Peanut's Sleepover

While J and I were off celebrating our anniversary, the Peanut got to go to Camp KiKi and Uncle Bear.  Thanks to Aunt KiKi, we have photo-documentation of the shenanigans that took place.  I'm shocked that P was willing to come back home with us after all the fun he had!

 Starting off right with an after-nap snack.

 Then it was off to the spray ground that is within walking distance from K & B's house.

 To say P loved it would be an understatement.

 We think he found his happy place.

 Here he is playing with the yogurt tubs' cousins...the Cool Whip tubs.

 K and B noticed that P would close his eyes whenever he got his face wet...and would continue to walk around...with his eyes closed...while veering to the left.  This may have resulted in bumping into some things...but there was no permanent damage.

 Falling down and going "boom" is just part of the spray ground.  Thankfully it's nice and padded.

 The "Rings of Fire" (as I heard several kids call them the other day when we were there).  

P was supposedly pretty tentative about this at first.  He had to watch some other kids do it before he would go...but as you can see, there is water spraying in his face- which means he closed his eyes- which means he veered to the left- which means he might have run into one of the rings...again, no permanent damage.

 This place also had benches to play with his tubs on. Life is complete.

 

The spray ground "after" picture...pretty awesome.

   

The next morning started with some yoga...

 

 And then came a visit to the park to swing.

 Silly boy.

 Loves him some swinging.

Here's a video of P playing on the slides...kind of. :)

 

 And home for a snack.

 Waiting for mom and dad at the window. :)

...thanks, again, to K and B for hanging out with P!  You all are the best! :)

This is where I disappeared to...

You may have noticed that the blog went silent for a few weeks...well, (this time) there was a good reason for it! My cousin, Audrey, got married over Memorial Day weekend, and I took the lead in creating a recipe book for her and her new hubby of family recipes that we have enjoyed over the years out at the ranch (which is where their wedding was).  After some searching, I found that Shutterfly has a template for a cook book (although we created a lot of pages on our own), and even though I knew that it would be the undertaking to add in pictures, I went with it...and I am SO glad that I did! :)  The entire family shared recipes in Google docs, and then with picture help from my Aunt Ann and help from my cook book side-kick, Cousin Whitney, in only 3 short weeks (!?), we had ourselves a cook book! :)  The best part is I was able to upload it to a Shutterfly family site I created so anyone can purchase one.  It's the gift that keeps on giving. :)  So below are a few screen shots of some of my favorite pages... The whole book is a little over 50 pages and is filled with memories and GREAT recipes! :)

 

 

Shutterfly did not ask me to write this post...but man, I wish they had!  I'd happily write a rave review of their custom photo book site for some free Shutterfly stuff! :)

7 years...and still going strong! :)

J and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary today.  It's hard to imagine that 7 years ago today we were saying, "I do..."

 

Before actually seeing each other...

Seeing each other for the first time...

Out in front of HPPC before the ceremony...

  

Right after we said, "I do!"

   

Kissing and eating cake...

Leaving the reception...

This year we celebrated a week early (so we could take advantage of K and B babysitting - since they also got married Father's Day weekend, just 2 years later - and we didn't want to ask them to babysit the Peanut on their anniversary!) by taking a little stay-cation, sans the Peanut.

 The Crescent {source}

We decided to spend the night at the Crescent (an idea that came to fruition after receiving a 25% off coupon in the "Best Of Guide" coupon book in the mail!), and thanks to Aunt KiKi and Uncle Bear, we were able to sneak in a couple of extra hours on Saturday afternoon to just relax and hang out at the hotel.  J was awesome and booked massages for both of us (again, 25% off with a coupon!), which - not surprisingly, were incredible.  In fact, I was told by the lady who did mine that I needed to go back and get another one because of how tense my neck and shoulders were - most likely from carrying around a large child who didn't walk until he was 16 months.  If anyone feels sorry for me and wants to help a girl out, I wouldn't tell you no. :)  We spent the rest of the afternoon just relaxing and talking (a luxury now-a-days) in our room.

