Dip It!!

Friday, when we got home from the zoo we rested for about an hour then got ready for my birthday dinner. We got dressed, dropped Elijah off at Aimee and Gary's and headed back down town for dinner. Beau took me to the Melting Pot. Its a fondue place I've been wanting to go to for a long time.


Elijah was upset that we were getting our picture taken so he made Aimee take his picture.

When we showed up Beau had arranged for us to have a very private booth and there were roses on the table. We had a four course meal. It started out with cheese fondue. We chose a Boston Ale cheese fondue. We had veggies, bread and apples to dip. It was really good. That was followed up by salad. I had a Californian with walnuts, Gouda, spinach and a raspberry vinaigrette. Beau had a warm spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette. They were all so good I forgot to take pictures. Our third course was the main course. We had chicken, salmon, fillet Mignon, shrimp, pork tenderloin, ravioli and lobster tail, potatoes, mushrooms and broccoli. We chose a Burgundy wine broth to cook everything in. Then there were about 8 different little bowls of dips. Elijah would have loved it! I just kept telling Beau we have got to find a cheaper place like this for Elijah. He loves to dip and he would have gone nuts!!

This was our main course...

Our forth course was dessert!!! Oh yeah!! We chose the Cookies and cream. Dark chocolate, marshmallow cream and crushed oreos! Our "dippers" are bananas, strawberries, marshmallows, rice crispy treats, brownies, pound cake, and cheesecake. Are you kidding me!!! Beau had to roll me out!

It was all sooo good. It cost more than most of our monthly bills, but we had such a great time! If anyone ever finds a cheaper place that is fondue, please let me know...I would love to take Elijah.

Our Trip to the Zoo

Beau and I have been trying to capitalize on our last few weeks "alone" with Elijah. We had been planning a trip to the zoo and Aimee found us a coupon for free tickets! So Friday morning we got up, went to eat some yummy Mexican food for breakfast, then headed to the Zoo. It was a beautiful day (a little humid, but you get used to that here). This was Elijah's first trip to this zoo. We had a great time. Here are some pics from the day...


"Take a Cheese!"

Elijah was scared of this frog. He really thought it was real.

This was the "petting zoo". Elijah was so funny. He only would touch the backs of the goats. He would slowly walk up to it, touch it quickly, then run off like he thought it was going to "get" him. Everyone thought it was so funny.

"Hey goat..."

"I'm being like a goat, Mama"

We, of course, had to play on the playground.

Then we rode the carousel. Elijah loved it.

Some of the animals we saw...

One of the funniest things of the whole trip was Elijah's love of birds. Now this is nothing new, he's always loved birds. What was funny is he seemed more fascinated by the pigeons on the sidewalk than any of the animals in the cages. Then, like in this picture below, we are looking at bears and Elijah was only interested in the duck that was in the mote...

Komodo Dragon

We tried taking a family picture...

Then a man offered to take one for us...

We had a blast. I was "walking" (more like waddling) pretty slowly by the end of the day. I was hurting from walking so much, but it was worth it. This zoo is pretty neat...they have a long standing tradition of allowing their patrons to bring in food and drink so we brought a little cooler and we were able to have a picnic mid-day. It was a really nice day!

Aimee's House!!

Just a few pics from Elijah's time at Aimee's ysterday. He's so cute, if I do say so myself...

Westside Baby Shower

Sunday afternoon I had a great baby shower at church. It was great. Here are some of the pics.


We had some yummy cupcakes (chocolate, vanilla and coconut!)...


Just one of the super cute centerpieces...

Look at all that loot!

My beautiful hostesses (Jennifer, Aimee, Dee, Jan and Joyce). Thanks ladies!!!

We were having so much fun opening gifts that we forgot to take any pics opening gifts. So Jennifer snapped one after the shower. I found out one thing...when you have a girl people want to buy clothes...they're all so cute!

We had such a great time, thank you all so much!

Don't forget to scroll down, I've blogged a couple more times today.

