RECIPES- 5

Banana Chocolate chip baked oatmeal cups

• 4 overripe bananas (mashed), 2 large eggs, 2 cups low fat milk( I used almond milk) 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tsp cinnamon, 4 cups rolled oats, 1 cup dark chocolate chips

  Directions- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 2 muffin pans with liners -- I recommend using silicone muffin cups as they come out so easily ( I got mine off of amazon)! In a large bowl, combine bananas, eggs, milk and brown sugar with a whisk until smooth .Add baking powder, vanilla, and cinnamon and whisk until smooth. Stir in oats and chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups ¾ full and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top. Serve warm or cool completely to store: in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for 3-6 months. We love them for a quick, healthy breakfast.

Green monster veggie muffins

*(These overall taste yummy! I tried them because my boys (and I) have a hard time getting our daily veggies in.)

• 1 cup apple sauce, 1/2 cup spinach, 1 ripe banana, 1/4 cup almond meal, 3 tbs. sugar, 3 tbs. coconut oil1, .5 cup flour (I used whole wheat), 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup shredded carrots

  Directions- Preheat oven to 350F, In a blender, combine apple sauce, spinach, banana, almond meal, sugar, and coconut oil. Blend until smooth. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt. Mix green mixture into flour mixture until well combined, making sure not to overmix. Add in shredded carrots. Grease a muffin pan, or use silicone liners and prepare pan.  Bake  for 15-17 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean!

Energy Balls

*(Family Fav!!! Reposting this because I make them every week and they are just such a good snack/breakfast) Every time I make these I double the batch.

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats, 1/2 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter ( I like to do half creamy pb and half almond butter- you could do all almond butter as well…Adam doesn’t like when I make them this way because he likes the taste of PB way more), 1/2 cup ground flaxseed, 1/2 cup chia seeds, 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (I usually eyeball the flaxseed, chia seeds, and coconut), 1/3 cup honey, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or carob chips, (I sometimes add a scoop or half a scoop of vanilla protein powder)

  Directions- Stir the honey, PB, and protein powder (if added) in a large bowl first. Add the remaining ingredients and mix together well. Form into balls. I chill in the freezer for about 15 before I make them into balls and put them in an airtight container. We keep ours in the freezer because we like them hard.

Hot Beef Sandwiches

• 1 chuck roast, 1 can of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, 1 envelope of Lipton’s onion soup, add a little salt/pepper & a pinch of garlic powder.

  Directions- Cook in slow cooker on low for about 24 hours. Should shred when stirred with a fork ( I like to use my hand blender to shred it easier/quicker).

**3 different Chili recipes below...because anyone who lives in Minnesota knows Chili is the best during these cold months:)

Shredded Chicken Chili

• ½ onion chopped, 1/2 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp Butter, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp cumin, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 oz tomato paste, 1 jalepeno pepper chopped (optional), 4 oz cream cheese, 4 large chicken breasts (shredded), 10 oz diced tomatoes canned (undrained)

  Directions- In a large stockpot melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add the shredded chicken (you can use rotisserie chicken too), chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and jalapeño to the pot and combine by gently stirring over the burner. Bring to a boil, and then drop it down to a simmer over medium-low heat and cover for 10 minutes. Cut cream cheese into small 1 inch chunks. Remove the lid and mix in the cream cheese. Increase the heat back up to medium-high and continue to stir until the cream cheese is blended in. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper. We love adding shredded cheese and crushed chips to this yummy meal.

  Easy Crockpot chili

  1 lb ground beef browned, 2 15 oz cans dark kidney beans, drained 14.5 oz can of tomato sauce, 1 14.5 oz can tomatoes, 1 packet of chili seasoning, 2 cups water, shredded cheese for topping, and chips for dipping

  Directions- Brown beef and drain grease. Place in crockpot. Add in kidney beans, tomato sauce, tomatoes, chili seasoning and water. Stir until well combined. Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. Serve with shredded cheese and plain greek yogurt on top. We love dipping our chips too:)

Easy White Chicken Chili

• 48 oz canned great northern beans, 1 rotisserie chicken (shredded) or shredded crockpot chicken (2 chicken breasts will work), 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp ground cumin, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 yellow onion, 2 (4oz) can green chilies), 1 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, sea salt

  Directions- Saute onion, garlic, olive oil in a pan. Combine beans, broth, garlic, and onion in a large pot and boil for 15 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and then simmer for 1 hour. Scoop up a bowl and top it with shredded cheese and plain greek yogurt. Use crackers or chips for dipping.

