Week #13 {2015}

Sunday morning I got some early morning snuggles from Dylan (which I HAD to document, because that little big guy is going to MIDDLE SCHOOL next year!) and I'm not sure how often this will be happening.

Yes ladies, I married well.

Payton had her friend, Riley and her American Dolls over for a tea party. They must have drank a gallon of tea and had a blast!

Ohmigoodness. This little guy and his monkey backpack slays me.

Monday. Spring appeared while we were gone last week. The hyacinth flowers smell a.maz.ing. And I know what they are called thanks to the Pioneer Woman and her best friend {wink}.

I enjoyed my first iced coffe of the season because we are finally having some beautiful/warm weather!

Later that day I had my first Mango Sonic Splash (carbonated water + your flavor add in). Since I chose a sugar free add in, that baby was ZERO calories. Guess what I'll be getting this summer while the kids order the Slushes!?!?!

I made a new, fun recipe for dinner, Hawaiian Haystacks. 

And I got a super fun package from a friend/client! It smells wonderful and I will think of Judi every time I wear it!

Tuesday was a fantastic day! The boys mowed the lawns for this first time since the fall.

And I planted some peonies and basil.

Then we had this for dinner.

It was a Chipotle Black Bean Burger and we all loved it.

Wednesday little miss dressed herself for school. Hello Kitty dress, white cropped jean jacket, black furry boots, and a kitty umbrella. She's my little fashionista or fashioneaster as she used to call it!

So this is the extent of my craftiness. I removed the label on a plastic container and added the letter stickers. I'm hoping this helps corral our slew of crayons.

Little man got boxer briefs just like Dylan and he (a) was so excited and (b) looked so cute in them!

He also has been obsessed with lining things up lately.

I made a batch of Carob Bites.

And Rylan waited for the school bus to drop off Dylan and Payton.

The kids got an Easter package from Gigi and I love Payton's face as Dylan was opening it. They started on the crafts right away.

I finished another book.

Thursday I got some unexpected fun mail. I left a comment card at Tito's (our favorite mexican restaurant) leaving excellent ratings of course, and they sent us a $10 gift card as a thank you! Score!

Payton was playing at Riley's house and her mom texted me this picture . . . Girls are so much fun!

Yum. 

Everything French Bread, avocado, smoked deli turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato and season salt. Fantastic dinner.

Friday Chris had to go into the office for bit so Rylan and I tagged along. I got dressed,

and even painted my nails.

And we headed out!

We met Chris' boss and co-workers. Ry played quietly and decorated Chris cube.

I LOVE the words they have up around the ceiling there: Honesty, Humility, Integrity, Philanthropy, Dedication, Life-Long Learning. {I love this company!}

Then we took Rylan for a surprise. First we got him a Happy Meal {We never buy these. This may have been his 2nd one ever.}

And then to the "moo-dee theater" to see Home. He was SO very excited.

I cannot imagine a better way to wake up on a Saturday morning.

Then to see them just talk and laugh together warms this momma's heart.

~

Then it was time for the Eggstravaganza at church!

There was a bunch of things to do there. Egg hunt, cake walk, bunny sack hop pictured.

Dylan was so excited to go this morning, but once he got there, he decided he was to big for the egg hunt. So he hung out with us and helped with Payton and Rylan.  He is growing into an amazingly sweet young man.

Then he came home and made a yummy salad for dinner (I'm not sure what was in it!).  Payton loved it.

Another fun week in the books!

Without A Trace {book review}

I finished Without a Trace by Colleen Coble yesterday.  It's the first book in the Rock Harbor series and I cannot wait to read the next book.  It's about a lady who's husband and son are missing in a supposed airplane crash.  It's a Christian fiction book and I highly recommend  it!

I've read these 5 other books this year so far:

Sparkly Green Earrings

Take Four

The Lipstick Gospel

A Little Salty to Cut The Sweet

She's Gonna Blow

~

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Linking up at: Our Pretty Little Girls

Hawaiian Haystacks {recipe}

I stumbled across this recipe a few weeks ago on Pinterest.

It was long, cold, and snowy winter, and when I saw the word Hawaiian, it took me back to our warm vacations there.

I loved going to the Hawaii.  The beaches, the food, the weather, the laid back attitude of the locals . . . there is truly no place like it.

I made the Hawaiian Haystacks Monday and I really enjoyed it.  The kids loved putting their own toppings on.

