Party # 2

 Saturday Nate and I had friends and family over for birthday party # 2. It was pretty laid back and we enjoyed getting to see friends and family. We started off with a wagon ride around the yard, courtesy of Aunt Laura.

 Yummy food

 Me and the birthday boy

After his "smash cake" demolition on Thursday, I knew he would enjoy the cupcakes.

 ...right down to the last bite!

 My mom and Andrew, after we changed his icing-covered clothes!

 Second wagon ride from my dad this time.

 

 Annie and sweet Lawson

 Annie, Heather and me (my teaching friends)

 It was such a fun weekend and we got to see lots of people we love. Couldn't ask for more!

More of Omi and Opaw's visit

 We went out to eat at Tony Boombozz pizza and it took all 4 of us to keep Drew occupied during dinner.  Sitting still is not his forte!

 Nate and his dad

 This picture cracks me up! Someone is not happy!

 Saturday morning we went to the park and the grandparents needed a phone picture.

Thanks, Omi and Opaw, for making the drive down! We wish you could come visit every weekend.

One Year Old!

 Well, this is a few days late, but happy first birthday Andrew! I can't believe my baby is one!
At one year old...

...he is trying to climb everything in sight.

 He loves to throw and roll his soccer ball around.

 He is into all sorts of mischief:)

But is so cute that I can't be mad for long!

 He loves the park

And being outside

And getting dressed these days is a challenge (so sometimes we just don't!)

And how he went from this...

....to this so quickly is beyond me! He has grown up so incredibly fast. 

Nate and I feel so blessed beyond words to be Andrew's parents. I know everyone with kids says that but it is true. Words can't express how much fun this year has been and how much we love our little guy. Happy birthday Andrew! We love you!

Party #1

How fun has this week been? So much fun! I think we managed to stretch out the celebrations for about 5 days and it's been great! We started Thursday when DeeDee and Darryl drove up and we did cake and presents.

DeeDee brought this classic push toy. Andrew's working on the whole walking thing so this was perfect.

Opening a gift from Omi and Opaw

My parents came by as well and he got a red wagon which has been a hit!

Attempt at a family photo in front of the birthday cake. Of course everyone is looking different directions!

And it's safe to say that someone liked his birthday cake. A lot.

We had to hose him (and the high chair) down afterward but it was worth it!

Snuggling with Omi before bed. One tired boy!

Wendell Berry and Bluegrass Music

...make for a perfect weekend! We started Friday evening eating pizza outside at Impellizeri's (best pizza in Louisville in my opinion). Andrew was distracted by the cars, trucks, people and bikes going by, which was good because going out to eat with an 11-month old is not exactly relaxing! However, he did great and even had his first bite of pizza.

Then we headed to the Kentucky Loves Mountains festival just down the road, where we were treated to bluegrass music and the highlight of the evening...

...Getting to hear Wendell Berry speak. As you can see, Drew was listening intently:)

As I've mentioned before on the blog, Berry is one of my favorite authors. I just finished The Memory of Old Jack (fiction) and Economics for a Renewed Commonwealth (essays about sustainable economics and land use...it may not sound thrilling but is in fact very interesting, I promise!) Wendell Berry is a humble, wise and thoughtful writer. I could go on more but you get the idea.

Saturday we spent the afternoon at Jefferson Memorial Forest for "Forest Days" festival (we were all about the festivals this weekend!) where we got to listen to hear several bluegrass bands. Drew loved the music too!

And while I spend the better part of our time there just trying to keep him on the blanket (he's a mover!)...

...I finally resorted to bribery with a teething biscuit that takes at least 20 minutes to eat. Hey, better a sticky cracker that is all over his face than the grass and leaves he was trying to consume!

Needless to say we were all ready for a nap by the time we left, but even if it takes a bit more juggling just to listen to music outside than it has in years past, having your kids there makes it even more worthwhile. It is so much fun just to watch Drew experience everything (music, spring, flowers, dogs, children, food) for the first time.  There will be quite a few "firsts" this summer (starting with his first birthday in just 2 days!!!) and I'm looking forward to watching him experience it all.

A Food Photographer I am not...

