And a baby makes 5 :)

It's been a little over 72 hours since our little one made his debut.  I'm awake nursing him so I thought I would get my blog post up.  The pictures won't do the just either of how cute he is! And maybe later I will add good pictures, but for now, I just wanted my faithful bog followers to know he's here :)

Both of our other two boys went past their due dates, so I wasn't expecting that Monday morning I would have some crazy contractions.  I actually was induced with both of our other boys, so I never experienced the timing of contractions at home.  I timed them Monday morning and they were 15 minutes apart.  By noon they were almost 90 minutes apart. I contemplated staying home, but decided to go with shawn to pick up his mother at the airport.  Three hours went by and 1-2 contractions.  Figured Monday wasn't the day...

By the time we got home, they started up again and by 630 (as we were eating dinner) they were back to about 15 minutes apart. As we left to go to the hospital (7:01), They were every 8 minutes. We live 30-35 minutes away and I wanted to make sure I had time to get the good stuff - an epidural.  When the dr finally came to check me at 920, I was a 7! I asked for an epidural despite the dr and nurse saying I was tough and already made it this far.  Dr also said we could have the baby within the hour or in about 3 with the epidural. I think you know what I picked.

Delivery was fast. Pushed three or four times.  And on 6/24 at 12:19am (my birthday is 12/19), Samuel Oliver was born.  He tied his middle brother for weight (9lbs 5oz) and his oldest brother for length (20.5").  

Stay warm under the lights

Proud papa (Sam was getting a bath)

Shawn holding his 3rd boy <3

Our first "selfie"

Eli was pretty excited to meet his brother (and he still is all about him! Except he told my father in law "he cries a lot!"

Drews reaction to hearing Sam cry the first time! Hahaha!

First family picture :)

Two days later, we were out the door! ;)

Thank you all for your love, support and prayers! 

-Holly

Jammilicious

So aside from choosing to do some stamping over nesting, I also decided Sunday that I would attempt canning.  We had picked strawberries earlier last week and I need to do something with them quick.  We did enjoy some nights with strawberry shortcake, but that couldn't stop me from checking out Pinterest.  That's where I found a recipe for pectin-free jelly.  Nothing against pectin at all ... I just didn't have any! Plus this girl shared her great grandmas recipe, so I trusted her grandma to rock some jelly!

First I took what was left of these amazingly sweet strawberries we picked and I placed them in my food processor. I puréed them until I got the consistency I wanted.  I like mine on the thinner side (left some chunks, but not many).

Stirred that with the sugar and let it sit for 3 hours. 

Washed the jars my husband so kindly went and bought.

(Recipe says it makes 10 half pint jars... I got 6 out of my batch, but I was most likely short on strawberries)

I brought the strawberry and sugar mix to a boil and added the lemon juice.

Filled the jars and placed them back in boiling water for 10 minutes.

They sealed really easily and I couldn't have been happier with how it turned out! Unless I got the 10 jars it was supposed to make :)

Give it a try! I know we will be back for more strawberries! I want to make more for us and more for gifts!

Hello There

Well here I am, 39 weeks today.  I felt some contractions this morning, but I'm still praying I can hold off until Monday when my lovely MIL gets here. In the meantime, I'm going to stamp til my heart's content.  My box arrived last night and I was able to play some this morning.  Hoping if I feel up to it tonight, I will stamp some more.  Going to clean while my youngest naps and then we're all off to the beach (one last time) before little man arrives.

I'm really digging the hostess sets this year. They're probably my favorite hostess sets that I've seen in many years.  The first is called Hello There and the second is A Life's Adventure.  Hope you enjoy :) 

Think the yellow dots looked cooler bc I wasn't quite inked enough (old linen ink pads) and it gave it more of a distressed look.

I always try to make 2 of each card so if I give one away, I still have an idea to copy later.

