DIY Brag Book

So, I wish I could take the credit for this cute and fun idea, but it was actually a craft that Cilla brought home from "school" or MDO.  These make the cutest little brag books that any grandparent would be proud to carry around!

I actually made them for the grandpa's for Father's Day.  And then I made one for Flint's aunt, Cilla's Coke Coke!

This one is the original.

The plastic covers are just heavy baseball card protectors.  The ones I used were really thick plastic from a sports card shop, but you can get a thinner plastic, if you choose to.  

Supplies you need: 

Plastic Card Protectors

Scrapbook Paper

Pictures that can be cut down to sports card size

Key Chain Ring

Ribbon

Paper Cutter or Scissors

Hole Punch

I had an example, so that I knew what size to cut the paper and pictures.  But you can use a sports card for sizing.  

First, you must put the scrapbook paper in each card protector.  I did front and back.

Then you will need a heavy duty hole punch.  I actually used my 3-Hole Punch.  It took a little trial and error before I got it right.  But, it seemed to be the strongest punch that I could find.  I actually broke a little single punch trying to punch through the heavy plastic.

Next you need to cut your pictures down smaller than the scrap book paper and small enough that they slide below the punched hole.

Slide pictures into plastic protectors.

Decide the order that you want your plastic protectors and put them on the key ring.  I did 8 "pages" which was a total of 15 pictures if you choose to make the front a cover.  I layered scrapbook papers and printed a message in photoshop for my covers.  But, Cilla's teachers did a "C" on her's and I thought that was super cute!

Lastly, cut strips of ribbon (I did about 6 on each book) and tie them around the ring in a double knot.  Trim them down to the size that you want them to be.

Viola!  Your very own book of your favorite pictures.

I have actually thought about making one for Cilla with a picture of each of her friends so she will remember to pray for each of them by name!  Or you could do this with vacation pictures.  The possibilities are endless.

If I were throwing a party......

If I won the lottery I think I would make a couple of big purchases, I would buy new shoes (probably too many pairs), and I would throw a party for every occasion.  I love throwing parties.  Deep down, I have always dreamed about planning other people's parties and weddings!  I am not nearly as talented and creative as many of my friends, but I sure do love to do borrow other ideas and run with them!

We will not be home on the Fourth of July.  But if we were, I would have my own barbecue with strawberry lemonade, sweet tea, family, friends, sparklers, Watermelon, horseshoes, red, white and blue....you get the idea.

Oh, how I love the Fourth of July!

Just thought I would share a few of the ideas I have seen.

Aren't the desserts so cute?!?!

You can even decorate your kids' table!!!

Wedding Bells

So, the main reason for heading to Texas was for Jordan and Ben's wedding.  Did I mention that the wedding and the bride and every little detail was absolutely gorgeous?!?!  Jordan worked with Flint at Baylor and is so sweet and smart and beautiful!  She was also a Tri Delt at Baylor so we always had that fun bond as well!!!   And of course, Flint liked to make fun of us!  But I am used to it after all these years!  Ben played golf and coached at Baylor which explains the groom's cake in the previous post!

My wedding date!

Flint, Ben, Jordan, me and Katie

Katie is one of our besties from our time in Waco.  She would always come to our house for dinner.  She would come over to swim with us.  She would watch Cilla and even our dogs for us.  We even went on a road trip together before Cilla was born!  She was and is such a dear friend and I am so thankful God brought her into my life.  I definitely can't imagine our time in Waco without her friendship and she will always be a dear friend!  It was so good to see her!

So, on to the food.  The food was literally the cutest thing ever!  

The menu consisted of yummy salad, grilled chicken skewers, chicken fried steak skewers, barbecue brisket sliders, and get ready for this...

a mashed potato bar and a mac'n'cheese bar!  

That is not a new concept to me but for some reason I had never seen it presented in such a cute way!  Oh, and it was delicious!!!

I know it is a little weird that I took a picture of my food, but I could not resist.  It was so stink'in cute!

Congrats Jordan and Ben!  

We love you and are so so so happy for you.  We wish you many years of happiness and pray God richly blesses your marriage.  May you always keep Him in the center of of your relationship!  

Oh, and have fun in St. Lucia.  

Texas on My Mind

This past weekend we head south to Fort Worth and Dallas.  It always a bonus when we have something to go to because we usually get to see lots of our friends and of course, Flint's dad, all in one short period of time.  

