Fall Fun

Wow, it feels like we have been non-stop busy all of October and that some how fall is passing us by without our even knowing it. (After all it is 85 out today so, one might get the impression it is indeed still summer.) Anyway, here is an attempt to catch up......

October started as usual with fun birthday outings for me including: A trip to Houston where we stayed with our dear friends, The Heflins. We went to an all day country concert, before pooping out before the main act. (A casualty of turning 33 I guess. I am by the way, the youngest of the four of us.) Thanks to Mimi and Grandad for hanging with Lauren while we had adult time. Unfortunately, I was most of the the next week (plus) so my actual birthday was pretty low key. But Doug and I did find time to have a nice dinner out sans Lauren.

Next highlight.......The pumpkin patch. We had our annual playgroup pumpkin patch party. (Not so much a party but want one more "P" in there.) The kids had so much fun playing in the hay maze, story time, picking a pumpkin and getting their faces painted.

My timing may be all off on some of this, but Doug went to Paris and my parents came into town to keep us company. I always love when they come to town and I get to spend time with just them. (Selfish youngest sibling, I know.) Anyway, Lauren and I had a great time and were happy to not be on our own. As many of you know I am training for a half Marathon, on this weekend, we had our final bench mark race....... 13.1 miles. So yes, that was a half Marathon. It was a great run. It was beautiful outside and we ran downtown in the mission district, so the new scenery was wonderful. My time was close to where I want it to be on the big day. So considering I was sick for two weeks and only ran once during that time and optimistic come race day I will achieve my goal.

The following weekend we headed to the ranch. It was by 10 year Homecoming at ACU. We took advantage of the proximity of ACU to the ranch. Not only was it homecoming but it was Youth weekend, so my whole family was there. It is really fun when everyone is out there, not to mention free babysitting. (Older cousins are awesome!) So while I felt like Homecoming was a huge bust, the weekend itself was not and it did not end in Abilene. From Abilene we drove to Houston to celebrate Becky's birthday and Doug had a golf tournament on Monday. Another good time. Lauren had her first night in a big bed that was not mine. She slept with Reagan, they looked so cute all snug in bed. And she has not stopped talking about wanting a big girl bed. Not quite ready to go there yet.

This past week was equally as busy as all of the others have been this month. Why take a week "off"? On Wednesday we had our 3rd annual Playgroup Halloween Party. This was the most fun by far. The kids got the whole dressing up thing, which was cute. And I got into this year too. Went a little overboard on my Halloween themed food, but it was fun making it all. At the party we had tons of food, made footprint ghost, decorated cupcakes and did some trick or treat practicing. It was huge success, even if my little butterfly girl ate sprinkles by the spoonful and didn't nap that day.......

This weekend was the official opening weekend of deer season, so Doug head back to the ranch and Lauren and I head to Ft. Worth. We rode with her best buddy Caroline and her parents. While the ride was a a little snug it was worth it and I would do it again for sure. Beats driving by yourself! In Ft. Worth we did some trick or treating in my mom's neighborhood with cousin Morgan, Aunt Lisa, Aunt Debbie and Mom Mom. This the first Halloween I have gotten to go to at my parents house. It used to be a big deal, tons of kids and parents, a big meal and trick or treating. Not so much this year, but those of there had a blast. I'm sorry that Doug missed it. Lauren was very cute running up to the door, ringing the bell and yelling "Trick or tweet" and then "another house momma, another house". She really is too cute. While in Ft. Worth we got to hang out with my Aunt Jo a lot. Which was awesome because she is one of my favorites in this world and I don't get to see her enough to be reminded of that. Saturday night we went to the FWC for an auction. I score NASCAR tickets, 4 for $85, which is a really good price. I guess those FWC parents just aren't the NASCAR type....... Sunday we went to church at RHCC. It was packed, which is a good thing. But I was especially moved by the acapella singing, which I haven't heard in a long time. There is something so pure about the sound of tons of people singing sans instruments. It was beautiful. These days instruments are my preference, but it's nice to go back to the roots sometimes. After church, lunch and a very long car ride home. Why is to trip to escaping reality is always quicker than the one back to it? But both Lauren and were happy to get back to Doug. I hate it when he's not with us.

