To my husband on his first Father's Day!

Dear Drew,
I always knew you would make a wonderful Dad someday, but I honestly never could have imagined how much more I would fall in love with you as I have watched you fall in love with our son. It is the most special thing and it makes my heart burst with happiness.

When you walk in to a room, Aiden lights up. You know how to make him laugh and smile his biggest smiles. I love that you are not embarrassed to use goofy voices and nicknames for our little guy in any setting we are in. He adores you and I love the way you look at him.

I love that you want to introduce our son to everything you love. Toy stores, book stores, the reptile house at the zoo, searching for critters on our hikes and running through fountains in your clothes with him at his first splash park. Your love for him shines so brightly.

When I have to work on the weekends you take such great care of him. You dress him better than I do, you make sure his diaper bag is always fully stocked and you don't just sit at home. You go out and adventure! You aren't afraid to clean out his ears, clip his fingernails or give him a bath on your own. You want only the best for our little man.

Thank you for taking the middle of the night shifts, for helping me change blow out diapers and laughing about it, for telling me to go take a nap while you take Bubba out to get groceries, for tip toeing around the house while Aiden naps and for encouraging me as I learn how to be a mom. I would be one lucky lady if Aiden grew up to be JUST LIKE YOU.

We are so blessed to have you as our leader through life. Happy First Father's Day to the best Daddy that God could have ever chosen for our Aiden Paul. I love you.

Love, 

Allison

Dear 2013

Dear 2013,
I've made some incredible new memories and experienced so much joy during your reign. We grew closer as a couple, Drew got a new job, we made some fun updates to our house, took a trip out to Colorado and felt blessed in so many ways by others. But you also held heart ache and threw us a few curve balls. I have had to rely on God more than ever before and my goal of being thankful in all circumstances was more important than I ever imagined it would be. Despite the ups and downs you brought, I always like to end the year reflecting on some of my very favorite things. Below are some of my favorite projects, recipes, moments and discoveries of 2013!

Gold Dipped Stool

Ladder turned Shelf

Photo wall

Paint Chip Valentines

Ornament Party Cups

28th birthday surprise field trip

Meeting PW for the 2nd time

Our first Colorado Trip

Cincy Blogger meet up

Our first ever Camp IN

A Nothing Party

Mother/Daughter Weekend

10 Year High School Reunion

Celebrated 4 years of marriage

Our Practically Perfect Halloween Costumes

Family Lake Trip

Strawberry-Banana-Nutella French Toast

Caramel Marshmallow Popcorn

Beer Bread

Simple Sesame Noodles

Strawberry Pocket Pies

California Quinoa Salad

Homemade Creamsicles

Lentil Chili

Sausage and Corn Chowder

Instagram! Follow my 2014 adventures @ allie_renner

Parks & Recreation

Hello/Good-bye link-up (I will be having a Hello 2014, Goodbye 2013 link-up open the whole first week of January! Link up any of your reflection posts of 2013 or goal posts for the new year)

Jesus Calling Devotional

Chicken & Waffles from Taste of Belgium

City Flea

C.O. Bigelow-Rose Salve

Brickyard Buffalo

Cake Batter Martinis

Wishing you all a wonderful end to 2013 and hopeful beginnings in 2014. Thank you all so very much for your sweet words and support throughout this year. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. Happy New Year! XOXOXO

Love, Allison

Dear 2012

Dear 2011

Friday's Letters

Dear Drew, Thanks for researching natural remedies to cure our colds. The grapefruit honey tea...I think it's working! Dear Andrea, Praying baby Jack comes soon! I don't want to miss his grand entrance!! Dear Blog friends who linked up yesterday for my first ever link-up, THANK YOU! I was worried it would be just me alone with my link up (which would have been okay) but you all made my day! Please link up again next month! Dear Little Bro, We are celebrating your 21st birthday at the LAKE...get ready! Cheers to you! Dear Norris Lake, Be expecting us soon! I can't wait to cruise around on the pontoon and jet skis! Dear Classroom, I'm coming for you today so watch out! Dear Drew (again), I love riding bikes with you and pretending we are 10 again as we zoom down the hills in our neighborhood! Let's never stop pretending we are young okay?!

