A Little Recap and a Fresh New Year!

It's so crazy to me that 2011 is OVER! It was a crazy whirlwind year and has come and gone so quickly.  As I was writing my new years resolutions for this next year I was thinking about all that has happened in 2011! I've been really bad at blogging so I'll do a quick recap!

January.
We got baby Millie and I turned 25! 25 seemed like a blah age to me but it turned out to be a fantastic year! Millie is an energetic 1 year old Yellow Lab that keeps me on my toes!  She may drive me nuts and leave yellow hair all over my house but I wouldn't trade her for anything!
Brian and I also took our engagement pics on my birthday, right after we got Millie and this was our first family picture!

February.
Brian officially moved to OKC which meant no more driving back and forth to Chickasha 4 times a week.  The new Pioneer Store opened on 39th and Council and it's doing great!

March.
March flew by and was mainly spent getting ready for our wedding.  We had multiple showers and parties and I spent my free time getting all of our gifts organized in to our house!

April.
WEDDING MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!  Even though I had to wait until the 29th I felt like this month flew by.  I kept a good countdown on my wall and work and because of all of my over time I was able to take two weeks off of work...it was wonderful.
Our wedding was so much fun and lots of friends and family came in from all over the USA.  We shared our wedding day with the Royal couple but I think ours was still the best.

May.
We spent the first week in May on our honeymoon in Mexico at the El Dorado Resort.  Seriously...go there.  We LOVED it.  May was busy with the wrap of school at SNU and learning to live with one another...which was a fun task!

June and July.
These months were spent like any other summer months.  We spent lots of time at the pool and at the lake and in the sun as much as possible.  I'm a sun baby...I can't get enough of it! It was also Brian's 24th birthday in June!
On a weekend trip to Ponca City we did a whole lot of fishing but I lost my pole in to the lake after a strong wind caught my chair and pole and threw it in to the water.  Brian saved the chair, but the pole....RIP.  We stayed in the city for the 4th of July (I haven't done that in years) and we watched the fireworks from up in a boom at Pioneer...talk about a great way to enjoy!

August.
Back to school meant busy times for me as always.  At the end of the August I was approached by the new Admissions Director to Switch positions to Admissions and Serve as the Special Events Coordinator/BFC Recruiter.  It took a little over a month and I made the switch in October...I LOVE by job!

September.
I can't really think of anything super exciting happening in September. Just the fair like always and lots of OU football games! I was wrapping up my job in Media Strategies and getting ready for my sweet niece to arrive.  You can see her sweet baby shower here.

October.
Busy.  That was this month.  I began my new job at the first of the month and it kept me crazy busy just trying to learn a whole new set of things...but like I said, LOVE it.
Brian's cousin Garrett had surgery on his legs and was in Children's Hospital for a few days.  I tweeted Kevin Durant and he came and surprised Garrett.  It was seriously the sweetest moment EVER and I really admire him for coming to visit.
My sweetie baby niece Lillie Raelyn was born on October 15th.  She has beautiful dark hair and chunky cheeks and I literally want to squeeze her every time I see her!

November.
My first big Event at SNU, College Days, was a huge success!
My brother was also crowned Homecoming King at SNU.  Such a fun weekend for my family.
Millie turned 1 on November 23rd.  We had a little party for her and I made some special cookies...she loved them.

December.
That bring us to where we just were.  December went by fast just like all the others.  We were busy with Christmas Parties and dividing Christmas between all of our families.  We're down 5 and still have 1 more to go!  We spent Christmas in Virginia with my dads family and I loved it as always!

2012.
So here we go on to a new year!  I've made a list of 12 things I'd like to do this year.  Some will be easier than others.  Some will take a few life adjustments but I know if I try had they can all be done.

