Spinach Artichoke Dip

I made this spinach artichoke dip this past weekend for Gisele and Miri's birthday lunch and thought I'd share the recipe. It's one I have been making off and on for about 4 years now. It takes more time than just buying the jar and adding red pepper flakes which is what I do often, but it's worth it to take the time and make it homemade. This truly is the best spinach artichoke dip you will ever make!!

I didn't take any pictures of the process, but it's pretty simple.

Ingredients
1 package of frozen Spinach, thawed
1 can Artichoke hearts, chopped
6 ounces Cream Cheese
1/4 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup (and a little more if desired) Parmesan cheese [I also add a good hand full of Parmesan cheese to the top once it's in a dish]
1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1. Chop Artichoke hearts.
2. Boil spinach and artichoke hearts until tender. Drain really well.
3. Roughly chop through spinach and artichoke to break up spinach.
4. In a medium bowl, warm up cream cheese about 1 minute.
5. Add remaining ingredients and stir well.
6. Add spinach and artichokes to cream cheese, mix well.
7. Lay out in a baking dish, add Parmesan cheese to top.
8. Bake at 350 for about 15-20 minutes.
9. Broil for about 5 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.

Enjoy!!!

Gianna Avery Jilek

My brother and his girlfriend had their baby this past week. Her name is Gianna Avery. Gianna means "God's grace" and Avery means "wise". It fits her life story already. She is beautiful and i love her!!!

We can't wait to meet and snuggle you Gianna <3

19 Weeks

This week is busy for us so I'm going to post a few quick pictures of our sweetie. She is a doll and we are having so much fun with her!!

Pictures of Winnie lately...

Mommy & Winnie forever <3

standing!

bundled up on a chilly morning

playing under her blanket

happy girl

Winnie sucks on her 2 fingers like this..
makes me laugh :)

Apple & Pumpkin Picking

Today marks 18 weeks this my cheeky babe. She is the best. Look at her. Dontcha wanna smooch that face?

sitting in a high chair like a big girl :)

This weekend the whole Brown gang gathered together and headed off to Grandad's Farm to pick some pumpkins and buy apples. We really enjoy going there because of the beautiful mountainy drive with the leaves starting to change colors, the amazing apple donuts, apple fritters, apple slushies, and delicious carmel apples. Not to mention the huge bag of apples we bring home. Apples apples apples! haha. Crazy to think, last year we all went and Julie and I were wanting to be pregnant so bad... amazing what a year can bring!!

Taylor and I had so much fun with Winnie and look forward to the years to come with this new family tradition. Speaking of traditions, we started our pumpkin carving tradition as well. We had such a fun time and I can't wait to do it with Winnie once she can help. :)

Here are some wonderful pictures from this fabulous weekend. I'm sure you'll see a couple of these again as apart of our Christmas card. :)

I could park myself outside with this view anyday!

i love our family of 3 

the Brown's !! 

hehe! I am that mom who takes pictures of her child any and every where!! 

she is so pretty!! 

cousins and apples

this one cracks us up!

look at that smile!!!

the 2 loves of my life!!

daddy daughter cuteness! 

he's the best daddy

Pumpkin carving:

Happy FALL!!!! 

4 whole months!!!

Winnie girl is FOUR months old! Wowza. Time is flying by. Since my last update on Winnie we went through week 16... it was hard hard hard. On a small side of the spectrum she had a cold/ high temperature... We visited the Doctor 4 times this past month [only 1 visit being her 4 month check up today]. Having a sick baby is the saddest thing in the world! Thankfully she is feeling almost all better! Thankfully, God is so faithful and compassionate and He is Comfort and Peace and everything Good!!!

big girl 

Can I just say, I cherish her life so so much!!! She is a gift and a blessing and a miracle and the biggest JOY! Praise the Lord!!

smiley 

in her festive nighty, ready for the holidays
thanks Grandma Sandy & Bumpa

doesn't get much better than this <3 <3
dream come true for me: dressing my little girl up
tutus, ruffles & bows !!

Winnie is 14 lbs, 10 oz (75th percentile) and 25.75 inches (95th percentile).  She is on track with development and meeting all of her milestone. She is starting to do tons of ab crunches which tells us she wants to sit up. Almost there baby. She started rolling from tummy to back this week (already rolling from back to tummy for a while now), continually sucking her fingers and hands and drooling everywhere, talking talking talking, and belly laughing for us. I am also pushing her little knees up so she is on all 4s so she can figure out crawling soon. ;) I can't believe how big she's getting!

Oh and this past month Taylor and I went to my friend Megan's wedding. We got dressed up!! It was fun!! [!!!!!!] :-D

my boyfriend

We're apple and pumpkin picking this weekend. Can't wait to share pictures with you!!