It's Cookie Time!

We have been trying to find a time to decorate cookies with our friends Stella and Sydney all month!  Everyone was finally healthy and schedules finally permitted so we squeezed it in before ringing in the new year!

Stella, Cilla and Amelia had a fun time together.  All three girls are within 6 months of age, so they were a silly little group!

Stella. 

Cilla, apparently spitting something out of her mouth.  Real nice!  She loved putting sprinkles on the cookies....a little too much!

Amelia and Sarah.

Our smorgasbord of cookies!!!

I have to share this recipe because it is literally the best sugar cookie recipe I have ever tasted!

 Sugar Cookies
1 cup Shortening
2 cup Sugar
3 Eggs
Cream these ingredients together.

1/4 cup Milk
1/2 tsp white Vinegar
2 Tbsp Vanilla
2 Tbsp maple syrup
Mix these ingredients together and add this to mixture.

4 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Combine these ingredients and add to wet ingredient mixture above.

Chill dough. I usually make the dough at night and chill it over night. Roll out and flatten dough on a floured surface.  Bake at 375 degrees until brown.  About 8-10 minutes.

Thanks for having us Syd!  We enjoyed cookies for several days!  It was kind of you to open up your home to icing covered little fingers and to sprinkle shake'in crazies!  It was a blast! 

Donuts with Dad

Many friends and HolyTurf followers have already heard the fun "news".

But, for those of you who haven't....

Flint is planning to run in the Krispy Kreme Challenge in North Carolina at the beginning of February.

Basically, my friends, you run two miles, eat a dozen donuts and run back two miles all while trying not freeze and, oh yes, while you try not to throw up!!!

Sound grown up?!?!

So, today Cilla and I took one for the team and went to "training" with daddy at Krispy Kreme!  A daddy needs support, right?

I would say training was a success. 

Flint didn't eat all dozen donuts today.  But he put a real nice dent in them.  Real.  Nice.

First Razorback Basketball Game

While mom is away, Dada and Cilla like to play!!!  

Flint took Cilla to her first Razorback basketball game last night.  I had some girl time to tend to, so daddy treated his girlie to a fun night out.  Cilla loved it.  LOVED IT.  Can you believe that this was actually Cilla's first Razorback sporting event in a Razorback facility.  Hard to believe she has been so deprived, huh?!?  Her first Razorback sporting event was in Norman when she was three months old.  The Diamond Hogs were playing in their Regional and we went to see them.  So, it was a little treat for her daddy to take her Bud Walton.  

Cilla is turning into quite a little sports fan.  Surprise, surprise!  She loves to watch PTI (Pardon the Interruption) with her dada, she loves football and we have recently discovered her love for basketball too!  Sweet girl!

Daddy said Cilla was a champ.  They braved the cold Fayetteville elements and had a fun night together!  Oh, and Cilla helped cheer the Hogs on to a victory over Boomer Sooner!  Go Hogs!

TV and Modeling: Fail

My college friend and Tri Delt sister, Randi has recently launched a website called Passionately Rivalicious.  Her stuff is all things college gameday and beyond!  They carry some really really cute stuff for the littles and for the grown fans!  

Passionaltely Rivalicious was invited to do a feature on UATV and they were wanting kids to model their outfits in order to get pictures for their site.

I was beyond honored that Randi approached me about Cilla and I being a part of this.  However, we are at a stage right now that groups and uncertainty overwhelm our little munchkin.  So, I hesitantly agreed but not without warning Randi!

Well, she may have been sorry she asked us to take part because Cilla was in rare form and did little to participate.  I knew when she didn't have an afternoon nap, it was going to be BAD!  But, I couldn't back out, I didn't want to let my friend (if she will still be my friend) down!!!

At first they asked Cilla to wear a tutu outfit and that was a no go.  She refused.  Threw a fit.  Made a scene.  Embarrassed me.  You get the idea.  So we found something a little more accommodating  but still cute!  After she was finally dressed, all she wanted for me to do was hold her.  Perfect for getting pictures and being on TV, right?!?!

She finally settled in and became a little more comfortable and decided to cooperate...just a tiny bit.  By the time it was time to be on TV she did pretty good.

By the end of the night she was really good!!!  Randi brought iced cookies from Rick's to reward all the little ones and Cilla was in hog heaven!  Here is a little video of her eating her cookie!

 So, Randi called and asked if Cilla would be up for a mini photo shoot before heading off to school the next morning.  I, once again, hesitantly agreed.  We got a few pictures this time around.  Not the best, but we got some.  You can't have too high of expectations when dealing with a nineteen month old.

Be sure and check out Passionately Rivalicious!  You will not be disappointed.

Giveaway

I have an exciting giveaway to blog about!!!

