Phone Dump Friday

Time for a catch up miscellaneous post, right? Something to bore you to death or make you want to scratch your eyes out? Ha ha. Read on, if you're up to it.

I made Taryn a Christmas outfit a few weeks ago. I still need to make her a Christmas dress... if I find the time.

We completed our Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. This is a highlight of the Christmas season and a great way to inspire the giving spirit. We watched a few videos on OCC's website to help the kids understand why were doing the shoe boxes.
 

I got a new driver's license.... 35 lb weight difference between them... a little bit of a change.

Cayson went to his buddy, Britton's, birthday party at the fire station. He had a blast! They even went on fire truck rides.

I made these Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Brownies for Thanksgiving... sinful, I know! Thankfully, there weren't many left over so we didn't bring much of that sinfulness home with us.
Note: I used regular peanut butter cups instead of the recommended white chocolate ones... using what I had on hand. :)

I celebrated my 30th birthday... again. Last year's birthday was quite rough as we lost my grandpa the day before. This year, Dusty made up for it... with lots of sugar! Donuts, a cookie cake and cupcakes from the Sweetness Factory. Yum!

I had to laugh at his wrapping job.... just tape squares of paper to the top and bottom. Ha ha.

The kids got me this little beauty. You can order your very own here. There are lots of options as far as colors go! I love, love, love mine!

The kids decorated Christmas cookies last weekend with my aunt Beth who was visiting from Illinois. They were quite proud of their creations.

Little diva ready for church... 

Does this picture need an explanation? Can you really believe that Target sells these... for women? Oh.my.word.save.me.

This sweet guy got our house decorated for Christmas. We are all lit up!

Goober

Christmas card photo, you think? Ha ha. We were easily amused by the pop display's photo background at W@lmart. Lame=us

This miss must be going through a growth spurt. She is eating like CRAZY. She was still eating after all of us had finished, cleaned up the kitchen, etc. Still chowing away. She's been eating two bowls of cereal and two bananas for breakfast. This particular morning, she had 3 helpings of eggs, 2 helpings of grits, and 2 pieces of bacon. And she complained of being hungry 30 minutes later! I'm telling you, I need financial aid to feed our kids.

Dusty & I enjoyed a date night to an OKC Thunder game. Those games are seriously so much fun! It was also nice to get away - just the two of us. We don't get to do that often.

A little Christmas vignette in my dining room. I love these vintage looking sparkly Christmas tree I found at Target's Dollar Spot a few years ago. I have several that I place throughout the house.

I found some of my grandparents' vintage ornaments... love them! I can't wait to have room for more trees where I can have a vintage one filled with these!

 Speaking of, we got our tree up and decorated the day after Thanksgiving. Taryn immediately asked for her presents. She insisted that she should now open them now along with her birthday presents. Girl's got a ways to wait!

 
Merry Christmas season!!!

Friday Foto Dump

Phone dump time! Here are a few pictures from the past week or so!

We had a late night silly string and bubble blowing party. The kids thought it was great - pajamas and all!

Last Friday, the kids and I finally got to go visit Dusty's office. The kids weren't content with the Facetime tour and wanted to see where Daddy works. It's not exactly the most kid-friendly place seeing as it houses sixteen 16-18 year old delinquent males, you know? I snapped this picture of Dusty's hutch covered in the kids' artwork that they send with him to work. So sweet!

This girl, these sunglasses, the vest. Love her!

My grandma turned 82 last Saturday! We had a fun little celebration for her. :) Isn't she cute?

I've been spending as much time as I can helping my sister paint at her fixer-upper... you know, since she's 8 months pregnant, living in a one room pool house and has a massive house to get baby ready! Little by little, we're getting the rooms painted! The kids have been spending their nap times at my mom's so that I can get in a few hours at a time painting away.

Taryn is always the mothering type... she was insistent on ushering her friend to Sunday School last Sunday. They were so cute.

Dusty and I are enjoying our little toddler Sunday School class. The kids got horse rides from Dusty last Sunday. 

This sweetie pie was so obsessed with the self portrait camera on my phone... like totally obsessed.

Shelby-girl came to play with us too! Love her stylin' necklace. :)

I went to get Taryn up from her nap and found her in a self made pallet on the floor. Stinker.