Pretty snazzy, no? {source}

And the Crescent provided us with a nice snack to munch on while we hung out...

Saturday night we got ready for dinner...

Here we are thanks to my phone's camera...

And went across the street to the Ritz to eat at Fearing's.

 {source}

We had an incredible experience.  K and B's neighbor is the sommelier there, and they were able to help set up a pairing for us.  It was SO much fun to do that!  Highly recommend it! :)  We started out with a glass of champagne.  Then with our appetizers we enjoyed a glass of red and a glass of white wine from Greece.  Both were really good.  We had a different red from just east of Napa with our dinner and then both had a dessert wine.  Here's what we inhaled, I mean ate really slowly and politely while savoring every tiny bite...

Surf and Turf Carpaccio

Yoakum Wagyu Beef and Tsukiji Market Hamachi with Texas Olive Oil, Shaved Parmesan, Baby Swiss Chard Salad and Crispy Rock Shrimp

Barbecued Shrimp Taco

with Mango-Pickled Red Onion Salad
and Smoky Citrus Vinaigrette

Georges Bank Sea Scallops and Dr Pepper Braised Short Ribs

on Foie Gras/Sweet Potato Purée with Trumpet Mushroom/English Pea Sauté and Preserved Lemon Thyme Butter 

Pan Roasted ‘BBQ Spiced’ Filet and Chicken Fried Maine Lobster

on ‘Loaded’ Whipped Potatoes and Cynthia’s Soft Spinach Taco

Banana Pudding

with Homemade Vanilla Wafers, Toasted Meringue, Bananas Foster Sauce and Warm Beignets

Chocolate Cherry Goodness

There wasn't a description on the website of this dessert because it's brand new.  If there was, I think it would say

something to the effect of...chocolate...ice cream...cherry...fried pies...damn good.

Sorry.  I just really think that's what it would say.

The next morning we slept until 8:00 (GASP!) and then got ready for our day (without singing "I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" or reading "The Belly Button Book") and went to breakfast at Breadwinners.

 So hard to make a choice...

 J settled on a Mexicany-eggy thing.

 I settled on heaven on a plate, which is also known as banana bread french toast with fresh cream and bananas.
Yes, please.

 :)

We sat on this covered indoor/outdoor patio.  This was the wall right behind my chair.  Pretty cool.

Late Sunday morning, we went back to K & B's to retrieve P.  

Here's our little guy waiting for us! :)  

When he saw us, he shrieked with joy and clapped.

He just wanted to remind us what we were missing.

We took the bait and took him home with us.

We really missed P, but it was SO good to have some time for just the two of us.  On Saturday afternoon as we were sitting around and chatting, I asked J when the last time was that we had spent time together with just the two of us with no where to be and with no Peanut...the answer? 17 months ago.  THANK YOU, K and B, for the gift of kid-free time so we could have a little time to focus on us! :)  We SO appreciate it!

Of course, there is a second part to this story...and that is what the Nut was doing while we were away...not to worry!  Aunt KiKi documented it...and I will share his adventures soon.

We're blessed to be celebrating 7 years of a happy, healthy marriage.  Here's to the next 7...and many more! :)

And Happy Father's Day to...

...the other important men in our lives! :)

 My sweet daddy...

J's dad (aka - Pops)

Papa (J's grandpa)

 Uncle Jeff (J's older brother)

 Uncle Jim (J's oldest brother)

and L's Grandpa Jim (aka - Gramps)

We love you all!  Happy Father's Day!

Love,

L, J, & P :)

Happy Father's Day!

 

For the daddy that you have been...

 For the daddy that you are...

And for the daddy that you will be...

We LOVE you!!! :)

Happy Father's Day to the best dad a Peanut could ever ask for!  We are so blessed that you are ours!  Thank you for loving us so well and taking such good care of us.

Love,

L & P :)