A month of fun!

We're about to celebrate our 3rd and final Christmas Friday, so I need to finish up posting about to December to have "all right in blogworld" before I post about Christmas.

Let's do a random, unorganized post from the end to the beginning. This might stress me out. I like to have all the pictures organized and to tell stories from the beginning (with LOTS of details, right Kelly?). Here we go....

It was "tutu" fun for Morgan to turn TWO!!!! I really can't believe she's two...until she throws a fit or tells me "NO!", then I know it's for real:)

The "mini Morgan" doll that my friend Karen made for Morgan. Is it not the cutest thing ever??! Morgan wasn't feeling too great in this picture.

MckMama's rainbow cake that will become a birthday tradition in our family. It was pretty easy (but time consuming) to make. The slices are HUGE!!!

Ready to par-tay!!

Tate was dying to wear a tutu. This was the perfect photo op for a cousin picture! He will hate me when he's 18:)

For the second year in a row, we ended up in the doctor's office on Morgan's birthday! This time she had her normal well-baby check-up turned sick-baby check up. While we waited she practiced her 2 fingers for Dr. Riser.

Happy, happy birthday Morgie!!

Mallory had her first school program. She did great!

Before her debut:)

Another photo op for cousin pictures...matching gingerbread shirts! They were freezing and running around trying to warm up!

Tate had his 3rd birthday! Again, where does the time go? It was a fun train ride to Ft. Worth followed by Double Dave's pizza...mmmm!

Two little models for mommy. They crack me up...and each other!

Playing catch up

Sigh. I have neglected my "scrapbook" for WAY too long. How will my children know about the fun they had growing up, when all they see on the blog is posts about giveaways? It's time to get this thing updated so I don't end up posting about Christmas in July!!!

Let's go way back to October. I think I ended with pumpkin patches. We also had Halloween! The girls dressed up as butterflies this year. We got to use our costumes twice, at the Fall Festival and then trick or treating. Both were super fun!

Here are two cute pink butterflies. What? You didn't know there were pink butterflies? According to Mallory, everything can come in pink!

With our pumpkins...I've forgotten their names by now. Mallory requested a silly pumpkin and "girl" pumpkin.

Morgan got her first haircut! It was at home and quick. The mullet was getting out of control. Although I loved the curls, I did not love when the humidity straightened them and she looked a little boyish.

Before:


After:


The smile only a mother can love:)

In the midst of all of our fall fun, soccer happened, too! This was a fabulous year for Brad. His best yet, and UMHB's best yet! To say that we are proud of Brad is an understatement. He had a very successful season on and off the field. He would tell you that the best part of this year was seeing changes in the team dynamics. Lots of guys stepped up into leadership and there was a lot of teamwork this year. Both of those things were the reasons for their success (and a great coach, of course!).

Speaking of soccer, this little girl cannot wait until she turns four and can be a "soccer girl". Until then, striped socks and soccer shirts will have to do!

This year, UMHB placed first in conference and hosted the ASC tournament! First ever for UMHB. They also advanced past the first round of playoffs only to be beat by Hardin Simmons. It was also the first time ever (in ASC history) for an at large bid into the NCAA Division 3 playoffs. UMHB hosted the first game against, who else, HSU! We lost that game which ended the season for Brad. It was bittersweet, but we can't complain about the season....we just look forward to next year!

Right after he got doused with a huge jug of water!

Can you see the ice on the ground in the background? Brrrr!!!!

And, I can't leave out that Brad was named the American Southwest Conference Coach of the Year. So, so proud of him and his players!

Mallory had a Thanksgiving feast at school. I wasn't 100% I could make it up there to eat lunch with her, so I didn't mention anything about it. Well, I learned my lesson really quick. Mallory doesn't like surprises! The minute she saw me and Morgan, she started flipping out and throwing a fit. Finally, I was able to calm her down and tell her I was there to eat lunch...not to pick her up early. Turkey. She thought I was there to pick her up.

Once we all sat down (in the tiny chairs), she was all smiles, especially when Morgan got to eat with her!

Later at home in her turkey hat!

That afternoon, we left to go to Burkburnett. It was a fun filled, cousin filled, food filled 3 days there! BMom got to make a cake with all 4 grandchildren (and use the aprons we gave her last year!).

