A fun game of football

A few weekends ago, Yvonne & Dave invited us to picnic in the park with them.
Lately, with every ones schedules it's been pretty tough to get together.
The only instruction that we were given was to show up & bring our own food.
Easy enough for us. 
We ended up grilling brats & hot dogs and also brought fruit to snack on & potato chips.
After dinner, the kids ran around a bit and then Creag & Hank decided to round up the boys and girl for a game of flag football. 

For me, this ended up being the most memorable part of the day.
There were laughs, teamwork, high fives, and just good old fashioned family fun.
I just sat on a blanket on the sideline with Yvonne, Mica, Skylar & Willis.
We watched the game & snapped a few pictures and there was no where else I wanted to be.
It was the perfect afternoon & I'm so glad we were able to get together.

RYF!!

This year, for the first time we're trying something different.
Cheerleading.
I have to say Sky, that you are really having fun with it.
Your confidence at your games amazes me.
You never, ever cease to amaze us with your personality.
I know that you're not shy in the least, but to cheer in front of a crowd takes guts and you have 'em.
Watching you cheer, so far has been a lot of fun for everyone.

Your first game:)



Here's to a great football season!
Gooooo Raiders!!!

7 things about my 7 year old...and a birthday party

1.  You absolutely love being around your Papaw, you've had a lot of time with him this summer at    the River & have really enjoyed yourself.

2.  You love anything outdoors.  Fishing, swimming, boating, anything.  You're favorite though, would be Mamaw & Papaws 4-wheeler.  You love, love, love it.  You love it so much that one time before you rode to the store with Papaw you took the helmet with you so no one else could ride it until you did.  You tend to show off a little which kind of scares me.  You look at me to make sure I'm watching you when you should ALWAYS look straight ahead.  I'm trying to get this to sink in.

3.  You have been golfing quite a bit.  Creag bought you a set of clubs & tries to take you weekly when we have you.  You are doing great.  You are very patient with it & are getting a little bit better every week.

4.  You just lost your second bottom tooth, & you're top ones are also getting a little loose.  I'll just start calling you toothless.

5.  You are becoming a very independent reader & you love it.  You sat in bed the other night & read "Hank the Cowdog" by yourself.  When your time was up & I came in the room to tuck you in, you asked for 2 more minutes.  I gave it to you. 

6.  You are really excited & scared to start the 1st grade.  You seem to be your own worst critic, and are questioning if you're smart enough.  Of course you are!

7.  You are still a busy, busy, spunky little red-head with the cutest freckles. 

Birthday Party

You've been at your Dad's a lot this summer, but on Friday night on your birthday Creag and I along, with Sam drove to Dayton after work to pick you, Skylar & Wyatt up for dinner and birthday cake.  It was a great night spent with family & friends in celebration of your birthday.  We met everyone at Marions Pizza.  After our pizza dinner we had a marshmallow & chocolate cake that I had baked for you the night before.  You played games with your brother & sisters, your cousin Travis, & Jacob and just had a really good time. 

After the games, you opened your gifts & loved every one of them.  You didn't get a lot of toys this year, which was good considering you never, ever play with them.  Creag & I got you a baseball themed gift since you love the Reds.  We packed your new back pack full of fun things & you kept pulling stuff out of it saying "What!?  Is this Christmas or something!!"  It was awesome.  Everyone loved watching you.  You kept us all very entertained.

Your new shades!

And your candy mustache....

I think you favor Mr. Redleg.

A few other things that were in your bag were a MLB PlayStation 3 game, a set of baseball cards & a set of football cards. A Reds binder & card sleeves for your cards, baseball tickets to a Reds Game, a Reds hat & jersey, a pair of tennis shoes & random candy, like a Reds Pez dispenser & Big League bubble gum. Uncle Steve got you a Bengals t-shirt, Mamaw & Papaw gave you money & a new pair of skater shoes. Aunt Becky, Grandpa Wiggins, Uncle Justin, Angie, Amy & Jacob all gave you money which you used to buy yourself your first BB Gun!! You & Creag picked it out together online from Dick's Sporting Goods and you should be getting it delivered to you any day now. I would say overall, your birthday this year was great. I'll leave with a few more pictures of your day.

