Friday, August 30, 2013

Friday Favorites

It's Friday of labor day weekend!  This week has flown by!  We have been trying to spend time outside and at the pool before the summer is officially over.   

The boys got back to school haircuts this week!  


I made these cookies for a space themed baby shower.  The "M" is for the new baby Mason. 

These cookies were for my sweet friend Monica's son Daniel, who was baptized last weekend.  

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

 I made this pinterest recipe the other night for dinner and it was delicious and definitely a keeper.  Everyone loved it (except for Ryan of course).  It was great and pretty easy!  Can't wait to make it again!


Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion - finely diced
3 stalks of celery - finely diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons freshed minced garlic
2 Cups shredded, cooked chicken breast
2 Cups steamed white rice
16oz prepared wild rice (got at whole foods)
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 garlic salt

Cheese Sauce:
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 Cups chicken broth
2 Cups Shredded cheddar cheese
Top with 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil into a medium dutch oven or big pot over medium heat.  Saute onion, celery and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes.  Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Stir in chicken, both rices, salt , pepper and garlic salt.  Reduce heat to low.

To prepare cheese sauce melt butter into a medium saucepan over high heat.  Whisk in flour, salt and pepper then slowly pour in chicken broth whisking continuously.  Whisk until thick and nearly boiling then stir in cheese until melted.  Pour cheese sauce into rice mixture then transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish.  Top with additional cheddar cheese and back for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted through.  Serve and Enjoy

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Tuesday Tidbits

 
After seeing all the first day of school pictures on facebook, twitter and instagram I thought I should document Matt's first day of school for the fall semester.  His first day of class was technically yesterday but we took his picture this morning.  

The boys loved riding in the big jeep at our neighbor Josh and Jakes house this afternoon.  They are so cute!  This will be my view in about 12 years, ha!  There goes those Deepe boys!  

Monday, August 26, 2013

Weekend in Nashville

This weekend Matt and I traveled to Nashville for a little getaway!  My wonderful in-laws watched the boys for us all weekend.  We dropped them off on Friday afternoon and headed straight out of town.  Except for a little traffic getting out of town we sailed through to our destination - Nashville, TN!!!  

 
We arrived at our bed and breakfast - the Butterfly Meadow around 9pm.  We were zonked and ready for bed.  
The Butterfly Meadow was absolutely beautiful.  It was just built three years ago but the owners built it to look like an old farm house that had been restored.  I was shocked because I totally thought it was old and they had redone it.  It was gorgeous and so quiet.  The bed was so comfy and everything was just clean and fresh.  We loved it and would highly recommend it!  We even said we would love to come back even if we move to Nashville.  

After a delicious breakfast saturday morning we headed out to check out some areas that we are thinking about moving to.  We enjoyed looking at houses and just checking out the lay of the land.  I've been looking at houses online for quit some time so it was nice to finally see their location and get a feel for where things are.  


Around lunchtime we headed to downtown Franklin.  I've heard tons of wonderful things about downtown Franklin so I couldn't wait to explore it.  We went to Puckett's for lunch.  It was amazing and a true southern meal.  Loved it!  I think I had ten glasses of sweet tea, ha!  

After we were stuffed from lunch we walked about popping in and out of shops there in downtown Franklin.  The little town is just adorable in every way.  I loved it.  

My college friend Courtney and her family live in Spring Hill, just a few miles south of Franklin.  We met up with her for dinner Saturday night.  We met her husband and two adorable little girls.  She actually grew up in Loveland so it was great to hear how much she loves Nashville and could compare to Cincinnati. 


Sunday morning Matt rose early and went for a little nature walk while I slept in.  We had another fabulous breakfast before meeting Courtney and her family at church.  We were late but really enjoyed her church.  Tons of families with young kids and everyone was so friendly.  Courtney kept telling everyone we were moving to Nashville so they all wanted to know when.  Ha!  I corrected them saying we were considering moving, nothing final yet!  ;)  

For lunch we got to meet up with my friend Tiffany and her husband Matt, daughter Presley and cutie pie Levi.  I'm so glad we got to see them because they are moving to St. Louis next week.  We love them and so sad they won't be in Nashville if we decide to move next year.  

