Caroline's 1st Easter

Last year I went into labor on Easter, and Caroline just missed it by one day... but this year she was pure joy... and this year I am about a week behind in posting these pictures, but our little bunny was too adorable not to share :)

I took full advantage of Caroline not seeming to mind the bunny ears this year!

 We had lots of fun spending the day with cousin Gavin!

and with Gammy & Papa!

Happy Spring from our little family!

Fun {and Cute!} Vistors & Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

This cutie and his Mama and Daddy came for a visit last week. 

Man, it was so fun to catch up. Wish they didn't live all the way in Colorado... Work on that will you Katie!?

These two had fun playing together too!

Good friendships are so refreshing to my soul! Thanks for swinging by our tiny little town :)

While they were here I made these yummy brownies... and then I ate too many of them, and then I had to take them to Chick-fil-A. Whew, addictive!

Peanut Butter Brownie Bar Layer:
1/2 Cup Crisco
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/3 Cup Peanut Butter
1/2 tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1/4 Cup Milk
1 Cup Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Cup Quick Cook Oatmeal

Cream together Crisco, Sugars, Peanut Butter, Vanilla, Egg, and Milk. Whisk together dry ingredients and add to the sugar mix. Stir in the oatmeal and pour into a greased 13x9 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool completely.

Chocolate Icing:
2 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
3 Tbl Melted Butter
3 Tbl Boiling Water
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Mix Sugar & Cocoa. Stir in butter, water, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and spread over brownies.

White Drizzle Icing:
2 Tbl Melted Butter
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
3/4 tsp Milk

Heat butter in saucepan until golden. Mix with sugar and milk. Mix and drizzle over Chocolate icing.

Enjoy!

Crazy Springtime Snow Days

We have had quite a bit of snow for it to be MARCH in Virginia. There are still places with snow on the ground and Easter is in two days. Crazy. I am loathing winter, and the thought of continued chilly weather into next week make me cringe. :(

Most of these pictures are from our huge two foot snow back during the first week of March, which was Caroline's first real snow! Not sure how she felt about the whole experience, but she sure looked cute and stayed warm in her huge marshmallow suit!

 SO... funny story about large snows for me in Virginia. Jay ALWAYS happens to be in Atlanta. Yes, warm, sunny, HOT-Lanta. Me I am stuck at home in the snow with no snow shovel back in 2011 (read more about that fiasco here) and then this year with a baby and no power! (Thankfully my mom was here too or I might have really lost it and forbid jay from ever leaving a five mile radius during the months of October to May)

So, mark your calendars Augusta County, Virginia, next time Jay is scheduled to be in Atlanta, IT WILL SNOW. 

 Since Jay was away enduring the dreadful mild temperatures of Georgia, I was stuck shoveling the driveway all.by.myself. I asked Jay to call me his rockstar beast of a wife for a day. He obliged. 

How cute is she!?! Caroline definitely made our snow day much more fun!

NOW, COME ON SPRING!!!

Yay for 11 MONTHS!

So this girl is actually 11 1/2 months, but hey, I did get this post in before 12 months. Jay and I have been traveling the past 10 days, and I did manage to snap these pictures on her 11 month mark, but I didn't get them on the blog until we got back. (More on our amazing Costa Rica trip coming soon!)

ELEVEN MONTHS. One month short of a year. AHHH! I am remembering so many details about how I felt this time last year, and how anxious I was to meet this little girl growing in my belly... and meet her we did! No turning backnow, she has our hearts, and I am blessed beyond all measure to be her Mama and to spend so much time loving on her. 

 I fully recognize that I am biased, but seriously, she is gorgeous! 

And my biker bunny chick.. ha! She loves this motor cycle. There is a button it that she loves to push that says "Hey Baby!" and she giggles every time. Precious. 

 Caroline, you aren't quite walking yet, but you think about it, and can cover some serious ground on your bike or by holding onto furniture. 

You still are SO busy, and into exploring everything. You love to open and empty cabinets or baskets or drawers or suitcases. Just about anything that is new to you {or neatly organized!} 

 You have the best smile. And the best laugh. Your clapping is precious. Keys are your favorite ever. You have your own set that we carry everywhere. You also still love music and bounce or "dance" to anything that has even a tiny beat. 

 You love to eat, and are loving all foods that you can pick up yourself. You are sleeping great, and we are all glad that your third ear infection is behind you. YUCK. No more of those nasty things, okay? 

 Caroline, you love to be held and walked around to push buttons on the microwave or point out people in pictures on the fridge. You are SO observant. And you are a pure JOY to watch you learn. 

 You say "Ma Ma" and "Da Da" and "Ba Ba" (for Bella) appropriately and it is the greatest sound. 

 Thank you for such fun-filled days. Being your mommy is the better than anything I ever could have imagined. 

Keep up the good growing and learning sweet girl. You are so smart, and learning quickly. God is already shaping you into an amazing little girl. It is a joy to get to be a part of your story. We love you!