I found my favorite cookbook!

While we were in the garage yesterday unpacking, I found my favorite cookbook that was given to us by our friend Marcus's mom and dad for our wedding. It is called Bride and Groom First and Forever Cookbook and it is WONDERFUL! It has all sorts of different sections from Stocking your pantry to Inspirational menus for Holidays and special occasions.

One of our favorite things are the cocktail recipes. Our absolute favorite:

Sauza Margaritas

4oz Sauza Tequilla
4oz Triple Sec
1/4c Fresh lime Juice
6oz thawed limeade concentrate
1/2 c water

It makes 4 margaritas or hold the water and blend with ice. MMM yummy!

Today is the Day!

Today is the day that we close on our house!! I am so excited. I woke up at five. In the morning. How crazy is that? So I have gotten some blogging done and some emailing! Yea closing on the house today!!

Happy Birthday Samantha!

I can't believe that my baby girl just turned one! She is just starting to take steps on her own and her personality is really starting to show! She is very much like her momma in that she is stubborn. She has been crying for awhile when she wants picked up but now she stands up and holds onto your pant leg and bounces up and down while "talking" very loudly! It really is cute. Of course temper tantrums are only cute for so long! She has grown and changed so much it is hard to believe that she is the same girl! She loves her brother so much and wants to do the grown up things that he does. I am sure it's frustrating to see him running and climbing and not be able to do those things. Soon enough though baby girl. We are so very happy and amazed everyday to have a daughter like Samantha.

Birthday Party!

The birthday party was really fun, here are a few pictures:



Ryan really got into presents this year


I went the time saving way way and made one cake, every one likes clowns right?

Happy Second Birthday Ryan!

Another year has passed, Ryan turned TWO today. When I think back on our time in the NICU I am so amazed and thankful at where he is now. At my 28 week appointment, Justin and I were told that we had to go directly to labor and delivery at the hospital. At the hospital they started me on steroid shots and told me that they hoped I could make it for another 48 hours of pregnancy. I was so terrified for my little baby. I knew that babies lived at this gestation but when they talked to us about the possibilities for the baby's (Ryan was unnamed and of unknown gender at this point) future, the statistics were not all that promising. I realize now that they were preparing us for the worst, and could not tell us for sure that our baby would live let alone what his future would hold. Working with the special needs adults that I worked with, I expected the worst and was heart broken. I searched the internet looking for stories, experiences of people in my same situation. Trying to find 28 week preemies who turned into normal, successful adults.
Everyday he amazes me, everyday he learns and grows. We are so proud and honored to be the parents of our amazing little boy.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch on Tuesday, Justin had the whole day off so we went up to Rock Creek Farms and picked out pumpkins, saw animals, and went through the mazes.
Ryan picked up every pumpkin before he finally found "the one" he seemed to prefer the green ones! He liked the animals, they had pigs, a cow, a donkey, miniature horses, and goats. He liked the sheep the best and Samantha liked the pigs.

Water World

So this summer for closing weekend, my mom, my aunt Kelly, cousin Rio and the babies and I went to Water World. For those of you who haven't been Water World is one of the biggest water parks in the Americas and was #7 on the Travel Channel's top water parks. We had a great time playing in the water and the sun!

This is my aunt, Kelly

Rio