Community [Favorite Things]

This show gets funnier every week. This has bypassed all other shows to become my favorite show (although I still love The Office, Project Runway, and Top Chef). Last night's episode was the funniest yet. You can see it here.

Making Changes

A couple of weeks ago, Aaron and I decided it was time to make some changes in our diet/lifestyle. We've both packed on a few more pounds than we're happy with over the past year or two. We haven't really started exercising much yet, but we have started really watching what we're eating and tracking it on LiveStrong.com. It's made a pretty huge difference in how we feel and in our weight. I've lost 2-3 pounds and Aaron has lost 12 pounds! Isn't that amazing?! (His line is the blue one and mine is the grey one.) It's been a pretty fun process. We've sort of made a game of it with eachother. I'll keep you posted on our progress and you keep me accountable! :)

Favorite Things:
LiveStrong.com - My Daily Plate
Wii Fit

Dinner Ideas?

I need new recipes.

I have a hard time getting excited about cooking dinner sometimes, and I feel like I've run out of ideas. On top of that, we're really trying to eat healthier, so a lot of my "go-to" recipes are out. :)

I'd love to hear what some of your favorite dinners are!

Abby's Heaven

Abby just adores babies, and more specifically she adores her cousin, Reagan. And that would be the biggest understatement of the century. She always wants to be touching, carrying, holding, walking, playing with, or feeding her. Tonight Jack and Reagan are over while Jason and Nat go on a date, and Reagan came and crawled into Abby's lap, and she is just elated that she gets to hold her in her lap. It's cute. :)

Lost Maples

Today Carson and I went out with some friends of ours from church to Lost Maples State Park for some senior portraits. I was pretty excited because I've always heard so much about it and how beautiful all of the fall colors were. Plus, a scenic drive through the Hill Country is always a plus.

Well, due to the drought there weren't a whole lot of colors. A lot of green to brown. Regardless, we enjoyed the hiking, the company, and the drive. Carson had a great time hiking, and despite the cool weather, he couldn't resist jumping into the water and splashing around. Boys will be boys.





Favorite Things:
- Texas State Parks
- Pumpkin Pie Blizzard from Dairy Queen. Wow.

Extreme Makeover Kids' Room Edition

Since we'd moved the kids into the same room, we never really took the time to decorate it in any form. We decided the other day that it was time to do something about it.

BEFORE





IN PROCESS...






AFTER
It still needs a few personal touches and I'm going to paint the dresser when I get the time and energy to do so, but the kids love it so far and Carson is super excited to get into bed every night (he's on top). He calls it his "attic".

Favorite Things:
- Burlington Coat Factory
- Craigslist
- Hobby Lobby

Halloween 2009

It all started Friday afternoon when I walked out into the front yard and saw Aaron pulling in the driveway with "Grilliath". We had planned on having some neighbors over on Halloween and cooking out in the front yard, but this was overkill. I rolled my eyes and was slightly embarrassed at the grill the size of our driveway, but Aaron assured me. If we wanted to reach out to our neighborhood, nothing will draw people like a giant grill.

Turns out he was right. We had a great night last night hanging out with family and neighbors. We set up a "jumpy castle" that Jason and Natalie brought and everyone had a great time! We gave out tons of candy, hot dogs, and burgers and met lots of new people who were completely taken aback that complete strangers would invite them to hang out and have a hot dog.

When it got dark, we took all the kids out trick-or-treating and, needless to say, they had a great time. Abby, for the past month or so, had been planning on being a doctor, but she decided last minute (literally) that she wanted to be a princess. And Carson was a jack-in-the-box. He enjoyed singing the little song and then popping up and saying "Wa-Puff!" (Not sure where he came up with that sound, but it was cute.) I was cracking up at Carson, who after we had been trick or treating a while, he just stopped and said, "Mom, I have all the candy I need right here. I'm not going to get any more." I was shocked and decided maybe he was just tired, but he patiently walked from house to house with us as the other kids ran to get more candy. Later on, I said, "Carson, why don't you go up to the door at this house," to which he replied, "Mom, I told you I don't want any more candy!" Not long after that when we got home, he said, "Can I please go to bed now?" Who are you and what have you done with my son?

He was back to his usual self this morning though. When I woke up he had already had at least two pieces of candy and was getting into more.


At any rate, it was a great night. Thanks to Bill and Sandy, who took pictures of the whole thing! I was being lazy. :)