WE HAVE MOVED!

This post is long overdue; but we have redirected our blog to:

www.cavaliergirl.com

I hope you'll join us over there!

-Kalyn

Backyard BBQ: C's 2nd Birthday

You know that feeling where you just feel overwhelmingly blessed by the people in your life?

This weekend had many of those feelings..

From my Dad coming up early to help with small projects, to spending the entire day with my Grandparents and Mom.

To friends blessing us with such rich memories and watching all of our kiddos play while we enjoyed fun conversation.

C is so blessed to have such wonderful people guiding his life.

Thanks to all of our friends, and family. (near and far... those text messages from our friends far away are priceless!)

We couldn't have imagined a more fun day to spend with you all.

Can't wait to do it again.

Last year, Chase and I made and decorated Connor's cake. We really enjoyed it, so we did it again this year! During icing, Connor woke up, so I kind of rushed through the final stages... it looked a little interesting.  A little work from awesome, detail oriented Dad, and the cake looked like a million bucks! Topped with some cute homemade touches, and it was ready.

I used this recipe for the cake, and a super duper yummy icing recipe from my awesome friend Madeline. If you want this recipe, I'll have to ask her! ;)

     

For the pennant, I took two straws and bakers twine and hot glued the ends into the straws. Then I hot glued little triangles of burlap onto the string, and voila! Super cute pennant. I contemplated writing a C on the middle triangle, or possibly "two", but I loved the simplicity of this!

We also made bubble favors for our little buddies!

(mini mason jars, spray painted the lids orange, used my awesome Nesting Punch and cut out vinyl for the labels. Labeled with a chalk pen ((too large of a tip obviously, lol)) and filled with bubble solution. You can also see the wands in the background formed with crafting pipe cleaners! Easy and fun craft time!)

And it's not a BBQ without the grape, orange, and cherry sodas.

C totally loved his cake... 

and opening gifts from his sweet friends.... 

I'm pretty sure he had a blast! 

{ DIY - Drawer Shelf }

When we moved into this house, there were things in every nook and cranny. I mean.. the garden shed was piled to the ceiling with stuff.


The garage STILL has unknown treasures, and the cabinets housed dishes, food, and more... (ick)


So, needless to say, it has been a HUGE undertaking to get comfortable in this house. There are still so many projects on our "to-do" list; however, we (I) are learning to adjust and live in the moment and enjoy the little projects as we go!

When we cleaned out the shed last week, we found all sorts of treasures to re-purpose. My favorite was this old desk drawer.


It is now a pretty shelf on our wall!

Next to it are frames that Chase has made, and I painted and one filled with a chalk board. These will be for sale soon enough once the process is perfected. It's so fun making our own decorations for the house.

They may not be everybody's taste, but I sure do love them.

This little nook has become a favorite of mine. It was inspired by my dear friend Sara (The Rosy Life) who gifted the awesome prints. Thank you, friend!

all that re-purposing demanded a yummy quiche with kale, tomatos, eggs, and green onions from our Brandon Mountain Farms share...

and just to make you smile... my sweet helper.

Father's Day

Father's Day was ultra special this year, as we were able to spend it with my dad on the White River.

We went to a spring fed water hole, ate yummy pizza, relaxed, and watched movies half the day together. 

We took a few trips exploring the river bank, and enjoyed great conversation. 

A lazy, relaxing weekend with the three guys that mean the most to me.

When we returned home from the long weekend, Chase and I began scavenging the fridge for food and we realized we had some chicken that needed to be eaten.

In comes yummy roasted chicken recipe!

If I remake this recipe, I'll definitely marinate the chicken in the juices the night prior to cooking! I'll link to the original recipe so you can enjoy, too.

Since we no longer use plastic as food storage (I'm working on the rest of the house!!), I enjoy setting out dinner so much more! 

All of the pretty colors make this mama happy.

Toodles!

BBQ for Turning 2: Connor's 2nd Birthday Party

The end of June is quickly approaching, which means party planning momma mode is engaged...

Two days ago while browsing the Target $1 bins, I found the cutest BBQ party decor. I decided then that a backyard celebration with kid pools, our pool, a firepit, s'mores, and burgers sounded like a great time for family and friends and kids alike!

I know Connor could play all day outside, and he loves being in the backyard, so it sounded perfect.

He's also leaving for Grammie's next week, so I plan to spend my days cleaning up, organizing, painting, and decorating for the big weekend!

