Insta-Friday, 2-17

Insta-Friday again, Friends. I love these posts. I know I will love looking back on our day to day activities in the future. This was a big week.  

Ethan loves to push around his stuffed animals.

It is so cute to watch him pretend.

We made a trip to Ikea last weekend.

Here is our little helper using his very large muscles.

I am obsessed with books about the Kennedy's.

Someone told me this one had something to do with JFK.

I started reading it, and although the JFK aspect is small, I am enjoying the novel as a whole.

This is Hannah Banana (that is not really her middle name, but it just flows, ya know?).

She was born on Monday to my BFF who lives in Charleston.

I wish I could hold her and kiss those cheeks right now.

Stephanie (the BFF) doesn't have any sisters and her husband doesn't either, so I have named myself favorite aunt.

I am sure Hannah won't mind.

I got to be a part of George's Valentine's party at preschool (and so did Ethan, obviously).

This is one of my favorite parts of being a stay-at-home mom.

I love participating in his daily activities.

While we were at George's school Ethan decided to be a big kid and lay down to read a book.

He even got a date on a carriage ride for Valentine's Day while we were there.

Another really good friend of mine had her baby on Wednesday.

This is Rocco Rae, and he is absolutely adorable.

Rikki (his momma) has come to visit me in the hospital with both my boys, and it was nice to return the favor.

I couldn't believe how little he was.

It seems like forever since mine were this small.

One of my friends had to do a little work dinner last night at a restaurant called Ocean Prime.

She needed a friend to accompany her, so I was happy to tag along.

The food was divine and the company even better.

The entire night was fun, but this peanut butter pie took it over the edge.

I have literally never put something so delicious in my mouth.

There you have it.

The Bettelli week in a nutshell.

Have a great weekend!

Embrace it, Mommies

Embracing my camera this week with Emily from The Anderson Crew.


 She started a link-up to challenge moms to get in the pictures instead of hiding behind the camera. As we grow older we (and especially our children) are going to want to look back at pictures. It is important to embrace that concept. Don't worry about what is wrong with our hair, make-up (or lack there of), clothes, and so on. Just get in the picrture. You will be glad you did. This week is another picture from my birthday party.I just can't give it up. A picture of my daddy and I.  

He is so special to me, and I love the love I can see in this picture.

He has been a wonderful father to me for all my 30 years, and I know that is not the norm for most families.

I don't take it for granted.

I am so glad I have this picture with him forever.

I love you, Daddy!

A Day Late . . .

A day late and a dollar short . . . story of my life:) Yesterday was Valentine's Day (well, it is still Valentine's Day as I write this, but it won't be once it is posted) I wanted to write a quick love note to each of my boys in honor of the day of love. Boy #1 - Daddy 

Tim,

You are truly a God-send.

I know I could never do anything to deserve all the love you show me.

You are such a picture of God's grace and have taught me so much about how to show that grace to others.

I love you so much and even though it sounds cliche . . . I don't know what I would do without you.

You are the best father to our boys, and I am so thankful they have you as their example.

On this day of love, I hope you know that you are the one I love the most on this earth.

You are everything I could ever ask for in a husband and father.

I thank the Lord for you every single day.

Mad Crazy, Babe!

Boy #2 - George

Georgie Porgie,

I have said it before and I will say it again . . . You and only you are the one who made me a mom.

You have stretched me in ways I could never have imagined.

You have a piece of my heart that will always be yours.

You are such a smart, adorable, funny, daddy-look-a-like, expressive boy.

You have taught me more than I could ever teach you.

God truly blessed our lives from the minute we found out we were pregnant with you.

You were a surprise, but it was the best surprise I have ever experienced (even better than my 30th birthday, which is saying a lot).

I love you more than words could ever express, but on this day of love I want you to know that mommy loves you unconditionally.

I love you my firstborn,

Mommy

Boy #3 - Ethan

Ethan,

You are my baby for the time being.

That is so special to me because I have seen how fast that time slips away.

You still love to sit on my lap and drink your milk.

I am still the one who takes you out of your crib everyday with your sleepy smile.

You have stolen my heart even when I thought there was no room left.

You have such a unique personality.  You are so determined to finish whatever you start.

