Pumpkin Patch 2013

What is there not to love about fall? Us Texans gets a refreshing break from the dreaded Texas summers, the state fair, football for the fellas, and cute boots for the gals ;) It also means our annual pumpkin patch outing! We have been coming to the same one every year since Bri was a tot. Yesterday's weather was simply perfect for any outdoor event. There was a constant refreshing airflow and not a cloud in the sky which made for some great pictures! This was baby Ian's 1st time going. My sister and nephew also joined us. The kids had fun and I just tried to snap some shots with my phone as they played. I have to say, the best pics were the ones where they were simply enjoying their day and being their goofy selves. After, we rode the hay ride and the kids loooved it! Not bad for a Saturday afternoon and just $5! Here are some of my favorite moments! Enjoy :)

Glam Camp 12th Birthday Party

I asked my daughter Denyce 6 months ago what theme would she like for her upcoming bday. Since she had such a fun time camping at Pine Cove with her school; she really wanted a camping party with all her friends. Well months turned into weeks and weeks turned into days and before we knew it, October rolled around! I didn't want to worry my daughter but for once I didn't have anything prepared! Gasp! I just woke up, made breakfast, and started cleaning the entire house. Then I got on my computer and did all the graphics around 10am. And hurried up to get groceries for the party at 11am. While I was baking my daughter's camping cake, she helped me with the party favors and some decorating. It was my first time baking a swirl cake- chocolate and strawberry. Denyce hoovered over me and asked, "do you know what you're doing?" I told her, "yeah, I got thissss! I saw this on pintrest!" lol. Turned out perfect and it was super easy! We had hotdogs with chili meat, nachos, corn dogs, smores, and I made two types of sherbert punch. I didn't want her to do too much on her special day so I just told her to take a shower and get dressed. The party started at 4pm and her friends started arriving one by one. The girls had fun and it was my opportunity to get to know my daughter's new friends she met at middle school. The girls were very sweet, they told me I get them and they felt like I could relate because I wasn't as old as their mommas! OMGosh, the bluntness! Denyce kept telling the girls I was 29  but I had to set the record straight and tell them I was 29 1/2 (shhhh) lol. Later the girls watched a movie in the living room and set up their sleeping bags. I stayed up with them until they feel asleep which was 3am! I was laying in bed asking myself why o why do I throw birthday parties again? A sleepover wouldn't be the same without donuts in the morning, so after breakfast I put all the girls to help clean the disarray. The little stinker collected a nice amount of change and is wanting to buy a 5th generation ipod. All in all, I was very proud of myself for throwing her a deserving party at the last minute and she tells me she had a fun birthday which at the end of the day makes it all worth while.

State Fair of Texas 2013

Ian's 1st time at the fair, meeting the new Big Tex! He was such a trooper! We were there from 1pm-9pm and he didn't cry once and had two long naps! Love this kid! :)

My 1st ride with my girls this year and in this picture: Eli's 1st ride for this year! :)

 Eli's highlighted moments :)

 Briana's favorite ride each year! You combine, lights, music, bubbles, and water

...and you got yourself a winner! :)

These are all the fun rides Denyce rode this year- she rode two of them twice! :)

Food, food, and more food! :)

Night Time Parade! It captivated all my little ones, even 1st timer baby Ian :)

I love this picture, it reminds me of what a childhood should be like- carefree, no major responsibilities, fun, and silly! Love my baby girl, wish she could stay little, I guess that's probably why I snap so many pictures. It's my "attempt" to capsulate a moment in time.

Just arriving and walking thru the Midway. So many decision, should we ride, eat or stroll first....

This was probably the first ride Jared, Denyce, Briana and Elijah ever rode together. I though "tough guy" aka little Jared would be scared being only 2 but I think he enjoyed it the most. :)

Comfort Food Surprise!

I couldn't wait to pick up my birthday little momma after school! I had a little surprise for her waiting. I invited my mom, grandma, sister, and nephew for a quick lunch to help me celebrate the girl of the hour with ALL her favorites! Every time I pick her up she is "starving" so I always try to have something ready when she gets home. That day I decided to surprise her with all her favorite comfort foods! There were hot dogs, nachos, mac n cheese, corn, arroz con leche, agua de horchata, mexican rice, and agua de sandia (homemade watermelon water). I asked her on our way home, "are you hungry baby?" and of course she's like, "oh yeah!!!" Then I asked her to name all her favorites and told her I would make it all as soon as we got home. Then she gave me a pouty face and said it would take too long.....As soon as she came in, we all screamed SURPRISE!

12 Years In The Making!

   Wow! I can hardly believe my oldest just turned TWELVE!! Her last year as a "tween-ager" before becoming an official teenager next year! Yikeees! Until now, she has been ever so kind, loving, affectionate, compassionate, patient, caring, humbled, God seeking, little bookworm....I'm just praying she doesn't change! :)
   This year, I knew she'd be expecting a balloon curtain on her door so I decided to throw her for a loop and tied the "tie dye" colored balloons individually to weights which lead to a yummy surprise! She followed the balloons one by one and was surprised by an assortment of donuts stacked in the shape of a cake! She was pleasantly pleased! Then, I played the happy birthday song while the family gathered to sing Happy Birthday. She made a wish and blew all TWELVE of her candles.
    I wanted to do something different yet special since her bday feel on a weekday and I could no longer bring cupcakes like I did every year in elementary :( So, I thought this would be perfect for a quick morning celebration! She then changed into her birthday outfit she picked out and wore her flashing pin. After I picked her up after school, she told me she had an awesome day! Her entire choir class sung to her and all the girls in the locker room did too. All her teacher and even students she hadn't met yet were congratulating her all day. She said she felt so special! I love seeing her smile :)

This is how her sweet surprise unfolded...