3 years in the making

After 3 years of buying Christmas lights on sale on the day after Christmas, Mitch and I were finally able to get most of the house outfitted in Christmas lights!!!!

We have done a few lights here and there, but man, Christmas lights are expensive. We knew we would have to get them discounted to do everything we wanted to do...so after 3 years of patiently waiting, we spent most of the weekend outside hanging up lights!!!

We all love it!!! It was so precious to see Luci's face light up when she saw them all!!

I can't wait to buy more on December 26th so that next year is even bigger and better!!!

Weekend Recap- Family, Shopping, Friendsgiving

We had a fun weekend!!! I feel that my posts are getting shorter and further apart! It is just a busy time of year! I have an idea for a fun post that I will talk about at the end of this one... Now on to the weekend!!

Friday evening, Mimi and PePaw came up and we went out to eat for dinner...then we all headed over to Quinn's to visit for awhile!! Luci always loves when she gets to see her Mimi and PePaw!!

On Saturday, we woke up early (Luci always ends up in our bed sometime during the night...and I woke up at 6:30am to a wet bed...It has been so long since Luci has had an accident...I guess she was due for one; however, 6:30am on a Saturday is not a good time for one!!) and had a quick breakfast and headed out to Holiday Market for some shopping. I picked up a few Christmas gifts there, and then we headed out to the mall for a little more shopping. After a quick lunch, we headed home and all 3 of us had an epic 3 hour nap!!! It was great!!!!

A quick shopping break!

On Sunday, we got up and went to church. After church, Luci and I attended a baby shower for our good friend, Katy's daughter!

My little turkey is ready for church!

After the shower, Luci went down for a nap, and I got busy cooking! The Magee's and us decided we wanted to have a friendsgiving dinner...that we named MM Thanksgiving Dinner (to pronounced Mmmmm! :-)) I made a turkey breast, scalloped potatoes, and gluten free biscuits. The Magee's brought over some yummy green beans, brussel sprouts, and caramel pie!!! We were stuffed by the end of dinner!! After a quick game of Logo, the Magee's headed out and we headed for bed!!!

All ready for MM Thanksgiving Dinner!

Luci brought this home from school last week. I absolutely love her little hand turkey!!!



Ok, here is my post idea... send me your questions that you want to know, and I will answer them...(ex. blogging, working Mommy, cooking, random...) I get asked a lot about how I balance my life, so if you have any questions that you want to know just email me (my gmail), fb me, or comment at the bottom of this post. I will compile them and do a post soon!

I hope everyone has a fun Thanksgiving! We have sooo much to be thankful for!!!

It's been a while

Life has been a little crazy and hectic lately it seems...I have no real, complete thoughts...but here is some random stuff!!!

Luci went to vote with me!!! I think she was more proud of the sticker than anything!

Me on the left in my Mom's high heels...Luci on the right in my high heels!!!

A little Fall decor...

Yummy brussel sprouts!!! I have been trying to eat more veggies!!!

And sometimes...life is just hard for little diva's. :-)

Almost a month ago, I started taking a boot-camp barre class. So, far I have lost several (I think somewhere around 10) inches and am down 11lbs...and I feel great!!!! It is the best I have felt in a long time!!! I just wish my brain wasn't so scattered lately!!!!

Creamy Quinoa Primavera

A yummy Pinterest find!!!! Here is the recipe with my notes included!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa


3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

4 ounces cream cheese (I used low fat)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried

1 tablespoon butter

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

5 cups thinly sliced or bite sized pieces assorted uncooked vegetables (I used cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and bell peppers.)

3 tablespoons grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (I used pepperjack instead)

Directions:

Rinse quinoa thoroughly; drain. (The quinoa I buy is pre-rinsed.) Bring quinoa and broth to boil in a 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes or until broth is absorbed. While quinoa is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic in butter for about one minute, stirring frequently, until golden. (I steamed my veggies a little before I sauteed them). Stir in vegetables. Cook about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir cream cheese and basil into cooked quinoa. Toss vegetables with quinoa mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

Quinoa has lots of protein...and when put with the veggies, this was a pretty healthy, very yummy meal!!!!

Blog Award

Miss A over at When...not IF! nominated me for a Liebster Blog Award!!! The Liebster Blog Award is given to up-and-coming blogs with less than 200 followers.


These are the Rules of the Liebster Blog Nomination:


•Tell 11 random facts about yourself...see below

•Answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you...see below

•Choose 11 blogs that have fewer than 200 followers to nominate ( ok, I changed this and am nominating 5...simply because the majority of the blogs I read are "big blogs" or are private!)

•Come up with 11 questions to ask the people you nominate...see below

•Tell the 5 bloggers they have been nominated...they will find out when they read my blog! lol!

•Link back to the person who nominated you and thank them! Thanks Miss A!! This was fun!!!!!

Ok, so here are my responses...

11 Random Facts about myself...

1. I collect Hard Rock Cafe shot glasses.

2. I am left-handed.

3. I count watching sitcoms as my favorite hobby.

4. I have had some sort of color/highlight done to my hair since I was 3/4 years old.

5. I dislike water...and only drink it because I have to.

6. I started wearing glasses in the 3rd grade, switched to contacts in the 6th grade, and had Lasik eye surgery done about 6 years ago.

