Thursday, October 24, 2013

Peter's Birthday: Two Years

For Peter's second birthday we celebrated and commemorated by going out to eat for lunch, visiting the cemetery, and releasing some balloons.

When we got home Lucy and I worked on an art project together. She drew a family portrait on our chalkboard and I added a banner as a final touch. I love how it turned out, and really enjoy seeing the progression of figurines she is mastering a step at a time.



Me and my girls. 









My loves!


















True that.









Really sad that the last un-popped balloon isn't for her to take home.


















Surrounded by peaceful cotton fields. 



Working together. 


Last year on Peter's birthday we were driving all day from Iowa to Alabama to attend Zach's graduation so it hardly even felt like it happened. We were so busy with everything else going on, I didn't have too hard of a time until a few weeks later, when we got finally got home and settled back down.

This year was a lot more emotional for me on his actual birthday. I'm sure part of my emotional response was the other stresses in our life: moving, job change, city change, etc. When you are already stressed out, your emotions are so close to the surface that any little thing can scratch through and unleash the flood gates.

October and November are hard months for me, but at the same time it's one of my favorite times of the year. I love the cooler weather, holiday season, and time to enjoy with family and friends. I like thinking about Peter and remembering him with those we love. Reevaluating my life and seeing which areas I need to improve in.

I like looking at babies who are turning two around me and seeing what Peter would be doing if he were healthy and still alive. Imagining what he would be like.

He was such a sweet, sweet boy.



We love you, Peter!










Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Caprese Dip

Natalie made this delicious cheese dip for her Lash Bash makeup party and I had to share the recipe!







Caprese Dip

The original recipe found here.
Natalie's adapted recipe:


Ingredients:
3-4 lbs low moisture mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil
Fresh spinach
1 package of cherry tomatoes
Balsamic vinegar
French bread


Directions:

1. Chop mozzarella into cubes, slice tomatoes into halves, slice basil and spinach into strips.

2. Mix everything together in oven-safe dish. Cook at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and bubbly.

3. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and serve with sliced french bread.

















This was so yummy, and it is so easy! I will definitely make this again for a party.


What is your favorite dish for entertaining? Please share in the comments below!




Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Benefit Lash Bash: Ladies Night

Oh my goodness party-time. My friend Natalie won a contest to host a Benefit Lash Bash makeup party through her Ipsy subscription. We were so excited to help her and attend!

We took a ton of photos in an attempt to help her win the next section of the contest, and she did! She won a gift card for Benefit makeup.






As a Lash Bash hostess, Benefit makeup sent her an amazing prize package filled with giveaway goodies for all her guests and a few full-sized makeup products for everyone to try out and for her to keep!





Hostess prizes




Full size products to sample and for the hostess to keep!


We also enjoyed some delicious mocktails (nonalcoholic mixed drinks). My favorite was sprite, grenadine, pineapple juice, and vanilla syrup mixed with ice and served with a pineapple slice and cherry!









Natalie made a delicious Caprese Dip. So yummy, and so easy! (Recipe to come!)










Having a fun time with the ladies!






So cute!













Having a little too much fun with the ladies!









My ladies!












All the free makeup!

So, so fun.




Okay, let's finish it off with some makeup.















Um, cutie!













Thanks so much for inviting me Natalie! I had a blast with all these fabulous ladies!



Besties for life.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Baby Shower: Yogurt Parfaits

I co-hosted a baby shower for one of the ladies I visit for church. She was having her second child, and first girl. We had a yogurt parfait bar and it was so delicious and easy!




My girls.



Strawberry and vanilla yogurt, walnuts, raspberries, granola, butterscotch chips, mango and strawberries, blackberries, sprinkles, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, orange juice, raspberry lemonade, chocolate and powdered sugar donuts. 















Congratulations on your baby girl, Kristen! Thank you to everyone who came!



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