Take It From Tina

Dear Ezra, Bubba, Boyo, Boyo Supreme, Ez.... You turn six months old this week. I can barely begin to process that thought. To celebrate your half birthday and commemorate how special you are to your Daddy and I, I am writing you a letter. And not just any letter; parts of your birth story, your growth, and my dreams for you. My sweet baby, how did this happen? HOW! I remember your birth like it was yesterday. Your Daddy finished up Sunday service on April 23 and headed to the hospital to start my induction process. Grandma Judy and Grandpa Bob dropped me off and helped me get situated in my room until Dad arrived. I was strapped in with every cord and iv possible. We had to monitor you and make sure you were doing well every step of the way. I had no idea what to expect so I asked questions. A LOT of questions. Clearly you were quite cozy inside and had no intention of coming out! I was so scared to have you because they told me roughly four days before you were estimated over...

Nothing makes my heart pitter patter quite like a pumpkin patch in fall. Between the hayrides, hot cocoa and bundled up babies posing with pumpkins often larger than their tiny bodies, I don't need too much convincing that this is my favorite season of all. First for the weather, second for the food and third would be the football. This weekend, our church family set off to Schilter Family Farm for some harvest adventures. We loaded up the car (my husband drove a church bus) and we hit the road. Here are some shots from our morning. Pumpkin field for days!  Ezra was in love with the animals. I mean who wouldn't?   Obligatory family photo. My sweet, almost six month old boy! Don't mind me, I will be crying in a corner... It is crazy to think that last fall I was carrying him, all but the size of a meyer lemon, not knowing what to expect or what he would look like. One thing I knew for sure was we would have an afternoon like this. I...

The first week of October in Washington could not get any prettier. I am convinced we live in the most beautiful part of the country; crisp air, gorgeous trees that are starting to slowly loose their leaves, and incredibly vibrant colors paint the autumn night sky. Honestly, I can say I am happy we have been enjoying these beautiful 60-70 degree temperatures, but I am eager to bust out my Hunters and hit the pumpkin patch with my boy this year. Naked baby in a pumpkin photo anyone? Today I am sharing one of newest salad recipes: a Harvest Chicken Cobb Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette. My husband said he was ready for vegetables after my hearty crockpot recipes as of late, so I found ways to incorporate as many as I could. And boy is this salad loaded with them! Feel free to substitute candied nuts or dried cranberries, or switch butternut squash for acorn squash if you like! I left off crumbled feta because the dairy free feta I normally get was crazy expensive this week, so I pass...