Five on Friday

Today, I decided to do the link up with The Good Life, A. Liz Adventures, and Caroline Charm.  I always love reading these, and it looks fun so here we go!

1.  I just got some new tennis shoes on clearance, and I love them!  Now we just need the weather to keep cooperating so I can actually wear them outside instead of around the house.

2.  I am going on a Memorial Day bachelorette party in Charleston, and I am so excited to be at the beach!  I am not so excited about leaving Griffin for so long, and wearing a bathing suit in front of ten girls, none of which have had a baby.  My post breastfeeding bod has left me with only one swimsuit top that fits.  I am on the hunt for something new and fun.  I have one top so far, and I'm thinking a black bottom?

3.  We are house hunting.  We are looking for the PERFECT house for us, and it is hard.  Very hard.  We need a house with a yard, a fence, a deck, 3-4 bedrooms, and in one of two popular school districts.  I pray for patience everyday and keep reminding myself that God has a better plan than I do, and if we dont find our house now and have to rent another year, there is a reason.

4.  I want a water table for Griffin.  We have a very small back deck where we live now, and I would like for it to fit out there.  I would need to be able to walk all the way around it so it can't be too big, but I also need it to be sturdy.  Someone does live below us, and I would hate to soak them!  I'm thinking about this one or this one?

5.  We went to the Knoxville Zoo today!  We had lots of fun with one of my good friends and her two boys.  Griffin has finally ended his stroller strike so we can start going on more walks during the day. We have a zoo membership so this was just the first of MANY visits this year.

Trying to decide where to go next :)

He LOVED the slide right before we left.  It is spring break here this week so it was way too crowded to let him roam around in the play place, but when all the kiddos go back to school, I will let him loose!

Happy Friday!

Happy Spring!

It's the first day of Spring, and we have been taking full advantage every day we've been teased with warmer weather.  Griffin LOVES going outside.  I thought my keys we locked in the car today so we walked out to check.  When we came back in, he went into a full blown melt down.  We go on walks, kick the soccer ball, and "play golf" (carry the club) any chance we get.  We are waiting impatiently by the door everyday for the hour or two it is warm enough to go with out a jacket.  We can't wait to get him more outside toys.  So far he likes bubbles for a little while, and he loves playing with a ball, but he mostly just likes to explore.  

When he is outside, he forgets his name and speed walks.

Our friends got a new trampoline for Christmas.  He LOVES their big one, but is terrified of the little one at Gym Bugs.  Who knows.

"Don't talk to me right now."

He is obsessed with his new golf set from Grammie.  Poor Luna's head (our big dog) isn't loving his new toy.  I just love this age so much.  He gets crazy excited for playing with everyone and new toys!  Summer time is going to be all kings of fun and LOTS of sunscreen!  It's supposed to be sunny and 70 tomorrow.  Fingers crossed for stroller cooperation :)

Mini Photo Shoot

A few days before Griffin's first birthday, I found a local photographer who does mini sessions.  I have died and gone to photo heaven.  I had been trying to rationalize doing a full session like I did for his one year photos, and my husband brought me back to reality so when I found this option, I jumped on it.  Our original day turned into an icy mess so we rescheduled and went to a park in Maryville.  I absolutely love the way they turned out.

{Looks JUST like Daddy here}

{I'm convinced these lashes are why stangers say, "What a pretty GIRL."}

I just love every single one of these pictures!  He is such a little explorer, she had to chase him all over the place to get decent pictures.  We have an Easter Mini Session with a bunny and chicks so I'm looking for the perfect outfit and hoping he's in the mood to smile :)

Linking up with Kristin at Mama & Mou 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Last year I remember dressing Griffin in cute outfits and taking nearly 100 pictures of him trying to capture a smile.  Yes, he had two outfits :)

This year, I am chasing him around he house with the camera trying to get at least ONE picture that isn't a blur!

I also tried to have him eat some festive treats.  He would not eat the cupcakes I made for him last night, and he picked out all of the Lucky Charms I gave him this morning.  Oh well.  Maybe he is a future health nut.  Broccoli for dinner it is!

Life Lately

Obviously I have been absent for quite a while.  We have been busy, busy, busy, and I have been trying to find a good place to jump back into this.  After being gone so long, there really is no perfect time so here is what has been going on lately.

Griffin Turned One!

We had a fun Mickey Mouse Party, and a very happy one year old.

(More on that later)

We had a very Merry Christmas!

We played in the snow!

And finally, celebrated with the sweetest Valentine :)

This year is already going by so quickly.  I just want to slow it down and love each and every moment.  Although we have such a crazy few months ahead of us, I am determined to share our adventures and enjoy it!

Baby Boy Printable

This verse will always hold a special place in my heart.  I found it before my son was born, and since he has a nervous Momma, I decided this would be my prayer (one of many) for Little Man.  Feel free to download and enjoy.

Download Here

White Chicken Chili

It has been feeling A LOT like fall around here, and not only do we love the weather, we love the food that has now become acceptable.  Soup, chili, and roast are all "my kind of food," and I would eat them everyday, but I know not everyone wants to come home to a piping hot bowl of chili after working outside in 95 degree weather all day long.  So when the end of September rolls around I start looking to add new recipes to my fall menu.

I pinned THIS and found that the directions on the bottom of the pin (that are not complete) are not the directions on the link.  

So I crossed my fingers and decided to use a little of both recipes and create my own masterpiece.  Luckily, it worked and when testing my new favorite chili, the word BOMB was used.

  DISCLAIMER: This recipe is not for someone who has to have exact measurements while cooking.

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs chicken breast

1 small yellow onion

1 green pepper

1 packet ranch seasioning

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cumin

2-3 shakes onion powder

2-3 shakes oregano

1 can rotel

1 can sweet white corn

2 cans great white northern beans

1 block cream cheese (8oz)

Chicken broth

Jalapenos (optional)

Stove Directions:

Trim chicken breast and boil.  When fully cooked, shred.  Put chicken, sliced onion and green pepper in the pot and heat to soften onion and pepper.  Add in ranch seasoning, chili powder, cumin, onion powder and oregano.  Continue to cook and stir.  Add rotel (drained), corn (drained) and beans (undrained).  Stir in chicken broth (amount depends on how much liquid needed).  I added about 1/4 of the box.  You can add more later as need.  I added a heaping spoonful of diced jalapenos to add heat. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes.  Cut cream cheese in small blocks and add to the pot.  Continue to stir as the cheese melts.  Let simmer until ready to eat.  The longer it simmers the better, but it is ready to eat after this.

Add some tortilla chips and/or cornbread and ENJOY!