Last night, I whipped up invitations in Photoshop, and they should be arriving today or tomorrow from Millers.

Just thought I'd share with you the end product.

If you haven't received a FB invite, or paper invite, and would like to come, please do! I have a hard time thinking of everybody we'd like to have here right now!

 I'm leaving off our personal invitation on this publicly viewed page, but if you know us, you know where we live and how to get in touch with us!!

Cavalier Crawfish Boil 2013

Since the year Chase and I started dating, his family has put on an annual crawfish boil. This year was our 6th year celebrating with them, and true to tradition, it did not disappoint.

There's just something special about being around your family and creating traditions and memories that makes my little heart so happy.

Helping Angie put up decorations!

Appetizers... that Connor later dumped on the ground. Thankfully they were almost all gone.

Looks good, right???

Pretty much sums him up. ;)

He's the bomb.

First entire Cavalier family photo since our wedding in 2008!

He wanted in so so badly!

My mother-in-law has the prettiest garden.

 So there's a little recap of the day.

So glad my dad could come again this year. Love seeing how awesome he is with Connor. When none of us could get him to take a nap, Grandpa could.

Nothing like Grandpa cuddles.

Technology

This week has been frustrating in the world of technology.

With one small failure after another, I started to question my ability to handle the extreme amount of stress that comes with preserving others' memories via pictures.


Then I took a few photos of my little guy, and remembered WHY we were doing this. Not just to provide a home where I can stay with my kiddo during the day, but because these special moments and looks make my heart swell with joy.

We love being able to give that to others.

Can't these little toes stay little forever?

THIS is the look that I hope he will always give his mama.

Thanks, y'all for letting me share. It's been a bit of a rough week with technology, and I just wanted to share the ups and downs of this crazy life. 

It's in these trials that we find passion and purpose. 

Now, to buckle down and overcome technological imposed limitations!

A little bit of organization:

It truly goes a long way- organization.

When I organize a tiny little spot in the house, I feel like a new person! The little spot then usually becomes my favorite little nook in the house for about 24 hours until I feel the need to accomplish something else.

Does organizing release endorphins? I'm pretty sure something cray-cray happens when we complete tasks, because I get all kinds of happy.

While I was away in California, I drank in the beautiful scenery and regained some motivation to come home and work on the house. After two months of feeling like projects were never ending, I lost quite a bit of drive to do anything on the house. I wanted it to be finished, but lacked the motivation to do it!

Well California fixed me.

My friends, and the beautiful scenery were the perfect rejuvenating source!

First thing, we have been without a toilet paper holder since we basically moved in. Jessica gave me the fabulous idea to use my Thirty-One Magazine Basket as one! It's PERFECT! Now I need another for the other bathroom. ;)

While I was in California, Chase finished painting the bathroom cabinets. Still need to caulk and touch up some places, but it's 100% better than before! Not sure I want to put doors back on though. I love the open storage concept. They're still in the garage though if I change my mind! I cannot wait to add some Thirty-One Cubes in here, too! 

For now, those are TWO spaces that are on their way to being complete. 

We finished up the bedroom, so I'll post about that soon! It's one of my favorite places now.

We are WORKING on the backyard. It's a slow process, but it already feels more like home!

                                                                Vote: Doors or No Doors?

*See the sun shining in the window...*

While we enjoyed the day today, we took a little walk around the corner to a budding field of wild flower weeds.

They are quite possibly the prettiest weeds ever.

I remember in high school, my friend Shirley (shirleykayphotography.com) who was back then just emerging as a profound photographer, introduced me to a field of these beauties. I'm always on the lookout for more now!

After, I decided to snap a few details of the house. While it's not finished yet, we have done quite a bit!

We joined Brandon Mt. Farms CSA and boy am I excited about fresh local goods every week! In this week's haul there were two irises.... <3 br="">

I stuck them in with my backyard goodies I picked yesterday.

My growing vintage Pyrex collection. After we paint the cabinet white, I need to figure out a better arrangement. For now, everything is cozy and safe.

Happy houseplants = happy home. 

I think my favorite part of spring is the sunshine. It is infectious after a long winter!

It' brings to mind this song (which has special meaning in my heart from Walker...):

See the sun shining in the window

Time to start a new day

Can't you hear the songbird singing

I'd like to sing out loud today

Cause its a beautiful day

For running in the sun

A beautiful day

Has just begun

A beautiful day

And I want to share it with you

What's your favorite part about spring?