in the top part of the shopping cart. Although you may not need one of these until your baby is a little grown up, having someone buy it for you even better!

4. Chevron Burp Clothes: Burp clothes are a necessity for any mommy and daddy. I think my friend would thank me if she got these in her gift. And these ones are extremely absorbent! 

5. Security Blanket: Keeping with the chevron theme, this blanket is soft and adorable. New mommies are going to need every blanket they get especially if their baby spits up a lot. Doing laundry is going to be harder than usual. And having a new blanket isn't bad!

6. Pee Pee TeePee: (I lost the etsy site for the picture shown.) These are adorable, and I would rather place one of these over a baby boy rather than get peed on!! Not only are they practical they are a hilarious gift to give any new parent. 

I really believe that she is going to have a little boy, but her and her fiance think its going to be a girl. The only reasons I think it's going to be a boy is because she has one older brother and he is one of four boys! And all though girls tend to skip a generation, I still think its a boy!! 

Hope you enjoyed!

-Alison

Baby Shower Ideas

Recently I found out that my best friend from back home is expecting a baby come November 2013! Her and her fiance were happily surprised to announce the news! So, I've come come up with a few things that I would get her as baby shower gifts. They're just general gifts that I think that any new mother would love to receive. And no, I am not a mother myself but I do follow a few blogs that have helped me come up with these gift ideas. 

one - two - three -four - five - six - seven

1. Sophie the Giraffe Teether: I chose this just because it is super cute and can also used as a toy. I think any baby and mommy wouldn't mind a cute toy that can be used as the baby grows.

2. Boogie Wipes: I have heard such good things about these and honestly I think that they are cute. Where my friend lives is right in the cold and always where there is a lot of pollen. These will help her through out the seasons if the baby get sick and always helps with messes. 

3. Swaddle Blankets: Every baby registry I have looked at has mentioned these. One of my other friends had them for her baby and said they were awesome. The are extremely soft and helps wrap the baby up. 

4. Pacifier Clip: I know a lot of parents are weening away from using binkies/ pacifiers. But, this is a cute way to make sure that a binky doesn't get lost or dropped while shopping. Also, a good reason to have the baby's name embroided on something.

5. Monthly Onesie Stickers: One reason to get these would be a cute way to document the growth of the baby each month and also, my friend wants these really bad. And I think I might be the only one of her friends who knows what Etsy is! 

6. Pamper's Diapers: The obvious, parents go through one thousand diapers a year, and I'm not sure if she will be using cloth diapers. There is no harm in buying diapers for a newborn baby, especially sensitive.

7. Pacifier Thermometer: I actually found this on pinterest. After seeing what my friend goes through to get her sons temperature from his forehead, this looked ten times easier. A helpful product that can get the baby's temperature quicker. 

I am actually still in shock that she is pregnant, a couple weeks ago we were planning her wedding for September of 2015! Now, she said they might night get married at the courthouse. I just cant believe my TWENTY year old friend is pregnant before me! :D

I am so excited for them though! And I can't wait for her baby shower. It sucks that we live six hours apart! I'm gunna be called Aunt Ali! Haha! :)

-Alison <3

Liebster Award

Hello everyone! I am pleased to announce that I was nominated for the Liebster Award! I was nominated by Marine Wife, Katherine at The Newsom's Nest. Thanks so much!!! I know i was supposed to do this a couple days ago, but I got caught up in a few things! Just found out my best friend is pregnant and my brother in law and STB sister in law pushed up their wedding date to this year (Air Force Family)! Anyway!

The rules for the award are as follows:

~Answer the 11 questions asked

~Leave a link back to the blogger that nominated you

~Choose 11 bloggers {more or less} with less than 200 followers to nominate, and let them know they've been picked

~Write 11 new questions for them to answer

Here's my questions from Katherine:

1. Why/when did you start blogging?

I started blogging I think back in September! I started because my husband and I moved to Virginia and started our lives as Mr. & Mrs.

2. What/when was your last big vacation?

My last big vacation.. that was probably two years ago when we went to Montauk for ten days.

3. What is your favorite 90's band {or band in general if you aren't a 90's kid}?

My favorite would have to be N'Sync or Backstreet boys or Brittney Spears or Mandy Moore ahah!