Thanks for stopping by :)

-Holly

Sweet somethin' somethin' :)

So a week ago from yesterday, I took the boys to the church here in town.  I'm not sure why we took so long to try the church closest to us, but I'm glad we went.  It's been tough having shawn work Sunday mornings. I really dislike not having him with me.  But Eli loves Sunday school so I wanted to get going again! (Even if it'll be awhile until I'm going alone with 3 boys...)

Long story short, I met a family in the parking lot before church with two little ones - one who is Eli's age. They hit it off quick! After church we were talking and they invited us to their house for a cookout. Finally! We could meet more people! We moved to this small town in February and haven't met anyone our age! Just what we needed... And we had a really good time!

We also needed something super yummy to take with us.  That's where the sweet goodness comes in.  My sister is a pampered chef consultant and I knew I wanted to use my trifle bowl.  (The last party I hosted, I ordered two.). These bowls are the best :) I found this recipe on Pinterest, but the recipe was from browneyedbaker.com

Here's my dish and the recipe is below.  Perfect for summer, right? Only 5 more days until it's officially here! (Olaf would be happy!) 

enjoy!

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BERRY TRIFLE

A festive and colorful triple with layers of angel food cake, blueberries and strawberries.

yield: 8 to 10 servings

 

prep time: 30 minutes

 

total time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 angel food cake, cut into cubes
1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
8 ounces Cool Whip
2 pints blueberries, rinsed
2 pints strawberries, rinsed, hulled and sliced

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a small bowl, combine the vanilla pudding mix with the milk and whisk for two minutes; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar. Once all of the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium and beat for 1 minute, or until thoroughly combined and smooth.

3. Add the prepared pudding to the cream cheese mixture and gently fold and stir with a rubber spatula until completely combined. Add the Cool Whip to the bowl and fold it into the mixture until no white streaks remain.

4. To assemble the trifle, alternate layers of angel food cake, blueberries, the pudding mixture, strawberries and so on, until you get the top. Add a final layer of the pudding mixture, then arrange the remaining strawberries and blueberries in a decorative pattern. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This is best served within 24 hours of making it, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Dad's day!

Oh my.. lets not even mention that tomorrow is Father's Day.  these are the cards I made for my fathers... Yesterday.. Never on time, but hey, I'm pregnant! (I can't use that excuse much longer!)

I originally made the deer card for my dad and the goose one for my father in law.  Both are hunters, but apparently my husband thinks I ALWAYS give my dad the deer themed ones and my father in law the waterfowl/fishing ones. So I switched them out.  It's probably true, but I guess when ya live in Minnesota I'm going to assume you like the waterfowl.  My husband said his dad doesn't even duck hunt. Or goose hunt in this matter... Oh well.  :)

I think they'll both like their cards :)

Marv, thanks for being a wonderful father in law and raising a great son for me to call my husband!  You always put up with my jokes even though sometimes I think you can't handle it :) I love ya!

And dad - you already know how awesome you are.  Thank you for answering the call to ministry and being a man of God. I'm so glad I was raised in the church and know where to turn when I need reassurance.  You love Christ, mom, your 5 kids, and 13 grand kids and we love you too! Not to mention you make the worlds best burgers :) thanks for everything! You're my rock!

      **note the steeler garb in EVERY picture** haha!

Now, off to make my husband a Father's Day card! :) happy Saturday friends!

Playing catch up..

While most pregnant ladies going through "nesting" stage of cleaning the house, I'm still stamping.  In fact, I placed an order with my mom for some new stuff from the catalog and it's supposed to arrive next Wednesday. A week from my due date haha!!

As I approach my 39th week of pregnancy, I'm trying to get some cards made ahead of time. But first I needed to play catch up. Our friends little one turns 1 on my due date. 

We also have had some friends welcome babies this past month and I've yet to send cards.  One is for baby Benjamin and the other is for baby Stella :)

Every time I sit down to stamp, I want to make simple quick cards... But it's just not in my blood :)

Thanks for looking!