Subliminal Message

Things like this happen when my husband gets a hold of my camera without me knowing. Can you find the subliminal message in the picture below?

Well, apparently my husband thinks Haley is trying to tell us something. (Do you see the sign on the bench?) FARM. I guess we will be packing our bags. Hehe.

Haley loves playing with the stuff on this bench and we typically let her since there really isn't much she can hurt. The sign actually reads "Farmers Market" but she had moved the basket far enough over that it blocked all the other letters. I was not actually in the room so I will just have to take Justin's word for it that he didn't stage it this way (I am very suspicious).

Staying put for now,

Outdoor Fun!

Anxiously awaiting Spring...

Adventurers in Babysitting & Baby Picaso

This past weekend Justin and I signed up to babysit my nieces for the evening. I was a little stressed that I wouldn't be able to hold it together and my dreams of being a parent of three would come crashing down. Amazing the night ran very smoothly. Now don't go thinking I am being naive...I understand that they were on their best behavior per their mother's instructions. And that if they were my own they would have been running around in there undies wanting to eat candy at 9 pm, singing songs, and dancing...but I still think I can do it. Anyway, to keep things under wraps while Justin and I were making dinner we sat all three girls down at the table for a little coloring. Grace and Lucy jumped at the opportunity but Haley was a little shy at first.

After a little while watching the others she joined in and created this masterpiece. The line of it is just so beautiful it makes me want to cry with pride.

Okay, so maybe I am exaggerating a little. I can't help it. I confess that I drew the big lines but in the zoomed in picture below you can see a faint purple line...this is proof of Haley's amazing talent. She did that one all by herself!

Hahahaha. Happy Monday!

Random Roundup

1. The weather was actually pretty great this week, which was a nice change. It had been so dreary that I was about to pack up shop and move somewhere tropical. I am so ready for spring and summer. I can't wait to take Haley to the park and nurture her love of swings, let her eat random outdoor stuff like grass and flowers, and relearn the art of bar-b-que parties. I love sun!

2. I know last week I mentioned some craft projects that I was going to share...well that hasn't really worked out just yet. I (Justin) have been fighting with the last step in my project since Sunday. I think we almost have it...at least a temporary fix for now. Aren't you anxious?!?!

3. If you haven't yet tried the delicious, delectable, treats that are Sam's Club egg rolls then you are seriously missing out. Chinese food is not really in my diet plan however when I get a craving I have to go for it. If I don't I convince myself I am missing out on life. These egg rolls were introduced to my by my parents about 6 months ago or so and have become a new staple in our freezer. The are so yummy that I think I could eat six of them in a sitting. The point to this story is that I got to have one this week and I am still thinking about it 2 days later...they are that good (at least to my simpleton taste buds).

4. Ever since Haley's denial of birthday cake on her birthday I have been on the hunt for something sweet to treat her with. This week's test run was going to be pudding. Wednesday night I decided to prepare the pudding for Haley to try the next evening. Everything went well; I mixed the ingredients together, whisked for a solid 2 minutes as the recipe calls for, covered, and refrigerated. Skip to Thursday night, the bowls are set on the table ready for a helping of vanilla pudding, I grab it from the fridge and hear and odd sloshing sound from inside. It had never set up and was still liquified?? Why you may ask...all I can say is that I would not suggest substituting water when a receipe calls for milk! Hahaha. I am such a kitchen klutz. Or maybe this is my mind helping me diet! Ha.

5. Haley still is not walking. I am happy and sad at the same time. I am happy because I want her to stay a baby forever. I am sad because I want her to start toddling around like a cute little toddler. I may have stunted her progress by drastically switching up all other aspects of her daily routine: She just moved up to a new room at school and they only take one nap a day in there, we are trying to transitition her to a sippy cup which is proving somewhat difficult, and I have started brushing her teeth at night (please do not laugh, the doctor actually suggested we do this). I am going to try really hard this weekend to help her take her first steps.