Happy Birthday buddy! I hope you had a great day!!!

XOXO,

Mom



A letter to Hank @ 7 years old

Hank,

It's really hard to believe that you are 7 years old!
I know I say the same thing every year, but it is truly crazy how fast time is passing.
I still remember the day that we brought you home from the hospital. 
A tiny 7lb 12oz baby boy.
You've had me wrapped around your finger since Day 1. 
There is something very special about a mothers love for her son that I just cannot describe.
My love for you grows more & more every single day.
You make me so very proud.
As much as I miss "Baby Hank", I love the boy that you are becoming.
Your hugs and kisses are still so sweet & you are so kind. 
It doesn't always show through your orneriness.
Because believe me, you are ornery!
A little spit fire, and you test me to my absolute limit most days.
You are always on the go & have so much energy.
I hope that one day you use all of that energy & turn it into passion for something that you love.
As you get older, every year it seems I have to step back a little bit more.
Let you make decisions for yourself.
Because I will not always be there to make decisions for you.
I do want you to know that mistakes are OK.
You are going to make them. 
Everyone does.
I hope that you learn from those mistakes.
They will shape you into the man that you are supposed to be.
But as the years fly by, always know that you will ALWAYS be my baby.
I love you son, to the moon & back.

Love Always & Forever,
Mom

WILW

Happy Hump Day friends!

To keep my blog rolling on a more consistent level I've decided that I'm going to start dedicating Wednesdays to the things I currently love.

So, without further adieu....

WILW

First, look at this baby!!  What is there not to love about him?!  So adorable!!

You think Wyatt would look good in this onesie?  I think so!!

Next, I'm loving me some Greek Yogurt with Granola & Kiwi.

Actually, the Greek Yogurt is kind of gross, but I figure the more I eat it the better it'll taste.

And I cannot forget about my husband, who over the weekend got us back to the cabin through a horrible storm on the River.  I'm talking lightning bolts crashing down all around us, to where I seriously thought we were doomed.  It was definitely a scary, scary ride.  My 4 year old nephew was praying to God, that's how bad it was!

I also love that these girls tried their best to remain calm.....for a minute anyways.

They were eventually holed up in the bathroom of the boat, terrified:(

I'm sorry girls.  Skylar swore that she was never riding in a boat again, EVER.

And my mom.....

How miserable does she look?

I'm sorry Mom, that we did not stop off at the Boat Club to let this storm pass.

I can laugh about it now though, right?

This outfit inspiration via Pinterest.

Zac Brown Band released their album, Uncaged!

What I've heard so far does not disappoint.

I finally got around to coloring my hair. 
It was so over due, & looks so much healthier.

It's kind of darker side, but I'm getting used to it.

I also had a little fun at the mall last night.

The shirt I'm wearing in this picture came from H&M for 5 bones!!

I also got a new pair of skinny's for $9.95, a new pair of boots for $6.97 & a necklace for $3.90.

Very proud of myself!!  I will not buy anything unless it's a steal.  

You can call me cheap, but I prefer the term smart shopper!!

I was smiling on the inside when the chick in front of me had two shirts & her total was 40 something & I had a shirt & a pair of jeans for 15!  I just really don't see the point of paying regular price.

And last....I'm loving this iPhone cover.  I do need one for my new white iPhone 4s that my husband ordered for me!!  Whoop Whoop!

$21.95 on Ebay....why yes, I think I will.

Until next week....

Happy Hump Day!

XOXO,

Jess  

4th of July Weekend '12

We had a great Fourth of July.

There's nothing about the 5th that makes me want to get out of bed & go into work but I did it.

Here's a small recap of what we did to celebrate our Independence.

