Loving the Garden!

There is something to be said about fresh produce from your own garden! I've loved having certain necessities (like tomatoes) right outside my back door. I've especially enjoyed being able to freeze certain items for future use. mmm.....carrots and green beans. We've already harvested plenty of carrots and green beans and have more that will be ready over the next few days. This doesn't include the tomatoes that I can't keep up with, the zucchini stocked up in the fridge, or the bell peppers.
The corn is actually from Chad's grandpa's garden. We're going to attempt corn next year. I also missed having squash, so that will be included in the garden next year. Along with: onions and hopefully some type of melon. I tried strawberries for a few years, but the birds enjoyed them too much. I would also love to plant some fruit trees, but I know they can be a lot of work. Anyway- hope you're all enjoying the wonderful harvest season!

Ashley's Baptism

Yesterday Chad and I had the opportunity to participate in the baptism of Ashley. She used to live in our neighborhood/ward and was one of my young women. We (along with several other people) have been encouraging, supporting and praying for her has she has gained a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel over the past 5 years. It's been a long wait for all involved (including Ashley), but she was finally able to be baptized last night by Chad. It was amazing to see Chad help her into the waters of baptism and perform that sacred ordinance.
It was such a wonderful night! So many friends and family members were there to support her in her decision to join the church. She is now the only member in her immediate family and I know she will be a source of spiritual strength to them.
Today we were also able to attend her sacrament meeting where she was confirmed a member of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. It's been an emotional 24 hrs., but so amazing to watch the gospel touch her life. She's entered through the gate and is now on the path that will lead her toward the temple and exaltation.
Ashley we couldn't be more proud of you! We love you so much. Congratulations!!!
Please ignore my screaming child in this picture. She wasn't having a great night.

Current Event

Kinsie just wanted to fill you in on our most recent current event. I'm letting her give you the details because she's super excited about it...as you can tell from the photo. (p.s. you'll need to read her shirt)

As you can tell from the photos this isn't really that current of an event. I'm close to being 5 months along and we're happy to announce that Kinsie is going to be having a little sister to play with. If you're patient enough to do the math you will realize that our two little girls will be a mere 9 months apart. YIKES!!!! (Connie...I'll be calling you often for advice!)
We are thrilled with this exciting news and held off on telling anyone (including family) until I was four months along. After 6 years of infertility we didn't want to jinx anything. There are a lot of little details involved with this pregnancy, but in order to make a long story short let's just say that a surgery in February played a huge factor in us getting pregnant.

As excited as we are about finally being pregnant it also feels anti-climatic. We feel that Kinsie was and still is our little miracle. We know that she was meant to come to our home and that our family needed to start with her. So, essentially we feel like we're just waiting for our second one to come. I don't know if that makes sense. Although I have to admit, seeing that little heartbeat on the ultrasound for the first time was the most miraculous experience of my life!

Anyway-there you have it...WE'RE PREGNANT!!!

Funny side note: we took the pregnancy test the day we picked up Kinsie at the hospital.

Mommy/Daughter photo shoot

Here are a few of the results of the photo shoot that Kinsie and I did together for girls camp. I think they turned out really well. This makes me really anxious to have some family shots taken now!

FRESH from our garden...

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded zucchini
1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Combine the egg, oil, milk, lemon juice and vanilla; mix well. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in zucchini, chocolate chips and walnuts. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done.

(I got the recipe at allrecipes.com)

Kinsie's Announcement

A friend in our ward offered to put this together for us as a baby shower gift (Thanks Sandrine!!!!). I took the pictures of Kinsie and she did the rest and I think she did such an amazing job. This announcement is long overdue, especially now that Kinsie is two months old, but I wanted to make sure that our birthmom got a copy of it before I put it on my blog.
We love our little girl so much and feel extremely blessed to have her in our family. She is really turning out to be a daddy's girl and I don't think I'd have it any other way. She simply adores Chad and he's just as smitten. She's been a huge adjustment, as most kids are, but we're adapting and loving every minute of it. She's starting to interact with us and respond to things we do with her and can't wait for her to start cooing and laughing (she's really close). Anyway-needless to say, we're proud of our little girl and love her to pieces!


SIDE NOTE: If any of you are interested in having something like this done for a baby, wedding or any other type of announcement I would definitely recommend you give my friend a try. Check out these two links for more details.
http://sandrinesboutique.etsy.com/
http://creoleartphotography.blogspot.com/