Elijah's Big Boy Room

Saturday we moved Elijah into his Big Boy Room. We started after breakfast. We took his crib apart and moved the headboard into his room. (The rails that connect the headboard to the foot board haven't come in yet so he only has a headboard propped up against the wall) That afternoon I put him down for a nap in his Big Boy bed. He never fell asleep, but he stayed in the bed the whole time. When I went in to get him he was just sitting in the bed reading a book. He asked if he could get down and when I said yes, he crawled down. That night we put him down and went thru our whole routine. (Side note: we "lost" his pacifier when we moved from room to room. He didn't even seem to notice. I think he may have associated it with his crib. I kept it close by because I wasn't sure if it would all be too much moving to a new room and a new bed in one day. I thought he might need the extra comfort, but he hasn't even mentioned it)

Saturday night I went in to check on him like I do every night before I go to bed and this is what I found. It was dark and the flash is what makes it look bright as daylight, but the flash didn't even bother him.


He looks so small in that big bed...

He fell asleep right in the middle of reading his book...

Sunday morning I went in to get him (the door was not closed all the way) and he was just sitting in his bed. I asked if he slept okay, he said yes then asked if he could get out of bed. I said yes and he crawled out. I don't know why but he seemed to have a sense that he was supposed to stay in bed until told he could get out. I thought it couldn't get any better. Then this morning he came and woke me up about 7:30am. His breath smelled extra fresh and I found out he had eaten some peppermints out of a bowl in the guest bathroom. Ha! I guess we've got some some changes to make around here.

Sunday, after church, I went in and took some pictures of the room so far...


Elijah is so proud of his room. He wanted to be in all the pictures. He is pointing at his maps...

He loves those maps (I found them at a book fair)...

Playing with Percy the Train...

Here is a better picture of the maps and the shelves Beau, Dad and Larry made. Aren't they great!?

I love this picture...He is so proud of his bed. By the way, the suit is from Bibby and John...super cute.

My boy's all grown up!! (and I didn't even cry all weekend!)

My funny boy

I'm fixing to blog a couple of times...just uploading pictures, but Elijah just said something really funny so I have to hurry and blog it before I forget.

Grant is here and the boys are playing. Elijah came into the living room with his blanket and pillow, sat down, wrapped himself up, looked at me and said, "I need to rest my weary wheels." I almost spit out my drink! He says the funniest things. I know where he got it. His favorite book right now is The Little Engine That Could and one of the engines that won't help says that in the book. I didn't think he paid much attention to the words when we read, but the other day he brought me the book and wanted to read it. I told him to read it to me. Every page he turned to he would say "one day..." then he would go on to tell the story and some of the pages he quoted word for word. I guess he really does pay attention.

On a side note: I've recieved a lot of comments about Elijah's haircut. No, I did not cut it. His father did that (without consulting me). I was just about to call and make an appointment to have our pictures taken and I get a text at work from Beau that says "wanna see a pic of your boy's hair...don't worry...it'll grow back!" I was pretty mad. He cuts it way too short. He said people were going to start calling him a girl! So if you don't like the haircut please talk to Beau! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Well, we've had a busy Valentine's Day (and days surrounding it). Thursday, Elijah and I went to a MOM'S Club Valentine's Day party. We had a great time. Here are some pictures of our morning...


Elijah playing with some of the kids...

We had a brunch with lots of yummy food...

Elijah (with a punch mustache) and Mama...

We found Elijah and Avery sitting on the stairs "just talking"...

The kids decorated some bags to colect their valentines...

Then they decorated cookies...

Elijah really enjoyed the chocolate icing...

He really concentrated on those sprinkles...

"Look at my cookie, Mama"...

They also made a little butterfly craft (we were really busy)...

Showing off his crafts...

We had such a great time. Katy, you have got to look up your local MOMS club. We have activities like this all the time and all it costs was about a dozen valentines to pass out to all the kids.



Friday afternoon Elijah and I made Beau's Valentine's gift...Red Velvet cake.

First we made the cake...

Then we iced it...

Then, of course, sprinkles...

The finished product...


Papa loves his cake!

Saturday morning, before I left for work, I left Beau's card and Elijah's Valentine's Basket.

I got off work early, which foiled Beau's plans to surprise me with the flowers, card and lunch he ordered, but at least I got to come home. Saturday night were up at the church building babysitting. Beau had planned a Parent's Night Out for Valentine's Day. We had a great weekend.