Friday, March 29, 2013

Easter Egg Hunt

 This morning we went to my friend Kristen's house for a fun Easter Egg hunt with our friends.  The boys before we left the house!  They are so handsome!

There were about 12 moms and around 25+ kids.  The house was packed but surprisingly it wasn't that wild.  The kids played in the basement initially then the girls did a craft while the boys ate, then we switched.  
Pictured: Evan, Rachel and Gracie

Everyone brought a brunch item to share!  We had quit a spread of food. 

Colton came over and wanted to sit next to big brother.  

After some food and craft time it was time to go outside and hunt some Easter eggs!

The older kiddos - Noah, Ella, Georgia, Rachel and Gracie.  

The three and four year old group.

Ryan was super excited and couldn't wait to go find some eggs!

Parker, Colby, Kyle, Evan and Linely.  Linley was holding her own with all the boys!  This girls cracks me up. 

We all brought five eggs filled with treats.

Ryan was the first to spot these on the swing set. 

Little C Bear was so excited to find some eggs!  He was just adorable.  He came running down the hill with his eggs.  

Love this sweet boy.  It's his first Easter that he can hunt eggs and really get into it.  He has been loving it. 

My sweet friend Laura with her beautiful girls!

It was such a fun day with friends and celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  I love, love my friends and so blessed to have them in my life.  

Thursday, March 28, 2013

It's Fiesta Time

 I made these fun fiesta cookies for a new friend Lauren.  I have been shipping a few cookie orders lately.  I am so thankful for lots of cookie business lately.  
These turned out so fun!  I love the colors!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Wednesday Randoms

As part of our spring break trip to Memphis last week we stopped by Nashville on our way home.  My friend Tiffany lives there with her husband Matt, little girl Presley and sweet baby boy Levi.  We met them for lunch then headed to the park to let the kids run off some energy.
 
  Tiffany is originally from Memphis and we actually grew up in the same youth group but didn't run in the same circles.  She and her husband moved to Cincy about three years ago.  We reconnected while they were here and loved spending time with them.  Sadly they were only here for less than a year before Matt's job moved them to Nashville.  

The boys had the best time playing.  Ryan and Presley ran around like wild things at the park while colton tried to catch up.  Presley kept asking if we were spending the night with them.  She was dying for a sleepover!  Levi is just the cutest baby, next to my babies of course ;).  He is 8 months old and has the sweetest personality.  He is SO cute and has the prettiest blue eyes!

We came back to their house to let the babies sleep.  Ryan and Presley stayed up and played.  

I am obsessed with Nashville right now.  Love, love, love it.  My dream is to move there.  I love and miss the south!  Nashville is such a fun and happening city.  It was fun to see and spend time with Tiffany and her family and see part of Nashville.  Miss them and can't wait to see them again.  

Thursday, after we got back, was Ryan's preschool Easter party.  He was so excited to see all his friends.  

Ryan was super excited that daddy came to his party.  Just one of the perks of Matt in school full time is he can come to stuff at Ryan's school.  I love that he has taken Ryan to school some and even helped me take boxes of cookies to the post office.  

How cute are all these little bunnies in their hats?  For some reason Ryan was not keen on wearing his bunny hat but did it for a picture.  It was a fun day and I'm so glad we got to spend time with our favorite three year old.  

Yesterday Colton had Little Gym.  The little man was excited to play with all his friends.  He always has the best time playing.  Look at him relaxing like he owns the place.  

Ryan played on the train table the whole time Colton was in class.  He was so good.  When Colton and I came out of class I couldn't find Ryan.  I looked up and saw him sitting with the next class in the gym.  He was sitting there like he belonged.  Hilarious!  My first thought was embarrassment then I knew I was going to have to break his heart and tell him he wasn't in that class.  Thankfully he was good about it and only took a little coaxing.  

He is not enrolled in a little gym class right now but I did sign him up for a few camp days this summer.  He will love it. 

Monday, March 25, 2013

Weekend Wrap-up

So I have been a blog slacker the last week.  Part of that was because we were in Memphis half the week and my parents internet wasn't working well and the other part I was just playing catch up and enjoying spending time with my family!

 
Matt is back at school today and Ryan starts spring break. We enjoyed a nice and relaxing weekend!  Finally caught up on laundry and grocery shopping.  I took the boys to the mall Saturday morning so Matt could study.  They were good for the most part and we enjoyed getting out in the sunshine.  

Sunday was cloudy and cold, perfect day to nap and read a book...two things I did neither of, ha!

It started to snow yesterday afternoon and we woke up to more snow this morning.  Thankfully it's only sticking to trees and grass and not the roads.  I am SO over winter and ready for warm days of spring!!!  It can't come soon enough!

My heart has been heavy about a dear friend from college!  I went to Union with Will Gray and his wife Angie.  I remember meeting Will my freshman year at Union (we graduated the same year).  He is one of the nicest and funniest guys.  

Back in October Will was diagnosed with cancer.  He had a tumor growing in his right maxillary sinus (the one under his cheek).  He had a successful surgery to remove the tumor in November and they thought the worst was behind them.  Over the last few weeks Will started having severe back pain.  After many tests they determined that Will has an additional tumor on the sternum and other locations in his lungs.   They are continuing to do tests to determine the best plan of action.  