You have also taught me more than I could have ever imagined.

I am in awe of the new things you learn on a daily basis.

I am your biggest fan.

I love you forever and always, my determined one,

Mommy

Love letters to my boys . . . in the flesh . . . saved for all time.

So what if they are a day late.

Better late than never, right?

Valentine's at the Bettelli's

I forgot to do a post on our Valentine's Day decorations earlier in the month, so I thought today would be perfect. Here are the few festive things I did around our house to get us in the "love" mood. 

The front doors.

$2.50 at Target . . . can't beat that!

The Kitchen Table.

Decorative Towels.

I made these cute mailboxes for each member of our family.

I got the idea from Emily at The Anderson Crew.

I bought candlesticks from the thrift store, painted them black and then gorilla glued them to the mailboxes I got in the dollar section at Target (and I stuck letter stickers to the front, obviously).

I put treats in them everyday from February 1st through Valentine's Day.

One day George asked me why no one was filling my mailbox.

I told him I didn't know.

He started putting his leftover candy in my mailbox and lifting the flag each day.

He is such a thoughtful little boy.

Lastly, I made these cute Valentine's for George to take to his class party.

They were super easy, as well.

I got the idea on the Family Fun website.

I just cut, glued, hole-punched and stuck pencils through.

I changed the saying as a tribute to one of my loves - New Kids on the Block.

Not that the four year olds in George's preschool will know who they are, but maybe when they bring them home their mothers will.

I had a good time with it, obviously.

Hope your Valentine's Day is as filled with love as mine is.

Ranch Roasted Potatoes (Take 2)

Time for a recipe.

I have already posted this recipe on the blog, but it was before I had this fancy camera.
There were no pictures of the masterpiece, and I know from experience that pictures make the recipe.
You only want to make things that look good.
I get it.
I am here to deliver.
Ranch Roasted Potatoes:
You will need 6 (if they are large) to 8 (if they are small) red potatoes.Cut them up in pieces that are all the same size, but every piece has to have skin on it.Like so . . . 

Put those potatoes in a large ziploc bag with 1/4 cup of olive oil (I know the picture has a 1/3 cup but I used way more potatoes and had to up the ante) and a dry Ranch dressing packet.

Zip the bag up and shake until the potatoes are completely coated.

Pour the potatoes out onto a foil lined cookie sheet (makes for easier clean up).

Roast those puppies on 425 degrees for fifteen minutes.

Take them out and flip them all over.

Put them back in the over for 15 - 20 minutes (depending on how crispy you like them).

Done and Done.

An easy side dish that goes with just about anything.

I make these at least once a week.

I haven't met anyone who doesn't like them.

Insta-Friday, 2-10-12

Here is a peek into my week via my iphone. Linking up at Life Rearranged   

So . . . on our brithday date, Tim had the waiter bring me this cake.

Cute, right?

Except I didn't like it.  At. All.

Like I couldn't eat more than one bite.

Tim felt bad.

Tim sent it back for me, and this was try number two.

It was ok.

I hate that I didn't love it, but you win some you lose some.

It's the thought that counts, babe.

Ethan is getting to the age where he wants to walk everywhere like his brother.

The Bettelli family rule is that we always hold hands when we walk in the street.

This brother hand holding makes my heart happy.

The bucket hat.

One of Ethan's favorite toys.

I was seriously craving deviled eggs this week.

Weird?  Yes.

Delicious?  Double yes.

Where's Waldo?

Ethan loves the leftover party favors.

He just can't seem to get enough of the 90's.

Can you guess why he looks so guily?

Here is another clue.

Toys taken out of the bath and into an antibacterial, soap filled sink.

Finally all clean after bath number 2.

Love the toweled look.

And Ethan still looks guilty.

Eventful week to say the least.

The one with my bro

Participating in Embrace the Camera this week. Emily over at The Anderson Crew does a weekly link-up that challenges moms to get in front of the camera.  My picture this week is of myself, my brother, and my oldest, George. It was taken on my birthday last week, and I love the way our faces are smooshed together. My brother lives in Tallahassee, so we don't get to see him often enough. It was so fun to have him and his wife here for my special day.  

Everyone says my brother and I look alike.

You be the judge.