Special Snapshots

A couple of sweet pics of my girls. . . 

 Edy Rose - 11 months

Ava Grace - 11 months

For last week's pic click HERE.

No time for Negativity!

I've been seeing all these cold weather reports on Facebook from my Arkansas friends, but it is sunny, 80, and  bEa-U-tIfUl here in East Texas.

Bullard has a great little park that we love and there's nothing like being outside on a gorgeous day.

My poor child has my fair, sensitive skin.  Sorry baby!  Maybe, just maybe, you will tan easily like your daddy.  

Does anybody remember the movie POWDER?  Sorry Edy, you're fair too.

She looks SO BIG! This thrills me, saddens me, and frigthens me all at the same time.

My sweet Edy loves swinging.

Now, wait for it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Wait for it. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BAM!

I don't know why AG still loves swinging in the "baby" swing.  She is way too heavy to lift and her legs are way too long and awkward to fit in the holes, but I hoist her up into it every single time she asks.

I've said before--I hate glitter! I hate mulch, too!

 Did I mention, I hate mulch?

negative. negative. negative.

But wait--check this out!

Now that's positive!

I.HATE.MULCH.  Sorry! I just couldn't stop myself.

But, you know what?   I sure do love going to the park and having a picnic with my girlies.  Mulch and all--it thrills my soul to spend time with these gifts God has given me.

A Craft Post

For a few months, I've been in a crafting slump.  Not much to do right now (waiting on house to sell), no creative ideas that I feel like carrying out, no desire, etc.  So today, I e-a-s-e-d back into crafting and it has lifted my spirits and got me so pumped up, y'all! *insert "Eye of the Tiger"* 

I forgot about how much I love riBbOn, unFiNisHed WoOd, hOt gLUe, ButTonS, sPrAy PAiNt, sCRapbOok PapEr, and MOD PODGE! 

I think personalized Easter baskets are so sweet.  Pottery Barn has some of the cutest little gingham-lined baskets that can be monogrammed with your child's name.  They are adorable, but too expensive for a stinkin' basket!  I just can't justify it.  What I can justify is 9 dollar baskets 50% off at Hobby Lobby.  I'm not a fan of the frilly, colorful, rickety baskets, I prefer plain jane--that's just how I roll.  I picked up a couple along with some wooden letters (50 cents) and a few sheets of scrapbook paper.

I decoupaged the scrapbook paper to the letter, added a few buttons, glued some ribbon to the back of the letter, and tied it to the basket...It doesn't get much easier than that.

 wah-lah!

By the way, how cute is this basket filler!?! Basically, it's just colored pillow stuffing! LOVE it. I hate that plastic grass stuff. It gets everywhere, clings to everything, and messes up my vacuum.  I'm just too OCD for it--makes me anxious.  For the same reason, I loathe glitter...just had to add that.

We still have a little bit until Easter, but I think these baskets make for cute spring decorations.  Plus, we have an egg hunt in a few weeks.  

Hmmm...I think I'm going to decoupage me some eggs (fake cardboard ones) with the remaining scrapbook paper...How cute will that be!?!

Now go get your craft on! 

HAT

Before I get to the hat...how cute is this girl with her piggy braids!?!

SO CUTE--I tell you.

AG loved hats when she was Edy's age. We are finding that little RoRo shares her sister's admiration for a good head covering!

Mom bought AG a special toboggan a couple of years ago.  Edy loves how the little pom poms wiggle when she shakes her head.  She looses her balance when she shakes her head too fast and it is hysterical.

Just had to share this video...

Special Snapshots

A picture with my momma--taken at my sister's wedding. I had little Edy about two weeks later.

For last week's pics click HERE.

Desktop Background

Blog Facelift

Sunday Pics

 Tat, Gaga, and the girls

We were watching AG dance on the porch.  She refused to get a pic with Ro and me.

Did you notice that Edy has a bow in her actual HAIR?  This is HUGE!  :)

Spring Sistas

How beautiful is it outside?  Just GORGEOUS!  I love it--the smell, the breeze, the sunshine.

Here's my beautiful little sweeties enjoying this spring weather. . .

 My curly-headed cutie

 My bald-headed beauty :)

 Sweeties

  LOVE them!

Thin Mints vs. Mint Oreo Fudge Cremes

I'm a lover of Girl Scout cookies, especially Thin Mints and Tagalongs.  Each year,  I seek out a Girl Scout and order a few boxes of Thin Mints and a few boxes of Tagalongs.  This year, I didn't find that aforementioned Girl Scout.  B-U-M-M-E-R.  Maybe next year.

A couple of days ago, I was browsing the cookie aisle at Wally World, as I do every two weeks or so, and spotted these guys...

