Mountain {Air} Flair

I've been keeping to myself

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 22:21:00 +0000

Hi all. The last few months have been a whirlwind of emotions and disappointment. The main thing that has kept me away has been our 3rd round of IVF which we found out last Thursday was unsuccessful. Such sad and depressing news. I can tell you that it was a little easier to handle this time since I didn't even get pregnant at all (I got pregnant with both of the other IVFs later to miscarry). John and I hold our head up high, will evaluate our options and continue with adoption classes in September. Thank you for all of the prayers and encouragement that you have given us though our years of infertility troubles. xoxox

Some fun news... a few weeks ago I got a request from Creating Keepsakes for 3 (yes THREE) of my layouts. They want to publish them in an upcoming special issue! I have been published in other magazines but this is my first time in Creating Keepsakes Magazine. WOOOOOHOOOOOOO.

I am sorry that I never posted my PDW June layouts... like I said the IVF kinda took over for a month or two. Here they are! Speaking of Polka Dot Whimsy, you HAVE to go check out the new website. Isn't the logo SO cute! In the coming weeks, the message board will have more functionality and their will be a member gallery where everyone can share their creations. While you are over there sign up to be a member.. that way you won't miss a kit, you will be guaranteed PDW goodness EVERY MONTH!

Polka Dot fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 25 May 2010 15:03:00 +0000

As I came here to post Polka Dot Whimsy June Sneaks I realized that I never posted my May PDW projects. DUH. I will post them at the end.... Here are my June sneaks. The kit is so awesome that these projects pretty much made themselves! LOVE!!!! I am so excited to see the new site. Soon… very soon!!!!

Here are my May PDW projects...... Sorry for the yuck pics. i am having serious camera issues!

Here are the beautiful June sneaks!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:10:00 +0000

National Scrapbook Day has come and gone. I rocked it OUT over at Studio Calico, completing all 19 of their challenges, Crazy right.... I made 5 layouts and 1 card to fulfill all of them. For each challenge you completed you were entered into a random drawing to win a $10 SC gift certificate. All of those chances to win and I won.. wait for it.. wait for it... ZERO. Guess luck wan't on my side. That's okay, I Love the projects I used a some of them really got me out of my comfort zone!

On a fun note, the hubs and I went out a few weeks ago with a bunch of friends and we had a blast! Here is some proof

The daughter was sick. Fever was 104.5 at midnight on night. UGGGG. She is FINALLY back to school today! YEA for me!. Good times over here in the Stanton house!

Happy Mother's day all!!!

Hope.

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:17:00 +0000

Phew, It has been busy around here! Sarah had her Spring Break and John took the week off.... We had a great week. We went to see How to Train your Dragon, Enjoyed Busch Gardens, Took a back stage tour of Raymond James Stadium (where the Bucs play), Had a beach day, plus some other fun stuff. It was a great week.

We also went to the Doctor (what's new, right?) Here are the basics... Based on my hormone numbers the doctor thinks I am about 5 years away from menopause. Great, right???? BUT the good news is that I told the doctor I still wanted to take that 5% chance of getting pregnant through IVF and go for it. He agreed! John and I figure that since our insurance covers 90% and we budgeted for the other 10% that we really have nothing to lose. We need some major prayer, magic, baby dust.. whatever works! We are also getting ready to take some adoption classes (MAPP) through the state that will allow us to begin the adoption process through the state. We are super excited and encouraged by everything!

I haven't been scrapping as much as I would like lately.... These may be the only 3 layouts I have done in over a month! My MoJo has been clouded by my thoughts. All of these were made using Studio Calico kits.... (love)

HSM obsession layout products used: patterned paper and embellie stickers - Sassafras, cardstock - Bazzill, wood veneer - Studio Calico, chipboard letters - American Crafts, red letters - October Afternoon

JAM layout products used: patterned paper - crate paper, Studio Calico, Sassafras, embellie stickers - Sassafras cardstock - Bazzill, wood veneer - Studio Calico, chipboard letters - Cosmo Cricket, Banner - Jenni Bowlin

PROUD layout products used: patterned paper - Sassafras, embellie stickers - Sassafras cardstock - Bazzill, , chipboard letters - Cosmo Cricket, Flowers - American Crafts,wood veneer - Studio Calico

Sometimes I get caught up

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:53:00 +0000

My own little world over here. I haven't entirely dropped off the face of the earth.. just mentally. Hang in there with me. Here are some projects I made with the PDW Apil kit. Cute stuff huh? You should see that gallery this month. I am amongst some amazing talent. Check it my fellow polkadots here!

