February Playdate and Date Night

We had a busy weekend! Friday as soon as I walked in the door after work we changed clothes and were off to my middle sister's house for our February "get-together". She cooked chili and baked potatoes for us and it was so yummy. Hayden was super excited to be there and never sat sit once. I only took these two pictures, but honestly it was because we were either talking or running around with the girls. We had a great time and I am looking forward to next month already! I know Hayden has so much fun playing. Here are the only pictures I got.

Reagan hanging in a tree, this is so typical of that sweet child - so carefree!




And here is a perfect shot of the two little ones...Hayden never stops even for a moment to catch her breath. She is way off in front of Gracen, but she did turn her head backswards a couple of times to look and see where Gracen was, as if to say "hurry up would you".




Saturday was our February Date Night. Brian's parents come over to our house and watched Hayden while we went out to dinner.

Here we are right before leaving!



We visited one of our favorite locations in Prattville!



We had a good evening sitting and talking with one another. Of course there was a tv close by with the NFL Combine on, so that got a little more of Brian's attention than I did :( - but I still enjoyed myself none the less. We split an appetizer of shrimp and lobster dip then we each had salads and for my main course I had grilled shrimp on a bed of rice with a loaded baked potato, everything was awesome. I was stuffed and ate way more than Brian did because he was saving room for dessert. On the way home we made a pitstop at Dairy Queen where he ordered a strawberry shortcake and got Hayden a tiny cup of ice cream. I am so proud of myself because I didn't take a single taste, not one.

Sunday afternoon a good friend of mine hosted a 31 Party. If you have never been to one before or have never ordered any of their products, you should definately look into them. They are very affordable and so pretty. I bought one for my car, one for Hayden and one more for some everyday use!! If I had a website I would give it to you, but I am sure you can find it on Facebook.

I am looking forward to a busy week ahead and can't wait to welcome in the month of March. We have lots of exciting events planned!

Following in Mommy's Footsteps

I was standing in the kitchen last night waiting on Brian to get home and putting a pizza in the oven when I heard, click, click, click and turned around and this is what I saw - how precious. She paused for a minute to get them back on, which is how I was able to get my camera and take a few pictures.



She must have heard Daddy pull up while she was putting them on because she was fast and furiously trying to get to the back door and just then he walked in and Hayden was there to greet him.




These heels are my favorite pair and I wear them all the time. BCBG makes a fabulous shoe, I buy these every season and always wear them completely out, these are almost falling apart now too. These are probably 3-3.5 inch heels and Hayden was walking in them like a pro. Awe, like Mother like daughter...

Cute shoes can make all the difference in a day. And one of my favorite/funny sayings:

"Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes really can change your life" - ha!

Mommy-To-Be

Last weekend I helped host a baby shower for one of my best friends and neighbor. She is one of the last of my friends to have her first child and I am so excited for her. The shower was held at the beautiful Wynlakes and everything was perfect, from the weather outside to the people that attended to the food to the gifts.

She looks amazing and you would never guess she is six months along, and although she doesn't look pregnant in these photos, she does have a baby bump - I promise!

Congrats to Curt & Erica! I can't wait until Clara Elise arrives and we can see her all the time. Her room is amazing and fit just for a princess (I wish I took pictures of her room, but maybe when she is in it).

Hayden swapped back and forth sitting in these precious sisters' laps. She was adoring them and they loved her! These girls belong to another really good friend!










And I was so excited to get to catch up with my old roommate, Sally, who I never get to see anymore!

Chasing Bubbles

What a beautiful weekend! Hayden, Brian and I are all sick, but we didn't let that stop us from enjoying the most awesome weather. Hayden and I got outside on Friday while Daddy was at work and played in the yard and watched 4000 plus bubbles fly through the air - Hayden enjoyed chasing them all over the yard, up and down the hill!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a busy weekend around our house, but it was so much fun. We celebrated Valentine's Day all weekend long. Starting on Saturday morning, we got up and I was planning on making heart shaped pancakes, but Hayden wanted to play, so Daddy took over in the kitchen and I think they turned out very pretty.



Next we got ready and went to Montgomery to meet Nan so we could have lunch and get Hayden some new tennis shoes, we got tennis shoes, but I found this pair of boots and I couldn't leave the store without them - Hayden adores them!



And what is that Hayden is sitting in you ask? Well, her very own recliner of course! That is her Valentine present from Papa. He got this at a National Wild Turkery Federation event last week for her. Doesn't it look so comfortable and it matches my den so well...



On Sunday, after church and nap time, we let Hayden open up our little gift. I hated to give it to her Monday morning when Brian wasn't here or when I was rushing out the door.









And finally this morning Gram brought Hayden her Valentine gift - so much fun!







Thanks everyone for making this a wonderful Hearts Day for Hayden - we love you!

No...No...No...

The following pictures played out a little like this:

Me: Hayden are you excited to brush your teeth like a big girl?
Hayden: No
Me: I bought you a pink step so you can stand on it and brush your teeth.
Hayden: (making squeeling noises and getting more excited)
Me: Here is your new toothbrush, let me help you brush
Hayden: NO, NO, NO
Me: I will help you, watch me
Hayden: NO, NO, NO
Me: Sigh, ok

Trying New Things

Do you ever get bored fixing the same meals over and over? I know I do. I am always looking for something new to learn how to make or something exciting to bring to the table. I have been wanting to spice up our menu for some time but honestly I haven't had the time to sit down and look through cookbooks or look up recipes on-line until this week. I really do love to cook, I love trying new things and making extravaggant meals, but Brian and I don't always have the same tastes. So I am thankful that now, most of the time I get home before Brian and I can begin the process of cooking dinner before he arrives so he can't veto what I am planning to make - this makes dinner time so much easier.

I am also proud to say that I finally purchased my very own copy of "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" and I am trying one of her dishes this coming week.

I haven't posted a menu in awhile so here is ours for the coming week, starting with tonight. Most of the meals are new to me, so we will see how it all goes. Wish me luck!

Friday, February 4
Tortilla Soup

Saturday
Chicken Spaghetti (Pioneer Woman)

Sunday (in honor of the Super Bowl)
7 layer Mexican Dip
Enchiladas

Monday
Roast and Potatoes

Tuesday
Pulled Chicken Sandwiches from the crock-pot

Wednesday
Stir-fry

Thursday
Shrimp Scampi and Parmesean Pasta

Friday
Make our own pizzas with flour tortillas

I am especially excited about the chicken spaghetti, I told Brian about this and he said "NO", but we are going to try it anyway, if he doesn't like it I have ravioli in the pantry!

The stir fry should be good too. It doesn't call for bottle stir fry sauce, you make your own from scratch, now these are the kinds of things I love. I love to make my own seasonings, my own dressings, etc. When I was growing up I found a recipe for shrimp sauce and I still use it to this day - I refuse to use cocktail sauce bought from the store, unless it is for raw oysters!