Family road trips!

We stopped to see our friends, Tim and Holly, on our way into Fort Worth and we finally got to meet their BEAUTIFUL daughter, Caroline.  However, I failed to get a picture.  Shame on me!!!

Friday, Cilla and I headed to Dallas to spend some time with my bestie, Laura!  Our time together is certainly not what it used to be, but it is precious nonetheless!  Now we are both chasing crazy toddlers around.  Definitely not dull!

Cilla loved riding Braysen's horse, Lucky!  Shocker!

 And look at this blue-eyed cutie!  He is so fun and full of personality and I just love him!

 However, I am not so sure these two love each other as much as their mommies love each other!  But, I know that in time they will!   

After we left Laura and Braysen's house, Cilla and I made a quick stop by Bubba's.  Absolutely, without a doubt BEST fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls and homemade lemonade EVER!  Hands down.

Cilla loved her chicken dipped in gravy

 ...and her delicious homemade roll!!!  What's not to love?!?!

 Friday afternoon, Cilla opted out of her nap.  That seems to be a reoccurring trend around our house and is always a recipe for disaster.  Friday evening was no exception.  We got a late start to dinner (also a recipe for disaster) at one of our favorite places, Pappadeaux!  

This picture speaks a thousand words.  This was one tired little angel girl.

 The first half of dinner was not too bad.  Coloring with Susu.

 But, it went south very quickly.  She enjoyed her shrimp cocktail.  

 But about halfway through dinner Cilla had had enough!  Let's face it, 2 year olds can only stand so much and especially with no nap!  She had a fall onto a rock wall and hit her head, sweet girl. Then she woke up in the middle of the night throwing up!  It is never easy traveling with a toddler!

So, Pappy and Susu kept an already not so rested Cilla while Flint and I went to a wedding in Plano Saturday night...more pics to come...and guess who was still up partying when mom and dad got home at 11:30?!  You guessed it!!!  

How cute is this cake?!?

 And as if we had not had enough fun for the weekend, we stopped in Dallas (again) to see the Pardues on our way out of town!  Cilla and Harper just had to have some time together!  LOVE these two cuties!  Doing a little shopping after lunch.

(Please disregard the syrup all over Cilla's shirt!  What's a Sunday brunch without Pancakes and Syrup?!)

 Cilla thought Harper was hilarious drinking from the Texas Rangers cup!

 And I happen to think that both of these sillies are hilarious!

It was a super duper busy weekend and I am super duper tired.  But, we loved all of our time with family and friends!

Mmmm, Mmmm Monday: Creamy Crock Pot Chicken

Here is a yummy, quick, easy, one-pot-stop for the family on the go  I love this recipe partly because you can just throw in all the ingredients and go on with your day.  But, it really is yummy, too!  I think I originally got this recipe from Paula Deen and have altered it a little over the years.  So, you know it is good, YA'LL!!!

Creamy Crock Pot Chicken:

1 cup White Cooking Wine

1/8 cup Butter

2 cans Golden Mushroom Soup

1 package Dry Italian Salad Dressing

1 (8oz) Container of Philadelphia Onion & Chive Cream Cheese

1 small can Sliced Mushrooms (or fresh mushrooms)

6-8 Chicken Breasts (I like them cut into tenders)

Prepare chicken.  Melt butter in crock pot.  Add Italian seasoning.  Add other ingredients and stir until cream cheese melts.  Put chicken in crock pot.  Spoon sauce over chicken.  Cook 2-4 hours until chicken is fully cooked which will depend on the thickness of your chicken.

This is yummy served over Vermicelli pasta and served with broccoli to dip in the creamy sauce.  It is a good way to get your family to eat their broccoli!!!

Fwint Hawis and Webekah

We have been working with Cilla trying to teach her her full name and both her mommy's and her daddy's name.  After talking to a friend, I realized the importance of her knowing all of our names just in case.  You never know when your kiddo might need to know that valuable information.

