Lovely ladies...

This week has been busy but fun. On Monday, I finally got to get together with a friend named Erin and her little 4 month old girl, Kaylie. It was so good to get caught up and hold that little one. We also enjoyed some lattes and this coffee cake recipe I tried, and recommend!!
Today, I got to meet my blogging buddy and new friend Ellie and her family who were in Bremerton for the day. (might recognize her from running the Coffee and Diapers site) She was so sweet and brought cloth diaper supplies to show me which I am pondering on trying...thanks Ellie!! It was so great to make this connection...look forward to meeting again. She will be doing my sisters wedding pictures in February also!! Thanks to her husband, Steve, for the great lunch place....all you local folks try it out...Boston's deli and pizza on corner of Burwell by the ferry. A couple runs it and all the food is authentic...yummers!!

Tiny thing...

Angel is very petite. Her Aunty Megs has been her Hanna Andersson clothes supplier since birth. Recently a very cute outfit was received...however, the shirt is still big on her, so I decided to make it into somewhat of a dress / long shirt with leggings...aren't we stylish?? one day the pants will fit too!

More Soccer....

Last weekend, we went to Olympia (at least is was a shorted drive than Portland) to watch my sis play soccer...they won!! (And she had an assist). Here are some cute pics of Angel decked out in her Nike Shirt and ready to play ball!!

Angelica's Favorite Pic....

...I think becuase she likes that we are both wearing hats!!

New sidebar items...

Thanks Angie for these ideas....two new sidebar items:
1) Subscribe to this blog and you will receive emails when new posts have been made so you don't have to check daily....found right under the baby counter...
2) Ticker that shows abortion rate since start of Iraq War...I thought was very interesting...found all the way at bottom of right sidebar under music player.

Soccer times...

This past weekend we went to Portland to watch my sister play in two soccer games for her school, Concordia University. While I didn't do a great job at taking pics, here are a few to share!! You can read stats of all the games at this site. They won 7-0 and 1-0.

One fun ride....

Jason and Angel decided that a fun way to use her push cart was to make it into a fun ride. It was so funny to watch...Angel did it over and over again, too bad I couldn't get the whole ride on tape, but here are some pics and video to enjoy...gotta love our Thursday night entertainment...

Happy Birthday Alli!!

Hard to believe my youngest sis, Alli - the Broadway star, is 12 today!! Love you girl!! See you tonight!

Happy Birthday Beth!

I hope you have a great day today dear friend. Has it really been since my wedding that we last saw each other...wow...one day our kiddies will meet...miss you!!

All you local folks...

Come see my dad and sister in CSTOCK's production of Damn Yankees...opens this Friday!!

Toy Recalls...

Great link to see what toys and products have been recalled...

Free Museum Day...

On September 29th, many states offer free admission to certains museums...click here and then on your state to see where you can go for free!!

Books I recommend...

Today reminded me of a great book, if you haven't read: Let's Roll, by Lisa Beamer. Sad, but very beautiful.
Another one I just finished (thanks Sue) and loved is: Amazing Grace for Mothers. Laughed, cried and just a good end of the day read!

We Remember...

Today, we remember all those that were lost both on the planes and in the towers. We remember and pray for their loved ones left behind...We thank all those that helped in the search and recovery...We honor those soldiers that have passed for this cause, we rejoice in those that have returned home safely, and pray for those that are still fighting for our freedom and protection. Some people might be gone and events have passed, but they are never forgotten.

Great Soup Recipe...

Here is a delicious soup recipe...think I am going to use a lot of our fresh zucchini and freeze a couple batches. Thanks Sue for the recipe....Curried Zucchini Soup.

Congratulations Tom and Carrie

Friends, Tom and Carrie Herring, welcomed their new little Clare Marie into the world yesterday!! Mom and baby are doing well! Congratulations!!

Missing it already....

Well, the day finally came. I had been only nursing Angel girl at nights here for the last couple of weeks. And last night...we went without...I say "we" because I have grown accustomed to this part of our day as much as she had. I realize this is a natural part of babies growing up, but I already after one day miss that special connection, time and natural bonding that we shared. However, due to this pregnancy I didn't have much to offer anymore and my body is telling me to get ready for the next one. At least, I only have three more months to go!! So we enjoyed a little more snuggle and rocking time last night before bed and Angel went to bed just fine...it was mommy that is having the hard time adjusting...

Helping Papa with the watering...

Mamasan...We Miss & Love You

Hard to believe it has been two years....

New sidebar

Added fun baby countdown on right sidebar...still three months to go? AAHHH!

Feel better Aunty Megs

My sister has had major gum/teeth work done and is in a lot of pain. Megs we hope you feel better soon!!!

Aunt Caitlin, I'm ready to play!

Sporting her Nike wear, she was playing ball!!

(might have to pause the music on right side bar to hear again)

Cooking with Peaches tip...