On Monday night, I got my nails lookin' all festive:)

(Pinterest inspired.)

Tuesday night, we had a cookout with a few neighbors. 
We hung out mostly accross the street at Phil & Becky's. 

They had BBQ & hot dogs and everyone brought a side dish.

I made Macaroni Salad & Diet Coke Brownies.

We swam, ate way too much food, & set off a few fireworks at the end of the night.

I will add pictures later.

Wednesday morning we woke up early to get to the Ft. Thomas Parade where we rode on my companies float.  I don't have pictures of that yet either.  I actually used our real camera a lot this weekend instead of my iPhone and haven't uploaded the pictures yet.  Until then, here are a few pictures of the Memorial Day Parade that we were in since I never posted them.

I work for a distributor of Service Station Equipment, so my boss has an old restored fuel truck that he drives in the parades & has a very nice covered float that he pulls behind it.  Ironically, after the parade on the way back the truck ran out of gas!!  How does that happen?  We ended up walking a ways back to our car.  After we made it to the car, we went to lunch at Larosa's with Creag's parents & brother then headed home for naps.  We all definitely needed them after braving the heat for the parade.  Later in the evening we went to Dixie Chili for dinner then made our way over to Red, White, and Blue Ash for fireworks.

Here are a few pictures.

I want to thank all of the American Soldiers along with their families who sacrifice every day to keep this country safe.  I am very proud to be an American!!

Happy Independence Day!

XOXO,

Jess

Hello Monday

Well I'll say it again....Happy Monday!  I'm back to work, & so tired!  We had a crazy day/night on the boat yesterday & I didn't rest my head on my pillow until about 2am last night!!  I'll just say that today's going to be a loooooong day at the office:(  We had a good weekend, but also had some terrible storms come through the area.  A lot of people were without power & actually still are.  I hope it comes back on for them soon.  I couldn't imagine how rough it was/is with the 100 degree temps that we had.

Friday, I left work early for a dentist appointment.  Lemme just say that I hate the dentist.  And you know you're getting some serious work done when you have to wear these....

bahaha, how reiculous!

Then I got bored & snapped a picture of my new shoes:)  I love them & got them on clearance at Kohls.  No different than usual though.  I rarely buy anything that's not on sale or clearance. 

Friday night we celebrated my brothers birthday in Dayton.  We met at Rooster's for wings & I embarrassed him by bringing the cake that I made him the night before.  He thought he was too old for it, but you're NEVER too old for cake!  The cake turned out good, but I should've dusted the pan with flour & didn't so it stuck:(  The picture is of the pretty side of the cake.  The other side was another story!!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Ingredients

For the cake:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (don't use natural unless you have the no-stir kind)
• 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups granulated white sugar
• 6 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
For the glaze:
• 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

For the Cake
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray 10-cup bundt pan generously with nonstick spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together peanut butter and butter. Add sugar and beat an additional 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until well combined. Add dry ingredients a little at a time, beating just until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Scrape batter into prepared bundt pan. Tap it a couple of times on the counter to shake out any hidden air pockets.
3. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, or until a skewer, sharp knife, or toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Check on the cake at 1 hour to make sure it's not browning too quickly on top. If it is, just place a piece of foil loosely over the top of the pan. Let the cake cool for 20 minutes, then flip it onto a rack or platter and let it cool completely.
For the glaze:
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle glaze over the top of the cooled cake, letting it drizzle down the sides. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top.

On Saturday, I went to a baby shower.  I'm kind of dissappointed that I didn't get a lot of pictures.  I did get one of me with our newest nephew, Willis. 

And one of my outfit.

Top-Forever XXI, Skirt-Kohls, Belt-Khols

The skirt is a few years old & I usually wear it with just a brown shirt but I decided to get a little creative with what I had in my closet and it paid off.  I felt like I had a brand new outfit without having to go out & spend money on one.  I'll be wearing this again to work very soon! 

