I love Costco!!!!

Sunday, I was cooking dinner, talking on the phone and trying to deal with a rug rat at my feet. I had not noticed that the water in my steamer on the stove was had dried up. I get off the phone, pull the steamer off the stove only to smell this nasty smell. As I look down I see molten lava pouring out of the bottom of my pot on to my stove! It took me a few seconds to figure out that it was the bottom of my pot that had actually melted! Have you ever seen that one before???? I sure haven't. Dan grabbed Mason and strapped him in his high chair to keep him out of the kitchen. With Mason hollering in the back ground because he wanted to be part of the commotion, Dan proceeded to pull the molten lava off the stove. Most came off.., along with the stove's enamel as well. Not realizing my crock pot lid was in the sink.., I moved the pot from the stove to the sink thinking it would cool it down quickly with water. Sure enough, it cracked my crock pot lid. Have you ever tried to just replace the a crock pot lid? Well.., you pretty can't! I was so ticked because not only have I loved this pot and pan set.., but I loved my crock pot. Now this freaky, crazy story does have a happy ending. With my friend who works at Costco's encouragement, I took the pot and pan set back to Costco only for them to replace the entire set with a brand new one. Well., that's not all my friends. In chatting with the return lady at Costco about how the whole pot experience. She was first shocked and had to show every one the pot. Then she said some thing that completely shocked me. She wanted me to bring back my crock pot as well because she wanted to replace that bad boy too. How's that for customer service? I love Costco!

Progress!!!

FRIDAY MORNINGFRIDAY EVENING
Dan and his 3 brothers framed in the entire addition as well as added plywood to the outside in less than 7 hours. We are THRILLED to have this much progress happen in one day and are incredibly grateful for the help!!!

Dan and his brothers (L to R - Ben, Dan, Dave and Robert)

How did we get such a beautiful boy????

peek a boo photos did a fabulous job with capturing Mason's personality.., even with him being cranky and napless. Mason even made their blog.

GO UTES!!!!!

UTES 13 TCU 10

Giving Thanks

I read a magazine article years ago that talked about 'the lost art of giving thanks'. The basic gist of the article was that simple thank cards for birthdays, emails of appreciation to supportive girlfriends, notes to neighbors expressing your gratitude for them gathering your mail, etc is being lost in America. I'd some what agree. I grew up with my mom sitting me down after my birthday parties with pen and paper in hand to write my simple thanks for the gifts my friends and family gave me. Thank you cards are one thing and are appropriate. I feel most folks have that one down..., but there's so much more in life that we fail to recognize. Each day, there are things that we pass by with out giving much thought to. My family and girlfriends for instant. There are countless times my cute husband has turned my day around with a listening ear of a thoughtful word. My girlfriends have done the same. At times, with out even knowing.

Lately, I've been getting overwhelmed about our unstable economy, raising gas and food prices and questioning the stability of our jobs. I get so wrapped up in the things we do not have that I forget about the things we do have. A warm house, reliable cars, a supportive husband, food in our fridge, an amazing son and the list goes on. It's not smart to be naive about the world going on around us, but I don't need to focus on it either.

Below is our family Thankfully Book. The pictures are for you Janelle! This book is one of the things that helps to remind me on a rough day that there is so much in which to be thankful. I read through it's pages of expressing gratitude, appreciation and thanks.., and I in turn am reminded of the time I wrote in the book or am touched by my husband's thoughts that I didn't' know he had wrote.

I am SO not ready for this!!!!

Scarecrow Festival

I know the Scarecrow festival has come and gone weeks ago...,but we were a bit under the weather and didn't feel like blogging at the time. So.., here . Mason loved the petting zoo. I, however, was disappointed by the fact that it really wasn't a true petting zoo. Even the calves that Mason was petting below had a sign saying 'Don't' Pet the Animals'? I don't get it? Don people not like small children squeezing and squishing baby animals?

Mason's favorite ride was on the four wheeler with his dad.

Aaron and Hannah

Changing of the Seasons

The 'Changing of the Seasons' is quite the event in our home. It's the day after a holiday when we change out all of the previous holidays decorations and put up decorations for the coming holiday. It's an exciting time as well because there's typically a new holiday decor that was purchased after the holiday last year the needs to find a home. It's also a deep cleaning day when everything is dusted and polished before the new holiday decor is out out.Saturday, November 1st, Halloween was taken down to make way for Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday. It's filled with food, family, games, puzzles, shopping and the list goes on. It was the time each year when I could count on my brother in-laws not working and when everyone was together as a complete family. There's no stress of gift giving or disappointment that Santa forgot something. New recipes are tried and old ones return for the day. I love it. Since we've been married, Thanksgiving has change a bit with not being able to go back east each year, but it's still just as great. Our first year married we started a 'Thankful Book' for our family. We write in it though out the year when we're particularly thankfully for something and then on Thanksgiving Day. It always makes me feel good to read through.The turkey below was my surprise this year in our Thanksgiving box of decor. I forgot I had purchased it last year on sale in January when everything is clearanced out. I love it!Enjoy the start of the Season of Thanks!

Halloween

Mason and I started Halloween off by going to his dad's work to trick or treat. This was the first time Mason tried his costume on.., and we were thrilled to find out that he hated his lion mane hood.
No amount of coaxing would get him to keep it on.
Mason loved going office to office and getting treats.Later that day we went to relatives. We started off at the Wilkinson's and ended at the Wilson's. Mason was in his full costume at this point..., tights, make-up and all. They were manly tights and boy make-up of course.He was over tired and full of sugar and cute pictures on the door step just weren't happening. He did however make it trick or treating to about 6 homes with his cousin Ramsey. He again loved the idea of walking to a door and random people giving him candy.
Rachel and Hannah.
Aunt Renee