Happy Friday friends!!

4 years as a WIFE!

Today Drew and I have been married for 4 years. Holy cow people. So today my post is dedicated to my sweet husband.

Dear Drew,
I really can't believe that I've been your WIFE for 4 years now. In the 4 years we have been married I have grown to love you even more than my little heart ever thought possible. You know me and love me despite my many flaws and I can never thank you enough for that.

I love being your co-captain in all our adventures. Whether it's hiking in the Rocky Mountains or playing Mario Party on the couch with a frozen pizza, everything is an adventure with you. I know we have so many more amazing adventures to come!

I love the traditions we have made in our 4 years together. Chipotle Mondays, Tacky Sweater Parties, Derby Parties, Christmas mornings and birthday pancakes are a few of my favorites.

I love doing projects with you. You are always so patient with me and always willing to undertake one of my crazy pinterest projects or house renovations. I love making our house a home together.

Whenever I'm a grumpster, you know how to turn my day around. Whenever I'm discouraged, you find a way to uplift me. Whenever I'm ready for an adventure, you jump on board!  I love our little family so much and I promise to never take for granted that I have the honor of being your wife forever and always. Thanks for making me the happiest girl in the world. I love you!

Love, Your Allie Girl

I posted this video last year, but I love it and will probably post it every year. A sneak peak at our wedding day 4 years ago...best day of my life!
Allison and Drew's Wedding Day from Jeff Hill Video on Vimeo.

Friday's Letters {Colorado Edition}

Dear friends, I'm baaaaaccccckkkk! I've missed reading your blogs so forgive me as I will be playing catch up this weekend. I can't wait to see what you've all been up to and to share my Colorado adventures with you next week! In the mean time...here are a few sneak "peaks"...get it?
Dear Colorado, I'm not lying when I say I would jump at the offer to live on your soil. God did a good job when he created you. I was constantly surprised and excited at all you had to offer.

Dear Mountains, I miss you already!! If someone were to ask me right now if I'd rather live near the beach or the mountains I would definitely say mountains! There's something majestic about you.

Dear Ashley, You were a beautiful bride! I am so incredibly happy for you and Jeff. Your wedding day was perfect! I am so glad we got to be there with you and we WILL be coming back!

Dear Mom, I'm so proud of you. Hiking 5 miles in the Rocky Mountains with us...you rock!

 Dear Drew, I just love adventuring with you! You always make me feel safe.

Happy Friday!

Linking up with Ashley.

Daddy's little girl

Dear Dad,
Happy Father's Day to the most generous man I know. Thank you for always making me feel loved and supported in all my adventures. You gave me some of my favorite traits like my love of all things outdoorsy, my love of being around people and my love of chocolate! Even though I didn't inherit your "chocolate eyes" I think I turned out pretty well.

You have helped make so many wonderful memories for me and I know there are many more to come. I hope you feel very special today. Thanks for being an amazing Dad! I love you!

Love,
Your little girl

Friday's Letters {IT'S SUMMER EDITION}

Dear Sweet Second Graders, Today is our last day together. Most of you I had the privilege of teaching in kindergarten two years ago and now getting to teach you again in second grade has made me so glad. I had so much fun at our end of the year party yesterday at the park. I loved watching you play in the fountains. Your smiles and laughter are contagious and I will truly miss being your teacher!!! *insert sob here* Dear Drew, You are planning fun birthday surprises for me already and that makes me so excited. I love that you know how much I love my birthday. When I asked you why this one was special and required extra planning you simply smiled and said "because you are getting old." Haha. Love you too hunny and p.s. you are older than me. Dear Summer Vacation, You are here at last and I plan to enjoy every single second of you! Summer bucket list coming up next week.
Dear Summer eating,  I am kind of obsessed with all the fresh veggies out there right now. My summer meal plans are going to include fresh ingredients with lots of color. I've already tried out 2 pinterest recipes that screamed summer to me. You just have to try this one oh and this one. Dear Drew (again), I am so excited for what is happening with your job. I am so proud of you and can't wait to spend our summer "off" doing fun things together! Cheers to summer vacation starting...now.