After the baby shower I headed home & then accross the street for girls day at the pool.  Our neighbors just got an inground pool this year, so we've been spending a lot of time there.  After a few hours & a few drinks I went home for dinner.  Creag used a round loaf of garlic bread & just cut the top off to make it like a pizza dough.  Then he rubbed fresh garlic & olive oil on the bread & topped it with chicken, shrimp, red peppers, onion, broccoli, & spinnach & baked it.  It was really, really good.

Sunday morning we went to another neighbors house for a garage version of Crossfit.   We have a few neighbors who are really into this exercise program at a local gym.  They invited a few of us over to try it.  Get us hooked so we'd join their gym.  It was fun to work out with a group, they actually partnered us up & you split the exercises that you're supposed to do with your partner.  While you're doing your part of the excercise, your partner rests & vice versa.  We finished, & I do have to say that when we were done I felt sick!  It was definately from the workout.  I've never felt that way after working out & did not like it at all!! Creag said he felt the same way. It was very strange.  It did us both in so much that we had to lay down for about 2 hrs to recover.  I'm extremely sore today!  My leg muscles are so tight & sore that I can barely sit down.  That's good though, right?    After we felt a little better on Sunday, we headed out to meet up with some friends & took them out on the boat.  We anchored out by Riverbend for 3 or 4 hrs & then headed to Paul Brown Stadium to listen to the Tim McGraw/Kenny Chesney concert.  On our way to the concert though, it was looking really, really dark so we stopped off for dinner to make sure that we didn't get hit with rain & wind.  I'm glad that we decided to stop, because as soon as we docked the wind picked up & shortly after the rain hit.  It didn't last too long though.  It cleared up & we were able to head to the stadium to listen to the concert.  It was so awesome to hear both Tim & Kenny & we could hear the music very well.  It was awesome.  It was also so relaxing to sit on the water, drink my beer (that did not cost 8.00) talk with friends & cuddle with my husband while singing along to songs that I listened to in H.S. & still listen to today.  It was the perfect night.

We have another busy week planned.  I have to make a pasta salad tonight for a party tomorrow and I'm so tired I don't know how I'm going to do it!!  I'm very excited to get the kids back tomorrow & celebrate the 4th (on the 3rd) with our neighbors.  This weekend we're heading to our cabin on the River to celebrate the 4th with family & some friends and I cannot wait!  Loving life right now:)

XOXO,

Jess  







Thursday Randoms

 We went out on the boat again last night with Michael, Fessler & his girlfriend.  Is it bad that I don't remember her name?  WHOOPS!  We tried to listen to the music from Party In the Park, but once again there were DB's on a wake board boat ruined it for us.  We left with headaches & a thankfullenss that I can act my own age.  We stopped at Hooters for some late night wings & fried pickles. 

I slept in a little late today & was a tad bit late for work.  I felt really lazy, but cuddling in bed with Creag a little longer was totally worth it.  I haven't been outside since I've been to work today, so I don't know if it's as hot as they're saying it is.  The high today is 103!!  This chica is heading to the pool after work.  I really need to get the 2nd book of The Hunger Games for these type of evenings.

 

I'm also planning on making a cake tonight for my brothers birthday tomorrow.

It's called Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Pound Cake & it looks phenomonal!

We'll be heading to Dayton after work to go out to dinner with my family & celebrate.

Billy (my kids dad) will be dropping my kids off at my parents early, so I'm looking forward to seeing them.  After dinner, we plan on heading out for a few adult bevy's while my parents babysit.

Skylar's room is almost finished.  I really hope she likes it.  I've put a lot of thought & work into it.

(even drew it out on paper)

My hope is that I won't have to change it again.  It's still young & spunky, but I think she can grow into it also.  The boys room will be next!

We have a lot of plans for the 3rd & 4th and the weekend after the 4th.  I  can't wait to celebrate this amazing country that we live in & spend time with the ones that I love.  Plus I have a few recipes that I want to try. 