1. Lose 20 Pounds.
(Even if you can't tell that's how much I've gained since my wedding.  Must. Get. It. Off.)
2. Read the Entire Bible.
3. Send Birthday Cards/Write more letters
4. Love Brian as much as a I can and be a good wife.
5. Try new recipes
6. Redecorate our Bedroom
7. Read more Books.
8. Do not let Laundry pike up.
9. Do more Crafts.
10. Spend more time outside.
11. Journal Everyday in my cute new journal.
12. Save More Money

I'm also going to try REALLY hard to Blog more this year...but with that list above when am I going to have time?

Happy New Year!!!

Fall Makes Me Happy!

I'm not sure why I love fall so much...most people do I guess but I always just feel so much happier and so much more content!  

This season is my favorite and here is why:

1. Cooler Weather!  I don't like COLD but this cooler than 100+ I can do!

2. Fall Colors!  Who does love yellows and oranges and deep purples?

3. Smells!  Every Autumn Harvest, Baked Apple Pie, Cinnamon Smell makes me just giddy!

4. Clothing!  I feel like there are 10 times more clothing options.  All you need is a light jacket.

5. Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner!  Who doesn't love these amazing holidays?

Future Child

Brian and I often talk about our future kids.  It's kinda fun to guess what we think they'll be like, what they'll look like and what they'll be interested in.

If it was up to me I'd have darling babies always dressed in Ralph Lauren, massive bows, bow ties and ruffles.  My husband on the other hand thinks that they should wear camo, play sports and learn to use a gun at the age of 4.

Brian as a little boy

And me!

Well today I came across this picture that just MELTED my heart!!  I think I'll be okay with little hunter babies one day! :)

How can you just not fall in love with how darling that picture is??!

Job Change!

After much prayer and thought and talking with my husband I am going to be making a job change!


On October 6th I will be making the move from Media Strategies as Media Coordinator to Admissions as Special Events Coordinator and Recruiter for BFC Students!


Serving as the Special Events Coordinator I am going to be able to use so many of my strengths and really really enjoy what I do everyday!


While the move is very bitter sweet I realize that I am just across campus and will still be working very closely with my MST friends!


Please pray for me as I make this transition!! :)

Guest Bedroom!

For the last couple months our guest bedroom has been a slow coming together process.  It took me forever to find bedding I just loved and took even longer to get to Ikea to buy a dresser so it wasn't just an empty room with a bed! It's simple, but I think it works well!!

I'm happy to say that I think this room is done....for now at least!  I need to get some cute cord covers and I may add a picture or something over the bed but for now....this is it!  I've really struggled to not go all out and buy fun things for the walls and more cute pillows but I know this will be our nursery one day....and it'll all change and I think I'd much rather wait and spend the money then!

Enjoy!

Millie wanted to be my room model.

Lillie is Coming!

In just 7 more weeks my sweet little niece Lillie will make her grand entrance in to this world!  I am excited beyond words!!  I can't wait to hug and squeeze and spoil this sweet little baby!

I wanted to throw my sister-in-law, Kaylee, a very fun and sweet shower she'd love.

Originally I was thinking I wanted to do polka dots and sweet baby things but Kaylee told me she was going to do the nursery in ladybugs and I knew right then that a shower with ladybugs it would be!

I started searching around for fun ideas and very quickly knew what I was going to do! Ladybugs are EVERYWHERE!  I don't know if I'm just more aware of them right now or if they are really popular but they're so easy to find!

The invitations were SO much fun to make.  They took some time, but lots of love went in to them!   

 Over the last few months I have spent so much money!!!  Brian told me I had to cut back after the shower because I was going to break us.  I just couldn't help it though!  Little girls clothes are SOOOOOO cute!!  I didn't get pictures of everything but here are just a few things!

This cute little air pillow came from Ikea!!!

I had these sweet outfits made by my friend Kathy! She does an AWESOME job!  Check her out on Facebook at Kaitley's Kloset

 

I made cute onesies to use for the mantle decorations!  I haven't finished sewing the letters down yet because I ran out of time but Kaylee will get these soon enough!  She even got some cute headbands with ladybugs to match!

