It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Mistletoe? NO.

Stockings? NO. 

Fat man in a velvet suit? POSSIBLY. 

Drunk relatives? DEFINITELY YES. 

Today my friends is my favorite holiday. TODAY is the start of COLLEGE FOOTBALL! 

Can I get a "woot! whoot!"?

I am breaking free at noon today to meet my family and friends down at Lot 37 to tailgate, have a drink (or 80) and cheer on my beloved Gophers to a 1-0 start to the season.

If you're wondering whether or not our tailgate has a Facebook group....

it does.

And if you're wondering whether or not I changed my cover photo to this last week....

I did.

WHOOP! WHOOP! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOP! 

I hope everyone has a wonderfully long and safe Labor Day weekend!

GO GOPHERS!

RAH! 

Verde Steak & Black Bean Avocados

OK, so this picture is absolutely horrendous. It was too dark not to use the flash and I was too hungry to get my DSLR....so if you follow my blog in hopes of fantastic food photography - I'm sorry, it's probably time to move on. 

Despite the awful photo, this meal is a new favorite and one that will surely be added to our rotation. 

Not only is this recipe delicious and healthy, it's SO. STINKIN'. EASY. 

Here's what you need & what you do: 

• Steak of your chosing
• Salsa verde {I just used Archer Farms brand}
• 1 can black beans
• 1 red pepper
• Chopped Onion {to taste}
• Garlic {to taste}
• Lime Juice {to taste}
• S&P {to taste}
• Avocado {1 half per person you're feeding}
• Olive Oil {just enough to saute}

1. Stab some holes in your steak with a fork and season with olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill steaks to your liking. 
2. Saute chopped onion and garlic in a little olive oil until onions are brown. 
3. Drain and wash the black beans and add them to the onion/garlic mixture. 
4. Chop up the red onion and add that as well. 
5. Season the beans & veggies with lime juice, salt, and pepper to achieve your desired taste {I also added a little chipotle tobasco sauce to give it a little spice}
6. Peel & Pit your avocados and cut them in half. 
7. Fill avocados with bean mixture. 
8. Cover steak in salsa verde and ENJOY! 

Baby Talk :: Flu Shot

Happy Tuesday mamas....it's time for another edition of BABY TALK!

Here's the rules:
{1} Write a post on ANYTHING baby related...pregnancy, parenting, products, stories, advice, you name it!
{2} Grab this button and put it somewhere, anywhere in your post!

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{3} Publish your post on Tuesday!
{4} Come back and enter your post in the super neat link-up tool found at the bottom of every Baby Talk post.
{5} Check back and read the other blogs who have linked up!

Easy as pie!

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With summer quickly coming to an end, the fall and winter months are upon us, which also means it's almost Flu Season. At Kenley's 9 month appointment our pediatrician suggested that Kenley come in in early October for the first of two flu vaccine shots. Jason and I talked it over and we're both on the fence. I don't want to be naive and end up with a severely sick child but I also don't love the idea of pumping my baby up with something she doesn't really need. I really love our doctor and trust her but I also know that in her profession she is pro-medication, which I don't always agree with. 

So I'm turning to other mamas, I need your opinions...

Did you/Do you get your baby/kid the flu shot?

Here's what is currently running through my head in regards to the shot:

PROS

• Really the only real pro I see is that Kenley may not get the flu - which is obviously a BIG pro. Our pediatrician said that some of the sickest babies she's ever seen have been from the flu. Obviously, I don't want that for Kenley. 
• The doctor also said if Kenley didn't get the shot she would recommend asking everyone who cares for her to get the shot. Since Kenley has an entourage of caregivers I couldn't possibly ask each and every one of them to get the vaccine, especially when I don't plan on getting it myself.

CONS

• In general, medicine makes me nervous. I feel that it's unnatural and can potentially cause more harm than good. I try to only take Advil & allergy medicine when it's absolutely necessary and other than that I really prefer not to take anything. 
• I've never had a flu shot and neither has Jason. 
• My mom got a flu shot once when I was in high school and I've never seen her so sick.
• Kenley doesn't go to a traditional daycare - she spends her days with our parents so although she is exposed to a variety of people she isn't around a bunch of kids. 
• Getting a flu shot does not guarantee that Kenley will not get the flu, the flu shot is designed to combat three strains of the flu so if she gets a different strain - she'll still be sick.

QUESTIONS

• Does the flu shot prevent the immune system from learning to fight off other illnesses on it's own? I want Kenley's little body to learn to fight for itself, and I'm curious if the vaccine helps or hurts this. 
• What are the side effects of the shot? Our doctor mentioned a possible fever but I've also heard of sore and painful injection sites as well as actual flu-like symptoms. 