Holy Turf is giving away a set of tickets to the Arkansas/ UTEP game and a set of tickets to the Baylor/ A&M game.  Since lots of the Harris Family followers fall into one of those fan bases, I thought you would all want to know!

Click HERE to find out how you can win!!!!

Now is the chance to go support your team!  Good Luck!

Pumpkin Patch

Friday evening we went to the pumpkin patch.  We met our friends from playgroup, including the dads!  It was fun to be around everyone with their family.  There was a petting zoo, a corn maze, a corn cannon, a cow train and of course, Pumpkins!!!  It was a wonderful crisp fall night! 

However, Cilla was in rare form.  She loved petting the goats, but other than that all she wanted me to do was hold her. Flint has been traveling a lot this fall with work and I think it is taking a toll on her.  She has been so clingy!

I got her on the cow train with her friends for about 45 seconds.  Just long enough for a picture!  

And that was it!  She was off before the ride ever left the station!

You never know what you are going to get with an nineteen month old!  At least I tried, right?!?!

Football

We are well into football season and quite a season it has been!!!  We have been to some fun football games and have had several fun visitors this fall!  

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE the spirit of football season!?!?  And now that it is starting to feel a lot more like fall here in Arkansas, it makes it that much more wonderful!!!

First of all, I wanted to give a HOLY TURF update!  It is in full swing and keeping Flint on his toes.  There are some really good articles that I thought some of you football lov'in gals might like.  Check out the "FOR WOMEN" section.  There are several articles about all the cute football fashions around the south.  The latest one is Texas-style.  But, if that is not YOUR style there are also articles from several other SEC schools!  

While you are visiting Holy Turf, check out the ad for Ketch the Spirit!!!  They have some really cute game day attire that I think any girl would LOVE!

I don't know how you make a decision!!!

   There are also lots of YUM-O tailgating recipes on HOLY TURF.  If you are like me, you get in a rut and make the same finger foods week after week.  This is a good opportunity to get a few fresh ideas!  And Flint thought that girls might also be interested in the new Bowl Projections article!  He said this might determine your New Year's plans!  This is only a projection, but might help you start some planning!   

Check it all out, then tell then football lov'in men in your life about it!

I also wanted to include some pictures of what we have been up to this fall!  

Our friends came into town for the heartbreaking Arkansas/Alabama game.

Here are Harper and Cilla jumping in the bounce house at sweet Stella's birthday party!  These are two cute little Razorback fans if I have ever seen any!!!  Stella's party was so so cute!  It was Mickey Mouse themed and absolutely precious and fun!  They even served "Hot Diggity Dog" hot dogs!  Now that is creative, isn't it?!?!  The daddy's went to the game and the girls stayed at home to help Stella celebrate her birthday and to cheer on the Hogs.  As always we had a fun time with the Pardue family!

Then, we headed to Texas (for a week) to watch the Hogs take on the Aggies at Cowboy Stadium.  Daddy was the only one that actually went to the game.  Again, us girls stayed behind.  But, since we got to spend time in Dallas with my bestie, Laura, it was worth it.

Cilla loved playing with Braysen's baby toys.  Funny how that works!

 Me, Cilla, Braysen, and Laura

We have two kiddos and both have their hands in their mouths!

Here are Flint and Corby outside of the stadium...

Corby and Lauren

 The Hogs vs. The Aggies

I have lots more cute pictures of our trip to Texas.  I will post them soon.  For now, I have to go chase my toddler around.  She is about to raid the pantry! 

That September Day

First of all, I want to take a moment to remember all of the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001.  

I will never ever forget where I was when I heard the news about the first tower being hit by the plane then when I heard about the second tower- the world stopped.  I was in my senior year, or fourth year ;), of college at the U of A and I had just started dating Flint.  I do not recall whether or not classes were cancelled, but I am pretty sure that most people deemed themselves excused from class.  I went to Flint's house and we were glued to the television all day and into the night.

I will never forget hearing stories of the victims unfold and how real the situation became. I will never forget the pride that it brought back to our country.  I will never forget understanding what it meant to be BRAVE.  That day is day that I will remember the rest of my life.

Thank you to those who serve our communities and thank you to those who so bravely serve our country.  Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

What else has September brought our way?!?!

Cilla started back to "school" one day a week and it has been wonderful for both of us!  Here is my little school girl with her backpack and her lunch box!  Sniff.  She loves her day out away from mommy and mommy gets lots done!  She took a 1 1/2 hour nap her first day.  First of all, let me congratulate her teachers on successfully getting her to sleep.  She slept in the stroller (if she slept at all) at Mother's Day Out in Waco!  Secondly, thank you sweet ladies for loving on my baby one day a week.  She is always so happy when we pick her up!

