South Padre

We had the opportunity to join some of our friends from Waco in South Padre last week and what a fun week it was!
After quite the day of traveling, storms, flight delays and a lost suit case we finally made it to our final destination!  It was well worth the craziness!

Here are just a few of the few hundred pictures that I took.
I actually did not take this one.  My ever so talented friend, B. Hood, took this one.

We thought it was a great idea to take the kids down to the beach after dinner one night.  And yes, Cilla is soaking wet!  She had so much fun playing in the water.  Although, Flint was in disbelief that I would let her play in the ocean in her smocked dress, it was so fun and I am pretty sure I have not smiled so big in a long time!
Attempted family photo.  FAIL!

...and we are in the water!  

We played at the pool that was right off of our bungalow's back porch A LOT.  A. MAZ. ING!

You could not wipe the smile off of Cilla's face as long as she was at the pool or was at the beach!

  Our friends have a boat, so we got an up close and personal dolphin sighting.

A little eye rubbing before our dolphin excursion.

The Dolphins.

They came right up to our boat.

Another family photo attempt.  Not our best, but a little better than the first!

We ate at this 'jewel' twice.  They had the yummest shrimp platter I have ever eaten!

And apparently they were expecting these Razorback fans?!?!

Another day at the pool.  Another day full of smiles!

One of Cilla's favorite things to do!

Our last night in Padre, we attempted the beach pictures a.k.a. what all daddies dread most!!!

After our previous post dinner beach trip, Cilla thought she should be allowed to swim in her dress.  We told her "NO" and she acted like we were spoiling her entire vacation!  She kept trying to run into the water, however our little two year old has a tough time being sneaky!

Mean Mommy!

We had a late flight home, so our last day was full of soaking in the pool and the beach!

We had one tired little sugarplum on our hands on our way home.  Thank goodness for Mickey Mouse and Leap Frog Letter Factory!  She was such a great little traveler!

We had so much fun and Cilla is still talking about our trip nonstop!  It was a wonderful long weekend with wonderful friends whom we miss dearly!  

Beach Baby

We just got back from South Padre with some of our sweet friends from Waco.  

Here is a sneak peak.....

We were a little unsure of how Cilla would handle the sand and the ocean.  But it was love upon entry!  I love the last picture of her!  Pure joy!

I have a ton more pictures to post, but I have to weed through them and catch up on the laundry first!

Mmmm, Mmmm Monday: Cake Cookies

These cookies take me back to my college days.  We always had these every Friday with "Chicken Finger Friday" at the Tri Delt House when I was in school!  I could eat 5 or 6, easily!!!  So, recently a friend came over for dinner and brought dessert.  These are what she brought and I enjoyed them as much as an adult as I did as a college girl!  This recipe is super easy and will not disappoint.  You can also be as creative as you would like and the possibilities are endless with this recipe.  My favorite combo is Devil's Food cake mix with Peanut Butter chips.  I have also tried Chocolate Fudge cake mix with Chocolate Chips and plain ole yellow cake mix.  Both were yummy.  It has been suggested to me to try Strawberry cake mix or Red Velvet cake mix with White Chocolate Chips and to try a Cinnamon cake mix.  I can't wait to try those, too! 

Cake Cookies

Box of Cake Mix

2 Eggs

1/3 cup Oil

Drop onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 7 or 8 minutes.

A Woman's Touch

I wrote an article for Holy Turf this week.  I think a lot of girls (and guys) can probably relate!  You should read it!
Here is a little snipit...

When I first started dating Flint, he was your typical bachelor with his very own bachelor pad.  He wanted red towels because red was the color of the Razorbacks. He had an antique gymnasium scoreboard hanging on the wall over his big screen TV in the living room.  Did I say it was a big scoreboard, because it was!  And around every corner was some sort of something from some sporting event!  He had been to the Final Four, the Super Bowl, the SEC Championship Game, the Stanley Cup, and he had the stuff to prove it.....
Click here to read the entire article

It's Wednesday so I thought I should share something that I LOVE.  These pretty Peonies make me sooooo happy!  They are my absolute favorite flowers.  I love them in pale pink.  I love them in fuchsia.  I love them in white.  I love going to the local farmer's market this time of year and getting some.  I need to plant some at my house.

2 years, 2 Months

Yesterday Cilla turned 26 months.  Time goes by so fast!  She does not sit still.  EVER.  And having her picture made has to be done on her terms, as you can see by these pictures.  But, she never ceases to amaze me.  She is so witty.  She is so smart (I know every momma thinks that!)  And she has such a kind heart that really does outshine her two year old moments!