 You can click {here} for the original recipe from Capturing Joy.

But first here are my notes about this recipe:

(1) I forgot to serve the soy sauce . . . and I didn't miss it.

(2) It made a LOT of Chicken sauce.  I would reduce that by almost half next time.

(3) I used Coconut Flavored Sliced Almonds - yum!

(4) After searching other Hawaiian Haystack recipes, I discovered there are a ton of other toppings you can use that sound great and can't wait to try next time:

Mandarin Oranges

Peppers (green, red, orange, yellow)

Sliced Mushrooms

Sliced Green Onions

Then there are other toppings that don't sound quite as yummy:

Sliced Black Olives

Chopped Tomatoes

Peas

Seriously, I LOVE olives, tomatoes and peas. But on this?  It just doesn't sound good to me.
~
Linking up at: Momfessionals
Made From Pinterest
Our Pretty Little Girls

Week #12 {2015} Spring Break!

Oh glorious Sunday! The RealFeel® temp was 74° and I was in heaven. 

The kids loved it too! We played out front, biking and skateboarding (at least that's what Ry THINKS he is doing).

Then we moved to the backyard. I read and they played.

Then they got out the water hose and threw on their swimming suits. And yes, we had a snow day just 9 days prior.

We are starting to have signs of Spring!

Monday I took the kiddos to the zoo...

along with everyone else in Nashville! It was so crowded but still fun though. We got to see a baby kangaroo.

I got my new favorite picture of these monkeys.

We saw some down deeps {what Ry calls elephants} which are Rylan's favorites and giraffes which are my favorite.

The Red Pandas were up and moving around which was Dylan's favorite.

And on the way home we stopped for some Sonic Slushes which is everyone's favorite!

About 6pm this night, 2 of Chris' meetings canceled for this week and he asked, "Why don't we head out to the Wilderness at the Smokies tomorrow for a night, then head on down to my parents after?". So we scrambled all evening long getting booked, packed and ready to go.

Tuesday morning we headed out (with St. Patty's stickers and light up necklaces thanks to Auntie J!).

We stopped to fuel up at Starbucks (Chris LOVES it when I take pictures. Can't you tell?),

and headed to Knoxville. I love this huge cross we passed on our way.

We got to the hotel, changed ASAP and headed down to get on the shuttle to take us to the waterpark. While we waited I took some fun photos. I love Ry's looks in each of these.

And notice how BIG Dylan's feet are?

We played for a few hours and the kids had a BLAST!

We got back to the room and I crashed out.

~

Wednesday morning we headed back to the waterpark for a quick hour.

I love this precious girl.

Then we headed South to Papa & Yaya's house. I messed up the directions so we made a slight detour and drove by the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!

We had an amazing view of the Smoky Mountains.

And Dylan found Zotz at a back roads gas station. Zotz were my favorite candy growing up. I LOVED going to B&B Pharmacy and buying some when I was little. Great memories and yummy!

I looked back to see this lovely view (at least he was comfortable!).

We made it to Papa & Yaya's house and hung out the rest of the night.

Here Ry is hiding.

Thursday we headed out for the day. Yay had gotten Payton this adorable hat and she got compliments from everyone who saw her.

We went by the American Girl Store and thanks to Payton saving her money and Yaya pitching in, Payton got her first American Girl Doll.

Needless to say, she was pretty excited. Her name keeps changing, but as of this second, it is Makenna Grace Lewis. Who knows what it will be tomorrow.  =)

We finally tried these yummy things.  Chris had been saying for years, "I wish we could figure out how to partially pop popcorn.", since the ends of the bowl are ALWAYS his favorite.  And Trader Joe's beat us to it.  These are excellent - just like a popcorn kernel mixed with a corn nut. We only wish the bag was bigger.  Hee hee!

Friday we did a lot of this.

And this.

And this!

Papa told Payton she could drink the rest of the soda - from the bottle . . . you should have seen her face.  She thought she was SO cool.

Saturday.  I love this kid.  He makes me smile.

We ate lunch down in Woodstock.

Then we got ice cream from Brusters.

I LOVE that they give kids (under 40") a free baby cone.  It's a perfect size.

It was a warm beautiful day.  Perfect for ice cream.

Back at Papa & Yaya's, the kids got in one last scooter ride before we headed home.

Back at home, unpacked, laundry going, showers done . . . perfect end to an awesome week!