GBO Cul de Sac Party

Saturday was the UT vs Florida game. We had our orange on ready to support and cheer our team. We had some friends over to watch the game on the projector. Put together football, wings and friends, we had a blast!

{I failed to get a picture when it was daylight, oops.} 

Game time! Here's our set up:

Bath time before the big game! 

Sunday after church we ate lunch with our friends Cole and Anna. Mac devoured the noodles. If you follow us on Instagram, you know he's quite the pasta fan... like his mama. 

Labor Day 2012

I have been so MIA these days. I think about blogging, I take pictures to share, and then life happens....

The day before we left we made a Target and Earthfare stop... and here's a 'mini me' who poses all on her own.

Our Labor Day was spent in the mountains- our new favorite getaway. We rented a large cabin for our family and friends. Unfortunately, people got sick last minute, and there were bedrooms that went untouched. :o/

Here's our view from the top floor of our cabin:

We used our Dollywood season passes, of course. LS was nervous to ride roller coasters this time. She gave in on the water rides, but she wouldn't ride the 'Blazing Fury.' The last time she rode it we sat in the front. I think it jerked her too much. 

We had a pizza dinner Saturday night. It's not a fulfilled trip to Mr. Gatti's without a stop to the game room.

  Sunday morning waiting for Dollywood

Our friends Brandon, Becca, Maggie and Logan joined us Sunday morning at Dollywood. We spent the day there until the rain storm forced us out of the park.  

 Ready for dinner at The Old Mill with Uncle Jeff

 

Waiting for dinner... we fed the ducks.

 We were so starved I'm not sure how we mustered a smile, hehe. 

Monday we all went to Splash Country. It was such a fun time {once I went on the first water slide... I have a thing with water parks...}Lilly Scott, however, didn't bat an eye at going on every slide she was able to ride! And of course, Jordan was right behind her.
Ready for next year's new ride!

That's our Labor Day 2012 story! 

as always,

ashley

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

The change of weather has sparked my love for soup. Saturday was rainy, Jordan worked and my mom was in town. What better dinner than a family favorite- creamy tomato basil soup! I can't take credit for this recipe, it belongs to Adrianne. I have made this soup several times, and it is always a hit.

{I double the recipe to get a few leftovers worth.} 

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

2 cans of chicken broth

2 big cans of crushed tomatoes

2 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup fresh basil

bit of sugar

{to take out the bitterness of all the tomatoes}

Mix all of the above and let simmer until flavors combine

Before serving, pour in 8 oz heavy whipping cream

and melt 1-2 stick(s) of butter

YUMM!

I serve this with grilled cheeses, but Adrianne suggested stuffed crescent rolls:

Roll 1/2 of a string cheese in a crescent roll

Bake according to crescent roll directions

Brush with butter once removed from the oven before serving

Do you have any soup recipes we should try?? 

-ashley

For Sale!

I am clearing out clothes that are too small {sniff sniff}... And I'm putting them up for sale! I have NO idea how this will go, but this is way easier than trying to put them in a consignment sale. I have a lot of coordinating things and a few individuals- some brand new, some slightly used. 

Comment below if you're interested! 

Happy shopping!

Corky's Kids 6/9 month romper- New with tags 

$20 shipped

 Rosalina 9m romper- New with tags

$20 shipped
SOLD

Catamini 9m shirt and shorts- New with tags

$30 shipped.

SOLD

 {back of previous outfit}

Corky's Kids 6/9 month romper- New with tags

$20 shipped

Little Threads 9m dress/top with bloomers- New with tags

$26 shipped.
SOLD

Petite Pomme 12 month dress with bloomers, pictured here.  

$18 shipped

SOLD

Chez Ami jon jon

$12 shipped

Bailey Boys 12 month outfits.

Boys is reversible, see next pic.

$50 shipped

Old Navy 6-12 month playsuits.

$15 shipped

Petite Pomme 9/12 month coordinating outfits.

$32 shipped

Petite Pomme 9/12 month coordinating outfits.

$32 shipped

Remember Nguyen 9 month gender neutral bubble, monogram "M"

$18 shipped

Remember Nguyen 9 month bubble, monogram "P"

$18 shipped

SOLD

Petite Pomme 12 month coordinating outfits.

$32 shipped

If you are interested, comment below or email me. I can send more pictures or information. 

Happy Friday!

-ashley

GIVEAWAY Winner!

I didn't do the rafflecopter thing right, and so I used random.com to generate the numbers and give us a winner! It is....

Number 6 entry is Jessica Dixon! 

Please email April {cuddlebuggifts@gmail.com} and let her know what you would like :o)

Thank you for participating and sharing! I will look for another giveaway opportunity! 

-ashley

THE First Birthday Party!!

The giveaway post is still up and the giveaway is open for entries until Thursday!
Click HERE for the post.

Well, friends, here it is!! I haven't stopped looking at pictures all week, and I finally have our CD of images from Studio D Photography! I am SO excited to share with you! I am a huge first birthday bash fan, and we can say we did it! Lilly Scott had a super first birthday, and so did Mac and Paisley.
We are blessed to have had such assistance in planning and executing the best birthday I could've imagined! I put together a lot of the decor from PDF files sent by Joanne at Oh Goodie Designs. Joanne made the banners, straw flags, party hats and cake toppers.
Mac and Paisley's outfits were made by April at Cuddle Bug Gifts. She does amazing work, and I trusted her with making two very special outfits for us :o) She even made LS a matching dress.
Leslie, Sarah, Carsen, Bailey and Ashley- thank you SO much for helping me get party stuff put together! To all of the incredible family and friends who came to help us set up- we know who you are- thank you, thank you!
We also want to thank those of you who have been a part of such an incredible year.
We included those who have played such a role in our lives at the party, and we are blessed by you.
Now for the fun stuff~
Party time!!



Here's the invitation. I had to take a picture of the invitation in a frame so the colors don't look as vibrant as they are in person. 

 Annnnd welcome to our party!

The dessert buffet table

 Every month's birthday picture hung on a banner over the dessert table.

We served sparkling pineapple lemonade and chilled bottled water.

 It's about details, my friends :o)
Top left: I printed pictures from throughout the year and hung them from clothespins that I spray painted white and decorated with a cup cake topper cut out.
Bottom left: Gift table with an enlarged and framed invitation
Center: Balloons! So fun.
Right: Centerpieces- a pinwheel in a mason jar with Eurofloras and carnations.

The weather was very pretty, and who can pass up a snow cone in August??

I made the tissue poms, and the white lanterns were from Luna Bazaar.

"Happy Birthday" banner over the gift table

Our Paisley Grace

Our Mac Man

Family and Friends

Funny faces!

Smash Cakes!!

Taste test!

Guess who quickly became a fan???

P was too excited {or distracted} to eat up. She was more worried about the icing on her hands... From the one who uses 8493 napkins a day, it must be genetic.  

 I made collages of my favorite smash cake moments :o)

And the paparazzi-

 Thanks for 'coming to our party'!



-ashley