A little Gobble Gobble and some Thankfulness too!

We had a GREAT visit home this past week for Thanksgiving. Hard to believe it has been since June for me and last Christmas for Ken since we saw the Mississippi River and Memphis skyline! We decided that we would attempt the entire drive last Saturday. It went great. We were able to see our friends- The Whitehead Family in Magnolia. It was a perfect and much needed BREAK. The girls were able to get out and run their little legs off. They loved to chase the cows- yelling "Moo" at them. Thanks for letting us visit! Finally- after a very long day in the car--- MEMPHIS, TN!

Doing puzzles with PaPa!

I have talked so much about feeling the seasons change and missing fall- finally we got to play in the cool weather and see the beautiful colors of this amazing season.

The girls loved being outside!

Here we are checking out Pop Pop's car that he has restored! Isn't it great! I can't wait to go for a ride in this one!

Mattie found a friend, kitty found an enemy-ha!

Driving Little Miss Daisy!

How cute!

Tuesday- my bestest favorite friends from college came to see us- Courtney, Brandon, and Max! It was great!!! I kept Max for a short time when he was born for Courtney to go back to work- it was great practice for me with 2 on the way. These guys made living in Nashville so great! I miss them so much!

Mommy and Hailey having fun outside!

Have you ever tried to get 3- Two year old to take a picture???? Not easy- at all.

I love this picture- so true... after fun outside we headed to see Santa... neither girls were interested in his lap. As we stood in line, Mattie started saying "no, no, no" in the sweetest voice- like she knew what was coming

I can't help but LOVE mattie's face in the picture!

THe next day we went to visit "My BIG backyard" at the Botanic Gardens- it was adorable! The girls and Max could RUN FREE and play- that is until Max got in the pond and Hailey laid down in a puddle...

Mattie- no fear... "I got this Mom!"

Hailey wouldn't let go of Courtney's hand until she could grab mine.

Thanksgiving Day- Ken got to carve the turkey at my parents house... my dad had gotten a tummy bug and although felt better, chose not to pass the bug on!

Hailey however did get the bug about 30 minutes before lunch... poor baby was sick all day.

The whole gang is here-except my family that no one wanted to be near.
(I didn't blame them...)

Here I am trying desperately to win the attention of Libby- tough egg to crack! She still looks at Ken and bursts into tears...

Little sick friend in her 3rd outfit of the day- playing. Funny how nothing holds a kid-o down. They just get sick and keep on going.

Guess the turkey got to Skeet!

Honey and Mattie playing- such fun.

Mommy and her sweet lil bit!Friday was supposed to be Thanksgiving at Ken's parents- and we decided that since Hailey hadn't gotten sick since 4pm the day before and we had been around them all week- would could still go and I am SO glad we did. We were able to visit with Aunt RaRa and Uncle Greg and Grammy and Pop Pop. We loved seeing you all!

Unfortunately, that night Ken did get the bug...

but, Mattie and I have stomach's of steel! :) :) :)
All in all it was a great week in Memphis. Among all of the chaos we did have moments of reflection- we have so much to be thankful for in our family.

xoxo,

30 before 30!!

30 before 30
It is official it is a little over 6 months before I turn 30 *WINK WINK*!
I decided there were a few things I most definitley wanted to do while still in my twenties:

1. Run 1/2 MARATHON

2. Take the pink bus tour/duck tour of Galveston
3. See Tommy Nelson preach- Denton Bible Church
4. Learn to drive a stick shift- does anyone have one of these???
5. Make pasta from scratch- Stouffer's you are my fall back!
6. Become a mother
7. Visit Austin, Dallas, and Fredricksburg
8. Pay off something!!!
9. See Beth Moore LIVE!
10. Ride a Mardi Gras float: Dancing Queen- I am on it!
11. Lead a Bible study
12. Celebrate 2x2 in Noah's ark fashion
13. Complete my Master’s Degree
14. Have Ken at least 3/4 finished with residency
16. Be better about answering the phone
17. Go to Galveston Opera House

18. Celebrate 3 years of marriage!!!
19. Be a brunette- need to try this color on for size!
20. Shed enough pounds and inches to wear ken's favorite dress before we had twins!
21. Start recycling: cans at least
22. Organize and preserve my digital photos
23. Make Pioneer Woman’s Cinnamon Rolls (This is completely contradicting #20, but this was the first recipe that I ever heard about before I even knew who or what Pioneer Woman was, and ever since then I have wanted to make these!)
24. Hold a new baby- of a dear friend!!! this better be before my B'day (you know who you are!)
25. Make every holiday memorable for my family- handprint something!
26. Size 4
27. Go on a picnic with Ken on the beach
28. Make an effort to call or send a card once a week to someone special for encouragement
29. De-clutter. Organize. Simplify.
30. Consciously remind myself to find joy in every day by keeping a joy journal.

xoxo,

Blue Mountains??? COLORADO!

Welcome to Coors country! This past weekend Ken and I were able to sneak off (thanks to Honey and G-Daddy) and see the city of Denver, CO. It was GREAT- after we landed that is! :)Ken is there this week for a conference, but I was able to start the week with him and have a little "like dating" time. We ate, I shopped, we walked, explored, and ate some more... it was great. Several of Ken's favorite friends from Memphis OMFS and Galveston are there with him- so that helped when I left... he knew people there.

Our hotel: The Brown Palace. It has a very bed and breakfast feel to it- but a great place to stay. While we were there, they kicked off their holiday season with a champagne cascade- really cool to watch! A many chops champagne with a sword and then pours it down the 6000 glasses.

One night- while walking we came upon a "Hope Floats" kind of street. Jack Neagle agreed it was PRECIOUS!

After the weekend, I was ready to see my littles! I headed home on Monday only to hear that Hailey has decided that "NOBODY can hold her down" and has climbed out of her crib and that while outside playing she fell and now has a "scratched nose and bruise" i.e. black eye...

Thanks again Honey and G-daddy! We love and miss you! Both of my girls adore my parents, but Hailey is SMITTEN with my dad- it is precious. She only wants him to put her in her highchair or him to put her to bed, or him to read to her-while in his lap of course. It is precious! Can't wait to see you next week!

xoxo,

IOU: Birthday style!

Happy 30th BIRTHDAY KEN!!!! The birthday boy with 2 of his favorite girls (*Mattie and me not pictured- still favorites though)! Today was Ken's BIG day! Anyone who knows me- knows I have a fond affection for birthdays! My parents have always been great about making Lauren and I both feel special on our day each year and I have it in my heart to make a big deal for those special people in my life. I had it all planned out... cards waiting, sitter/sweet Laura booked, dinner place picked, special treat being prepared, outfit chosen, make-up on... then it happened- life while you are busy making plans- poor sweet Mattie got sick- by got sick I mean GOT SICK all over me, the carpet, the floor... you get the picture. I called Ken, wished him a Happy Day at work- isn't that against some law- everyone should get their birthday off from work- told him plans may have changed...

After the 3rd tummy upset incident- we decided to order food and chill at home. Here is Mattie cuddling with me before we put her down for the night. Hopefully this is some sort of 12 hour bug- and no one else gets it!!!! Ken is currently asleep right now as he is on call and only got 4 hours of sleep last night- just isn't right for your birthday! I tried to make is memorable- but now I think it will be more memorable than I could have planned :)
I did however get his favorite dessert made: COCONUT PIE!!

Happy Birthday Ken! We will celebrate in style in Colorado!

xoxo,