Love Our Hogs

We had a busy busy game day and a big victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks yesterday.  Here is a family picture before Flint and I headed off to the game and a picture of the Razorbacks taking the field!

In honor of the victory and our #8 ranked Hogs, I thought I would share this video of Cilla singing the Arkansas fight song.  This video was taken back at the beginning of football season but still worthy of sharing.  She knows all of the words, but she likes to add different mascots into the song in place of "Go Hogs!" and she gets a little side-tracked with all the jumping around.  Pardon my voice.  

Without further ado......

                                    

We are such proud parents!

GO HOGS!

Brighter Days

I have been home with a sickling today, so I thought I would share a few pictures of brighter days.

Here are a few more pics of our venture out to the U of A.

Sweet sweet smiles.

She had the best time running around and playing in the leaves.

 So much to take in.

We had breakfast at IHOP Sunday morning with Nana and Poppa before they headed home.  We told Cilla to make a silly face like her pancake.  This was was we got.....

 Enjoying a little froyo after running around the college campus.  Cilla always requests Orange Leaf or TCBY when we go to the U of A!  You can tell it is good to the last drop!

 And to add to the randomness.....

This girl is crazy about sidewalk chalk.  Here is one of our masterpieces!

 We got to spend a little time with our old "roommate", Kelli and her sweet little guy, Jake.  Cilla is nuts about Kelli (and Josh) and soaks in every moment she gets to spend with them.  I just love this picture of Cilla, Kelli and Jake.

She also loves loves loves her puppy dogs.  I think the feelings are mutial...most days!

Tomorrow is a new day and we are hoping to have a healthy little gal.  She has lots of fun ahead of her this weekend!

Arkansas Razorback Fan

Sunday, after church, I took Cilla to the University of Arkansas campus in hopes of getting some pictures.  It was a beautiful day and the trees are changing to beautiful shades of red, orange and gold so whether we got good pictures or not we enjoyed our time there.  It always brings back such good memories and a warm, fuzzy feeling to be on campus, despite the fact that I feel ancient being surrounded by college kids!

We have a book called "Hello Big Red" that is about the Razorback mascot visiting different landmarks  around campus.  So, Cilla kept asking if we were going to see Big Red.  I just think it is so sweet how literal and innocent these little ones are. 

 I got a few smiles, but I mostly captured the serious side of Cilla.

 Such a sweet girl.

She is so busy and so inquisitive.  Nothing gets past this girl!  She wanted to know who was inside so she kept peeking in the windows!

We had fun so much fun walking around campus on such a beautiful fall day!

Little Lady Bug

This year, Cilla was a little Lady Bug for Halloween.  After last year (she wouldn't even put on her costume!!!) I didn't put too much thought or worry into what she would wear.  But when I came across the lady bug costume with a tutu, I was hoping it would be a grand slam.  Turns out it was.  She loved trotting around in it and I thought she was super duper cute!

Sunday night, we went to a Fall Festival at the U of A Campus.  A local church does this every year and they do the best job.  They have pony rides, a cow train, bounce houses and slides, lots of games and candy and they provide dinner to every person that comes.

I told Cilla she was my Little Lady Bug and she said, "No, Mommy I'm Big Girl Lady Bug!"

Our little Big Girl Lady Bug with two of her besties: Paigey and Avery.

They were so cute holding hands.

The Pony Rides were a hit!

And so was the Cow Train.

All smiles!

On Halloween night, we had some of our friends over for dinner and trick-or-treating.

We only had six littles and it was a lot of craziness!

Lilly, Reid, Stella, Emerson, Cilla and Hannah

I love these two sooooooo much!

Cilla's first time trick-or-treating.

Sweet little chick, Emerson.  She was so good and patient.

I tried to recreate these cute little things that I saw on Pinterest, but mine were not nearly as cute!

The Kaundart's.

Just the three of us.  

I am not a big fan of Halloween, but seeing all the smiles on Cilla's face made it so much fun this year!

And she was the cutest little Big Girl Lady Bug I ever did see!

I had to leave on a funny note...I happened to take a glimpse at the TV on Halloween morning and saw that the hosts of the Today Show were all dressed up as the Royals from Will and Kate's wedding!  I thought it was hilarious and very clever!

That just made me laugh.  Especially the cousins!

The Princess and The Pumpkin

Once again, I have found myself with so much to write about and so little time.  We have literally gone nonstop since last Thursday when daddy left for Nashville.  In fact, Thursday was so hectic and I knew the weekend would be jammed packed, so Cilla and I curled up in my bed on Thursday night for a girls' night.  We put on our jammies.  We watched Dumbo.  And we ate popcorn for dinner!  That's right!  And as much fun as we have had over the last few days, it was probably the sweetest moments we shared all weekend.  I just love that Cilla girl.  She talks non stop and it so witty, but she is so tender-hearted all at the same time.  But, enough about that, on to the fun stuff!

After a little play time with our friends, lunch and Nana and Poppa's arrival in town we headed to Chick-fil-A Friday evening for Princess and Superhero night!  It was CRAZY but so so fun to see all the little cuties dressed up and enjoying themselves!

Some of our friends were there, too!  Princess Stella, who Cilla has started referring to as her BFF, along with Princess Cilla!  Oh dear!  I can only imagine what it will be like with a twelve year old!  Cilla has also mastered the chin to the shoulder move when she smiles.  Again, OH DEAR!

