Spencer & Emily's Wedding Celebration

A month ago, on Saturday 9/4, my cousin got married to a wonderful woman, Emily. Everything about it was picture-perfect. The colors, the vows, the sweet love in their eyes. And the weather was amazing! It was an unforgettable event, for sure.

...My Aunt Carey had the wonderful idea to throw a "wedding celebration" for them a month later, as a means to kick back and enjoy each others company, while the little kids could run around. Jonathan and I kept talking about what a fun event that was. We never get to see extended family two months in a row like that; I was in heaven. :) 

Sky wanted a better look at Carey's horses. I love her little bare feet.

Kate. Whatcha thinkin about?

Pop. Or as Sky calls him, "Pop-Pop".

Ariel & Hannah

Spencer & Emily. Or shall I say, "Sparky and... _____"?? ;-)

Welcoming friends and family to their home

...About to cut the cake...

...About to smash it... ;)

So devious. :) Look. Spencer knows it's coming. :)

Such a sweet couple. :)

Mom & Dad

5 Generations! From the left: McKayla, Megan, Melody, Margaret, Mary Ellen. All "M"'s! I'm just now realizing that! Ha!

How Richly God has blessed us. I love my family.

Grandie & Pop

my grandmother and my great-grandmother

my mom (Melody), her mom (Betsy), her grandmother (Mary Ellen), and her sister (Carey)

They really couldn't have color-coordinated any better!

"A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost."  ~Marion C. Garrettyr

♥ love this.

Hannah

Kate

... :-) ...

Carey's Beautiful Barn. If I had a barn, it would look like this.

Hannah & Dad

Haha

Sky, enjoying her Strawberry.

Sky's 3rd birthday was on Oct. 5th. Grandie got her a "Leap Top" which she's played with every day!

So excited about her gift!

Hannah & Ariel

...Hannah & Meee

Carey has this adorable, spunky new Golden Doodle. (Did I get that right?) His name is Remington, or "Remmy" for short. ...You KNOW my sister and daughter were all over him!

She's in love. :)

...Time to go...

I love that God's blessed Carey with this house. It's a place where family gathers. A place where memories are made, year after year. I love that Sky will always have fond memories of going to "Aunt Carey's" for Christmases, playing with her aunties, second cousins, and the family dog. The same memories I had growing up.

Zonked after a long day. :) Goodnight, princess.

Alfredo Chicken & Cheese Ravioli with Peas

I used to buy those delicious rotisserie chickens from the deli counter at least once a week, and keep it in my fridge for simple recipes like cheese tortillas and chicken noodle soup. Then I started roasting my own chicken, cause it's cheaper, typically larger, and you get more delicious chicken stock out of it. I'll still cook it at the beginning of the week, and save the meat for recipes that call for cooked chicken. I typically throw it into the recipe last, to preserve the juiciness and flavors in the chicken.

Speaking of yummy chicken recipes...

I found a really simple and light recipe from Real Simple earlier this week for Ravioli With Peas and Shallots. I really enjoyed the simplicity of it, but I knew Jonathan would want something a little hardier for dinner. So I came up with this:

Alfredo Chicken & Cheese Ravioli with Peas

• Follow the simple cooking instructions from Real Simple's recipe, using the link above. (I omitted the shallots, because most allium don't agree with my stomach.)
• Add some already cooked shredded chicken from a rotisserie or roasted chicken.
• Drizzle your favorite Alfredo sauce, and add some shredded or freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 
• Omgoodness. If you haven't tried making your own Alfredo sauce,try this one!!! (Slowly whisk in some flour to thicken... and some fresh parsley, if you have some!)

Yum. :)