We had a wonderful lunch and talked about everything from Memphis, moving to St.L, Disney World, to real estate in Nashville.  After a great lunch we got on the road to head home to our sweet boys.  We picked them up from the in-laws last night.  They boys had the best time with their Papau and Yaya.  They have been talking about their weekend all day!  I'm so thankful they got to spend special time with them.  

Today is back to our daily routine and Matt's first day of class for the fall semester.  I've been buried in piles of laundry and cleaning the house.  Only a couple more weeks before preschool starts!!!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Boys' Check-ups

 
The boys had their two and four year old check ups today!  We are a little late, ha!  Better late than never right!  The boys were really good!  

Ryan weighs 34lbs - 40th percentile
He is 41.7 inches tall - 75th percentile
Our Dr. was pleased with how well Ryan is growing and all his strong motor skills.  He is getting so big and growing so fast!  

Colton weighs 24lbs - 10th percentile
He is 33.5 inches tall - 5th percentile
Head measurement is 10th percentile

He is a little guy but he is proportionate.  The doctor isn't worried about him being little since he eats so well.  Hopefully he will grow to be average height and weight.  He is my little peanut and snuggle bug.  He is growing and right on point for all his milestones.  He is talking so well and saying new words all the time. 

Ryan had to get two shots and Colton got one.  It was really the first time Ryan got really upset with the shops.  We told him he would be getting a shot but poor little guy had no clue what was going to happen.  The nurses did it at the same time in both arms - smart idea.  He was so upset and kept saying - I'm sad they hurt me, I don't like they hurt my arm.  Bless his sweet heart!

We are so proud of our boys!  A gentleman just stopped me at the gym this morning telling me how it seems like yesterday his son was their age but last week he was dropping him off at college and balling like a baby.  He said the years go by so fast!  I know I will blink and they will be graduating high school.  I cherish these young years when they want me to hold them, play cars and give them hugs and kisses before going off to sleep

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Columbus Zoo

We headed north this morning to visit the Columbus Zoo.  It's only an hour and half drive so it was a perfect day trip.  It was our first trip to the zoo but definitely not our last.  The zoo is HUGE and amazing!  I was really impressed.  I feel like we only got to see about half of it. 

I was so excited to meet a blog/twitter friend Amy who moved to OH from Arkansas about a year ago. She is a fellow Tennessean from Knoxville so of course we hit it off immediately.  We realized we know alot of the same people, crazy!  Her daughter Kaitlin is also four.  Her and Ryan were immediately running around like crazy little four year olds.  And little brother Colin was just the cutest little guy.  He chilled in the stroller most of the time. 

So glad to meet Amy and look forward to seeing her again.  She was the sweetest thing.  After she left I realized so many things we didn't get to talk about.  We could have talked for hours.

Our favorite part of the zoo was, of course, the Australia area.  We got to see my favorite, Koala bears, and Kangaroos.  The Koala bear was actually awake and we got to see him up close.  He was so cute! They just look so soft and sweet.   I want to go to Australia and hold one.  

We traveled on and saw all kinds of monkey, gorillas and orangoutangs.  Ryan requested to see elephants, tigers and lions.  So we obliged and headed towards Asia country.

We were walking along and Matt goes "Do you know who that was that just walked by?"  I said no, who was it?"  It was Jack Hanna!!!  AHH!!!  Jack Hanna is on the Today Show and Good Morning America all the time showcasing animals and also has a couple animal shows on Saturday morning and Animal Planet.  He was giving a tour so I just joined in for a moment to get a quick picture.  My celebrity sighting for the day, ha!

We rode the carousel at the end of the day!  Ryan loved it and was all smiles.  We promised him ice cream before we left so we got some dippin dots.  Yeah, he HATED them and wouldn't eat them.  Colton on the other hand LOVED them.  

It was such a fun and wonderful day!  We can't wait to go back!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Weekend Wrap-up

 
It feels like the weekend was months away!  I can hardly remember what we did, ha!
We had a great MOPS retreat.  Loved spending time with my girlfriends and we got alot of planning done for the year.  

