Walk it Out

Howdy!  Well we had a VERY successful Nashville Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis, so we are thrilled to pieces!!!!!  We hit our walk goal of 275k and will shoot to hit 300k before year end.

We had the walk at Bicentennial Park this year and we absolutely LOVE this site!  The temperature was hotter than you know what, but boy was it a beautiful day!!

Here are some of my favorite shots from the day......

Tori's Story raised over 22k and counting this year!!  Woohoo!  It brings a smile to my face thinking about all the supporters of Tori.  She has so many family members and friends that love her to pieces and they continue to give generously and pray fervently for her future.  

We will continue to be involved until a cure is found for her and others affected by this terrible disease!

 Here she is receiving her big award.....

Now this was my favorite moment.  It was a tearful moment, but it was so beautiful.  Natalie had a couple of Tori's friends, Ashton and David Austin, sing "Breathe" by Matt Scales.  They did amazing.   

3 singers affected by CF along with Matt Scales came together to sing "Breathe"in this video below.  Matt unfortunately lost his battle to CF at age 27 in 2007.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bXNc0FkqZw


Breathe
By Matt Scales

Through my eyes
I see you
Staring at me
All the time.
So I wish
That it would leave
My body.
I wish I could breathe
Like you, oh, breathe
I know the answer’s out there.
So won’t you help me, please?

Then one day I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe, I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe like you.
Then one day I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe, I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe like you.
I see the future.
It seems so clear.
That one day I’ll breathe like you.
Then I think that
I’m all right
But it keeps changin’
Like the weather.
It’s not up to me
How I feel
How I feel
Inside.
I wish I could breathe
Like you, oh, breathe
I know the answer’s out there.
Won’t you help me, please?

Then one day I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe, I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe like you.
Then one day I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe, I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe like you.
I see the future.
It seems so clear.
That one day I’ll breathe like you.
I wish I could breathe
Like you, oh, breathe
I know the answer’s out there.
Won’t you help me…please?
Cause one day I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe, I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe like you.
Then one day I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe, I’ll breathe
I’ll breathe like you.
I see the future.
It seems so clear.
That one day I’ll breathe like you…like you.

Tori's Story had over 120 people there to support her!

The Crew.  The CF Foundation is pretty much beyond amazing for all they do.  They fight for this disease EVERY SINGLE DAY.  

T, I love you more than you will ever know!  You are one amazing little girl and I love your huge heart.      

   

Yummy Lemonade Bars

This is my favorite dessert for the summer!  Oh wait, it's not QUITE summer yet, however, it's pretty darn hot enough here in Nashville.  I have made it for 2 parties thus far and it's been a hit!   The greatest thing about this recipe is it's SO EASY!  So, here ya go!  I found it on Pinterest here.

LEMONADE BARS

Start with these ingredients:

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour  

3/4 cup packed brown sugar 

3/4 cup cold butter, cubed 

3/4 cup chopped pecans (I used walnuts) 

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened

1 can (12 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed

First, turn the oven to 375.  Then mix your flour and brown sugar.  Then cut in your butter into this mixture.  Now, I had no clue what they meant, so I ended up making this twice.  To avoid making it twice, just take your cold butter and start cutting it up into very small pieces using a sharp knife.  It doesn't have to be perfect, but they need to be pretty small.  This will prevent the mixture from becoming doughy in the oven.  Once you have the butter cut up into the mixture, throw in your chopped nuts.  I made them once without nuts and they turned out great!

Take your mixture and spread it out onto a baking dish.  I used my pampered chef bar pan which I am in love with btw.  Put your pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.  After about 5 minutes of cooking, take a knife and cut into your mixture and gently stir.  You want to make sure and keep the mixture crumbly and not mix it too much or it will be one big mess.....trust me, I know!  Put it back in for another 5 or so until it is a light golden brown.

Here she is in the oven

Next for the fun part!  Throw your ice cream and thawed pink lemonade into a mixing bowl.  I put mine into my Kitchen Aid and it worked like a charm.  Start out slow and then move up a couple of notches to get it nice and whippy.  

MOST IMPORTANT TIP:  IF NOBODY IS WATCHING, GET A SPOON AND GET YOU A BIG HEAPING SPOONFUL OF THIS MIXTURE.  IT IS JUST HEAVENLY :)

Get out a 9 x 13 baking dish, grease it up, and then throw in 1/2 of the crumbles at the bottom like this.    

Throw all of the ice cream mixture on the top of those and then sprinkle the rest of the topping on top of that.  EASY PEASY!

Cover it up and store it in your freezer until you are ready to serve.  Cut into squares and ENJOY!

To use the original Taste of Home recipe, click here

Thanks and I hope you find the time to make these delicious treats!

Audra :)

One + One =

                                            TWINS!
I wanted to do a special post on our new niece and nephew that came into this world on April 4th!!  Congratulations to Brittney, Matthew, and Logan on becoming a sweet family of 5!


             Welcome Baby Knox Michael Griffith weighing in at 5lbs 7oz

Welcome Baby Harper Lynn weighing in at a whopping 5lbs 9oz 

We feel so honored to be an auntie and uncle of these two precious littles.  Big sister Logan is SO proud of "HER BABIES" as she says :)

                                       Do you approve?!  ;)

Have a great day!

Audra:)

JOY

We have been wanting to go and see Grandma (as always), so we decided to pack up and head to Arkansas for the weekend!     

Beau strongly dislikes when our bags come out, bc he knows that usually involves separation.  

This is one of my favorite pictures now ~ Natalie jamming out to some tunes in Tori's pink headphones while the rest of us tried to get some shut eye.  She seems so content, doesn't she :)

Tori and I had LOTS of snuggle time this weekend and I loved every minute.

Our amazing Grandma who we all admire and look up to so much.  Wish we could see her more.....

                          The kid's helped decorate Papaw's grave for Decoration Day.  Do you see the little tractor in the picture?  Someone made this specially for him.  We thought it was perfect.        

This is Brady's favorite spot at all times.......

I miss you every single day, Papaw.  It brings so much joy to my heart knowing we will meet again some day.

Audra :)