Fourth of July Photo Shoot

We went to The Kummer Family Lakehouse in Horseshoe Bay for the 4th and had a wonderful time with Four Kiddos, Five Doggies, and a whole lot of food! Here is our attempt to get a picture of the cousins--Holt and Preston--in their matching crab outfits. Shea, maybe you got a better one than me?! Help me out!

 Preston says..."I'm gettin outta here!" He will not put his knees on the grass so he crawls like a monkey...

 I wonder...how much longer I'm gonna have to sit here.

Full blown meltdown...

Of course, if I'm holding him he's perfectly happy and waving ot the camera! Here's our quick family 4th of July photo...

Here's Brett and I on the boat watching fireworks.

 And here's my flag cake that I made...YUM!

Here's my patriotic father-in-law with his great annual crab boil masterpiece...

Preston was teething most of the weekend, so we saw a whole lot of this face...

But now he has two new bottom teeth to show for it and is back to his happy, smiley self.

Easter Weekend in Pictures

We had the BEST Easter weekend, but I'm exhausted just thinking about it all. We may have overdone ourselves, because Sunday night Preston and I both were up ALL night coughing like crazy. We both have a nasty cold today and there is just nothing worse than seeing your little baby sick. And, there is nothing harder than taking care of a sick baby while you are sick too. Thank goodness I have my Mom here to help out. She was a saint today! But here is our Easter weekend by Pictures:

FRIDAY:
My sister came in town! We had an early dinner at Yardhouse at City Center and afterwards ate cupcakes on the grassy lawn. Sweet at City Center has the best cupcakes, in my opinion!

Then, that evening we bought Preston his first baby pool and watched as he splashed around in the backyard for the first time. He loved it! Winston was a little jealous that the attention was not on him, as usual.

Later, we put Preston to bed and my sister babysat while Brett and I snuck away to see Water for Elephants. I absolutely loved this movie! We both read the book so we were excited to see the movie together. It might be one of my favorites movies!

SATURDAY:
We took Preston up to the church for an easter egg hunt and some children's activities. Well, mostly just a photoshoot to be honest. He's a little too young this year to hunt eggs, but if he takes after his daddy I'm sure he will be dominating the egg hunt next year. Brett is a little, ahem a lot, competitive.

After that, we headed down to the Houston Zoo. This was Preston's first trip to the zoo. Let's just say he was not that impressed. This picture pretty much sums up his whole zoo experience. Ironically, most of the animals were napping too. Maybe we picked the wrong time of day. It was also really hot and extremely stinky! [The OCD in me is convinced we are sick now because of the zoo and all the germs there.] We probably only stayed for an hour. We'll try again when he is old enough to appreciate it.

Later that evening we went to my parents house for some BBQ. They had their backyard patio re-done and it was neat to watch the progress. It turned out so pretty! After we ate, we gave Preston his first bath in the real bathtub. I think he liked it better than his little infant tub that he is quickly outgrowing. We also watched the Spurs game that night. Well, Brett watched the Spurs game. :)

SUNDAY:
We went to mass with my parents and sister. Even though I became a Methodist when we got married, I still appreciate how beautiful Catholic mass is. The traditional music is just the best, in my opinion. But maybe that's just because it's what I grew up with. Preston loves church. He was being such a little ham, flirting with the old ladies in the pew behind us. Then, he spent the rest of the mass trying to get a book from the little girl sitting in front of us. She was having none of it and kept moving it so he could not get it. It was so funny to watch.

After church we had brunch at Pine Forrest Country Club. We practically grew up here, so it is neat to take my son back to experience Easter how I remember it.

He was so happy all weekend and I think he really enjoyed having his Aunt Lulu in town. I am so thankful for such a wonderful first easter with my baby boy!

Happy February

February has always been my favorite month of the year--maybe it's just the romantic in me. Or maybe it's the abundance of celebrations in my family. First its my dad's birthday {He turns 60 this month!!}, then my mom's {She has a Valentine's Day birthday} and then mine{although this is getting progressively less exciting the older I get, ha!} Not to mention Spring is just around the corner. This year, we will also celebrate Preston's Baptism on the 13th. I can't wait to share pictures of the adorable outfit we are creating for him. Perhaps this month we will even have some new babies to celebrate. My two friends Maria and Kate are due in just a few short weeks. Here's hoping for at least one little Pisces baby ;)

Yesterday, in honor of it being February 1st, I ordered this super cute wreath on Etsy for our front door.

