Pioneers Woman's Olive Cheese Bread

can of black olives chopped up
small jar of green olives chopped up
1 stick of butter softened
1 small onion cut really thin and diced
1/2 cup mayo
2 cups shredded mozzarella
loaf of italian bread

Mix everything together and spread all over some Italian bread that's been cut down the middle and bake in the oven at 325 for about 20-30 minutes! AMAZING GOODNESS!

Memorial Day Weekend

WOW - we had such a great weekend this year! Friday night we just stayed in and ordered up some pizza and watched a little Friday Night Lights. Saturday we hit up the pool, did a little grocery shopping, drank a few arnold palmers and I cooked up some baby back ribs and some coleslaw - ribs came out great! Sunday we were excited to hit up the Windermere Park BBQ - we got to meet so many cool families and the kids had such a blast running around with the tons of other kids! Monday we saw some of our new friends at the pool, we ate lunch up there and then we came home and had some bacon and cheddar sliders for dinner - it was off to bed early for everyone - we were all tired and needed a good nights sleep!

A special thanks to all the soldiers past and present who keep our country safe! Without you we may not get to enjoy nice holiday weekends like this!

Lake Lanier

Today we decided to finally hit up the beach at Lake Lanier, we packed a picnic lunch and the kids had SO much fun playing in the sand and the water! We will definitely visit again for sure!

Little Ballerina!

Alex and I couldn't be any prouder of or little girl - she loves her ballet class and tonight we go to attend her very 1st recital!!! She was super excited to have mommy do her nails and makeup and she got to were her special crown in her hair! Dylan's reaction was priceless - I think he was the proudest one of us all! He yelled and screamed "HI AJ" and "YAY" the whole time till Daddy had to take him into the hallway for a little break or the girls would have had a adorably cute blue eyed monster up on stage!

Celebrating #4 at School!

Today AJ got to celebrate her birthday a month early at school! She was so happy to get to celebrate with her new friends! I made cupcakes and the kids were so excited for me to read them a few stories and to get a special birthday treat!

Mother's Day at AJ's Preschool!

It was so nice to get to celebrate Mother's Day at AJ's preschool with a nice breakfast and lots of fun surprises from my AJ! I got a to wear a crown she made and recieved some other really special arts and crafts! She also made me a flower pot I will use forever - so beautiful!

Tomato Basil Soup

2 cans diced tomatoes
bunch of fresh basil
small onion diced
2 cloves of garlic diced
1/2 sick butter
milk
chicken broth
1 TBS whole wheat flour
pinch nutmeg
pinch cinnamon
2 tsp sugar
few hot pepper flakes
salt & pepper to taste

Melt 1 tsp butter in a pan and cook onion and garlic in it till soft. Put tomatoes, basil, cooked onions and garlic in food processor and blend till smooth. Put in pan, add sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, hot pepper flakes and s&p and cook over low-medium heat. In another pan melt 1 TBS butter and add 1 TBS flour to make a roux. Add in some milk and chicken broth and cook for about 15 minutes so the flour taste is gone. Add in 2 more TBS butter and mix till melted. Add the cooked roux to the tomato mix and stir. Let soup cook for about 1/2 hour and serve garnished with more fresh basil and some grated parm cheese!

Mother's Day 2011

I had such a nice Mother's Day! Alex, the kids and I went to church and then came home to relax a little before going to brunch at Lucianos! We had a great meal, a few drinks and then came home and relaxed more before going to bed! I missed my mom terribly today but I know she will be here on Thursday and I can't wait to see her - the wind beneath my wings!

Dylan, you are mammas baby boy for sure and always will be, thanks for showing me how fun (and terrifying) it is to mother a boy - I love my crazy and terrible toddler more then words! I can't ever really be mad at you - you have the most amazing smile, laugh and the bluest of blue eyes!

AJ you are the best most beautiful daughter in the world - it's amazing to me to have a best friend that I get to share the world with - you amaze each and every day! You are super smart and super gorgeous and have the most beautiful curly curls in your hair!

Thank you both for making my life crazy, amazing, fun and totally unpredictable!