Spelunking

Ok, not exactly, but it's a dream I've always had. Beth, the cave explorer! Just before Christmas, we took Julian to Bluff Dweller's cave in Missouri (the state of caves, fyi) just north of my parent's home in NW Arkansas. This is what we uncovered (ok, ok. Let a girl dream!):

These are views looking back from where we walked in, and a bit up so you can see just how big this place is!



This is a spring that I zoomed in on, and it goes back further than I would ever want to go!
Isn't God cool?

Celebrating Family

It was Isaac's weekend to celebrate all of his accomplishments, but it was also time to celebrate family. We live far from Isaac's family, so we squeeze in a lot of special moments in our short time together.

After the graduation festivities, we headed to the Galleria on Saturday for a bit of ice skating and window shopping (because that's all the shopping this gal can do at the Galleria! No one was paying attention when Elia and I busted on the ice (hence no picture, ha!) but I did walk around the 4 story mall with my jeans soaking wet for the rest of the afternoon! We had a great time.

Elia is not sure about this.
You can imagine mom's back was SORE after this day!

This was Claudia's first try on the ice, and she did great!

A Day to Celebrate

This past weekend, Isaac received his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement. His mom, sister, and neice came to celebrate with us! After walking the stage, our family met with beloved friends who have supported Isaac through this journey.

Isaac's neice, Alexa, and his sister, Claudia

Wendi and Richard

Coby and Kelly

Marla and Ross

My mom and dad

It doesn't stop here, and there are more hurdles to jump, but I could not be more proud of him. He's worked full-time, been a dad full-time, and a loving spouse full-time...all while juggling his course work. Congratulations, Isaac...I love you!

Let the festivities begin!

This past weekend I went to an annual cookie swap. It's really a nice start to the month-long Christmas festivities! I was pooped this year, so opted for peppermint bark as my contribution.

But then at the last minute I discovered this incredible mint and toasted almond (crack) candy. WOW! I decided to make it as a hostess gift, but really I just wanted to keep eating it at her house! See, a gift that keeps on giving (to my belly!).

We had a really nice time, and brought home a few brilliant sweets to put under our pillow (I'm not sure what that means, but it was in Steel Magnolia's so I figure it's relevant).

Someone's little hand moved in for a steal just as I was taking this shot! Classic.

I conquered the roll!

Well, I may never make one again, but this Thanksgiving I threw on the ole apron (not really) and made my first pumpkin roll! From scratch! No joke.

It's so yummy, I may have to through it out tomorrow to keep me from eating the entire thing.

No really, I've almost eaten the entire thing myself. I also made an apple dump cake! Couple that with a little Blue Bell, and suddenly you have heaven on earth. We sure had a nice Thanksgiving at my parent's house today.

I hope you had a wonderful day as well. Happy Thanksgiving!

Look at that swirl. Just like a pro.

Elia discovered her new love for powdered sugar!

Nana told her it was snow. And she believed her!

There's the apple dump cake on the right. Nana's pecan pie is there, too.
Can't say it's there now, though!
You can imagine Elia was zipping around the house after her time at the dessert table!

So Very Thankful For Days Like This

This was by far one of the BEST spontaneous trips we've taken yet. Elia purchased Christmas coloring books and donated them to the Children's Medical Center.

She totally understands that some children will be in the hospital for the holidays and said this was going to "cheer them up". I sure hope so.

(Please don't submit the Sainthood application yet...my 3 year old wanted to make sure that we didn't donate her glitter that she'd just purchased along with the coloring books! I mean a girl has to draw the line somewhere!)

The hospital has an impressive two story train exhibit that you can tour for free!

This hospital is most impressive in both presentation and the care they provide.

There's even a waterfall!

Back in the car for more adventures in Dallas. We stumbled upon the BEST Mexican restaurant on Main Street and stopped for lunch.

This is 1/2 of my $8 lunch STEAL (Scarfed down half the grilled veggie wrap and tortilla soup before I remembered to take a picture!)!

Next stop, the original Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas for a look at their annual Christmas window display. It's a 'cosmic' Christmas at Neiman's this year! I'm not sure what this look is on Elia's face, but it looks oddly familiar (um, like a look I can give!!)!!

Is this not the picture of child-like innocence at Christmas?

Even I can get a bit overwhelmed at all there is to see here!

This year's Neiman Marcus Tree? A Rocket Ship, of course.

Oh yes we sure did buy one of the best cookies on the planet! The was seconds before I grabbed the sucker out of her hand in time for her to CRASH for the ride home. She was worn out.

What perfect day isn't complete without a trip to a new park in town?
What a fantastic, spontaneous, memorable day.
I'm truly thankful.

Elia's Thanksgiving Center Piece

Well, the Christmas decor is forced upon us so early again this year in every store you enter. But Thanksgiving is one of my all-time favorite holidays. So we are waiting (although my restraint is difficult!) to put up our Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving.

Elia helped create our Thanksgiving center piece this year. She chose a few fall leaves (yes, 80% off at Hobby Lobby, thank you very much) and then put her glitter-painted oak leaves she (stole) found in Nana and Poppy's yard in Bella Vista. They are huge, and her glitter actually makes them even more festive!

The artist hard at work (obviously after a bath, and yes, we wear boy pj's. So what?!)

The finished piece of art. This leaf is as big as Elia's face!! They are huge!

This is an antique German dough bowl my mom and I found at a 6 county-wide antique/flea market sale one year!

We've always collected the twine and wooden decorative balls, so we just embellished what we already had. Does that mean we're "going green"???

The large oak leaves are the real ones that Elia painted. She had so much fun!

In Loving Memory of the Best Dog in the World

Sweet Big

She was a member of our family!

Most of the time she just wanted to be left alone so she could sleep!

12 years of unconditional love. I love you, miss you, and want to hug you just one last time. You were by my side during the good, the bad, and the ugly. You were a constant in my life.

You were pure love.

You talked to us in the scruffy voice that I can almost hear now. You sprawled out on my clean carpet and rolled around to scratch your back. You slept with one paw straight up in the air! You tolerated change, but let me know you were displeased with your grunts and your moans. Oh to hear those just once more. You loved cheese, and snapping your teeth at the water from the water hose. You didn't like to get your feet wet...or dirty.

You just wanted to be near us, and be loved. And love in return.

You were wonderful and I love you so much.

Carving the Pumpkin

Elia got to select the face for our pumkin. After convincing her that daddy was NOT going to carve the spider web (it would have taken HOURS), she chose a happy face.

It was hard at first to be patient while daddy began carving...

but literally 1 second later, she's laughing! Oh the life of a toddler.

This is very serious business.

Elia thought she needed to add scotch tape, for special effects!

We turned his frown, upside down and now he's a happy pumpkin!
And here's the collection of pumpkins in our home!

Happy Fall!