Texas Spring

What would Spring be in Texas without a climb into patches of our native flower, posing for the parentals in hopes of that perfect photograph being snapped, all while praying there are no snakes hiding out in the same patch?  Well, I guess last year we didn't succumb to the typical Texas spring because I did not get any pics of the little lady.  So this year, I tried to make up for it--and it was worth it!  It's amazing to see her growth in 2 years from this.  And quite frankly, we just didn't have the crop of bluebonnets last year compared to this year.

These are from the ranch of Easter and I just LOVE how they turned out.  Hat's off to JP!  And thank you, Reese, for taking my bribe to smile and look at the camera!

An Egg-cellent Weekend

We enjoyed another lovely Easter at the ranch this year.  We love that place, and Reese does too.  She's been asking this week if we are going there again this weekend.  The answer is no, but I can tell it is becoming one of those places she is giddy about, just like I was when I was a kid.  Oh wait, I still get giddy about going to the ranch--it's just that kind of place.

Because at the ranch you get to drink ice cream from the bowl at 10:15 pm with Uncle Mike

It was nice to sit back, relax, enjoy some great food and wine and watch take it all in.  We've been talking about Easter for a few months now and the children's book "All About Easter" gives a really good glimpse of what this great holiday is all about for a 2 year old.  She understands that it really is all about Jesus, and that's what is important.  Several weeks ago I asked her "Reese, where are we going for Easter?"  Waiting for her to say "the ranch", she quickly replied "church".  She.gets.it.

She also gets the Easter bunny and all he does.  She has hunting eggs down pat.  And eating candy, too.  I think there was one day over the weekend that the only thing wholesome she ate was a few bites of fruit for breakfast and a bowl of beans at 8pm.  Thankfully, we're back to a normal eating routine.

A little bit of chocolate on the face for the first of many times that day

And, if you're gonna live in Texas, you gotta break a pinata for Easter.  (make sure you sing that to the tune...If you're gonna play in Texas...it makes it that much better).  It's always a hit with the kids and there is no shortage of roadside vendors making a buck from them.

I hope you and your family enjoyed a blessed Easter and remember that HE died and rose for US.  Hallelujah!

I've Joined the Club

Yep, I'm there plus 2 weeks. I joined th 30 club on March 28. The day came on the third day of back and forth business trips to San Antonio, so the day itself was low key, but I did get to enjoy some of my fave sushi for dinner.

But then came the weekend. Several weeks earlier JP had suggested we get everyone together for crawfish to celebrate. Sounded like the perfect idea to me and the perfect way to celebrate my Dirty Thirty.

It was a ball of a time being with friends and family. And the crawfish and beer was delish and the perfect companion for enjoying the backyard on the summer-like day. (if only it would stay thar temp through summer)

Love.It.

Pretty sure this is my little lady giving me a high five after I tried to pretend like I was 21 again.

So what happens now? Eating a little better, working out a little harder and wrinkle cream, right? All those things might be needed, but Praising the Lord for another wonderful year and looking forward to what He has in store for me for the next 30 is what I'm thinking about. It's a beautiful life...bring it 30!

Happy Easter

A Fine Photo

We had a little Dirty 30 celebration on Saturday (more to come), and my talented brother-in-law captured this image of Miss Reese.  She fit right in with the theme with a little dirt on the face and dress, but in my opinion, this photo wouldn't be the same without it.  Thanks, Matt!

Happy Heart Day!

I want YOU to be my Valentine!

Proud!

I did it! My first half marathon is behind me--by 3 weeks--the time I gained in not having to complete runs for the past three weeks, I've gained in added work responsibility, so once again the blog has taken a back seat.

The race was great and I'm incredibly proud that I was able to complete it in 1:50:37. My original goal was under 2 hours, which I met and then some!

getting ready to start

And....GO!

Probably Mile 5 or so.

Just crossed the finish line...a little emotional!

WE DID IT!

It was a cold morning, probably the coldest I have run in since the start of training, but that didn't slow us down.  It was a wonderful experience, but I'm still not sure I will do another one, just due to the strain it causes my body and the monotony of doing the same workout everyday. But all that aside, I'm so glad I did this one.