Friday's Letters

Dear Summertime, Only 9 1/2 more days until I can call you mine. I can't wait for all you will bring. Dear Sugar Daddy (Drew), You have been working so incredibly hard (7 days a week) so that we can have some extra money for our Colorado trip this summer. I love that you do it with a smile on your face. You are amazing. Dear Little Sister, I am so excited to share your Etsy shop with the world. Thank you for my amazing banana hammock. And do you find it as funny as I do how much our husband's look and act alike? Hmmm. Dear Hammock, I can't wait until it's summertime and I can set you up and lay in you all day while finally crossing books off my list. Dear 30x30 remix, You are halfway over and I can't believe how much more fun I am having with my wardrobe. I recommend you to anyone who is bored with their closet!!!! Dear Amazing Readers, I hope you know how much I love you all. Being a part of the blogging community has been such a surprise blessing in my life! Now click on over here to enter to win a free copy of the cookbook, Dinner: A Love Story.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

Friday's Letters

Dear Drew, I'm so glad you aren't working this weekend. We have BIG plans like painting our kitchen ceiling and weeding the front yard. I only get excited about doing these things because they are with you! Dear Courtney, I am SO excited to see you and Gunther tonight. Our first kitty play date! I'm so thankful for a friend who understands just where I am in life. Dear new favorite show (Call the Midwife), PBS has done it again. I might even like you more than Downton. Did I just say that??? Dear Kentucky Derby, I can't wait for you! You really are one of my favorite "holidays" mainly because of Derby pie. Now I just need to find myself a cute hat to wear for our party next weekend. Dear Avocados, Have I told you lately that I love you? I made this recipe again this week and it is so incredibly easy and delicious. Dear Etsy Shop, I've neglected you lately and I'm sorry, but this summer I have big plans for you! Dear Readers, I have some fun giveaways coming up next month so stay tuned. Enjoy your weekend!!

Love, Allison

Friday's Letters

Dear Spring, You make me an all around happier gal. I think I love you. Dear Drew, I'm so glad you had such a great time camping with the guys, that is however until you got home and found out you might have gotten a waterborne parasite. #waterfilterfail. Thankfully you are all better now.
Dear Mom and Alys, I'm so excited for our girl's weekend in Indy. I can't wait to see the stage play of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (since we have all loved Narnia forever), eat Mexican food and hang out just us girls. Dear Sweet Second graders, Today is your last day of standardized testing. Wahoo! I'm exhausted just from administering it so I know your brains have to hurt. That is why I am so excited for our Sundae party on the playground today! Dear Erin, Happy Birthday TOMORROW! Ride Splash Mountain at least twice for me okay? Dear Budget, a new spring wardrobe is calling my name...can you go away for a little while? Thanks. Dear wonderful readers, I hope it is sunny and warm wherever you are and that you have a fantastic weekend!!!

Love, Allison

Friday's letters (in my kitty pjs)

Dear Kitten PJs, I'm really excited that I get to wear you to work today! (Benefit of being an elementary school teacher!) My kiddos are going to absolutely love you! Dear Spring Break, You are finally HERE!! If only you were actually going to feel like SPRING. Oh well...I have lots of fun things planned including an awesome DIY project, a Nothing party, a few day trips and lots of reading! Dear Quinoa, I made my first recipe using you this week and I'm in love. Now I'm obsessed and already have more recipes with you in them pinned to try! This one looks especially delicious. Dear Running Shoes, I'm going to purchase you this weekend and then start hitting the pavement (finally). Dear Sweet and Thoughtful Husband, I showed you a Pinterest project I wanted to do that involved a wooden ladder and you immediately went on Craigslist and found one, purchased it and then picked it up for me! You are so amazing!

Happy Weekend Friends!