I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts, opinions and experiences. I really don't think there's a right or a wrong, I just want to make an educated decision and do what is best {in my mind} for my baby girl. 

THANKS LOVES! 

Baby Talk :: Flu Shot?

With summer quickly coming to an end, the fall and winter months are upon us, which also means it's almost Flu Season. At Kenley's 9 month appointment our pediatrician suggested that Kenley come in in early October for the first of two flu vaccine shots. Jason and I talked it over and we're both on the fence. I don't want to be naive and end up with a severely sick child but I also don't love the idea of pumping my baby up with something she doesn't really need. I really love our doctor and trust her but I also know that in her profession she is pro-medication, which I don't always agree with. 

So I'm turning to other mamas, I need your opinions...

Did you/Do you get your baby/kid the flu shot?

Here's what is currently running through my head in regards to the shot:

PROS

• Really the only real pro I see is that Kenley may not get the flu - which is obviously a BIG pro. Our pediatrician said that some of the sickest babies she's ever seen have been from the flu. Obviously, I don't want that for Kenley. 
• The doctor also said if Kenley didn't get the shot she would recommend asking everyone who cares for her to get the shot. Since Kenley has an entourage of caregivers I couldn't possibly ask each and every one of them to get the vaccine, especially when I don't plan on getting it myself.

CONS

• In general, medicine makes me nervous. I feel that it's unnatural and can potentially cause more harm than good. I try to only take Advil & allergy medicine when it's absolutely necessary and other than that I really prefer not to take anything. 
• I've never had a flu shot and neither has Jason. 
• My mom got a flu shot once when I was in high school and I've never seen her so sick.
• Kenley doesn't go to a traditional daycare - she spends her days with our parents so although she is exposed to a variety of people she isn't around a bunch of kids. 
• Getting a flu shot does not guarantee that Kenley will not get the flu, the flu shot is designed to combat three strains of the flu so if she gets a different strain - she'll still be sick.

QUESTIONS

• Does the flu shot prevent the immune system from learning to fight off other illnesses on it's own? I want Kenley's little body to learn to fight for itself, and I'm curious if the vaccine helps or hurts this. 
• What are the side effects of the shot? Our doctor mentioned a possible fever but I've also heard of sore and painful injection sites as well as actual flu-like symptoms. 

I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts, opinions and experiences. I really don't think there's a right or a wrong, I just want to make an educated decision and do what is best {in my mind} for my baby girl. 

THANKS LOVES!

Link up every Tuesday!

A Perfect Summer Weekend

Good morning friends! This past weekend was much needed. After some jam packed crazy weekends it was wonderful to finally have a few days with limited plans. 

Thursday after work I grabbed some take out Chinese from my favorite place and went to my mom's to hang out with her and my baby girl. Since Jason and I cancelled our cable I haven't been able to watch the newest season of Giuliana and Bill...and it's been killing me. My mom recorded all the episodes for me and we had ourselves a little marathon. While waiting for the take out I tweeted about my plans for the evening and then a few hours later, I received this:

No your eyes do not deceive you - that is a retweet and a reply from GIULIANA FRICKIN' RANCIC. Needless to say I freaked out! And then had to explain Twitter to my mom. And then of course had to post the tweet to instagram, twitter and facebook! It was a pretty bomb way to start the weekend. 

If you follow me on instagram, you also saw that planning has officially commenced for Kenley's First Birthday Party. 

You know what they say - don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today, or whatever. That is totally my motto when it comes to party planning, so I am starting to get the things done that I can so come November I can be stress-free and enjoy my darling's birthday. 

Friday morning my mom joined Kenley and I on a quest to pick up something I purchased for the party on Craigslist last week and then spent the afternoon at the country club enjoying lunch and the pool. 

Saturday I was up early and off to Lake Minnetonka for my girlfriend Liz's Bachelorette Party! We started the day at her fiance's family's lake house with breakfast, mimosas and gifts. 

At promptly 10am our boat arrived and after some early morning beer bongs, we were on our way. 

We we were on the lake the whole day; stopping for lunch at Lord Fletchers, spending the afternoon at Big Island and eating dinner at Maynards. I had the best time catching up with my high school girlfriends, talking about boys, soaking up sun and celebrating Liz.

Sunday I got two glorious hours to myself at the pool with my book {I'm reading Prospice and loving it - full review coming soon} before Kenley and Jason joined me.

This little girl LOVES the pool, just like her mama {thank Heavens!}

The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning up, grocery shopping and other lame but important things. Now if this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday could just hurry the heck up that would be great, because college football starts on THURSDAY!!! 

As usual I am linking up with the adorable Sami for Weekend Shenanigans.