Swimming Fun

This weekend we are spending the weekend up at Lake Kampeska in Watertown at the inlaws cabin. In preparation for some (hopefully) nice weather, I thought I would share some pool pictures.

                                                                  More "Cowboy Noodle"

Layne loves swimming in the pool. Last week we went swimming every evening!! So much fun!

"I'm going to get you, Daddy!" Layne and Matt were having a water fight with each other.  So cute!!

Have a great holiday weekend!!

Pinterest: Food Edition

I love Pinterest! One could say that I'm highly slightly addicted. One of my favorite things to pin on Pinterest is recipes. I love finding new things to cook for my family. I thought I would share some of the yummy recipes that I've made that have turned out amazing!!

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Anna on Pinterest

These are yummy!! It's like a french frie, mashed potato and baked potato all rolled into one! I love switching up the seasoning too. Such an easy delicious recipe!

Source: rhodesbread.com via Anna on Pinterest

This is delicious!  I usually add Johsonville Hot Italian Sausage to it. Everyone loves it!!

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Anna on Pinterest

This fruit salsa is to die for! I made it for Thanksgiving 2011 and it was AMAZING!! Layne would not eat it of course because he does not like strawberries. Everyone else that tried it loved it though!!

My Reading List

I love to read!! I just wish I had more time to do it!! Last year for  mother's day/ my birthday, Matt and Layne got me a Kindle. I absolutely love it!! While I mostly read only the books in the free section on the kindle, I've read some great ones in the past year.

Some of my favorites that I've read this year have been:

Three Girls and a Baby by Rachel Schurig- This is such a cute book. I can't wait to read the others that this author has written.

True North By Marie Force - I loved this book but it reminded me of a romance novel you'd pick up at a drug store or something.

One True Love by Barbara Freethy- I had never heard of Barbara Freethy until I found a couple of her books on Kindle. I loved them!! Such a good romance novel.

Ryan's Return by Barbara Freethy- This was another great book by Barbara Freethy. Loved it!!

The Help by Kathyrn Stockett- LOVED this book!! If you have not read this book, you must!! Now I need to see the movie!

I have a few books that I'm hoping to read soon. Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connely, The Pioneer Women by Ree Drummond, and Two Kisses for Maddie: A Memoir of Loss and Love by  Matt Logelin.

The next book I plan to read is Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith. I can't wait to read it Something about historical nonfiction and sci fi stuff mixed together intrigues me! I will definately post about it when I'm done reading it.

Is there any other books I should have on my reading list??

My Birthday

I had a great Birthday!! It was very relaxing which is exactly what I wanted!! Layne and I did a little shopping in the morning. Then we spent the afternoon in the pool because it was so hot outside!! For dinner, we went out to eat at with my parents at one of my favorite restaurants, Braccos. They have the most amazing nachos there. So Yummy!!!

                                                    

  Mommy and Layne in the car!!

                                                      Layne on his "cowboy noodle"

My parents spoiled me this year with presents. I could not believe it!! I got a cute centerpiece for our coffee table, Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 on DVD, and a gift card to AMaVo!! I can't wait to do a little shopping today!!

It's my Birthday and a busy weekend!

Today is my 26th Birthday! I can't believe that I am that old already!! Tonight we are going out to eat with my parents to celebrate. Can't think of a better way to celebrate than with yummy food at Bracco's. Layne is excited because we are going to eat outside on Braccos patio by the pond. He loves eating outside right now.

We have a busy weekend ahead. Tomorrow night we have a graduation party to go to and Matt's 10 year class reunion. Besides that we have work to do on our garage to finish it up. We almost have it all sheetrocked. Then comes the mudding, texturing, and painting!! Can't wait to have it all done!

Catepillar Fun

A couple of months ago, the local Catepillar dealership was having a Customer Appreciation breakfast to thank their customers. We went to this last year and we had a blast but we were not able to stay very long because Layne had swimming lessons. This year we didn't have anything going on so we definately were going!! Layne LOVES equipment. It doesn't matter if it is farm equipment or construction equipment, He loves it all!!

Daddy and Layne climbed in every piece of equipment they had out. They had a dozer, grader, roller, tractors, etc. Layne was so excited!!

Layne was trying to operate the forklift. He really wanted to drive it and even asked daddy to go find the key so he could start it! Silly boy!!

Catepillar had a huge breakfast with pancakes and eggs with ham. Layne loved eating breakfast in the shop with all the equipment. They handed out coloring books and foam dozers and tractors.

We all had a blast at Catepillar. We will defintely be going back next year!!

Long Overdue...

Time just seems to be moving way to fast for me!! I can't believe that it has been this long since I've blogged. So much has been going on that I thought I would share some of the highlights.

1. In October, we moved into our new house!! We absolutely love it!! We now live on over an acre of land in a rural residential developement. The house is so much bigger then our old house. Layne absolutely loves all the room to run around. He has also made friends with some of the neighbor kids!!

2. In February, we went to Arizona for a few days. Layne got to go on his first airplane ride. He loved it! He did so awesome too! Neither Matt or I had been to Arizona before but we all loved it. Such a beautiful state. We will definitely be going back there again!!

3. Currently, I am still doing daycare but I am looking for a change of pace. I love working with kids but I just need a little bit more adult interaction. I would love to be able to be a stay at home mom but unfortuately we just can't make that work right now. I'm hoping to find something soon!!

I've got a busy day planned today. I've got some cleaning, cooking, and laundry to take care of and then on to a nice fun and relaxing swim in the pool with an adorable little boy!!