Ry Guy Turns 5!

I'm kinda stunned that this day happened.  I mean, where did my baby boy go?  No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make time stand still and this guy had another birthday.

We started the day with Swedish Pancakes.

And Dylan took over cooking them for me {saying that I always get stuck making them and not eating them}!  He did an awesome job!

My mom, Uncle Dennis {my dad's brother} and Aunt Barbara came over.  Uncle Dennis brought his electric bass to show the kids.

They loved it.

Ry got lots of money for his birthday,

and was giggling as Chris was helping him count it all.

He had a helper to open his presents.

Gigi & Ry:

Saying goodbye.

We are so glad that we got to see them on this trip out here!  Uncle D says and does things that remind me of my dad...and make me feel like a part of him is still here with us.

After they left, we gutted our master bathroom {yay!} and then Chris and Dylan made a dump run.  Then it was time to get ready....  I had a buddy while I was doing my hair/makeup.

We ate Linner {lunch/dinner} at Ry's current favorite restaurant... Red Robin {yum!}.

Then went to the movies!

We got there a little bit early so I took pictures while we waited.

Back at home for cake {he wanted Cherry Cake JUST LIKE DYLAN'S}...

and more presents!

Payton helped him put a TNMT set together.

And then he showered and put on his new TMNT jammies.

It was a pretty awesome day for my Ninja Turtle loving boy.

Happy birthday Ry.  We love you soo much!

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Katie's Salad {recipe}

I got this recipe from my sweet friend Kati.  Kati and I went to Jr. High and High School together, and we were best buds.  Her parents always had the coolest, top of the line stuff...like a front loading washer/dryer {that was 20+ years ago!} and they were the first people I know who had a DVD player. {Yes, I'm ancient!}.  Why that stuck out to me as a 13-yr-old, I have no idea...but it did.  

One summer we spent the entire summer together...literally. We spent the night at each other's houses all the time.  We went on vacations with each other's families.  When we got out of high school we went on a few road trips, to Palm Springs and Las Vegas together.  We made some great memories!

Anyway, way back when I first met Kati, I went over to her house for dinner.  Kati made this salad...and I loved it.  It's super easy and you really don't measure anything.  I'm not sure what they called it, but at my house it's know as Kati's Salad.

Kati's Salad

1 head Green Cabbage, shredded thinly

1 large Granny Smith Apple, chopped into bite size pieces

a handful of walnuts {toasted if you have time}, chopped

a handful of mini marshmallows {Kati used the colorful ones}

1-2 containers of lemon {or lime} yogurt

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

See? Super easy!

My kids DEVOUR this salad.  Yes, it's probably due to the marshmallows.... BUT they are eating a ton of raw cabbage.  I call that a win!

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter!  

I love celebrating that Jesus is risen and that because of this, I can spend eternity in heaven with him!  Knowing that my sweet daddy was a Christ follower and that I will get to see him again is so comforting during these times that I/we miss him desperately.

~

After church my momma came over.  Chris grilled steak and we had roasted red potatoes, roasted green beans and garlic bread. I had a garden salad and a jello that I forgot to serve until the end and we were already stuffed!

We carried on the silly tradition of the Easter bunny leaving eggs for the kiddos...but the kids love it.

Watching the joy in Rylan's eyes is priceless.

Love my sweet kiddos!

Gigi brought a fun surprise for the kids.

Then they colored eggs.

Glad that I got to spend this Easter with my momma!  We spent the rest of the afternoon outside enjoying the beautiful day... and talked about how much Dad would have loved to have been here.

At the end of the day, God gave us a glorious sunset.

He is risen!