There was nail painting.  Face painting.  Balloon flowers for the girls and balloon swords for the boys.  I just love Chick-Fil-A.  Besides the fact that I genuinely like their food, their service is impeccable and I greatly appreciate their commitment to the family.

 Cilla with another sweet friend, Lilly.  Lilly goes to church with us and is in Cilla's class at school.  So, these two spend a lot of time together.  Cilla's report home from school last Thursday read, "Had a fun day with Lilly."  Not sure exactly what that meant, but I love that she is making friends.  

 Saturday, we set out to Farmland Adventures.  I hated to miss watching Arkansas play Vandy, but let's face it, that doesn't really ever happen with a two year old anyway!

Turns out, we made the right decision.  The game stunk and Farmland was a blast!

Cilla loved petting all the animals.  I am pretty sure this girl has never met an animal she didn't like!

 Petting the goats.....

 ...and the ponies.

 Taking it all in.

 Then we took a ride on the wagon that was pulled by this beauty!

  "Farmer Jed", as Cilla called this man, let her hop on Andy the cow!  We have a book about a  farmer and his name is Farmer Jed.  She has a big imagination, but probably couldn't come up with that on her own just yet!

Cilla loved playing in the corn.

 And we couldn't leave without pictures in the pumpkins!  My little Pumpkin!

 Before you are a mom, you dream about your kids taking Christmas card pictures and pictures with Santa and their Halloween costumes and Easter dresses- the list could go on and on.  One thing I have always loved are kids at the pumpkin patch!  And now, after having a little one, I know that those things do not always go according to plan.  Cilla wouldn't let me put her down last year to take her picture with a pumpkin.  And look at her now.  Hamming it up!  What a difference a year makes!

I have always called her my little pumpkin!  And, what a sweet one she is!

Razorbacks and Rangers

Over the weekend Flint and I, along with some of our sweet friends the Kaundart's, took a road trip to Oxford, Mississippi- one of our favorite college towns.  We tell everyone you have to experience Ole Miss and the Grove (on game day) at least once in your lifetime.  It really is the biggest, most elaborate tailgate party you ever will see!!!

 Of course, we immediately started stuffing ourselves shortly after arriving in Oxford.  We had breakfast at The Beacon, an Oxford original.  

Then we headed over to the Grove to get the party started.

Words and pictures really don't do it justice.  You have to see it to believe it!

We got to spend a little time with Flint's family in Memphis.  Then Cilla and I headed to Nana and Poppa's house and Flint headed to Texas for game 4 of the World Series.

Another item checked off of the bucket list.  Flint and Peter enjoying a Ranger victory.

We all reunited in Little Rock and made the trip back home together.  

Cilla and Katie are little travel buddies.  How uncomfortable does Katie look?!

Four states.  Two victories.  One weekend.  

Tuesday

Tuesday I had my discipleship class and just like every other week, I was so encouraged and so blessed.  This week Michelle Duggar came to speak to our group and she brought along her oldest daughters and her daughter-in-love, Anna, as she calls her!

I wrote about hearing Michelle speak once before.

She spoke about many of the same topics from training your children, instilling Godly character and discipline.  What mother can't learn a little something in that area of their life?!  I feel like I take it all in like a sponge.  I certainly do not agree with everything that the Duggar family does.  But, one thing is for sure.  They love their Savior.  I am so thankful that Michelle takes time out of her busy schedule, and if you ever hear her speak about training her children, you would know just how busy this momma is.  I get exhausted just listening to her.  But, I am so blessed from hearing her.

Here is our group with Michelle and her oldest daughters. 

 I don't know how she does it.  I seriously have darker circles under my eyes and more wrinkles than she does!  And I only have ONE!  

Such a sweet lady!

After we got home, Cilla took a two and a half hour nap.  Then she took a three hour nap yesterday!  We are turning a new leaf at the Harris house!

Fruit Salsa and Porcupine Meatballs

You may remember me talking about the yummy food from Hannah's birthday party.  Well, here is a recipe that is too yummy not to share!  This refreshing fruit salsa is perfect for birthday parties, BBQs, tailgate parties, or baby showers...you name it.  I think it originally a pampered chef recipe but it can be found on on allrecipes and apparently it is one of their all-time highest ranked recipes.

Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Chips

2 kiwis, peeled and diced

2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced

1 (16 oz) carton of strawberries, diced
(I think you could add about any fruit you wanted or anything in season and it would be delicious!)

2 tablespoons white sugar (more or less to taste)

1 tablespoon brown sugar (more or less to taste)

3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor (I prefer strawberry)

Cinnamon Chips:
10 (10 inch) flour tortillas

melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray

1 cup white sugar

2 Tablespoons cinnamon

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix fruit, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes. 

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with melted butter or butter flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle tortillas with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spray again with cooking spray (not necessary if using melted butter). 

4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. 

Serve with chilled fruit mixture. This salsa can also be served with cinnamon graham crackers (which I think is just as DELICIOUS!) or cinnamon pita chips. 

Best when made and eaten the same day otherwise the fruit gives off so too much juice and it gets runny.

Speaking of yummy recipes.....

Another of our family favorites was featured as HolyTurf's Tasty Tuesday this week.  You are gonna want to to take a looksy at this one and mark it to try with your family. 

 It is Y.U.M.M.Y!

click here for the recipe

Porcupine Meatballs served over mashed potatoes. 

 My mouth is watering right this second!