Recipe Exchange

As I mentioned, I went to a recipe exchange this past week. Since I share recipes on my blog, I thought I would share all the wonderful recipes I received from this exchange. The theme for this month was Mexican food. While looking through the recipes, I realized I didn't even try all the food! Silly me, I don't know what I was thinking. What I did try I loved and I hope this helps me organize my recipes a little better. Hope you enjoy. Don't forget you have to click to enlarge the image and then re-save as a PDF. But if you want I can email the file to you, just let me know. :)

Ashton's First School Picture

Ashton had his first school pictures this past week. One of the moms is a photographer and was nice enough to take the pictures of his class. Ashton just wanted to get inside and get going on his projects instead of posing for pictures, but not bad for his first one. He loves school so much and is always talking about it. He is really upset the days he doesn't get to go. I am so glad he likes it so much and he loves his teacher. She does such a great job with them. It has been such a great experience, I am glad we started this year.

Vinny and Heather's Wedding

This past weekend, Aaron's best friend Vinny was married in Big Bear, California. Since Aaron was the best man in the wedding we decided Ashton would have more fun staying with family than coming to the wedding. This also was the first weekend Aaron and I have left Ashton since he was born! So Thursday we started the long journey in the car. My favorite stop is the halfway point where the outlets are. Since we were going to a wedding and Aaron would be in a nice tux, it was a perfect excuse to buy myself something new to wear. We stopped at the Anne Taylor outlet store and I was able to buy two new dresses for an awesome price. Their clearance rack is the best and the dresses are adorable. We kept on trekking and dropped Ashton off with my sister in Orange County. Ashton was so excited to see his cousins Jayne and Ryan that he didn't even notice that Aaron and I had left.

This was Aaron and mines first visit to Big Bear and it is beautiful! Of course we love anything in the mountains with lots of trees and a lake. We didn't get into Big Bear till about 7 at night so we ate dinner and went to bed. The next day we didn't have any wedding stuff until the evening so Aaron and I walked around the cute little town and decided it would be a good idea to get full body massages. They were fantastic! It was fun being able to spend time together alone. We had fun looking at houses and just walking around. That night Aaron had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. We went to this really cute little Mexican restaurant. I had never met any of Vinny's family because they are from North Carolina, so it was really nice to meet his family and Heather's family as well.

Finally the big event arrived. The wedding ceremony was beautiful. Unfortunately the sun was so bright I couldn't take any pictures of this part, but they were married in a gazebo overlooking the lake. The reception was a lot of fun, even though Aaron and I didn't get to sit together for the first half of it. I was sitting with some wonderful people that Vinny had worked with in the Marines. Aaron gave a beautiful speech, I was so proud of him. The dinner was great, everything looked beautiful, and the dancing was my favorite part. It was the first wedding I actually got Aaron to dance with me. Of course it's a lot easier when you don't have a little baby between you. We missed Ashton terribly and called to check on him all the time, but we knew he was in good hands. It was a wonderful wedding and a wonderful weekend.

P.S. The bride and groom were always on the move, so I never did get a good picture of them! I am hoping I can get a couple emailed to me and then I will be able to post them.

Aaron's Family Visit

Last week was such a fun and busy week for us. In fact it has taken me all of this week to recoop! Aaron's parents were able to come down to visit us last week. We were so excited that both of them were able to come down and see our new house and spend time together. Ashton and I went to pick them up from the airport. Ashton was overwhelmed by the airport and was so excited to walk around. He was a little shy when we first picked up Dan and Vicky, but by the time we got home his shyness was gone. We spent the first day around the house giving everyone a chance to relax and just enjoy each others company. Vicky surprised us by bringing us down many wonderful gifts. They are always spoiling us, especially Ashton, and we are very grateful for the things we received. It's a good thing we finished our yard before they got here. It made it a great place to play and hang out for most of the evening. Ashton had a blast playing with everyone.



The second day they were here, we were able to take them up to our favorite spot Mt. Charleston. We went for a wonderful little hike and then had a fantastic lunch at the lodge. The leaves had started to turn on the trees and it was beautiful. This is the first time I have seen the seasons change in years. Ashton had so much fun on the hike. He took turns holding every one's hands and spending time with each person. We were able to find him the perfect walking stick which he thought was the best thing ever.



The final day, Aaron and his dad were able to sneak away and spend most of the day together. They went to Aaron's favorite store, Bass Pro, and then went shooting out in the middle of the desert somewhere. Aaron's been itching to go shooting so I am glad his dad was here to get him to go out. While the boys were away, Vicky, Ashton and I went to a recipe exchange at my friend Becca's house. There were lots of ladies and three times as many children. All of the food was fantastic and it was so much fun trying new food items. The best part is that you get all the recipes too! We had fun eating and playing.


We were so glad that they were able to come visit. We only get to see them about once a year, but are always grateful for the time we get to spend together. Thanks mom and dad for making the trip and making it such a fun week.