Happy Birthday Emerson Kate!

Once again it has to be said- These babies are growing up WAAAAY too fast. We made a trip south last month for a very important day. A year ago I wrote this post . Reading it now, after a year, still makes me smile. 

 The whole purpose of starting this blog was to be able to go back in time and remember. This proves it's working pretty well, thank you! 

  

It's like she knew it was her special weekend. 

And don't get me started on this sweet girl. I dare you to not want to kiss those cheeks. 

Yarn and travel size shampoo and lotion were pretty great toys.

I LOVE this picture. 

Naps were VERY important before the party! Nobody wants to be around a 1 year old that's hopped up on birthday cake and hasn't had a nap. Nobody.

Speaking of birthday cake.... it really was adorable!

Smash cake! 

Pretty birthday girl! The bow didn't last long, but you have a right to be picky about your outfit on your birthday.... I still am.

She was not at all interested in diving into the smash cake. In fact, it caused a short term melt down. Again,  it's HER party (come on, you know the words)

How many people does it take to keep glasses away from a Myla? At least 2.

Then it was on to the favorite part of my birthday- the presents!
 I know Kelly struggle a bit with the gift issue. Should she ask people not to bring them? Is that rude- to assume they will?  You know those bratty kids that have a kazillion toys that they don't play with 3/4 of them, or don't remember where they got them? Who wants to create that monster!
But there were gifts- some fun, some meaningful, all very thoughtfully given.
Did I mention I like presents?  ;o)

Speaking of which, remember this one?   I think she likes it! Thanks Aunt Darla! 

I think the kiddos enjoyed this part the best! 

Me? I love that I got to spend a weekend with some of the most important people in my life. That I had one more chance to watch these 2 little girls get to know each other. To watch a very dear friend and my daughter grow into these amazing mothers. It was pretty perfect.

xoxo

Lissa

Birthday project

I used to be a crafting queen. I've done cross stitch, needlepoint, latch hook, sewing, quilting & crochet. I made stockings for the kids- ok 2 of the 4. I gave knitting a try but I guess I suck at the counting part- ironic isn't it? Made candles, fleece blankets, pot holders, clay Christmas ornaments & even plastic canvas projects. I know there's more, but I just don't know what they are. My point is, I used to enjoy all of it so much. I don't know why I stopped. I just did. My supplies and tools started gathering dust and were all but forgotten. Here's the deal though- no matter what road I chose to take my creativity down (I'm using that term very loosely) it was really always for the same reason, I wanted to make my house more beautiful and nest. Even now I have a 1/2 dozen projects bouncing around in my head, some make it out some don't. 

This is the project I eluded to here . Such an an adorable project for a perfect little 1 year old.

It turned out so cute! I love it. Thanks Darla for letting me help. I think it's time to find some more projects. 

xoxo

Lissa

Just 365 short days

This little man is 1. I know I sound like a broken record, but these sweet babies need to cut me some slack and slow down this growing up game. That's not too much to ask is it??

Happy Birthday Grehyor!

xoxo

Lissa

Friend weekend

After almost a week of being puny, I'm feeling much better the last couple of days. My head is no longer full of snot or feeling like it may explode from the internal pressure. I only made it to they gym once this week. The one day I went I kept telling myself that I was using a head cold as an excuse to skip and that I better suck it up and go. MISTAKE. But now I'm feeling better and I'll be back at it this week. I have goals, and more importantly, I have rewards to give myself for meeting those goals. Just keepin it real.

I really could have used some gym time this week. Deadlines galore looming ahead for me at work. W-2's and 1099's have to be out by Tuesday. And last year has to be closed out and sent to the "Big Accountant" to do corporate taxes. This is when I get to see all my little mistakes (god forbid, big ones too) blown up to billboard size. Ok fine, it's not that bad, but I feel like a company wide email goes out that says "Guess what she did this time!" 

Towards the middle of the week I got a text from Darla wanting to know if we had plans for the weekend. I had set up a date with my jammies and Google reader, but time with friends is important too. My weekend put the cherry on the sundae as far as a bad fittness week for me. Let me explain.

 We met at Booches Friday evening. You know how it is when you haven't had a food you love in a long time how delicious it is? That's how it was, so yummy!  You'd be proud of me though. I only had one burger! Hard I know, but do-able.

Wet snowball snow fell as we chatted and caught up with each other a little, and it was really pretty when we left. I  did something I hardly ever do anymore. I left my camera at home, so no snow pic. So disappointing.

Mizzou played on Saturday at lunch time so off we went to Shakespear's  to watch the game and have some more "not on my fitness plan", but delicious food. I could have done worse I guess. I shared some salad, had one piece of pizza and one piece of cheese bread. And the best part, our Tigers won! :o)

Off to Hobby Lobby to gather supplies for a project. It's a secret project, so explanation will have to come later for that. But here's a teaser....