This is just one of the activities that I never thought I would give in to...But I HAVE!  Letting my baby play in the kitchen sink!  She is happy and hey, that is all that matters some days!

I have lots to catch up on.  We have had lots of company and have loved hanging out with our old friends and loved making new friends! 

The weather has been beautiful here in NWA and Starbucks has the Pumpkin Spice Latte now!   

Fall, I am ready for you!

Hope your September is off to a good start!

go cowboys

A throwback picture for you.
This was a year ago, but oh so irresistible!!!

GO COWBOYS!

Pebble Beach

*Disclaimer:  This is the LONGEST post ever!!!!!!

We had such a wonderful vacation this year.  We went Carmel with our dear friends, The Pardues to beat the heat in Texas and Arkansas.  It is crazy to think that 60 degrees is cold, but it is when you come from 100 degree temps!  Flint and his mom both grew up going to Carmel so there are lots of memories there.  Flint also knows lots of the local places that you can't miss while there.

We stayed right off the coast and couldn't miss a family photo op!  Too bad, Miss Cilla Pants was not in a very good mood! 

The Pardues

Our trip got off to a rocky start after spending over three hours in the Northwest Arkansas airport and nearly missing our flight in Dallas (thanks for that American Airlines!)  But, Cilla was a champ and appartently the Queen of the castle!

Our first day was spent in a little area called the Barnyard.  It is a cute, quaint little shopping area.  We ate Mexican food for lunch and Cilla made the biggest mess I have ever seen her make with her black beans.  Luckily, the weather was so nice and we were on a relaxing vacation so this momma could care less!

She loved the fountain

...and loved getting to walk around like a big girl!

When our friends finally arrived in town we took them to the Dennis the Menace Park.

Fun was had by all!  I think the smile on Flint's face is bigger than the one on Cilla's!

Two little cutie pies!

We ventured out to the beach and as you can tell it was not as popular as we had hoped it would be!  This can't be my daughter if she doesn't like the beach and the sand.  Hopefully, that love will develop with time.

Fortunately, that was an easy fix.

This is Bird Rock.  It kind of reminded us of home.  Not because of the waves crashing, but the seals barking always make us think of our Katie girl!

Harper made friends with this fat little guy!

Out to dinner and not Cilla's best performance.  That seems to be a reoccurring trend these days!

We took one day to visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Cilla love loved loved this little play area for the little bits.  There was a little water bed that she thought was the coolest thing ever!  That's our girl...she loves jumping on the bed.  Where do they learn these things?

Our two little peas in a pod.

Apparently, Seahorse daddies have the babies.  This was the Seahorse exhibit and of course Cilla and Harper's daddies thought it was funny!

The cutest little Otters.  They are so fun to watch

Both Flint and I and the Pardues got a night out while the other couple kept the girls and put them to bed.  Since Flint and I celebrated our 8th Anniversary while we were there, we went out that night.  Of course, I forgot to get pictures of our night away.  We went to Carmel By the Sea (as the locals call it) and ate at a yummy little Restaurant called Flaherty's and then we walked around the town.  We ended our evening at Little Napoli's, a little Italian bakery, with macaroons, gingerbread men, and cannolis.  We came to a quiet house and our baby was sound asleep.  Now, that is the perfect ending!

Lauren and Corby also had a night out.  Here they are before heading out.

Flint and I ventured out with Harper and Cilla.  We took them to dinner and headed down to Cannery Row to the Ghirardelli sweet shop!  YUM! YUM! YUM!

Harper admiring her cookie bottom sundae.  Don't worry Lauren and Corby, we didn't let her eat the who;e thing by herself!  

I love this picture with those big brown eyes peeking over that ice cream sundae!  She has NO other cares in the world!

All smiles

this is what she is laughing at.  This little guy, so graciously, cleaned up our mess for us.

Then, the boys got a day away and so did us girlies.

Flint and Corby paid a visit to Stanford's campus in Palo Alto.  They said it is one of the most beautiful campuses and is so rich in history.

Their football stadium, which a Standford alum forked over money to get rid of all advertising inside.

Flint scouted out the Tri Delt house for me.  You definitely aren't in the south anymore!  No offense, west coast sisters, but I prefer the plantation style sorority houses in the south.

Lauren had a connection at a nearby winery, so we got a private wine tasting at Ridge. 

It was sent up in the hills just out of San Jose and it was beautiful.

Grape Experts!

One thing you can't miss while in the Pebble area is the Bag Piper at Spanish Bay.  He is famous.  Every evening he walks the the paths of the course playing and ends by the clubhouse.  It really it neat to watch.  Despite a very chilly evening, we all enjoyed ourselves.

 We had such a fun trip.  We loved having time together as a family and making memories with our friends.