Looking for some strength

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:19:00 +0000

If you know me or have followed my blog you know the fertility heartache that John and I have gone through over the last 4 ½ years. We have done 3 unsuccessful IUIs, 2 successful IVFs both resulting in miscarriage and countless tests trying to find some sort of explanation as to why we are not able to have a second baby. All the tests have come back fine…. Nothing has ever been wrong with John or me…. UNTIL NOW. Over the last few months we have been gearing up to proceed with a third IVF (they say 3 is a charm ya know)… more tests… all fine….. Then I go for my regular blood work that I have done MANY time before that measures hormone levels. In the infertility world this is commonly known as day 3 blood work (it is done on day 3 of your period). My results came back... BAD… when I say bad I mean BAD. My FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) came back CRAZY high. 22 to be exact. 10 is the high side of normal. This is the worst possible news that we could have gotten. A high FSH level indicates that I have poor ovarian reserve… which means I am no longer an IVF candidate. We are going to repeat the test on day 3 of my next 2 cycles. Let’s hope its lab error or a fluke…. Let’s hope and pray.

This all just went down right before our 4 day Springfest trip, which was a fantastic getaway. Now that we are back home, the reality has set in… we have LOTS of research to do as far as next steps…. And if Adoption wasn’t so expensive we would have been on the waiting list long ago. We will figure this out, I know we will.

Updates and backlog

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:44:00 +0000

I realized that I have a few layouts that I never shared. Figured you may want to take a peek. Enjoy! I created all of these layouts using Studio Calico Kits

An IVF Update: Our tests are finally done so that we can start the IVF process again. We will know the results of the last one in about a week. We are anticipating starting process in the next 60 days or so. We are SO ready. As I have said before we are NOT getting any younger. This will be our 3rd IVF attempt (the last 2 were successful but ended in miscarriage). Everyone keeps saying third times a charm. We always try to be positive.. so that is what we will do... STAY POSITIVE.

paper pleasure

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Here they are.... my Polka Dot Whimsy March layouts. How much fun this kit is to work with!!! Michelle at PDW does such a great job of putting together a fun and different kit... a great mix of super hot and trendy products as well as unique, fun different supplies... How about those fun flowers I made in the Mom layout!. 1 of the flowers are made with paper, 1 with fabric and 1 with ribbon. Yep.. I made all 3 of those pretty little things! I used the tutorial at this cute blog http://morepaperplease.blogspot.com/ . It's my first time making them so be gentle! I hope to get a few more projects done with the March kit before April's comes knockin on my door. I am so sorry for the wonky photos.. we are having some camera issues... we really need to take it to the shop.A few more layouts to share. This time Lily Bee. I can't wait to get my hands on their new CHA lines but for now I have fun what I have.

We are going out to dinner tonight with my mom and Joe for a late birthday dinner. I am looking forward to it as it's a local non chain eatery in Tampa that we have never been to. I love trying new places!

I'm getting stuff done!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:06:00 +0000

Where does the time go? Really.. where? Anybody know?

Good news: I have been playing with the March Polka Dot Whimsy kit, pinwheels, and have been LOVING IT. I mean the colors are blowing my socks off. I have made 2 layouts so far. I'll show you some sneaks in a minute. So much fun new CHA stuff to create with. Ahhh.

I also painted the loft upstairs (Pottery Barn Hawthorne Yellow) and got the Gianormous Expedit from Ikea to rein in my stuff. the 25 cubbies are really helping me to get organized. We also got a desk for Sarah to put up there so she can have her own space...

I feel like I have been SOOO busy organizing lately, one of my goals for 2010. A few things that have been taking up all my time in the organizing area... labeling all of my scrap drawers and albums. purging my scrap supplies. At this point I think I have more to give away then I kept. ahhhh.