4. What is your favorite season and why?

My favorite season is the summer and because I love the sun and the warmth and the beaches!

5. How did you and your spouse meet?

My husband and I actually met through facebook/tumblr. But he knew my cousin from school. (We lived an hour away from eachother)

6. If you had a million dollars...

If I had a million dollars I would first pay off my student loans, buy my parents a house and new cars since I totalled my moms a few years back, Donate a bunch to the coast guard and military, save money for my kids college funds, save for a house, and donate some to local charities. 

7. What is your favorite duty station/post so far that your spouse has been stationed at, and why?

Well we have only been to our current duty station so this one!

8. What is your greatest accomplishment to date?

I am not really sure to be honest.

9. What is the best concert you have been to?

The only concerts I've been too are 98 degrees, then Michelle Branch and the Goo Goo Dolls lol.

10. What are the top 3 items on your bucket list?

Go to Paris. Go to Australia. And have a family.

11. Do you have any pets?

Kinda, my cat is at my parents house since she 10 years old :(

My nominee are:

Katie at My blossoming bud

Easton Wife at Life of an Easton Wife

Halleigh at Little Baby Bean Hill

Sadie at LuLu Love

The Momma at The Stine Family

Karissa at The Yeagers

Here are your questions:

1. Why/when did you start blogging?

2. What/when was your last big vacation?

3. What is your favorite movie?

4. What is your favorite season and why?

5. How did you and your spouse meet?

6. If you had a million dollars...

7. What is your place so far that you have lived at and why?

8. What is your dream job?

9. What is the best concert you have been to?

10. What are the top 3 items on your bucket list?

11. Do you have any pets?

 

Have fun!

-Love, Alison<3

Birthday Recap..

What did I do for my 22nd Birthday?

 Nothing special!! To start my morning I called my Mom, and ended up hearing the doorbell at 930 in the morning and was so worried about who it was! I got a flower cake delivered from my parents! Super sweet of them! Since this is my first year away from home for my birthday (which is also my brothers birthday)! 

 Secondly, my husband who is deployed right now, got a surprise phone call for me to say Happy Birthday. I had the biggest smile on my face all morning!! Then I went and got a spa pedicure treatment! Which was totally awesome! I haven't had a pedicure in about a year. Although I was all alone it was nice and relaxing. 

 Later I went to pick up a box of twelve chocolate covered strawberries and a balloon that my husband sent for me. They are absolutely yummy, and it was so sweet of my husband to think of sending me something. 

 Did a little shopping at the usual place; Target, picked up some head bands at Claire's and got my free PASSION TEA LEMONADE from starbucks!! 

 The rest of the day I rested at home and waited for two other MilSo's to go to Olive Garden for dinner. This is where the day turned.. we had the worst waitress ever, and I never sent up with cheaper people. I mean I understand everyone has money problems but you should of told me. After that I stayed home, ate some chocolate covered strawberries and went to bed! Doesn't that sound fun? I wish I had closer friends here, but its so hard to find friends that fit like the ones you had back at home. Friends that just bond with you the first time you meet them. My husband says one day I'll find that. But I hope so! 

Anyway! I had a fun birthday but I can not wait for my husband to come home so we can celebrate together, since this is the second year he's been gone. We're thinking about going to The Melting Pot!! Until then, I will be counting down the days until he is home! And will continue to decorate for Easter, pictures to come!

Love, Alison <3

22nd birthday!

 So today happens to be my TWENTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY!

 (and my brothers 26th)

but, I probably have like zero plans! for starters, my husband, my dear husband is currently deployed/on patrol, my two "closest" friends here are busy and my other two are working until 5pm!

Any way, so for my birthday I am going to get a pedicure tomorrow, alone. And I don't really care because I deserve it! Then, I am going to treat myself to a free starbucks passion tea lemonade! Next, I will probably roam around Target like I do every other day. And I hope by this time it'll be 1.. because then I get to pick up my gift from Edible Arrangements from the hubby! :) Yum! Then dinner at 630 with a few of the girls. So we'll see what the day has in store for me! Have a happy Tuesday!

-Alison<3