Well, our plan is backfiring.
Cilla has decided that she likes to call Flint and I by our first names!  Super cool when your two year old tells you, "I call you Webekah!"  Thanks, but no thanks!
I made Flint breakfast a couple of days ago and she said, "Mommy you take that food to Fwint Hawis!"  You are right, Miss Priss, mommy will take it to Flint Harris and you will take it to DADDY!  I know it is just a phase and the newness will wear off.  And honestly, it really doesn't bother me down to the core like it does some people.  It is just a little shocking!
I am going through Beth Moore's Esther study this summer, and it has really made me think about my role as Cilla's mom.  Not that I do not think about that EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. but it has given me a little different perspective.  Esther was an orphan.  She lost both her mommy and her daddy at a young age.  Can you imagine?!?!  She was raised by her male cousin.  In our lesson last week we talked about being a lady and being lovely.  Not just lovely like the world world views being lovely, but inner beauty.  It is my job as Cilla's mom to teach her and model to her what true beauty is.  It is sooooo hard, especially being a mom of a little girl, to not get caught up in all the cute clothes and big hair bows and fun shoes.  We tell Cilla over and over how pretty she is.  Don't get me wrong.  I certainly think that she.  But, I also have to tell her on a daily basis that being pretty is not something that you ARE, it is something that you DO!  Beth shared some verses with us about what the Bible tells us about beauty:
"I am complete in Christ." Colossians 2:10 and "Let the beauty of the Lord be upon me" Psalm 90:17.
And one of my very favorite verses:   "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
So as fun as it is to play dress up and princesses and go to play dates and bake cookies, those roles as a mom all take a backseat to my role of teaching Cilla to be a lovely lady who finds her true beauty in Christ.  Such a big responsibly!  But, I am ready to take it on!


"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." 
Proverbs 31:30

Mmmm, Mmmm Monday: Bon Bons

Some people call these Oreo Balls, but they have always been known as Bon Bons around our house.  And let me tell you, they are a crowd (and Harris family) favorite!!!

They are simple to make, but it just takes a little time and patience to make them pretty!

Bon Bons

Package of Plain ole Oreos

8 ounces Cream Cheese, room temperature

Chocolate or White Almond Bark

I crush the cookies in my food processor until they are all crushed and there are no chucks.  Then I add add the cream cheese into the food processor to mix it in.  Cover a large baking sheet with foil.  Spoon the Oreo mixture on the baking sheet.  I use a cookie baller to do this.  It helps make them more equal in size and more perfectly round.  Put the balls in the freezer.  Melt your Almond Bark according to the directions on the package.  It burns easily, so do not over-cook it.  Dip balls into chocolate and let excess drip off.  Place Chocolate covered balls onto the baking sheet to harden.  You may want to drizzle with the opposite flavor of Almond Bark.  The chocolate covered Bon Bons have always been my favorite.  But, the last time we had them we tried white ones and I think I might like them even more!  Especially topped with some chocolate Almond Bark!  Yum!

To Three Special Fathers...

Happy Father's Day!

  I am thankful everyday for the dad and husband that Flint is.  He is so good to me and he is such a wonderful dad to Cilla.  I admire how hard Flint works and how hard he plays!  For both I am thankful!  He is such a good balance to me as we walk through the journey of parenting together!  I found a few pics to help Flint celebrate his day!  

Here is his first Father's Day 2009.

...and today.  

Pictures with a two year old are not quite as simple as they were with an infant!  This was the best we could get after church today.  Sad.

I think this picture is hilarious- "DEVOTED DADS".  This was the Seahorse exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium last summer.  Flint and one of his best buddies, Corby, REALLY ARE such devoted dads!  

All smiles.  She loves her daddy's shoulders!

Cilla only days old.  This was what Flint loved to do with her most when she was so itty bitty.

Fun in the Sun.
This is what our summers looked like when we lived in Waco!

I am also thankful for our dads- Pappy and Poppa!  Flint and I would not be who we are today without them.

Pappy, Flint and Cilla.

And Poppa with his little Stinkerdoodle!

I got the cutest Father's Day idea from my friend Sarah, but I tried three times to put my plan into action and each was a FAIL!  This was what I had to work with!

I do not give up easily.  I will keep trying, it just may be next Father's Day before I get the pictures I want!  Oh, life with a two year old!!!

Happy Father's Day, Flint!  Your girls love you more than you know!

And to my dad and Ray, we love you bunches and are so thankful for the roles you have played in our lives.  Thanks for all you do for us!  Thank you for all the sacrifices you have made for us!  And most of all, thank you for loving us!  We sure do love you!

