Spring Energy & Stir Fry

A little peek into our life lately..

Spring is here.. or should I say early summer.. its been gorgeous.. 70's and sun every day as far as I can remember... we totally needed it.. and I love it.

 

Spring cleaning, opening, windows, color coordinating fabrics... ya know .. OCD Momma stuff.. 

 

 

Picking and Pruning flowers.. 

Playing nicely...

I don't care how big of a mess they make... if they're playing together.. I leave them ALONE!!

SJ's cheery spring lunch on the patio this weekend...

She didn't leave one crumb...

 

 

Things are getting more green, trees are getting leaves.. ahhhhh

 

I tried a new recipe this weekend that didn't require turning on the oven...

 

Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles:

 

I sliced two chicken breasts into thin short strips, added them to a skillet on medium high heat until they were cooked through .. about 3 min per side.

Took them off and set them aside..

 

Cleaned out the pan and added.... Broccoli, Cauliflower, & Carrots

Turned the heat up & cooked the veggies until semi-soft - we like our veggies crunchy.

 

I added the chicken back to the veggie mix and combined everything.. then poured in some peas.

 

I played around with the sauce part... I threw in some Hoisin, Soy, Garlic Powder, and Sriracha sauce.

 

Served it over rice noodles.. and Voila!!

Don't know why we don't make this more often.. it was amazing.. no leftovers in sight...



7 Years of Marriage

Our anniversary is today..

 

We started off the weekend with an Ice Cream Social at Samantha's Nursery School on Friday night

It was cute.. all the kids colored & ate their sundaes.. and Andrew just ran around the tables like a little social butterfly.. he isn't afraid or shy AT ALL.. its too funny.

 

Saturday I went out looking for some additions to a few gifts I got the hubby, but I couldn't find what I wanted at Barnes & Noble for him..

But I did find this for myself.. The cover had me.. Its just too cute.. and all the recipes are either mini, or bite sized foods.. I love anything mini!

So one day when I actually HAVE time to have an "afternoon tea" party.. I'll be prepared.. ha!

Today... (Sunday) was a really nice day.. it was close to 70, sunny and beautiful.

We spent a lot of time outside.

Grammy came over, and Andrew took a decent nap, so Daddy and I got to get some things done, and we feel pretty accomplished.. Nothing major, just the usual, Daddy was outside getting a few things ready for spring/summer, lawnmower, garden & lawn pruning, and I got some things done, laundry, changing our spring sheets on our bed, more laundry.... organizing a few cabinets, the pantry, my makeup cabinet in our bathroom.. and I baked a little anniversary sweet

 



I attempted to make some chalk paint with Samantha.. but it came out more like chalk rocks instead.

I pinned a recipe .. and it was kind of a fail.. Im not sure we crushed the chalk as fine as we were supposed to.. but she didn't care.. and as you can see it turned from sidewalk, to tree.. and I think its quite pretty!

 

So 7 years..

We've had quite a lot of living since we met on this evening in Cleveland (below)

Who would have thought.. 7 years later.. 2 kids, a house, post-military career, stay at home mom...wheew... and you know what? It truly seems like yesterday.. time has flown.

Sometimes I wish I could go back to these fun times .. but then I look at SJ and Andrew and think, what did we do without these two miracles in our lives! We have so many amazing memories, and some trying times that aren't so warm and fuzzy. But that's marraige, right? Ups and downs, and you work through, because you're a team, and there is no one else I would want by my side through our journey together as husband and wife and as parents. 

 

We've learned to keep each other grounded..

We calm each other during stressful times.. and during the most difficult moments (most were last year with a colic baby) We each knew when one had to take over for another without even saying a word...and that to me is part of our special bond that I value and never ever take for granted.

 

As we grow and change, so does our marriage, and our love for one another.

I am so thankful for you, my groom, and if there is one day I could go back and re-live all over again, it would certainly be this day..

back in Jacksonville, NC.. Friday, April 28th 2006.

No one but us.

One of my most cherished memories.

And here's my dessert I made for tonight..

Its not very pretty.. but it tasted identical to an Original Cookie cake from back in the day.

I pinned the recipe last week, and thankfully this one was not a pinterest fail.

So good!

Rochester & Run Down

Last week we headed to Rochester for the day.. we had 2 places on our agenda.

Trader Joe's and The Zoo.

We are getting a Trader Joe's here soon, but since we made the drive, we stopped and grabbed some of our favorites

 

Baby on the hip, headed into TJ's

Andrew slept on the way there.. and he was in such a good mood.. SJ too of course.

