Zoo-rific Day

The girls and I went to the zoo on Monday. It was a gorgeous day to be outside. We had so much fun I decided to get a membership. It took us 15 mins from our driveway to the parking lot. Not bad! We are looking forward to many more days among the animals.

You too can feel good

So today was the big day....

I drove across the city.

I found my designated location.

I waited in line (a surprisingly short one).

Signed my name next to the big X.

Picked out my favorite booth (Lucky number 4).

And fulfilled my American duty.

I VOTED today... and early to boot!

This is not a political post! Lord knows, we have had plenty of those discussions in the last few months, but I was just so proud of me.

I have never missed a BIG election in my many years as a voting adult. I usually don't have an opinion about the candidates. I vote the way my husband would or my parents do, but not this year.

I watched as many of the debates as I could... I watched as little of the news as I could... And I read as much as I had time for.... and then I formed my own big-girl opinion. I picked the candidate that I felt would be the best for our country and would make it a better place for my children to grow up.

I feel good about my decision in my mind and my heart! Now go and vote for who makes you feel good!

Lucy and Gracie went along with me. It was so fun getting to show Lucy how the voting process works. She even helped me push the cast your ballot button. She has now added voting to her list of things she gets to do when she grows up... Gum and soda at 5, voting at 18, beer at 21, marriage at 25, becoming a mommy at 29. :)

Pumpkin Patch

While Daddy was away, watching the Aggies, the girls and I went to the pumpkin patch. It was really big, but of course, super crowded on a Saturday. I didn't really get any good pictures of the kids together. I always have high hopes, but they seem to fall flat most of the time. I think I am just going to have to break down and either tell myself to get over it, or bring along an assistant!

Anyways, here are the beauties and their pumpkin friends!

Can I get a Gobble, Gobble?

Last weekend, the girls and I went to see Granny and Poppy. It was a great, relatively relaxing visit. There was lots of yummy food, gymnastics in the backyard, discussions on the economy and the election, tricks on the treadmill, and free babysitting! What more could three girls ask for?

On Saturday, we ventured over to Cuero for the Annual Turkeyfest. It was a perfect small-town America festival, with a parade, sausage on a stick, a carnival, cotton candy, live music, and a world famous turkey. The girls had so much fun. They loved dancing in the big pavilion to the band. In about 5 mins, they had made lots of new friends and were playing an exciting game of tag.

Small towns have so much character, that I sometimes think we miss out on in the "big city". I daydream some days about moving to the country and enjoying a simpler, more relaxed lifestyle, in a town where everyone knows your name and you don't have to lock your doors at night... But then I remember that I am addicted to Chick-fil-a and probably wouldn't last a week without Target. Don't they say the grass is always greener on the other side...

Anyways, I digress... Here are some of the highlights of the Turkeyfest. I included a bunch, since my good friend, Kara, missed out!

Happy Half Birthday to Gracie!

All I can say is this has been the greatest, most rewarding, most exhausting 18 months of my life! This little girl makes my days brighter and more exciting just with a smile and a laugh!
I love you doodlebug past the stars and back!

Wisdom from a 4 year-old Independent

We let Lucy stay up a little later last night, so that we could watch the beginning of the debate. I decided to try and explain to her what was going on. I told her both the men talking wanted to be president. That they had these debates, so that people in America would be able to decide which one they wanted to vote for.

After watching for awhile, she made a very profound statement...

"Maybe they should take turns being president."

This is not the best idea, but you have to give her credit for the simplicity of her solution. To a little girl, it makes sense. Mommy always tells her to share and not be selfish. To work out your problems together and not argue. And to try and make decisions that are fair for everyone.

Van Gough and the Screaming Sisters

Lucy has become obsessed with coloring. She would color all day long if I let her. She is getting really good at staying in the lines and is very creative with her color choices. Grace on the other hand, spends more time eating the crayons and writing on the table... Oh well! She loves doing whatever her Sissy does, and I love watching them together!After the colors became boring, we ventured outside for a little sunshine. It has been so pretty here this week. Anyways, the girls proceeded to have a screaming contest. I am sure that we could probably be heard all the way to downtown. At one point, we had all the neighboring dogs barking... I am sure I will win Neighbor of the Month now!

I swear these kids keep me on my toes all day... But they sure are cute and completely full of personality!

100 posts in 1 Year - It's my bloggy birthday!

I can't believe I have been blogging for a whole year. It seems like I just started. I can't believe all that has happened, all that we have done and all the friends I have made. This crazy blog thing is so addicting, but so great.

I hope that each of you has enjoyed reading along and experiencing our days with us.

Here's to many more blogging years!

Current Addictions

Current Addictions - The Rules:

1. Write a post about five current addictions (with details)
2. Mention the person who started this meme (Being Brazen) and also the person who tagged you.
3. Title your post “Current Addictions”
4. Tag at least two people and pass on the above rules

Thanks to Sabrina at Just Flossing the Teeth I Want to Keep for tagging me... This is my first meme, so I hope I can handle it!

1. Getting Ready for Fall - Every year I look forward to fall and all the decorating that it means for me and my house. I am especially excited about this year, because we are in a new home and all my old things will seem new again! Plus, who doesn't love a good old pumpkin and some mums... They will be making my front porch, oh so pretty!

2. My birthday - I love my birthday... I know it is really childish, but I have always gotten so excited. I have already picked out several gift ideas (see number#3), and have started a new work out plan to get me back into my skinny jeans. I can't believe I am going to be 32, but if I am then I want to at least feel good.

3. Photography - This is pretty much an ongoing addiction, but it is really on my mind with all the upcoming photo ops that Fall brings. I even picked out a new lens that I REALLY need. Hint, hint (see #2)!

4. NEW Fall TV - This is a guilty pleasure for sure, since most of the time our TV seems to be tuned to Noggin or Disney or PBS. I cleaned out the DVR, so it would be ready for all the new episodes of How I met Your Mother, ER, Law and Order, and THE OFFICE!!! The kids have been in bed much earlier lately, and my dishes don't seem to get done until the morning, so that I can plop myself on the couch and enjoy some very entertaining TV time.

5. Finishing projects around the house - We moved into our new house in May, but there is still about 100 things on my list of to dos. I still haven't picked a paint color for the family room, and I am starting too really loathe our kitchen counter tops. Unfortunately, our money tree isn't doing to well in the backyard, so I am going to have to put this addiction on hold for a bit longer...

That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be... I actually could have added a few more, but I don't want to look over addicted!

I am tagging Kristen at Our Crazy, I mean Wonderful, World and Natalie at Three Girls and a Guy.