It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Okay, so maybe it doesn't look like the Christmas you are used to seeing with children playing in snow. Winter in the south is a little different. Instead of playing in the snow we enjoy the 70-80 degree weather. According to the calendar today is the first day of winter, and here in Houston it was 80 degrees with lots of sunshine. The boys and I have been enjoying the Christmas season by going to Christmas plays, Christmas festivals, the zoo, parks, going to friends and cousins houses, riding on trains, carousals, horse carriages, all while eating popsicles instead of icicles. Houston does sometimes get Arctic cold fronts that cool us down during the winter season, but right now we are enjoying the comfortable weather.

Sugar Cookies

I think this is the best sugar cookie recipe. They are always soft and taste delicious. I don't really like cut out cookies. I would have just made them, because we like to decorate them for Christmas, but these cookies are good enough to eat too.

Cookie
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
3 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Frosting
4 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powder sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Refrigerate at least 3 hours then work the dough, add flour, roll and cut out
Bake 375 for about 6-8 mins

This Month

I know it's a little uncharacteristic of me not to post for an entire month. I have had a lot going on in my life recently that has kept me from the blogging world. But, the boys and I have been good. We have been in Houston a few time this month. We had a great Thanksgiving with family and spent time playing with cousins, going to parks, going to Christmas parties and playing outside.


At the petting zoo. This goat was so funny. He kept having a staring contest with all the children. Chase didn't quite know what to think about the crazy staring goat. And isn't that baby big adorable.
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My sisters waited in line for about 45 minutes to go on a Christmas carriage ride. Just one of the few things parents do to make sure their kids have holiday fun.
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My boys love playing outside with their cousins.
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Driving to and from Houston almost always puts the kids to sleep. It is rare for Baylor to take naps, but he usually does on the way home. Houston wears him out. Notice his battle wounds on his face. He got in a fight with his cousin. I think he's a little embarrassed, because he told me not to tell Dad about his fight.

Are you Serious?

I woke up to a $275 ticket on my car for parking in a handicapped parking spot. No lie, this is how my car was parked. Are you serious? I'm not parked in a handicapped parking spot. Apparently, because my front tire is over the line about 2 inches that deserves a $275 ticket. I honestly don't mind paying a ticket if I did something wrong, and especially in this case if I was parked in a handicapped parking spot, but I don't think I am.

Halloween

Baylor chose to be Thomas the Train this year for Halloween. As for Chase, I was not going to give him the choice, because I didn't think he would care, because he is still little. Boy was I wrong. The day of our trunk-or-treat he started freaking out when we tried to put on his lion costume. He apparently wanted to be Thomas the Train too. I decided it wasn't worth the tears, so I rushed to Target and got another Thomas the Train Halloween costume. He was so happy to be just like big brother.


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Here are some other pictures from Halloween week.

On second thought, don't say cheese

Like most moms I've been trying to take cute pictures of my kids for Halloween. Unfortunately, my kids don't make the cutest faces when they are yelling, "cheese" at the top of their lungs.

Gone "Full" Crazy

Alright, I guess I better admit that I am training to run a full marathon. Most people who have known me for a while have heard me say, "I would never, ever run a full marathon, because I think that's just crazy". Well call me crazy, because I'm doing it. I joined a marathon training group here in Louisiana, and the first people I ran with also confirmed this by saying, "If you're running a full marathon that makes you full crazy just like the rest of us". I figure at least I'm in good company running with them, because we are all basically insane.

I'm going to run the Texas Marathon on New Years Day. There are 10 other people in my family running the half or full marathon with me. We decided it was time to get in full training mode this week, so today I ran 15 miles, in 2hr 7 mins. I also burned 1500 calories, What!?!?! It's no wonder I'm craving a supreme pizza and steak dinner at the same time.

I'm hoping I make it to January, because I'm already burnt out of training, and I hadn't even trained hard until this week. I know it's going to get really hard, but I'm hoping it will be worth it.

Yearly Pics

Baylor and Chase had birthdays recently, so my sister, Courtney took their yearly pictures, while we were in Houston last week. My boys were all over the place. She was literally running to keep up with them, so I am super impressed that not only one, but several of the pictures turned out. I really have no idea how she did it. They were wild and wouldn't listen...as usual, but you can't even tell from most of these pictures. She did awesome. Thanks Courtney!

