Cute Little Western Girl!

Thursday was Western Day at Little Missy's school! I'm so glad we were able to wear her pink cowboy boots and pink cowgirl shirt that Daddy just had to have for his little princess again! Ready for school and so excited!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I love that Audrey's teacher just happens to be one of my best friends because I got a few extra pictures of Audrey during her school day!

They had a little Western Party with hotdogs, cheetos, fruit, juice, and cookies! They even got to "pretend" roast marshmallows by their "pretend" campfire!

I'm guessing they got to eat their marshmallows after they roasted them...yum!

What a fun day Audrey had on Western Day!

Countdown to Daddy!

Our little family started a big change this past week, that I KNOW is a good thing...that is sometimes hard to say! Curtis works for Baker Hughes Oil and Gas, and accepted a transfer offer to leave his Mineral Wells yard, for the cold up in North Dakota. This offer and decision has been in the works since this past fall, and it is weird to know it is finally here, and we are living in our new "norm" for awhile. This new "norm" for us means that Curtis works up there for 28 days, then he gets to come home for 14 days. He will keep this schedule all year long, and realistically, it will last longer than that. About every other time Curtis will be up there working, Audrey and I are going to get to fly up there to stay with him for a week or so. This will help with breaking up the long 28 days without seeing each other. After a lot of prayer, crying, and talking this all out, we know this is the best decision for Curtis' career, and for our family. We know it won't last forever, we are strong in our faith, and each other, so we will get through this year just fine. We made this countdown board, thanks Pinterest, to be able to count down the days until Daddy gets to come home. It is has been fun letting Audrey take a Hershey Kiss off every evening, knowing we are just that much closer getting to see Daddy. Thanks to FaceTime on our phones, leaving video messages daily, and getting to talk to each other pretty much whenever we want to, has made our time apart bearable. I know there are going to be hard days on both ends, but I'm so thankful Curtis has this job, and amazing once in a lifetime opportunity! Thank you to everyone who is praying for us, checking on us, and is there for us with anything that we might need. We have done good adjusting to our new routine this past week...only 3 more weeks to go!

Weekend Getaway!

Curtis and I got away for the long weekend to Bastrop, Texas! We stayed at the Hyatt Lost Pines Golf and Spa Resort, and had a really good time. We met our friends, The Blacklock's, for the weekend! We planned this trip as an early birthday present for me, and for a last little getaway before Curtis' leaves for North Dakota for his 28 day at a time rotation. :( We are here, well we thought we were. You turn here off the main road, but the actual resort is 3 miles through windy roads before you are really there!
This was the view from our room. It was such a relaxing, laid back, low key weekend. There was a ton to do, but we didn't do much, which is okay with me!

As we were walking around after we got checked into our room, we came across these longhorns. They were just begging us to take our picture with them...ha!

Audrey got a kick out of seeing her Mommy and Daddy on a BIG cow!

We didn't do much Friday night, but listen to a band at the restaurant we ate at, and hung out there all evening getting caught up with Beth and Chad.

Saturday, Curtis and Chad golfed, and Beth and I went to the spa. We got hot stone massages, and spent time in the sauna and hot tub...it was so relaxing! We just had a low key rest of the afternoon, then met up for dinner at a fancy restaurant in the resort for dinner.

I didn't sleep good Friday night because there was no noise. I'm used to a fan, or noise machine, so silence was not working for my beauty sleep! I was so glad to see this box fan that arrived in our room while we were at the spa! The next 2 nights, I had great sleep!

Curtis and I before dinner

Beth and I before dinner

Beth and Chad before dinner

After dinner, we went back to where another band was playing and hung out for awhile.

Me and my hubby

Sunday, we hit the road early to San Marcos for a day full of shopping! We had a great time, got everything we wanted, and hit a ton of sales! I would say, it was a prductive day of shopping, and I was one happy girl!

We had seen this huge squirrel on our drive to the resort on Friday, and wanted to stop. It is a store that is famous for their pecans and homeade fudge! The sign had me at the word "fudge!" I knew we had to stop there at some point, so on our way back to the resort from shopping, we made a quick stop for some pecans and homemade fudge...it was yummy! Sunday night, we went into town for Mexican food, then came back to the resort to plan our next vacation!

We took our time leaving the resort Monday, met our friend, Mike, in Georgetown for lunch, stopped at a shop I heard about in Waco, then headed home.

It was such a fun and relaxing weekend, and we all had a great time!

Highlights from our year

I can't believe 2011 is over, and 2012 has already begun. It's been a year of new adventures, lots of excitement, and life that was definately unexpected! We made it though, and are stronger now than before. Here is a look back at some of the highlights from this past year...

I celebrated my last year in my 20's in January
Our Little Bug turned 2 in February
This little princess was completely potty trained shortly after she turned 2!

Curtis turned the big 3-0 in May, and I managed to pull off some what of a surprise party with all our family and friends in tow!

We celebrated 6 years of marriage in June...can't believe how time is flying by being married to my best friend!

We went on our best vacaction EVER with some of our besties to The Riviera Maya this summer!

Our Little Fish took her 1st year of swim lessons, and was REALLY swimming by the end! Curtis and I bought our dream home this summer! Our baby girl went from crib to toddler bed....
to BIG GIRL bed in less than 2 months!
Little Missy saw her 1st movie at the big theater...Winnie The Pooh!

Audrey started Mother's Day Out 2 days a week this fall!
We had a great time throughout the holiday season entertaining in our new home!

I'm excited and a little ancious about what this next year holds for our little family! I know there are going to be some GREAT things happening, but some new changes as well that are going to be trying. We are going to keep our faith and trust in God and lean on him throughout 2012! Happy New Year!

Christmas Celebration #4

Christmas Day afternoon, we celebrated with Curtis' family at our house! We had our traditional barbeque with all the fixins, and lots of yummy desserts! We had a great time together, enjoying great food, and lots of presents were opened! Audrey couldn't wait to play with her new dollhouse with her Aunt Jen

Passing out presents

Audrey got lots of play-dough this year

Audrey got her very own digital camera

Baby got some new shoes

Some new sheets

Some new clothes

Checking out her new babydoll

Some new rainboots

"Oh My!"

Helping Mommy open up her new bag

Mommy and Daddy got some new towels!

Cute!

Helping Poppa open his presents

Helping Nana

Sweet

Helping Uncle Larry

Now helping Papaw

Spoiled rotten

"Thank you Aunt Jen for my new boots!"

Audrey's last big gift from her Nana and Poppa was this super cute table and chairs! We all had such a great Christmas this year, and are beyond blessed! Merry Christmas!