On the Sarah front.. all of a sudden she is going though this new "big girl" discovery. In the past week she has become obsessed with High School Musical, Kelly let us borrow the movie and she was reluctant to watch it but once we started she did not move a muscle.. she watching the entire thing in awe.. Yea.. she wants her 6th birthday to be High School Musical.

Another new discovery is American Girl Dolls. We got the catalog in the mail and she found the doll KIT that she was freaking out about cause the doll looks just like her (people have actually told me that before ). Those dolls are CRAZY expensive. She is currently working to earn the doll which according to my calculations will take anywhere from 2-4 months. I will post about that another day.. we have a whole system down for that.

She has also been jammin out to her CDs in her room. Taylor Swift is her Fav and I swears she knows all of the words.

Yesterday she told me she want to throw away all of her "baby toys" and get big girl toys. Huh? I think I will use this as an opportunity to clean out some of the crap I have been wanting to get rid of.... as far as the new toys.. I say "put it on your Christmas list".

don't grow up so fast.. please stop!

L.O.M.L.

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:46:00 +0000

LOML. It's what John and I call each other... It stands for love of my life. That is truly what he is to me. I just had to mention that being that is was just Valentine's Day weekend and all.

Valentines Day is a busy one since it is also my birthday. I know, i know, I am so sweet aren't I - LOL!. IT still sounds weird to say I am 38. Weird I say. We had our big day of fun on Saturday. Sarah went to her Grammy's for the day and spent the night so we had ALL DAY to ourselves.

*We started at the Cinabistro in Hyde Park to see the movie Valentine's Day which was a really cute movie. It's not winning any awards but it was a fun lighthearted movie. We were able to enjoy some DELICH hummus, popcorn and beer while chillin sitting in these awesome comfy seats ahhh...

* Next we headed to Samari Blue for Sushi.. mmmm.. Had Mexican roll, Eel, and Japanese Tempura Bagel. we LOVE Sushi!

* Then we went to see Yonder Mountain Sting Band (I call them a Bluegrass jam band) at the Ritz in Ybor. What a super fun, energetic amazing show.

* Guess where we ended the evening?

WAFFLE HOUSE!!! LOL! We used to go there after many late nights so it was fun for us to revisit. Waffle House may be one of the best people watching ever! We had breakfast (12:30am) there. Never let's me down. extra crispy bacon is yummy!

Whimsy Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:07:00 +0000

It's my turn to host Whimsy Wednesday over at Polka Dot Whimsy! Come over and take a look at what I came up with..... It's all about using an entire package of product in one go! Here is a peak of what you will see:Don't forget to upload your project on the PDW Ning Site for a chance to use a Whimsy Prize.

FOOD FIGHT!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:33:00 +0000

If you know my 5 year old you know she is a picky eater. I have NO idea where this came from as when I was her age I was ordering off the adult menu and most of the time something expensive like Lobster tail or steak! NO not her.. she likes PLAIN food and nothing mixed or touching - UGGG. When I cook dinner I cook ONE dinner. No short order cook here.. I have always been like that so I wonder why getting her to eat is such a struggle. We make her take one bite of everything and if she doesn't like it she doesn't have to eat any more.

SOOOO what I have learned to do is this.. Before I start on the recipe for the evening, I take a little bit of each ingredient and leave it out for her. For example the other night I made a Chicken biscuit casserole.. before I put it all together I cut up some chicken, took out a little of the frozen mixed veges and some shredded cheese and plated it up for her dinner. I then made the recipe and cooked it. When we sit down to eat she has to TRY what I made but then she has the plate of food that I had but together before I mixed it all together(all ingredients from our dinner).

Here you can see what Sarah's dinner looked like. The hubs and I also had salad but she doesn't eat lettuce so she just got the tomatoes.Here is what John and I ate.
I think this is working well for us.... it prevents A LOT of drama at the dinner table. She is still tasting new things since she still needs to have a bit of the main recipe.. and sometimes she likes it.. but not often.

I am ALL ears if anyone has a picky eater and has any suggestions for creating peace at the table!

