Wordless Wednesday (Pantry Raid!)

A Week of Thanks

Thanksgiving! A time for me to google things like, "how to doctor store-bought macaroni and cheese". A time for me to draw Burt Reynolds' face in desserts using chocolate shavings:

(Don't ask.)

A time for big family celebrations...

Thanksgiving, Shelton style.

...and a time for small family celebrations (picture my immediate family going out to dinner. It's how we do Thanksgiving and I love it. Also, picture Jensen chugging ranch dressing at The Keg, because apparently that's Thanksgiving, Jensen-style.).

It's a time for my mom to order us all to show up at her house for a family Christmas card picture, and a time to get at least one picture of all of us looking goofy:

But this year was also a time to give thanks for something new:

Some shiny new bling!

Okay, I'm not really thankful for this ring itself but I am quite thankful for what it represents...the fact that I am getting a new sister! (Or, as some would say, my brother is getting a wife.) Todd proposed to Tiffany on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and she of course said "Yes!". I am very honored that I got to help him with all the little steps along the way, from choosing the diamond to planning the perfect proposal. After the proposal, we all met at The Keg for a few celebratory drinks. Most of us knew that the proposal had taken place, but we decided to surprise Tiff's BFF Hilari:

I think she was surprised. And happy. As for Todd and Tiff, they were pretty much on cloud nine the entire night. Brian even commented that Tiff was "glowing" (and for a guy to notice that, you must be pretty darn radiant!).

I am so excited for both of them, although it's hard to believe that my little brother will soon be someone's husband. Shouldn't he still be playing with Micro Machines and Nerf guns and using all my hair conditioner to make "secret potions"? Shouldn't he still think girls have cooties instead of wanting to marry one? I guess he's officially all grown up...and I'm thankful not only for the person he's become, but also for the person with whom he's chosen to share his life. Congrats, Uncle Dot and Aunt Biff! We love you!

Seeing Double

Who says you can't dress your boy/girl twins alike?

I know one thing: Whoever it was wasn't the proud mommy of this little tomboy!

Actually, I know another thing: Charlotte comes by it honestly. I hated dressing up, fixing my hair, playing with dolls, and anything remotely girly. My little Bug tolerates bows okay, but she sure does love playing with balls and trucks.

 So naturally when I was shopping for new PJs, I gravitated towards the truck pair for both kiddos. Charlotte LOVES her truck PJs and likes to look down and examine the trucks on her arms, legs and tummy.

Aaand enough pictures. Commence mischief-making!

Day at the Museum

Over a year ago, the kiddos and I made our first trip to the Children's Museum. I think Charlotte and Jensen were fairly unimpressed:

So my mom, Auntie Tammy and I decided it was time to try it again. Our second trip to the museum was a bit more exciting than the first!

I love watching their little personalities as they take in a new place like the museum. Charlotte is such a serious observer of everyone around her and studies everything and everyone so carefully. Whereas she "talks" pretty much constantly at home, I don't think she said a word the entire time we were at the museum...she was just too busy observing. Jensen is so quick to adapt to a brand-new environment and he really picks up on things so quickly. He seemed a bit overwhelmed for a few seconds, then dove right into playing with all the fun stuff and other children.

Aside from Charlotte running full speed into a glass door (um, ouch) a good time was had by all! I definitely foresee many museum trips in our future...although I'm not sure it's a place I would tackle by myself just yet. Thank goodness for Grandma and Auntie Tammy. And Auntie Tammy's museum passes!

I Almost Forgot...

Sometimes, something cool happens that deserves a blog post...and I mean to write one. I really really do. Then, vacations happen and stomach viruses happen and life happens, and the fact that I never did a proper blog post is forgotten until I see a picture that sparks my memory. Here are a few recent happenings that should've definitely gotten some love on the blog but didn't...

1) Knox Turns Two!

Charlotte and Jensen's sweet cousin Knox turned two at the end of August. We went to a fun party at the Little Gym in Dallas:

Birthday Boy (aka Knoxasaurus)!

Such a brave girl (with Papaw's help of course).

Little wild man.

I'm going to go ahead and guesstimate that I spend about 60% of my life wearing this expression. It's my "What-you-are-doing-is-so-awesome-and-exciting-so-please-smile-for-mommy's-camera" face.

 2) Tita Turns 60!
Brian's dad threw his mom an amazing surprise 60th birthday party at the Four Seasons in Las Colinas. It was way too much fun!

