It's a BOY!!

Well, we found out last week that we are having another little boy! We will name him Sutton. Uncertain of a middle name.

Eva was a little sad. She wanted a sister. Really, she just wanted a girl so she could dress her and put bows in her hair. So...we told her we would buy her a new doll:) For now, this seems to be making her very,very happy.

I have been feeling so much better!! Starting to want to "create" again. Since I haven't been able to get in my paint booth...because my garage is once again FULL of furniture, I painted a couple of canvases for some friends who are also both pregnant with boys. Painting for me, is always such a fun "outlet".

Hope you all are having a wonderful Friday!

Snow Days

Snow in Dallas/Fort Worth?? Yes!!!

We loved it.

I thought our street looked so pretty. Now that it is melting away...I already miss it:(

If you live in the area, I hope you all loved our record-breaking snow days too.

Big News!!

We wanted to share our big news with all of you - Baby #3 will be here in August:) We are so very excited. I am almost 12 weeks along, and everyday I seem to be getting better.

Eva was hoping for a boy and a girl, but after my doctor's appointment we found out that there is only 1 baby. She likes the name Ava, but I don't think we will have an Eva and Ava in the same house. She also asks me regularly if I am going to have the baby tomorrow. No doubt, she will be a great help and she already is a great big sister.

Big Sister Eva Ryan - 4 yrs
Big Brother Joseph "Cooper"- almost 2

Lisa @ 3000 ; Home Tour

Ok, so I was going thru my photos and realized that I never let you see the rest of Lisa's amazing house. Lisa is the "Queen" of her home - she and her husband have 4 boys. Every time I see a crown (with many jewels in it), I think of Lisa.

I love the feminine touch everything in Lisa's house seems to have. She has mixed the "manly" blues and browns with beautiful florals. Who says you can't have beautiful, breakable things in a house full of boys?:)These kitchen chairs are amazing! Doesn't it make you want to paint a chair turquoise?
Smart idea: I love how Lisa used two of her extra kitchen chairs in her living room. Who doesn't need extra seating?
I wish I had a better picture of this. Can you see that the table is a rustic pine table surrounded by those awesome turquoise chairs.
I sooooo want to copy this idea if I ever get bar stools:)


This plate rack was painted black and in her dining room. Don't you love how she re-purposed it? It looks like Lisa found the perfect spot for it.
This is the entry piece. I am drooling....

I love, love, love Lisa's house. I can't tell you how many times I have looked at these pictures for ideas. Lisa's home is a great reflection of herself...just beautiful. Thanks Lisa for letting us look!

Say Cheese!

I love my sweet little kids. Since I don't post on our family blog much (almost never), I decided to share some of our family pics with all of you. Here is little Cooper coloring with markers and eating the tips off of markers:)
me:"Cooper, say cheese!"

Cooper: "cheese" (or some sound that sounds nothing like cheese)

me:"Good job! Oh man, the picture is blurry."
me:"Cooper, say chee-eee-eese!"

Cooper: "Cheese" (or a totally different sound that still sounds nothing like cheese)

me:"Oh...so cute!"
me:"Cooper, say cheese"

Cooper: no words this time, just the look:)

game over.

Tomato Basil Soup

OK, please don't pass out...yes - I am posting a recipe! Everyone who followed my family blog remembers the awesome Hamburger Helper recipe, right?! haha

Cooking is not my favorite thing to do, so the easier the better. This is one of my favorite "cold weather" foods. Even my kids love it. It is quick, easy and great with grilled cheese sandwiches. I think it tastes very similar to La Madeline's Tomato Basil Soup. It makes a ton - so invite friends over or freeze the left overs.Mix these together in a big pan and simmer for about 30 min -

2 cans 28 oz crushed tomatoes

4 cups chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 stick butter

1/4 cup dried basil (0r to taste, sometimes I do less. You can also used fresh chopped basil)

I got this original recipe on the internet. However, that recipe involved a blender, food processor and other "equipment" I don't know how to use. This is my modified version, and I think it is really good:)

Kelsi @ 1210 : Master Bedroom

Take a look at Kelsi's bedroom - I love how it turned out.

Unfortunately for most of us, the master bedroom is the room that gets neglected - piled with laundry on the bed and the door shut. We concentrate on the rest of the house because it is what most people see. Or is it just me?!

When Kelsi moved into her new house she wanted to make her master bedroom a priority. Good girl...what an example to us all.

I love the shape and fabric on these chairs - what personality.
I painted this armoire - another Craig's list find. (I was trying to improve my picture taking skills - which explains the crooked picture :( - I am NOT a photographer)
A tour of Kelsi's dining room will be next!!!