The Busy Little Chef

I have to share some cute pictures of our little chef in action. 

She received a new apron and chef hat, as well as a big girl princess night gown, 

from Mema and Papa. 

Our little girl is quite the busy chef. 

"Ohhhh noooo!!!!! I forgot to add the eggs!!!!!"

Barking out orders to her sous chef, the beagle. 

Taking time to rock her babies in the middle of cooking. 

"It's okay, baby, I got you." 

That one episode where Josh and Addy make steak...

HAPPY 300th BLOG POST!!!!

Today's post is brought to you by Josh and Addy. 

Josh likes to find recipes every once in a while and try them out! I'm so proud of him for this. We've previously enjoyed his cinnamon rolls, bbq sauce, and bacon wrapped chicken. 

This time it's steak! 

Juicy

Tender

Steak

The recipe was inspired by Pioneer Woman

Naturally

with a few Josh additions...

They started with the steak on a baking sheet after thoroughly washing hands. 

 Addy watched as Josh added a few spices into a bowl for a dry rub: 

Garlic

Seasoning Salt

Pepper

Lemon Pepper

Red Pepper Flakes

 "Gently stir, Addy." 

 Then they "massaged" the steaks on both sides. 

Addy got a kick out of this. 

She wanted to rub the same steak over and over again. 

She loved that steak. 

So

Much. 

Then Daddy moved Addy's chair closer to the stove for the next step. 

He had preheated a large cast iron with both butter and olive oil.

Yum

Yum

Yum

Sizzle 

Sizzle 

The steak hit the pan. 

Now we wait. 

After a few minutes, flip. 

The result? 

Oh. 

My. 

Steak. 

SOOOOOOO SCRUMPTIOUS!! 

We may never eat steak on the grill again. 

Addy enjoyed her steak sooo much. 

She kept saying, "Mmmm Yummy." 

She wanted to dip it in applesauce. 

This girl and her sauce. 

Tune in next time when Josh and Addy wash their cars. 

Thanks for joining us. 

May the sizzling steak be with you. 

Adelynne Rose Turns Two!!!!

Two years has passed since Addy made her grand entrance into our world. 

Parenting has been such a huge humbling, joyful, crazy, intense life experience. 

Books can't tell you everything. 

Nor should they. 

Parenting has changed me, reorganized me and awakened in me a love for a little life that I can't put into words. 

I'm so thankful to have Josh to share this journey with. 

Talk about stretching. 

I try to make this blog more for us and our families and less for the multitudes. It's my way of documenting our times together that I don't want to forget or want Addy to forget. I have said many times that it's my form of scrapbooking that's waaaay cheaper for now. 

Naturally, it's hard to capture the moments where I want to pull my hair out as a mom, but trust me, if you always see kicks and giggles put out there by a parent about their kid, it's most definitely not always reality! 

I live in such a reality. 

These are such fun memories though, shared with Addy. 

We're figuring out this thing together. 

I'm so proud of her, for her brilliance, her tender heart to always want to learn and for her crazy sassy side (totally from her father, I might add...). 

Josh and I love our little girl. We know she is a miracle and a reflection of true beauty and love and creativity found in our God. 

We were so thrilled to find a used kitchen set for her for her 2nd birthday present. We couldn't afford a new one, but this one, after some wiping down, was fantastic and just right for her. 

She received a cute table and chairs set for her birthday as well! 

What fun it was to see her walk down the stairs on the morning of her birthday and literally dance around for joy with her new play set! 

A chef in her natural habitat: 

Addy's choice for her birthday breakfast: 

Sausage

Pancakes

Berry Sauce

Oranges

Party Prep:

We went with a farm animal theme for Addy's party. 

She is in love with farm animals, especially cows, pigs, horses, goats, chickens and sheep. 

I had a fun time trying to make the day special for her. 

Here's a few of the ideas:

I picked up a pack of old fashioned milk jars a local craft store and a pack of red and white straws to be little center pieces for our tables. I found cow print table cloths. 

I wrapped the green forks in orange napkins, giving the look of "fresh picked carrots" in the basket. 

We were expecting a large amount of people so I thought big bowls of potluck-picnic style food was best. Thanks to my mom and mother in law for helping provide the food and to our friend Beth for her spectacular farm animal cupcakes (see below). 

Menu: 

Fresh Pico de Gallo (tomatoes from our garden) and Tortilla Chips

Homemade Potato Salad

Crockpot Meatballs with a sweet and savory bbq sauce

Lemonade (served in a large mason jar jug)

Fruit Salad

Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Veggies and Hummus

Here's some pictures to capture her party! Thanks to all of the friends and family who made this such an amazing day for her!! We were very touched by all of the generosity! 

Addy and I were going for a farm girl look...

Playing "Pin the Tail on the Cow." 

Happy 2nd Birthday sweet little one...

We love you :-)