I hope all three dads have a happy happy day!

Summer Night

We cooked out with some of our friends tonight.  

Jenna and Chris, so graciously, hosted all the craziness at their house!

It was super duper hot and Cilla was a napless little lady today, but we had fun nonetheless!  Cilla loved playing with all the kiddos!

I didn't get many pictures, but I captured this little cutie, Brayden!

 Look at blue eyes!  Look out, momma!

And look at this red-hot, tired little face.  We put her to bed at 8 o'clock tonight.  That is the earliest she has been in bed in months.  Make that a year!!!!

Splash Park

Today we joined our friends, Sydney, Stella and Emerson at a local splash park.  Stella and Cilla are two little peas in a hard headed pod!!!  The splash park is normally a hit with kids but for some reason all our girls wanted to do was sit and snack!  Not that I blame them, but really?!?!  All the fountains.  All the fun.  And they wanted fruit snacks and Goldfish!!!

Notice the other kiddos running through the fountains!

And Cilla must have worked up an appetite snacking, because she was ready for lunch when we left!!!  I needed to run a couple of errands before heading home, so we stopped at one of our very favorite places- Slim Chickens!  This girl can put it away!  It is our second visit this week.  That's right!!!

Can you tell she is saying, "Cheese" in her deep voice in this picture?

Lovely!

Now she is laying in her crib during "nap time" telling her animals, " you not obey me" and "everybody lay down".  Oh the things that come from our babes' mouths!  Don't worry, all fourteen stuffed animals in her crib are perfectly lined up and anything that could possibly make any noise is!  A successful nap time!!!

Lunch Date

My friend, Sarah, came through town this week and we had lunch with her and sweet sweet Manny!  He is one of the cutest little guys!

Cilla and Manny had fun playing at Chick-Fil-A while Sarah and I talked and talked and talked.  I could sit and visit with her all day and night!

If any of of you know Sarah or read her blog, you know that she is UBER talented.  She is turning into quite a fab photographer!  She took this picture of Cilla while we were eating (and after her bow had been ripped out!) and I just love it!

Sarah and Manny, we love spending time with you, sweet friends!

Family time in Colorado

Finally.  Colorado pictures!  

I didn't take a ton of pictures because, honestly, we bummed around so much and just took it easy.  And I must say, it was really nice.

There was the most fabulous park in Silverthorne not far from our house.  We spent many hours there.  There was tons of swinging.  Tons of sliding.  Tons of dog petting.  A picnic.  And soaking in the nice weather.  Because that is what a Southerner does in Colorado in the summertime, right?!?!

Flint's sis and her family came to the mountains from Denver for a day to hang out.  We had such a nice visit with them.  

Cilla loved all the attention and especially loved playing with her cousin Mimi!

So tired, she passed out that evening in my arms.  This NEVER happens!  NEV-ER!  And it might be the only time on the trip she fell asleep at a normal hour and without a fight.

We went to one of our favorite places in Breckenridge.  Downstairs At Eric's is a popular local spot.  The food is actually pretty yummy and there is lots to entertain everyone in the family!  A must at this point in our lives!

This little silly has a new facination with putting stickers all over herself.  

...and here is her sassy side.  She kept saying, "Momma, help me text Paige and Avery!"  Little Miss missed her friends!

Playing at the playground.

We made brownies!  Score!

We played outside at Coke Coke's house a bunch!  And yes, we enjoyed the views while we were out!

We went on nature walks.

We did a little shopping.

We played at the river.  

Cilla loved throwing sticks into the river.  Not real sure where that comes from since her mommy and daddy are not the most outdoorsy people....if you catch my drift!

We played in Breckenridge.

Enjoying a last day in nice cool Colorado weather.

One more dinner on the patio before heading home to the air conditioner!

Flint wanted to visit University of Colorado in Boulder and Air Force in Colorado Springs since we were so close to both of them.  He made a day trip to each.

Here are a couple of pictures from Air Force.

It was such a beautiful setting and there is some beautiful architecture on their campus.  And I can bet my right arm that Flint found some yummy places to eat!  Check out Holy Turf for more on his road trips to both college towns.

Heading home.  What did parents do on long layovers before airport playgrounds?!?!

Like I said, it was a very laid back ten days.  It was nice to be away as a family.  But, nice to be home.