Last but most importantly, I really want to try to stay more positive.  Have a better outlook on life.  Show my kids, family & friends how much I really do love them.  Walk the kids to the park.  Actually stay awake & watch a movie that Creag & I start.  I feel like I don't do enough.  I want to be better! 

Nachos & Baseball

On Monday night, we had dinner at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar.

It was my first time there & I have to be honest, it really wasn't what I expected.

I wanted my beer in a mason jar or solo cup & unfortunately it came out in the bottle...

Really Toby?

The music wasn't the upbeat - redneck country that I was hoping for either.

Oh well 'tis is life, right?

The food & service was just ok.

The nachos came out with what I think was shredded canned chicken.

BUT, they had baked beans on them!

Say whaaaaa?

It was really good, and whoever thought of this is brilliant.

After we ate, we headed to the ballpark for the game.

The weather was good & the Reds won!

I finished off the night with a bowl of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream in my P.J.'s

No complaints here!

Happy Monday!

Well Monday's here, & it's officially time to start the work week once again.

BOO!

I had a semi-productive, FUN weekend.

Friday night I picked up the kids & met Creag & Sammie at Manhattan Harbour.  (Manhattan Harbour is the local marina where we finally decided to keep our boat this summer)  We launched the boat, filled the tank & headed out for the evening.

My goal is to turn the kids into River Rats just like I was growing up!

I think it's working;)

It was so hot on Friday.  I want to say mid 90's, so it was a perfect night to be on the water.

The Reds were in town, so we headed up River to watch  listen to the game.

First though, we made a pit stop at Hooters to pick up Uncle Michael.

 

I just love the views of the River from a boat. 
I am seriously at peace.

Unfortunately the Reds couldn't pull off a win, but the Fireworks after the game made up for it! 

This was the first time that we took the kids out for a Reds Fireworks Friday & they absolutely loved it.

We ended up getting home late Friday.  Around 1:30am, so we all slept in on Saturday morning!

THANK THE LORD!

Saturday afternoon was spent cleaning & doing yard work.

After feeling all accomplished, I made a trip to the store to pick up a few things for dinner & bought the ingredients to make a drink that I had read about...

CHERRY BERRY MARGARITAS

1 frozen concentrate limeaid

12 oz Corona

12 oz tequila

12 oz cherry 7-Up (I used Diet)

Salt for rim

Garnish with lime & cherries

It was so good.  I had it with chips & salsa on the deck while I waited for dinner to come off of the smoker.

We devoured the chips & salsa haha!

Shortly after that dinner was ready!!

 Let me just tell you, one of the reasons I married my husband is because the man can cook!! 

NO LIE.

Sausage, Potato's, onion, red pepper, corn on the cob on the smoker...yes please!

After dinner, Creag surprised us with dessert.

We named them:

SHIRLEY SHERBET'S

Rainbow Sherbet

Cherry 7-Up

Pinnacle Whipped Vodka (Skylar's was w/out this of course)

&

Whipped Cream

It was delish!

After dinner, dessert & clean up Creag took the kids out back to light off a few fireworks & then we played around in the front yard kicking around the ball & what not b4 it was time to get the kids to bed.



Sunday, we drove to Indiana to buy some more fireworks for the 4th!

 I have one excited husband & some pumped kiddos.

The 4th is Creag's favorite holiday so he always goes a little overboard on fireworks!

It's well worth it though.

That's just one of the baskets that we had!!

He told me that I should go to the car before he checked out to avoid a panic attack haha.

The weekend ended cuddling on the couch with Creag & getting caught up with True Blood on the DVR.

Today, I finally got up the neve to wear my new Bubble Necklace that I got off of E-Bay.

It's a really big necklace, so I wasn't sure about it but I think I pretty much love it!

They have them in other colors also & I may eventually add a few more to my collection. 

(I'm currently lusting over the red one)

Tonight is date night & we're heading to the Red's game.



Happy Monday!