Wedding Weekend

On Saturday, Uncle Luke got married!!! We are so excited for Luke and Laura and had a great time this weekend catching up with old friends, seeing family, and celebrating Luke and Laura. As it turns out, I had a hard time getting pictures throughout the weekend when chasing after an over-tired, over-active toddler. (like I got only ONE of the newlyweds) Here's a few I got:

Tried to get a few before we left... we weren't too lucky.

Sweet bug before ceremony

We were at the church early enough that Amelia could walk around the whole church half a dozen times, play with nursery toys, and read a few books. With no nap and being up late the night before, she was great!

I am confident Granbo is using those M&Ms for some sort of bribery.

The lack of sleep did eventually catch up with Amelia. My parents took her home after the first reception so she could get some much needed sleep.

My bestest... Mrs. Addison!

It was a long weekend ... but great. Thankful for my new sister-in-law :) The weekend did, however, claim an innocent victim, and for the first time in her life, Amelia had a fever. We suspected something on Friday, she seemed just a little off. Saturday, again, just seemed tired, but we figured that should be expected, but when we picked her up from my parents house Saturday night ... she felt warm. Sunday morning, 102 degrees. UH-OH. SO she stayed home with Daddy while mommy went to church.

Besides a nasty cough, you wouldn't know she was sick ...

Hoping for a calmer Monday to finish this fever off.

Dinner party!

This past weekend we enjoyed some good food with some good friends at my very first dinner party. Sure I've had people over for dinner but this was a full, big, 4 course meal and it was SO FUN!

Originally there was 5 Couples (friends from church) invited but one sadly, couldn't make it. I spend most of the day friday and most of the Saturday cooking/baking. Just some pictures of the night. It was fun getting ready, setting up, planning, cooking, but the best part was enjoying with some great company ... thankful, so thankful, for the fellowship we have with them!

menu

Lets see... we rearranged furniture, got folding tables and borrowed folding chairs to make it happen, with the small place, I thought it turned out pretty nice.

Drink table. Water, wine, and fresh strawberry punch.

one tray of appetizers: tomato and gorgonzola pizzettes.

Salads: Gazpacho and Caesar

my new favorite way to make potatoes, crisy potato roast. Quick prep with an awesome mandolin

Main Dish: Beef Bourguignon... yes please!

Dessert (always my favorite) I couldn't decide on a few ideas so I made mini versions of all three and everyone could try all three: Blueberry Cheesecake with caramel sauce, Vanilla Bean cupcake with bittersweet chocolate frosting and a espresso chip, and finally strawberry and honey pie with Cardamom whipped cream.

And, of course, in perfect Katie fashion, I forgot to take pictures once the guest actually arrived. Got too busy and having too much fun! Can't wait to do it again!

Picture Post

playing outside in the FINALLY nice weather

a couple more wedding pictures (pic by Kelsey Bess)

(this is also Kelsey's)

the short time I got to be with my husband at the wedding reception.

Zoo day

Mom-Mom, she was excited to see the BABY giraffe!

Mothers Day

I had a great mother's day; church, cookout with family, playing and cuddletime with Amelia, and watching basketball with my husband. It was a great day to relax, enjoy the weather, reflect on motherhood, and celebrate my sister, my mom, and grandma. So thankful for a rich heritage of faithful, godly women.

Motherhood continues to be a blessing in my life. It continues to remind me to fall on my knees, to give over myself, my wants, my life, and my child's life to the One who demands it. OH, so joyful He is in control. We have been incredibly blessed by this child and I pray I can be a good steward of this gift.

Kisses for mommy

AHH! my awesome mother's day gift from James and Amelia. SO EXCITED about these. Let the Cooking begin!

Lunch with my family. and apparently I got a picture with my dad and not my mom for mothers day.

playing ball

talking to Papa

Reading before bed

5 things...

1. Our crazy weekend was primarily due to my best friend's wedding. I was the Matron of Honor and Amelia was the flower girl. There was so much going on and things to remember and nap schedules and so on I was thoroughly more stressed about this wedding than my own. But, it went beautifully, weather was good, Amelia took a nap between pictures and ceremony, and She walked down the aisle all by herself almost perfectly. She left her basket at the top of the aisle and slowly and gracefully walked down. It was a beautiful outside reception; seriously felt like something out of a movie. So excited for Mr and Mrs. Addison and looking forward to seeing how God uses them.

I tried to get a few pictures of my own. I am hoping the photographer got better ones. :) (which I am sure) Amelia had a cute headband that she refused to wear and every time I tried to put in on, she ripped it off, making crazy uncontrolled hair for the ceremony.... whoops.

With the bride...

She would have let Shaun, the groom, hold her all day if he could.

2. I think that we are finally slowing down over here and crazy schedules are ending... at least for a while. After wedding craziness and studying for tests, we are looking forward to some calm again. And maybe, just maybe ... weather that doesn't include rain!

3. I sent my BIL his last cookie of the month before he is done with school for the year. Butterscotch Brownies ... they were good, simple, quick, and did I mention, good? I would highly recommend them if you are sitting around on your couch, thinking about how much you want something sweet but don't have much or don't want to spend alot of time on something.... THIS recipe worked perfectly. I think it took like 5 minutes to put together and 20 to bake. I did add some butterscotch chips. love recipes that lend themselves nicely to change or add to something special. Try em!

4. Potty training update! There is a plan! We haven't pushed it much because when we first started by getting the potty, Amelia didn't seem super ready. So we waited and tried after a bit, but still, she didn't seem to care. So we've waited again, and now I have some new tactics after talking with friend/reading up some more. So, once we get through this month...(there are some special things going on this month like more weddings and vacation that I thought it was safer to wait) we will try again. No more diapers, and no going back.

5. Thinking this week about (and thankful for) a God who restores.

day by day and with each passing moment

strength I find, to meet my trials here;

trusting in my father's wise bestowment

I've no cause for worry or for fear

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure

Gives unto each day what He deems best

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure

Mingling toil with peace and rest.