Cayson was ecstatic to get to go deer hunting with Dusty and Papa last weekend. He thought he was sooo big and was excited that they saw several deer though they didn't actually get one.... which I'm fine with.

After much trial and error, I finally made a zippered pillow cover for this floor pillow. I picked up the oversized pillow insert for only a $1 at a friend's garage sale and it's been sitting around our house for a year or two... seriously, I'm the worst procrastinator! I used a dropcloth for the fabric.

I also made this envelope pillow cover for another pillow insert I had. I love the "Ode to Oklahoma." I think we are lucky to have such a unique state shape! It's so recognizable and definitely not boring.

Taryn got out "a few" books for me to read before bed....

When we went to the city, I was able to stop by Whole Foods for the first time! I was mesmerized by their gorgeous fresh flowers! I felt forced to buy myself a beautiful bouquet.

Loved this Verse of the Day from Air1 on Wednesday (the day after the election). Isn't it true? We must use God's weapons.... not worldy weapons.

Cayson was helping Taryn on the tricycle the other day... love how helpful he can be! They were having a blast riding circles together.

Dusty let Taryn drive the police car solo and I must say I was thinking fast-forward to a crazy driving 16 year old Taryn. It was not pretty! Lots of near misses as she drove crazily around.

Today we made our thankful hand turkeys. It was sweet to hear what the kids were thankful for! Cayson has to include "seeing the cheetah at the zoo" on his. The cheetah that you have to walk to the very furthest point at the zoo to see, fyi.

Have a wonderful Friday and a fantastic weekend, all!

Photo Dump Friday

Why not have a photo dump Friday? I meant to do a Friday Favorites but ran out of time. I'm a little behind on everything with planning for VBS next week and my parents' 40th anniversary part-ay.

We really had a fun week! It seemed busy! We have had a little visitor a couple days a week so life is interesting... practicing with 3 kiddos. Ha ha. Not really... just kidding. Seriously. It does make things a little more hectic.

Taryn came up with a new way to ride in the shopping cart. She loves buckles and is constantly buckling things. Safety, first!



The kids pretty much adore Baby B. Love, love, love her... the poor girl gets constantly harassed when she is over!

I took the kids for donuts last Saturday as a post-garage saling treat. Cayson was thrilled that he got a raspberry filled one.

Here is a find from last weekend's garage saling which has a God thing back story! I bought Cayson a gumball machine last year at a garage sale per his request. A month or so ago, Taryn somehow reached up on the high shelf and broke it. :( (Sidenote: I did find out we can order a new glass) Last Saturday morning, Cayson asked me if we would find a gumball machine at a garage sale. Of course, I did not expect to find one but what do you know? We found one!!! On a stand even! $10 for a very happy boy. God definitely provided this gumball machine.

Taryn loves riding with Cayson in his car. She throws her head back as he speeds around. It's quite the site. Apparently, she loves the wind blowing her hair.

We did a little swimming... the water is still freezing! Taryn was not interested in getting into the water... she just wanted to wear a swimsuit. I'm thinking she's close to reaching diva status. Please help us.... anybody?

We also found a couple of strays... a terrapin and adorable kitten! The turtle was released in the backyard to never be spotted again. The kitten (named Black Fellow by Cayson. Totally politically correct, right?) has found a new home too! 

She's just cute.... to me.

Memorial Day service

Classic

We got our first snowcones of the season despite wind and rain!

We also ate lakeside in OKC Friday... it was my brilliant idea. It ended up being freezing cold... on June 1. Who would have thought I'd be shivering as we ate out on a patio? Crazy Oklahoma weather!

The kids asked to do a photobooth at the mall. Our first response was, "maybe next time." Then, we realized we should do it! Who cares about "next time." It was fun!

Orange Leaf has been Dusty & my secret pleasure when we are kid-free in the city... today, we shared it with the kids. Taryn ate her pink yogurt along with Cayson's blue yogurt. I'd say she was a BIG fan!

Big leaguer, Cayson, had his first t-ball game tonight. He had a blast! I am happy to report, he had successful at-bats! Yay!

Our flower beds and garden are finally completely planted, I think. I got this Endless Summer Hydrangea and Butterfly Bush last weekend for half off. I've always wanted an Endless Summer so I'm stoked about that. We have a few cherry tomatoes that are nearly ready for the picking and have already picked a few peppers with more coming. This year, we are trying strawberries and okra for the first time.