Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.

This past weekend my cousin offered to take some photos for us at the pumpkin patch. Of course we jumped at the chance, because who doesn't love fall photos. Here are a few from our fabulous mini session.

 My sweet sweet man.

 Look at that growing bump! YES!

 This picture is so typical of us.

 I am so in love with this man.

My favorite.

The Good Life

Life has been beyond fabulous lately, and I am feeling extremely blessed. This past weekend was particularly amazing. We spent lots of time snuggling on the couch watching movies, there was a bonfire with friends, great food, pumpkin picking, cute fall pictures, and nursery progress! Ahh, I love love loved this weekend.

Today we got to see sweet Miss Sassy Pants again. She was just as sweet as ever up on the screen. Growing perfectly, and right on schedule. I have to admit that I was  hoping she would show up a little big so we could push her due date up, I'm very anxious to meet this girl! She was a little uncooperative when the doctor tried to get a good picture of her heart. And when the doctor tried to turn her over, she just flipped on her head and gave me a big kick! Apparently she is inheriting quite a few traits from her mommy already :0) But we get an extra ultrasound out of the deal!

Also, it's Music Monday! I leave you with the new Coldplay song which is getting lots of play time in our house lately.

xoxo

Heels Over Head

Why is it that people always say "I'm head over heels in love"? I feel like that doesnt exactly make sense, we walk around every day with our head over our heels. When I think about love I think about the way I feel with regards to Stephen, the dizzying, all encompassing, completely consuming, mind numbing love. Love that would make more sense if referred to as "heels over head". Every day I fall more in love with my husband, but seeing him fall more in love with our baby (aka my growing belly) just completely melts my heart. I am teary just thinking about it. Today he felt the baby roll, and the way my husband's face lit up was the exact same face that I saw when I walked down the aisle, the same face a little kid makes coming down the stairs on Christmas morning. My husband is not only an amazing husband, but he is already an amazing daddy. He provides for us, he loves us, he prays for us, he makes us laugh, he is our everything. I am one blessed lady.

Feeling Rested

This past weekend we took a little getaway up to the mountains in Charlottesville. We've been doing this for the past two years, but this year the getaway was much needed. Fall is so beautiful up there because the world just lights up with color, you can't help but be awed by the beauty around you.

We had super fun friends with us, and spent the whole weekend laughing & relaxing. Needless to say we came home feeling very refreshed!

While we were up there Stephen and I took dinner duty the first night, and our friends went crazy for my artichoke bread. I figured I would share the recipe!

Dont forget to check out the Erin Condren giveaway over on my other blog Pigtails & Pacifiers

Artichoke Bread

Ingredients:
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
2 green onions (sliced)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese (room temperature)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mozzarella (grated)
1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
1 loaf Italian bread (sliced in half lengthwise)

Directions:
1. Mix the artichoke hearts, green onions, garlic, cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano reserving some of the cheese.
2. Hollow 1/2 an inch out of the center of both halves of the bread.
3. Spread the mixture into the hole in the bread slices and top with the reserved cheese.
4. Bake in a preheated 350F oven covered in foil for 20 minutes.
5. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Giveaway

I have a giveaway going on over at the baby blog! heavensenthunleys.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check it out and send your friends!

Oh Happy Day!

Yesterday was a very, very long day of work. The first day back to school is always a long day after a three day weekend, but we survived. After studying some Shakespeare with my big kids, I watched my little ones until ten. Needless to say I was one tired mama-to-be when I got home. Then I spotted my package, the very package that I have been anxiously awaiting for a week and a half. The kind of package where you run to check the mail. And today was the day. Today my Erin Condren planner arrived!

How can you not be excited looking at this box? I may or may not have done a drum roll as I opened it up. Ok I totally did the drum roll! Nerd alert or not, I was super excited!

And look at what you see when you open your little box. It was like a miniature Christmas.

There she is, It's Miss America!

I love love love her. She's going to have a name, we just havent gotten that far yet. I stayed up until 12:30 working on transfering info into her, and this morning my excitement hasnt faltered even a tiny bit.

So let's get down to the good stuff. What's inside you ask?

There are tabs for each month, which I have to say is an amazing feature. I always hated having to flip and flip and flip pages to find a particular date. Also, EC includes a little clippie to hold your page. Very convenient!

This is what your typical "day" spread looks like. It is split into three sections: morning, day, and night. Also over to the side there is a space for notes such as "goals" and "to do". Also, the first page of the month (the one the tab is on) is a full look at the month, with little boxes where you can write any major events for the day.

There's a double sided folder page where you can insert any important papers that you need to carry with you.

Color coded pre-labeled and non-labeled stickers. Some even say "massage", hello like I need any more motivation!

And the very important zipper pouch. Which by the way came with goodies. The personalized labels, some let's get together cards, and some coupons! Who doesnt love coupons?

What was that stuff when you first opened the box?

Oh just some more extra goodies! A $10 off coupon, and some more labels for every occasion (Christmas, Birthdays, and just because).

I have to say, so far I LOVE my EC planner. I am a highly organized lady and it seems like EC has thought out just about everything that one would need. Now I need to go use my coupon and order the matching address book!



Baby it's cold outside

Fall has officially arrived in VA, and I have to say that it is might chilly the past few days. Not that I'm complaining, because fall is my favorite season, it just kinda snuck up on us. I had two blankets on me last night, and I foresee a fire in our very near future :0) I love being cozy. In honor of the cooler weather I plan on making soup a few times a week. Tonight is the first night. I'm making yummy Queso-Broccoli Potato Chowder. How fatty delicious does that sound?!? Here's the recipe:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 3 poblano peppers, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 (20-oz.) package refrigerated Southwestern-style hash brown potatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 (14-oz.) cans low-sodium fat-free chicken broth
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 cup (4 oz.) freshly shredded monterey jack cheese
• 1 cup (4 oz.) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 (12-oz.) package fresh broccoli florets

Preparation

• 1. Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; add bell pepper and next 3 ingredients, and sauté 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add potatoes and cumin, and sauté 5 minutes or until browned and tender. Gradually stir in broth, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of Dutch oven. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes.
• 2. Whisk together flour and next 2 ingredients. Stir into potato mixture, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to low.
• 3. Add cheeses, and cook, stirring constantly, until cheeses melt and mixture is thoroughly heated.
• 4. Place broccoli in a 1-qt. microwave-safe glass bowl. Cover tightly with plastic wrap; fold back a small edge to allow steam to escape. Microwave at HIGH 3 to 4 1/2 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender, stirring after 2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Stir hot broccoli into chowder.

Breaking Baby News

Little Miss Brooklyn Grace will be here in March! We can't wait to meet our princess!