Family Photos 2019

I saw a meme on Facebook the other day that said:

"Family Photos (what actually went down):

14 trips to Old Navy.

SO. MUCH. SWEATING.

A super-annoyed spouse.

Children losing their freaking minds and

Mom swearing like Samuel L. Jackson in pretty much any movie."

I had to laugh, because most of the time, that is 100% spot on.

However our recent session with Kristen @ Hello, Betty Photography, was far from stressful.

It was a September mini-session, and I literally picked out our outfits that morning.  Ellis was a dream child during the shoot, and Zac didn't even fake smile!!  I didn't break a sweat (or swear), and so we celebrated with an ice cream stop on the way home.

Dear God, please let all future family photos sessions go this well!

Anyway, sharing a few of my favorites below:

All photos by Hello, Betty Photography

If you're new here, the "9" represents 9 years of marriage (our Anniversary was in October).  We take Anniversary photos every year with the number of years that we've been married... see this post for past anniversary pictures.

Click here to see our 2018 family photos

What's for Supper | Menu Planning #8

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Pic via Spend with Pennies

My dad made this a lot when we were growing up.  I was never much of a fan of it, but now I really like it.  Plus, you can add whatever you want to make it your own - corn, peas, shredded zucchini -- the possiblities are endless!

Fun fact: my dad did most of the dinner cooking at our house because he worked 3rd shift, so he was home during the day.  Every weeknight, he had supper ready & on the table for when my mom got home from work.  Pretty great dad/husband, huh?  Love ya Papa Poogie!

Sloppy Joes

Pic via McCormick

Quick & super easy for a weeknight meal.  We follow the directions on the back of the McCormick Seasoning package, except we also add in some cream of mushroom soup. I love to serve with coleslaw and a big ol' pickle.  Yum!

Pizza Casserole

Pic via The Diary of a Real Housewife

Another easy-peasy throw together casserole the whole family will love.  The recipe I have linked is pretty basic -- we like to add Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, & green peppers.

What's for Supper | Meal Planning #7

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Pic via Taste of Home

Throw together on a Sunday and just pop it in the oven to bake on a Monday.  Classic comfort food that the whole family loves.

Tacos

Pic via The Wholesome Dish

A week night staple, because everyone loves tacos, right?! We eat them all.the.time because they are the easiest and Ellis lovesss gauc.

Meatloaf Muffins

Pic via The Two Bite Club

We haven't actually tried these yet, but they are on the menu this week.  I thought they were kinda fun and a perfect little serving size for a toddler.  We will probably freeze half the batch for later.

What's for Supper | Menu Planning #6

Lasagna

Pic via The Pioneer Woman

Hands down, the best Lasagna I've ever made.  I usually put this into two smaller pans, and throw one in the freezer (before baking).  I love when I only have to cook once and get two meals -- one for now, one for later.

No Peek Beef Burgundy

I found this recipe on Shannon's blog -- and she provided a screen shot of the recipe.  Here it is:

We subbed the beef with vension and it was gooooood!  And, it couldn't be easier.

Spicy Garlic Pasta & Shrimp with Roasted Cauliflower

We've been making this for years and loveee it!

A lesson on saying Yes

It was last Thursday.  It had snowed the day before, and we got about 4 inches of fresh powdery snow... the first accumulating snow of the season (which was much too early, if you ask me).

All day Ellis was asking to go play outside.  I kept pushing him off and pushing him off because frankly, I didn't really want to go outside.  The high was only like 28 degrees, and dressing up a two year old to play in the snow is a bit like going to Costco on a Saturday.  "Not worth it,"  I said to myself.

I managed to "redirect" his requests to go outside all morning long, but the moment he woke up from his nap he said, "Mommy!  Let's go play outside!"  

He had taken a late nap that day, and woke up just when I'd be prepping supper...

I thought hmm... how can I get out of this?  I texted Zac & asked him if he had any plans after supper. I knew Zac wouldn't mind being outside with him.  I told Ellis that Daddy would play outside with him after supper, and it would so fun because it would be dark out!  

But then I got to thinking.... it's gonna be even colder once that sun sets... probably not the best time for a two year old to be outside...

Zac texted back: "No plans. But I'm starving! What's up!?"

I replied: "Ellis really wants to play outside.  So either I go out with him now & we eat supper late.  Or he goes outside after supper.  But will it be too cold then?"

Zac: "Go now and play while it's nice."

Me: "I mean, I could just tell him no..."

Zac: "Go play!"

So at 4:30 pm instead of making supper, I spent 17 minutes bundling up me and my baby and outside we went.

And we had so much fun!  We shoveled the driveway and the back deck, we made snow angels, we watched the tractors go by, and we jumped in the leaves covered in snow.  And I thought to myself... why did I say "no" to this all day?

I often forget the power of fresh air.  It instantly lifts our spirits, even if it is a hassle to bundle up during winter time.

More than that though, I forgot the power of setting aside the dang To Do List and saying YES to playing with my child, who really only wants two things... my time & my attention.


And the best part of playing outside in the wintertime?  Warming up with a cup of hot cocoa!

Cheers to a lesson on saying YES!