Best Friends

Eli's friend, Myles, is 3 days older and wiser.  I hung out with both of them for a bit while Kelly and Andy went on a date and they were so funny together.  It is interesting to see babies interact.  

Eli: "So, anyway, here is a good joke I heard yesterday..."

Eli: "Hey buddy, I didn't mean to shock you- it's not a TRUE story..."
Eli: "Oh, never mind, let's just play wii bowling instead."

Inside Joke

Sometimes, when he is eating, Eli likes to take a break to talk for a minute.  It can go on for quite a bit, and he really appears to crack himself up.

That Becky.

Well, today is Becky's wedding day... she will be joined in holy matrimony to the marvelous Mark.  They are having a small ceremony, so I thought I would celebrate by posting pictures of her lovely shower last weekend.  Lots of people love Becky, so it was a great time to get people together to celebrate her.

Becky is one of a kind.  Totally without self-consciousness and a totally devoted friend.  She and I became close our junior year at Berry and she would go on long ol' walks with me.  I could actually use a Becky walk right now!  Last weekend was also especially fun to get time with dear friends in mass (pictured above).  I am so grateful for these friendships.  We girls might be different on paper, but are so very the same, too.  What a gift. And blessings on Katie for hosting, even though she was sick.
Of course, Eli had a ton of fun (as you can see with Aunt Chara and Natalie.)  I couldn't figure out a way to have anyone watch him, especially since he is against bottles, in theory and in reality.  I don't think I have ever seen him this happy for such an extended amount of time (6pm to 1am).  This boy clearly loves attention.  He is his mother's son.

And it was lovely to see some old friends from Berry, too.... girls that Becky has kept up with in her Becky way.  We love you Becky!  Happy Wedding!  Enjoy that man on your latin honeymoon!

Back to Charlie's

Mom and Dad's anniversary was this week, so we celebrated in Clarksville (Sarah was on call).  In a stroke of semi-genius, we decided to go to Charlie's Steakhouse near Fort Campbell.  Growing up we wore out the highway between Dickson, Tn and Joy, Ky going to see my grandmother at her farm.  Charlie's was on the way and we would stop and eat there... but haven't been since we found a new route to the farm, over 15 years ago.  

The placemats used to have cows on them and we would draw "cow paths" from one cow to another (are cow paths common knowledge?  I have no idea) and there was a viewing box at the front door where you could put in a quarter and "See Rock City." Cow placemats and Rock City are gone, but the steaks are still good. As are my parents.  They really are so supportive and kind, they are worth celebrating every day!  So amiable!

Sarah told Dad that Eli really liked her scarf and that he had to wear it if he wanted to hold the boy.  Doubles as a burp cloth.

Mom and Katie.

Eichelbreader

So, I have been trying on bread-baking for size.  It has always seemed so complicated to me, but my desire to not drive to Publix for good pizza dough along with $4 for good bread at Kroger made me want to give it a whirl.  Really, it isn't complicated at all, you just need to be sort of around your house for 4 or 5 hours while it goes through its stages (mixing, rising, shaping, rising, baking).

I have been learning from www.thefreshloaf.com. There are lessons that teach you how to bake the most basic of bread, then how to play around with the ingredients, rise time, oven temperature, etc.  

The pros of baking your own bread are: cheap bread, getting to eat it straight out of the oven with lots of butter (we lost a whole loaf this way one night), feeling so old-world and quaintly domestic that you want to sit and tat while your bread rises.  

The cons are as follows: flour and water can be very hard to get off of things once they get gluey.... so clean up has to be constant and.... that is the only con I can think of.  Working on a schedule can be annoying to me, but so far it seems like it can be so flexible that it really isn't a big deal.

All that to say, I think I will try a whole-wheat loaf this afternoon to go with some turkey soup.  Baby it's cold outside!

Snow Day

This was a couple of weeks ago, but worth sharing because it was such a great day.  We woke up with snow on the ground.  I thought that this meant we would not be going hiking as planned... silly me.  Haven't I been married to this man for 5 + years?  Katie and Josh and their new dog Roxy went with us to Beaman Park, near Joelton north of Nashville.  They are still making the trails there, but it is one of our favorite places to hike.  We would love to get land near there...

There is snow on the ground... just look close.  

Dad and Baby-ro.  I don't know why he calls him that.

The Harris Family

Then, after the hike, we stopped for tacos excelente at a stand on Charlotte Rd and then over to Climb Nashville for our multi-sport day!  You know if it is a multi-sport day, then Bryce set the itinerary.  I am into multi-meal days, personally.

Smallest climber at the gym.

Then, back to our house for dinner... soup from the crock pot.  I always feel like a genius when I use the crock-pot.  And as we were eating our delicious potato, acorn squash, sausage and tomato soup I kept saying, "I am a genius!"  Humble, too. Yay for MLK Day!

Catching up...

I am forever behind in the pictures of wee one that I have to share.  

Hanging with Aunt Katie... Aunt Sarah is just out of frame singing rap songs about Eli, as always.

Enjoying a bit o' the tummy time.... until...
Mom's lack of foresight ended up with a small bump on his head.  Good job, mom.  He is still happy in this picture...but once he hit his head, I can assure you that he was not happy any longer.

Dad is multi-tasking.

Ready for bath time!  For some reason, every time I get him all de-clothed for his bath, I always bring him out for Bryce to see him, and then again when he is all wrapped up in his towel.  I heart naked baby.