 You know those food websites and blogs that have perfect pictures of the finished product? This isn't one of those blogs:) But even though the picture isn't so great, the recipe most definitely is!

I was talking with three different friends this week about how we are always in a rut as to what to make for dinner. So I'm sharing a recipe that works for me since I certainly steal all sorts of recipe ideas from my friends (and perfect picture food blogs).

I can't remember when or where I found this one either but I'm sure it was either from friend or from my mother-in-law who is always making delicious food. Either way, it's good!

Enchilada Casserole

• 2-3 chicken breasts OR Rotisserie chicken from deli 
• 1 bag of shredded Monterrey Jack, cheddar or Mexican cheese
• minced garlic
• 1 can diced green chilis
• 1 can Rotel  (diced green chilis and tomatoes)
• 1/2 stick butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1 cup or half a container of sour cream
• 1 bag of tortilla shells
• 3 cups chicken broth (divided)
• Optional: diced green and red peppers
• can of black beans
• rice

Directions
--Tear up chicken (if you bought a Rotisserie, otherwise, cook chicken first) into a mixing bowl
--Put half a can of Rotel into it
--Pour half of the shredded cheese into it and mix up
--Saute minced garlic and peppers in olive oil for about 8 minutes and add this as well.

White Sauce
--In a saucepan, melt the butter
--Add the flour, 2 cups of chicken broth and the can of diced green chilis.
--Let it boil and thicken for a few minutes. Then remove from heat and add sour cream.
--Pour about 1/3 of white sauce in the bottom of a glass rectangular baking dish (spray first)

--Meanwhile, roll tortillas up with chicken mixture (divide it up as evenly as possible between all tortillas) and lay filled ones on top of white sauce
--Pour remaining white sauce on top
--Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top
--Bake for 40 minutes at 350

Side items of Rice and Beans
--Cook rice according to directions but substitute chicken broth for water and add the other half of the can of Rotel just to spice it up a bit. I also add a can of black beans and mix it all up. Serve on the side with the casserole.

 We had a pretty low key weekend. Friday was beautiful out so we ate outside at Q'doba. Andrew was easily entertained by a paper cup and watching the people, cars, dogs and bicycles passing by on Bardstown Road!

 Saturday we went to a cookout and to the park as well. He loves swinging and, as usual, is extremely interested in watching the other kids on the playground. I keep telling him that as soon as he starts walking he can jump right in and play!

 "Higher Dad!"

Sunday was rainy out so we had read lots and lots of books. When it's raining, it's tough to keep this kid entertained...He's definitely an outdoorsy boy and life is much easier when the sun is out!

It's May!

In Louisville, May translates to "Derby" and although we certainly didn't go (tickets are WAY expensive and I'm not about to attempt the infield) we did go to Tom's house to watch it with some friends. Drew sported his horse-hat for all of 5 seconds but seemed genuinely interested in watching the horses race. He's been very into animals lately and I think he'll love going to the zoo this summer and seeing them live and up close.

Aunt Laura stopped by the other day. She was able to actually get Andrew to eat dinner which is a miracle these days. He's been on a bit of a hunger strike and doesn't seem to understand that man cannot live on bananas alone. Laura, can you just come back every evening...please?

And speaking of food, we now have a small scale farm in our backyard. Nate has worked around the clock to get the beds tilled and we've weeded and planted till the sun's gone down, literally! This year we've got strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, grapes (not sure how those will do), zucchini, squash, 6 types of tomatoes, a variety of peppers, green beans, carrots, arugula, kale, and plenty of herbs...whew! That sounds like quite a lot but our goal is to try to live out of the garden as much as possible this summer and fall.

 I also have to commend Nate for his hard work in our yard besides just the vegetables...this was the side of our yard exactly a year ago....

...And here it is this year...much better! Nate is always good at seeing beyond the muddy, empty, unfinished business of our house and yard (unlike me!) and has worked so hard to make everything look nice. He even built us a rain barrel (you can see it there on the right) so we can water our plants freely.

 And of course, during all this outside activity, Drew has been enthralled watching Nate work. He tries to "prune" every tree, shrub or plant he can get his hands on and this includes the ones at the Garden Center...I have to watch him like a hawk to make sure we don't have make extra purchases that have lost a significant amount of their foliage!