Whooping Wednesday!

After this picture... I'm "sure" you'll have lots of great laughs! Ha! May I wish you a week of whooping good times!

Love,
Alicia

Spice Up Your Life!

We've had so much growth lately with our spices... I thought it to be time for another green thumb update! While we are well under our 70 day marker, it is clear to see that many of our spices have already begun to thrive.... while others may take a little more time.

Currently our basil has just really begun to grow (as shown above). The cilantro (not chives as I had previously and incorrectly mentioned) has flourished so much that we have actually taken it out of the four-sectioned holder to give it a bit more room. We will be purchasing its own pot shortly... maybe this will give our chives and oregano a chance:) ha!

As you can see... the cilantro has pretty much taken over its pot... pictured below.

Side view of Cilantro

We have even been able to use some of our spices (cilantro) in our cooking. Ray made a very tasty tortilla soup. The Cilantro was AMAZING! I can't wait for more growth of our wonderful spices. This gives me more hope that we may truly have our own garden in time!

Tortilla Soup topped with Cilantro

More pics and posts to come!

Love,
Alicia

Fun 4th, Apartment Search, Pool Days, & Pup Pics!

What an amazing and whirlwind of a weekend! Our days consisted of fun and relaxing family time, apartment searching, much needed hair cuts, a very special church service, game time with sweet friends, a very heated running attempt, and a lazy day by the pool! Enjoy some of our sweet moments this July 4th holiday!

Love the Zellners & Pups!

The Friday night weather kept us in for the most part as we enjoyed another quiet night at home with the pups. More dinner and a movie time with the fam!

Saturday we were a bit more adventurous as we decided to stay in town and apartment search. Our travels took us all the way up to McKinney (you heard me right... McKinney) and parts of Plano in hopes to find our new home for next year. Our lease will end this September and we wanted to know if moving would be in our future... and after our amazing search this past Saturday we are almost 100% on our decision. We are taking one final look this week at a one bedroom to finalize plans (as a one bedroom had not been available on Saturday). We are both very excited about our new adventure next year and hope that our plan will work out that we may buy a home that following year:) More information will be updated shortly!!!

Our July 4th Church service at the Heights was extremely special. 26 individuals gave their lives to Christ this past Sunday in a combined worship service!

It was a time of prayer, remembrance, and celebration!

The Heights Baptist Church July 4th morning

For lunch, Ray and I met up with a few couples from our ABF class in downtown McKinney for some Mexican Food at Aparichios. The Kiekhoefers were 2 of the 26 individuals who rededicated their lives to Christ. What a special treat to celebrate such a wonderful occasion.

That night we met up with the Goodings & Kiekhoefers for a fun fourth celebration. We made hot dogs and played a few games before heading out to see the Plano fireworks.

Plano, TX Fireworks!

Group pic while watching fireworks!


The Zellners, Goodings, & Keikhoefers... oh my:)

Game Time w/ Quelf!

These are just two of the several random game pictures I took. Ray was a biscuit farmer while I had to find and wear something with a chin strap. So I got a little creative. Shall I say I just took the penalty. 15 minutes of wearing a gift wrap bag over my head was a bit difficult... but the game was tons of fun!

Chase balancing a spoon on his nose!

On Monday, Ray and I decided to go take a run along our old path in Plano. It was a gorgeous day as it hit 96 degrees by noon. So it may not have been the best idea to run in the summer heat, but a run none the less. Here is a picture of Ray getting ready for our 5K... with Mattie at his side!

After our run, we decided to have a lazy day at the pool. Sun tan lotion would have definitely been a great idea. I am now sporting a nice red glow.... Ray calls me his Red Lady Lobster. Ha!

The Hubs & I hanging Poolside!

No Lifeguard on Duty!

I will leave you with one final note... I hope you had such a wonderful July 4th Holiday! I am so excited to hear about all the wonderful memories you made this weekend with those you love.

I just had to add a picture of this little cutie during the July 4th weekend! Happy almost 3rd birthday (July 14, 2010) to our beautiful niece!

Love,
The Zellners

Becky's Birthday!

To my beautiful sister-in-law Becky,
I hope you have such a wonderful twenty-second birthday lady! May it be everything you hoped for and more... and hopefully without rain:) We love you so much and cannot wait to celebrate with you soon.

Love,
The Zellners

1 Year Engagiversary!

One year ago today, we took a journey (road trip to Oklahoma for the July 4th Holiday)... it wasn't until that night that I would realize how far this journey would take me. It was this day that my life truly changed forever. The love of my life asked if I would spend the rest of my life with him... and of course I said YES!

To my husband and to our One Year Engagiversary,
I am so very excited and blessed. I look forward to all of the moments we'll make for all the years to come.... and to all the crazy anniversary titles that we will share together! I love you papa bear!

Love,
Alicia

Red, White, & Blue @ Checkpast!

Today marks our July 2, 2010 Red, White, & Blue Pot Luck Lunch at work. And boy was it a blast! We definitely had a lot of delicious treat options and for sure tons of left overs. Our tasty treats included Bagels and two choices of cream cheese, fruit salad (dyed red of course... maybe a little pink...oops:), chicken salad, tuna salad, veggie tray, sour cream enchiladas, Spaetzel dumplings and marinara sauce (YUM!), fourth of July inspired Rice Krispie Treats and cake balls, queso, chips and salsa... just to name a few.

What a fun time to celebrate! Thank you to all who participated in this fun theme day bash... definitely a party of historic measure and portions:)

Let's Get the Party Started!
Thursday night, Ray and I were up to our elbows in marshmellows and rice krispies... but it is said when you're kitchen is a mess... then obviously it was a good time:) Enjoy some pics of our before meets after.

Yummy Treats

Our before and after!

Friday morning, I adorned my red, white, and blue and was off to work for set up for the party. Here are some of the fun party pics. Enjoy!

Checkpast's Red, White, & Blue
Pot Luck Lunch!

Here are some of my absolute favorite Checkpast Ladies! Thank you ladies for helping make this pot luck lunch and each and every day so much fun!

Me, Jessica, Sally, (baby Salimander), & Whitney!

Tonja & Sally our accounting ladies

Happy July 4th... a little early and wishing you a party of historic measure... and of course... portions:)

Love,
Alicia

July 4th Recipe Raves!

With our upcoming Red, White, & Blue Bash right around the corner, I am becoming more and more excited about the tasty patriotic treat options that are about to be brought to my taste buds:) I have found some super great websites with a large variety of yummy options that will sure be a blast!
Check out recipes from our good friends at Kraft. View recipes/budget wise meals/healthy options here.

This tasty treat is the All American Summer Dip. To view the recipe above, click recipe. Another great website is so delish.... check it out here.

Rice Krispie Treats are always another great option. Click here for more July 4th Rice Krispies Recipes.

What fun recipes will you have on your plate this July 4th?