Merry Christmas 2012

What an amazing Christmas we had.  Our first as a family of three.  We had a wonderful time celebrating with family.  It was so nice for everyone to meet Isaac and get to hold and love on him.  We can’t express how blessed we feel!

Our Christmas card / Isaac’s birth announcement

    

     

   

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

IWL–1 month

Can you believe it’s been 4 weeks?  I know, me either!  Our little guy is growing away and we are enjoying watching him every day!

And because I can’t just share one picture..  Here are some of our outtakes…

     

   

Ah, the many faces of Isaac… so fun!  Each one could have it’s own caption!

The start of the beginning

As you know we’ve had a lot on our plates recently.  Being preggers…  Moving…  Having a sweet baby boy.  Just a few things to focus on.  We’ve been in the new house almost 4 months now.  I know I haven’t done the best job of sharing pictures of the new place.  But I thought I’d start today.

Thankfully the house was fairly neutral so we have been able to bring in our things and pretty much make things “work" for the time being.  Truthfully that’s been a life-saver considering we haven’t had the time or the energy for a full overhaul.  Actually some friends just stopped by to see the new babe and the new house yesterday and couldn’t get over how “neutral” everything is.  Especially considering how they know I love color!  Example here & here. 

We have painted two rooms so far in the new house.  The nursery and the kitchen.  The original color of the nursery was pink and I don’t think Isaac would have been ok with a pink nursery so that was a necessity.  And the other room is the kitchen.  This was also some what of a necessity.  You see, there was a border.  I couldn’t handle the border.  So it needed to come down and when we removed it, the wall color wasn’t under it. I actually used the same color in both rooms.  Yes the nursery and the kitchen.  I do love the color!  It’s Benjamin Moore’s Pashmina.  A perfect combination of grey and taupe.  

Ok, so how about some pictures!  So we’ll start with the “before”:

So many great things…  Stainless appliances – Gas stove (Joe ♥s this!)

Granite countertops – lots of counter space – nice deep sink

Large kitchen for cooking up all kinds of yummy treats!

Do you see the border?  Let me zoom in for ya a little…

 

My sweet friend Rhonda was here helping me paint the nursery when we decided we should also tackle taking down the border.  She gave me the easier task of the long wall while she took on the cabinet walls.  A challenge to say the least – awkward reaching and back bending work.  Did I say how sweet of a friend she is?!?! 

Then a little painting and we have a room in progress…

Along with painting we changed out the light above the sink…

       

There is still much to do.  There is so much room in the center of the kitchen that it is just screaming for an island.  I want to add some cabinetry that will give additional storage along with a countertop overhang for an “eat – in” option.  That will also allow us to hang our pot rack over the island.  We will change out the remainder of the lighting as well when we add the island.  We are using a small table for now so we get used to having something in the center of the space.

The cabinets are not may favorite finish so I’m not sure if we will paint them down the road or try this re-finish option.  I love when the island is a different finish than the perimeter cabinets but the verdict on all that is still out.  Of course I am pinning away ideas over on Pinterest.

So that’s the progress on the kitchen.  I will be sharing more spaces soon!

Growing away

Today Isaac is 3 weeks old!  3 weeks or 21 days or 504 hours…  that’s how long it’s been since this little boy entered our world.  Already he has made such an impression on his Mom and Dad.  His sweet little face just melts us.  We love his smiles – even if it’s only gas at this point.  The “hope” of a smile makes us happy!  Isaac is good boy… he likes to eat and he likes to sleep – a chip off the ol’ block for sure!

And because I know you’re just waiting for the pictures…

 

 

I know, right!?!?!?  Too cute for words!  Love that kid!  Can you believe next week will be ONE MONTH old!?!?!  Wowza!

Introducing…

 

Born 11•21•12 @ 12:04 pm

7 pounds 3 ounces

Thanksgiving 2012

As we are preparing for the arrival of our little butterball.  I thought I'd post our past menus in case you're looking for a little inspiration for your menu.

Thanksgiving 2011

This year I tried a new appetizer recipe, Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.  It was ok.  Nothing I would actually make again.  But one I would make again is the Roasted Green Beans with Balsamic and Parmesean = YUMMY!

Thanksgiving 2010

We didn't cook this year but that didnt' stop me from coming up with a menu!  Some stand out options from this menu:  Paula's Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Bars (to die for!) and PW's Soul Sweet Taters.

Thanksgiving 2009

This is the first year I made Lime & Ginger Cranberry Sauce and I have been HOOKED ever since.  It has become my one item I *must* have on the table.  I may be the only one that eats it but I lurve it.  It makes an awesome tangy addition to those leftover turkey sandwiches as well.  SO yummy and SO easy!  I also touch on the idea of brining your turkey.  You should NOT skip this step.  I promise it will be worth it.

For this year, our plan is to have everyone at our house since we can't really travel anywhere.  So depending on Baby L's arrival will determine what day we celebrate.  This year's menu is as follow:

Citrus Rosemary Turkey & Gravy
Crock- pot Mashed Potatoes
Mom's Stuffing
Lime & Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Strawberry Salad - one of my fav's!
Memama's Corn
Sweet Potato Casserole
Squash Casserole
Steamed Broccoli
Carole's Macaroni Salad
Parker House Rolls

Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Cake
Lemon Squares
Scrumdidlyumptious Chocolate Pudding Dessert

Can you say, YUM?!?!  I can't wait!!  What's on your menu?  Any must have items on your menu?

A weekend in pictures...

{36 weeks}

{A finished chair for the nursery}

{a beautiful fall sunset}

{more celebrating for Baby L}

{cupcakes make life ~ oh so good}

{ ♥ this girl!}

BABY shower!

This past weekend we had our very first BABY shower!  And oh were we showered with love and gifts!!

These wonderful ladies went above and beyond to create a fun, inviting and super special atmosphere  for celebrating "Baby L's" soon arrival!

There were so many fun details to take in.  The food, decor, special touches.  I know that they spent so much time planning and crafting to make this day an unforgettable event!  

The ladies chose a "Lamb theme" that was featured on the invites, cupcake toppers, and even in the decor. Cindy made a pair of beautiful pillows that had a felt lamb appliqued on them.  And Shannon even did special artwork that featured sweet lambs.  I'm telling you these girls don't miss a detail!

After enjoying all kind of wonderful finger food goodies. (The Caramel Apple Shooters were to die for!  Thanks Julie!!) We opened gifts.  And the generosity was dumbfounding!!  So many cute outfits and DIAPERS, WIPES, toys, homemade items and more.  Baby L is blessed beyond words.

{Super excited about these homemade onesies for each month to photograph Baby L's growth from Aunt Dewey}

{oh and check out the lamb pillow!}

{Sweet Natty being my trash girl}

And the gifts just kept coming!!  I will save you from the super CHEESY grin-fest I was having.  Wow!  What can I say - I was a happy mama!!

After the gifts, we played a little Baby Pictionary.  The garland played 2 roles = super cute decoration along with Pictionary clues!

Another super cute idea they had was a "Wish Tree".  Everyone filled out tags with advice, suggestions and even some FREE babysitting offers!  These will be great for the baby book!

I was so happy to be surrounded by so many friends and family!  It's rare that all of us girls are together at one time so this was a special moment!!

{Baby L's:  Cousin/Aunt, Great - Aunt, Grandmom L, Mama, Mimi & Aunt Daina}

{and wow - that bump is bumpin'!}

Thank you again ladies for a day so sweet & special!!!  

{And special thanks to Aunt Liz for being the photographer!}