Homemade frosties!

Several weeks ago when I was talking about getting an electric ice cream maker and making homemade ice cream, a friend of mine gave me a simple recipe that she insisted tasted just like a frosty. I must admit, I was a little skeptical you could easily mimic the tasty treat. So tonight, we tried it and it really tasted just like a frosty! It was so easy and delicious.....

1 can Eagle Brand milk (NOT fat free)
1 regular container Cool Whip
1/2 gallon chocolate milk

Mix and freeze! I made mine in a six-gallon ice cream freezer, but you could likely do this recipe in a four-gallon. My thanks to Jama for the yummy idea!

Dance Me Daddy

One of Chris's Fathers Day gifts from the girls was a book called Dance Me Daddy, based on the song "King of the World," by Point of Grace. They all just love to dance around together and what a sweet story for them to share! It also came with a CD of the song - I had never heard it before, but just fell in love with it. Go here to listen for yourself. You might want to get your tissues ready, especially if you have little girls!

Grandpa is here!

Claire couldn't wait for her grandpa to arrive today. He got here shortly after we returned from church and spent some time playing outside with the girls.


We originally planned to go to a baseball game, but instead decided to go see a movie and have dinner. We went to see "UP" in 3D, and it was really cute. I think that may be one we have to purchase! I had also forgotten how much fun it is to see a movie in 3D - it's been a while! After the movie, we decided to try a restaurant (Barefoot Charleys) we'd never been to before, and we were pleasantly surprised. The food was pretty good and the service was great. They were very attentive to our two kiddos, which is always so nice! There was a view of the lake and you could walk down to feed the ducks and play on a little tire swing. Claire had a ball and the weather was amazing. It was such a nice evening! So glad I happened to have my camera with me - I got some great shots!

Push me higher!!! Whheeeeeeee!

Deep breaths

Ava had been screaming/crying a lot this evening, so when we arrived at my mom's house, I already had a horrible headache and was just sort of "done." Ava has been teething and has just gotten over a cold, so she's just not a happy baby right now. Mom took Ava outside to try and calm her down, while Claire and I stayed inside. Claire says to me, "Mommy, do you wanna take some deep breafs togeder?" I have to spell it the way it sounded because it was just so darn cute! I have no idea where she picked that up, but it was such a sweet and funny gesture! Love that girl!

Ava's one year pictures

Yesterday, we went to get Ava's one year pictures made. Her photo sessions are always interesting because she is not the type of baby you can get to smile on demand very easily. You have to work very hard! She is more of a "stare-you-down" kind of girl. It's really funny, you can act as silly as can be, and she still just STARES! Even that look is so precious! Here are some of my favorites!

Happy Birthday Ava!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Ava, who turns one today! I can't believe that a year has already passed! I am so thankful for her and feel blessed that she is healthy and happy. Here is one of the first pictures taken of her one year ago today!

Celebrating eight wonderful years!

Today is our eighth wedding anniversary and I just love thinking back to the day we were married and all the memories we've made since then! It was such a wonderful day! We had that cliche June wedding and I just loved everything about it. Those who know me well know I am a planner, and I loved deciding on every detail! I loved the food, the flowers, the music, the cakes, the trolley ride to the reception and of course having everyone there to celebrate with us!

I do have one memory of that day that is not so pleasant. We were very close to being robbed that night. As we were entering a parking garage that evening, Chris saw someone trying to break into our car (loaded with plenty of money for our honeymoon as well as other valuables). Chris yelled at they guy and then chased him a little ways until I insisted he come back. I had no idea if that guy had a weapon and/or if I'd become a widow on my wedding night. We were both sort of "off" for a little while after that and just kept thinking, what if we had stayed for dessert?

I am so blessed to be married to such a genuine, handsome, fun, thoughtful, hard-working, smart, supportive, just all-around amazing man! Thank you Chris for eight amazing years, and for being the best husband and father I could imagine! I love you!

I was thrilled to go outside today and gather some hydrangeas from my back yard to place in our home that are just like the ones in our wedding. What a sweet reminder of the commitment we made on that precious day!