(Quick) Trip to Nashville

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Nashville, where we attended the wedding of a friend.

Simon sharing with Nella.

The Cha Cha Slide.

Friends reunited.

Wiped out.


Upcoming travels:
June 27-28, Champaign, IL.
July 3-5, Lake of Egypt, Marion, IL.
July 11-18, Orange Beach, AL.
August 8-9, Chicago, IL.

Also, Caleb has finished his last on-campus class! He'll take one online class in the fall before graduation in December, hooray!

Weekend Trip to Marion

This past weekend Nella and I took a trip to Marion for my nephew Marley's 1st birthday party. We had a wonderful time visiting with family. Here are a few photos from our trip.

This Radio Flyer car was a huge hit with Nella. She wanted to play in it all day, everyday.

She just loves toy cars with doors that open. She will climb in, close the door, climb out, close the door . . . over and over and over again.

Sharing a ride with cousin Marley.

My sister Haley (Aunt Juicy) polished Nella's toenails. Nella was so intrigued.

My cousin Jeff from Albuquerque, NM came to the party.

Just for fun!

Birthday cake time!

Nella just LOVES bubbles! She calls them buh-buhs.

Nana helped her pop the buh-buhs.

You can find more photos from our trip posted on facebook or in a Picassa web album, here.

Pregnancy Update - 23 Weeks

Profile. 23 weeks.

Two weeks ago, it was confirmed that Silas had SUA, that is, Single Umbilical Artery, or what is commonly referred to as a 2-Vessel Cord. This doesn't always indicate problems, but has been linked to developmental problems. So, as a standard procedure, I had a level 2 ultrasound today to double check everything and make sure baby boy is growing as he should. He is right on track! The doctor didn't find any problems at this point and doesn't expect any major problems, but they will continue to monitor Silas' growth throughout the remainder of the pregnancy. So, we'll get to 'see' him often, and hopefully have plenty of neat pictures to share. They did try to get a few 3D pictures, but the boy was squirming all over, so they had some trouble getting a clear image. These are still pretty neat.

This is a side view of his face

Here's his profile. He has his little fist up by his face.

Thank you, praying friends. We appreciate your prayers for our growing family.

Chicken Milano

With this (simple!) recipe quickly becoming a family favorite, I decided to share it with you. It's as tasty as Macaroni Grill's, but without the $11.50 per serving price tag (and the mushrooms. Yuck)

Ingredients:

8 oz bowtie pasta
1 tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves, minced (Or more. When a recipe calls for 2, I usually add 4. Or 5. You can always add more garlic!)
½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp chopped fresh basil (don't use sweet basil)

Directions:
1. Heat the butter in a large sauce pan. Once melted, add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth. Simmer for about 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. (Um, if you don't know how to boil water and add pasta, you should probably get this book.)

3. Add the heavy cream to the mixture and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce thickens. That takes about 10-15 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in another pan, warm oil over medium heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and the inside is no longer pink. Add to the cream sauce.

5. Drain pasta and mix with the (delicious) cream sauce.

6. Finally, add the basil and mix it all together.

Mmmmmmm. Enjoy!

Nella's Trip to the "Toy Store"

Well, the 'toy store' was actually just Lifeway on campus at the seminary. But to Nella, it was as awesome as any toy store! We took her to the back to look at the children's books. We thought she'd run right to the huge TV playing Veggie Tales, but she didn't. She did, however, run right to a pink princess play set! Such a little girl! Naturally drawn to a plaything that reinforces something she already believes; that the world revolves around her and everyone is here to serve her!

Then she spotted the princess scepter! While we'll obviously teach Nella that Christ taught that true greatness means to be the servant of all, I think it's ok that she'll like to play with pretty, pink, princessy things.

Next she discovered the Dr. Mohler bobble head. What fun!

Perhaps you'd like one for yourself! Perhaps you'd rather have that C. H. Spurgeon painting.

Church Dress

This adorable dress has done some traveling. I believe it started here (a true southerner!), then was passed here (to some midwesterners!) until it was handed down to us. That makes this sweet smocked dress even sweeter! We'll pass it along too. Anyway, here are some pictures of Nella before church this morning.

Strollin' Into The 15th Month

Our sweet little Nella girl will be 15 months old tomorrow. She is becoming a true toddler. She loves playing with her baby, looking at photo albums, carrying purses, and climbing all over daddy. She does not, however, love eating anything except for oatmeal muffins, hot dogs, Kix cereal, or cheese. Mealtime is quite a battle lately and mommy is very ready to see this stage pass soon. Hopefully it is only a stage! Somebody please tell me it is only a stage! Also, she is just starting to talk, or at least trying to say words, and will just chatter like crazy (which is adorable).

In other news, Caleb just finished his Spring semester and is preparing for his Summer classes. After this June, he'll only have 1 class left and will graduate in December! He'll have earned his degree in just 2 1/2 years and I am so very proud of all his hard work.

As for me, I'm almost halfway through the pregnancy (20 wks on 5-11). I am feeling mostly good, just tired and a bit like this:


Also, we have named our son Silas.
(Middle name TBD)