Thanksgiving in Georgia

We did it! We drove through the night with the kids in the backseat all the way to my home away from home: Georgia.

The kids did quite good in the car and well since it was dark, I couldn't read much so I just chatted and listened to music with the hubby.

It was nice and relaxing to just be with my family and let the kids play. We occasionally went out to do something kid less... :)

My mom and I went downtown and looked at the the amazing antiques for sale and the boys went golfing shortly after.

We did spend a good amount of time outside in my parent's big back yard. The kids LOVED to explore and run around with my dog Mac. I am glad they weren't afraid!

And of course we visited the local park down the road! 

I wish there were more falling leaves in Florida :(

We also enjoyed some yummy grape juice from my mom's grapevine!

I would love to live here and see this every night

When it came to the actual day of Thanksgiving, this was the only shot I got. No food. Opps.

And because we haven't taken family pictures since their newborn days...here ya go

Thanks Lydia for the awesome photos!!!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Clark turns 31

We had a fun week last weekend! Clark had a birthday and turned 31!

So far we have spent 8 birthdays together :) Seems so long ago when I stuffed his car with balloons at college on his 24th b-day. Fun times.

We headed to a really good bbq restaurant called Dickeys and enjoyed bbq sandwiches, waffle fries, and some fried okra! Dessert was at our house and we stuffed down some ice cream cake!

Brooklyn even enjoyed the ice cream! Yum!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLARK! HERE IS TO MANY MORE!

Fall Leaf Cut Out Garland

Today during nap time, I decided to be crafty and try a fall garland since I took down my BOO garland from Halloween. I think it turned out pretty good for my first try.

I got my inspiration from {HERE} but tweaked it a bit to make it easier for myself. 

I cut out the leaves from the template and traced them on my colorful scrapbook paper. Then I cut out the leaf. I then cut enough white card stock to cover the leaf cutout and taped it to the back of the scrapbook paper. EASY!

ENJOY!

Your Cloud Parade: Styled Simplicity

Have you heard about Your Cloud Parade?! It is an amazing site launching at the end of November that's a market place for people planning and buying things for their weddings. What are the major trends going on? What colors should you use? Its a place where buyers and sellers meet to create the perfect wedding! Think of it as an Etsy but just for weddings!

I just set up shop and have added some items to my page. I would love for you to check it out!

AND MY EARRINGS WERE FEATURED ON THE FRONT PAGE...NO BIG DEAL :)

Halloween 2012

We had a great Halloween this year. The kids I am sure did not know what was going on but they didn't seem to mind the dressing up part.

Brooklyn was Tinkerbell and the rest of us were pirates! ARRR!!! 

We enjoyed a fun trunk or treat at our church the night before Halloween and the kids got a good amount of candy! Yum!

Halloween night Clark and I took the kids around the neighborhood in the wagon to trick or treat. The neighbors loved the kids and I LOVED the candy! :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The Magical 18 Months

I am so excited that my kids are 18 months! I do love this age and it is getting a little easier...I said a little easier... :)

We have reached the magical age where our kids can now attend the nursery at church! This means they get to play with toys and be around more kids as well as not having to be chased and watched by mom for 2 more hours!

My kids have really grown up in the last few months. Beckham seems taller, Brooklyn is talking more, they both are showing more emotions. Brooklyn loves to hug and pat Beckham (which he doesn't like) and Beckham loves to be cuddled and climb on you.

They love being outside and it is getting easier to do that because the weather is getting much cooler. They love playing on the porch and chasing bubbles. They climb everything and I am getting a little less nervous about that stage. I can't imagine what these kids will be like in the next few months. They will be 2 in no time!  YIKES!

Beckham

Loves to play with cars and things that roll

Loves to lay on the floor

Has 13 teeth

Always climbing on things

Loves listening to classical music

Loves flipping through books

Throws tantrums and pulls his ears

Loves to be outside and eat anything on the ground...including acorns!

Still hates to try new foods ( I am getting desperate!)

Enjoys sleeping with a blanket

Brooklyn

Makes funny noises

Hair can be put in a ponytail

Has her molars coming in

Has become very opinionated and let's me know what she wants and doesn't want

Says No No No

Eyes are now a yellow gray

Loves to get her socks and shoes and wear them around the house

Says bear, mommy, daddy, Beckham, baby

Loves to sign eat, more, and all done

Can fold her arms when saying prayers

Strawberry and Spinach Poppy seed Salad

{image credit}

I am always looking to try something new for lunch and every time I open my fridge I get a little overwhelmed...wouldn't the easiest thing be to drive to McDonald's or something!

Well since I just got back from a cruise...ahem...and probably should eat salads for every meal the rest of my life, I decided to try and play chef with what I already had.

This salad was YUMMY! I even had two helpings...mmmmm

Spinach

Strawberries

Dried Mixed Berries

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Poppy seed Dressing

EAT & ENJOY

Graycation 2012: Western Caribbean Cruise

It only took 4 years but we finally went on a big family vacation! The kids unfortunately stayed home with the  grandparents for a full week while we all went on a cruise to the Western Caribbean.

Let's just say that our cruise ship rocked! It is the biggest one there is. Royal Caribbean: Oasis of the Seas. We were also fortunate to be able to stay in the Presidential Suite! This allowed each couple to have their own room!

(Yes, that is a bar and a Jacuzzi on our balcony!)

The boat had pools, mini golf, zip line, water theater with moving platform, ice skating rink, and even a carousel!

Our first port of the trip was the Bahamas! We choose to visit Atlantis and do a deep swim with the dolphins! We were able to touch and swim with them as well as be lifted up in the air by them!

My brother in law Kirk and I went on the famous slide and let me tell you it was a HUGE drop. So glad I did it though!

The second port we visited was St. Thomas. We choose to snorkel with the turtles and relax on the beach. We saw just about 3 turtles and that was it. The reef was pretty much the same as every other reef I have seen. We docked at Honeymoon beach to sun bathe and even spotted the Real World St. Thomas house!

On the second to last day we were at sea and had the privilege to be invited to the captains deck!!! So cool! 

Here we are just chillin in the captain's chair.

We also had a formal night one evening. Yay for dressing up!

The last port was St. Martin where we shopped and chilled on the beach. Some of us also dived into the local McDonald's...yum yum!

Some of the family rode the banana boat. It was fun minus getting tipped over as we pulled into shore!

We had so much fun on this trip and it was MUCH needed. Who knows when we will all get to go on a family trip again! Maybe a Disney cruise will be the next one...oh boy.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay so I had to at least try a pumpkin recipe before Halloween crept up on me!

I stole this recipe off my friends blog (thanks Jen!) and I am glad I did because these cookies were delicious! So moist and fluffy! 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 box spice cake mix

1 package milk chocolate chips (11.5 oz package)

1 15 oz. can pumpkin

1 egg (optional - but I always add the egg)

Mix spice cake mix, pumpkin, and egg until all white powder balls are gone. Mix in chocolate chips. Drop onto greased cookie sheet and bake 15-20 minutes at 350.

October Food Fest

Can you believe it is already October? I am stunned that we are almost to the end of the year. But I LOVE October because it really starts the beginning of FOOD MANIA! Get ready to get fat ;)

Just think about it, Fall food, Halloween treats, Thanksgiving goodness, Christmas goodies!!! YUM!

Here are a few of my favorite recipes I have saved on Pinterest! I am going to try my hardest to really make them this year and not let them just sit on Pinterest! 

Cold Apple Cider Punch

Mini Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecakes

Sticky Buns Breakfast

Oh, and if you feel like being nice, you can follow me over on Pinterest too! :) Click my button on the right side bar and waa laa!