four years ago today...
Baby Reagan
This weekend, J's parent's horse, Sophie, finally had her baby! We went to visit just hours after the Baby Reagan was born. It was really neat to get to see the little gal wobbling around and getting used to the world. MissBug thought it was all very interesting... but I don't think she really got it. 
The 2nd Birthday Party
On her birthday, we had a cookout with about 35 of our nearest and dearest friends and family, including four of Bug's little playmates. It was awesome to get to try out our big, wooded backyard - which was great for a gathering - and even though it rained all morning, it let up just in time for the kiddos to play on MissBug's new swing set (birthday present from Mommy, Daddy, Nana & Papa).
She was so fun this birthday! When I went into her room to get her up that morning, I said, "Happy Birthday!" Her eyes lit up and she started exclaiming "Happy Day!" - which, she proceeded to continue to announce for the rest of the day. She has also taken to calling cake "Happy Cake" - and thoroughly enjoyed her chocolate raspberry cupcakes.
I didn't get a good picture, but the highlight of the day for me, was when we sang Happy Birthday to her she took a giant breath to blow out the candle about halfway through the song and waited with her mouth open to blow out the candles until we had finished.
She got lots of other wonderful presents and toys... but the bike was opened first, and she wouldn't get off of it for most of the rest of the party.
...even to open other presents.
She did finally manage to tear herself away from the bike when she got this cute little apron from Moo-moo (along with a play kitchen), and a tea set from Mamaw & Papaw.
Happy Birthday Bug!
She was so fun this birthday! When I went into her room to get her up that morning, I said, "Happy Birthday!" Her eyes lit up and she started exclaiming "Happy Day!" - which, she proceeded to continue to announce for the rest of the day. She has also taken to calling cake "Happy Cake" - and thoroughly enjoyed her chocolate raspberry cupcakes.
I didn't get a good picture, but the highlight of the day for me, was when we sang Happy Birthday to her she took a giant breath to blow out the candle about halfway through the song and waited with her mouth open to blow out the candles until we had finished.
She got lots of other wonderful presents and toys... but the bike was opened first, and she wouldn't get off of it for most of the rest of the party.
...even to open other presents.
She did finally manage to tear herself away from the bike when she got this cute little apron from Moo-moo (along with a play kitchen), and a tea set from Mamaw & Papaw.
Happy Birthday Bug!Happy 2nd Birthday Bug!
Happy Birthday darling girl!It's so hard to believe you turn two years old today. It seems like only a moment ago we brought you home from the hospital. You are the joy in our lives, and the laughter in our hearts. We love you so much.
Love and kisses,
Daddy & Mommy
Tasty Tuesday - Chocolate Zucchini Bread
A few weeks ago we got some - ah, I mean LOADS - of zucchini from J's parent's. Due to circumstances beyond their control, their garden was overflowing with squash and they couldn't use any of it - so we took some off their hands. We ended up grating 26 cups of zucchini and freezing it for baking. I also made a few loaves of this chocolate zucchini bread, and some muffins, and some blueberry zucchini bread. I still have tons in the freezer - so if you have a good grated zucchini recipe...
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
1 1/4c. sugar
3 eggs
1/3c. canola oil
3t. vanilla extract
2 1/2c. flour
1/2c. baking cocoa
1t. salt
1t. baking soda
1t. cinnamon
1/4t. baking powder
2c. shredded zucchini
In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and backing powder in a separate bowl; gradually beat into sugar mixture until well blended. Stir in zucchini. Transfer to two 8x4 loaf pans coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
1 1/4c. sugar
3 eggs
1/3c. canola oil
3t. vanilla extract
2 1/2c. flour
1/2c. baking cocoa
1t. salt
1t. baking soda
1t. cinnamon
1/4t. baking powder
2c. shredded zucchini
In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, applesauce, oil and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and backing powder in a separate bowl; gradually beat into sugar mixture until well blended. Stir in zucchini. Transfer to two 8x4 loaf pans coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Handyman Husband at it again...
