Wedding Pictures

Kate Kate's cousin took pictures at Marion & Steven's wedding, and we were able to get a CD of the images.  Here they are!

Seeing how gorgeous everything was makes me anxious to see the professional pictures, but we have to wait a few more weeks.  I'm sure Marion is even more anxious!

Burrito Bowl

I've been making several dishes that are similar, and I finally combined them into one awesome dish.  It combines the best of them all. :)

Ingredients:

1/2 lb ground beef

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 cloves garlic

1 jalapeno, minced

1/4 cup of diced onion (I used Pictsweet seasoning blend, of course)

1/2 cup of uncooked extra-long grain rice 

1/2 cup quinoa 

1 (14.5 oz) can of fire roasted tomatoes

1 (15oz) can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (15.25 oz) can corn, drained

1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of chili powder

1 teaspoon of cumin

2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth 

salt & pepper

cilantro

feta cheese

any other toppings you want

1. Brown meat.
2. Sauté onions, garlic, and jalapeno in 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  I use my Dutch oven and do the meat at the same time.
3. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Move to one side of pan.  In the other side of the pan add an additional tablespoon of olive oil and sauté uncooked rice and quinoa for about 2 minutes or just until some grains start to turn golden brown.
5. Stir in remainder of ingredients except for cheese and optional toppings.
6. Bring to a simmer, cover. and reduce heat to low.
7. Cook about 20 minutes or until rice and quinoa is cooked and all of the liquid is absorbed.  You may need to stir it a little, then let it cook for a couple more minutes.
8. Serve in a tortilla or in bowls. Top with feta cheese (not optional) and cilantro and other toppings as desired (lettuce, salsa, avocado, etc).
9. Enjoy!!

 

Wedding Weekend!

What a great weekend we had in Mississippi!  We left Thursday when J got home to head to Southaven.  We opted to drive part of the way so Cooper could get the max sleep possible since we wanted him to make it down the aisle!

Sharing Cheerios with Ollie

Surprisingly, Cooper did GREAT in the car!  We didn't even have to break out the DVD player (but you better believe we had it just in case!)  We got to the hotel about 11:45.  Coop got to hang out for a while then went to lunch with the guys.  I headed off to the bridesmaid luncheon and to get my nails done.  Marion had an appointment for us, but it didn't seem to matter too much.  Kate (one of the other bridesmaids) and I didn't leave until after 5.  Then we had to fight traffic, get ready, and be at the rehearsal at 6!  Whew!

Playing peek-a-boo with Uncle Davy

We got Coop settled in for the night (or rather until he woke up and refused to go back to sleep until 2 hours later...), and headed down to the lobby since all the family was filtering in from around the South.  We had a good time catching up for everyone.  :)

Saturday, I met Sophie at the park since I hadn't seen her in probably five years!  Cooper played and we talked.  It was just like I had seen her yesterday.  Our time was cut short by the need for lunch, so we said goodbye and went back to the hotel.  J and Uncle Davy took Coop to Academy sports for a few minutes, then we ate at Penn's.  Once we got back, we put Coop down for a nap, and I headed for the venue.  Unfortunately, my phone stayed at the hotel, so the wedding pictures I have are all from other people.  Oh well!

Watching TV while KK ironed his tux

swinging in the park

Riding on the fish (he LOVED it)

Driving the fire truck

The Morrows

After Cooper's nap, KK brought him to the venue, and he got dressed for pictures.  It wasn't too cold outside for pictures, and I know they turned out great.  I can't wait to see them all, but we have to wait 4-6 weeks! 

Kisses in the reception area before the ceremony

(The pictures from here on are in a random order.. sorry).  The wedding was BEAUTIFUL!  Cooper did make it down the aisle, but wasn't able to sit still through the ceremony.  He threw his pillow down the aisle.  It was so cute.  Of course, pretty much anything he did was going to be cute. :)

Breakfast Sunday morning

Coop and Granddaddy

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Selfie in the bridal suite while we wait for the ceremony to start!

Reception time!

The food.  Y'all.  The food.was.AMAZING.  I had a soft shelled crab slider, pasta with a seafood sauce, this AWESOME seafood dip with crackers, pork tenderloin, and probably some other things.  It was delish!  Coop ate up the tortellini.  Bad mommy forgot a sippy cup, so momma's cup had to do.  Coop made the rounds and played with pretty much every one there, I think.  Besides Marion and Steven, he was the star of the show!

drinking from mommy's glass

Me and Marion

After the wedding, we got Coop settled in bed for a few hours, then visited some more.  Coop being up at night + a long (but fun!) day meant we headed to bed somewhat early.  Sunday we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and hit the road back to TN. 

