Harley Turned 6!

Yep. 

I'm posting a "cat birthday" post. Again.

My oldest cat son turned 6 on Saturday. 

6....this age makes me sad. Why do pets have to get old so fast?

I want him to go back to this age...

Mom, this next picture is for you.

Do you remember laughing at it? Making fun of your grandson? 

Huh, do ya?

I have two cats, but this cat is mine. 

We are inseparable. I think it's because he was my first born purchased.

 : )

He is a cuddle bug. He fetches. And he's mean to pretty much everyone except me and Garrett. Just the way a cat should be! : ) 

I love you Harley!

I told my dad that he was 42 in human years.

Dad said, "Tell him to wait 'til he's 50!"

Peanut Butter Cheerio Treats

Happy Friday! 

Last weekend, Garrett and I made these yummy Honey Nut Cheerio and peanut butter treats and I wanted to share them with you. 

I think you'll like 'em!

What you need:

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Corn Syrup

1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

5 Cups Honey Nut Cheerios

Wax Paper 

What to do:

In a large sauce pan, combine sugar and corn syrup. Bring to boil over medium heat.

 Allow to boil for one minute, then take away from heat. 

Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth. 

Add Cheerios and mix until coated.

Form small to medium sized...clumps? : )...and drop onto wax paper!

Let cool, and enjoy!

Found here.

Have a great weekend!!

Gooey Caramel Brownies

These brownies are legit.

Probably my favorite brownies that we have made so far.

In my opinion, even better than these, and that's saying something!

What you need:

1 14oz package of individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped

2/3 Cup evaporated milk, separated

1 18.25oz boxed chocolate cake mix

3/4 Cup butter, melted

1 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

What to do:

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large saucepan, combine caramels and 1/3 cup of evaporated milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture is smooth. Set aside.

Grease a 9x13 pan.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cake mix, melted butter, and 1/3 cup of evaporated milk until a dough forms.

Press half of the dough in the greased pan, save half for later.

Bake for 10 minutes. 

Remove and sprinkle on the chocolate chips, pour the caramel mixture over the chocolate chips, and crumble the remaining dough over the caramel layer. 

Return to the oven. 

Bake for 15 to 18 more minutes.

Cool until caramel is set and serve!

Recipe via Chef in Training

The Kindness of Strangers

I just wanted to brag on someone.

Someone I don't even know.

Friday night, Garrett and I were looking for a place to eat dinner.

This whole thing went on:

I am the Queen Bee of saying, "No, hun I don't care where we eat."

Then Garrett will list several places and I turn them all down. All girls do this right?

Anyways, we ended up at Old Chicago. 

All night my main desire was to have a Coke. I wasn't too picky about the food, but I refused to go somewhere that didn't have a Coke.

Well, stupid Old Chicago only has nasty Pepsi products.

I told our waitress that I guessed I would just have a water. Then I decided a nasty Dr. Pepper wouldn't be too awful.

Several minutes went by, no Dr. Pepper. Now the bad mouthing of the waitress starts.

 "I wish she would just bring my damn Dr. Pepper!"

Finally, she comes to our table with my drink and tells me to take a drink and that she was sorry for the wait. 

IT WAS A COKE!!

She had ran across the street and bought me a bottle of Coke. She said, "If that was the only thing not going to make you happy, I had to go get you one!" 

Say whaaaa? How sweet is that!? 

I gave her a big Texas-sized hug and grinned from ear to ear.

To the sweet waitress who bought me a coke:

I'm sorry I don't remember your name, but THANK YOU for going out of your way to serve your customers. That was the sweetest thing a stranger has ever done for me! : )

Our Wedding: Reception

This is the last wedding post.

I really mean it this time.

{If you missed our previous wedding posts, check them out here, here, and here.}

Since we had a simple beach wedding, we had an equally simple reception afterwards.

 I had a small cake and we had dinner and champagne at one of the resort's restaurants. My dad, Garrett's dad, and our siblings gave toasts that were all very sweet. My dad surprised me by writing something and reading it out loud. That is something I will never forget, and is one of my favorite memories from our wedding day.

I changed out of my big dress into a yellow strapless comfy dress. I hate to say it, but I could not wait to get out of my wedding dress! It was way too hot to be wearing something that heavy!

This little bit of deliciousness was left in our room! : )

Our reception table

My little, but yummy, cake!

Sister giving her toast.

Yates' toast

Our Dad's toast's made us tear up a little. 

We weren't nice. We shoved it into eachother's faces.

 I'm not sure why I look drunk. I wasn't. 

Our cake sure was yummy!

Bride and Groom strawberries in our room : )

After our reception, Garrett and I stayed for a couple of day's to celebrate. 

When we got back home we had an outdoor reception at Perini Ranch Steakhouse so that we could see friends/family and celebrate with them. The venue was perfect! There was a dance floor, trees all around, and the food was great! I am somewhat bitter about that reception because it was outdoors and, of course, it started to rain. We had to call it quits way too early! Still makes me sad. 

But, I did have a great time and it was so great to see our friends and family!

Mom and dad

One of my best friends from highschool that I hadn't seen in a really long time was able to come! I was so happy!

Dancing in the rain

Ok. Thank you for hanging in there with the longest post ever! 

It was fun looking back at our pictures and reminiscing. Wedding pictures are always fun to look at! 

IT'S FRIDAY!!

Our Wedding: Part 3

Yep. There is a part 3. 

Probably going to be a part 4 as well. 

But, I'm pretty sure there has been no idea sparked in my brain for a part 5. 

Unless something gets crazy up in here. 

For now you are safe! : )

If you are just tuning in, check out Part 1 and Part 2 first!

Alright, we left off Part 2 with everyone waiting on me and dad to arrive.

Garrett's in his spot! Let the wedding begin : )

Brothers

Dad and I got to come in on a horse carriage! 

If you have any idea how much I love animals, you will know that this was particularly exciting for me.

My only complaint was that I had no time whatsoever to pet the horse. We were on a schedule. Dumb.

Once I arrived, down went my sister.

She was on a mission to get me hitched quick!

(Sorry B. This picture still makes me laugh.)

My turn!

Check out my awesome sunburn

Cheek kisses and giving me away

Our ceremony was different. 

Looking back, I have NO clue what was said during the whole thing. I was concentrated on Garrett, the folks in the crowd, Alyssa, and how hot it was in that heavy dress. And I was thirsty.

We signed our marriage licenses and added our thumb print to them.

Cutie

Ring time

We did it!!

Champagne toast

You have no idea how thankful I was for something to drink. 

I chugged mine out of pure thirst.

I love my dad's face in this one

The whole group

HAHAHA

"Alyssa! Watch your knee!"

SO HANDSOME!

The end.

Thanks for hanging in there...again. I'm really loving reliving our wedding and I'm loving all of the sweet comments you guys are leaving. Makes a gal feel happy!

Next post: Reception