I wish, so badly, I could bottle her up.  

I know some of you think I am crazy.  But, I love this age.  I love her sweet sweet little voice.  I love that she says something completely out of the blue every day.  I love that for a few split seconds every day, she will sit still and let me hold her.  You better believe I soak it all in!

Some of my favorite things that she does and says...

She grabs our cheeks, puts her nose on our noses and tells us exactly what she wants.

She calls herself the "stinky kid" when she has a dirty diaper or has not had a bath!

She calls herself a "wagonmuffin" rather than a ragermuffin.  I know it sounds like we do a lot of name calling at our house!

She loves to read and watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  Sometimes at the same time.

She can read, or recite you choose, the entire book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?"

She can count to fourteen.  

She can say about half of her ABC's.  Although, I can't guarantee what order they will be in!

She says, "Fwint Harris like this" when she sees something that her daddy likes. 

She says, "Noah I favorite!"  As in Noah's ark.  It is the story with all of the animals!

She says prayers for all of her friends every night.  And I mean ALL of her friends!  You might even get prayed for two or three times!

I could go on and on.

Cilla Harris,  You are such a joy.  You are a very determined little girl, but you also have such a sweet tender little spirit.  I love watching you grow and learn.  I love watching you blossom into the little girl who God wants you to be.

I love you.  I love you.  I love you!

Mmmm, Mmmm Monday: Oriental Coleslaw

I love this recipe.  It is great for luncheons.  It is great as a side with barbeque or grilled chicken.  It is yummy all by itself!

There are some variations to this recipe, but this is the one I use and it never seems to disappoint!

 Oriental Coleslaw

1 package Coleslaw

 (Sometimes I use broccoli slaw.  Personally, I like it better with the broccoli slaw and it gives it more color!)

1 package Chicken flavored Ramen Noodles, crunched up

1/2 cup Sliced Almonds

1/2 cup Sunflower Seeds

1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds

3 Green Onions, chopped

Toss ingredients together and set aside.

Dressing:

1/3 cup Vegetable Oil

3 Tablespoons White Vinegar

3 Tablespoons Sugar

Seasoning from Ramen Noodles

Mix together and toss into Coleslaw before serving.  I think it is best to do about an hour prior to serving.

Being a Mommy

This little girl is why being a mom so wonderful!  

She makes all the sleepless nights, all the spit-up I have worn, all the fretting I have done, all the "NO's" I've been told, all the times of being covered in throw up, all the fits, all the episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, all the snot covered shirts, all the worrying, all the messes and all the tears completely worthwhile.  COMPLETELY!

I love being her mom. I love spending my days with her.  I love being her teacher.  Her chauffeur.  Her playmate.  Her prayer warrior.  Her mentor.  Her fashion consultant.  Her pillow.  Her personal chef.  Her storyteller.  I love being called "mommy"!  She lights up days, even on the not so great ones.

I also want my mom to know just how wonderful she is and how much we love her!  Thanks mom for all the sacrifices you have made for me over the years.  Thanks for all the love and support.  Thanks for modeling what a mom looks like and for doing it so beautifully.  You are the most unselfish person that I know;  I wish I could be more like that.  You have an amazing servant's heart.  You are so loyal.  And I wish I had one ounce of the talent that you have!  You help me to be the mom that I am.  I love you so much!

Though today is filled with so much joy, it is also a bittersweet day for me.  There is always a void in our family on Mother's Day.  Not a day goes by that I don't miss Flint's mom, Cilla, and hope that she would be proud of the mom I am to her little granddaughter.  She loved being a mom more than anyone I know and she excelled at it.  She was the most thoughtful, big-hearted person I have ever known.  Her smile could seriously light up a room.  She was fun and full of ideas.  She loved so deeply and she made each and every day count!  I learned so much from her in the few short years that I had her in my live here on earth, but I will always carry what she taught me about loving and being a mom. 

A Happy Happy Birthday

Today, we celebrated the twelfth birthday of this sweet little gal!  My first baby.

This is HIS and HERS!  

Flint had Katie before we were married and I had Sophie.  This year we have celebrated both of their twelfth birthdays!  Sigh.  

They bring so much much joy to our little family!

Today we had a little party, because we ARE those people!  The way we see it is every day with our doggies is a blessing!