Will needs a miracle!!  Will you please pray for healing for Will!  Pray for strength and wisdom for his wife Angie!  You can visit their website at www.goteamgray.com

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Memphis Spring Break Trip

Friday of last week we loaded up our car and headed to Memphis.  Matt is on spring break this week so we thought it was a great time to go visit family.  We've decided the best way to travel a long road trip with young kids is to drive through the night.  I worry all the time about driving at night and all the dangers but I have to surrender those fears to the Lord and trust Him.  

We headed out around 7:30pm.  The boys did well and slept most of the way. We finally got to my parents house around 2am.  

We were tired but we got up early Saturday morning to head to the Memphis Zoo with my best friend Rachel and her family.  She lives in Connecticut but was in Memphis visiting family.  It was perfect it worked out for us both to be there at the same time.   Here's Rachel with her hubs Eric and kids Alex and Ana. 

It didn't take long for these two boys to hit it off and start running around.  

We haven't seen each other's family in two years so naturally the kids don't really remember each other.  Now that they are a little older I hope they will remember each other the next time we see them.  

Alex and Ryan had the best time seeing all the animals.  Alex loved holding the map and telling up where to go.  He would say "Ryan- come over here, follow me".  

Since I grew up in Memphis I have been to the zoo many times but honestly I can't tell you the last time I was there.  Probably high school.  The zoo is completely different than I remember.  The only thing habitats that looked the same were the elephants and hippos.  

The Memphis Zoo is only one of four zoos that have giant panda bears.  We were so excited to see the pandas.  Sadly my pics of the pandas didn't turn out!

The weather was perfect.  It was warm and around 70 degrees.  Naturally the rest of Memphis thought it was a good day to visit the zoo.  Nonetheless it was a great time.  

Ryan walked the whole time.  He did really well but towards the end he started to fade.  We got there at 11 and only stayed til about 3.  Colton fell asleep but of course woke up when we got to the car.  

Saturday night we got to go on a double date with Eric and Rachel.  Such a treat!  We enjoyed hanging out with them and just having a great time catching up.  

We spent lots of time with Nana and Grandad.  The boys ate up the attention from their grandparents.  

We went to church on Sunday morning then Corky's BBQ for lunch.  

We went to the park, ate at CFA, ate lots of BBQ, hung out with Uncle Matt and just enjoyed playing cars at Nana and Grandad's house.  

The boys played with this hot wheels car set (seen on the far right) for HOURS.  Ryan was obsessed.  He has a similar city car track he got for Christmas.  This was by far his favorite toy. 

We made it home last night around 2am.  We are super tired today.  The boys were exhausted too!  They both took five hour naps today!  

It was a wonderful trip and we are so glad to see and spend time with family.  We miss them already and can't wait to see them again!

Friday, March 15, 2013

Friday Randoms

 
Totally randomness today!  

Is it spring yet?  Isn't the first day of spring this next week?  Where is my warm weather???  I bought some shorts today, do you think I'm ready for warmer weather?  Yes Ma'am!

I've had three friends have their babies in the last week.  There is a baby boom around here. 

 Ryan and I enjoyed playing downstairs in the basement this afternoon while Colton napped.  We played trains and did a number game.  He knows his numbers so well.  I'm so proud of him.  

I'm ashamed to say I still have my valentine's decorations out.  I finally pulled out my spring/Easter stuff. Hopefully it will get put out before the Easter bunny arrives.

We talked about Easter crafts with your kids yesterday at Mops.  I'm so excited to do some in the next few weeks with Ryan.  He somewhat understands about Jesus and why we celebrate Easter but we mostly focus on Jesus is Alive!  

I shopped for the boys Easter baskets the other day.  I'm pretty sure I got everything except I want to get Ryan the Jesus Storybook Bible.  We have a wonderful toddler Bible my best friend gave him when he was born but the storybook Bible goes into more details and has beautiful illustrations.  I think he's going to love it.  

We have loved story time in Ryan's bed.  I love listening to him talk and tell me about his day.  That is the time he really opens up and tells us about things, about his day or what happened during the day.


Lastly, I made these cookies for my friend Jayne's whose sister turns 50 next week!  Loved making these!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Oven Tacos

 Matt LOVES mexican food.  I like mexican but not crazy about it like Matt.  We eat a lot of taco salad around here.  Even Ryan enjoys taco salad.  I usually serve it with tortilla chips but I recently came across this recipe on pinterest for oven tacos.  We tried it last week and it was a big hit.  


Ingredients:
2 lbs ground beef
1 small onion diced
1 package taco seasoning
1 (8oz) can of diced tomatoes
1 can kidney beans
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8-10 hard taco shells

Optional condiments:
lettuce
tomato (diced)
salsa
guacamole
sour cream
olives, sliced

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

In a large skillet brown ground beed and onion over medium-high heat.  Drain off any excess liquid.  Return to pan, add diced tomatoes and kidney beans and taco seasoning.  Mix well and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells and place into 9x13 inch baking dish, standing up.  Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell.  Place into the oven and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese has helped and the tacos are heated through.

Remove from the oven and top with any optional condiments for serving.