Date Night at Cheeca!

On June 4, 2011 Brian and I were married in the most beautiful place ever. 

Cheeca Lodge and Spa in Islamorada, Florida.

It is my happy place. 

And thank you to my amazing parents, we got a date night while on vacay a few weeks ago! They kept Ballerina in Key Largo while we spent a night at Cheeca!

We did take the Ballerina to lunch at Cheeca with us however.

She had lobster from my sandwich and loved it!! I mean, what are we getting ourselves into with a 1 year old lobster eater!!??

It was raining on our first day there. So sad, I really wanted some great pics of the family on the beach. 

But... we at least got a shot of us semi on the beach.

It may have been raining but that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves! 

The next morning we took a walk on the beach where we had our reception. 

And then... the sun came out!! Yay!!

A little bit of grown up pool time before heading back to Key Largo to hug on our baby!!

-Whitney 

Butternut Squash Risotto

As a dance teacher, I work nights. Not all night and not every night but enough that I need to have things in my recipe arsenal that are easy for Brian (or a babysitter) to heat up and give the Ballerina for dinner when I am busy. 

Lucky for us, she is not a very picky eater. Yet. 

She loves almost all meats, cheese, and most fruits & vegetables. 

As with most risotto recipes it can be a bit time consuming but Ballerina loves this and it lasts the entire week! 

Ingredients

1 small butternut squash

1/2 a white onion- finely chopped

1/4 cup apple juice

1 cup aborio rice

3 cups chicken broth- unsalted

2 tablespoons butter

In a large saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Then add the rice and onion. 

Once the onion is translucent, add your butternut squash. 

Lower the heat and cook for 5 minutes.

While that cooks add your 1/4 cup apple juice to 3 cups chicken broth.

Slowly add broth mix to your rice. Stirring as you add. 

(I normally add one ladle full every 1 minute) 

Once all the broth has been added, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes.

Until all liquid is absorbed. 

Feel free to add shredded parmesen cheese in the last few minutes. (We don't because I never have any around!)

I normally put ours directly into a plastic tub and serve small bowls to Ballerina throughout the week. 

It makes plenty!! 

Happy Cooking!

-Whitney 

Ballerina Brown is One!!

While on our family vacation to the Florida Keys, Ballerina turned 1!!

I cannot believe that my baby girls is already a year old. 

Let's just say... she loved her cake!

When I have the time to edit her videos from the big day, I will post them. 

She was a blast!!

-Whitney

Happy Birthday Halle!

Last weekend was one of our favorite girls birthdays. Halle!! 

We had a fantastic time celebrating Miss Halle! 

What a fabulous little 2 year old you are!!

The party was a splish splash bash and Ballerina had a ball!

Ballerina loves the water!

So much fun!

Water tables are so much fun!!

 The big kids had water balloons. While this Mommy thought Ballerina would be scared... she loved it! She loved it so much that she decided to sit in the water balloon tub when they were all gone! 

Who needs a pool when you can just sit in a bucket!

 Ballerina doesn't ever sit still, ever. So we have not really tried to put her at a table before. 

Halle's birthday was the first time we have seen her sit still for more than 2 seconds. I'm pretty sure it was the lemonade she was guzzling. 

Her 1st sip of lemonade at her first big girl table! 

I broke down and allowed her to have both lemonade and a cupcake! Let's just say that she loves sugar! I think my dear friend Erin may be washing her floors from icing for weeks. All thanks to Ballerina!

Halle... blow out your candles!! 

After the cupcakes and lemonade, we went back outside and played. Ballerina (notice the costume change... she had to be hosed down after her cupcake) loved the cozy coupe. Thanks to Scott for getting the floor board put in so she didn't ruin her fabulous shoes!

Ballerina loved playing in the cozy coupe!

Someday I will get to see these pictures again at weddings, when Halle and Ballerina are each others bridesmaids  Like Mothers, Like Daughters. 

-Whitney 

Bath Time!