This beautiful butcher block island is what my amazing handyman husband made me for my birthday. (Sorry, it took awhile for me to get around to photographing it - I kept waiting for a day when my kitchen was clean, and well, that just never seemed to happen... so finally I broke down and just burned the edges of the photo so you can't see how dirty the kitchen is.)
I'm not biased or anything, but it is pretty amazing how talented he is.
I'm not biased or anything, but it is pretty amazing how talented he is. Oh, and PS if you want one for yourself, they are absolutely for sale!
Halfway!
How far along? 20 weeks
Total weight gain: None of your beeswax. Seriously – why do people think it’s ok to ask a pregnant woman this question? Would you ask a woman who was NOT pregnant this question?
Maternity clothes? Uh, yeah. Since about forever.
Sleep: Sure. Every chance I get. Only trouble if I drink caffeine after noon.
Best moment this week: I went to see Julie/Julia this weekend w/ my parents, and there is a scene in the movie where “Julia Child” (Meryl Streep) and her sister link arms while dancing at her sister’s wedding. Me being the ridiculous hormonal person that I currently am, I got all choked up and started blubbering at this (happy – and not sad in the least) scene because it made me think of what hopefully MissBug and BabyAwesome will have someday. I’ve never had a sister – so I’ve always been a little awed by the connection between sisters… and goofy me just got all blubbery in the movie theater over it. It was a really good moment. It made me really happy to think they’ll have each other. Gee-whiz, I’m crying again. Happy tears.
Movement: Little flutters – she’s REALLY low
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: little early just yet
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: RED WINE
What I am looking forward to: Painting the nursery and getting the clothes sorted out.
Weekly Wisdom: Hmmm… not feeling very wise right now.
Milestones: Halfway!
Total weight gain: None of your beeswax. Seriously – why do people think it’s ok to ask a pregnant woman this question? Would you ask a woman who was NOT pregnant this question?
Maternity clothes? Uh, yeah. Since about forever.
Sleep: Sure. Every chance I get. Only trouble if I drink caffeine after noon.
Best moment this week: I went to see Julie/Julia this weekend w/ my parents, and there is a scene in the movie where “Julia Child” (Meryl Streep) and her sister link arms while dancing at her sister’s wedding. Me being the ridiculous hormonal person that I currently am, I got all choked up and started blubbering at this (happy – and not sad in the least) scene because it made me think of what hopefully MissBug and BabyAwesome will have someday. I’ve never had a sister – so I’ve always been a little awed by the connection between sisters… and goofy me just got all blubbery in the movie theater over it. It was a really good moment. It made me really happy to think they’ll have each other. Gee-whiz, I’m crying again. Happy tears.
Movement: Little flutters – she’s REALLY low
Gender: Girl!
Labor Signs: little early just yet
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: RED WINE
What I am looking forward to: Painting the nursery and getting the clothes sorted out.
Weekly Wisdom: Hmmm… not feeling very wise right now.
Milestones: Halfway!
Tasty Tuesday - Sante Fe Soup
This soup is so easy and so simple, that it really needs little to no introduction. I really questioned the ingredients the first time I made it - but have confidence in the recipe - I've made it many times since I first discovered it in Jon's family cookbook, and it's always a hit. It's really good for the freezer too.
Santa Fe Soup
1 lb. Velveeta, cubed
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 (15oz) can corn, undrained
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1 can stewed tomatoes, undrained
2T dry taco seasoning
Mix all ingredients together and cook in crockpot on low for 3 hours.
Santa Fe Soup
1 lb. Velveeta, cubed
1 lb. ground beef, browned
1 (15oz) can corn, undrained
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1 can stewed tomatoes, undrained
2T dry taco seasoning
Mix all ingredients together and cook in crockpot on low for 3 hours.
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