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!

Story Books, Bumble Bees and Diego

We had another packed-full-of-fun weekend.

And this might be my favorite picture from the entire weekend!

Cilla wanted her picture with Katie.  She would say, "Pretty as a princess!"  I just think they are precious!

Nana and Poppa were here again this weekend.  We love having them in town and all the extra loving that we get!  Cilla was scheduled to go to Friday Night Out at our church on Friday night.  But, she was acting a little under the weather, she got to hang out with the adults.  We went to Feltner Brothers, a new burger joint in town and I think Cilla was glad she got to tag along.

Saturday morning, headed to Noah's Story Book birthday party.  It was at his beautiful farmhouse and it was the sweetest party!  Cilla had so much fun playing outside with all of her little friends.

 She loves both of these little friends- Ava and Adeline

 Noah got lots and lots of books.....

 and I think he loved every single one of them!

 After Noah's party, we ran a couple of errands and tried to squeeze in a nap because Cilla had Hannah's Bouncy Bumble Bee birthday party Saturday afternoon. 

Brody.  Seriously, one of the funniest little guys I know!

 The Birthday Girl, Hannah!

Stacey, Hannah's mommy outdid herself with this one!  It was so cute and the food was so yummy!

 Cilla's little friends.  

Hannah.  Anna Kate.  Cilla.  Stella.
Love them all!

How cute is this little gal?!?!  

Our friends Jennifer and Jillian.  

 

After the birthday party, we headed home for a little relaxing and football.

Cilla and Poppa blew bubbles.  Cilla got bubbles at both birthday parties and she was so excited about them.  Poor baby.  Never gets to blow bubbles!

 She helped Nana make Chicken and Dumplings for dinner!  Yum!  Cilla cut her dumplings out in the shape of hearts!  Even yummier!!!

And then she got dressed and ready to taste test!

Sunday was filled with church.  Lunch at one of our favs, The Catfish Hole.  And our cousin Max's Diego birthday party!

Here's the birthday boy!

Family.

Cilla loved loved loved playing with her cousins.  She thought she was as big as they were!

Cilla and Emily

Natalie, Emily and Cilla.
They were so sweet to her and they all played so well together!

I am pretty sure I need a weekend to rest after this weekend!  

But it sure was fun!

Lunch Date and Play Date

Thursday, while Cilla was at Mother's Day Out, I had the sweetest lunch with my discipleship group.  Mrs. Trudy, my mentor, had the sweetest fall lunch planned for our group at her beautiful home.  I just love this group of ladies and am so thankful that God brought them into my life.  Of course, I didn't get any pictures.  The story of my life!  But, the sweet time I had with them is hidden in my heart.

Friday, our dear friends, Melissa, Caedmon and Honor came into town and we had a play date with them.  We have been missing our sweet friends since they moved away this past summer.  I didn't get many pictures. It was pure craziness with about 11 mommies and 20 kids!

I did get these little sweeties all dressed up.  It is funny how the little girls just have a radar for the crowns, bracelets, necklaces and sunglasses!

Cilla and Gigi. Anna Kate. Hannah.

I managed to snap this quick shot of Xander taking care of  business on his mom's phone!  Isn't he precious!?

We went to Chick-fil-A afterward with our friends and then headed home to squeeze in a nap before Nana and Poppa arrived for the weekend.

And this was all before the weekend ever got started.

Sugar and Spice

This little pumpkin makes my fall so sweet.  I just love her to pieces!    

 This little cup of sweetness is something that I look forward to all year long!  Yum yum Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte!  I know it is not the most appropriate summer bev, but come'on Starbucks I would love it all year round!

 And even though this is not edible, it smells like it should be.  I burn this all fall and it just makes me happy!  It pleases my palate and is a whole lot less calories that the real deal!

Ahhhhh...just a few of the simple pleasures of fall!

The Fair

So, I am still catching up on some of the fun things we have been up to this fall.

A few weeks ago, we went the county fair here in our area.  Not to ride the rides, but to see all the farm animals.  It was super duper hot outside, but it was still a huge hit with the kiddos.  

Cilla is still partial to the goats!

 Always making a new friend!

 Reid.

 Laci.

 Cilla, Laci, Paigey and Avery petting the cows!

 Lilly's favorite animal was the stick horse.

 Sweet girl.  

Cilla loves loves loves animals and loves being with her friends.

It was a fun day!