Bath time has always been a favorite of the Ballerina's. We are very routined at bedtime and bath time is the beginning of our process. When we are lucky enough to be at home together Brian takes Ballerina to get stripped down and I get the water ready.  Now that Ballerina is walking, she comes around the corner to the bathroom all on her own. And... it is the best part of my day. 

This video is not even the best. Tonight, she walked around the corner so fast that she completely missed the door and wiped out trying to turn around. There were no tears either! Just crazy kid laughter!!

Bath time is the best!!

-Whitney 

Pool Time in Key Largo!

I think we have a future mermaid on our hands!

We were in Key Largo for 2 days and the girl had already turned into a fish!!

Playing with Daddy at the pool!

Look at those wings! She is the cutest!!

Daddy is a wonderful playmate!

Climbing on the "pirate ship" at the pool.

Who is having more fun here? Hmmm.

I just love watching my hubby & baby play. They are definitely two peas in a pod!

-Whitney

Gege's Beach!

For those of you that know me well, you know that my Gege was one of my most favorite people in the world. I adored her and I miss her more than anyone could ever possibly imagine. Gege's happy place was Key Largo. It just so happens that it is my personal happy place as well. 

The following pictures will probably mean nothing to anyone but me. They are my baby girl, stepping into the ocean for the very first time, at Gege's beach. It's not really a beach, nor did it belong to my Gege. It is a little piece of sand at the end of the road my Gege's house is on.  

I stood by, took pictures and watched as my Ballerina splashed away. She loved the ocean and I just know that Gege was enjoying my crazy kid from Heaven. This moment meant so very much to me!

I love you Gege!

-Whitney

Jet Set Baby!

It's Vacation Time!!

As many of you already know, there are very few direct flights from OKC. So, that meant either take a connection (which Ballerina does NOT do well on) or fly from DFW. We chose the latter. 

We spent the night in Ardmore with Pappy & Tutu the night before we left to make the drive to Dallas a bit shorter. And, Tutu was flying with us so it was a no brainer!

On an elevator at the airport with Daddy!

 Brian thought it was ridiculous, but we got to the airport with about 1.5 hours to spare. I was thankful for this time. Ballerina needed to stretch those legs before we hit the clouds!!

Playing with Daddy & Tutu at the airport!!

Tickle Monster!!

Ballerina was a traveling champ! She slept most of the flight and giggled most of the time she was awake. (She might have tried to pull the hair of someone else but.. eh... no biggie!) I am so proud of my little jet setter!!

-Whitney

Recital Time in OKLA!

Unfortunately for Ballerina, we had to head down to Ardmore the day her Daddy was set to come home from his trip. It was the first day of recital week at SCD and that is NO JOKE peeps!

I packed Ballerina up and off we went!

 

I had rehearsal that night but when I got home... I found my angel!

 

And yes, I realize she was not exactly a performer in the recital... but it was her first recital. Sooooo...

I happened to make sure she got a cast shirt!

 

 It was an exhausting week. BUT... the show was amazing (as always) and my Ballerina was fabulous!!

-Whitney

Daddy Goes Fishing!

So back the first week of May, Brian, his brother and some guys took a camping/fishing trip. This left Ballerina and I home alone. 

This meant we did a lot of picture taking and sending Daddy updates!

 

One of our babysitters discovered that Ballerina is a big fan of self portraits! It seriously could occupy her for hours.

 I go away a lot, and Brian is always sending me cute videos and pictures. 

So... I attempted to get the same for him. Hahahaha.

While Daddy was away, I thought it was a good idea for Ballerina to begin learning some household chores...

 We practiced our ballet with a chair...

Daddy even sent us a picture to prove that Yankee boys know how to catch fish! 

One thing I didn't count on while Daddy was away... being SOOOO TIRED! We had to make some very early morning Starbucks runs still in PJs! 

And... when someone (maybe it was Mommy) couldn't sleep, we watched some Disney Jr and cuddled.

It was exhausting but I really did enjoy my 5 solo days with Ballerina!

-Whitney