6. Justin and his fishing cohorts, Kurt and Chris, went out for the first fishing trip of the year this Saturday. They got up at the butt crack of dawn (5:00 am) and headed down to Surfside. I will never understand the love between a man and fishing. Standing around all day wathcing the end of a fishing pole is so boring it makes me yawn just saying it. Anyway, their trip was actually somewhat successful. The caught the following (as told to me by my husdand): a bunch of whiting, a couple hardheads, a monster 34" black drum, and a slight buzz. Good luck out there guys...I hope ya'll catch a record breaker.

Rodeo Cookoff 2010

I know it is ridiculous that it took me an entire week to post these pics but to be quite honest I complete forgot about them until my sister reminded me just today. Since we had to hike for miles and miles to get the rodeo I didn't want to lug my camera with me and decided instead to just take my old point and shoot. Those things sure are easy to carry around...I keep it in my back pocket the entire night!! So neat and tidy. I still haven't figured out how to wrangle my new one. I can't tell you the number of times I have banged it around and the number of bruises I have given. Ha. I should get one of those soft rubber covers like they have on children's beginner cameras.

Anyhoo, here are a few of the pics from last Friday night at the Houston Rodeo Cookoff. We had a great time and managed to not lose any appendages to frostbite...it was so freaking cold! We had a wonderful time: the bar-b-q was delicious, the beer was super cold, and Haley was snuggled in bed at home with the grandparents. Life was good!

Random Roundup

I am always trying new things with this blog and today marks the beginning of my newest endeavor. I am going to try and have a weekly post summing up our week and the random things that go on. In the chaos of the week I tend to forget alot of details of our daily lives. (I also partially blame my mother for this forgetfulness since she is the one who passed on to me the memory capabilities of a goldfish.) As a bonus this new undertaking should give me a push to take more pictures of the everyday. Wish me luck.

By the way, I had to come up with some cheesy title like "Random Roundup" because that is what all the big-time bloggers do. I can only aspire to be as great. Ha.

1. Started a new weekly blog post titled "Random Roundup". (I couldn't resist.)

2. Haley had her 1 year checkup on Monday. She has now officially given up formula and moved on to the much tastier whole milk. If I drank a gallon a week I would be a whale.

3. I have finally started working out after months and months and months of complaining about my baby fat. The progress has been depressingly slow. I have only lost a measely 5 pounds. The high point is that my sister and I ran a 5K and I actually didn't finish last! I see more of those in my future...it was alot of fun and quite rewarding. Maybe someday we will do a marathon...or just a half marathon. Ha.

4. I tried making a new meal for dinner Wednesday night, Salsa Chicken, and it turned out ridiculously gross. Frozen pizza to the rescue! Now that I think about it this might explain my lack of weight loss. Hahaha. Damn you tasty morsels!

5. Apparently it is not the best time to go shopping for a new pair of cowgirl boots during the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show! I couldn't find a single pair to fit my post-pregnancy size 10's. We went to the BBQ cookoff on Friday night and had a blast. It was ridiculously cold and windy out but we scored some free Mrs. Bairds which made it all worth it. Thanks to Kara and Kelly for including us in the fun this year.

6. Worked on some craft projects that I will hopefully share before the end of the week. None of them are my own creations...I can only take credit for the meticulous handy work of the final product.

That wasn't so bad now was it? Stay tuned for the adventures and misadventures from week #2 of our Random Roundup. Ha. And please hold your comments about there not being a single photo in this post...baby steps people!

Happy Birthday Stinkerella

Our sweet little angel has grown up!!! We celebrated Haley's first birthday this past Thursday with a family night at home and some cookie cake (which she loved). The past year went by in a crazy blur. Luckily what I remember most are the good things...the sweet smiles, the excitement on her face when she learns something new, and the way my heart feels when I hear her laugh. She has been a true blessing in our lives and has brought more joy than I could ever express in words. Don't let my mushy mom talk confuse you...I also remember the countless diapers, the daily toy explosion in our house, the stained clothes, and all the dirty faces...those memories just get pushed way to the back.

Happy Birthday Stinkerella! I can't wait to see what is in store for us as you become a mischievous toddler.