Tomorrow, I promise!

I've been so busy these last few weeks with a stint in jury duty and little one's first birthday.  Not sure if I really have any devoted readers, but if you are and you're reading this....thank you!  I promise I will be back in the game tomorrow with an actual post!!

Where I Have Been

Sorry, I haven't blogged in a few days.  Here's where we've been.

The company Matt works for had their Summer Regional Meeting Thursday-Sunday in Branson, Missouri at Chateau on the Lake.

We got there around lunch on Thursday and went to an Ice Cream Social.  Then, Matt had a meeting, so I got us all checked in.  In the afternoon, he had another meeting where they introduce the spouses, so I went with him while Blair hung out with Suzy.  Thursday night, we had a buffet dinner put on by his company on the lawn.  It was great!  Blair didn't have a great time sleeping the whole time we were there, so our nights weren't always amazing.  We sat out in the hall the first night until she finally fell asleep.

Poor little thing was so confused why she was in "baby jail"

Friday morning, Matt had meetings and Suzy and I headed to the spouses meeting for an hour.  Blair did great with us and we only had to head back a few minutes early for her nap.  Luckily, her video monitor reached to Russ and Suzy's (the in-laws) room, so I was able to keep an eye on her without having to sit in a dark room. While she was napping, Matt's sister, Natalie, and her husband Josh got there.  They came down from St. Louis for their own mini-vacation.  The boys got back from their meetings and Blair woke up, so we headed down to lunch in the atrium. 

 After that, we went for a little pool time.  Miss B love, love, loves the water.

Friday night, his company had bought tickets for everyone to go to Silver Dollar City and a meal voucher for a BBQ place.  We got to the park just for dinner, it was really hot all day and I didn't think Blair would enjoy herself too much earlier.  

After dinner, Matt and I thought it'd be fun to go on a water ride.  The lines were short, but right as we were going to get on, they shut it down because there was lightening within 10 miles.  Bummer. We left and got in the tram to get to our car right before it started pouring.  Blair got a bath when we got back to the room and we were able to hang out in Natalie and Josh's adjoining room while she fell asleep.

Saturday morning, Matt had meetings again, so I left Blair in the safe hands of her grandma, aunt and uncle and headed to the spa.  I had a 50 minute massage and it was heavenly.  I sat in the steam room after and took a shower (longer than 5 minutes).  Matt got back around lunch time, so we grabbed a quick snack and headed to the outlet stores.  It was busy and hot, but we had fun and Matt got a steal on some new slacks.  Saturday night, his company had their awards banquet and dinner.  It was nice to get all dressed up.  Remind me next time to not wait until midnight to take a picture...and to put my chin down.  Terrible picture.  

Anyway, the food was delish and Matt's dad got their version of a sorta lifetime achievement award.  It was great to be there and see him receive it.  Matt's sister and husband had gotten Blair to bed easily, so we hung out in their room until about midnight.  Then, around 12:30, Blair woke up screaming.  She had no interest in falling asleep and I didn't want her waking up the whole hotel, so we got to be up from 12:30-3:30am.  Yippee.  She hasn't done that in forever.  I think it was her teeth.  

We left after breakfast Sunday morning.  It was a great weekend away, but we are glad to be back in our routine at home.

Weekend Recap

We had great weekend!

We started out with an early dinner Friday night at Longhorn.  We went with Matt's mom and dad and celebrated Father's Day.

Blair was looking stylish.

Matt's parents came over afterwards and exchanged gifts.  Matt's parents got him a toolbox and new Mizzou shirt.  Blair had a great time with the tissue paper and bag.

We gave grandpa his gift that Blair and I created.

Friday night, I had a single date with myself at Target at 9pm.  I felt like such a rebel!

Saturday, we spent most the morning and afternoon in our jammies playing with mom's shoes.

My parents came over in the evening and Matt and I headed to a Flag Day party/fundraiser for our friend Joe Hensley who is running for judge.  If you live in Jasper County, vote for Joe!

It was a great date night on a beautiful evening.

Sunday morning, Blair and I let dad sleep in a little bit, then gave him his gift.

We went to church, then headed to my aunt and uncle's house for lunch.  My papa was there, so it was great to see him.  We spent the rest of the day just hanging out and enjoying our time together.

