Cole Family: February 2011

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Auntie Ashie came to watch Vi while I had a work meeting! Vivi loves her "Ash."

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

More cookies...

It's cookie time, yet again!! I had to chance to make some more onesie cookies for a baby shower at work! Here they are. If you need any cookies for an upcoming party, I am your girl!!

If you are like me, you are always looking for some recipe inspiration for dinner. I love my slow cooker and am constantly looking for good recipes to try. I think that any "good" mom should be able to cook a yummy pot roast. I had actually never attempted to cook one until a few weeks ago...I found this recipe on another blog and decided to give it a try. The only ingredients are: chuck roast, a packet each of ranch seasoning and gravy mix ( I happened to use the simply organic brand because it is MSG-free), pepperocini peppers ( I use 4-6, plus some of the juice, but you can add as many as you want to increase the spice), and one stick of butter ( I actually cut this to half a stick to reduce some of the fat and cals...). Pop all of this in to your slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours. It is SO good!! I am telling you it is a weird combo of ingredients, but it is so yummy!! Enjoy!

The ingredients

Vivi gobbling it up, the true test of a good recipe, haha!!

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentines Day!! Xoxo Vivi

Thursday, February 3, 2011

17 months

Sweet, sweet baby, mommy can not believe you are 17 months old!! I never knew how much love I could have until you were my baby! I love you so much, and pray that you will always have a sweet spirit! I pray everyday that you will come to know Jesus as your personal Savior, that you will have a kind heart, especially to those who are hard to love, and that you will make HIM proud, and that your life will be lived to bring glory to God!! What are you up to at 17 months, pretty girl?

-Still sleeping great, with usually 2 naps every day
-Talking up a storm, I can't even count how many words you know now
-You just started giving kisses, which is SO sweet, I can't get enough
-Walking all over the place, you discovered you can walk backwards and sideways, and the look on your face is priceless!
-You really like to eat fried rice, banannas, hop-hops, all fruit, and frozen yogurt
-You are very busy, and hardly sit still all day, except when you are napping
-You still love books, which makes mommy's heart very happy
-You love music, and usually dance when you hear music come on. Now all we have to do is find a Ft Worth Kitty Carter Dance Factory, ha!
-You say "oh no" and "oh boy" in the cutest voice ever
-Daddy loves when you see him and say "hi dadda"
-You also know how to turn on the charm, especially when doing something you know you shouldn't, such as try to stand up and jump on the couch
-You LOVE Elmo
-You are the light of our lives sweet baby!

Snow bunny

Last year when it snowed, I somehow never got a chance to get a pic of Vivi in it. Since she is bigger this year, I knew she would want to go out and play for a bit. It has been SO cold here the past few days. I seriously don't know how anyone could live with this being their usual weather. I definitely am not a fan of being miserably hot, but this cold is crazy for sure. I got Vi all bundled up and we headed outside for a bit. She was having so much fun, and cried when I took her in. I was just worried she was going to get too cold. If it was up to her, I think she would have stayed out much longer!

Vi's new friend

Daddy went grocery shopping yesterday and came home with this spaghetti squash. When he showed Violet, she went crazy and wanted to hold it. It was SO funny. She was carrying it around with her, and did NOT want to put it down. We finally had to distract her with lunch and she forgot all about it...

Birthday dinner.

We had Ev's parents over for dinner last Sunday to make a belated birthday meal for Ev's dad. I am so blessed with great in laws, and also for a hubby who is a great cook! Vivi enjoyed time with Grammy and Grandpa too! Here are a few pics of our night.

Vi eating at the table like a big girl.

Tomato, mozzarella and basil salad.

Our awesome main dish, truffled beef sandwiches and matchstick potatoes.

Vi holding court for her admirers, Grammy and Grandpa.

Like daddy, like daughter

Vivi definitely takes after her daddy in many ways!! We had a very pretty weekend here, with temps in the 70's. We took advantage of it and let Vivi have some much needed playtime outdoors. She LOVES being outside and would probably stay out there all day if I let her, just like daddy. She went right to the pansies and picked one out, saying "fower, pretty". She loves "fowers" too, just like daddy!

Cookie fun

I definitely have a love of baking and all things related. So, when I get the opportunity to make cupcakes or treats for someone, I jump at the chance. I have really been wanting to try my hand at working with royal icing. I had the opportunity for a baby shower I went to last weekend. I included these as part of the gift. Now, I am FAR from a professional, however, I am pretty proud of how they turned out. Expect to see many more of these cookies to come as I have the occasions to make them...