Aspen Michael: My Little Swimmer

This winter Aspen & I took a 6 week baby swim class. Despite the poor guy shivering the whole time, he absolutely loved it. He scooped his arms and kicked his legs with the best of them. Swimming after the water toys with excitement. He even enjoyed blowing bubbles and kicking on his back. I think we have a natural on our hands ;)

Still Alice: A Movie Review

While Ryan was out of town, I treated myself to a movie. So many good ones to choose from right now but I settled on Still Alice as a recommendation from my mom. And I am so glad that I did.


Alice Howland (Julianne Moore) turned 50 with a celebratory dinner surrounded by family. A linguistics professor by day and a mother by nature, the brilliant woman begins to forget things here and there. But when she gets lost going for a run through campus, she starts to panic. Working with a neurologist soon exposes her fate...early onset Alzheimer's. As her mind fades away, her family comprised of husband John (Alec Baldwin), daughters Anna (Kate Bosworth) & Lydia (Kristen Stewart), and son Tom (Hunter Parrish) try to keep her in good spirits.

A story about love and family, loss and heartbreak. One that we can all relate to in some way.





**Bonus: Moore won a 2015 Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film.

Life Letters (February): Cooking (Part Three)

Freezer meals are genius. Honestly whoever invented them deserves a medal of some sort. I always make about 5 or 6 before I have a baby because who wants to cook when they have a newborn? Not this girl.

But sometimes, other than when I have a newborn, I don't feel like cooking ;) So to have a few options in the freezer that I can just pop into the crockpot and let simmer all day is music to my ears.

pre-labeled bags

all my meats

So over the weekend, I spent some time making freezer meals for the spring/summer when I am just too tired or busy to think about cooking for the family. I choose the following recipes because they seemed fairly easy, are things that we typically enjoy, and had a variety of tastes/flavors.

1. Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Casserole

2. Italian Chops

pork chops & Italian dressing...can't get any easier!

3. Teriyaki Chicken

4. Chicken Fajitas

5. Pot Roast & Veggies

And viola I have five freezer meals for future dinners :)

Adelaide Jane: My Little Dancer

My sweet baby girl had her first dance lesson over the weekend. She absolutely loved it from start to finish. She couldn't get enough of her leotard and "tutu". She refused to take off her ballet slippers and tap shoes the day before class. 

She is second from the left below...stretching on her heart mat. I was so impressed that she just gave me a huge hug and said "bye mommy" as I dropped her off!

It is hard to believe that she is getting so big so fast. It makes my heart happy and sad all at the same time!

Adelaide Jane is beautiful inside and outside. And I can't wait to see all of the amazing things she does in life!

Life Letters (February): Cooking (Part Two)

Friday, while Ryan was away, I hosted some friends for an appetizer swap party! Everything was beyond delicious and it was nice to be creative in a low-key setting.

I picked up these little wire baskets from Target for everyone to store their recipe cards in. And these adorable floral clipboards (from the $1 section!) to display the recipe of choice when cooking. I also grabbed some tupperware for all so that they could go home with a mixture of appetizers for the weekend.

I found these cute *free* recipe card printables on Pinterest and sent the link to the girls in the Evite. Because everything in a kitchen is essentially made with love :)

the kids table ;)

little apps for the kiddos

almond chicken bites

wonton chips

mexican dip

pear, prosciutto, & cheese bites

spanish tortilla

artichoke dip

goat cheese stuffed peppers

homemade meatballs

There was no need for dinner after scarfing down these amazing apps! It was also great to let the babies & kids play while the moms caught up and relaxed a bit. I really enjoyed hosting and look forward to having a dessert recipe swap in the future ;)