Halloween Fun

We had SUCH a great Halloween this year... I don't remember enjoying it this much, except when I was a kid of course!

Addyson dressed up as Princess Belle(her all time favorite Disney Princess), and I even put a little blush and lipstick on her, she looked so pretty! Ryan was a little leery of that, but he needs to get used to it, he does have a house full of girls after all;-)

I made a pot of chili to make Frito Pies for the Trick-or-Treaters and candy giver-outers. It turned out really yummy. The Popes, minus Tanner, and Bud and LeeAnn came over to help join in the fun. Ryan, Derryk, LeeAnn and myself took Dawson, Hayden and Addyson around the neighborhood to collect as much loot as they possibly could, and Melanie and Bud stayed behind to give out the candy. I had all intentions of maybe taking Delaney around to see a few of our neighbors, but by 6:30 she just couldn't handle it and had to go to bed. I dressed her up, but that only made her more mad, so the ladybug costume quickly got taken off. She had a long day so I understood. There will be plenty of opportunities for her to Trick-or-Treat!

We were done by about 8:00, and that was plenty of time for the little ones; they got back to the house, dumped out their candy, and Dawson even laid down next to all of his, it was a funny sight.

We let Addyson pick out a few pieces of candy before it was bath time, not a girl after my own heart though, she's more like her Gramma and Dad, she chose the most sour pieces of candy in the bag. I say go for the CHOCOLATE! She was in bed after 10:00, so we'll see what happens as today progresses!

***And yet another milestone for Delaney, she took her very first step Halloween Day! YAY Delaney!***

Fall Parties and Fall Treats

Today at lunch Addyson and her classmates had their Fall Party. I was asked to sort of "head up" the thing(which stressed me out at first, but really, 4 year olds are easy to please). We brought in chicken nuggets for their lunch, they got to decorate sugar cookies, play a few Halloween games, and we gave them all treat bags. I think the party was a success, the kids seemed to have a great time.

After the party it was too much to go home then turn around to come get Addyson, so Delaney and I stayed and watched her and her friends play on the playground, I think she was pretty excited about that.

Once we got home I got rounded up my 2 special helpers(well, one of the helpers delegated duties from her highchair while eating chocolate goldfish crackers) and we decided to make our favorite Fall treat, caramel apples. We planned on making them last night, but nights don't really go all that well in our house, so doing it today was a much better idea. I think they turned out pretty yummy looking. Tonight we're having dinner over at the Katy house with Bud and LeeAnn and the Popes, so I'll be bringing the apples for dessert, hope everyone likes them!

A Blessing for Sweet Delaney Colleen

We finally got our little one blessed today, and what a sweet one it was. I was really emotional during the blessing(as usual!), but it was a neat one...I can't wait to tell Delaney about it when she's older.

We had my Mom and Dad, the Lahiere's, the Popes, and Bud and LeeAnn join us for the occasion. My wonderful husband said he wanted take as much stress off of me as he could by taking care of the entire dinner for me(whew!!). He went and got Carinos for all of us for dinner, and we had a yummy cake for dessert. It was great food, and we had even better company.

Thanks to all who made this day extra special for our little family!

Surprise Haircut

The other day I noticed a wad of hair on the couch. I thought to myself, "Great, Addyson cut yet another doll's hair" I got distracted with something else(imagine that!) so I never went back to clean it up. Later that night Ryan noticed it and asked Addyson where it was from. She got real quiet and said, "It's my hair" WHAT?! I guess she thought she needed a bang trim or something(her hair is all one length). It's a fairly noticeable chunk of hair missing from the right side of her face. I love her hair so I was really sad to see some of it missing! Silly girl...

On a different note, my little 7 year old nephew, Jack, had to have unexpected surgery tonight so he's really been in my thoughts and prayers for the past few hours. I'm waiting for a call or email from my Mom to let me know how he's doing, but I haven't heard anything yet. No news is good news, right?

A "New" Table

We've been searching for the perfect dining room table since we moved to our house over a year ago. We looked several places and nothing stood out to us, so we sort of put it off and the dining room ended up being a makeshift play area for the girls.

A few weeks ago Ryan came home with a beautiful table that used to be in the Carino's in Lake Jackson. He unloaded it off his truck and I couldn't believe it, it was the perfect table that we were searching for! The color was was wrong, but Ryan said he'd sand then stain it. It's been a weekend project for the past few weeks and now it's finally finished! I took a few before and after pics to show how far the table has come, Ryan did an awesome job, thanks Ryan!!!

Now we just need to find a rug to go underneath it, a hutch, and some chairs that we love to go with it, no small task I'm afraid!

MPJH Carnival and The Houston Zoo Boo

Got a call Friday afternoon late from Melanie, she invited us to come to Tanner and Derryk's school carnival. I thought it was a great idea; the weather was really nice, and I thought the girls would enjoy the sights and the food. We had lots of fun!!

Yesterday morning just after everyone ate breakfast we loaded up and went to the annual Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo. It's so much fun, but each year more and more people learn about it so this year it was PACKED. We got their just before the crowds came so it wasn't too bad. Addyson picked some pumpkins for her and Delaney and she decorated them, we went Trick-or-Treating, and she colored some giraffe and lion masks. We had some great weather yesterday too so it was awesome being outside.

We're all kind of taking it easy today because it's been a big weekend so far. Not looking forward to Ryan being out of town for 3 days this week, but we're all anxious for Bud and LeeAnn's arrival on Friday; Delaney and I haven't seen them since January so I'm ready to get in a good visit with them. Can't wait to see them!

Now it's off to cheer for our favorite football team, GO TEXANS!

***I was a little freaked out by the "pumpkin head" person at the zoo, could you tell? I didn't want to stand all that close to him/her, but I was surprised that Addyson did!

