Happy Valentines Day...

Justin and i have had notoriously bad Vdays since we were dating...

somehow, on the day, every year if we didn't have a reason to bicker, we'd find one.

i like to think we both put so much pressure on ourselves to make it "special" that we ended up destroying it instead.  for this reason, we decided to start celebrating early about 4 years ago.  since then it's been a dream.

of course, i got lovey little gifts for the babies and made a heart-shaped cookie cake for tonight's dessert, but as far as the hubs and i are concerned {with the exception of a couple extra smooches}, it's just another day ;)

anyway, here's a little glimpse into this years 

Valentines Day {and the day before} festivities...

first up {Feb 13th}, reservations at Chima's Brazilian Steakhouse!

if you haven't been, make this your next fancy date night! SO great!

 complete with one of their signature beverages... Brazilian limeade. uh, YUM!

 afterwards, more goodness awaited at Amelie's French Bakery!

today, i'm lovin' on my littlest Valentines! 

a tradition i started a couple years ago... vintage valentines!  they're cheaper and sweeter!

Ace and Belle love their new monkey friends!

 it's what's for dessert!

what are you doing to celebrate??  crafting, baking, romancing...?

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

easy peasy crockpot meals :: a couple of faves

we got a crockpot when we got married, but up until the past year or two, i've been intimidated by the thing... i've seen recipes floating around pinterest, heard friends exchanging theirs, even gotten a couple from my momma... but always thought, "it just CAN'T be that easy!"  well, in case you haven't found out for yourself, it is!!

and when the weather gets colder, there's nothin' better than a delicious aroma floating through the house all day and a hot meal ready at dinner time with little to no prep!

and for those of you with babies who tend to start fussing right around dinner time, it takes quite a load off to know that everything's practically ready!

these are some of our favorites ::

Southwest Chicken

4-5 frozen chicken breasts on the bottom of the pot

1 can of drained white corn

1 can of drained black beans {i use 2}

1 packet of McCormick's taco seasoning

1 160z jar of chunky salsa {don't use restaurant style, it's too watery}

give it a little stir

cook on low for 6-8 hours

about 15 min before you're ready to partake, pull apart the chicken with a fork

and stir in an 8oz block of cream cheese until melted.

you can eat it plain, scoop it up with tortilla chips, or {our fave} wrap it up burrito style with shredded cheddar!

Pesto Alfredo Meatballs

1 medium bag of frozen meatballs {we use ikea's swedish meatballs or turkey}

1 chopped green pepper

1/2 chopped onion

2 garlic cloves minced

1 16 oz jar of alfredo sauce

1/4 cup milk {pour this into empty alfredo jar and swish around before adding to the pot}

stir it up a bit

cook on low 6 hours

before serving, stir in a jar of pesto sauce and 1/2 cup shredded parmesan

serve over rice or pasta

Green Bean Chicken

layer these ingredients, don't stir.

4-5 thawed chicken breasts

1 can cream of mushroom soup

2 cans french style green beans

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 box stove top herb stuffing

cook on low 6-8 hours

happy day, y'all!

enjoy!

hello again.

January...

it came and went.

February is doing the same.

i've been wrapping my head around a few things lately and decided it was time for a short little blog vacation.

and now, i'm happy to be back.  i've missed it around here.

in the past month...

i made a couple resolutions. {a different post}

and cooked a LOT of crockpot meals. {yet another post}

and mostly, i loved on my family.

our third little bundle is on its way... one of those things i've been wrapping this head of mine around.  i'm nervous, i don't know why.

i've got this.  we want more than three.  Asa's almost 2 and that makes him a toddler.  he and Belle are gonna be chums. Bellamy's not consistently sleeping through the night yet, but she will soon. i have everything i need for a boy or girl now.  Asa will be potty trained {maybe}.

i've got this, right??

anyway, for the next 7 1/2 months, it's just the 4 of us.

we're gonna soak it up, appreciate every second, and get excited about this new little one!

since i've been gone...

we went to the park and spent 75% of our time outside in general... this weather?!

we loved on our babies and they loved on eachother

we celebrated J's big 2-9! @ Zink!

Asa {and momma} got puppy fever! ah!

there was some cousin lovin'!

we got a NEW RIDE!!!  minivan mom and proud!

we made our big reveal!  after a healthy ultrasound/heartbeat :)

J and i decided to spend some one on one time with the babes...

he took Ace to the circus and Belle and i headed to Super Target!  so good!

                               Asa's saying 'cheese' in this shot

so there you have it.

i'll be back tomorrow, with bells on.