Ike & Jessica's Wedding

This past weekend we spent our very first weekend away from Bug at one of Justin's college roommate's wedding in Ohio.

Trust me, I did not mean for us to wait until she was 18 months old to spend a night away from her, we tried to get away!

But this weekend we actually did it, and we all had a great time! Bug had fun with her Poppy & Moo-moo, and we had a fun-filled-adult-weekend-get-away at Ike and Jessica's wedding. Roommates
"Groomsmen"

Justin, Nick, and Jason

Jason & Kim

I have no idea who these people are.

Nick & Krista (they both caught the boquet/garter... hmmm)

Again, I'm going to claim that I don't know these people.

Perfecting Her Pout

Bug, that outfit is not nearly as cute when you are screaming. Go on, stick that lip out a little farther, maybe that will work.

For Sale!

We have a sign in the front yard! Our house is officially for sale!

We've only been talking about putting it up for sale for, oh, like a year now. I don't think either of us thought we'd actually. do. it.

But J recently finished the basement (I know, I really need to post some pictures), and well, we mostly just want to see what happens.

So it is official! Our house is on the market! Now we wait...

Cooking with Mommy

I like to cook. Bug likes to make messes.

Usually when I cook I make BIG messes. So we make a pretty good team.

Justin's Dad made us this really cool stool-thingy that Bug stands on while I'm cooking so she can participate. I usually give her a little flour, some plastic bowls, and a measuring spoon and she goes to town. We discuss ingredients and have a great time.

Some days are messier than others. Poor J came home to this recently.

And while he was busy taking pictures, she stole a cookie.

Which I promptly took away, and a large fit ensued.

We're not entirely mean... She did manage to get her mits on one after dinner and bath- and this one we didn't take away.

Book Baby Shower for Biz

At the last book club meeting, we threw a surprise baby book shower for Biz! She's expecting a baby girl in May, and looking oh-so-cute. What exactly is a baby book shower you ask? Well, everyone in book club brought a favorite book or fairy tale for the new baby. They have a nice little collection now!

For decorations, Katie and I brainstormed some fun ideas like children's books all over the house, and of course, there was a diaper cake. We also played a book-themed game.
The best part though, was the food. Katie came up with the cutest idea! All the food was children's book themed. For example, we had:
"Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs"
"Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Kabobs"
"Mr. McGregor's Garden Pizza"
...just to name a few! It was super cute.

Congratulations Biz!

Anatomy of a Somersault

Often, without warning, Bug places her head on the floor, pushes her bottom up, and does a yoga-type pose. We don't get any type of verbal sign, she just places her head on the floor, and we are supposed to recognize that this is her sign for, "I would like to do a somersault now, please push my bottom over my head."

It goes a little something like this...

1) Faceplant

2) I'm going to make my body limp and noodle-like, in order to make sure you can do all the work for me... but my head is glued to that floor. If my head comes off the floor, then we'll need a do-over.
3) Yeah! We rolled over! Now I will lay on my back until you stand me up.

4) I know I can stand up on my own, but after all this work, I need a little more help.

5) Ta-da! Clap now!

(Sorry, no picture of the ta-da, I was clapping for the wonderful somersault.)

Now That's Entertainment

Our girl LOVES stickers. I carry them around with me everywhere we go... one or two of the amazing little things can keep us happy just long enough to get through a store.

First, the sticker goes on her leg, then maybe another spot, like her shirt or cheek, but it always ends up on her nose. And oftentimes it ends up on my nose, or Daddy's nose, or anyone nearby with a nose. Bug feels the best place for stickers is on a nose.

Princess Training...

...seems to be going well.

Tasty Tuesday - Pepper Jack Mac 'n Cheese

Last year, for his birthday, Justin asked for Pepper Jack Macaroni and Cheese. I had never actually made homemade macaroni and cheese (and he'd never had a pepper jack version... he just dreamed this up on his own). When I started searching the internet for a pepper jack version, I was pretty disappointed in the results. There didn't seem to be anything that fit what I was looking for. Last year's version wasn't all that great, but since then, I've done some practicing and some refining, and created this recipe that's pretty delicious. It's not what you'd call health-food, but it's worth the five million calories.

Pepper Jack Mac 'n Cheese
1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
8T butter (1 stick)
1 (8oz.) block of pepper jack cheese, shredded
1c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2c. half-and-half
8 ounces cubed Velveeta cheese (about ¼ block)
2 eggs, beaten
1/4t. salt
1/4t. ground black pepper
1/2t. -1t. cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain well and return to cooking pot.

Meanwhile, In a large saucepan/skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter and Velveeta cheese together, stirring constantly.

Reserve about 1/4c. of the shredded pepper jack, and about 1/4c. of the shredded cheddar cheese. Add the rest of the cheese and the half and half to the mixture. Again, stirring constantly, or it will burn/stick to the bottom.

In a small bowl, slowly add about 1/4c. of the melted cheese to the beaten eggs, to temper the eggs (to keep them from becoming scrambled eggs when you add them to the cheese mixture), then add them to the cheese mixture and stir well.

Add salt, and both peppers to taste. (Some finely chopped jalapenos at this point would be a great addition too, but I’ve been trying to keep it less spicy for a toddler.)

Add macaroni to the cheese and thoroughly coat.

Transfer to a lightly greased deep 2 1/2 quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbling around the edges; serve immediately.