Girls Night Out

A few weekends ago I got to go up to Branson for a little girls night out. It came at the exact right time and it was a much-needed fun fest! We went to Cantina Loredo on the Landing for some delish guacamole, queso, and fajitas!


We shopped around a bit and I found some great deals at Francesca's! Then we went to TJ Maxx and Target and spent more money. Yahoo! I even got some good Christmas gifts. I'm on my way--but have so much more shopping to do. Thank goodness for online shopping, because I have a feeling Liv and I won't be going into the hustle and bustle with the Christmas crazies! We ended the night at Starbucks for a heavenly pumpkin spice latte and red velvet whoopie pie.


We always have such a good time. This weekend is our annual earring party and I cannot WAIT. Except I reallllly need to get some earrings before then....eek!

*Sidenote--I'm 38 weeks pregnant today! Hopefully I will have time to post a Liv Update since I haven't in ages. Lots going on and I can't wait to meet her.

Elise's Dedication!

Last Sunday Heather and Ross dedicated Elise to the Lord in front of their church family in Ozark! It was a great ceremony and we had fun being at their church all together. We went back to the Halsted's afterward for a yummy Taco Villa lunch.

My precious niece! And her beautiful mom!

Amelia had so much fun prancing around in her new outfit from Gam. She kept saying what a fun party it was with soooo many people at her house. (Her G and P and Jessalyn and Greg were all there too.)

Ingrid got some much-needed "HeeeeeeaTHer" time.

And since it was Elise's special day, she showed off with some fancy tricks!

Ing ended up napping a total of 25 big minutes that day but it was all worth it. I love my family!

My Aunt Sherry!

A few weeks ago my aunt Sherry got to come down and visit! It's always special when she comes in because she's that person. The one who always says the right things at the right time and gives sweet hugs and pats. The person who always looks stylish and put together even if she's been the car for a bazillion hours. That's her.

Heather and the girls came down and stayed a few days while they were visiting. Amelia made up fun games as always.

Sang "Grey squirrel, Grey squirrel."

Had tea parties and let Ingrid join in.



And had her very first hair cut given by her one and only Memer.

I'm so glad Gary got to come with her this time too. We had a good time visiting and I can't wait for her to come back when Liv gets here!

Halloween//Part 5

Pumpkin Carving...er...Painting

Derek and I are self-proclaimed pumpkin-carving-fools. We LOVE it. Derek is more of the pumpkin artist--free-hand drawing his designs and shaving, slicing, and carving away until he has a total masterpiece. I am more of a find-your-design, trace it on, carve it out--a straight and narrow carver. Bottom line, we love carving pumpkins. And we didn't carve a single thing this year. (I carved a jack-o-lantern with my class like always, but not a family pumpkin). With the accident thrown into our October mix, time just slipped away from us and we found ourselves on Hallow's Eve with no pumpkins carved. It was a sad realization, but we got over it. There's always next year!

Ingrid got to paint her little pumpkin. And she followed right in the footsteps of her parents and took it as very serious business. No messing around with pumpkin art!

"Maint??" "Pumpkin?" "Ing-Ing?" Yes! Put the paint on the pumpkin, Ingrid!

Here we go!


Concentration.

You've got to get a little messy at the end!

Masterpiece!


My last Halloween post is complete! It was a great holiday. Now bring on Thanksgiving and Christmas. We can't wait.

Halloween//Part 4

I thought the next time I would have to take off work would be to welcome baby Liv. Not the case. I found myself curled up on the bed in my old room at mom and dad's yesterday during my lunch break at school. And I did not return all day yesterday or today. The dreaded stomach bug hit me. Only on the busiest day of a 1st grade teacher's existence--the day/night of our 1st grade musical performance. I had to miss it. I was so sad. Still am. But I feel better now. Thank goodness. Now, for a complete bombardment of photos!

Pumpkin Patch

Derek and I have been going to a pumpkin patch together since 2008. Our first year, we went to one near Little Rock with Neil and Katie.
2008

The following year, Amelia was here and we went to the same one with she, Heather and Ross.
2009

Last year we switched patches to one in Battlefield and added Ingrid to the mix.
2010

And in 2011, we brought along Elise and had a blast. Amelia helped Ingrid get ready by combing her hair. Elise was happy to see her DD!

This was Ingrid's first day out of the house since she had been sick and she was so excited for a little fresh air.


Ross thought of bringing the wagon and it was a big hit.


I had been looking forward to going to the pumpkin patch since September arrived and I really wanted to get Ingrid a cute "pumpkin patch" outfit to wear for all the photo ops I knew we would have. Turns out they are super expensive! So this was the first time I tried out my new embroidery machine and made her a little dress. I used some black and white polka dot fabric felt for the pumpkin and I love the way it turned out.




Amelia and Elise were so good the whole time. They had been to this very patch the day before when Ing was too sick to join them. But you would have never known it. They had just as much fun as if it was their first trip. This smile gets me every time!


Run like the wind, Ing!

The hay maze was a big hit.

But Ingrid's favorite part of the day was definitely the actual pumpkin patch. She wanted to pick up every pumpkin exclaiming, "HEAVY!" each time she bent down. She wanted to run as fast as she could through the tangle of vines and pumpkins. She loved every second of it.

This one was too tiny for her!


What about this one?

Or maybe this one?

"HEAVY!"

Victory!!!!


Notice anything similar?

I just love the pumpkin patch. Next year, Liv will get to join us for fun times four!