Oven Roasted potatoes

• 6 small red potatoes, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

  Directions- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Clean & cut the potatoes into “1/2-1” cubes. In a large bowl mix the potatoes with the oil and spices. Spray a shallow baking pan with cooking spray. Spread the potatoes in the bottom of the pan. Bake at 450 for 25-30 minutes. Stir the potatoes after about 15 minutes so they brown on all sides. I like to broil them for a few minutes to make them extra crispy! Enjoy ( I love them with ketchup).

The Best Bean dip

• 1 can refried beans, 1 cup picante sauce, 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, 3/4 cup sour cream, 1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, tortilla chips

  Directions- In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients; transfer to a small slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until heated through, stirring intermittently. Serve with tortilla chips! Great for watching football or get togethers!

Healthy Avocado brownies

• 1 large avocado, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, **1/4 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp baking soda

  Directions- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a blender or food processor combine avocado, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla. Add these ingredients to a large bowl and whisk in eggs. Add in coconut flour, cocoa powder, sea salt and baking soda and stir until well-combined. Grease an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with coconut oil and add batter. Place in oven to bake for 25 minutes (slightly less for fudgier brownies or slightly longer for more cake-like brownies). Allow to cool for 20 minutes before cutting into 16 brownies. Keep them on the counter in an airtight container at room-temperature for up to 2 days or for a longer shelf-life store in the fridge or freezer. We love these with ice cream for a post dinner desert!

Our family tries to eat overall healthy so sometimes I modify recipes to make them healthier. I also love any easy recipes that aren’t too difficult or take too long to prepare…especially with a needy one year old who always wants mommy lately.

** Found most these recipes on Pinterest or from my mama! These are some of my go to meals that our family enjoys. I love getting to share them with you and hope you can enjoy a few of them!

xoxo,

MRS T

Workouts

Working out is a necessity to me! I don’t work out six times a week to have a “perfect” body or look like a supermodel. I obviously want to look good, but most importantly feel good about myself and have a positive mental state. Working out give’s me that stress and anxiety release daily! It is so important for your body to have healthy bones and muscles, but also for your brain and your mental health. After a workout I feel like I have more energy and can take on the day! We all have different bodies and that is what God wanted...he created us all different shapes & sizes for a reason and we are all beautiful. I believe he created us to try and take as best care of our physical bodies he’s provided us with!

— Below is a picture of me this past summer (2019) when I was in the best shape I’ve ever been in… after having two kids. Side note- not posting it to brag (also- I never wear just shorts and a sports bra lol)…but I wanted to let you all know what seemed to help me. Plus I felt super good and confident in my own body, which I hadn’t for awhile. I cut out most candy, eating too much right before bed, and by using the Sweat app.

I’ve played soccer since I was 4 years old among other sports so I have always loved being active. I’ve learned a lot of workouts through my college soccer playing days and recently through the Kayla Itsines “Sweat” app. I learned about the app a little over a year ago and have loved it ever since. I believe it is a little over $115 per year for the app. I use it almost daily and it makes it super simple to get a workout in every day without having to think or put a plan together. She offers many great workouts at different levels and many you can do at home with little or no weight. At home workouts are my favorite for when you only have a half hour or hour while the kiddos nap! Along with lifting, I enjoy running 4 miles a couple times a week, and I also try and do yoga at Corepower two to three times a month (I buy their 10 pack classes just to have the option to go there)! Yoga benefits me by helping me breath deeper (stress reliever), stretching, and body opening. I also think switching up your workout is important. If you just do the same thing every week you’re not going to be using all the different small muscles you have and your body will just get used to it and won’t gain as much. It is good if you are sore…and/or if you shake a little during your workout;) If you like classes or need to be around people or have a teacher/trainer to coach you…then I say go for it! Whatever helps you move your body! Most days I go to our local Lifetime Fitness for the fact of them having a daycare to put the boys in while I have my “hour” or so of me time:)

Below are just a few of my favorite workouts. I will try and do another post with a few more workouts in the next month or so if you guys enjoy this…so feedback would be great:) If I am doing a full body day I usually pick three of these upper, lower, and ab workouts and do 3 sets of 12. A lot of these workouts can be done at home, and with or without weights!

xoxo,

MRS T

Random Questions:)

Mom life

How has the transition been from one to two children? How do you feel? How has Asher been/acted? How is Asher & Hudson’s relationship?