I can't wait to hang it up and start all of our celebrations this month. Cheers!

I am thankful for...

So many things this year! I can't help but feel the most blessed I have ever felt in my life! It's a long list, but here it goes...

• First and foremost, my new sweet baby boy, who is not only beautiful and perfect in every way, but most importantly, healthy! I could not be more thankful for the family I am creating! Every time I look at Preston my heart is so full of joy.
• My patient and sweet husband. Brett is the most loving husband a girl could ask for. He puts up with so much and never complains! He loves me unconditionally and that is the most I could ever ask for. He is also the most wonderful Dad to Preston. He jumps right in and helps and really equally shares the job with me. The best part of my day is when Brett walks in the door.
• My amazing parents! My mom--who taught me how to be a mother. She is so selfless and is always looking for ways she can help her children, even when we don't ask. She always puts others before herself and I hope that I can be half the mother that she is! My Dad--who has been such a great rolemodel for me and has taught me so much over the years. I couldn't respect him more! I hope Preston will learn from his Papa!
• My sister. She is so loving and I am so thankful that she is always there for me. She is so excited to be an aunt and I am thankful that she wants to be such a HUGE part of Preston's life. He is going to feel so special and loved. It is such a special thing to have a sister!
• Cheesy, I know, but I am so thankful for my sweet puppy, Winston. He is the best dog in the world and any bad day I have can be better just by holding and cuddling Winston. He is always by my side.
• Both our stable jobs. I am so lucky to work for a company as outstanding as Texas Children's Hospital. I work with such great people and truly love what I do. That is a blessing.
• Good Health of those that I love.
• A place to call home. It has been so fun turning our house into a home, and I am so thankful everytime I come home to such a warm place.
• Wonderful friends. The past year has made me realize even more how blessed we are! I have not only old friends whom I have loved and known for almost all my life, but I also made a lot of new friends this year. {Hello, Bunco friends!}
• A church home. Even though we haven't been able to attend since Preston was born, I am so thankful for MDUMC. We look forward to Preston growing up in the church.
• Memories. There are so many good ones from my life. I am always daydreaming about great memories.

What are you thankful for?

I am really looking forward to our Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday. Brett's parents are coming into town, so we will get to be with both sets of parents on Preston's first thanksgiving. Gobble Gobble!

Halloween Treats

Halloween Weekend is here! I also love the Friday before Halloween, as all of the morning talk shows have their costume shows...Regis and Kelly, The View, etc!

I am so excited to finally get to celebrate Halloween with a child! I know he is just a newborn, but it's still fun! All of his little neighborhood friends are coming over for the first time! I can't wait for them to all meet! Our neighborhood puts on a fantastic parade, led by The Houston Fire Department, that goes right down our street. We can either watch the parade from our front yard, or walk in it. It's going to be so fun! Preston is also excited that his Aunt Lindsay is going to be in town to celebrate with him!

We have an annual tradition of cooking hot dogs and chili for Halloween. But, here are a few other recipe ideas that I found online. Not sure which ones I will attempt, but they all look super easy and adorable.

Apple Monster Mouths

You'll need:

Apples

Slivered Almonds

To Assemble:
Core apples and cut them into quarters. Cut another section out of each quarter from the skin side. (If you aren't serving them immediately, dip the cut apples in lemon juice or orange juice to keep from turning brown - although that might make them pleasantly gory, too).

Take pieces of the slivered almonds and push them into the top and bottom of the opening to form grotesque teeth for your monster mouth.

Recipe and photo from Family Fun.
 

 Pointy Hats for Halloween

You'll need:

32 chocolate Hershey®'s Kisses, unwrapped
1 package (32) fudge-striped cookies
1 small tube orange or red decorating icing

To Assemble:
Turn the cookies upside down. Attach 1 unwrapped kiss to the center of the cookie using a bit of the decorator icing.

Decorate the 'hat' by piping a ribbon around the base of the kiss and making a bow.

Recipe and photo from Betty Crocker.

 Ghostly Graveyard

TIME: Prep: 30 min. Cook: 10 min.
Ingredients:
4 cups miniature marshmallows
1/4 cup butter, cubed
6 cups crisp rice cereal
12 oval cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
1 tube white decorating gel
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting
Halloween sprinkles

Directions:
In a large saucepan, combine marshmallows and butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted and blended. Remove from the heat; stir in cereal. Press into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. dish; cool. Cut into 12 squares and set aside.