Decorating the table was my favorite part!!!  I knew right away that I wanted to use ladybugs, a touch of pink, and a green table tutu!!  We don't have a big table at our house, just a bar height table so I decide to have a split level table and I think it turned out pretty cute!

 

Brian's cousin Kenzie is a cake making genius!  She came over on Friday night and we made the ladybug cupcakes!  It took FOREVER but I think they turned out SUPER darling!

l

Maybe I'm some what biased but I think that writing cursive "L's" is the best letter to write! So therefore I think writing Lillie's name is super fun....just look at those fun loops!

This sweet sign is hanging above her bed!

Saturday was such a fun and special day and I'm so happy that I was able to put it all together!!  Love this sweet family that I'm a part of!

Now we just need Lillie to get here!!

Soccer Mom Weekend

This weekend I was a Soccer Mom in Training.  My parents are in Florida so Tucker will be staying with us until Wednesday.  It's been very interesting having another person in our house just because we have to think about his needs and when he needs to eat and when he takes his medicine and when he needs to get in the shower and go to bed.  It's not bad....just an adjustment.


So while in my soccer my in training weekend I woke up early on Saturday morning.  I would have much rather slept until at least 9, but once Tucker was up at 7:30 there was no going back.


I knew that since I was going to be spending lots of time at home I planned a couple of things to make before the weekend thanks to Pinterest and made sure I had all the ingredients.


Saturday morning we started with a Cinnamon Sugar Bread.  It was EASY and SUPER delicious.

The recipe called for a Sour Dough Loaf but I used the King's Hawaiian Honey Wheat bread which I think made it taste much sweeter than it normally would.


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Vanilla Honey Butter Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup honey

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

To make Vanilla Honey Butter: Whip butter and 1/4 cup powdered sugar together until smooth; stir in honey and vanilla.  Set aside. (You can use regular butter if desired)

1 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon


Cut the bread lengthwise into 1/2" slices, without cutting through the bottom crust. Spread vanilla honey butter in between slices.  Rotate the bread 90 degrees and slice the bread again into 1/2" pieces, without cutting through the bottom crust. Spread more vanilla honey butter in between new cuts. This doesn't need to be perfect - just make sure there is lots of butter in between all the cuts. Combine sugar and cinnamon. Generously sprinkle in between all cuts. (You may have extra butter and cinnamon sugar.  It will just depend on how large your bread loaf is.)  (I also would have cut ALL the way through the bread since it was already in a foil pan. I think it would have made it easier getting it out later on.)


Icing Ingredients:
1 cup powdered sugar
1-2 Tbsp milk
Wrap in foil; place on a baking sheet. (I just covered the top with foil) Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, until bread is warm.  Unwrap cinnamon bread and place on serving platter.  Combine powdered sugar and milk - adding milk until you get the consistency desired.  Drizzle icing over bread and serve immediately.


Tucker could not get enough of it!  He finished the last little bit off for breakfast this morning and even told me I needed to give mom the recipe!  ha


After breakfast we made our way to soccer practice and even brought Millie along.  I was nervous at first because she LOVES balls and small children so I thought she'd be nuts but once we made it inside to the field she was calm and waited patiently for practice to end.

After practice we were back at the house and I wanted to wait until Brian got home so that we could eat lunch him so I made Peanut Butter and Nutella Swirl cookies.  I'm a sucker for ANYTHING with Nutella!....and peanut butter for that matter!

These are EASY!


Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Approx. 1/4 cup Nutella

Directions
-Preheat oven to 350° F.
-Combine butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Mix until well blended.
-Add flour, baking soda and salt. Drizzle Nutella on top of the dough then swirl it through the dough with a butter knife.
-Chill dough 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Roll into balls by hand. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Using a fork, press down the balls to flatten slightly. Bake until edges are very lightly browned (about 7 to 10 minutes). Allow to rest 2 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring cookies to a cooling rack.