First, you should know, Graham and I LOVE mint and chocolate together. You can probably guess our favorite ice cream flavor.  Ahhh...delish.  Next, you should also know, I never buy fun snacks! Ha!  Seriously, I don't--I'm cheap boring.  I stick to my grocery list and usually only buy a few snacks--some tortilla chips/salsa, 1 pkg of GV cookies (for my insuppressible sweet tooth), pretzels, and stuff for the girls.  I don't even buy soft drinks unless company is coming.  It's just H2O, juice (I do splurge on ODWALA), and milk around here.  Again, I'm boring.

Well. . .I broke down and bought these here cookies and I'm here to tell ya...they are GO-OO-D!

In the Thin Mint vs. Fudge Mint Oreo Throw-down--the Oreos WIN!  That's how good they are.

Now. . .go getcha a box.

Special Snapshots

I think you will see why these pictures are so special to me. . .

The first time I held Ava Grace

The first time I held Edy Rose

For last week's pics click HERE.

Are you supposed to be up there?

No, you're not.  But, you just look so proud of yourself.

Every day Edy climbs up on the hearth and EVERY DAY we tell her "No, no!"  I don't know what kind of message I'm sending her by taking her picture while she is disobeying, but she just looked too cute.  Agreed?

Beat That!

You ready for this?

$0.47 at Old Navy

No coupons either--just $0.47

What a complete shocker.  The cashier couldn't believe it either. They were regularly priced, but rang up for $0.45 and $0.02 tax.  Can't beat that!

I

Two Random Things...

Random #1:
After lights out, Ava was screaming for us to turn on the hallway light.  Graham went in to talk to her about the screaming and here's the conversation that took place...
Graham: I'm not turning on your light.
Ava: But, I'm trying to read my Bible.
Graham: speechless and trying to think of a response  
Ava: The Bible says to buy toys.
Graham: For who?
Ava: For ME!!

Random #2:
I finally learned how to french braid! *applause*  It took almost 3 decades, but I think I'm getting the hang of it.  I had the most patient little model.  The only problem, her hair is super thin and fine--not good french braiding hair!  Oh...one more problem, I don't think people really sport french braids anymore. Right? I really haven't seen them since the days of junior high color guard! Let me know if they are still in and we will be rockin' the french braid around here!

Special Snapshots

Getting ready for a swim!

Our first vacation as a family of three--We went to Branson and Graham took this pic before we headed to the indoor pool. Ava was 9 months old and this was her first time to "swim".

Corey took this picture right before Edy's first time to "swim".  She was 6 months old.

For last week's pics click HERE.

A Cooking Post

Are you shocked!?!  Well, since I've been home with the kids this year, I have been able to dedicate a lot more time to trying new recipes. I found this recipe and tweaked it a bit. We LOVE it!

Deep-Dish Pizza Casserole

1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce

1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough

1 (8-ounce) package sliced part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 pound ground beef (I use extra lean--a little chewier, but better for ya)

I also add turkey pepperoni, Italian-diced tomatoes, and black olives

While the meat cooks...

Coat 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.

Unroll pizza crust and press into bottom and up the sides of dish

Lay a couple of slices of cheese on crust

Add tomato sauce to meat when it is cooked and drained.  Drain the tomatoes very well--no extra juice. I cut the pepperonis into thin strips.  Add the tomatoes and pepperonis to the sauce and meat mixture. Pour mixture into the crust.

Bake, uncovered, at 425 for 12 minutes.  Top with 6 or 7 slices of cheese (I added some black olives), and bake 5 additional minutes or until crust is browned and cheese melts.  Cool 5 minutes before serving.

This meal is only about 277 calories per serving.  Too bad, we typically eat like 3 servings at once. 

Delish!  Let me know if you try it.  I'd love to know what you think.

Great Weekend

We are having a great weekend. Lots of family time, hugs and kisses, popcorn, and movies.  Megamind is hilarious and Buried is terrifying. I'm not suggesting it.

Whew...check out Edy's "dun-lap" syndrome! She's proud of her belly--embraces it really! Can't ya tell?

This girl comes up with some of the craziest "outfits" and I just can't get enough of it!

I was looking through AG's notebook and spotted these beauties.  Y'all know I love Bob Ross. :) Yep, her very own "Happy Trees".  She told me that the red dots are chipmunks. I'll take your word for it, Peanut.

This weekend our youth girls had a little retreat and asked me to lead the devotionals. I had fun hanging out with them last night and this morning.  I know that they had a blast--junk food, Just Dance on the Wii, movies, staying up too late, etc.  They are a great group of young ladies.

One last thing...Edy is talking so much these days.  I recorded her saying a couple of words.  They may be hard to understand, but you'll get the point.  She also sings a little bit from her "favorite" song.

Graham and I are headed out to see Lon Morris take on Jacksonville College in the play-offs.  I don't know who to root for, but it should be a great time with friends. 

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.