Tuesday, March 24, 2009

A few pictures...




of just Chip and me. I sometimes forget what we look like as a couple. =)
The truth is that it's a rare thing for the two of us to go out alone. We know it's a healthy thing to do and it strengthens your relationship, but it just doesn't work out all that often. We did enjoy a nice dinner with our friends and we did have Crew along too.
I think it's funny that people look at us and see a couple with their first baby, when in reality we're far from that! You never know how many kids someone has home with the babysitter. =)
I do love getting away for a bit...free time/down time is a good thing.
I carried that over into a bit of scrap time with Ava yesterday morning and turned out this little mini album. I have been saving coffee sleeves whenever (on rare occasions too!) I get a latte and decided that they would make great little covers for a small book.
So don't throw out your cupholders any more. You can whip up some cute brag books or tiny notebooks of your own!{You can see the whole book here, if you like.}
Since I'm in such a carefree mood, leave me a comment telling me where you go or what you do for "downtime" and I'll do a random drawing and make you a blank mini book too. I'll draw a winner by Thursday. Saying you read my blog for downtown doesn't get you any bonus points. Although I will get a good chuckle from such comments. =) Happy Tuesday!

69 comments:

Belinda said...

My husband and I use to date once or twice a month by trading out with another couple for babysitting services. As the kids have gotten older (teenagers), but money has gotten tighter (teenagers), Mike and I like to get up early one or two Saturday mornings a month and go to a pancake restaurant about 15 minutes away for a nice leisurely breakfast. It starts the weekend off great. That's our downtime togther.

Barb said...

That is such a cute minibook! My downtime(and 1 that I've shared with my husband, too)is to go to Sonic drive-in with my book and just chill while I eat. Sometimes I can forget the time...they probably think I'm nuts.

mindibz said...

My personal downtime is usually a good book and a bubble bath. My downtime with my husband is usually an extended dinner with lots of catching up or being completely "still" on our patio.

Jennifer said...

What an adorable mini! My favorite downtime is a hot beverage from Starbucks (how appropriate) and reading a book. Ahhhh ... :)

Anonymous said...

I sound like everyone else, in my down time I read blogs. When it's me and the hubby, we stop and chill with a espresso truffle decaf from Star Bucks.
I would love to have a mini coffee sleeve album! You did a great job.

Wendy said...

I just have to tell you that I LOVE your hot pink coat! That is truly fabulous. And I know exactly how you feel -- when my husband and I go out alone, I always feel like couples with children are looking at us and thinking we're childless, and worrying that their kids might bug us or something. I always want to say, "don't worry, we're seasoned professionals. You can sit at the table next to ours." :)

Anonymous said...

In my downtime I love to bake. Even though it's "work" it is so relaxing and fun. My favorite is to bake the most delicious sugar cookies and spend hours, literally, frosting every inch of them in a multitude of colors. And then, I give them away. It makes an awful mess but I always feel so renewed after making some. I should send you pictures of them sometime...some are quite a work of art! :o)
Katie in MI

CindeeQ said...

Down time? What is that??? ha ha No really, we love to read. I work across the street from the public library so we have many options.

What a cute book! Love it.

Cindee

Anonymous said...

In my downtime I either sleep or catch up on some TIVO shows. I think TIVO was the best thing ever invented next to the cell phone, tv, email, computer, ipod you get the picture.

Anonymous said...

I don't really get a lot of down times,
but I usually go to my craft room which is the whole finished basement and spend some time there, while doing that I do have your blog on for the great music.
Or I go to the park and sit and read a book or look through my scrap booking magazines.
Have a wonderful week
Stay dry because here in ILL, all day it has rained.

Jodi said...

Love, love, love your mini album!! So creative.

I like to relax by reading a good book or magazine, or doing a sudoku puzzle. :)

Ellen said...

In my downtime I like to read anything from newspaper articles, magazines and novels. Although with three active boys my downtime is often short lived.

Anonymous said...

I love to take a cup of warm milk to bed with me and relax, reading a good book or magazine before peacefully drifting off to sleep.....

Unknown said...

Although I would love to say my hubby and I go out often, with 3 kids under 5, that just isn't so...Each week I go running on Sunday morning with my 3 girls friends...after our run,we end up at Starbucks for a hot latte of choice and good conversation!

Unknown said...

I go to Borders Bookstore... just escape and browse books... simple

Chelsea said...

Honestly real downtime for us probably only happens quarterly and it will be dinner without kids and rent a movie. Most often in between dates, it will be just lying in bed talking until the early hours (knowing we'll regret it!) but also realizing that we have to take advantage when we can. He's working multiple jobs, so there's not much opportunity to talk about the important things or catch up, but we know how marriage takes effort, so it seems to be worth losing sleep to communicate well and let eachother know how we appreciate the other's sacrifices.

JenD said...

love your little book...(do you know how many scrappers are going to be up until the early morning hours staying awake from the coffee they had to buy the get the supplies to make this book!)love you book and great ideas at SIS!

Anonymous said...

In my free time I enjoy tie-dye and cake class with Katie Holmes cousin~

Love to the Ferlaak clan!

Katy said...

We enjoy getting a babysitter during football season and going to the High School Football games. Even though we are in the stands with hundreds of other people, it is down time for us that we enjoy. He enjoys watching the game, while I enjoy watching my neice during the half-time show. Any other down time that we have usually involves the kids, which is great too.

Anonymous said...

We don't get a sitter very often. But when we do we enjoy going to concerts or just having a nice dinner without interruptions.

Anonymous said...

Love...love your mini book. My downtime would be looking around on the net and reading blogs...I also love to read Twilight...can't wait for the 2nd movie to come out...I also love to hang out with my mom and scrapbook.

Anonymous said...

And you're such a cute couple, too!! My down time is usually disappearing into a back corner of Barnes and Noble and looking at books or magazines! (I also like sneaking off to my parents house and hiding in the cushy chair in the sunroom)

Lauren said...

Awww, adorable picture of you and the hubster :) I love to read in my down time, lets me escape reality for a little while!!! :O)

Dana said...

hmm, I finally had some downtown of my own today. I went to Michael's and to Tuesday Morning looking for crafty stuff and then to my favorite pizza place...by myself...pure bliss. I missed my boys though! LOL

Vicky said...

So glad you get a chance to do that! What a great pic of the two of you. When I do get a chance (our community is battling a flood right now) the first thing I want to do is soak in a hot tub of water!! Thats it. Downtime. Rest my weary bones and that would be bliss :)

Such a great idea for a book !!

bookwormmom said...

Love the minibook, so cute! When I get some downtime just to myself I go to a local antique shop and browse all the great items. I especially like finding something like what one of my grandparents owned, it brings back good memories.

Southern Gal said...

So cute.

Down time? What is that?

I usually post or read a blog or book.

If it's me and the hubs, then we'll usually go out to eat or to a movie.

Atousa said...

My personal downtime is my weekly outing to Archiever's (scrapbook store) to scrapbook my Thursday night away! I have 3 little ones so I have to go almost weekly or I'll get so behind....plus this gies me "mee time". My downtime with my husband is spent in the evening once to kids are in bed. We cuddle on the couch and watch TV, kiss and look at eachother lovingly. He even watches Dancing with the Stars, The Batchelor and Biggest Loser with me just o be together! I would love that adorable little mini book :)

Atousa

mommy to Brayden, Cailyn and Brynn
wife to Craig

mumameee said...

Love your pink coat!!!!!

Downtime - when I get it - is being creative, making stuff (at the moment I am making cards with scrapbooking paper & hair clips for my girls)....or walking along the beach!

Must.Be.A-Follower. said...

Hey, I've been keeping a few of my coffee sleeves just for that purpose! Great minds.....
You can find me reading or gardening during my (rare) down time. ....3 boys will do that to ya! :)

Rhona said...

That little album is such a cool idea. Went and checked it out on the SIS website. Downtime is often going to Cafe Nero (UK) with friends for a good chat, without children ;)

sunset pines farm said...

actually, cooking every night is my downtime. It relaxes me and helps me transition from work mode to momma mode.

Tasha said...

Good for you for getting out as a couple.It really is so good for your relationship.My husband and I try to do it once a month but it doesn't always happen.I love to read all the blogs that I follow.Sometimes I feel guilty about the time I spend doing it.By the way,your pink coat is so great!

Gale said...

My husband & I are huge fans of Syracuse University football & basketball. We watch all the games & attend when we can.

Kris with a K said...

Spare time for me is either knitting, thinking about knitting, or reading scrap mags and thinking about layouts I want to make!

Extra time is, for me, time to recharge my creative energies and get motivated and inspired again.

Anonymous said...

WHAT A CUTE COUPLE!!! I love the pictures. AND I love the new haircut. I have a 11 year old and know how you feel they are growing up so fast. But......You and Chip are so cute together.

Kianne said...

Like most people I don't get much down time with my husband. That was the one thing I dreaded about getting older and growing up. But I honestly think that our time apart has actually made me appriceate the time I have with him more that I ever though possible. It's usually just a couple of hours on a Sunday afternoon and we have to spend it working on the yard, or we get the occasional trips to the shooting range, but we make sure to spend that time doing things that we did back when we fist met.

Melissa said...

oooohhh, love the mini book!! That's such a great idea. :)

Oh, and since I'd love to win, I guess I should say what I do for downtime. I love to take walks with my husband, sit in Starbucks and read the newspaper, sit in Barnes and Noble and read gossip magazines, work on cross stitch projects, make mini craft projects for residents of a nursing home, watch Friends, read a great Jodi Picoult novel, or work on my scrapbooks. Hey, I think I need some more downtime!!! :)

me said...

glad you are going on some fun dates. And showing Crew how to treat a lady as well. You can never start too early.

Nicoolmama said...

Downtime? What is that? Lol. When I do get a few minutes(and I mean few) I read. It's the thing I miss the most about not having much time. I am into murder mystery books( corny, I know) but I love em!
When our 11 month old was still little and nursing, we would go, just the three of us for a Barnes & Noble date. We read books(separate or share what we are reading) and get yummy coffee drinks. This reminds me it's high time for one of those dates again!

Anonymous said...

My downtime is often after our little one year old has gone to sleep. My husband and I usually get about an hour or so to talk and catch up on our days. Thanks for blogging, I love reading and hearing about your life adventures!

Katie said...

Well, I'm a college student. I spend most of my downtime either studying, sleeping or watching trash on tv. I go to a Christian school in Arkansas so we really love watching Bravo. Who knew the Real Housewives of New York could be so entertaining?

Lesley said...

Downtime for me is rarity, but when the opportunity presents itself...head out to Starbucks for a caramel macchiato, grab my iPod and head to the park.

jewell said...

We go to Grand Traverse Pie Company for carrot cake and their wonderful coffee.

Susanne said...

I usually will read a good book, watch an American Idol or Biggest Loser episode I've missed, or read some of my favorite blogs. My husband and daughter and I are all getting new bikes soon. So hopefully, I will be motivated to get some exercise in during downtime!

Susan said...

Adorable book! When I get down time, I like to read while soaking in a bubble bath!

Anonymous said...

Scrapbook of course!
Rebecca from Big Island

Anonymous said...

Every night, I sit in the bathtub with a book while mu hubby reads or surfs in the other room. The kids are down, house calm. When I get out, I am relaxed and the day has been washed away, and my hubby and I can talk...or whatever. ;)

Beck said...

Not gonna lie... with two little kids around who don't want me to EVER BE ALONE, I sometimes hunker down in the quietest, alone-est place I know in the house: the bathroom. 4.5 minutes never felt so restful. :)

Anonymous said...

We head out to my mom and dad's, they live on a farm and it is so nice and peaceful out there (most of the time anyway) --- it is a nice escape from town life, though I must admit I didn't really appreciate it growing up out there!

Canadian Cathy said...

My most common indulgence; a bath with lavender bath oil. I try and have one every day while my husband puts my 3 kids to bed. We call it "hydrotheraphy". After a day of teaching morning kindergarten and taking care of my own 3 kids it is true bliss!

Anonymous said...

I love to kick back and watch a musical or - my personal favorite - the BBC version of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice." No one else in my family appreciates this fine entertainment, though, so I can only indulge when the guys are all gone!


Lori in MN

Anonymous said...

Wow! I almost forgot what downtime is! What I haven't done in a long time, and would LOVE to do now....
I used to leave work just a smidge early (or get my errands done a smidge early if not on a work day) and instead of going home, I would grab a Starbucks Skinny Caramel Machiatto :)mmmmm.. and read magazines at Barnes & Noble for awhile. It's so quiet in there, and rejuvinates me for the next few hours (at least!)

Anonymous said...

downtown - it is rare but once it does pop up I love to watch movies and veg on the loveseat with my husband!!

Fun in the sun, Katie Style said...

well since locking myself in the Bathroom CAN't COUNT (oh gosh I hope it shouldnt count) the best place for me is the beach. When that is not possible just a nice quiet drive or a nice walk do it for me!

Katie

djp said...

Dh and I enjoy guitar hero, walking for ice cream at the neighborhood shop, or simply enjoying a spring evening at a local coffee shop. His crazy residency schedule doesn't permit as much quality time as I'd like, but we work together and it keeps us happy! my personal down time is a snuggle with our puppy on our comfy couch.

cute book!

The Davis Family said...

My husband and I go to the drive-in theater for our downtime. You get 2 new release movies for $9 (per person). We take our own snacks, drinks, lawnchairs, and blankets. We can go year around here in Arizona so we try to go once a month.

Jaena said...

Downtime...does sleeping count? Blogging actually is my downtime activity, I think. Most of my other time is spent washing bottles, doing laundry, rocking babies, etc... Wonderful but tiring just the same. :)

Anonymous said...

I know this won't get brownie points cause you said so, but I like to spend my 'downtime' reading your blog to give me an 'uptime'!!!!

My Reality said...

Hi, I love your blog. It always puts a smile on my face. My downtime is working on pictures I take of my two little girls. I like to edit them and then email them out to family and friends. As a couple, my husband and I like to spend time at a local bookstore, sitting next to eachother reading and sipping a warm drink.

Anonymous said...

I love to go to Borders or Barnes & Noble and pick out a couple of mags and sit and browese through them - sometimes w/coffee/tea - sometimes not. I do love your blog - and your uplifting comments even when you think they aren't all that uplifting.

Abbie said...

I often walk for downtime, and when my husband and I get away we often take the baby - he's a bit younger than Crew - and I also laugh because we've left two at home with the babysitter!

Also, I read your blog as reminders of how God is working by seeing Him in your life and how I know he is working in mine. Usually more convicting than downtime!

Jamie Barba said...

What a darling minibook!! I seem to have less and less downtime these days, and lately when I have it, I read blogs. I'm living vicariously through everyone else! Or at least scrapping vicariously through everyone whose scrap blogs I read!

Callie-K said...

in my downtime i like to listen to music, read, mess around with photos. I also make time to run my tie dye business, that keeps me feeling artistic!

Anonymous said...

Downtime? Not much of it lately, but love to go to my scrapbook room - just redid it and am trying to organize it:)

C.E.R. said...

Downtown is very rare, but when I get it, I like to read a couple chapters of a book, take a walk outside, or take a short nap. Aahhh.

Two Become Three said...

For downtime... hmmm, I love to sew, pick up a book that I started reading FOREVER ago, or watch golf on tv with my husband... pretty random, but it's the truth!

Amber Reed said...

Such a cute idea - I love when you share your creations with us! My downtime often involves a trip to my mom's scrapbook store - just a getaway, by myself for some adult interaction with people I love!

Anonymous said...

A nice hot bubble bath! Doesn't happen often - but sure takes the stress away!

Cindy B.