Texan kind of Fall Break

Our Annual Fall Break Trip...heading South to Texas!

Well, let's just say things took a wild turn about an hour into our drive.

I recall having to grab my door handle as my hubby flew through some twists & turns of a tollway...then, the next thing we knew sirens were on our tail.

Yup...Big Daddy got pulled over with 4 Nino's in the car...not good.

But -what was good? The kind officer gave the G-Daddy a warning. PTL!

1st Stop: Allen Outlet Mall

Kids favorite spot ~ The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Shop

Thus, the begging for the crazy yummy goodies begins.

I succumbed and bought the $7.00 *Rocky Road Apple for the 3 younger ones to share 

and one little guy was especially excited!

After some afternoon shopping...we arrived at our home away from home.

The Stonebriar Embassy Suites

The kids negotiated their sleeping spots

and we shortly thereafter hit the Happy Hour downstairs

Guacamole, white chocolate covered pretzels & goldfish = Happy Kids!

Time for Momma's most beloved Asian Restaurant

Naan

Abby had her first Sushi! (and loved it btw)

Owen, well...he ordered a cheeseburger :-)

But sure did love him some chopstick action!

Greg went for his usual ~ *Mt. Fuji

While Will & I shared the most delicious dish on the planet...

*Tuna Tower!*

along w/ some salmon sushi - yum!

Just down the street from Naan, we indulged in our most favorite family dessert ever ~ 

Coldstone Creamery's

cake batter with brownie & hot fudge...YUMMOLIO!

Needless to say...bedtime did not = smooth sailing

Instead, it = lots & lots of trapeze artistry!

Saturday, October 22nd

The all you can eat breakfast buffet was enjoyed immensely

And the cool mom let her cool son sip on some not so cool decaf coffee

(he BEGGED)

Traditional stop at The American Girl Store

Miss Ruthie was treated to a much needed Hair Appointment!

Ella chose the fancy flip ponytail style

(I still can't believe I paid to have a doll's hair done...again)

Now that's one good Daddy to spend his Saturday of Fall Break at a doll store!

Mommy, on the other hand, is soaking up the fact that this is probably the last year I'll have a little girl who even wants to go... :-(

Giggled when we saw the name of this store :-)

Saturday evening: Dinner with the Fultons!

(another terrific Texas tradition)

These two, Abby & Claire, believe it or not...are only 2 months apart! Despite their size differences, they are two Peas in a Pod! They spent their evening making these:

And, speaking of cute...these two, Miss Annie & Owen, 

had a blast playing together! 

Kate & I have our fingers crossed for a happily ever after future! :-)

The #4's (baby boys)

The kiddo's played & played 

& played....

until they were all tuckered out.

The evening ended with a very late night OU loss. (boo)

But a win for awesome family & friend time!

Sunday a.m.

Time to load back up and head to our favorite Texan church...

Stonebriar Community Church 

with the famous and timeless,

Pastor Chuck Swindoll!

Girl (Emma) & Boy (Carter) Cousin shots

(Mason & Uncle Dan were still in Norman from the OU game)

As always, we had an Amazing time spending our Fall Break in our favorite get-away state.

Big thanks to the Fultons for hosting our crazy bunch & making us feel so loved!

Owen's 1st Choir Performance

A day I have been waiting for arrived...

My gruff little sports lover boy had his very 1st Choir Performance!

I anticipated something wild & crazy happening, but to my surprise...

He stayed in perfect position and sang every word just as he was taught.

It was a precious sight to see his 4 year old class sing Praises to our Lord!!

Owen's siblings were so proud.

And Momma's heart was full. 

Perfect Pairings ~ Deuteronomy 4:27

Deuteronomy 4:27
The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.

*Halloween Party 2011 Costumes

Mimi's Birthday

We celebrated Greg's Marvelous Mom's B'day on Sunday at Zio's.