Right away is was pretty difficult. Over the last few months I feel like I’ve finally (kind of) gotten the hang of things. Now that Asher is in half day pre school twice a week it’s easier to get things done and I’ve been enjoying my alone time with Hudson..like I had when Asher was this young. Asher loves his little brother (most the time). He will hug him and kiss him, although I have to tell him to be careful a lot because Asher will full blown tackle him sometimes lol! Hudson likes to play with Asher’s toys and he does not like when Hudson plays with his things. I have to remind Asher often that Hudson is still a baby and that he has to be very careful and gentle with him!

What are some of your favorite baby products since becoming a mother of two? double stroller, swing, made life easier or what I wish I would have had first time around

The Uppa baby double stroller has been awesome with both boys! Honestly there are not too many things that stands out besides the stroller that you would NEED to have for a second baby. The basics… a walker, bumbo seat, play mat, teethers, etc are all important to have!

What are your tips for traveling with a baby?

Bring lots of snacks, an iPad, window stickers, and download any games/learning apps on your phone or iPad. If your baby still nurses I suggest trying to feed them on takeoff if the timing works out, otherwise I’m a big fans of pacifiers to help soothe. Babies may fall asleep easier with the humming of the plane (Hudson loved it).

Do you want another baby? How many more?

Right now a third child is not really in our talks. I’ve always wanted 3 or 4 kids but two has been a game changer and a lot tougher..and just life in general at the moment. Honestly I forgot how hard the first 3/4 months of newborn life is but now with Hudson being older it’s gotten a little easier (mostly because we are all getting more sleep haha). I think at this stage in our lives and with how crazy and busy life is we plan on waiting to have a third. If we decide to have another baby it wouldn’t be for a couple years (at least as of now:).

Favorite part of being a mom?

So many things. I’ve always wanted to be a mom and am so thankful and grateful God has allowed me to raise two beautiful and loving boys. I love playing sports with them, snuggling with them, wrestling, reading books at bedtime, taking them to the zoo, and other fun activities. I love watching them both grow and seeing them learn new things, and develop their personalities. I love to pray with them and try and talk about God and how lucky we are daily. Staying home with them and getting to see every milestone is amazing and I am lucky I get to do so. Every day is not a breeze, especially with an almost 3 year old and very active baby, and it’s a lot of work (I don’t think I’ve had this many headaches in my life lol) but I wouldn’t change it for the world!!!

Football season

What’s your favorite thing about home Viking’s games?

Bringing the boys to see their dad play is pretty special. Home games are chaotic at times and sometimes I secretly like away games just for the fact that I don’t have to get the kids and myself ready for games and the stress of planning around naps, etc. It’s so special that we have children during this time of life and I hope they remember some of these moments when they are older…and if they don’t that is why I take so many photos haha! Home and away games (well football season in general) brings anxiety and stress to me. This is my husband, yes he’s a professional football player but his safety is number 1 every weekend. If he comes out of a game healthy, that's a win in my book and for most of the other wives/significant others.

How does traveling work for away football games?

Significant others/ wives and other family members have to plan away games by themselves. We can buy tickets through the Vikings for those games but travel, hotel, food, etc are planned by ourselves. I think that is why I don’t go to too many away games (I try to do 2/3 a season) because it’s a lot of planning, and now with two kids it can be more relaxing just staying home to watch the games. Adam/ the team flies back right after games so it’s nice to be home when he get’s home (with pizza ready of course;). However, I do like to be at away games to cheer loud and just in case something happens, such as an injury (praying not) or anything like that. Just to be there and make sure I can see Adam on the sidelines and make sure he is ok in person. On TV they don’t usually show an injured guy a lot so I am frantic when that happens because I want to make sure he’s ok.

Biggest challenge with being in the spotlight and keeping your faith strong?