Surprise!

Brian and his two gorgeous sisters.

I love my future sister! :)

I love my brother!

I love cake!

And apparently I also love Byron Nelson.

3) Girls' Trip 2011
 Fourth Annual Girls' Trip! This year we hit up the Westin La Cantera just outside San Antonio. It was peaceful, relaxing, fun, there was wine, and can I go back now please???

Pizza and live music al fresco.

Shopping, of course.

Two of the five of us girls were pregnant this year! (And no, one of them was NOT me!)

Love these girls. Even Kim for making us take all these pics!

4) I started...and actually FINISHED...a craft!
This shouldn't be a big deal, but sadly, to craft-challenged me, it is. Presenting my first Pinterest-inspired yarn wreath:

 5) Welcome, Baby Ellison!
My dear friends Chris and Cristi (whom I might have mentioned before had their first date in 9th grade at my house!) welcomed their precious baby girl in September.

Cute little pregnant Cristi at a wedding just a week before having baby Ellison. 

And here she is! Beautiful like her momma!

Charlotte and Jensen went to Ellison's house for a playdate last weekend and we all had lots of fun. Actually, while Jensen seemed to like little Ellison, Charlotte much preferred the Wrens' dog Allie. 

So there you have it...a few very important happenings that deserved a blog post of their own but will just have to share.

When Grandma & Grandpa Are Away...

Jasmine and Bear come to stay!

My parents spent last week visiting NYC, which means our household grew by two very large, furry members. Jensen and Charlotte absolutely love having Jazzy and Bear in our house, and I kind of like it too: There's really nothing like seeing a dog and a baby (er, toddler) being sweet to each other. 

The kiddos and doggies had lots of fun together. Charlotte and Jensen enjoyed emptying the contents of Mommy's swimsuit drawer onto Mr. Bear, who was a handsome and willing model:

One morning while playing outside, Jensen kept running into the street...thus earning himself a trip inside to time-out. I stuck him in the house, completely forgetting that Jazzy and Bear were inside. Usually when I put J in time-out inside, he will stand by the window and whine at Charlotte and me while we continue to play outside. This time, I noticed that Jensen was NOT standing by the window...so I looked inside to find this:

Jensen lying on top of Mr. Bear. Have I ever mentioned how very much I love this dog??

And it's also safe to say that the dogs most definitely did not go hungry while staying at our house...

The night my parents returned home, Brian took Jazzy and Bear to their house after the kids were already in bed. The next morning Charlotte and Jensen awoke to find no dogs...and it was very sad! They looked all around the house and the backyard and couldn't find them anywhere. My mom actually said the dogs seemed sad that day, too...I think all four of them were missing each other! It was definitely a ton of work having them here...almost like adding two kids to the family. But seeing the interaction and bonding that went on in just a few days made me even more convinced that every kiddo should grow up with a dog to love...and we will definitely add one to our family when the time is right.

Sweet Cheeks

Drama-O-Rama

I feel like I'm always saying how dramatic my little Charlie-Bug can be...yet it's hard to explain the type of drama she can bring; I just never seem to have the perfect example. But today, she gave me a pretty good one.

Charlotte hates getting her hands and faced wiped off...even a simple wipedown after a meal causes major shrieking. So, in addition to the usual reasons you hate when your kids are sick, I always really really hate when Charlotte has a cold...wiping her nose makes her simply furious. So today we were playing outside when I noticed we had a snot situation. Using the nearest wiping device (aka my hand; I know, ewww!) I wiped Charlie's little nose. As usual, the angry shrieks followed. But I guess I'm somewhat immune to just how loud her screams are, because I was surprised a few seconds later when my very concerned next-door neighbor came hurrying out his door.

Concerned Neighbor: "Is she okay? I heard screaming!"
Me: "Yes, she's okay. I just wiped her nose."
Concerned Neighbor (looking confused): "Oh...I thought someone was hurt!"
Me (embarrassment setting in): "Um, no...she just really doesn't like to get her nose wiped."
Concerned Neighbor (still looking confused): "Oh...okay."

In hindsight I should probably have said she fell down or something, because I don't know whether he actually believed that those screams were the result of me wiping her nose. I may or may not be getting a visit from CPS tomorrow.

At any rate, that's my little Bug. Disturbing the peace like it's her job. Anyways, here she is playing peekaboo in happier times: