Roscoe

I have recently been informed that I either need to post everyday or send out an email when I do because I have fallen so far behind. I will make an honest effort to post mon-fri and take weekends off.

Getting everyone up to speed for the moment- we picked up our dog Roscoe, cavalier king charles, from Tulsa and stayed with family for a small meet and greet. Tulsa is always such a hard place to visit with so much family and so many friends to see. Each time we make the visit we talk about what life would be like if we moved back here. Let's just say our calendars would be jam packed!

Life with a new little puppy should be interesting and Belle is already obsessed. Roscoe is also obsessed with Belle as well :). Just what I had hoped for! I can see the future with these two being partners in crime. I can also see roscoe painted with lipstick and a dress at some point in his life!!

To the sleepless puppy nights ahead of us and chewed up furniture!!

Professional Photos

We had our photos done two weeks ago and here are the some of them! Unfortunately I do not own the rights to the digitals so you have to deal with a photo of a photo from my phone.

We did however order several prints for family ;)

This was such a fun adventure and I am so happy that we could capture some moments together. Each day I am trying to use my nice camera and who knows... Maybe one day I will learn to take photos like these!!

Sara

The Rodeo

It wouldn't be Texas if didn't have a great rodeo to go to! Although its not as big as Houston's is still just as fun.

I just assumed that the rodeo would be held in the famous Ft worth stockyards but it turns out it was being held at the fairgrounds area. The trip to the stockyards wasn't a lost trip but a chance for a small petting zoo :) as you can see Belle was a little hesitant! The camel really freaked her out she laughed the whole time.

Next we went to the Rodeo/fair and I bet that she would have spent the whole day there if she had enough tickets! The bad part was she was tall enough to ride ALL the kid rides. Nate and I of course went with her because we don't trust he just yet! Maybe in a year.

I think Nate has more pictures on his phone but we saw tons of animals and Belle couldn't focus on a single thing!

Sara

New Addition!

It's time to announce a new member to the family! He is due to arrive February 14 when he will be 8-9 weeks old. His name is Roscoe and he is a Cavalier King Charles!!

We couldn't be more excited!! The breeder we found lives in Tulsa so we will have to make a special trip up there to pick him and maybe stay a few days visiting family! Win win in my books ;)

Until then we will be gathering the necessary arsenal to take care of a puppy. Let the sleepless nights begin.... Oh wait. I already don't sleep ;)

Sara

Glitter, Scissors and Such

This week of recovery I decided to introduce some new items to craft day! Child proof scissors, glue and glitter are quickly becoming favorites to decorate anything. Today she was making valentines to send out.

I can't tell you how proud she is of herself for using scissors and I let her do it all on her own! Don't worry they really can't hurt her.... I tried to cut myself with them before I let her loose with no help.

The week so far has been great and I hope this health continues!

Sara

Beat Down

Last week, for a full week, our family got a beat down from the stomach bug. Not just "24 hour" rest a little but full blown CDC comes and burns your house down sick. Our washing machine, sinks, and toilet might actually get up and walk out of the house due to overuse and abuse. I actually have abs this January and completed a week fast.... unwillingly.

Belle unfortunately fell to the same fate. Nate on the other hand happened to be traveling to Houston for the week and luckily missed the events.

Current recovery mode is underway as well as resisting the urge to eat everything in site. Relapse due to overeating or eating the wrong thing would not be fun. I have already watched and assisted Belle in a relapse :(

Normal posting (averaging about once a week these days) should resume tomorrow. I think all of our friends are willing to allow us back into their lives at this point.

Until tomorrow my friends.

Sara

Cotton Bowl

With OSU going to the Cotton Bowl it gave us the perfect chance to go to a game! Nate got us the tickets and we met all our friends for dinner and drinks for a great night out with friends.... aside from OSU losing.

Our broken hearts might last a little while :(

Sara

UNCLE!!

I feel that after being in back in the US our family overdid the holidays! I completely underestimated the gauntlet of Fall to Winter festivities.

Halloween invoked the inner child for both parents and Isabelle followed along. Isabelle tasted her first Reese's and Kit Kat while experiencing another first- sugar comma and hangover. At the current moment leftover candy fills bowls spread throughout the house because I can't stand to look at it anymore. Nate and I actually dressed up and attended a HOUSE party with a KEG (The 20's called and asked for their party back) and let's just say next year will be PG with a set bedtime.

Thanksgiving brought on family and lots of food and alcohol. It was the first Thanksgiving I have ever hosted and cooked for. The cooking part didn't stress me out but the fact that we invited family over for dinner without having a kitchen table or the house ready gave me the stress! I will make some changes for the next time and provide more snacks for between meals and maybe some other things like have matching plates or a fancy serving dish. I do have to say that I learned that homemade cranberry sauce tastes so much better than the blob that comes out of a can!

Christmas. What can I say about Christmas. It was wonderful and painful wrapped up in a pretty package. Belle has reached the age of understanding presents, Santa, baby Jesus birthday, and reindeer. The excitement spread across her face everyday and I loved the innocent bliss. We spread out the festivities over a week span and by the end of the week we were naming 15 candy bars and screaming uncle. In one week we had 7 commitments, Nate traveled for work, Nate got a stomach bug, and to top it off Nate sliced open his finger while opening the last present for Belle on the last day of our trip.

As of today we are almost back to normal although our house would tell you otherwise. People keep asking what we are doing tonight and my response is, "what's tonight?". New Years happens to be just another day for us even though we have an invitation from our neighbors for a small get together.

Let the healing continue.

Sara

Summary

This pictures pretty much sum up the past few days :)

We travelled to Tulsa in Nates truck where the temps dropped from 70 to 30!

Christmas early with Nates family. Tons of laughter and tears from the toddlers! They love each other but can't stand each other at the same time. Family.

Nate sleeping while the fire keeps us warm. Fingers crossed the ice doesn't make us loose power.

Ice on Nates truck brings the fear we might be iced in Tulsa for the holiday. Trapped like rats in the cold!!

Bring it holidays. We are prepared!

Sara

Warm Days

Such nice weather in Texas brought us to the zoo one last time before the new year! I swear that we find something new each time we go and new memories are made :)

This time definitely had to be the snake that the kids got to touch! It was really soft and very tame. The woman that was working with the snake reminded the girls that even girls can wok with reptiles. I find this such a positive message when raising a girl today. If I can raise Belle to be strong and not let society define her fears then I will be one happy momma!

Of course all she talked about the rest of the day was the snake and how soft it felt. Maybe we should get a snake instead of a dog? Haha just kidding. No pets for us just yet ;)

Sara