Five Fabulous Years

Last Friday, July 20, Brant and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary.  I still can't believe that its been 5 years since we said "I do."

I remember that day like it was yesterday.  I remember saying my vows and thinking that there was no way my life could get any better - but I was wrong.  Life has gotten better and I am blessed every day to be married to this man.

To add a twist to our day of matrimony, it was also the best-man's (Brant's best friend, Ryan) birthday.  So as we celebrated 5 years of marriage, Ryan was celebrating 30  years of life!  So we spent Friday night with some of our favorite people celebrating Ryan. 

Me and Melissa

Definitely the more the merrier!

Brant is one incredible golfer - and I'm not being biased here - he really is!!!

The men thought they needed to teach the women how to swing a club.

Happy Anniversary Love!! 

Its been an incredible 5 years and I can't wait to spend the next 50 years with you by my side!

Menu Monday

Yesterday we got a call from Brant's sister and her AC unit at her house went out, so she asked if she could come stay for a few days.  Well of course we were happy to have her and Emmalee was thrilled to spend special time with her "Special K" (Kristie).  When she asked if she could come, she said she would make dinner for everyone tonight - and since I work outside the home - I would be a fool not to accept the offer!

So, the week starts out with a guest-cook making a fabulous chicken spaghetti.

Tuesday night, I'm making one of my all-time favorites from Rachel Ray - Chicken & Peaches.  I know I've posted the recipe before, but here it is again.  This is one of my most favorite recipes - absolutely delicious - especially this time of year when the peaches are in season.



Wednesday - Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff.  I have never made this recipe before, but I am so excited about it.  Talk about comfort food at its finest - especially with some delicious green beans and fresh green salad!

Thursday  - Baked Salmon with vegetable medley.  This is so easy - I just take my salmon fillets and put on a foil-lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with EVOO, salt, pepper, then the juice of a lemon.  Bake at a low temp (around 275 or 300) for 15 minutes.

Friday - as usual - its pizza night!

As I've told y'all before, I usually don't plan our meals for the weekend just because you never know what we'll be up to, but I decided yesterday that I need to start cooking more for Sunday lunch.  Its very common for us to go out after church, but Sundays are so hard on Emmalee because she doesn't get her morning nap.  She usually falls asleep before we even leave the church parking lot.  SO going out to lunch is not always a great idea because she is so exhausted that she doesn't eat much and throws a fit.  So I told B yesterday that I think its best if we begin having Sunday lunch at home.

So Sunday - Spaghetti and meatballs with a fresh green salad and garlic bread.

What are y'all havin' this week?  

Growing Girl

Well Emmalee Caroline turned 15 months old on Sunday.  I still can't wrap  my mind around the fact that she is getting so big and INDEPENDENT!!

On Monday we had our 15-month well check with our favorite pediatrician, Dr. Hull.  

Dr. Hull said Emmalee was "perfect".  She weighs 21lbs 12oz and is 32.5" long.  She is still in the 30% for weight and 95% for height - literally the same since she was 6 months old!  She is wearing 12 months clothes but an occasional 18 month for length, and is still in size 3 diapers.  Our appointment was great, but ended with 2 shots, so what's a mom to do?  Get her baby a CFA milkshake!!!

YUM!!!  Milkshakes always make it better!

She really has an outstanding vocabulary.  "Dax" is still one of her favorite words, as well as "bite please", "more", "mommy", and "daddy".  She also mastered saying "thank you", "bananas", "go to bed", "bath", "outside", "puppy", "cat", "book", and quite a few more.  I love seeing her learn new words, except when she picked up the work "suck" after she heard her daddy say something "sucks" the other night - oops! PARENTING FAIL!

Em is also doing great on her motor skills and development - Dr. Hull says she is right on track!  I love seeing her do new things and watching her "discover" this great big, fascinating world we live in.  She loves to play outside and pick up the grass, sticks, leaves, and dirt (yes, she is definitely her father's child).  She loves to chase after Dax and love on him.  She got a bubble-gun for her birthday and loves to blow bubbles.  Wagon rides are certainly a favorite, as well any other outside activity.  Em will RUN toward water - the pool, the lake, the bath - she loves it! 

Em is still a great eater, although bananas, grapes, watermelon, carrots and cheese (especially mac'n'cheese) are her favorites.  She's not a huge meat eater, but I still try to get her some protein every day.  She might already love her some CFA sweet tea - oops again.

She's also a great sleeper.  She usually has 2 naps during the day, then goes to bed between 8 and 8:30 and sleeps until 6:30 (or 7 - 7:30 on the weekends).  She's also really easy to put to sleep - just ask her if she is ready to go to bed.  If she's ready, then she'll walk to her room and ask to get in her bed.  If not, she'll tell you "no" then ask her again in 10 minutes.

I still can't believe my little girl is growing up so fast.  She is so independent and I fell like I never get to just hold her and cuddle her anymore.  So the other night she fell asleep on the home from a friend's birthday party, so when I went to lay her down I could help but just hold her awhile.  I kept her in my arms and sat down in her rocking chair and I just held my sweet baby girl.  It was a moment of pure bliss for me. 

Well happy 15 month-birthday baby girl.  Your momma and daddy still love you more and more each day.  You bring a smile to our faces and joy to our hearts every moment.  We are so blessed and honored to be your parents.

Playin' in the Rain

On Sunday afternoon we got a light shower of rain - more of a heavy sprinkle.  Emmalee was dying to go outside, so I thought I would go stand outside under the patio with her so she could see the rain.  Well, of course she wanted down, so I let her get down.  She had a blast!  

She is definitely her father's daughter - she loves discovering grass, and leaves, and all kind of nature!

I even let her play in the mud!

"Washing" her hands.

Why do children always put stuff in their mouth???

This face says it all! She LOVED playing in the rain!

Lil' Firecracker

Well I was debating on even writing about our Fourth because it was completely uneventful..WE STAYED HOME!  But we did have a patriotic service Sunday morning, so Em was our Lil' Firecracker!

If there is one thing this child loves about going to church on Sunday morning, its the donuts!!

Anyways, our sitter, Ms. Donna was off for the first few days this week, so Em's Nana & GrandBob came to town just to play. Someone got spoiled rotten!  

On Tuesday, Brant's sister, Kristie, came down with our nephew, Aeson.  The two kiddos played and played.  Then as soon as I got home from work we went to Aunt Cookie's house and went swimming with all the other cousins.  We wore these kiddos out!  After swimming, we headed to dinner, then got some yogurt for dessert on our way to see the fireworks.  It was really great.  

Since we got home so late, Emmalee didn't go to bed until almost 11, so we slept in on Wednesday. Nan & GrandBob left in the early afternoon, so we just stayed home.  Em never got a good nap so she wasn't in the "best of moods".  So we played at home and just enjoyed some time together as a family - how more American can you get?  

So I hope you all had a great Fourth, because we certainly did.  .

My Lil' Sassy Pants

On Saturday morning, Aunt Cookie did a little photoshoot with Emmalee.  I'm a crap mom and forgot to have 12 month pictures made, but we decided that 14 month pics was better than nothin'!  And y'all, I know I say it all the time, but I am so incredibly lucky to have a sister who is such a fabulous photographer!!!

I thought I would share a few of my favorites!  

Looking so sweet and innocent.

This one is one of my most favorite!  I LOVE those big blue eyes!

"Emmalee Caroline - get that stick our of your mouth!"

LOVE!

Annnndddd...here is Ms. Sassy Pants!

This is my happy girl! This is a totally unedited pic that I just had to share! She is just too cute here!

And the Diva is revealed!