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Priscilla's First Birthday Party

This past weekend was such a busy one! We had three egg hunts, Priscilla's first birthday party, two dinners with relatives and of course church. Jason and I agreed that next time we have a weekend that busy, we're going to plan ahead and both take off the following Monday together to rest!

I decorated everything at Priscilla's party in pale pink and white stripes and polka dots. It was very simple and sweet. Originally, I had planned on going all-out with a pink poodle theme, but then I decided to use that for when she is a little older and can actually enjoy it all a bit more, you know? Instead of streamers, I made yards and yards of paper chains and instead of fancy favor bags (you know, becuase she's one), we handed out little pink vending machine containers of assorted pink goodies.

I admit, it was hard for me to not go "all out" with her party, but in the end, I decided "What is the focus here? A fancy dessert bar and decorations which make me happy? Or celebrating the first year of our little girl who doesn't even know what the heck is going on right now?" Ha! And yes, I'm pretty proud of myself for being so sensible with regard to a party. Oh, how I love throwing birthday parties.

Here are the highlights:

I can't believe it has been a year already! She's so giggly and sweet and when she smiles, her entire face lights up!

Home

This past weekend, the Army sent me to a volunteer conference in my state's capital. While I learned a great deal, I just wasn't used to being away from my family! It was so wonderful to get home Sunday evening and resume our tradition of watching Mad Men after the kiddos went to bed. Of course, it's good for everyone to experience new things and network with new people every now and then, but these past few years, I've found that I'm most content hanging out at home with the people I love!

Click on the photo to be taken to the Etsy shop where that gorgeous hand-cut card may be purchased! Doesn't Ashley Pahl do amazing work?!

Dallas Road Trip

We spent the beginning of last week in Dallas and Arlington and had a blast! (I was having Typepad glitches, or else I would have uploaded these sooner!) It was spur-of-the-moment-- We decided a few days ahead of time that we were going, and we packed as much into those three days as we could: Six Flags, a tour of Cowboys Stadium, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and a few more things, too. We have this running joke that I'm the planner and Jason is the executor. I find all of the attractions and plan our schedule, and he gets us safely there in one piece! Lol! Some of the highlights were:

*Seeing the inside of the Cowboys locker room and taking photos by Tony Romo's locker.

* Seeing the inside of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room.

*Hanging out right in the middle of the field in the star!

*Trying this awesome steakhouse called the Trail Dust where they cut off any and all neckties at the door! The walls are covered with cut-off neckties. So fun, right? (See the photo, below.) We love unique places.

Unfortunately, I was so busy having fun that I hardly took any photos! I don't think I took a single one at Six Flags. Ah, well. I'll remember for next time. In a couple months, we're going to go to Chicago! We've never been before, and a family member's wedding is the perfect opportunity to stay a couple of extra days so we can see the sights!

Now that my work schedule has calmed down a bit, I hope to start blogging on a regular basis. Right now, a post is rolling around in my head about actually going out and doing what one talks about doing. Plan. Then execute. Like our road trips! We've been making a habit of that lately...and I love it! Have a wonderful day, friends!

Halloween. Finally.

It is about time I shared the Halloween costumes, don't you think? As you can see, Priscilla was a pink poodle and Connor was the Master Chief from the Halo game series. We as a family made his blue energy sword out out of cardboard, foil and four colors of spray paint. Every person contributed something to the accessory...so much fun! (Even if I am posting this a week and a half after we went trick-or-treating... Better late than never, I suppose!)

BIG News!

As most of you know, I was brought on as Creative Editor at Simply Handmade Magazine last January. Recently, I was given the green light to share that I have a new position at the publication! I'm now the Editor and I couldn't be more excited about the future of Simply Handmade. There are many inspiring, new things ahead. The hardest part is waiting until January (the issue we're working on right now) to share everything with you!

A blog post of mine wouldn't be complete without photos...so here are a few from the last couple of months:

 
Priscilla was four months old on August 4th! How time flies... She's rolling over now, loves baths, and was dedicated this Sunday at church. (At my church, people wait until they're older to decide when they're baptized so babies get "dedicated" in the long, fancy white dress.) :)

 

 
Connor played football and started the 3rd grade last Monday! He was chosen to be one of the eight students in his grade's gifted and talented class and we are just so proud of him.

 
Jason and I took a trip about a month ago to a little town about an hour away which has some amazing art-filled shops. Because of the new baby, it had been entirely too long since we had "gotten away from it all" for a weekend. It was much needed!

 
We went to St. Louis for a few days the week before school started. It was Priscilla's first *semi-big* trip, and during the five and a half hour car ride, she was an angel! Connor rode the second biggest roller coaster at the Park; I was so proud of him! (I don't think he'll be doing that again for quite some time, though. Ha!)

 

 
Here's another one of Priscilla. I just love making big ol' bows for her! The bigger the bow, the better, I say!

 
Last but not least, I wanted to share my birthday cake that Jason and Connor made for me. It was the first year they didn't go buy a cake and it was delicious!  German chocolate (and homemade by my boys) - my favorite kind.

I'll leave you with this quote: "Be the person you were too lazy to be yesterday." It's pretty dang motivating, huh?