I can't write this post without giving a shoutout to my race buddies Leisha and Shelley. You guys were the difference in me actually doing this vs. continuing to say "maybe one day". We all stayed dedicated, and that's what ultimately brought us to the finish line. Heck, Shelley even did it in her early weeks of pregnancy, which is AMAZING! How cool to tell that Sweet Pea what a rock star Mama is.  And to our cheering section, Mom, Dad, JP, Matt and little lady, so nice to see familiar faces along the way!

Ladies, thanks for all you did for the last several months...what an accomplishment!

2two!

Two weeks ago we celebrated Reese's 2nd birthday.  All I can say is where did the time go?  We enjoyed another nice January day and even though there was a little chill in the air, it was a great day to be outside!

My friend Megan, had the thought several months ago of doing a tutu them since we are celebrating 2 years, and I loved the idea...just needed to figure out how to fit all of our little boy friends into it.  So, I took to the web, did some digging around, and settled on the Tutu's & Ties theme.  It was a fun theme to plan, especially with the help of Pinterest--I mean who plans a party these days without it?

Can you tell she loves wearing a tutu?

We borrowed Grammy's bouncer again this year.  It's always a hit with the kiddos!  I also rented a bubble machine which I was a little disappointed in.  It provided some great ambiance, but not really worth the cost.

We haven't quite mastered "blowing out the candles".  The look on her face in the pic says it all..."how do I blow out candles? Just look really hard at them and THINK about blowing them out and they will--it's all a mind trick".  And she probably thinks that's really what works since she had a little help from the wind. Oh, and she is obsessed with the Happy Birthday song.  Just this morning she was looking at her cupcake Legos Uncle Mike gave her and singing "Happy Birthday Reese".  Yes, it's been 2 weeks!

Our best attempt at getting a pic of all the kiddos--even if it is just feet.

Here we are enjoying some of our new gifts.  And yes, that is a real tiara (not a toy version).  Thanks, Megan--as soon as she gets that "princess" complex, I'm sending her to you!

I'm Ready!

By this time tomorrow I will have completed my first (and probably last) half marathon.  I have a plethora of emotions going on right now--nerves, butterflies, confidence, and wanting to kick some butt!  I say it might be my last because all this training has tarnished my love for running a bit.  I miss the days that I could "decide" to go run and then run a nice and simple 3 miles or so and call it quits.  That's not enough to train for a half marathon.  I have enjoyed this 4 month trek and I have a feeling it will all be well worth it when I cross that finish line tomorrow.  But, I will always remember what it has taken to get to this point.  Pure dedication.  Sticking to my training calendar.  Running 8 miles in the cold rain.  Etc. Etc.

My goal is to finish the race in under 2 hours and I think it's feasible given my training.  I definitely couldn't have done this without my trusty training partners, Leisha and Shelley--they have been AWESOME and kept me going when I didn't think I could.  I never thought I could run and chat, but now I'm spoiled and bore incredibly easy when running solo.

So here's to Team Nike: thanks for all the support in training...we've come a long way!  We're going to have an awesome race and a great celebration afterwards!

And now I have to go eat some more Tiffs Treats...gotta love carbing up!

Don't You Just Love Lists?

And here I am...still stuck in 2011--on the blog, at least.  So to catch up REALLY QUICK and get into 2012, I'm going to make a list.  Don't you just love lists?

1.  We had a great trip to the ranch just before Christmas and JP got a deer...yay! that we have a freezer stocked again!

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

Not intended for human use...Reese's doll stroller is still intact...BARELY!

2.  We celebrated JP's birthday with lots of fried goodness (pickles and mac& cheese). I also made red velvet cake balls--I've made several flavors now and I'm totally into them!  They are easy, tasty and the perfect size.

YUMMY!

3.  I'm now trying to work off all the fun I had eating fried food, candy, cookies, etc.  Not easy, but I sure did have fun getting to this point.

4.  Reese totally embraced Christmas and all it had to offer this year.  She is really enjoying her tea cart and tea sets, new kitchen and all the wonderful food to go in it!

5.  Christmas with the Parker's was quite hilarious with 4 kids ages 1-5 opening gifts...we probably could have charged for tickets because it was pretty close to a Ringling Bros. affair.

6.  Reese still asks about Chippey every other day or so...she really misses him, but knows that he is in the North Pole with Santa helping get ready for next year.

I hope this new year is safe and prosperous for us all!  2011...OUT.