LIVE

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:45:00 +0000

Did everyone have a fun weekend? Ours was busy and fun! I was happy to get our Master bedroom closet cleaned out and organized. When it was all said and done we ended up with 6 garbage bags full of clothes and shoes to donate to charity! WOOHOO! We did a lot of hanging out with friends also which is always a guarantee for lots of laughs!

Polkadot Whimsy February kit went live on the 28th. Such cuteness! The design team did such a great job creating with the kit.. you are going to want one for yourself! Head on over and check it out! You should also come chat with us on the Ning social site. We have fun over there! Here are my layouts in full. Hope you like. I was a bit nervous since this is my first design team... Eeekkk. But I am already loving being a part of it and getting the chance to inspire others!

I am so sneaky

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 17:34:00 +0000

I got to play with my Polkadot Whimsy kit this weekend. Wanna see?? Here are some sneaks! The kit reveal is the 25th so don't forget to stop over and see all of the design team creations! Enjoy!

I've always loved Polka Dots

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 02:03:00 +0000

I've always been drawn to things with polka dots.... baby blankets, make-up bags, my coozie... clothes for Sarah... They are just cute.. and they make me happy. So it's seems just fitting that I was invited to join the Polkadot Whimsy Design Team. I AM OFFICIALLY A POLKA DOT!!! I am so honored and excited to be among such great talent. I am super anxious to start creating layouts and projects with the monthly kit.. You know what I have February's kit right here on my desk.. I have 3 things already in the works and I just got my kit at 1pm today! WHOO-HOO!!!!! So come check out Polka Dot Whimsy, you won't be sorry! Here is a peak at what is on my desk RIGHT NOW!!!

2010 Will ROCK

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:58:00 +0000

I know it, I just know it. I am looking forward to seeing what 2010 holds in store for me and my family! I can tell you that so far it has been GREAT!

John and I went to the Outback Bowl where Auburn (John's alma mater) beat Northwestern 38-35 in a nailbiter of a game. We loved it even though we sat in the cold rain. It was fun.

Then we left in the weeee hours on the morning where we went to North Carolina (Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk) for a week. You can read all about our awesome trip on my hubby's blog the Continuous tourist. The cabin we stayed in was wonderful. I can't say enough about it! You can check out The Appalachian retreat here. We went our great friends Denise, Allan and their girls. Here are some highlight photos -

At Docs Rocks

Hawk's Nest Snow Tubing

Outside Six Pence Pub In Blowing Rock

Life is Good Store in Blowing Rock

Here is a fun layout I created for the Sunday Sketch over at Studio Calico. I used the December Kit: Orchestra. What a FAB kit that was. Too bad I haven't had much time to play with it!

Happy New Year's Everyone!

and that's what you missed ooonnnn GLEE!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:56:00 +0000

Anybody been scrapping lately? I love this pic of Sarah and it just makes me so sad that she is growing up so quickly!This pic of me and my sister CRACKS me up! I did this layout for the Scrapping the Music Challenge. I think it turned out really fun! I used December Studio Calico's Orchestra kit. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Studio Calico?
A Must See

Do you watch it? Do you LOVE it? Oh my goodness, every week it just gets better and better. I though last weeks was SO real and touching when the "no baby" secret came out. Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester) did an AMAZING job with that scene. SO real!

This weeks episode was the finale until APRIL and everything about it made me smile. You HAVE to watch it. April can't come soon enough!

I am so happy everyone in our house is FLU FREE and feeling 100%. John never got sick thank goodness cause he was a GODSEND when I was sick. Love him!

During all of that sick time we managed to get our holiday pics done. My friend Kelly Noel did a wonderful job as usual. Here are a few of my favs!

My sister and her family and us

me and my sis

Sarah with her cute cousins Aidan and Emma

Sarah - isn't she cute??

me and my LOML

us :)

There are so many more awesome ones :)

Enjoy your week!

Catch up!!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:23:00 +0000

Hi blog, I'm Erika, remember me??

A few pics to catch up.. not many words.

Check out this AWESOME cake my sister made for Sarah's 5th bday party. She is so talented! Love you Les!

Halloween:

Camping:

Feast at school - my little pilgram

The flu.