 

We loaded up and headed to the zoo next

 

It was around 70 degrees and sunny.

Perfect day.

The Rochester Zoo had a lot of very active animals! Almost every animal was out.. and the kids lovvvved it..

 Our zoo is flat... very flat.. This zoo had lots of hills, which was great.. great for wearing out a little almost 15 month old

We stayed about an hour and a half, then headed home.

SJ fell asleep pretty quickly, and Mr Energizer Battery conked out as we pulled in the driveway.

 

 

We stayed out when we got home and just enjoyed the long awaited weather.

Playdough outside is a great idea .... mess free!

 

 

I made some Sugar Cookie Bars this week, and Samantha requested purple frosting.

They were sooo good.



This past weekend, we had a lot of running around to do.

Andrew managed to get a huge fat lip as well.

He falls every single day.. multiple times.. but he still looks so sweet with his poor battered lip

Samantha had another party this weekend. This time for her friend from school.

The girls from her class were all there.



We almost didn't make it, SJ was feeling pretty lousy on Saturday morning... Maybe because the weather dropped 30 degrees in 2 days... UGH!

But we went to the party, after I called and warned them that she was under the weather.. so were many other people there as well...

Passed out cold after her party....

Im so glad we went.. but she was spent..

I hope this is the last cold till Fall.. 



Week Before Easter

I am WAAAY behind on so many posts.. I've neglected my blog.. and finally got some time today while Andrew fell asleep on the boppy pillow on my lap.. I am typing this!

So here we go..

This was the week before Easter.
Samantha was really understanding this year that the Bunny was coming to her house.

We kept telling her about the egg hunt, and finding her Easter basket.. and of course reminding her all week to be good or else he wont come!

I got together an Easter package for our Nieces Grace and Julia in Ohio and I made some homemade goodies to put in there.

Bunny Bait - found on Pinterest

It was really easy, and I used homemade popcorn. Basically you mix pretzel pieces, M&M's and you drizzle melted white chocolate over and spread the mix on a baking sheet until all the chocolate has dried. I added some sprinkles too while the chocolate was still hot.

I also got these cute printable "hoppy easter" signs off Pinterest too.

Bunny and Chick suckers went in the basket too.

Easter weekend was really nice and sunny outside.

Saturday Daddy and SJ headed to Grammy's house to help her turn some soil and plant blueberry and raspberry bushes.

And Brother and I headed to Target for a few last minute Easter goodies.. and Diapers (of course!)

Usually I CANNOT take him anywhere.. But he was surprisingly sleeping the ENTIRE trip to Target... He woke up in the car on the way home though.. screaming as if you had a flame to his hand.. oh brother!!!!!!!!!

He was FINE once I took him out, and he fell back asleep in the sun (below) when we got to Grammy's house.. My frustration?? - WHY CANT HE JUST KEEP SLEEPING THE ENTIRE TIME!!!!

Samantha loved being at Gigi's house.. she loves her hammock swing.

We got her in bed early and I put together the baskets and filled her eggs for the outdoor hunt the next day..

Oh it feels good to finish a post finally!!

I've got about 4-5 in the draft phase as well.. I hope to get them out soon!!

Catching Up!

Its about time I post!

Ugh! Its been hard squeezing in time to do much of anything some days.. even pee!

But on Sunday me and Sass here headed to Starbucks for some inspiration, and a treat.

I really am trying to get out with my best bud when I can. She's so sweet, and has been really good in dealing with a little colicky baby ... but she needs her Mommy and Me time.

She picked out a vanilla milk, and then we got some Tazo Iced Teas for Momma and Grammy, since we were on our way to her house after our stop.


I keep telling Sassy Im making her a "coffee place" .. and I am.. slowly.. I've been gathering supplies and ordering cups, etc.. and I have a good vision, and some pinterest inspiration..

We got a little help from Starbucks too..

I had no idea they sold mini desserts...probably a good thing...

We picked out a red velvet whoopie pie, vanilla scone, and brown sugar tart.. All absolutely amazing.

And here's my finished products so far for our little pastry counter.

And Sassy and her brother are becoming fast friends.

He can see so much now, and he follows her and turns his neck when she walks away.

He knows her voice, and immediately starts smiling sometimes when he hears her.. its so cute!

And she's having fun being his little momma.

Giving him things like toys, diapers (me), and his paci, ... um, even when he doesnt want it.. ha..

This past week was gorgeous! In the 80's!!!!!

We were outside a TON, and Andrew loved it too..

I would put Sass down for a nap and take walks in the afternoon with him.. it was so nice