Then the coup de grace for "not so healthy food weekend" Matthew taught me how he makes his red alfredo linguine with blackened chicken. Very easy, very delicious. I'll share this week so you can make it too.

I guess I need to get a few things accomplished before the day is over. Plus, we have one more fun thing planned for this evening, to finish off the weekend. So I'm off to do something, and get ready for date night.

xoxo

Lissa

A little bit sick day

I'm home today. When I got kicked out of the office at 9am I protested for just a little while and then realized that I was worn out. I don't have the flu- no fever or aches, just a cold, so I COULD work. But I know it's not fair to give anyone else this head-filling crud, so home I went, feeling like a big wuss. 

I realized it was the right move when I stopped at Walmart to pick up some meds. I picked up Q-Tips, conditioner and found a cute belt on the sale rack and headed to check out. I got a text while I was in line so I made a quick call. I know, I know, I HATE people who talk on their phone at the check out too. I head out the door and realize the belt is hanging on my arm. That's code for "I tried to steal it". I'm not sure who was more embarrassed, me or the little old lady guarding the door. So I pay for the belt and make it back to my car, and as I'm driving away I realize- I didn't buy the damn cold meds. No way am I going back in there.

So Annie and I are hanging out on the couch. Doing a little DVR clean up and wondering if I took a nap could I go to the gym.  

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Lissa

Here she is... 2012

It's come and gone for another year. Miss America. I explained last year in this post our fun girl's weekend. This year, because our family grew by 3 babies, there were more of us than ever. You should have seen my house... Danee and Courtney in my bed and a pack-n-play. Kelly and Darla in the guest room with yet another pack-n-play. Britt on an air mattress in the office with, yep, a pack-n-play. Me on the love seat, Jen on the couch and Gabi and Olivia on the floor in sleeping bags. Full house and I love it.

The invite for the year read-

Ok Ladies! Get your blind picks ready it's that time of year again. Time for an amazing night of trash talkin', dress dis'in, talent hatin. All in good fun of course. Time to bring it and as always only 1 emerges with THE crown.

Kelly and Emerson came on Friday night. We ate a little pizza (ok maybe more than a little) had a little wine, and did a little bit of catching up. 

Bath time for Emmie & Annie needs to know what's going on

Saturday the troops start rolling in. Chaos ensues. It's wonderful. We haven't had the babies together for a long time and they were so much fun. 

It always amazes me. It started with 3 friends. 

Of course food is always a big part of the fun. Jamie and Danee made mexi bean dip & guacamole that were so good.   

This picture will forever make me smile. I wish I knew what these too were talking about! I'm sure it's something girlie and adorable. Or maybe they're making plans on how they'll take over the family.

Miss Gabi had a birthday on Friday so we had to include a little party within a party. She wore her fancy party dress for the day too. :o)

This year's picks. The boy's are on there too- we let them pick but they can't win, of course.

After a great day of unwinding, visiting, eating and drinking- with maybe a little trash talking thrown in here and there- it's time to get down to it. 

I'm not sure what I love move about this picture. Her choice for the swim suit competition, or the fact that she's hooked on tech already. She turned on the video camera and was filming herself- just like a mirror to her.

One by one our girls are out. We've sat through some horrible dress choices (Miss Alabama), some really cute bathing suits, and some interesting talent, and now we're down to the end... 

And the winner is.... Miss Wisconsin! Not Courtney's blind pick but a winner all the same.

Court's just a little excited... she's never won before and was pretty jazzed to get that crown on her head.

Someone forgot to tell the girl that waterproof mascara is a must

Miss Wisconsin & Miss Oklahoma- Miss America & first runner up. 

And of course the birthday girl needed her own sash and tiara! 

Now to start planning for next year!

xoxo

Lissa

Quiet Saturday night

It's winter, and usually this time of year I want to be at home as much as I possibly can on the weekends. But this week has been freakishly warm. Thursday and Friday both were in the high 60's.  

So instead of hibernating on Friday night we went out for dinner and then for drinks with two of my favorite CoMo friends, Jennifer and John. We met at Coley's  so progress could be made on the martini punch card. You heard me right. A punch card for martinis. They have good food too. :o)

So tonight, we get to be lazy and stay at home. Catching up on blogs, trying to decide what I want to change about mine. Playing fetch. Playing Zelda. Oh and I can't forget Pinterest, that sucked me in for who knows how long! It's been a good night.

She's a 2 year old in a dachshund's body. Just when you put the toys away she pulls the whole basket down.

A little Bailey's and coffee. 

Snuggle puppy

Hope your Saturday was all that you wanted it to be! Mine was. 

xoxo

Lissa