Sweater for Callie

Back in February, I posted a picture of the beginnings of a sweater I was knitting for Callie. Well, today I finally finished! And here's the end result:Unfortunately, I don't think it will still fit her by the time it gets cool enough to actually wear it out. Too bad, cause it ended up being so cute :)
Pattern found here.

25th B-day

Yesterday was my Birthday and that usually means that Braden has a secret day-trip planned. This year was no different. Braden took us to Bernheim Forest in Bardstown, Kentucky...well, I like to call it Bernheim "Forest"...emphasis on the quotation marks. I know what a forest is...like in Colorado or in the Smokies...it was more like a Busch's Wildlife (for my family and friends in MO)...too much open space to be a forest. Regardless of the discrepancy I have with the name, it was a beautiful park and there was plenty to see and do.

We "hiked" (is it really considered hiking if you can take a stroller with you?) several trails:...and checked out the "Tree Canopy" overlook...pretty fun stuff.
Bonus = working out on my Birthday...and being able to do it with two of my favorite people! :) Side note: If I would have known about this surprise trip in advance, I would totally have borrowed a baby carrier! haha! We had a great time regardless and I definitely want to go back this fall when the trees start to change color :)

On our way back to Louisville, we stopped by the Zappos outlet! What girl doesn't love a good shoe store...especially if the shoes are discounted!?! I (finally) found some heels to wear to my brother's wedding that is coming up in a few short weeks...and only spent $18.00!

The day ended with a late dinner of pizza (it's tradition to have pizza!) and a piece of cheesecake, Brownie Sundae, from Cheesecake Factory! Yum!

Side-story...my mom had given me a $75.00 giftcard to Cheesecake Factory last year and instead of using it to get a couple of nice meals out, we used every cent to go there at least a dozen times to get cheesecake! Mind you, I was pregnant and we would only get one piece at a time and split it...haha, yeah, that still doesn't make up for the fact that I ended up gaining 40 pounds during my pregnancy!

Overall, my 25th Birthday was splendid! Oh, and I didn't die from just typing 2 5! Ugh, yes I know it's not "old", but it's one year closer to 30...and 30 is old in my book.

Father's Day

Happy 1st Father's Day Braden!It's amazing to see how having Callie has really brought us even closer together...it may be because we cherish our "alone time" much more...or it may be that Callie just rounds us out as a little family...or maybe something else that I just can't put a finger on...but whatever it is, I'm thankful for my husband and father of my little girl. He's the best! He works so hard each week to provide for us and comes home each day excited to see his girls. On another note, Callie is now 7 months old. She's still as sweet as ever and I think she looks alot like her daddy and will take after his personality as well...but I'm sure we will soon find out. She is learning and growing as each day passes and I'm soaking it all in.

Nothing cuter....

...than a sleeping baby. Nothing will ever change that. :)

swing, swing, swing...

serious:serious:ok, now we're having fun:

Summer Sunning....

It's not summer yet, but it sure feels like it outside!

I'm not complaining though...at least not yet! :) The diapers are hanging out to dry, baby is in the crib napping, and I'm going to go eat a popsicle. Hope you're having a lovely day! :)

Fish Hat

When I saw the pattern for this hat I immediately started working on it! It's hilarious and super cute when finished. It's too warm outside for her to wear it out now...but hopefully I made it big enough so that it'll still fit her this fall. It was a fun, easy pattern so I'm sure I'll be making more...I wonder what the grandparents will think ;) Pattern found here.
If you have Ravelry, the adaption I used (so that it would be small enough) is found here.

Sittin' Up

My baby girl, now 6 months old (as of the 13th), has started sitting up on her own this past week. She's so proud of herself...and of course, I am too:

Cards Game

Over the weekend we went to Cincinnati to watch the Cards play against the Reds with Braden's parents and brothers. Callie's first Cardinals game (her shirt reads: "We want a pitcher, not a belly itcher"):

SWI Graduation

Last semester I completed all of the requirements of the Seminary Wives Institute (SWI) to obtain a Certificate in Ministry Studies. Last Friday I, along with twelve other women, walked in the graduation ceremony for Boyce College to receive our certificates:
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in such a wonderful program which I began when we first moved to Louisville in the Fall of 2007. I was excited to take part in a program that effectively taught the same biblical principals that my husband was learning in his classes at the seminary. I was also happy to meet other women who were in the same circumstance as me...recently moved from another state, away from family and friends, getting acquainted with the new city, etc.

The things that I learned from my time in SWI has helped further my walk with the Lord and my relationship with my husband. It also taught me valuable skills that will possibly one day help in my effectiveness as a ministry wife. I am thankful for the godly leadership from the men and women who have taught each of the classes that I took.

1st Mother's Day

What's For Dinner?

I had everything I needed to make tacos for dinner the other night...tortillas, meat, cheddar, lettuce, tomatoes...EXCEPT I did not have any taco seasoning for the meat! I can't remember ever having plain ground beef in my tacos without taco seasoning! haha!...so I searched the internet for a "home-made taco seasoning" recipe....if it existed. Of course it existed!

Here ya go:
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. each ground cumin, garlic powder, paprika, powdered oregano and sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingredients together and stir into your cooked ground beef with some water. Presto! Perfect seasoning for some wonderful taco meat! :) I won't be buying the mix anymore. That's for sure.

P.S. Braden didn't even notice ;)

Another baby blanket

Frantically knitting this one for a baby that is due in less than 2 weeks! Hope i finish in time! :)Pattern found here.

No Bread Machine Needed

I just tried out a great bread recipe from Amy Furstenau's blog All That I Love. It's pretty great! I'm always on the look-out for a simple, "no bread machine required" recipe. So check it out if you're interested...I thought I'd pass it along cause I liked it so much!

image from all that i love

The best part about this recipe is that it makes 2 loaves. I sliced into one right after it came out of the oven and the other one I will probably toss in the freezer for later.

Recipe from here. Seen here.

Cupcake flags

Another idea I had for the shower I'm throwing for my soon-to-be sister-in-law:
Cupcake flags! I've seen them before and thought they'd be cute and very easy to make myself with scrapbook paper, glue, and toothpicks.Yep. Super easy, and will look great atop yummy cupcakes!