I wish I were a foodie

Cooking has always been a part of my family.  For as long as I can remember, my family has gathered to feast for large and small events with enough food to feed an army.  Cookbooks fill many kitchens in my family along with cute little boxes of handwritten recipes from my great-grandparents.  I owe most of my cooking and food knowledge to three reliable sources: mom, Granny, and the interwebs/Food Network.  My mom battled a busy work schedule growing up so I took over cooking for my family at a young age, but she continues to tackle those large family gatherings with classic family favorites or an attempt to sneak in something new and different (my favorite).  Granny taught me a lot about the basics: how long to boil an egg (even though now I bake them!), how to set a table, how to be a good hostess, and to always serve the eldest first.  She's an amazing cook and truly an entertaining wizard.  I love cooking with her.  And good ole Food Network/internet food finds...well this has given me something to look forward to.  You see, I set off the fire alarm at least monthly and see that look of "well, it's good, but I won't be going for seconds anytime soon" on my husband's face at least once a week.  I'm constantly battling what the directions tell me to do in a recipe and my desire to use what I have....this is not always a good combination....as I have found.  I even made a goal this summer to cook through an entire cookbook.  Did I even look at a cookbook to cook through? NO!  Argh.  We did try E-meals for a good two weeks or so, but those looks I mentioned from Logan from before came up more than often so it's back to me making a menu and not relying on someone to do it for me.  I guess in some ways food also is a big enemy of mine because not only do I want to cook delicious amounts of it and be that mom who is a good cook, but I really try to be healthy.  Unfortunately, food has been a comfort of mine for many years and I know it can't be.  God is my comfort.  My strength, my shield.  So I was pretty excited when tonight I got lots of compliments from Mr. Logan about my meal choice.  Pioneer Woman's Lasagna!  It was delicious and I know it wasn't as healthy as I'd like, but it was good to know I made something right!  Thanks PW, you're the best...and I really think our families could be friends.  We both have a ranch, and cows, and like to cook?  You see the similarities.

If you want to teach me any secrets you're keeping to yourself about food or ordering well off a menu or planning a menu for a week or following directions on a recipe, then please share.  I need all the help I can get.

6 YEARS!

Today marks 6 years for us!  Our very good friend (and very talented photographer) Jamie Larson took this photo of us in March.  It's quite possibly my favorite picture of us next to our wedding photos.  We have VERY few pictures of the two of us and really need more.  Hmm, wonder why?  Couldn't possibly be because my sweet husband is allergic to cameras? And because I'm constantly taking pictures and not ever asking to get in the shot.  Let's put that on the to-do list.  Get in the picture...with Log! 

Anyway, back to my sappy love post to my husband! Six years ago today we were so happy to be done with wedding craziness.  Five years ago today we were getting ready for my second year of grad school.  Four years ago we had a one month old and three years ago you bought me a puppy!  Two years ago, we thought life had settled down (boy were we wrong!) and one year ago we were awaiting the arrival of our son.  God has been so good to us and we could not be more blessed no matter what life brings us.  I pray God continues to bring us closer together through challenges and blessings as we pursue the years to come.  I love you Logan!! 

NOLA

Maddy and Hudson had a great time in New Orleans on our way to Florida a few weeks ago.  We stayed for one night and slept well the kids slept well.  

We were so surprised to see so many people wearing all white with red scarves, but then we quickly learned there was an event going on called NOLA Running of the Bulls.  They were finished when we were out and about so one of the lovely "bulls" stopped for a photo with Maddy.  

After breakfast and walking around the French Quarter, we went to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.  We have been to four or five different aquariums and this one ranks near the middle.  Lots of great kids activities, but no dolphins like Corpus.  We heart Corpus.  

Petting stingrays.  Mostly pointing, not really petting.  

Logan didn't get the memo that you need to take the picture of the whole walrus in order for it to look like your face is actually a walrus.  

Hudson was there, like a good boy, in the brand new stroller Daddy went out a bought at 7:00 am that morning because we realized we forgot ours.  Good thing.  I'm glad we didn't have to haul him all over the place....although he is quite cuddly.  

I really want to go back someday and drink chicory and eat beignets at Cafe Du Monde.  But not for now.  We've got other things going on here.  Wouldn't you like to know. 

Baby is crying, better go!

Bunnies

Easter was busy around these parts.  We hosted a block party on Good Friday complete with an egg hunt, egg dying, and cascarones, of course.  (I had never heard of cascarones until we moved to San Antonio, but now you can't go anywhere during Easter/Fiesta without finding them on sale.  Also, we spent a good hour, maybe two cleaning that pesky confetti off of the driveway.)  The kids had a blast and it was great seeing neighbors come out to celebrate.  If you didn't know we're passionate about serving our neighbors.  It's a part of Logan's job, but it's become part of our life.  Having get-togethers has been only a small part of it, but we're excited to continue loving our neighbors well through prayer and service.  Do you know your neighbors?  I hope so.  I hope you pray for them, too and maybe even serve them sometime in the near future.

Poor Huddy had the pleasure of getting in the bunny suit.  I wasn't too thrilled about it when Maddy wore way back when, but for some reason when it came time or Hudson to wear it I was floored.  He was the cutest little bunny ever! 

And then a few weeks later we had another bunny.  Boy she was cute too!  Maddy had her first dance recital in the beginning of May.  Her class danced to a song about the Easter Bunny from December till May.  I was really glad to be done with the Easter Bunny when that recital was over.  I'd had a little much. 

Her teachers dressed up as bunnies in order to get the girls to dance on stage.  What dedication.  It looked about 100 degrees in those suits.  Thank you Kelly and Kelly for making our first season of dance a big success and a lot of fun.  I'm going to frame those cute ballet slippers to remember this young and fun time in Maddy's life.

