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! 

Emmalee's Nursery

Kelly's Korner is having her weekly link up today and this week is "Show Us Your Life:  Kids Rooms".  So, I thought I would like up with this post I did last April before Emmalee was born showing off her nursery.  I have to be honest - I love the way it turned out, and now that she is a year old, I think she does too.  She loves going to play in her room! 

Anyways, here is the original post:  A Place for Our Princess.

This is Who I Am

3 Posts in one day - I know - you think I'm insane! 

But today I'm linking up with Life on LeRoy to find new blog-friends.  I love new blog friends, so if you're stopping by, then Welcome!  Here is a bit about me!

I'm Ashley (a.k.a. Grabbie).  I've been married for (almost) five years to my very best friend, Brant.  After trying to have a family for 2 years, God gave us the biggest blessing and we finally became parents to our precious darlin', Emmalee Caroline on April 15, 2011.  She has her momma's eyes and sassy attitude, and her Daddy's blond hair and blue eyes.  She is truly the light of our lives. 
 

I'm work as a corporate compliance specialist and thoroughly enjoy my job.  I, of course, would love to be at home full-time with Emmalee, but has made the most wonderful friends at Ms. Donna's, her in-home sitter.  We love Em being with Donna. 

I hope you'll stick around and read all about us - we love making new friends!!

Menu Monday

Well bonless skinless chicken breasts were on sale for only $1.69/lb at my local supermarket the other day, so I stocked up big time!  So chicken is definitely in the menu this week.  Rump roast was also on sale, so I grabbed a few of those too!  So here is this weeks menu:

Monday - Apple baked pork chops with Paula Deens Sweet Potatoes with a Kick! (Do you love sweet potatoes, and love trying new recipes with them - then try these - they are fabulous!)

Tuesday - Cheesy Chicken & Rise casserole

Wednesday - Chimichangas (made with our delicious rump roast in the crockpot - here the original post I did on how to make these)

You can also make with shredded chicken. Just put your FROZEN chicken breasts in the crockpot and book on low for 6 hours...follow the other directions just the same!

Thursday - Chicken stir fry (I just grill my chicken w/ a teriyaki glaze, the toss with a frozen "Asian Stir Fry" mix I find at my supermarket. Then add some more teriyaki glaze to coast the noodles & veggies, then serve - delicious and easy!)

Friday - Pizza Night!

And you know me - I never plan for the weekend because you never know where we'll be!

Lil' Miss Independent

So I guess 14 months is the age of independence. Lil' Miss "Thang" definitely knows how to assert hers! These are the moments I want to scream "What happened to my baby?!?!?"  Just a few days ago she was being swaddled and rocked to sleep, but now she is running all over the place and being such a "big" girl! 

Em is now to the age where it seems like she won't hardly eat anymore unless it's food that she can put in her mouth herself! There are definitely some perks to self-feeding, but definitely more messes to clean up too...especially when its cake!

"No Momma, I'll do it"

Please notice the black towel on the floor to catch the mess!

 DELICIOUS!

Family Ice Cream Night

Sometimes we like to go for ice cream at Sonic - its Family Ice Cream Night - and we ALL love it! 

 

There's a certain "big" girl who likes to do it herself. 

 

"Look at me Momma!"

Summer List

I have seen so many people posting "Summer Fun Lists" of things they want to do, or do with their children,  before the end of the summer.  I love this idea. 

So I've created a "Summer Fun List"!

• Pick Berries at Gnismer Farms
• Go to Hawaiian Farms
• Spend a day on the lake 
• Wagon ride through Rose Memorial Park
• Go to a petting zoo
• Blow bubbles 
• Take Dax to the park
• Fly a kite
• Have a picnic
• Plant an herb garden
• Read books
• Go to the splash pad
• Feed ducks at the park
• Go see 4th of July fireworks
• Fingerpaint
• Plant a flower
• Dallas World Aquarium
• Make cookies
• Play in the rain

Do you have a summer to-do list?  What's on it???  

Homemade Apple Fritters

Yesterday I was looking for a dessert to make, but I was low on quite a few "dessert" ingredients (like vanilla).  So I used one of my favorite websites, www.supercook.com, to enter all of the things I did have to see what I could make.  I found this apple fritter recipe and it was great! 

Here is the recipe, but I changed it up a bit, so here is my recipe:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 TSBP baking powder
• 2/3cup milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 large, or 4 small, apples (I used a few fuji and a granny smith). I peeled, cored, and chopped into small pieces.
• 1 TBSP vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Cinnamon & sugar mixture (roughly 1/4 cup white sugar, 2 TBSP cinnamon)
• 2 cups vegetable oil or shortening melted for the frying

1. In a medium bowl, mix together first 6 ingredients (the dry ingredients, milk, and eggs.  Add in apples and 1 TBSP vegetable oil.  Mix until apples are evenly distributed.
2. Heat oil or shortening in a pan or skillet - I used a large saucepan so that the oil would cover more of the fritter. I was able to fry about 3-4 at a time.  Heat until "smoking", then turn down to medium heat.
3. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden on both sides, about 3 minutes each side depending on the size. Fry in smaller batches so they are not crowded. Remove from the hot oil using a slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towels.\
4. Toss with cinnamon sugar mixture while warm.

For the caramel sauce, I  just used caramel ice cream topping.  I put it in a bowl and added a bit of milk to thin it out, microwaved and about 15 second, then drizzled it onto the fritters.  This was so delicious and easy! 

"Fabulous" Father's Day

Well, maybe it wasn't fabulous.  On Saturday, Emmalee had a fever when she woke up from her nap but we had plans to go to my sister's for a cookout to celebrate my dad for Father's Day.  Em was acting complete fine and ate a good dinner.  Well when I went to get her out of the bed Sunday morning, Em had thrown up in her bed.  So Brant ended up going to church while I stayed home with this poor thing.

.

Brant was also sweet enough to pick up some fried chicken on his way home so I didn't have to cook, although I offered. Since I didn't have to cook lunch, I did cook dinner (Monterey Chicken found here) and made a special dessert - homemade apple fritters with a caramel dipping sauce - DELICIOUS! 

I will share the recipe in the next post.

  All in all, it was an ok day, but I felt horrible that we didn't get to go to church with this man.

The saying goes that "A Daddy is a son's first hero, and a daughter's first love".  And I say its true.   This baby loves her Daddy - and always has a smile and a kiss waiting just for him!  Brant Williams, you are one incredible dad and I could not have asked for a better father for my children.  Emmalee and I are two lucky gals to have you in our lives.

Wordless Wednesday