So the rest of the afternoon was spent playing video games, watching TV and me doing the laundry, washing the dishes and cleaning the house.


That night we decided to take Tucker to Tucker's Onion Burgers, because who doesn't want to eat somewhere with their name in it?  It just opened on 23rd street across from Cheever's and I highly recommend you try it out!  We didn't feel like that it was pricey compared to anything else and Tucker declared that it "changed his life"  It was a beautiful night, so once a table opened we were able to eat outside!

Sunday morning would come Pinterest Recipe #3. Strawberry Cream Cheese Croissants!

Sadly this picture was not taken by me and no one other than us ate these yummy little things. I became super sick Sunday morning and spent most of the morning with cramps in bed.  ugh...being a girl.


I can let you read the recipe on your own but I think for myself I'd use less Jelly next time! :)


Any other Pinterest Recipes I need to try soon?

Crockpot LOVE!

I've used my Crockpot from time to time in the last year that I've had it but I feel like I'm falling in love with it all over again!


Whoever came up with this cooking machine was a genius!  


We all know I'm not a fan of cooking, but how lovely that my beautiful red Crockpot just does it for me!  It makes a happy me when I come home from work and know that I do not have to do much except maybe whip up a couple sides!


I found a recipe on Pinterest(love) and I tweaked it very slightly and ended up with a DELICIOUS dinner!


The recipe called for Hawaiian BBQ sauce (I think), but I didn't have that.


So yesterday at lunch I thew in a couple chicken breasts, Caribbean Jerk Marinade, and a can of pineapple chunks and cooked it on low for the rest of the day.


OH MY WORD....let me tell you.  It was YUM YUMMY!  It had a nice sweet taste with a touch of spice to it!  We ate it with Salad and rolls.  I was pretty proud of myself and prep time after a long day at work was nothing!  I also use Crockpot bags so I don't have a messy clean up....or maybe it's just me being lazy. But either way prep and clean up was quick and I was able to snuggle up on the couch and read a book for the rest of the evening!


What Crockpot recipes do you love?

Newest Projects!

I was able to check of a couple of projects off my list last night!  I'm in the middle of 3 more, but hey...I got two done so that's progress! :)

The first is really quite simple and I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture exactly what it is.
In our guest bedroom we're getting a black dresser so I needed something to put on top of it. I want to keep the room very simple and not hold a lot of clutter.  We were cleaning out upstairs for our garage sale I found a bulletin board and thought PERFECT!!

I had plenty of fabric left over from the curtains and pillows that I thought would look so cute on a bulletin board!

You can't really see them in the picture but I pushed white thumb tacks every 3 inches all the way around the sides.  Then I just flipped it over, made sure it was pulled tight and went staple gun crazy on the back edges! :)

I can't wait to get it put up in our guest room!  It's going to look SO cute!!

The second project was inspired by Pinterest, of course. :)

You know I'm always looking for something cute to add to the boyish hunting room and I found a pillow I just knew I had to make.

I found the deer pattern online, printed it and then cut it out of felt.  I also did the same thing with the letters, just printed them off of word.  I knew that I wanted a fabric that felt outdoorsy so I went with the burlap.  The only annoying thing is that I feel like it sheds SO much.

After I got the felt cut out I used an Iron-On adhesive.  My mom gave me some...I was just going to use pins but this was much easier.  Then I just did a simple whip stitch around the edges so hold it tight in place.  My mom help me sew the pillow, one because she has the sewing machine and two because she can just do it much faster than I can.  Slipped in a pillow and YAY.... a cute new pillow for the bed!!

It's starting to look cuter and cuter.  The pallet still needs some work but I did buy some Polyurethane yesterday at Home Depot so that I can give the pallet a satin gloss after I get it sanded down!  Brian doesn't get as excited about these kinds of projects as I do because he knows he has to end up helping. :)

That's all I've got for now!  There's much more coming soon..... I just want it to get cooler so I can stand being outside for longer than 20 mins!