That's what we have been up to.. how about you????

Happy Scrappy

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:07:00 +0000

I've been pretty scrappy lately! One of those most exciting thing in my scrappy life were 2 emails I got from Scrapbook Trends Magazine saying they wanted to PUBLISH 2 of my layouts. OH YEA BABY! I can't even believe that I little ole me will have 2 layouts in print in a magazine. Exciting right?? The magazine will be published in March 2010. Thanks Scrapbook Trends for making my day!

My final layout for my Guest Design team work at Scrapping the music was really fun to make! It came together to easily. don't you love it when that happens. Thanks STM for the opportunity to be a part of your Amazing DT even if just for a month! Come over and take the challenge!

Finally in my scrapping life the November Kit at Studio Calico is available for purchase now. **sigh** I love SC. I know I have said it before but the owners, staff and design team are amazing. Plus the online community and support are top notch. Check it out! You can get $10 off this month by using the code FF720. Don't let THAT $10 go out the door!

Here a a couple more LOs I have done lately!

For the previous Scrapping the Music challenge GDT:

I LOVE this old pic of my nephew!

and look at my niece on her first B-day! So precious!

Me.. as Octomom

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:07:00 +0000

My friend Kelly had an adult only Halloween party for our Mom's group! It was SOOO much fun. The costumes were hilarious and clever! John and I went as Octomom and her sperm donor. Lovely huh?

lots more to update you on but thought you would enjoy a peek at our craziness!

Life.. it's precious.

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:20:00 +0000

In Memory Of Julia

Tragically last year, my friends Jackie and Bob lost their 18 month old daughter Julia. Her cause of death was never discovered therefore putting it in the category of SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Children).This weekend I was part of an amazing event honoring Julia's life. Jackie, Bob her family, friends and my (and her) Mom's Group organized a 5K race and 1 mile family fun walk called Julia's Run for a Reason to raise funds for SUDC. The amount of people that came out to support the cause was overwhelming. 352 registered racer/walker - WOW! We raised over $15,000 for the SUDC. The race went off without a hic-up. It was just wonderful to be a part of such an amazing event honoring a wonderful little angel and her family. Here is Sarah with her metal she won for being one of the first 60 kids to cross the 1 mile finish line. She was so proud!

Let's talk about Scrapbooking. First off, as you know I am the guest designer at Scrapping the Music this Month. I Love this weeks song! You are the Best Thing by Ray Lamontagne . HOW FUN! Here is the LO I created

Guess what the man in the Brown truck delivered to me on Friday?? My October Studio Calico Kit. I have been swooning over it so excited to dig in and get started! Here is the first LO I created using it also for the BASB challenge this week!. I am in LOVE with this month's kit. I think the craft envelopes are my FAV!

Scrapping the Music!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:06:00 +0000

Hey all! Come see me over at Scrapping the Music this month where I am the Guest Designer! This is my first time being a Guest designer anywhere. I am honored! Thanks for thinking of me STM Design team. The weeks Song Inspiration is Gilligan's Island Theme song. Here is my interpretation. Come play along!

Time keep on slipping....

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:50:00 +0000

I mean really, where does it go??? I have been super DUPER busy lately. My husband just got back from a "guy's" hiking trip in North Carolina. He encountered 12 black Bears! Whoa! Scary if you ask me! He hiking to the top of Gregory Bald and said that it was a difficult hike.. the hardest he's done. He had fun.. I am most envious of the beautiful weather he got to experience. high 60's during the day. low 40s at night. For me, I was still in HOT Florida :(

A few weeks ago 16 of my Mom's Group friends and I rented a House on Anna Maria Island for 3 nights. I had so much fun! I can't remember the last time that I laughed that much. You know, cramp in the side, cheek hurt kind of laugh. It was something I REALLY needed!

In scrappy news, The layout on my last post of John and I titled You and Me made it into the Scrapping the Music Hall of Fame! I was SO excited. Then I got a message from Mary at Scrapping the Music that they wanted me to be their Guest Designer for October! I said yes of course and WAS tickled pink to have been asked! I can't wait to show you the LO's I make inspired by song Lyrics throughout the month! WOO HOO!!