Friday's Letters

                                                                                                             Found here via Allison

Dear Friday, You deserve a YAY! Especially since I got to sleep in this morning due to a 2 hour delay! Dear Drew, The plan is to set up the tent and have a "camp-in" in our living room tonight. Are you ready? Maybe we should make hobo dinners in the oven! Dear Cheesy Spinach and Sausage Pasta, You are my new favorite pasta. 2 of my favorite men approved you last night so you made the cut. You are now on our weekly meal rotation. Congratulations on your goodness. Dear Carly (my favorite 22 year old sister in law), Happy Birthday!! I can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!! Dear Blog World, I hope you all have a lovely weekend! It's FRIDAY!! 

Friday's Letters...Spread the love edition

Dear Top Chef (in the making) Husband, Your culinary skills never cease to amaze me. Our meal last night was better than any restaurant could have served us up. Wow! Dear sweet students, Thanks for making your teacher feel extra loved yesterday with all the hugs, notes and chocolates. Dear Presidents of the past, Thank you for all you did to shape our country and more importantly the things you did that led up to me getting a day off. Dear Chocolate Bread Pudding, You turned out pretty darn good except after I baked you I learned that my husband does not like raisins in his food. I learn new things every day. I know he loves me lots because he licked his plate clean and then ate bites of mine so I wouldn't feel bad. What a guy! Dear Valentine's Day, I love you. Always have, always will.

Speaking of Valentine's day...since I love all things Valentine's day I decided to sign up for a Valentine Swap a few weeks ago and I'm very glad I did! I sent a gift to Megan over at Table for Three...(read about what I sent her here) and I got a gift from the fabulous Nicole from Grub N' Marriage. I could tell Nicole really tried to get to know me before she went out shopping because everything she got me I LOVED. Thanks for spoiling me Nicole and thanks for hosting Megan and Erin! I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's day. I can't wait to share our Valentine meal with you.

Friday's Letters

Dear Jewel (my fabulous hair dresser), Why do you have to be on such a long maternity leave? I know you had twins and all, but I hate change and don't want anyone else touching my hair!! My gray hairs are taking over and my split ends are yelling at me to just stop being a sissy and go with who you recommended. I guess I'll have to give in, but please come back soon. Dear Sweet Husband of Mine, I'm really going to miss you while you are off having fun with the guys, but don't worry I'm having a Downton Abbey party with Bekah and Ellie while you are gone so I'll manage somehow. Dear "Short" week, Why oh why do short weeks always feel the longest? This absolutely makes no sense. Dear Indoor recess, We had you every.single.day this week and I'm about to pull my hair out! Dear Pizza Grilled Cheese, You were an amazing discovery! Yum! Dear Parenthood, I am finally almost caught up and I'm a hot mess. I still love you and think you are one of the greatest shows out there. Dear Sweet Husband (again), I'm excited for our wine tasting at Whole Foods tonight...who would have thought we'd be spending our Friday evenings at grocery stores so frequently?

Happy Friday friends!

Fridays's letter...and Floyd!

Dear Baby Kitties, I can't believe you up and took over Sarah's Floyd's blog today. I hope you said really nice things about me and didn't let all your sass shine through. You didn't tell them that we call you really silly pet names, or that we let you drink out of the sink or wave goodbye to you when we leave the house did you?! I love you either way though, really I do. Dear Weekend, Some cat naps are definitely in store for me this weekend, I'm exhausted! Dear Budget, You haven't been that bad...yet. I'm actually learning a lot. Please be nice to me. Dear Erin, I LOVED getting to meet you in real life. We are officially friends and I'm so glad!! No more "my blog friend Erin said..." Oh and you get your own post coming soon so don't be jealous that my cats stole the show today. Dear Season 3 of Downton Abbey, I already love you. Thanks for making me excited about Sunday nights! Dear Super Sweet Husband, Thanks for finishing dinner last night so I could get all my grading done. You are better than Nutella...and that's saying a lot from me. Dear Beer Bread, I've been dreaming of you since our last meeting. I will be making you and then eating you all in the same day. Watch out! Dear Blog Friends, You all truly are the best. Happy Friday!!!

Make sure to stop by Total Basset Case to meet Sarah's dog Floyd and my little furbabies! Floyd enjoys a good cat nap too!