Ugh so many! I know that the Devil comes after all of us on a daily basis but I feel like he is extremely after me and our family because of the platform we are on. Injuries, temptations, keeping your mind on God and not worldly/football things 24/7 are all acts from the Devil trying to get to us. By staying in God’s word, going to church, praying together as a family, staying down to earth, and not getting wrapped up in this lifestyle all really helps keep us grounded. Football is only a short time and this period of life we are in will end soon. Faith, family, and THEN football comes last. Because in a few short years football might not be around for Adam and our family. So whatever comes after that we will be fine with because we have God and our family and that is the most important thing.

Does Asher ask for Adam a lot when Adam is gone during the season?

Adam isn’t gone as often as people think. Away game weekend’s he is gone Saturday and Sunday! Otherwise most weekdays he’s gone 6am to 5 or so! Asher is starting to understand a bit why daddy travels and that he will be back after his game. It is tough with the unique schedule Adam has because he is around so much for those couple off season months in the Spring compared to during football season. When Adam is home and around during the season, besides being mentally and physically drained, he does an amazing job at playing with the boys and helping out when he can. Asher loves family wrestle nights, which happen most nights at our house:)

Are you close with other wives/families of the team?

Yes! We have met some of our closest friends in the NFL over the years. Through the team and women’s bible study we have met some great people we connect with. Many of us girls also try and get together to watch some of the away games. It’s fun when I can connect with some of the other moms on the team who are going through the same season of life and also know how hard it can be, especially being in the unique position we are all in. We sometime’s have get together’s at someone’s house or meet for playdates. Every year there is a team Halloween party, which is SO fun, and there is also a Vikings holiday party for all the staff and their families. It’s fun to have these events and meet more families and wives on the team who may be new.

Marriage

Favorite date night locations for you and Adam?

We love any sporting event (Twins, Timberwolves), concerts, movies (the Alamo in Woodbury is an awesome theater), bowling/arcades or just a nice peaceful dinner. In Minneapolis we love Murrays for a great steak, Capital Grill, and Rock Bottom Brewery (they have the best nachos). We also love Crave, Redstone, The Tavern Grill, and Wildfire.

Workout

Pre and post workout food? big meal before or snack?

I usually workout 6 times a week around 9/9:30 every morning! As most of you know, working out is a huge passion/stress reliever of mine and I feel so much better and rejuvenated afterwards. Pre workout I usually have a cup of coffee and a energy ball (can be found under recipes) or two, so nothing too heavy. Post workout I have my Isagenix meal replacement shake with includes dynamic fruits and greens, (mocha flavored—you can buy the containers at Lifetime) a banana, ice and almond milk. It’s perfect post workout because the shakes have enough nutrients for my mid morning meal, plus contains a lot of protein, which is great post workout.

Are you from MN like Adam is? How did you guys meet?

I have lived in MN pretty much my whole life. I was born in Appleton, WI and then we lived in Philidelphia for a few years. I grew up in Woodbury so MN is home to me. We met through a mutual friend while I was playing soccer at Iowa State and Adam was playing football at Mankato. We were friends for a few years before dating (I wasn’t into him;). You can read more of our story and how we met/ended up marrying on one of my first blog posts, The Story of MR and MRS T (under family life).

Me time

What do you like to do when Adam is away and the boys are sleeping and you finally have time to yourself?

Eat snacks and watch scary and predictable Lifetime movies in bed lol..(or a Dateline episode, even though I shouldn’t when I’m alone)! Boring, but honestly these are some of my favorite nights when everyone is asleep and Adam is gone…or if Adam’s watching MNF and I don’t want to ;) I am a big homebody. I love some of the events we get to go to but most nights I’d rather be at home with the fam.

Favorite clothing brand?

I have been obsessed with Evereve lately. They have many clothing brands and a variety of prices. I also order clothes online from Nordstrom, Vici Dolls, Revolve, and a lot of my Vikings gear off of Fanatics, Etsy, and Fangirl.

Who is someone you look up to?

My role models growing up were Mia Hamm and Brett Favre. I was a soccer player so I loved the leader and player Mia was. I also thought Brett was one of the best leaders and QB’s ever. I wrote papers on both of them in school:) Now that I am older, I’d have to say I really look up to my mom. She is such a kind, faithful, sweet, and loving person. She stayed at home with all three of us so I give her a lot of props for handling the wife/mom life.

How do you balance the boys, Adam’s career and still make time for yourself?

