At the Scottsdale Princess

We made it to Arizona!! Miss Annalee was a wonderful travel buddy yesterday and took her first flight like a champ! I'm so happy to get her used to traveling early because Mommy and Daddy love to take trips.... we have lots of friends to visit.

I'll be posting about traveling with an infant soon, but let's just say that some good research before-hand was very helpful. Made things a breeze!

This morning Miss Annalee and I took a stroll around the property, since the weather was a cool 85 degrees. Not too shabby for Arizona! We snapped a few pics along the way... The Fairmont Princess is a beautiful property with wonderful staff!!

A little photo shoot after getting dressed this morning! 

Enjoying a little Starbucks in the "fragrance garden."

A snap of the rooms and balcony's. We have a great view of the lagoon from our room. 

Cactus Garden

A quick view of the entry-way to the Fairmont Princess

Miss Annalee loves strolling around the property. Excited to get out and about and enjoy some of the pools later today, more pics of those to come. It's beautiful! 

Summer Meals & Steals on Entertaining

I love summertime for many reasons, but outdoor dining is certainly at the top of the list! We always seem to do much better job of trying out new healthy recipes during the summer too - which is a win-win for me!  Today, I wanted to share a couple delicious recipes we enjoyed on Sunday night.

Grilled Maple Dijon Pork Chops

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Grilled Corn Salad

Also important for summer meals, are some great outdoor dining essentials. World Market is one of my favorites for outdoor dining necessities and right now they are hosting their "Great Outdoor Sale" - lucky you! These are some of my favorites. 

Ethel Napkins - $7.96 for a set of 4

Acrylic Pacific Tumblers - $5.98 for a set of 2

Melamine Serving Tray - $8.49

Pandan Tray - $11.49

Casablanca Outdoor Pillow - $9.99

Happy Outdoor Dining! 

Star Spangled Baby 4th!

We had a wonderful fourth of July weekend celebrating with our little family of three! Friday afternoon we held our annual Celebation party at Moore street. It was much tamer this year, with the addition of a few babies, but still great fun with good friends. We cooked beer can chickens, loaded baked potato salad and grilled corn on the cob - with lots of side dishes from friends - we had a feast!

Miss Hadley and Miss Annalee at their first Celebation!

Saturday we were expecting 80% chance of storms, but were pleasantly surprised to wake up to beautiful blue skies and 80 degree weather. The perfect day for the 30th Annual Lexington Bike Parade, so we decided to decorate the stroller and head down to the Main Street with Miss Annalee for her very first fourth of July. Our good friends participated with their 3 month old, Miss Hadley, along with hundreds of other kids and families. It was really fun to be a part of this year!

After the parade we ventured over to the Balloon Rally for some hot dogs and BBQ and a little festival fun. The hot air balloons are always a highlight of the day, we just missed them at the parade grounds, but I stole this pic below from Lauren who got their early enough to see them!  It was still fun to get out and enjoy the festival atmosphere for the afternoon. We found a little shade under a tree and let the girls play {stretch out and sleep for Miss Annalee} on a blanket and take in the sites.

After the parade grounds we ventured home and enjoyed some tasty beverages while letting the gals nap and taking cover from a few afternoon showers and heat. Then we popped over to a friends house for a little July 4th cookout and some fun.

That evening we enjoyed dinner at TAPS and watched the fireworks from our neighborhood. It was the perfect end to a great first fourth of July for Miss Annalee. Needless to say, we took it easy on Sunday and rested up for our big week ahead. Lots of packing our big family trip to Arizona on Wednesday!

All tuckered out from a long day of fun!

Hope everyone had a wonderful fourth of July weekend!

Happy July!

Happy July friends! Just some random thoughts on this happy July 1.

One. I finally got Miss Annalee's announcements ordered today. Many thanks to Karli who helped me design them and did a fabulous job! If you need an invitation or announcement, shoot her a note, she does a fabulous job! ...and if you're looking for a great deal on printing, Zazzle is offering an awesome Groupon right now. I can't wait to share them with everyone soon.

Zazzle.

Two. The Hastings twins arrived yesterday!! Mom and babies are doing well and I can not wait to visit!

Three. We are getting excited for the holiday weekend ahead. We're having a small party on Friday night and I'm excited to do some baking and cooking over the next couple days. These are a few items on my to bake/make list!

via Rumbly in my Tumbly.

via Taste of Home.

via Punchbowl.

via Two Peas and Their Pod.

Four. Next week, J is heading to Arizona for a work/play trip. Typically the wives and families are invited to tag along. Well, once we found out we were pregnant, we knew Arizona 3/4 weeks post-delivery was out of the question. So, we really didn't think much about it. Until last weekend. We started talking about it - and realized that she would be 6 weeks vs. 3/4 weeks old when J leaves.  So.... after lots of discussion, we decided that Annalee and I should tag along too! Eeekk!!! Let the crazy mom packing begin. Any travel tips with newborns? I'm open to suggestions!

Off to enjoy this beautiful day with little bit. Hope you are doing the same!

