Scenes from the weekend...

Seven years ago today I married the love of my life, my best friend and partner in crime.

There is no one I would rather do life with.

B and I have enjoyed, experienced and endured so much through our seven years of marriage.

I have to say {and think he would agree} our two boys are our proudest accomplishments.

As much as we love them, we love time together just the two of us.

And that is exactly what we got this weekend.

We had the most amazing time.

Friday the grandparents arrived {thank you to my incredible in-laws!}, and B and I hit the road headed to the Smoky Mountains.

A cabin just the two us, lots of wine and the chance to just lounge around and rest soaking up all the incredible beauty around us.

I could not wait.

We stopped in Knoxville on the way for a yummy sushi dinner and took in the sights of the darling downtown area.

We did have to laugh at ourselves as we people watched and commented on how cute a family was or how cool their stroller was.

Oh yes, we are now that couple!

Made it to the cabin, and I cannot explain the feeling of calm and relaxation that took over.

No longer was I worried about how much milk I pumped or if G would take his nap.

I was so ready to just unwind and spend some intentional time with the man I love.

And that is exactly what we did.

Sipping good wine.

Watching TV that did not include Disney or Nick Jr.

Sleeping in as long as we wanted.

No schedule or agenda.

Lounging on the porch overlooking the most incredible view.

Napping on the couch.

Listening to a beautiful serenade by the best musician I know.

Talking, reminiscing and laughing like we haven't in years.

My heart was so full as we pulled out Sunday morning to head home.

This mama felt so rejuvenated and ready to see my boys.

Now I'll just have to remember that feeling during the next toddler tantrum or late night feeding...

Scarf Swap!

I just participated in Meredith's Scarf Swap for the first time. It was actually my first blogging swap of any kind. Oh what fun!

I got paired with the darling Shana of She the blog. She is just the best mama, wife, crafter, etc. Check out her fabulous blog and adorable little girl!

I have to say Shana nailed it! I absolutely love my scarf and have literally worn it just about every day since receiving it. Plus, the bangle was such an added bonus. Love me some gold! Thanks so much, Shana!!!

Scenes from the weekend...

I love that it is Wednesday and I'm just now getting around to posting "Scenes from the weekend..." 

I swear I have no time. 

Anyway, had to get these pics up because we enjoyed the best weekend.

Survived our first road trip as a family of four, as well as our first experience in a hotel as a family of four.

Note to self, we will not being staying in hotels with the two under two again anytime soon.

Ha!

B had a music festival in Atlanta Friday night he needed to attend so we packed up the boys Thursday afternoon and decided to make a trip of it.

G was not feeling the pack and play so we attempted a first for us.

We let him sleep in the bed...with us.

I don't understand how people do this.

G had a big ol' time playing and rolling around but needless to say we did not get much sleep.

I so thought Jude would be the one keeping us up, but he was a rockstar and only got up once!

Luckily the next morning we headed to the aquarium and watching G light up at the sights made up for our restless night.

B hit up the festival that afternoon so the boys and I hit up Ikea in an effort to not disturb the lovely hotel patrons anymore.

Ordered room service that night, watched plenty of Bubble Guppies and snuggled with our boys.

It was the perfect Friday night {oh, and we drank plenty of wine!}.

Headed home Saturday to catch up with G's godparents and our godson who were in town.

Pizza night and a zoo date made for a fun end to a lovely weekend with our family.

However, on tap for this weekend?

B and I are going away just the two of us!

Cannot wait!

Anywhere with a cart...

I go anywhere with a cart. That's my new mantra {thank you Megan for your wise words!}. Oh how life changes with "two under two." People keep asking me how we are doing, and we definitely have our hands full. I have been pleasantly surprised with how well things are going at home with George and Jude and our day to day routine. I am also so happy with how easy it is to take Jude places. He is so easy going and content in his carseat or snuggled up to me in the chest carrier. So while Jude is a cakewalk to get out and about, doing it with his older brother in tow is another story.

