Minnick Family Reunion Branson Style!

We took a 3 day weekend and went to Branson this past weekend!!! All of Mitch's siblings, their spouses, and their kids were there...along with his parents!! We had a great time!!! It was so good to see everyone and so much fun to watch the kiddos play together!!!

We left work a little early on Thursday and got the car all loaded up to leave. As we were getting ready to leave, a huge storm came through. We were sooo thankful for the rain, but the wind got up to 60mph...and our poor little tree just couldn't take it!!! We were able to "restake" it once we got back...and we think it will be ok!!! I told Mitch that I guess it is symbolic of our relationship...it may bend and get a little weathered...but it won't break!! :-)

We normally stop in Fayetteville for dinner...but we got behind schedule because of the storm and just ate in Fort Smith. I guess we should have stopped in Fayetteville because Miss Luci desperately needed a bathroom break...when we were nowhere near a bathroom. So, we had to bust out the travel potty. Luci will kill me later for this pic, but I think it is hysterical!!

We got into Branson fairly late. We visited with his folks and then headed to bed since the guys had a 6:30 tee time on Friday morning.

While the guys were golfing, Luci and I stopped for some Krispy Kreme's and then went swimming with the others!!

After we got finished swimming and the guys got back from golfing, we headed out to lunch at Culver's. Luci must have been realllly tired, because she slept for the next 3.5 hours...in. her. stroller. She woke up in a fantastic mood!! I guess she needed the rest!

After lunch and shopping, we headed to Ozark, MO to meet up with everyone for dinner at Lambert's! After dinner, Mitch, Luci, and I went to the Landing to walk around and shop a little.

Grammy brought some treats to keep the kids entertained while waiting at Lambert's!

The next day, we all woke up early and headed out to Silver Dollar City together!! The kids had a blast riding all of the rides together! It was super hot so the 3 of us checked out about 1 and headed back to the condo to rest. Around 5, we all met back up for dinner at Fall Creek. Luci must have been really tired from all of the heat, because after dinner, she fell asleep at 7...and didn't wake up until 7 the next morning! Mitch and I popped some popcorn and watched the Olympics back at the condo since she went to bed so early.

We checked out early on Sunday, did a little shopping, and then headed back home!



Things We Are Working On- 37 Months

I wanted to write a few things down that we are currently working on with Luci...just to have as a reference later...

   - Address. She already knows her city/state. She knows the street we live on, but we are working on putting that all together with our house number. We haven't started on zip code yet.

   - Spelling Minnick. Luci and Ava are memorized.

   -Singing "He's Still Working On Me." Quinn and I used to sing this song all the time when we were little. She has got most of the chorus down, but not the verses.

   - Listening and obeying the first time. This area needs lots of work. I refuse to count 1,2,3. We are working on this...and there are consequences. I understand she is 3...but this is something she needs to do.

   -Cutting with scissors. Scissors were on her pre-school supply list for the fall, so Mimi bought her a pair and we have been practicing. She has got the "we only, only, only cut paper speech about 50 times."

...although she did get to give Daddy a "hair-cut" this weekend with her pretend scissors!!!

   - Asking instead of demanding. She has constant reminders to say "May I please have some milk" instead of "I want milk".

   - Learning about Jesus. She has a hard time understanding that she can't see Jesus! She is constantly      wondering where he is! I tell her he is in our hearts and heaven...but she just gives me a confused look!

   - Counting. She is consistent until about 15...and then some of the numbers get out of order.

   - Keeping a close watch on the sass.

   - Printing her name.

   - Drinking more water!

   - Going to bed earlier!

   -Being joyful in the mornings!!! Whoo, this is a big one!! If we can get this one accomplished, I will be one happy Mommy!!!

And just for fun...a snapshot of "real life" in the Minnick household!!! 

  We love our little Luci!!!!!

Birthday and Baby-Sitting

Since Mitch's birthday was last night, Kerri volunteered to keep an eye on Luci for us while Mitch and I went out for a birthday date night! For those of you who know us, we rarely go out on dates by ourselves. We usually have Miss Priss with us (mainly because after working all week, I really don't want to miss out on any time with her)...so it was nice when Kerri volunteered (basically forced...jk!) to watch Luci for an hour or so while we went out to dinner!!

I bathed and fed Luci before we went so that all Kerri and her had to do was play!!!

Luci got this for dinner...we ate Rolando's! I say we got the better end of the deal!! 

Kerri also brought us over some treats when she came...fresh salsa, veggies, and fruit!! She definitely knows the key to a good friendship! Ha!

Kerri promised me that Luci was on her best behavior...but after seeing this pic... I am not so sure!!!

We had a great date night and I am so lucky to have such a great friend who will watch Luci for us after she had a long day of work just so we can get out for a while!!!

Happy Birthday Mitch!!!

Mitch turns 27 today!! I know 27 is not old. I get that. But, it just seems so old when I think about how we were only 18 when me met!

All 9lbs of him!!!

We had a birthday party for Mitch last night...

I made (at his request) oven fried chicken, mashed potatoes (made with cream cheese), fresh purple hull peas (mom made), mac and cheese, fresh garden tomatoes, salad, and strawberry cake with ice cream!!!! It was such a huge meal for a week night...but it sure was good!!!

Yes, that chicken is sitting in a pool of butter...and yes it was good...and no it probably wasn't healthy...and yes it was good! :-)

Homemade strawberry cake!!

 OU spatula for the grill!

 The boys playing with Mitch's new toy!!! He loves that game!!

 Luci feeding Ellie a big bite of ice cream!