Annalee Estelle | One Month

Dear Annalee,

We have loved getting to know you this month! You're sweet smile and beautiful blue eyes captured our hearts from the very beginning. You have a really sweet spirit and are such a good baby. You love hanging out on the sofa in your newborn lounger and you sleep so well in your bassinet by our bed. Sometimes you even like to nap in your own crib during the day! We went three weeks without giving you a paci, but finally caved - and you love it! You have been a good eater since you were born, waking up yourself to eat every 3-4 hours, sometimes more often in the beginning. Now you even give us one long 4-5 hour stretch at night - which we are so grateful for. Your daddy loved celebrating his first Father's Day with you, and we loved taking you out for your first trip to church. Father Joe even gave you a blessing to hold you over until your baptism. You have had so many visitors and been showered with gifts since the day you arrived! You loved spending time with your Gramma and your GranDe & PapaSam this month, and even got to meet Uncle Rob and Aunt Karen. For your one-month birthday we had your first sleepover with Megan, Matt and Mary Mac and visited King Family Vineyards for the afternoon. I'm so happy that you made me a Momma and us a family of three!

One Month Highlights:

• 9 lbs, 3 ozs., 22 inches, 14.5 in head circumference, bold blue eyes and blond hair
• Wearing newborn clothing and pajamas \\ Pampers Newborn diapers
• Nicknames: Sweet Pea \\ Pumpkin \\ Stinker \\ Little Bit
• Tricks: You love tummy time on your play mat and even rolled from your stomach to your back twice \\ You can almost hold your paci in your mouth with your hands \\ You have the sweetest sleepy smiles and funny faces
• Favorite toys: Lion WubbaNub \\ paci
• Food: Just momma's milk
• You made your first trips to the Palms, Southern Inn, The Livery and Church
• You love car rides and walks with Mommy
• You had your first sleepover and vineyard trip on your one month birthday
• This month we celebrated your daddy's first Father's Day

One Month Favorites {Items We Couldn't Live Without}:

Boppy Newborn Lounger \\ Bassinet \\ Paci (at 3 weeks) \\ Changing Pad & Covers \\ Boppy (for mommy) \\ Swaddle Blankets \\ Sleep Sacks \\ The Bob stroller 

Pictures from this month:

My first official pic in the hospital

My last day in the hospital

In my Sunday Best!

Hanging in the Boppy lounger

One of my favorite poses

Chunky long arms

playing in my gym

Napping in my crib

Sweet little feet

Hanging with Daddy

Our Baby Announcement  |  Mommy's "bump dates" | Your Birth Story

Five on Friday

It's been awhile since I linked up with the gals for Five on Friday, so I thought today would be a good day to catch up and join in the fun!

one. I have been on the search for a great gold frame for the pencil drawing my sister-in-law did of the Virginia alphabet for Miss Annalee's room. Who knew it would be so hard?  I came across Framebridge while following Emily Ley on Instagram and am in love. They have great frames, and it's a one-stop-shop for framing.

two. If you're looking for some great summer necklaces, Cora Lee is the place for you! They have so many fun pieces and you can't beat the price! April is also offering a discount, pop on over to her blog for $5 off.

Lauren Necklace - $37.95

Emily Collection - $39.95

three. Annalee received the cutest crib sheets from her soon to be bestie, Allie Grace. Look how precious these blueberry sheets are! Their Farmer's Market series is precious!

four. Baby headbands are so much fun, but my husband isn't the biggest fan of huge bows on a little bitty head. I also worry about headbands being too tight and hurting their little noggins. The Pleated Polka Dot has so many fun options for little girls, and great options for newborns as well. I love these elastic headbands - so simple and soft - and the perfect touch for a baby girl!

via Etsy.

five. Lucy and Lyla has a fabulous boho chic collection and Eleventh Avenue is featuring quite a few of their items at a steal! I picked up this their fringe kimono, tie dye maxi, and striped shorts, all for less than $65. Hurry, items are going quick!

via Eleventh Avenue

I hope everyone has a great weekend. We are planing an outing to the vineyards on Saturday to celebrate Miss Annalee's one month birthday!! If you'd like to join the fun, grab the button below and link-up with April. Christina, Natasha and Darci are on summer break. 

Cheers to the weekend!

Summer Corn and Shrimp Saute'

via The Chew

We have been very blessed since the arrival of Miss Annalee with a steady supply of meals and goodies from family and friends, so we haven't done much cooking.  Last week I did throw together one meal for us that we loved - Summer Corn and Shrimp Sauté - and wanted to share!

Ingredients

•    1 pound shrimp (16/20 count, peeled and deveined)

•    1 teaspoon chili powder

•    1 teaspoon salt

•    2 ears corn (husked, kernels cut off the cob)

•    2 cloves garlic (diced)

•    1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)

•    1 fresno chili (sliced)

•    1/4 cup white wine

•    1 lime (zested)

•    1/4 cup basil

•    1/4 cup mint

•    2 tablespoons butter

•    extra-virgin olive oil

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Preheat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.

2. Season shrimp with chili powder and salt. Toss well to coat.

3. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pan along with the corn, garlic, red onion and fresno chili. Season with salt and pepper and sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes. 

4. Add shrimp and sauté 2-3 minutes until shrimp are fully cooked. 

5. Add the white wine and bring to a simmer, cook until reduced by half. 

6. Add the lime zest, fresh herbs and butter. Stir and flip to melt the butter and combine the ingredients. 

Enjoy!