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We have a new background this time.  J wasn't home for the picture, plus this is just way easier.  I think I like it better anyway.

He was on the move, so this is the best we could capture!

Clothes: 18 months & 24 months

Growing Up:  Coop is picking up words like crazy.  He is still using mainly monosyllabic words and a few two word sentences.  He did say "I get hand," the other day, so hopefully we are close to two syllable words because deciphering what he means from one syllable is tough! Coop has a mouth full of teeth!!  He is only missing his two year molars.  We have also started/attempted potty training.  We will have to report back next month, but he is going using the potty some and even has underwear "uh ware"!  He is learning more and more animal sounds.  His pig, elephant, and owl noises are just the cutest!!

Likes: Gruffalo and Charlie Cook books (LO and Cook as Coop says), bananas, momma's smoothie, watching the cars and trucks go by, watching birds, carrying his monkey around (I find him in funny spots downstairs), banging, pushing his shopping cart around, saying 'no', wearing hats, drinking from momma or daddy's cup, putting things in the trash, sweeping, his bedtime book Aunt Marion got him (he asks for 'Steee' and 'Kate' when he wants to read it, which is every nap time and bedtime), Mr. Potato Head
 

Dislikes: diaper changes, riding in the car, long hairs on him, being naked, coming inside, momma leaving him for bible study, having wet pants, when Gruffalo (movie) ends, hearing the words 'no' or 'stop'

Schedule: We are still in between one and two naps..

Two naps:

before 7:00 - up for the day!
8:15 - breakfast

9:15 - nap

9:45 - play
12:15 - lunch

1:00 - nap

4:00 - snack
4:30 - play

6:15 - supper

7:00 - bath

7:30 - bedtime

One nap:

between 7-8 - up for the day!

8:15 - breakfast

8:45 - play

12:15 - lunch

1:00 - nap

4:00 - snack

4:30 - play

6:15 - supper

7:00 - bath

7:30 - bedtime

Moments:  
Cooper made it all day without mommy (the longest he has been away from me) for Aunt Marion's party.  He loved seeing Aunt Marion ("M-ian") and all her friends though! Coop also knows his own name and often says it when he sees a picture of himself or catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He has learned to stomp and enjoys stomping on berries from out holly bush.

On the warmer days, we go outside and play in the backyard.  Two of those days, Cooper has walked right over to the neighbor's house (I follow closely behind), gone right to the door and knocked wanting to play with Mr. Johnny (on-eee).  They play ball together while I talk with Mrs. Jan. :)

Christmas Part II

This year, my family met on Lake Keowee for Christmas.  We (mom, dad, and I) also spent some time painting and fixing up Caitlin's new rental house.  We had a great time... and of course, great food.

On the way to SC

Professor Morrow

Fireworks on the lake

Cooper loved his first roasted marshmallow

Coop's buddy Carter stopped by for a visit!

Cooper is 16 days older than Carter.  We are so glad we got to see our friends.  Since we moved to TN, we haven't seen them.  We will get to see them again this summer for a mutual friend's wedding.

Coop loved playing in the buffet

On the way home, we stopped in Atlanta (SO glad we don't live there anymore) to see my friend El.  Coop and Georgie weren't too sure of each other, which isn't much different than when we moved. :)  We also got to meet El's newest little one... he was less than two weeks old.  So cute though.  Again, so glad we got to see them, and it broke up our trip nicely.

Putting together his workshop once we got home

Next Christmas will be much different with another little one around!  Cooper will have to share everyone's attention.  That could be interesting. :)

Some fun videos:

Christmas Part I

Well, it didn't take much, but this Christmas sure topped last year!!

60c well spent

Elf + Little Debbie + Hot Chocolate = Holidays!

Santa came!!

The golf set was definitely a hit.  He can even say golf now!

A pro at opening gifts

He loved it!!

Go State!

Playing blocks at Kate Kate's

Playing piano with Daddy

Playing with Papa

Opening his stocking at Nana and Papa's

Showing off his apron and boots

A little Greensleeves!

He loved playing it!

Playing with Grannie's new gloves

Wrapped in Aunt Marion's new scarf

Sheriff Cooper needs outside

Twins

While going through pictures for Marion's wedding, we kept saying over and over how much Coop looks like J.  No paternity test needed!

Blueberry pancakes for breakfast!

Helping momma with the recycling

We had a great time in Mississippi! We had good food and good times. Coop loved playing with everyone, even if he did wear them out! He was also a little spoiled! :)  We had a great time with our family in MS.  It's always good to spend this time of year with the ones you love!

Christmas part II coming soon....ish!