So that in a nutshell (a big one) was our October. But here is on more word.......Blessed!

33 Things

So, I turned 33 a couple of weeks ago. So here is a list of 33 things I am thankful for. I borrowed this idea from a old high school friend (Wade). So thanks Wade.

1. 10 years of marriage with the most thoughtful, loving, understanding man, ever.

2. My beautiful, funny, loving, entertaining daughter. (Really, who could ask for more)

3. Living in San Antonio. It's great to be back in God's country!

4. I blessed with the wonderful parents, who have taught me so much about being the best I can be at whatever I am doing.

5. Great In-laws who love my daughter more than anything and are always willing to babysit, even if it means driving 2 and half hours to do so.

6. Playgroup. Friends for me and friends for Lauren.

7. My brother and sister (and there spouses) who I know have my back no matter what.

8. I am healthy. (most of the time)

9. Running. I love to run and love that I am training for my 2nd and 3rd half marathon!

10. The Office. Possibly the best show ever!

11. My DVR. It allows me to watch whatever, whenever.

12. Good restaurants. I love to eat and right here in SA we have tons of good places.

13. It's almost Basketball season. GO ROCKETS!

14. My running partner, Brittany. She keeps me going around mile 8.

15. My best friend. Becky. There are not enough things to say about her. She gets me and I don't know what I would do without her.

16. My babysitter. She is awesome and Lauren loves her.

17. This past year we went on some fun vacations. Disney World/Spring Training and Cabo. Hope to repeat both next year.

18. Weight Watchers. Thanks to them I have now lost all my baby fat and can fit into the dress I wore for my rehearsal dinner 10 years ago!

19. Freddy's Frozen Custard (why I need weight watchers) Good custard even better burgers and fries.

20. Wii Fit. It so dang fun and finally I can do Yoga.

21. The Ranch. Truly you can feel God's presence. It is beautiful and a place the whole family can be together without being on top of each other.

22. Abby our dog. Still a little needy, but she is smart.

23. My old friends from California. Miss you guys.

24. Facebook. It helps me keep in touch with so many people. I'm hooked!

25. HEB. Thanks to HEB I got to move back to Texas. Not mention, I love to shop there.

26. I learned how to make a TUTU, pretty good for a none crafty girl.

27. My computer. I probably spend to much time on it, but it lets me stay connected.

28. Doug's date nights with Lauren.

29. My date nights with Doug.

30. My car. I love my gas guzzling SUV.

31. Cartoon Channels.......and PBS.

32. My bed. I can't wait to collapse into most nights.

33. My IPOD.

Favorite Lauren Quotes Part 2

1. "I love you babe"
2. "Night, Night Ab's" (This is just cute, because she hears me refer to the dog as Abs instead of Abby)
3. "D" like Daddy" (I like this because each week we learn about a new letter, and this just tells me she is starting to get it)
4. "Wicka Wicka What (fans of the office will get this)"
5. "Five dollar, five dollar, five dollar footlong" (subway commercial)
6. "Thank you mommy" (Finally after months of trying to get her to say thank you, she finally is)
7. "Daddy's a big boy"
8. "There's a lot of toys over there" (Referring to Mimi's and Granddad's house)
9. "I went to the pumpkin patch" (I don't know just hearing a 2 year old say pumpkin, is so cute)
10. "It's mommy's turn" (for fill in the blank)

Playgroup Buddies

When Lauren was about 4 months old we started attending a playgroup. The blessing in this was more for me than her at the time. At this point the babies just laid there drooling on a mound of blankets. But for me this was awesome. I had just moved to San Antonio and knew absolutely no one. So now I had mommy friends and Lauren had other babies to lay and slober with. Now two years later, we both have a great set of friends and have obviously long passed the laying and drooling phase. Lauren has so much fun at our playgroup outings and it incredible to watch a group of babies progress through babyhood, to the toddler stage and now on to the little kid stage. Each have a unique personality and it's fun to watch them interact with each other.

There is Avery, the free spirit independent who is incredibly smart.

Ryan, the sweet, sensitive boy who is going to make a great protector for the girls when they get older.