Cilla and I went to a the cutest little doggie store and picked out a birthday treat for Sophie and a treat for Katie!   After dinner and bath time, we pulled out the birthday candles and threw a little party.   We even sang "Happy Birthday!"  Note Cilla pointing at Sophie, who, by the way, is no longer known as "Wophie" around our house.  Just back to being plain ole Soph.

Sophie champing at the bit.

 And enjoying her birthday treat!

Happy Birthday to the dearest doggie I know!  I love you to pieces and I am so thankful for the twelve wonderful years you have been in our family!!!  You have brought so many smiles to our faces and so much joy to our hearts!

Happy birthday, Sweet Sophie!

Lovely Day

You know it is going to be a good day when the sun comes out and when you have a picture like this!

We had a fun day.

We met the Allen girls at the mall to play this morning since it was still a little chilly.  These girls are like sisters to Cilla.  She loves them from the bottom of her heart!

Cilla and "Paigey"

One Silly Goose!

Then we met daddy for lunch and afterwards went for a haircut!

Cilla had her first haircut back in the fall while we were in Little Rock at the cutest little place called "Pigtails and Crewcuts".  There is a new one in Fayetteville and we made a long overdue visit today!

It is so fun.  The kids pick if they want to ride in the airplane, firetruck or the police car.  Cilla picked what I thought would be third choice, oh course- the police car!

She refused the cape, but was perfectly happy with her sucker and Toy Story!  It was, once again, a great experience!  And she looked so much better without stringy hair in her eyes.  We are still struggling with fixing her hair, so a cut seemed like the best solution.

Success!

After we got home we enjoyed the sunshine and played with bubbles!

And this is why I hate bubbles-  They always end up dumped out!

At least she was having fun!

Mmmm, Mmmm Monday: Fresh Strawberry Cake

Since this time of the year you can get yummy fresh strawberries, I want to share one of my favorite strawberry desserts~ Fresh Strawberry Sheet Cake.

It may not look that yummy or even sound that yummy, but take my word...IT IS AMAZING!

Here is what you need:

Fresh Strawberry Cake

1 Box White Cake Mix

4 Tablespoons Flour

1/4 teaspoon soda

Small package Strawberry Jello (just the powder)

1 cup Oil

1/2 cup Buttermilk

1/2 cup Strawberries, finely chopped

4 Eggs

1/2 cup Sugar

Mix all ingredients together.  Bake at 350 for 25 minutes in a sheet cake pan.

Meanwhile, make the icing.

Icing

4 cup Confectioners Sugar

1 stick Butter, melted

Pour butter over sugar and mix together.  If icing is think, you may add a little bit of water.

1/2 cup Fresh Strawberries, chopped.

Mix into icing.

After cake is finished baking, let it cool a little.  Poke holes in cake (I make a bunch so the icing seeps in!) and spread icing on top.  May also garnish with strawberries.

Enjoy and try to eat ONLY one piece!

Tee Time

Yesterday, Cilla was invited to help her sweet little guy friend, Sawyer, celebrate his second "Birdie"!  My friend Katie, from From Passys to Parties had THE CUTEST little golf party I have ever seen!  Not to mention hosted the party at her fabulous house that she moved into only two weeks ago!  SUPER MOM!  Here are a few little details from the party.  Did I mention how cute it was?

Our little golfer!

The dessert table

"Par"Faits.  How cute is that?!?!

There were also Donut "Hole in one", Fruit Golf Balls, Club Sandwiches, "Chip it" Chips... all things "golf" to eat!

Katie thinks of everything!

The pictures really do not do this party justice!  Katie out-did herself!!!

The little Golf Pro birthday boy himself.  He is just the cutest little guy!

There were even golf cart rides!  Talk about a hit with the two years olds!

  Somebody did not want to smile for their mommy!  She really did have fun, it just doesn't look like it!

The cutest party favor EVER!

Cilla left with her very own set of golf clubs!  She was so so proud of them and had lots of fun "wacking" balls around the house!  Oh my goodness!

Thanks for letting us celebrate your birthday with you, Sweet Sawyer!  

We also had a fun evening.  Our little family of three went to eat pizza at Damgoode Pies, cupcakes for dessert at Bliss Cupcake Cafe and then we went to walk around the U of A campus.  We found Flint's name on the Senior Walk.  It was his first time to see his name engraved on the sidewalk for his doctorate!  I must say, it is a proud moment getting to seeing your name on the Senior Walk and Flint has his three times!  Scholar!  The Senior Walk is such a neat tradition that University of Arkansas has.

It was a fun Saturday!