 Mimi and Brendon

 Relaxing in the hammock after dinner!

 Don't you put your baby in a basket!?

Tonight, Kerri has volunteered to watch Luci for us while Mitch and I go eat dinner at Rolando's!!!

My friend Misty posted this little quiz that she gave her 3 year old about her Daddy. I decided to ask Luci the questions...her answers are underlined...

My Daddy's name is Mitch.

He is 2 years old.

He is as big as a horse.

He has brown hair and brown eyes.

His favorite food is tacos.

His favorite color is red.

He likes to go to the store.

For fun he likes to play with me.

My favorite thing to do with my dad is play.

I love my dad because he loves me.

Happy Birthday Mitch/Daddy!!! We love you!!!

Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream

I recently made Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream for dessert one night when Kerri and Taylor were coming over. It is sooo yum! We got the recipe out of the Cuisinart recipe book that came with our ice cream maker...and it is fantastic!!! We have made it several times over the last few years...and it never disappoints!!! You can make this and put it in any ice cream maker...but we love our Cuisinart!!!

Ingredients:
1-1/8 cups good quality peanut butter (not natural)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/4 cups whole milk (I had 2% on hand)
2 cups heavy cream
1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup chopped chocolate peanut butter cup candies

Directions:
In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or whisk to combine the peanut butter and sugar until smooth. Add the milk and mix on low speed until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla.

Turn the machine on; pour the mixture into freezer bowl, and let mix until thickened, about 25 to 35 minutes. Five minutes before mixing is completed, add the chopped candy through the top and let mix in completely.

The ice cream will have a soft, creamy texture. If a firmer consistency is desired, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer for about 2 hours. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving.

Our ice cream in action...and the finished product!!!



Weekend Recap- Wedding Shower & Randoms

We had a great weekend this weekend! The highlight was the wedding shower that myself and Taylor's sister  co-hosted for Kerri!

On Friday night, we grabbed a quick dinner out and got together the finishing touches for the shower on Saturday!!

Saturday morning was spent loading up the 5 huge loads of stuff for the shower and getting ready!!

The shower was a lemon/lime theme! I thought it was a great summery theme!! We had lots of fun at the shower, and Kerri and Taylor got lots of great gifts!!! Sooo happy for them!!!

The hostesses and little hostess with the bride to be!!!

Best!

Love this pic!!

 We had tons of lemon and limes!!! 

 Lemon-Lime water and Lime punch!! We loved the little lemon/lime straws!!!

Food table!

On Sunday, we went to church, did a little grocery shopping, and then spent the afternoon cleaning and playing!!!

Grocery shopping with Luci and her baby!

We have locks on the cleaning supply cabinet and the medicine cabinet...but apparently where we really needed the locks was the dish towel drawer!!

Luci wasn't too sure about the new hammock!

 Sunday night dinner was breakfast burritos!!! We all 3 love them!!!

2 Year Blogiversary

Well folks, as of July 2...I have been blogging for 2 years (well, with a small 2 month hiatus somewhere in there). I can't believe it has been that long...it just seems like yesterday that I started. I know I talk about it all the time, but this blog is truly so special to me...and I hope one day, it will be special to Luci.

I plan on printing my second book at the end of the year!! I can't wait to see another year of our life all documented out so that we can look back on it when we are old and gray (well, Mitch will be gray. Not me.).

I was going to pick some of my favorite posts to highlight...but geez...I have 280 of them now...and it is so hard to choose!!!!

How can I choose between the vacation posts, anniversaries, weekend recaps, recipes, and just random posts about nothing much??!?!! I love them all!!

Thanks for reading Minnick's Musings!!!!

Our Family~ A Circle of Strength and Love, Founded on Faith, Joined in Love, Kept by God~Forever Together

Branson Summer Vaca 2012- Part 4

Day 7- The girls were pretty lazy on this day!!! Dad, Jathan, Mitch, and Jordan all went golfing in the heat. Ugh! But they had a good time! Renata, Mom, me, and Luci stayed at the pool for a while, let Luci nap, and then went shopping for a bit.

I sat out on the patio for a while and relaxed!!

After shopping, we met up with everyone for dinner. After dinner, some went swimming, and some came back to play a fun marble board game together!!! We get pretty competitive!! This was our last full day in Branson, so it was nice to just "lazy around"!!!

Day 8- We were all sad to leave our fun vacation, but ready to sleep in our own bed!! We headed out early on Friday. Mitch, Luci, and I stopped in Fayetteville for lunch...and then came home to start the fun, exciting, unpacking! lol!!!

We had sooooo much fun!!! We can't wait until next time...which for us, won't be long!! We go back to Branson for a long weekend later this month with Mitch's folks!!! Can't wait!!!

Branson Summer Vaca 2012- Part 3

Day 6- The 4th of July!!! This day deserves a post of its own!! We had such a busy, fun day!!!

We all woke up early and the 11 of us all went to play Mini Golf together!!! It was sooo hot at 9:30am that Luci only lasted a few holes. She and I quit early and enjoyed some popsicles in the clubhouse while every one else finished the game!!!

I thought we needed matching flag shirts!!!

After putt-putt, everyone kind of did their own thing for the afternoon...of course, we went shopping!! I had to hit all of those 4th of July sales!!! :-)

Waiting on lunch!

After shopping, we went back to the condo to set up everything for dinner! We had grilled burgers, hot dogs, and brats! Yum Yum!!! It was sure hot though!!!

After dinner, we went a did a little swimming and then gathered back up at the condo to watch all of the Firework displays!!! What a fun 4th!!!!

Watching fireworks!! :-)