Healthy Eating...

Since moving away from San Diego {and back to TX} about 4 years ago, Mike & I have adopted some un-healthy eating habits.

It started with not having had good BBQ for 4 1/2 years and went down hill from there!

We took for granted how much easier it is to eat healthy in CA!

Now that Avery is eating table food, I have become much more aware of how poorly we eat.
So, I am really trying to get us back on track to eat healthy,
not only for ourselves but to set a good example for Avery as well.

So, if anyone has any tips to help me in my quest to makeover our diet, feel free to share!!!

Yummy Summer Salad

This salad is so easy, yummy and refreshing on a hot summer day.

Ingredients:

• Watermelon
• Strawberries
• Mint
• Jicama
• Chicken (cooked...I prefer grilled)
• Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
• Sweet Chili Sauce
• Rice Vinegar

Steps:

1. dice watermelon into bite size pieces & cut mint into strips (I like to use kitchen scissors); toss together and set aside.
2. slice strawberries & jicama
3. dice or chop cooked chicken
4. mix together the sweet chili sauce & rice vinegar (use more or less vinegar, depending on how spicy you want the sauce)
5. arrange watermelon, jicama, strawberries and chicken on a plate; top with toasted pumpkin seeds and chili/vinegar sauce.
6. ENJOY!

cookie obsession

Lately, I have been obsessed with trying out different sandwich cookie recipes.

So I enlisted my little helper and got to work!
I thought I would share a few of the recipes here...

I made these chocolate sandwich cookies over the weekend...

usinge this recipe.

I did not make the filling the recipe called for, but instead took the easy way out and just cut a big marshmallow in half!

{I cooked the cookies for about 7 minutes, pressed the marshmallow halves into half the cookies and cooked for another minute or so. Once out, I let them cool for a few minutes then sandwiched a marshmallow cookie together with a plain one.}

They remind me a little of the oreo cakesters. ;)

I made these oatmeal sandwich cookies a few weeks ago... using this recipe.

They were YUMMY!

If you loved those Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies as a kid, then you will LOVE these!

And finally...

I saved the best recipe for last!

The Better Than S'mores Sandwich Cookies...

I have made these several times since finding the recipe on Heather's blog here.

They are to die for...and have been a HUGE hit everywhere I have taken them.'

I highly recommend you try this recipe out...

I don't think you'll be dissapointed!

ENJOY!!!

rainy day fun

a sweet note from Aunt Kiki...

How exciting...

My little shop is going to be the featured giveaway

on Give Away Today, Thursday, July 23rd.Head on over there, leave some comment love and be entered to win a gift certificate to my etsy shop!!!

Speaking of etsy...

I have added a bunch of new blankets and burp cloth sets.

All sewn up and ready to ship.

Get over there and check them out!!

Nest Designs Baby

Mommy's Night Out...

My friend Leslie got tickets to the Cold Play Concert last night

and she invited {lucky} me to go with her!!!

I would not have called myself a Cold Play fan...

I knew who they were and a few of their songs, but that was about it.

{I don't even have any of their songs on my iPod}

But all that changed after seeing their show...

{they ventured out into the lawn and played 3 or 4 songs out there...who does that???}

This is probably the BEST concert I have been to!!!

{and I knew way more of their songs than I thought}

I am now a proud owner of one of their CD's

(given free at the show last night...how cool is that!)

And I am working on getting their songs onto my iPod.

So THANK YOU Leslie for a great Mommy's Night Out!!! :)

Happy Birthday, Claire!

The Birthday Girl!

cupcakes...yum!

{the best group shot we got!}

See you soon...

tutu cute...

I made some tutus for a photographer friend of mine a while back so that she could have some to use during photo shoots...

Click HERE to see photos from a recent shoot she did with them.

Aren't those girls cute!!??

Nell is great...

if you live in the Ft. Worth/Dallas area and need a photographer,

check her out

http://www.cowtowncameragirl.com/

{also, if you look at the photo in the top left corner of her blog header, that is Mike, Avery & I...from Avery's newborn photo shoot}

Cayman Islands: June 29 - July 5

These are just a few of my favorite pictures from the trip...

{Grandma & Papa}

Avery had SO much fun playing on the beach in the sand and water!

{Noah, Avery & Grandma}

{cousins}

{Avery & Ellie}

{all the girls}

The Turtle Farm...

{Avery & Ellie}

{The Pierson Clan}

What a GREAT vacation!!!