Being a SAHM can be tough…and yes I know it’s not easy for working moms either! It is mentally/ physically exhausting. What helps me unwind is getting a sitter…or grandma/grandpa to help out once a week or so. Getting away, even for only a couple hours to rejuvenate is so important for us moms/dads. Go for a walk by yourself, get your grocery shopping done in quiet, or treat yourself to a pedicure. It really does help me be a better, more refreshed mom and wife when I am home.

I am always open to questions, so never be afraid to ask. Keeping searching for JOY everyday and spreading your light to others!

xoxox,

MRS T

The Thielen Foundation

“Use your gifts to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10

The Thielen Foundation is almost a YEAR old already and for those wondering what our purpose was for starting it and what our sole focus is keep reading below, as I share a bit about how the foundation started. We’ve had some exciting things happening with the Foundation lately so I wanted to share with you all.

First off I want to say how fortunate we are to have our own Foundation. When Adam first started his career in the NFL we had always talked about how cool it would be to have a charity of our own but we didn’t know if that was actually something that could happen. Even as Adam’s name and his performance on the field got bigger we weren’t sure if we should start our own Foundation or just continue giving back to different charities. Last year the opportunity to start our own came up so we couldn’t pass on it! And now with lots of hard work and help from Adam’s agency, supporters, and many others here we are a year in already and impacting many lives as well as them impacting ours. When first thinking of a cause to support we weren’t exactly sure what we wanted to do...we just knew that we both have a passion for youth and that we were fortunate enough to grow up with much...sports to play, an education to get, supportive and loving families. Many children don’t have these opportunities and we felt compelled to help give back in these areas. We started this Foundation with the goal to help empower as many kids as we can and help them reach their full potential in life!! We hope to continue growing the foundation and impacting youth in many different areas including behavioral health, which has been amazing and so eye opening for us so far!!!! We love spending time with these kids at Masonic Children’s hospital and encouraging them. We hope to give wisdom to kids as well as share a bit about our lives and share our faith and how important it is to us and what’s helped us during tough times. These kids have touched our lives in many ways and we are so grateful for it. Every time we leave the hospital or have an event to raise money for these kids we get so pumped and inspired! We can’t wait to continue to grow and impact many more lives. We all have the ability to lend a hand to others whether in big or small ways.

Below are a few things we’ve been up to over the past few months that have raised some significant funds for the foundation!

• Choice bank is a big sponsor of our foundation so about a month ago we were in Fargo doing a few things for them and they also held a dinner gala, which was awesome! This was a fun weekend and it was really the first time I got to speak and answer questions, as well as Adam, about the Foundation. I usually am not a big fan of speaking in front of others but when you’re passionate about something it’s easy to do.

• We partnered with Gray Duck Vodka during Summer Jam, so we were out at the tent one night with people who bought tickets to enjoy the concerts and help support. That was a lot of fun and it was a great event raising money for other great charities, while listening to some awesome music!

• Just a few weeks ago our foundation partnered with the St. Paul Saints to host an All Star Monday celebrity Softball game. This was SO fun and we had an absolute blast! We are thankful for the celebs who played and fans who came out to support…we hope you had as much fun as we did! We hope this happens again next year and more people/families come out!

• Valleyfair cares partnered with the foundation and for the whole month of July Valleyfair donated one dollar to the foundation for every ticket sold! Mom, dad, and Ash man even made it on an off day and enjoyed a fun filled day:)

If you’d like to give back in any way to the foundation you can head to the website, https://www.thielenfoundation.org/ or buy some cool gear here— https://www.thielenfoundation.org/shop/ to help rep (more white hats will be available 9/15):) The logo is a cool representation of what the foundation stands for… a T for our last name and an up arrow above it to show that there is always room to go up and reach higher for the potential you are capable of! Simple, classy, but yet to the point!

We are launching our next partnership here very soon and we are so excited about this program that will be helping serve many more kids in the cities. Adam and I can’t wait for this, so be on the lookout!

Thank’s for letting me share a little more about the Thielen Foundation. It really is a big passion of mine and my husband’s, and we are so thankful to give back at least a little of what God has given us.

xoxo,

MRS T

Summer Favorites

I know summer, especially in Minnesota is such a special time! There’s nothing better than swimming, boating, and get togethers with friends and family. I wanted to do something fun and share some random summer favorites of mine! We have a very busy summer but my favorite thing is just being with family, grilling, eating chips and salsa, and enjoying the sun and pool. I hope you all can relax a bit and soak up these quick summer months that we (those who live in MN) get;)

Dessert— My favorite post dinner dessert is a Yasso sea salt carmel bar. They are frozen greek yogurt bars and are so delicious. You can get them in other kinds like mint chocolate chip and fudge. I’m pretty sure you can get them at most grocery stores (I get mine at Target or Jerry’s).