For the cobbler listed in post below...I learned a totally EASY way to work with peaches. Forget all the time it took for peeling and slicing....now do this:
-throw peaches in boiling water for about 60 seconds
-then put right into cold water
-skins peel off so easily it is amazing....
-to slice, use an egg slicer to get super fast and perfect slices

I was so excited!!

Recipes to share

Had these last night and they are very yummy!!
Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Dish
Southern Peach Cobbler (so yummers with fresh peaches)

Fun time at the park....

Sorry to hear the video, you might have to pause the music playing....on the right side of screen towards bottom where music is listed, there is a pause button. Trying to figure out how to fix this.

Polls

Just trying out one of the new blogging features....polls. As you can see I put it on the sidebar right under our picture....we shall see how it works!

Recipes to Share

ok, since I haven't been very good about the Menu Plan Monday lately...I just want to share some good recipes I come across each week....from last week they are:
Marinated Pork Loin (I used tenderloin.....so good!!)
Broiled Baby Zucchini (always nice to use zucchini fresh from the garden)
Bruschetta (thanks mom for showing me how to make)
Rhubarb Icebox Dessert - so good!!

Happy 19th Anniversary Mom and Dad Hartsell

We miss you both and love you lots. Glad you were able to have a fun week off...send us pics of your trip!! Can't wait to see you in January hopefully!

Play time with dad...

This morning, Jason and Angel were laughing and as I turned around, this is what I saw.....apparently Angel thought it was quite funny to put on as many bibs as possible and then try on dad's shoes....forget all the toys she has laying around!!

Fun Day at Fair

We celebrated Mom's birthday by a fun day at the Kitsap County Fair!

Happy Birthday Mom & Grandma!!

We love you so very much and hope you have a great birthday. Looking forward to grilling your salmon, eating bruschetta, going to the fair and eating yummy Rhubarb dessert with you today!!

Bittersweet life lessons....

These past couple of weeks I have been feeling quite tired with the pregnancy and still nursing Angel, even though it has only been in the mornings and at nights. This last week, I noticed that my milk had dropped dramatically and then turned to colostrum (I guess which is a normal thing for this stage of my pregnancy). My body is already getting ready for the new little one. As I am about to start my third trimester here soon and considering the status of my milk supply, I decided that it was time to truly wean Angel off the nursing habit, which is what I think it is for her more now than anything and for comfort. So this morning was the first time I went without nursing my sweet little girl. I had to distract her when she wanted to nurse and yes, had some good tears over it as well. While I know this is all part of her growing up and me getting ready for another little one, it is hard to "let go" in a sense of such a special bond we have shared these past 16 months...so I think tonight I will still nurse and slowly wean MYSELF off of our special time and routine...

Congrats Captain Caitlin....

Alright sis, although I had to hear the news from mom (you need to call me)...CONGRATS on being nominated one of your college soccer team's Captains this year. You are a true leader and I am so proud of you!!

Cool Dude...

Angel was sporting her hat from Grandmaw H. today...she has started to like hats a bit more. Every time she sees hats now, she sings the Barney Silly Hat song...

Meme's Famous Chocolate Mousse

Made this last night....very yummy...for recipe click on picture!!

Our little singer...

The other night we were at my folks with some friends for dinner. My sister Alli got out the karaoke machine and the music started. At some point Angel decided she would give it a shot and started singing away...then would wait for the applause, laugh and start again...

24 Weeks and Feeling Good and Big Already....

Music....

I finally figured how to get the site to play music..hope you like...still working on finding songs I like...

Recipes to Share this week....

Today I made this Chocolate Zucchini Bread with our fresh zucchini from the garden...we have so much I am trying to find any recipes with zucchini to make. It is yummy!!

Last Sunday, I made this dessert....it was a hit. Thanks Linda for the recipe!!

All you moms......question!!

OK, so Angel has her first real diaper rash. We have always been able to get rid of little ones easily with Burt's Bees Diaper ointment, or Amolin, or Butt paste.......but this time nothing seems to be working. Even trying Desitin. Any magic cures for diaper rashes that you experienced moms have found??

Caitlin's Scrimmage

Caitlin had a scrimmage against SPU the other day in Seattle. It was good to see her play and use that ankle again....we can't wait to watch more soccer this fall....go CU!! (She is #6, blue)

Menu Plan Monday, or Friday?

Ok Ok....for those that asked me to post it, even if it is late...here it is for this week....


Monday: White Chicken Chili & Cornbread
Tuesday: Sandwiches or something easy for Concert in Park night
Wednesday: Chuck Roast (just sprinkle packet of Lipton dry onion soup mix over roast and bake covered in foil in 300 oven for 3-4 hours), mashed potatoes & sauteed squash and zucchini from garden
Thursday: Italian Vegetable Soup & Bread sticks
Friday: Pizza with family
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Dinner with family

Try and win...

Thanks Mary for the heads up...5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a 37" Flat-Panel LCD HDTV with help from Best Buy. Check it out, although I hope to win!!

We miss you already Caitlin...

...Caitlin left yesterday to start her Junior year of college and soccer. We miss you already. If you are interested in her soccer schedule, check it out here.

Last week Concert in the Park....