Maddy was and still is the tallest in her class.  We took her for her 4 year-old appointment....95th%ile in height and weight!  What a big girl!

Elipses

I am...

running late

I am...

hungry

I am....

constantly in an inner battle of not wanting to let my kids watch too much TV, but in need of something for them to do while I clean/organize/attempt to cook

I am...

teaching a lot right now to get some extra cash

I am...

ready to paint some more walls in our house

I am...

a little sick of 100 degrees, especially at 7:00pm. C'mon FALL!

I am...

in awe of my amazing family.  I love them and want to squeeze them. 

I am...

missing my girlfriends and can not wait to see them in a month

I am...

quitting something today!

I am....

saved by grace! Amen! 

Candyland Birthday

I started thinking about Maddy's birthday a while ago and wanted something gender neutral since she has more boy friends this year.  So Candyland was the perfect theme to celebrate this little sweetie's 4th birthday.  I pinned all kinds of things to get me inspired and loved the way everything turned out.  Giant lollipops greeted our game contestants along with the Candyland trail.  No, I didn't make the colors exactly match the pattern of the board game.  It was too hot to get that detailed! 

I started buying candy a while back so when it came to the actual day of the party, I was shocked to see how much candy we actually had.  It was everywhere.  We could have eaten candy for three meals a day for about a month afterward.  I ended up throwing it away the other day because I just couldn't look at anymore candy (and we had had enough!).

The sign says, "Maddy's Candyland."  Confession, it's still up almost a month later.  Er, I mean I'm taking it down RIGHT NOW!

 I've discovered that if I want a picture with Maddy it has to be pre-party.  These were taken when we were all ready for her guests to arrive.  I wouldn't have been ready with so much time if it wasn't for my amazing parents who came to help set the stage for the festivities.  They wrangled the kids and helped us with every detail.  Thanks Mom and Dad!

The cake was homemade, but dried up completely by the time of the party.  Sometimes,  a box cake full of all those good preservatives is just better.  I need to work on perfecting the homemade recipe.  The decorations look difficult, but upclose you would have noticed how novice this cake was.  I just threw on some candy....seriously.  She loved it so that's all that mattered.

I didn't think about printing the arrows in different directions, so they are upside down.  Oh well! We had different stations of the board game around the house with different games or activities.  The first station was the Gingerbread Tree where they decorated foam gingerbread people.  

Next, the kiddos (mostly parents) guessed how many gumdrops were in a jar.  The kids' guesses ranged from 3-7.  Good try, kids.  Stay in school.  Kasen's mom guessed 130 and their were 140 so Kasen won! 

 Then Lord Licorice had them spell their name with licorice sticks. 

At Peanut Acres, the kiddos tossed peanut bean bags (old socks stuffed with rice) into a tub.  This game wasn't as successful as I thought it would be.  

Outside, kids decorated giant lollipops (paper plates glued to stir sticks) for the Lollipop Woods. 

Only a few brave souls attempted to paint with pudding with Gloppy.  This was on my bucket list for the summer so I decided it would be fun for the Chocolate Swamp. 

Our new playground was the perfect spot for the Kandy Kastle where the little sugars beat the piñata and played! This was the only picture I got of Maddy in her (almost Katy Perry-ish) cupcake dress from Marme.  It fit perfectly for the day and she loved it! 

Shhh... Maddy says at least twice a week that she is going to marry this handsome little guy next to her.  I love him so I'm glad we have a picture of both of them just in case they go to prom together or get married.   You never know! 

 On her actual birthday we attempted to go to the Ft. Sam Splash Pad, but it was broken.  So we splashed around at Maddy's friend Nathan's house in the backyard.  Thanks to everyone for making Maddy's birthday so SWEET!  She had an absolutely amazing time and it was such a blessing to share it with all of you!

Destin

We had an amazing week at the beach in Destin.  The weather was beautiful and the few showers we had gave us a chance to take a break from the sun.  Besides having fun at the beach and pool, Maddy and her cousin drove go-carts, saw a movie, flew kites, and ate lots of yummy food.  The boys played golf twice while the ladies cooked fresh seafood, made homemade ice cream, read (a lot), and had fun being together.  I finished two books which is impressive for me and had so much amazing time to spend with the Lord during the quiet mornings and afternoon naps.  We played Cranium at night where I discovered I am really bad at spelling things backwards.  It was an amazing week and Logan and I were so blessed for the opportunity to take our family.  Thank you Nana and Papaw! 

Little one, you're a lot of fun

Hudson, you love the sand.  When we were in Destin last week you laid in it, rolled around, dug, and just buried yourself silly until it started hurting your skin.  Then you decided enough was enough.  I feel the same way, it's ok.   I was surprised you didn't eat it, although your ear was certainly full of it.  

You love to crawl.  You are crawling everywhere and on everything.  Today I caught you on the dishwasher.  Yes, pretty much IN the dishwasher.  You are so helpful, thank you.  You even crawled up an entire flight of stairs, with someone directly behind you....don't worry.

You love to swing.  Anyone can push you in a swing and the biggest smile pops on your face for as long as you're moving back and forth.  I imagine we will continue to play, play, play our hearts out with you, Son.

You have just started to clap, give "high fives", and wave.  Oh, and you will sign, "more."  Although this also looks like a clap so it's hard to tell,  but it's communication to me and I LOVE communication. Like, a lot.  I'm pretty sure you and the dog have your own language because he tends to listen to you more than me and will bring you his ball for you to throw even though it just lands at your feet.