Saturday, August 27, 2011

"mmmm...so good"!!!

those would be the words spoken by my almost two year old...pretty much whenever anything hits her lips!!!! it is just about the most precious thing ever! with that being said - i thought it would be an appropriate title for my recipe posts...because even though the world may not think our cookin' is "mmmm...so good"...my little ava sure does!!!!

enchilada lasagna
1 rotisserie chicken
5 cups of mexican blend cheese
1 can of cream of celery
1 can of cream of chicken
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup canned and chopped green chillies
small corn tortillas
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

mix the cream of celery, cream of chicken, sour cream, green chilis, cumin, salt, & pepper together in a bowl. spread 1/2 cup in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. dip corn tortillas in water and place in bottom of dish. layer with chicken, cream mixture, & cheese. repeat two more times leaving the chicken off of the top layer and adding LOTS of cheese!!!!! bake at 425 degrees until the cheese gets golden and bubbly (about 25-30 minutes)!!!!

like ava says..."mmmm...so good"!!!!!

***i must give credit where credit is due...this deliciousness came from none other than...you guessed it...pinterest! ahhh, my newest love!!!***

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

tubin' on bruin...flashback!!!

this summer, our family had yet another fun opportunity to head to the lake with our wonderful neighbors! we went last year & the girls (along with their parents) had an absolute blast! they loved tubing and swimming and jumping off of the pier...over and over and over again!

this year, our little baby is not so little anymore...and joined her big sisters on the tube! ava ashley has NO FEAR...which is hard for this worrying mommy!!! she looked so tiny and so precious out there with her wind blown hair!!!!




















this was the girls' "pretend we're sad that the tube ride is over" face!!!! they are so funny!



thanks woodens...for making us feel like family! we look forward to many more lake weekends to come!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

no words...

for how much i'm in love...

Friday, August 12, 2011

some things in life come along just when you need them...

life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets.

so, love the people who treat you right

and forget about the ones who don't.

and believe

that everything happens for a reason...

if you get a chance - take it;

if it changes your life - let it.

nobody said that it would be easy...

they just promised

it would be worth it.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

it's hard to say goodbye to summer...

*sigh*

there's a 1st time for everything...

there is absolutely no denying anymore that my very first baby is indeed not a baby anymore. at this very moment in time, she has 1 1/2 days of FIRST grade under her belt...and i still have tears in my eyes.

everyone tells you that time is gonna fly when you have children...and it's easy to assume that "yeah, yeah, yeah...i know"...until you're laced up in those shoes...walking smack. dab. through. it.

first grade. see how that rolls off your tongue.

there is nothing baby about that. it's spelling tests, reading, eating lunch in the cafeteria...it's the real deal. and "yeah, yeah, yeah...i know"...i just wasn't prepared.

i remember letting go of ella's tiny hand at asbury methodist (what seems like many moons ago) and thinking that there is no way i'm going to be able to make it. those first few days without her were some of the strangest in my life. i would look in my rear view mirror in a panic - staring at her empty car seat - and have to remind myself that she was at "school".

while it might be hard on this mommy to spend time during the day without her...my little girl is happy! she has the most precious group of friends and she loves learning!

if she's going to be anywhere, i at least want to know she's in a safe place that makes her smile!

she is a "keen cool kid" and lovin' it so far! she told me that she gave mrs. keen a hug today and was told "i needed that!"! that's what this mommy needs to hear...that my baby is being loved on when i'm not there....cause goodness knows i'm going to be lovin' on her when she is!!!!

i found these adorable "edible pencils" on pinterest (if anyone should wonder...yes, i'm addicted) and knew that i must make these for the first day back to school. they were a hit...and i must say...so fun to make!

i also saw this idea for a "back to school" bouquet...so we decided to make our own version for mrs. keen! she loved it and it made ella feel very special!

i couldn't be prouder of my daughter...and i know i can't stop her from growing up...so i'm just going to take time to relish and remember...

there's a 1st time for everything...

and our time is now.





look what the "back to school fairy" brought...
J.e.L.l.Y. shoes (like circa 1980's jelly shoes!!!)
ella...we are so, so proud of you! every moment i spend with you is like a breath of fresh air. your humor & funny wit make me laugh from the inside out. your smile puts one on my heart. i love the kind of friend that you are...and i hope you will always keep putting other's feelings before your own. the day we spent together on tuesday, just you and me, was a day i won't soon forget. i look forward to sharing so much together. as your mommy, i am responsible for shaping your outlook on relationships and life...and i don't just want to do that through words...i want to do that through actions. what i never could have imagined though is how much i would learn from you. your ability to let things "roll off your back" while smiling that precious smile is such a gift. i look forward to seeing what God has in store for your amazing little life. you are a shining star, precious one...and you shine like no other! i love you past heaven.


the great american "adoption"...

after our super fun stay at great wolf lodge, we made our way over to the next super fun adventure!

the girls were going to get to "adopt" some new price family members...and then eat lunch with them!!!

yes, we were going to spend the day at any little girls' dream store...americangirl!!!!

it's hard for adults to keep their cool here...so you can only imagine what ella &maddie were feeling!!! we were bouncing around that store like ping pong balls!

before we left for dallas, maddie had made the decision that she was going to get a doll that had a wheelchair and glasses. well, nothing changed her mind - and the first item purchased was the wheelchair! just might be the cutest thing you've ever seen! even cuter - is the story she tells about why "emily" is "pawalyzed"! i. love. this. little. girl!!! emily is a blond haired, blue eyed beauty!

ella chose a precious little brown haired, brown eyed doll - named "lilly"...along with a couple of new outfits!

we all had SO much fun "ooohing & aaahing" over all of the adorable, tiny merchandise and then made our way upstairs to the cafe!

such a precious experience! the dolls have their own seats and their own cups and saucers! the food was delicious - complete with a fruit skewer full of fun shapes - and super kid friendly!

it was such a fun time...making memories with some of my favorite gals...old & new!!!! i look forward to many more years of "girl trips"...and can't wait 'til my tiniest girly girl comes along too!

"thank you", honey...for such a memory filled experience! we love you!
ella with her "babies"!!!!!
maddie is such a good "mommy" to "emily"...*love*
ella with her pretzel appetizer
the best of friends
they had the cutest game on the table...these strips of paper that were conversation starters! ella was asked what her favorite summer memory was...i believe she was living it out right before our eyes!!!!! so sweet!
lilly & emily price!
a mommy's heart bursting with love...
emily in her wheelchair...with her glasses...she's truly a "doll"!!!!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

great american adventure...

a couple of weeks ago, my mom treated the girls and me to a fun filled overnight visit to dallas! everything planned was pure f.U.n. for the girls...from the goodies in the car to the destinations! our first stop was the great wolf lodge.

all i have to say is WOW! this place was awesome!

we laughed and laughed and had the best time! the girls were so brave and tried all of the slides that they were allowed to ride...and HONEY even rode every. single. one of them! impressive! after almost 5 hours of non-stop "water parking" - and a few hundred stairs climbed - we looked like happy drowned rats!!!!

we all had pizza and ice cream for dinner...and then got the girls all cozied in their bunk beds...

because we had yet another "american" adventure awaiting us the next day...

truly a dream come true for any little girl!

awaiting departure...so excited!!!!




checking out the view from our room!


getting measured for the slides...
she's SO big...:(
having a blast on the "lazy river"...



watching 1,000 gallons of water...fixing to dump on the girls...going...
going...
GONE!!!!


our little water bugs...

waiting on story time in the lobby!
violet!!

the cute mural painted in the "bunk bed room"
to be continued..."new members" of the price family!!!