Shopping Divas...

E, hubby's sis, my mom and I hit the malls with all the other nuts on Friday morning. We had a small list of deals to nab....but the highlight of the day? Getting interviewed in the parking lot by a cameraman from our local CBS affiliate. They wanted video of people getting out of their cars in the rain and unfurling their umbrellas. I supposed this was even more interesting because we had several people in our vehicle...including a two-year-old! However, we didn't make the news...as my mom said, they must not have liked our looks! Ha!

Giving Thanks...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at my parents' house this year -- wonderful food, a wonderful nap (for E and me) and a great visit with hubby's sis and her new husband...thank God for His wonderful gifts!

(Forgive me as I back date some posts -- I have been so behind on blogging due to a nasty headcold, a ton of freelance work and a variety of other factors...I'm trying to catch up!)

There's nothing like old friends...

While "down south" for Lucy's wedding, we visited my best friend and her family and "did Christmas" with them...so what if we were a bit early? The kids had a great time together, and the adults did, too! Be sure to check out the video at the end of the kids playing in the tissue paper. Who needs to buy gifts, when you can play in tissue paper?

...what faces! E looks awfully guilty...

...me getting sweet baby hugs from Anna...

...E and Anna checking each other out...

...what a crew! we've been through so much together!

good friends are a big blessing!...

Lucy's wedding!

We had a wonderful time in San Antonio last weekend...Lucy's wedding was just beautiful, and Alan is officially part of the family now! The wedding and reception were beautiful, and it was wonderful to see family and friends, but we're also so, so glad to be home...

...with my parents at the rehearsal dinner

(they were great in helping with E all weekend!)...

...here comes the bride!...

...the sweetest flower girl, ever!...

...the gang's all here!...

...the happy couple...

...E totally loved the wedding cake...

...what a bunch of goofballs! we had a great time!...

Little artist...

E loves to watch us draw shapes, letters, numbers, faces, people and animals. Lately, she's been copying what we're drawing. Last night, we happened upon this drawing on her magnetic tablet...I had heard her drawing this, saying "eyes, nose, mouth, ears..." and other parts of the body as she drew them. Too cute!

I love my slow cooker!

I have a bit of an obsession with my slow cooker. Not nearly as much as this gal (whose blog I love) but I do use this little handy appliance (ok, I have three of them) more than weekly in the winter and often in the summer. Since it's soup and stew season, I have been experimenting with all kinds of fun, new recipes. This Tuscan chicken stew was a combination of several different recipes and includes shredded chicken, sun dried tomatoes, white beans, herbs, feta cheese and all kinds of other wonderfulness!

Wordless Wednesday...

GO VOTE!

Can you believe this great costume we saw at our church carnival?

We love this little girl, her family and little sister are new friends of ours...

More music class fun...

E is still enjoying children's music classes at church....last week, the children used hoops as part of an activity that accompanied a song...too fun!

Sporty girl?

E recently obtained a soft, plush soccer ball on a recent shopping expedition with Gramma. She cannot stop talking about or playing with this fun toy! It's soft enough to "play soccer" in the house, and also is good to hug and squish!

Extreme Makeover: Little Girl's Bathroom Edition

Before

After

Before

After

We did a huge overhaul on E's bathroom before she was born to create a blue and white, spa-like look in our home's jack-and-jill bathroom. (Prior to the blue and white? Peachy pink "string" wallpaper and matching countertops and peeling vinyl flooring....ew!)

But since E's birth, I've been looking for a little girl-appropriate shower curtain and items that match her bedding but didn't look too trendy. I finally found what I'd been searching for -- and it was on super sale, and Gramma offered to pay for part of it! What a deal!