Cut a 1/2-in. piece from the bottom of each sandwich cookie. Crush removed cookie pieces; set aside. Write "RIP" on each cookie, using white decorating gel.

Position cereal squares on a large serving tray. With 2 tablespoons frosting, form a circle on each cereal square; top each with a decorated cookie. Sprinkle reserved crumbs around tombstones; add Halloween sprinkles.

Yield: 12 servings.

Ghostly Pumpkin Pudding

Ingredients:

Pudding:
1 package gelatin
2 cups whole milk
1 cup sugar
6 large egg yolks (reserve 2 whites for topping)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
1 (15-ounce) can pure pumpkin puree

Topping:
2 large egg whites
1/3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 pinch fine salt
Small candy, for eyes

For pudding:

Directions
Put 1 tablespoon of cold water in a large bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over the surface, do not stir, and set aside until gelatins softens and blooms

Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan that can hold a stand mixer's bowl above the water. Whisk milk, sugar, yolks, cinnamon and salt in a heat-proof bowl. Set the bowl above the boiling water and cook, stirring constantly with a heat-proof spatula, until mixture begins to thicken and coats the back of a spoon and almost boils, 10 to 12 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and pour over the gelatin, whisking constantly until gelatin is completely dissolved and evenly distributed. Whisk in pumpkin until combined and completely smooth.

Evenly divide mixture into 12 small 3-ounce cups (paper works fine) and refrigerate until set, about 4 to 8 hours.
For topping:
Bring a few inches of water to a boil in a saucepan that can hold a stand mixer's bowl above the water. Whisk the 2 egg whites, sugar, cream of tarter, and salt in the bowl by hand. Set the bowl above the boiling water and continue whisking until the mixture is hot to the touch and the sugar dissolves, about 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer bowl to mixer and beat with the whisk attachment at medium-high speed until eggs hold a stiff peak, about 5 minutes.

Spoon topping onto puddings in the shape of a ghost. Decorate with candy eyes and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Recipe Courtesty of The Food Network

Scary Spider Cookies

You’ll need:

1 package of cream filled chocolate cookies (like Oreos). Orange cream filling looks extra spooky if you can find those ones.
1 small package of M&M’s or similar candies
1 package of thin black licorice ropes
1 Tbs. frosting (from a ready made can is fine)

To Assemble:
Snip the licorice rope into 1 ½ inch pieces.
Poke 4 pieces on each side of the cookies for legs.
Use the icing to ‘glue’ on 2 M&M’s for spider eyes.
Recipe and photo from Betty Crocker.

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Decorating for Fall Part 2 {My Porch}

I think I am having my "burst of energy." It usually happens a few days before you go into labor, so I guess this is a good sign. I remember before I was pregnant, I used to see people out and about who were days away from their due dates, and I would think "How can they be out?! What if their water breaks? When I'm that pregnant I'm going to be chilling on the couch with my feet up." Nope. All I want to do is accomplish as much as I can before Preston gets here.

That being said, I decorated the whole house for Fall. Using the photos I posted a few days ago as inspiration, I headed out and got what I needed to get my front porch in full-out Fall Festivity. My mom accompanied me and we had a great time!

Here is the finished product.

I got the wreath at Accessory Place. The garland around the door is from Hobby Lobby. I feel like I should go back and get more to intertwine it so it is thicker. It looks a little dingy now. (Plus, it's all 50% off so why not? I only spent $20 for all 4 pieces that go around the door!!). I got the black rocking chair at Garden Ridge and threw my orange pashmina over it for a splash of color. (Just for the photo). Then I went to Cornelius and got a few pumpkins. The mums should be blooming more in the next few weeks so they will be more colorful then.

 I like the wreath I got so much better than the options I posted a few days ago. It is very full and I know I will have it for years to come. I added the copper ribbon to the top so it appears to be hanging by the ribbon, but it is really nailed into the door.

 Closeup of the Fall colors in the wreath.

 Winston wanted to pose in the picture. The Fall colors really suit him.

View from the street.

We also bought some wonderful smelling potpouri that fills the whole house with the best fall cinnamon-y aroma! To top it off, tonight Brett brought home this delicious apple cinnamon bread and had it baking when I got home from work. The house smells delicious! I ended my day with a decaf Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Now we are all ready for October and to bring our little pumpkin home! I am crossing my fingers that he will make his debut this weekend!