Here are some layouts I have made in the last few weeks.. mostly using the Studio Calico Sept Kit Cotillion. What a great kit and I have LOVED using it! The first one was for THIS Studio Calico Blog Challenge.

If it's free its for me!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:08:00 +0000

Last week was a wonderful week of FREE entertainment! It was super fantastic!

First off I won tickets to see Disney Princess on Ice - a 4 pack. Since I was already headed to my monthly Pokeno game, my lovely husband took Sarah. Her friend Gabriella and mom used our other 2 tickets. The girls had fun watching the princesses. at least that is what I hear since DH forgot the camera in the car - UG

The best freebie (for me anyways) was one ticket to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure. That's Chrissy, Faith, Laura, me and Kelly. They send one every year.. one per household...

Lots of my other friends got the free ticket also. We decided to have a ladies day at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. No kids, no husbands, just us. No strings attached. We went on Sunday and man oh man was it a jolly good time! There we NO lines at either park and we were able to enjoy both parks without pushing a stroller, stopping to pee 1000 times or be responsible for anyone else but ourselves. It was Wonderful! We rode the coasters, stopped for a sweet treat, ate lunch at Margaritaville. I think my fav rides were the Hulk and the Mummy.

And back home by 6:30pm. It was a dream day!

Since my last post I got my Studio Calico September Kit Cotillion and been having a great time playing with it! Here are some layouts I have made using the kit. The first layout was for the Scrapping the Music challenge. Hope everyone is doing well! Have a great day!

Family, Friends, FUN!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:06:00 +0000

This weekend was spent making lots of new and fun memories!

Saturday: Scrap, clean, repeat :) College football on in the background. I finished the Lo of my nephew for the title challenge on the BASB blog. And made a yummy salad! Lovely day.

Journaling reads:

When Aidan came over one day, we decided it would be hair day. He decided on a Green Mohawk. Pretty fitting for a boy whose last name is Green. He thought he was the coolest ever!

Tomato Chicken Stack Salad (photo and recipe courtesy of Publix Apron Meals:

Ingredients12–15 fresh basil lea

ves (rinsed)
4–5 fresh It

alian parsley sprigs (rinsed)
1 small shallot (rinsed)
4 large red a

nd yellow (or heirloom) tomatoes (rinsed)
1 Deli chilled

rotisserie chic

ken (plain or flavored)
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup extra-

virgin olive (or avocado) oil
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta, goat, or blue cheese

Steps

Slice basil into thin strips; set aside. Chop parsley coarsely and shallot finely. Cut tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
Remove meat of chicken from bones (discard skin and bones). Chop chicken coarsely (wash hands); measure 2 cups (reserve remaining chicken for another use).
Prepare dressing by combining in medium bowl, vinegar, oil, Italian seasoning, pepper, parsley, and shallots; whisk until well blended.
Arrange salad on serving plates, alternating tomato slices, chicken, basil strips, and crumbled cheese. Drizzle with dressing and serve

Sunday: Day trip to Manatee Springs State park where we spent some time strolling through the campgrounds, marking down our favorite sites for reference for a future camping trip we may take there . We watched the canoers and kayakers enjoying the beautiful day paddling the Suwanee River. Other park visitors spent time in the cool Manatee Springs on the hot summer Day. Sarah also finally "swung" by herself on the swings at the park playground. She FINALLY got the "bed your knees, straiten your legs while leaning back rhythm and she was a-swinging all by herself (she is almost 5!). Sarah enjoyed an Italian Ice while John and I went straight for the Oreo Cookie Good Humor Bar! YUM-O!

Sunday Evening - Spent at our local hang out, International Beer Garten - great beer with great friends. After that we all went back to one of their houses and the kids got to hang in the pool (some adults had some pool fun too!) More great beer and conversation with AMAZING friends!

Monday - To my Mother In Law's (the best one on Earth I tell you - I am SOOOOOO lucky) for a family party with more pool fun for the kids. We were there when our Miracle cousin Ian got to get in the pool for the first time (he is 5!) Yea Ian!!! Love spending time with the family. Such a blessing to have such a loving family!

I love weekend's like this.. fun, fun and more fun.