4.25.14

Piper is getting so big.  I look at her now and think "Wow, your a total big kid!" She has clearly gone through a growth spurt.  All of her 3t jeans fit like this now.....and no those aren't supposed to be capris!  

We are loving all the daffodils everywhere!

She loves taking pictures these days.  She asks me for my phone to take pics constantly and I am loving all the back seat photos I'm finding on my phone....including her leg selfies...don't worry we can work on those angles Pipe ;)

  

 We went to the Please Touch Children's Museum a few weekends ago.  A fun and long day...there were a ton of people there!  We had a few weeks where Piper only wanted "Curls like Anna"  I love her hair in the little braids but it wasn't easy getting her to sit still everyday AND night!

Gotta go get ready.  Piper and I have a date tonight with dad.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

4.21.14

I know, I know...you have already seen these.  But, in an effort to keep myself organized and up to date on my personal blogging journal, I had to organize all the photos today from my camera and phone.  Plus, there are a few more :)

  

   

 There's always a few pictures that you and only you love....b/c it's just something where only a mama would like these strange silly pics of her little.

And I accidentally got this dress for $6, but that's a story for another day!  

4.17.14

What a weird little week we have had here.  I had intended to post about our weekend and share a few little recipes Sunday evening....and maybe get our taxes done.  But, seemed like all of a sudden out of no where Piper was sick with a nasty tummy bug.  Poor girl, never seen her so sick in my life, and she is no stranger to tummy bugs either.  So sad, when they are so sick.  I didn't care how many kisses or snuggles I gave her, knowing very well that I was probably going to get it.  And I did of course. Fun times.

We watched an extremely unacceptable amount of tv over the past few days, but it was my saving grace and thank heavens there were some Tinkerbell movies on Disney we have never seen b/c I thought I might lose my marbles if I saw another episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Sherriff Callie! (side note: I am kind of obsessed with Piper saying "What in the Whiskers" or "Sweet Sassafras" all the time)

I am a little bummed out that we have not had a chance to do any kind of fun Easter craft/activities.  I think we will dye some eggs tomorrow and then just do "Spring" things next week instead, so we can focus on Easter and what it is all about this weekend.  

We did get to see the Easter Bunny this past weekend.  I have probably 48 pictures of Piper in this dress with her new purse that she carries every where we go and I am restraining myself from putting them all on here....she just looked so sweet :)

On to the recipes....If I am going to go through the trouble of sharing a recipe...that means it is worth it!

Kyle's cousin who lives in the areaish came over for dinner.  I gave Kyle a few ideas and I knew which one he would pick of course...

That would be a BBQ, Mac N Cheese Grilled Cheese.  It was a lot...I'm not gonna lie.  But it was good.  If you like those 3 things alone...you will love the sandwich.  

Disclaimer:  I didn't come up with the idea, simply found on Pinterest, but I alter almost every recipe according to what I have on hand or for food likes/dislikes...so here is my version of the recipe I found

BBQ, MC Grilled Cheese:
Ingredients:
Use your favorite slow cooker BBQ recipe (any meat: Beef, Pork, Chicken) and prepare it about 6 hours in advance
Sour Dough Bread (my favorite)
Butter
Cheddar Cheese Slices (2 1/2 per sandwich)
Mac and Cheese (recipe listed below and should be prepared right before assembling sandwiches)

I used a George Foreman grill machine or a sandwich press, just so I didn't have to flip the sandwiches in fear of them completely falling apart.

Butter sourdough bread on one side, place on grill, put on a slice of cheddar cheese, add a scoop of BBQ, and a half a slice of cheese (its a lot of cheese I know, but it helps hold it all togehter), and then add a scoop of mac and cheese and then add another slice of cheddar cheese and your second piece of buttered bread and close your press/grill.  That's it!  

Mac and Cheese:
I have to say this is my favorite mac and cheese recipe I have ever made!....and since I altered I am just going to take ALL of the credit for it ok?!

Ingredients:
3/4 pound of elbow macaroni ( I didn't actually measure...but you need a lot)
4 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
6 ounces of milk 
1 teaspoon of salt
Fresh Black Pepper
10 ounces of sharp cheddar, shredded (it's best to use whole, 2% is ok)

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain. Return to the pot and melt in the butter. Toss to coat.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Stir into the pasta and add the cheese. Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.



Then if that isn't indulgent enough....have yourself this yummy treat for dessert.  Made exactly from the recipe below :)

Mason Jar Banana Pudding

(This banana pudding recipe includes whipping cream cheese into the pudding and using Chessman Cookies instead of Nilla Wafers....and it's amazing!)

I suppose it's no wonder we were all sick after this meal!  And we got our taxes done in case you were worried ;)

4.9.14

I am one million years behind on blogging.  And I am feeling very frustrated that our life is flying by and I am not documenting anything...even if it is just in a personal journal or blogging, I feel like I need to remember all the special little things that change so much in just as little as a few months.  

My friend Amanda Hillary Photography was able to do a quick little family session for us before we moved. I love them so much and can't wait to hang giant canvases up of them.  But this is by far my favorite :)

Piper turned ...3 way back in January....but I have been wanting to do an interview.  Just to document all of her at this age.  (the first 3 questions she asks us constantly what is our favorite.....her answers are always the same.)

What is your favorite color : Purple, Pink and Pink Gold
Favorite Shape : Stars
Favorite Animal: Purple Kitty Cats
Favorite Toy: Prancine (Stuffies....thanks Monica and Jeff....she wants to take that thing EVERYWHERE)
Favorite thing to eat: Quinoa ..completely not true...so I asked again. Oatmeal was the second answer
Favorite TV Show: Paw Patrol and Sherrif Callie
Favorite Outfit to wear: My nightgown and that flower headband in the picture
What color is your hair: Golden
Where do we live: Pennsylvania in a castle (our apt. is the castle....I can't help  but love that)
What does mommy do for work: Makes stuff for me
What does daddy do for work: He goes to work
Favorite Book:  Amelia Bedelia stories
Favorite thing to do outside: Play catch
Who is your best friend: Maddie Hall (But she loves all her cousins equally of course!)
Favorite game to play: Hide and Seek
Favorite thing to do with mommy: Color
Favorite thing to do with daddy: Play hide and seek
What is your favorite treat: Hippo treats  (Kinder Happy Hippo Cacao cream biscuits) We found them here at Wegman's 
What is your favorite movie: Frozen
What is your favorite song: Do you wanna build a snowman
If you could go anywhere, where would  you like to go: To the mall (we visit the play area in the mall a lot since it is so chilly still)
What makes you happy: Mommy (aww)
What makes you sad: When you are gone with daddy
What makes you scared: monsters
What is your favorite sport: Catch
What is your favorite ice cream: Super Man

Just stay this little and sweet forever for me ok :)