My girls gifted her with homemade cards

and lots of kisses :-)

A ginormous hot fudge sundae was presented to the Birthday Girl

who then made a wish...wonder what it was??

I sure do love this lady! 

She has been an amazing Momma to me since I was just 14!

I count myself as the luckiest daughter in law on earth to have her as my kids' Mimi

I've never met another who loves her grandkids like this one...her famous line is: "They make my heart happy" ~ and she means it!

I'll tell you who makes our hearts happy...

our Mimi. *Happy Happy Birthday Mimi* 

May you have many, many more!!!

Perfect Pairings ~ Nehemiah 8:10

There's nothing like watching your 10 year daughter full of energy, adrenalin & joy as she gives her all at every soccer game. It is such a picture of what we can be when we are full of His Joy...we can be Strong! And Satan will undoubtedly attack this joy because, if he can steal that, we will lose our strength. And without our strength, we cannot fill the passions that God has put in our hearts.

So, take a little time today to be filled with joy. A great acronym for how to experience it:

 JOY - Jesus 1st, Others 2nd, Yourself Last.

"...for the joy of the LORD is your strength"

Nehemiah 8:10

The Grand Finale Daddy Date Nite

I can't believe it's true...but it is Greg's very last pre-school *Daddy Date Night* (insert sad face)

All four of our kiddo's have attended this marvelous school, and all four have had two years of getting their Daddy all to themselves for this super fun & special evening!

Owen's been talking about this for weeks now...and the night finally arrived! Male Bonding at it's Best!!

Any man can be a father.  It takes someone special to be a dad. 

OU Girlz Weekend

There is a first for everything...and a weekend away with my besties from college was WAY overdue! One flew in from Dallas, the other drove from Clinton and I made my way from good ol' T-Town. 

Our first stop was the Chic Claussen Curve in OKC of which I highly recommend! We dined at Cafe 501 and it was delish!! We then perused the beautiful shops before heading off to our next stop...

The Outlet Shoppes of Oklahoma City

and boy did I have fun at Crewcuts - the J.Crew store for kids!!!

Following our shopping spree, we made our way to the little town of Clinton, OK where one of the 3 K's resides.

Her charming husband met us at their famous & cool restaurant, The White Dog

This is actually a shot of the Beanie Bar across the way...the restaurant sat atop a hill and had the most beautiful view of the Sun setting!

McCasland 510 - we will never forget you!

(Our OU dorm name & #)

And we arrive at K #1's Home. K #2 and K #3 (moi) are shown to the guest room.

After an amazing tour of her beautiful custom designed home, we headed outdoors for some reminiscing, singing & serious dancing! (I'm not kidding either) When you've been friends for almost 20 years, you can do these kinds of things with your head still held high!  :-)

The next morning we arose to the most glorious smell in the air...the charming husband has put his culinary skills to work and prepared homemade pancakes for the 3 K's. And yes, I had many.

After lounging around visiting, we decided it was probably time to get ready for our evening event...the OU Football game in Norman.

1st Stop...our old stompin' grounds ~ The Mont

Their sausage & cheese Queso...beyond words

And their famous Swirl ~ YUMMO!

The 3 K's 

(with some creepy guy in the background! lol)

Met up with some other Pi Phi's at one of the new hang out's in Campus Corner

Right before the game, we made a pit stop at another Pi Phi's hubby's sweeeet Tailgate!

Check-it-out:

A flatscreen, stereo, beer tap (if u like the brewskie) & even a microwave!

Game Time!

Thanks again to K #1's Charming Husband, we had front row Club Level seats.

Oh, how times have changed since our days at OU...the spirit in the air was of champion style ~ we happened to be there during their dog days :-( 

Following yet another Sooner win, we headed to our hotel in the City. But before resting our pretty little heads, we felt the steering wheel head to an old favorite, Bellini's for a late night snack.

It was a weekend full of so many favorites ~ friends, shopping, dining & giggling!

Here's to my two K's - LOVE U GIRLS!!