Caroline, who has become like a sister to Lauren. She has her own opinion about things, but really just loves to play. I predict she will be the class clown! She is too funny!

Iain, the explorer, he loves stepping out on his own discovering new things.

Jenna, another smarty who could hold an adult conversation for as long as I can remember.

And of course Lauren, who is best described as a social butterfly, she loves to play and talk and loves her friends!

We have had playmates come and go and we miss them, but the core remains strong. And me, well, I feel so blessed to know I've got at least 5 strong women that have my back in a pinch and are there just chat and offer the best parenting advice. They reassure me when I don't know what to do. They are willing just to hang when I am bored and need to get out of house. They are there when I need someone to watch my kid. Thanks girls for being my friend and thank kiddos for being Lauren's friend!

We've come a long way baby! This was one of the first meetings of the minds!

And this was last week!

Does this Girl know how to Dress or what?

When Lauren plays dress up, she goes all out. She puts on every piece of dress up clothing that is available and goes at.........

To Plainview and Back (via Ft. Worth)

We have been away for awhile so there is lots to write about! Labor Day weekend the three of us went to Plainview to visit with Doug's Grandma.......Ganan or Great Ganan to Lauren. We set out on Friday, stayed the night at the Ranch, went the rest of the way to Plainview on Sat. morning. Upon arriving to Plainview in true Ganan style she had huge lunch prepared for us. Then it was on to the Llano Estacado Museum, which by the way is a must see in Plainview. (And takes only about 15 minutes to view in entirety.)

(The Tee pee at the museum)

Next we went to see relatives Pat and Ron. Pat was a huge hit with Lauren. She had toys for her to play with and gave her a bag of candy! We then went back to Ganan's house were Lauren discovered various gifts around the house and her favorite......Ganan's piano. Lauren was pretty much obsessed with it......

We finished the night we a dinner out and bed. I won't go into details about the sleep, but with Doug, Lauren and I in the same bed, not a lot of sleep was had by anyone! But we woke up in the morning ready to go. We went to church with Ganan and to lunch at Cotton Patch. (love that place) Lauren was able to catch a little nap then off to visit more people. We went to see Gean and Mike (close family friends). They too had a sweet little gift for Lauren, a little plush elephant. Lauren was amazed at all the elephant's around the house. (Gean is a collector) And guess what? They too had a piano and even better yet a cat! Next on the agenda was dinner and park time. Doug was lucky enough to get to go to his favorite hot spot in Plainview.......Furr's. Yep, I haven't been to one in ages either! We were treated by Ron and Pat who then took us to the park they are lucky enough to have right across the street from them. Here are some pictures.

(Lauren and Doug swinging, the famous Plainview cows and Lauren riding a turtle)

We decided to go ahead and head back to the ranch that night for the sake of sleep and the so Doug would not have to drive over 400 miles in one day. But the drive to the ranch gave us chance to reflect on the visit and how lucky Lauren is to have her Great Ganan and how lucky we are to have our Ganan. Ganan is probably one of the most incredible persons I know. She has the spunk and wit of a teenager. She is full of southern charm and has wonderful stories to tell. She means the world to us and I am so thankful to have her in my life and to have her for a grandmother. Both of mine have been gone for a while now, so I really do cherish having her and having Lauren know her. Everyone who has Ganan in their lives is better because of it and I think they know it. She's that kind of person!

(Ganan, Lauren & Doug, Three Generations)

We got back to the ranch late, late! The next day Doug headed back to San Antonio and Lauren I went with my parents to Ft. Worth. We had tons of fun there including 3 trips to the Ranger's game, swimming, visiting with friends and family, a haircut for me, a sleepover with cousin Morgan and a trip to the park! Here is a slew of pictures!

(Mom Mom and Lauren, Lauren and me)

(PaPa and Lauren, Lauren swimming)

(Cousin Morgan and Lauren, Lauren being pushed by Mom Mom at Kidsville)

Finally on Sunday my parents brought us back home. Lauren was so happy to see her Daddy and Abby! (So was I) We had a great trip, thanks to all that helped us along the way. You made the trip what it was........AWESOME!