Matt took the boys to dunkin donuts Saturday morning.  Ryan had three donuts and chocolate milk for the first time.  He said "Mmm this is good!" He loved it and jugged it down!

Sunday we went to church and stopped by Whole Foods to get a few items.  The boys love going to Whole Foods b/c they always have great food samples.  

We came home for lunch and naps.  I headed to the store.  I probably shouldn't have wait til 4pm on the  sunday before school starts to go to the grocery store.  The shelves were nearly bare!  

And oh my word, do you see this precious face of Colton?  I'm dying over his cuteness! He is one silly and sweet little boy!



Friday, August 16, 2013

Five on Friday

THE GOOD LIFE BLOG
I'm linking up again with Five on Friday!

1. I serve on our MOPS Leadership team as Co-cordinator and our retreat is this weekend!  I'm so looking forward to some girl time and planning out our awesome year.  Our theme this year is A Beautiful Mess!  I love that and think it's perfect for this time in our lives.  Life with preschoolers and toddlers is messy.  It can get crazy but its beautiful and its your story.  It's who you are!  

2. I made these fun "A Beautiful Mess" cookies for our retreat this weekend!  They are yummy...I had to taste test!


3. Matt doesn't watch too much TV but one of our favorite shows to watch together is Duck Dynasty.  I don't even think he liked it at first but it grew on him and now we love it.  We laugh SO hard.  We love how real they are and how they are true to themselves and their christian beliefs.  That sure is hard to find on TV these days!

4. Less than two weeks away from football time in TENNESSEE!!!  As you know I am a huge TN fan and I cannot wait to see what my Vols have in store this year.  With a brand new coach and even new uniforms I'm excited to see what they bring to the field.  Let's hope it's some W's!!!!  


5. And I am dying to go fall shopping!!!  I bought a couple things for the boys this week and picked up a few things for me as well.  With the weather turning cooler it totally put me in the mood to shop for fall.  I'm ready to shop anytime but I love the fall colors and the change of seasons.  Let's just hope that it doesn't mean ol man winter will be here early!


Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Indy Children's Museum

 
We decided to take the boys to the Indianapolis Children's Museum today.  Indy is only about two hours away so it was perfect day trip.  

They have the biggest Children' Museum in the world and I've heard many great things about it.  I had heard they had a hot wheels exhibit but I was so sad to hear that it left in May, boo =(  The boys would have LOVED that!  

Matt and Ryan in front of the giant transformer!

Our first stop was this huge room with so many fun toys including a big sand box, a train table and this ball tunnel thing.  You push the balls down in to a tube and watch it travel through the tubes before coming out the other side.  Totally their favorite thing in the room. 

Ryan loved the big bulldozer!  He kept saying "it doesn't work mommy, it doesn't work".

Matt and Ryan putting together this ancient warrior.

Ryan did this dinosaur puzzle mostly by himself.  At first he said he didn't want to see the dinosaurs but decided they were pretty cool!

The boys loved this full size train engine.  It had lights and sounds just like a real train going by.


So they have this really cool water clock right where you walk in. It was really neat and cool to watch.  I think the engineer in Matt enjoyed it the most.  

After lunch we saw them doing a little 10 minute show about the water clock so we decided to stop and listen.  The clock drains and starts over every day at 1pm and 1am.  It was neat to watch and learn how it works.  The boys were so good and listened intently!  

Well at least for a little while until Colton got bored, ha!

Me and my boyfriend!  He is a super hero in Indy!  We love him to because he is the golden boy of TN Football!  Go Vols!  Can you believe college football starts in just a few weeks???  What!?!  I CANNOT wait for some Tennessee football!!!

And last we rode the carousal.  Colton was terrified at first but calmed down once it started.  

The boys loved the museum and it was a great time had by all.  We traveled home this afternoon.  The boys did great traveling and Colton took a tiny nap in the car.  It was a great day but we are all exhausted!  It's early bedtimes for everyone tonight!