Halloween Candy Buy Back

Brody's work participates in Halloween Candy Buy Back. This gives children an opportunity to sell their Halloween candy. They get $1 for 1 pound of candy. When Brody told me about this I thought, why would any kid want to do that? They end up sending the candy to the troops, so I guess that may give kids some motivation to sell their candy.
If I were a kid again and was told about this. I don't think there would be any way I would give my candy to them for only $1 a pound. I would definitely try to negotiate for more money. It just doesn't seem worth it to me, unless I had a couple pounds of candy corn and dots. Then I definitely would, because those candies suck.
I was the type of child who did everything in my power to keep my candy as long as possible. I would hide it under my bed and try to eat only one a day, but truth be told I think the longest it ever last was a week.
I guess even though I would not want to sell my candy back for $1 a pound there are people who would. Last year Brody's work got almost 700 pounds of candy. I don't know, maybe I am selfish. Would you sell back your candy?

Happy Bday Chase

We had a little birthday celebration for Chase today. He was so cute and excited for his 2nd birthday with a Lightening McQueen birthday cake.

Chase

It is Chase's 2nd birthday today. Brody is out of town this weekend, so we are going to celebrate on Monday. Don't ruin the secret by telling Chase. Hopefully he won't find out, and we can pull it off without getting totally busted.
So, I know most moms are obsessed with their children, but I am totally obsessed with Chase. I think he is the sweetest, cutest thing on the planet. The thing I love about him most is the sweet, kind and loving personality he has. He was like this from day one. He has always been my snuggler and just loves to be near you. He is just a sweet, sweet little boy. He is also super easy going. He just goes with the flow and is happy to be here. He is full of love and laughter. He is always smiling and trying to make others happy.
I love you so much Chase, and I feel like you are such a huge blessing in my life. You bring so much joy to me. I love being your mommy. Happy Birthday!

That Looks Familiar

This is Baylor when he was 18-24 months old.

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This is Chase about the same age. Look familiar?

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I think every little boys go through the stage where they become so obsessed with cars they can not go anywhere without them. Whenever I go somewhere Chase, much like Baylor did, will collect as many cars as possible and shove them in his hands, under his armpits, in between his bent elbows, and in any other crevasse the arms and hands can create.

My Louisiana Complaint

Okay, so my biggest complaint about Louisiana is the insects. They are out of control. They are everywhere, and the worst thing about them is they all bite. I bet some of you northerners didn't even know that ants and flies bite people. Well they do along with the millions of mosquitoes that are here.
So, Brody had his 1st encounter with a cockroach last night. Seriously, this thing was the size of my fist. I opened the door for one second to throw out the trash and it came in. I knew it was Brody's 1st time seeing a cockroach, because he asked what it was, and if it could fly (I actually think he was mistaking it for a crow, because it was so big). We had no Raid, because I assumed we were safe living on the 2nd floor of an apartment, plus the management sprays for bugs, and we are 20 feet above ground (wait maybe the cockroach did fly up here). I got the vacuum out and told Brody if the cockroach tried to make a run for it to vacuum it up. I quickly went to the store and got Raid and we killed that sucker. I'm sure it will not be the last time this happens, but now I am prepared. Thank you Raid.

JD's Wedding

Brody's cute little brother just got married. We are so excited for JD and his new wife Michelle.

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Brody and I took a kidless trip to Idaho for the wedding. We knew we made the right decision not taking the kids when we couldn't even make it from Lake Charles to Houston without them freaking out about it being too far away. We drove and traveled alot during this trip. The times we weren't driving or flying somewhere we were at the wedding and wedding receptions, and my children are a nightmare in that type of setting.
We started the trip Thursdays. We got to the SLC airport, went to pick up our economy rental car, but they were out of cars so we got a sweet minivan. We had no kids, but somehow ended up in a shaggin wagon.

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Brody and I then went to Lone Star Steakhouse, which I renamed Love Star Steakhouse to be super cheesy, in Centerville, Ut. This is the restaurant Brody and I met at. I worked there during a summer between college semesters. The 1st shift I worked with Brody he asked me out, and we have been together ever since.

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Thursday night the brothers took JD to dinner and paint balling for his last night of freedom as a single guy.

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Friday morning we went to Rexburg, Idaho for the wedding. They also had a beautiful luncheon in Rexburg that afternoon.

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They then had a reception on Saturday in Pocatello.

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We traveled all day Sunday and picked up the kids in Houston. It was actually my birthday...I know you're jealous you didn't get to travel all day on your birthday. As much as I appreciate not having the kids on this trip I sure missed them like crazy.