Miss Baby Legs Delaney

Just about the time Addyson got into the toddler-almost-pre-schooler age I discovered these adorable things called Baby Legs(http://www.babylegs.net/,they're leg warmers for babies). I figured she was getting too big for them so I never got her pair, but then I got to have another little girl so I had to get her a few pairs of them. I ordered them just after Delaney was born, and in typical Heather fashion I forgot I had them until just this morning. Really, I would forget what day it was if my computer didn't remind me each day, I have a horrible memory, just ask Ryan and my Mom. Anyway, there was a bit of a chill in the air this morning so I thought I'd put the Baby Legs on little Lane for her to try out. Oh my gosh, CUTE! I got the camera out and got a few shots of her just before she and I went to the grocery store.

Speaking of Delaney, I'm really enjoy the time I have with her while big sister Addyson is at school on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I forgot what it was like to have a child that doesn't talk and can't ask questions every 45 seconds;-) I just put her in her car seat and she'll go where ever I want to take her. She's such a good baby, and I really love the heck out of being her Mom, she is a true joy.

I'm also making dinner tonight, Ryan and Addyson will be in shock! It's rare for me to make dinner because since Addyson is such a picky eater I don't bother too often, and because Ryan works in a restaurant he tastes things all day and by the time he gets home he's not all that hungry(I'm very blessed in the not having to make dinner department every night, I know)

And for some reason when it gets even the tiniest bit cold I want to pull out my crock pot, I just love that thing, what a wonderful invention for Moms...

Here's what's on the menu at the Johnson House this evening;

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Mix all ingredients together, place in crock pot, and cook for six hours on low.
When chicken is cooked, remove meat, shred, and add sauce to taste.
Serve on buns or over hot rice.

Honey Glazed Carrots
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 Tablespoons butter

4 Cups thinly sliced and peeled carrots

Salt and Pepper

2 Tablespoons honey.

Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, a pinch of salt, pepper and the honey. Stir and let cook for 10-12 minutes, or until softened to your liking. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

I'm sure it will all turn out yummy, you really can't mess up anything in the crock pot, right???

**The chicken turned out really good(Addyson actually ate it, shocker!). I added 1 more TBSP of honey to the carrots, that made them extra good...

Childless in San Antonio

This past weekend I attended the wedding of my "little" cousin Alli in San Antonio. Ryan and I were both invited, but since we weren't going to bring the kids and we didn't have anyone to watch them, I went to the wedding alone.

Brandy and I drive up to SA on Friday afternoon and saw a few sights before the wedding Saturday night. It was held at The Buckhorn Museum, not a place you'd expect a wedding to be held(http://www.buckhornmuseum.com/), but it turned out to be a beautiful ceremony and reception. Alli was SUCH a beautiful bride! Put any girl in a wedding dress and I think she looks great, but Alli did it with such a grace and elegance about her.

I got to see lots of people I hadn't seen in years so it was fun to catch up with everyone. I can tell I'm really not the young person I used to be; we stayed at the reception until after midnight and I'm so wiped out today. I can't handle that stuff anymore! It was worth it though.

I was glad to get back to my little family today, and I think Ryan was happy to see me;) He looked a little beat down, but he said he and the girls had a good time while I was gone. He took them to the zoo yesterday, and today when I walked in the front door there was no one to be found. Ryan's truck was in the driveway, but I didn't see anyone in the house. I started getting nervous, but about that time I heard him and the girls walk in, they went on a walk, whew!

It's back to reality now that I'm back home, but it was such a fun weekend and I'm glad I had the chance to go!

***The cactus you see in the pics were the grooms cakes! They were so yummy...And, if you could see Alli's new husband in person, you'd agree with me that he is Clint Black's twin, no kidding.

Writing and *almost* Walking

Last night I looked at the time and it was already 7:00, Addyson hadn't eaten dinner, I hadn't bathed her, we just had a lot going on and time got away from us. After I started dinner she kept asking me for a marker and a piece of paper so I finally gave them to her. She said, "Mom, can I write my name?" "Sure", I say, not realizing that she was really going to do it. A few minutes later she says, "Here Mom, I wrote my name!" I glanced at the piece of paper then put it down so I could fix her plate. Later I looked again and noticed that she really wrote her name, I was a proud Mom! No one(to my knowledge)has taught her to do this so I was really impressed. She can write most of her letters, so I thought this was pretty neat!

Also, little Lane was so close to taking her first steps yesterday! She was holding on to the toy basket when she spotted me holding a bottle for her. She saw it and stepped away from the basket and almost walked to me to get it. I was so excited that I think that's why she fell on her bum, I must have scared her;) I'm not a real big fan of crawling, I'd rather my kids skip that and start walking, it makes things MUCH easier!

Yay for my big girls:-)

Cupcakes!

So I've started this thing with Addyson(and probably not the greatest idea I've had, but oh well). Almost every time Delaney and I pick her up from school we bring her some sort of a surprise. It could be a new book, her favorite butterfly cookie from the Toll House place, some stickers, etc. Like I said, not my greatest idea, but I can't help it. I must have gotten this "thing" from my Mom because she used to have fun treats waiting for my sisters and me after school.

Today the surprise was a cupcake waiting for her at home. There's this really yummy dessert place near our house that makes these huge cupcakes with loads of icing on top. I brought home 2; a S'mores cupcake, and a Peanut butter and Chocolate cupcake. I took some pictures of our treats after Addyson tore into them, guess I can't blame her for not wanting to wait for me to help her;) They were way too big for us to finish, so we'll save them for later.

Yesterday was gymnastics and my Mom said she wanted to see Addyson in action, so she came out and we had a fun day with her.

I took a pic of the way Ryan fixed Addyson's hair, I thought he did a pretty good job!