We ventured out to Target for our first outing with both boys while my mom was here and thought I would  never get out with the two of them again. Don't get me wrong, we survived. Jude in the chest carrier, George in the cart and Icees in hand. I don't make a regular habit of giving G treats like Icees but when out and about, it's survival mode. We do whatever works.

Sadly I am finding most of our outings have neither carts nor Icees. I swear the hardest part of having two under two is just getting in and out of the car and into our destination. Picking up G from Mothers Day Out is quite the sight. I just know I'm giving the other moms quite the laugh each day as I try to juggle the two babes, backpack, artwork, lunchbox, etc. I consider it quite the accomplishment when we get all loaded back in the car alive and well.

The way I see it though is you have to at least try. I refuse to sit back and just stay inside each day. What is the worst that can happen? One of them cries? I cry? Oh well! If people stare and comment on how I really have my hands full, I just respond with, "I know, I'm so blessed." It just may or may not be said in a passive aggressive, mind your own business kind of tone. Ha! I'm happy to report in the last few weeks the boys and I have conquered trips to the grocery store and Target all by ourselves. Now if only more places had carts...and Icees!

Scenes from the weekend...

Playing with the boys, 

enjoying quick naps when I could steal them, 

eating way too much candy corn,

enjoying cooler temps,

celebrating a friend's birthday with a fiesta,

and lounging around made for a perfect weekend.

Kid Tested, Mom Approved: Sneaky Muffins

I am so excited to be linking up with some lovely ladies in a fabulous new series, "Kid Tested, Mom Approved."

One of my favorite bloggers, Colleen, is hosting today, and I am loving the topic, "Family Friendly Food." If you're anything like me, it is so easy to get in a rut when it comes to food for our little ones.  Not going to lie, we've been eating a lot of frozen pizza around here lately. When I realized I couldn't remember the last time G had a vegetable, I figured I better fix it quick.

My little man loves him some carbs {he is just like his mama!}. Biscuits, donuts, muffins...he loves them all. So I took to Pinterest in hopes of finding a muffin recipe that snuck in some veggies. I found plenty of recipes, but they all involved way too many ingredients {and some I've never even heard of}. Not wanting to spend a fortune for a dash of this and smidge of that, and not having time to hand grate zucchinis, squash and carrots, I was beyond thrilled when I found this recipe. This mom is speaking my language when it comes to ease and love that she just uses baby food.

Sneaky Muffins

Ingredients:

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 6 oz jar baby food bananas {Earth's Best Stage 2}
• 6 oz jar baby food squash {Earth's Best Stage 2}
• 4 oz jar baby food carrots {Earth's Best Stage 2}
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup baby cereal {Earths’s Best Whole Grain}
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Grease 24 mini muffin cups or 12 standard muffin cups.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the bananas, squash, carrots and eggs. Stir in the flour, baby cereal, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt until just combined. Spoon the batter equally into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
Store at room temperature for up to two days or freeze.

They came out looking beautifully and smelling even better. Yet I knew the true test would be the little man. 

Not only did he inhale the first one, he proceeded to eat two more! I think we have found a winner.

So, what are your tried and true, family friendly recipes?

Scenes from the weekend...

Is it really already Monday?  I so love the weekends because B is home with us in the mornings which means he's on dad duty, and I can sleep!  Oh well, already counting down until Friday...Although it went by too fast, it was a weekend filled with fun. Kicked things off Friday night at the Tennessee State Fair.  I love me a fair.  Growing up the State Fair of Texas was a big deal, but for B, he's not so much into fairs.  Luckily we were able to twist his arm and go with some of our best friends. We definitely made the most of the food offerings {isn't that what the fair is all about?}, took in some pig races and watched the boys take on the midway. Sweet baby Jude just slept through the whole experience! Saturday the Bolton boys decided they did not want to nap {epic fail on my part} so while B played golf, we hit up the park with some more friends. Popsicles and park dates can salvage any day {well that and a good glass of wine}! Sunday B was the best and served nursery duty for us and then took G to the park so I could sleep. See why I love the weekends?