Matching cousins on their way to Chuck E. Cheese!


When we got to my parents the day after Thanksgiving, we went to the Gaylord Hotel to check out the lights. Obviously the girls enjoyed it....

You can check my sister's blog to see a really embarrassing video of us playing The Beatles Rockband. That was the highlight of Thanksgiving for us! Before all of the adults played, the kids got to practice, too.

We also enjoyed eating dinner with our long time family friends, the Barbarenas. No pictures, though!

Alrighty. That gets me caught up to December 1st!

Holiday Gift Gallery

If you live in the Temple/Belton area (or are passing through), consider yourself invited to the

2009 Holiday Gift Gallery

Friday, November 6, 4-9pm

Saturday, November 7, 9am-6pm

116 Eagle Landing

Belton, TX 76513

A friend of mine is opening her home THIS WEEKEND to host her first "show"! I was asked to be one of the vendors (along with many other talented ladies) and I am so stinkin' excited...and nervous! This is what the floor of my bedroom has looked liked for the past few weeks:

Between Brad getting ready to host the Conference Tournament (first time ever in UMHB history!!) this weekend and me trying to make as much stuff as I can, it's been a little hectic around here:)

I'll be selling my Jelby's stuff (shirt dresses, holiday shirts, pillowcase dresses, burpies and anything else I can cram in last minute!). You'll also find children's boutique clothing, hair bows, home decor items, Tyler Candle Co. candles, photo art, custom jewelry, monogrammed (some on site!) items...oh, and FOOD! Homemade gourmet goodies!!!

Please join us as we begin the holiday season. I guarantee it will put you in the Christmas mood! Invite your friends and family. Don't forget to enter to win the amazing door prizes!!!

See you there!

A holiday giveaway!

My super talented friend Kristi is doing a giveaway! She's got some really cute stuff for holiday cards and blog designs. Click on the button and enter to win!!

Pumpkin patches

Every year we head out to a local pumpkin patch. And ever year, I'm on a mission to get an adorable picture of two sisters. Both smiling. Both looking at the camera. The camera that is in their mom's hands. And both sitting still until their mom gets the perfect picture. And every year I am reminded that they are TODDLERS!!!

This year, we hit three pumpkin patches in four days. Yep, you read that right!

Brad was on a long road trip (which the totally whooped up on!!), so we headed to the metroplex for some cousin time. I won't talk about the trip up there, because I want to remember the fun we had, and not the vomit I had to clean out of Morgan's car seat on I-35. The rest of the trip was wonderful and FUN!!

Our first stop was Halls Pumpkin Farm in Colleyville. We went with my parents and my sister's family. It was a super fun place for the kids to run around. We rode on a "hay ride", got to feed donkeys and cows, pedal tractors and there were lots of photo ops. Lots of photo ops unless you don't charge your camera battery:)

Morgan's new smile is killing me! I think it hilarious and she does it every time you ask her to smile.

Morgan learned a new word...donkey! And, it's as hilarious as her smile when she says it:) I can't help but think how Morgan and this donkey resemble each other. Can you see it?? Look how brave Mallory is!!! She only wanted to do it once, and didn't even try feeding the cow. Can't blame her, they stuck their tongue out and literally wrapped it around the bread and slimed you to death...ga-ross!!!!

A decent shot of the sisters. They were so much more into running around and chasing after Tate.

Up next, the Silo Christmas Tree Farm! Brad got home super late (or early) Sunday, so we let him have some down time while we had fun with our neighbors. We get our Christmas tree from this place every year and have been wanting to get to the pumpkin patch for a while. It was a blast and we stayed over 2 hours!

Mallory and Morgan with our neighbors: Brian, Katie, Bailey and Claire

The hay pile was a huge hit!

Morgan didn't really care for the activities. She mainly wanted to be held the whole time. I did manage to get my little pumpkin on a big pumpkin! She is sitting on the biggest pumpkin I've ever seen!!

Buddies, Bailey and Mallory. They are only 2 months apart and have a lot of fun together!

Mallory got to be a big girl and ride the hay ride all by herself! Brian and Katie are twins and are 10 years old. They love the little ones, so Claire and Mallory hopped on and rode with them. Mallory almost chickened out when I said I wasn't going, but then couldn't back out because the tractor started up and off she went!

