Weekly Eats and Catching Up

I've been kind of in a blogging funk here lately.  I don't have a whole lot to say.  We haven't been doing too much, just clinging to our last few days of summer.  Actually, I'm at a workshop this week (bleh, at least it's in Auburn though - War Eagle!), so my summer has ended.

I have been trying to cook more this summer though, and thought I'd share our weekly menu.

Monday - homemade BBQ pizza (lunch), and OMG Chicken with green beans and biscuits (dinner)

Tuesday - taco night

Wednesday - chicken pot pie, white rice, and salad

Thursday - *Bible Study* (we eat there)

Friday - It's All-American night, we're having hot dogs and french fries and having our own little Olympics party while watching the Opening Ceremonies

Saturday - sausage/pancake bites (breakfast),  hamburger steak, potato medallions, peas, and corn (dinner)

Sunday - No Peek Chicken with brown rice, green beans, crescent rolls

Monday - spaghetti night

 *My husband has a very strong sweet tooth, and would prefer having dessert often, but I have weak will-power, ha!  So I try to limit our sweets and save it just for special occasions.

It's not gourmet, but it's not Chick fil A either (my favorite and highly frequented go-to meal).  Here's to hoping I can keep things up once school really gets going!  What's a good recipe I need to try?

Happy Birthday Maddie!!!

Last Sunday was our niece Madelyn's first birthday!  She had a sunshine party!

Big cuz and little cuz prior to the party!

It's not easy getting two kids to look and smile in the same direction at the same time!

My sister and her sweet family!

Maddie had birthday cupcakes.  She loved everyone singing too her, and loved the cupcake too!

Maddie's daddy built her a sandbox mansion for her birthday.  Maddie and Eli enjoyed playing in it all week!

The family

...including my cousin, Justin, his wife Rachel, and their two girls Megan and Jenna---they also live in Texas, and we hadn't seen them since Maddie was born last year!

We played a few rounds of Bananagrams a couple of nights.  I had never played before, but it's a lot of fun!  It's kind of like playing Scrabble with yourself.

Happy 1st Birthday Maddie-cakes!  We love you so, so much and are looking forward to seeing you again soon!

Ft. Worth Zoo

Hello from Texas!!!

We're in the Dallas area visiting with my sister and her family.  In fact, our whole family is here - it's the first time we've all been together since Christmas!

Before everyone got here, my sister, husband, and I took the kids to the zoo in Ft. Worth!

Maddie and Eli, formerly known as big cuz and little cuz, now they're about the same size!  : )

I love this one....

I may or may not have sung, When I was a young warthog...

Eli loved watching "momma and baby!"

This happened to be the only picture we got of Wesley and I this day.  Happy 3 year anniversary to us!

We didn't make it to the penguins (I know...penguins in Texas?).  The babies were in need of naps, so we called it a day!  We sure do love getting to play all day with Maddie-cakes!

Destin Beach Trip

After our PCB getaway, we headed to Destin, Florida...tough life I know, leaving one beach for another!  We had a great few days, and enjoyed getting to see family!

It seems the only time I took pictures was when we were on the beach.  We enjoyed getting lots of play time with Aunt KT in!

Uncle Brian also came down.  He and Eli had a great time playing in the sand and surf!

Happy Birthday Wesley!

Today my husband, Wesley, turned 26!  I've reminded him that that means he's now more than halfway to 50; he then reminds me that I'm closer to 50 than he is.  : )

We had a very low-key day today since we just got back from vacation and are preparing to leave again in a few days.  Eli and I skipped play group this morning and spent some quality time with dad.  We ate bbq for lunch and pizza for dinner, and had a nice little shopping spree in Dick's.

My husband is one of the most awesome people I know....as Wesley would say, "good thing!" - since I'm married to him and all.  : )

*He is one the most self-less person I know.  He always puts my needs and desires above his own.  And he's happy to do.  I don't mean that in a selfish, bratty way either.  He's love in action and is very much a picture of the love Christ has for his bride.

*Wesley is such a good daddy!  He loves spending time with Eli, and isn't afraid to do the gross stuff either.  He never complains about changing diapers or anything else that Eli needs.  I love to watch Wesley and Eli play together.  Wesley can make Eli laugh and do things like no one else can.

*Wesley is always dedicated to the tasks he takes on.  He's a great teacher and coach.  He genuinely cares for his students and players.  In fact, he recently turned down the Varsity Boys soccer coach (and head of the program) to stay with the Varsity Girls.  He's made a lot of progress with them, and they have some great talent coming up.  He really believes in these girls!  I think the choice was absolutely the right one and I'm proud of him for doing the right thing there (and of course, proud of what his team has accomplished!).

I love you my Wesley, and I hope 26 is wonderful for you!

PCB Getaway

Earlier this week we went to Panama City Beach for a little get away.  We caught a little bit of the rain and wind from Tropical Storm Debbie  at the beginning of the week, but things cleared up nicely and we had a great trip!

Proving we made it to the beach, despite 30+ mph winds!

 The view from 20 floors up.

Note to self:  Setting up a super-brella during a tropical storm warning is quite comical.  Notice my husband holding down the umbrella.  Some lady felt sorry for us and sent her 12 year old to help set up the umbrella.  As soon as I took this picture we gave it up and went to the pool for the rest of the day.  The wind gusts made the sand feel like glass hitting your skin.  Eli was not a fan!

They had an awesome, albeit freezing, kiddie pool.  It had a sloping entrance, which was perfect for Eli.

Eli had just as much fun playing in the shower as he did the pool or ocean.  That's our boy, easily entertained.

By Tuesday afternoon the winds had really calmed down and we were able to really get out and enjoy the beach.

Before dinner Wednesday night.

One of my personal favorites---

Eli loved to "drink juice and watch boaps".