Salads— I’m obsessed with the Sweet Kale gourmet salad. It’s the perfect salad for summer. I usually buy the bigger bag from Costco but I know a lot of local grocery stores sell it as well. Lately, I have loved this Endless summer salad. I get mine at Jerry’s. It’s a great light salad for summer!

Chips— I am a big fan of Sun chips (garden salsa is my favorite kind). The only problem is..I could eat the whole bag;) Our fam is a huge fan of chips and salsa... and of course guac!! We love these Sea salt organic multigrain tortilla chips from Costco (I also found them off of Thrive Market). We usually buy like 3 bags just in case they’re not in stock next time. Our favorite salsa is Village extra hot sauce and we usually get it from Target.

Beverages— 95% of the time I am drinking water with lemon! If I want something different I’ll have a Bai (clementine and pomegranate are my favorite flavors). Alcohol drinks I usually go with a glass of Moscato or a vodka sprite (but I rarely drink).

Sunscreen for me— Coola face sunscreen (daytime lotion and SPF in one). It’s organic and goes on light and won’t sweat right off! I also wear and love the Coola body sunscreen.

Sunscreen for toddlers— I love the Babyganics pure mineral sunscreen stick for Asher’s face! For his body I bought this two pack of Neutrogena Kids oil free water resistant sunscreen spray. It’s nice because it doesn’t take awhile to apply. It works great when you have a pool or are in water a lot because it stays on really good. I also love that it’s 70 proof!

Kids park— Madison’s Place Playground It’s close to our house and is such a great park. They have the best splash pad for kids in the summer. It’s also handicap accessible, which is awesome. Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater is so cute. It’s a free park and it’s in downtown Stillwater, which is super pretty. You could even stop by one of our favorite ice cream spots after (Nelson’s)!

Summer Toys— Squirt guns have been a huge hit so far this summer. Asher is obsessed. He spends a couple hours just squirting my plants or at “targets”. He loves having a squirt gun fight, especially with grandpa! Bubble makers have been another hit at our house. Asher’s been loving baseball lately so we ordered some bases and he practices hitting my pitches on a daily bases!

Music— I love all types of music but 90% of the time I listen to Christian! Symphony by Switch ft Dillion Chase and Your Words by Third day ft Harvest have been my jams lately! I love the beat of These Days by Rudimental ft Jess Glynne, Macklemore, and Dan Caplen. Mitchell Tenpenny is an up and coming country artist who I’ve liked recently (he’ll actually be performing at our Thielen Foundation celebrity softball event in July)! Drunk me is a really good one of his.

Restaurants— We honestly don’t make it out to eat often now with two kiddos. But The Tavern Grill in Woodbury is great. It has a big outdoor patio and bar area. San Pedro Cafe in Hudson has amazing food (we love the chicken nachos). It has a nice patio in the back as well. Redstone, Good Earth, and Charlie’s on Prior are also favorites of ours!

Books— I don’t have too much time to read but we are traveling a bit this summer so I want to try and get Where the Crawdads Sing read (I’ve heard great things). I also love my daily devotional, Embraced by Lisa Terkeurst.

Swim suits— I have had a lot of luck with supportive swim suits from Soma. Magicsuit Solid Sophie tankini swim top is one of my fav’s that I own. They have great two piece, tankini, and one piece options that fit every body type. Nordstrom and Bare Necessities are two other great spots to shop for swimwear with many options and sizing!

MISC- Baby Infant swimming pool float w/ canopy - Hudson is only 5 months and loved being in the water in this!

SwimWays Kids Power Swimmer Vest- Such a great floatie for toddlers learning to swim. It doesn’t restrict Asher’s arms either!

Nektar- Favorite healthy smoothie/ bowl place (especially in the summer)! The Acai banana berry bowl is so good, I get it at least once a week.

I hope everyone has an amazing summer with lots of fun, sun, and family time:)

xoxo,

MRS T