7. I love reading cookbooks.

8. I have been blogging for over 2 years.

9. Money makes me queasy. Literally. As soon as I got married, I handed all finances over to Mitch. I haven't looked back. I just happily swipe the card and let him take care of stuff.

10. I am very time conscience. Lateness is one, if not the biggest, of my pet peeves. I live by "Too be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and too be late is to be left behind."

11. Contrary to popular belief, purple is probably my favorite color, followed by aqua blue, and then pink.

Here are my answers to Miss A's questions...

1. If you had to pick one food and eat it for one meal everyday forever, what would it be? pasta


2. What is your all-time-favorite restaurant? This is a tough one...probably The Cheesecake Factory

3. What is your favorite past time? Watching sitcoms

4. What is your favorite color? oops...this was in my random facts..purple!!!!

5. Given no medical or financial obstacles, how many children would you like to have? hmmm...2...I think...maybe 3...

6. What is a name you LOVE but would never name your child? Stella and Maddox. Stella just because and Maddox because it doesn't "go with" Minnick.

7. If money is no object, where is one place you would like to vacation? Ok, I know this sounds ridiculous, but I have always wanted to rent an RV and travel Route 66 across the US and stop at all of the "world's largest" things along the way! Ha! Told you it was ridiculous!

8. What is your all-time-favorite book? hmmm...do magazines count!?!? lol!

9. Are you naturally curly headed or do you have straight hair? I was born with stick straight hair...after I had Luci my haired turned VERY wavy...and I wear it scrunched and curly a lot now.

10. Best childhood memory? Hmmm...too tough to pick one...most of my favorite childhood memories have to do with family...visiting my Mama or Nana...or playing with my cousins.

11. If you could change one thing about your wedding, what would it be and why? I would have taken all pics before. I was way too stressed out about Mitch seeing me...would have been easier to just see each other before the ceremony...and I would have just not stressed so much in general...maybe we would have just eloped! Yeah, we would have just eloped!

And here are my nominees...

Confessions of a Shoeaholic
Curls, twirls, and pearls!
Life with the Legg's
The Sparacino Chronicles
Keyes Family Chronicles

And here are your questions...

1. What is your all time favorite movie?
2. Roller coasters or not?
3. From start to finish, how long does it take you to get ready every morning?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. What are 3 items you cannot live without?
6. What is your favorite clothing store?
7. What is your biggest pet peeve?
8. What is your favorite past time?
9. What is one thing you would change about yourself?
10. What is one thing you would change about your spouse?
11. What day do you start decorating for Christmas?

Annual Branson Christmas Trip 2012

Well, I can't believe it is already "that" time of year again! Last year we took our Christmas trip the 1st weekend in November (1st weekend SDC is open for Christmas) and it was sooo much nicer than going in December when we used to go. So, we decided to do it again early this year. Crowds aren't as bad, and the weather is so much nicer.
 

I took off work on Friday and we left around noon. Y'all, if you haven't been to NWA or the Ozarks during the last few days, GO. GO NOW!!! The colors are sooooo fabulous! I just kept commenting to anyone who would listen how beautiful they are!

 God makes such beautiful things.

After we arrived, we unpacked, took a few pics, and then headed out to dinner at The Outback (It is not the "chain" outback...so much better! :-)) The weather was so nice we decided to eat outside!! Can't say we have done that much in November before!

After dinner we did a little shopping and then headed back in for the night.

The next day we slept in a little and then got ready to do a little shopping. We ate a quick lunch and then headed out to Silver Dollar City. We had such a nice day! The weather was great, the crowds weren't too bad, and the kids were in pretty good moods!!

 Our annual family SDC picture!

Ok, not sure what the kiddos were up to during the pictures...but this was the best one we could get! ha!

Rotten, I mean sweet kiddos!

Ready to ride some rides!

Riding the train!

 

Meeting a princess during the parade!

After a long, fun day...someone was exhausted.

On Sunday, I slept in while Mitch got up with the kids (lovin' that extra hour of sleep!). We checked out of the condo and then headed out for breakfast and shopping!! I didn't get a whole lot of Christmas shopping accomplished...but at least I am started!!!

Halloween 2012

Our official Halloween festivities started on Tuesday night with Luci and I baking Halloween cupcakes for Quinn's party and my office! Luci just loves to help bake!!

On Wednesday, I took off work early to attend her Fall Party at school. Mimi came too!!

After the party, Luci and I made some more Witch Hat cookies for Quinn's party and then I got her ready for the party and Trick or Treating!!

Um, is this my 3 year old?!?! She is supposed to be toddler!!! No more lipstick until she is 16!! :-)

This pose was all on her own...

Our first stop of the night was the Magee House!!! Luci was pumped and ready to go!!!

Patiently waiting...

And Kerri answers the door!!! Trick or Treat!

Photo opp!!

After her first stop trick or treating, we went back to Quinn's house for the Halloween party...followed by more Trick or Treating!!!

Yummy party food!!!

Razorback Cheerleader and Razorback Fans...of course Mitch and I dressed up too!!! :-)

Luci's friend Brooklyn came to the party too!! She was a beautiful parrot!

Trick or Treating!

And the kiddos!!! Razorback cheerleader, Alice and Mad Hatter!!

Halloween 2011- Bumble Bee, Angry Bird, and Lady Bug

Halloween 2010- Minnie Mouse and GI Joe

Halloween 2009- Lady Bug and Indiana Jones