Some sweet B&W photos

Leta took some pretty pictures of Arya when we are in Iowa for Vanessa's baby shower.  Many thanks to my talented sister for taking these!

Arya Highlights from 2013

2013 was a big year for Arya.  She has super long BLONDE hair, lots of teeth, loves Berenstain Bears and Curious George and loved her fruit. She had to switch daycares, which was too bad, but her current one is doing well and Arya really likes her. She traveled to the midwest for her 1st birthday in January 2013, and for Vanessa's baby shower. She spent a lot of time her Grandma Oelrich, who was helping us out from April-September, while Neil was away at FLETC and Yosemite.

2014 To-Do List

• Get some organization in Arya's Room, Master Bedroom, Kitchen and Living Room
• automatically contribute to Arya's 529 Plan
• save for future down payment
• organize closet (sell/donate things we don't use)
• take soothing baths
• finish T25 with Neil
• work out at gym at least once a week (free daycare!)
• hang up art/photos
• take more instagram photos outside
• document 2014 in photos
• do regular maintenance on our aging cars
• abstain from clothes shopping until summer. You can do it!
• bring back the cloth diapers
• drink more water
• do dishes every night
• withdraw $60 a week to save for travel expenses..it adds up quick!
•  here's a big one…blog 3x a week…wishful thinking, maybe
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Dreaming :: 1

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I've got to have this vacation house someday! Somewhere we can disappear on the weekends that we'll actually have with each other. Somewhere to canoe, relax and have family and friends visit.

Neil and I made a pact that we'd have this house by the time Arya is 10. Here's to dreaming!

Photo Book

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Griddler Chicken: Spicy Version

Notice the wine?!?

I love seeing what Vanessa puts up on her blog, because for many of the recipes she puts, I want to make at least half of them right away!  Such is the case for Griddler Chicken.  I put Arya down for her nap and then started to get the ingredients together. Low and behold, from what her recipe called for, I only had chicken, balsamic vinegar, oil and garlic.

So here's my version. :)

Griddler Chicken: Spicy Version

4 chicken breasts
1/3 balsamic vinegar
2 T spicy brown mustard
2 T olive oil
1 T dried parsley
1 T dried basil
1 T minced onion
1 T (heaping) minced garlic
salt and pepper

I intended to make it the same day, but it ended up being made a few days later, so it marinated for a LONG time.  Neil really liked it, but I overcooked it and the balsamic vinegar was a little too sweet for me. And it wasn't as spicy as I thought it might be.

I'm in love

No more trips to Starbucks for me!!