And, last but not least, our local pumpkin "patch" at a Methodist Church field. Our playgroup (well, all 4 of us) met there this morning. I could barely get the girls to sit still for one picture. I finally said, "Okay, y'all have had fun, now in 5 minutes, Mommy gets to take your picture!"

This pretty much sums up what Morgan thought of sitting still to take a picture...not happening!!

I did get an adorable picture of Mallory! I'm not sure where she has learned this new pose, but it is hilarious! She literally poses like this all the time now. I'll take it!!

So, I guess I'll stick to front door photo ops without any distractions for that card worthy picture...and with a fully charged camera battery!!

Need a new dress?

For your little girl? Go to Jelby's and enter to win this fall dress:

Hurry, the giveaway ends Friday, October 16th!!!!

California trip

A couple of weeks ago, the girls and I braved a 3 1/2 hour airplane ride and headed out to California. My dad's family lives in the bay area. We went out to celebrate my grandfather's 85th birthday and my uncle's 55th. The trip was fast and furious, but a lot of fun!

I was most nervous about the plane ride. Well, actually, I was hoping I wouldn't replay my most embarrassing "California" moment. Luckily, I wasn't pregnant this time and my parents were on the same flight! The flight would not have gone as well if they hadn't been (between potty breaks and boredom, they were a lifesaver!).

This was Mallory's second time to fly on an airplane. We went out two years ago when I was pregnant with Morgan (so, technically it's Morgan's second time too!). The girls did fantastic on the plane! Morgan took a nap and both of them were somewhat entertained with the stuff I brought with us. There were a couple of times I thought all you know what was going to break loose...the DVD player ran out of battery after one video and Mallory freaked out about having to leave her seatbelt on until we landed. But, other than that, it went really, really well!

In the airport about to get our boarding passes. Morgan looks less than thrilled!

Dinner Friday night at...Friday's!

By the time bedtime came, it got a little crazy! The time change + no naps = spazzy girls! While I was running around getting beds ready, this little turkey got into the suitcase. I had no idea she was wearing ALL of Mallory's pull-ups on her legs. It looked like she was running around with Cinderella leg warmers on!


After a VERY early wake-up of 4:45 am (6:45 Texas time, so not too bad actually), we headed to Santa Rosa. My Uncle Mike's girlfriend, Ellen, was throwing him a surprise party. We loaded up and drove the 2 hours there.

A cool front and rain came through Saturday morning and the weather was so great! As we drove into Santa Rosa, the temperature dropped to 70ish degrees! Plus, we got this scenery on the drive in. So beautiful...even if I don't drink wine! Vineyards just lined each side of the highway.

Uncle Mike showing Morgan how to shake a tambourine!

Aunt Barbara, Cousin Amy, Paul and my mom

Ellen has two grandkids that provided some much needed entertainment for my two!

Cousin Butch with the girls

This was at dinner, around 8, which is a lot later than we normally eat. The girls were troopers and instead of being grumpy and throwing fits, they responded with silliness! All weekend they were hilarious! I know this is out of focus, but I thought Morgan's face was so funny! She was having a blast with my dad!

And, the drama queen! She put on quite the show at dinner, too!

Sunday morning we were up at 5:45, not too bad! My grandpa (and everyone on my dad's side of the family) is a HUGE UC Berkeley fan. We dressed the girls in blue and gold for the birthday party. My grandpa loved it!

Not crazy about the midriff, but she can strike a great cheerleader pose!

The birthday boy thanking everyone for being there.

Party guests. Aunt Barbara, grandpa's girlfriend, Pauline, grandpa's friend, Grandpa, Great Uncle John and his wife, Marty.

More party guests. Mom, Corry, Amy, Paul, Becca, Kyle and Sean.

The girls were Grandpa's helpers. They handed him the gifts and made sure he got those candles blown out!

Probably the highlight of the trip for Morgan, Aunt Barbara's new dog, Oski. It might look like she is scared to death here, but this is what she does to show affection for dogs and babies!

Before we headed to the airport on Monday. The girls loved going to "great grandpa's house". The other residents loved them too!

Happy, happy birthday Grandpa! We're so glad we got to celebrate with you!