Father's Day

In honor of Father's Day this weekend, I thought I'd highlight the most important dads in my life.

I'd have to say it's these two.  My dad and my husband.

I have been blessed with a great dad who has showered me with love.  He has always taken care of his family and taken care of all those "manly" things for us girls.  Growing up, I always loved spending time with my dad at the airport.  He has his pilot's license and has had airplanes in the past.  I would go with him and "help" as he tinkered away.  Looking back, I was probably a little in the way or talking non-stop, but I loved spending that time with him.  Plus, it was pretty cool to get to go flying with my dad.

My dad likes to do pretty adventurous things and I guess you could call him a gear head (but a computer-programing techie by day) Other than flying, he has a motorcycle.

I like my mom pushing his head forward.  Safety first!

He also has driven a race car.

He's a great dad and I am lucky he's mine.  I look like him, more than my mom, especially in our baby pictures.

 He's also a great grandpa to Miss Blair.

Now on to my sweet husband who is celebrating his first Father's Day this year.

He's most happy outside in wide, open spaces.  His heart is at peace when he is taking in God's beauty of wilderness and wildlife

        

 He's the best dad and he's a pro at getting lots of giggles out of Miss Blair.  She lights up when daddy gets home and gives him lots of waves when he leaves.  I love him to the moon and back.  He's my best friend and he loves me just the way I am.  Seeing him become a dad has proven even more to me that he is an amazing man.  He works so hard to make a comfortable life for us and would do anything for "his girls".

I also had to include my sweet grandpa.  He's the only living grandparent between Matt and I, so we cherish having him with us.  Here he is with all his girls.  Bless his hear, he's surrounded.  He had 2 girls, my mom and my aunt.  They both had two girls, my sister, my two cousins, and I.  My cousin had a girl, my sister had a girl, and 9 days later, I had a girl.  We don't do boys in my family.

Here is my husband and his daddio too.  He's relishing in his new role of grandpa and is a perfect example of what a dad should be.

Baby Applesauce

This is almost comical it's so easy, but I still thought I'd share.

Baby Food Applesauce

1.  Peel and core some apples.  I use this Pampered Chef thing that my mom had.

2.  Put the apples in a little water and throw in some cinnamon.

3.  Pull them out once they're soft and throw in the Baby Bullet or food processor.

4.  Blend until smooth or a little lumpy if you want some texture.

5.  Freeze and enjoy.

Tasty Tuesday-Cheesy Chicken

Cheesy Chicken

Here's a simple recipe that a lot of you have probably made in some form, but it's great to have in your back pocket for those quick week day meals.  Plus, it only has 5 ingredients.

5 tablespoons butter, melted, divided

1 cup crushed cheese-flavored snack crackers

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup sour cream

1.  Place 1 tablespoon of butter in an 11x7x2 inch dish. Set aside.

2.  Combine cracker crumbs and pepper.

3.  Crush them up.

4.  Dip chicken in remaining butter, then spread with sour cream.  Roll in the crumb mixture.

5.  Cook at 350 for about 30 minutes or until it's cooked through.

Weekend Recap

Saturday morning started bright and early with some weird noises outside our bedroom window.  I looked out and saw our old friend Mr. Fox had a stray cat cornered.

Terrible picture, but the blob on the left is the cat and the one on the right is the fox.  Don't worry, kitty slowly backed off and fox lost interest and went the other way.

Matt had some errands to run in the morning, so Blair and I had some cuddles.

Our weekend really kicked off when my sister and my niece Olivia came down from KC, MO to visit.  Olivia is 9 days older than Blair, so they are destined to be the best of friends!

Olivia came over to check out Blair's toys.

Then, the ladies took some naps and met up at Grandma's for dinner.  We had pizza on the patio, then had some great giggles swinging.  The girls also decided to explore the backyard and get good and dirty.  So, we had a double bath to finish the night.

Sunday, we went to church and then came home for a nap.  After nap time, we headed back to grandma's and played with Miss Olivia.

I surely love this little girl and love being her auntie.  I can't wait to see her and Blair grow up and bond through the years.

We came home for another nap (by all of us this time).  Then, I headed to the gym and came home and made a gourmet meal of PB&J.  

Random note, Blair's hair has gotten long enough to put a sweet little bow in.  Love it!