My Birthday Part 2

My birthday was very fun.

First, me and Kaveri and Kylie made strawberry/ blueberry muffins.

They were yummy.

Then I took them to see Puss and Boots.

It wasn't it as bad as it looked.

Remember the blog I wrote about things I miss from the south?

Well, Derek read it and took me here:

A 45 minute drive to this little baby.

A small bbq place. The smoker outside was almost as big as the building.

There is no place to eat there so we brought it home.

ribs, brisket, coleslaw, macaroni, baked beans, and cheese grits!

All made from scratch.

I have eaten alot of bbq. From Texas and other places

while driving TX to PA.

I even eaten some in Atlanta.

But this was the BEST!

So moist and tender.

The sauce was so good, with a little kick.

Now on to the dessert. Derek wanted something special for me.

He found this little place that was voted Pittsburgh's # 1 dessert.

Banana cream.

Deep dish pecan.

Chocolate ganache coffee coke.

Coconut cream with macaroon crust.

Deep dish sourcream apple pie with candied walnuts.

Triple layer chocolate cake with chocolate chips.

All homemade.

My favorite was the sourcream apple with walnuts.

It was freakin' amazing.Words can't describe.

Then Derek topped it off with a head to toe massage:)

Now my out of state family also spoiled me.

So thank you to everyone for their

Emails, Cards, Gift cards, and Gifts!

I ordered some awesome stuff from

victoriasecret.com

They have a much better selection online than in the stores.

Plus with promo codes you get even more!

So thanks, thanks, thanks!

I had a great birthday!

Veteran's Day

I am very proud of my husband,

past and present.

He is a very strong man.

I greatly respect him.

 Things To Remember:

Our freedom isn't free!

All of our servicemen and women put their lives on the line.

If they return home, they have scars.

They don't join the military for

fame or money.

They are the bravest of us all.

So be THANKFUL.

Happpy Birthday to Me!!!!

Today is my birthday.

I am 28.

Things change as you get older.

You grow up.

Some things grow out.

And even some things grow down.....ladies.

I have four gray hairs. Maybe one for each of my girls.

I was recently measured, I have already begun the shrinking process.

At this rate by the time I'm 40 I'll need a booster seat to see over the steering wheel.

I have three moles that I didn't have when I was younger.

At this point, birthdays aren't that big of a deal.

Actually the first thing that comes to my mind being 28

is that my oldest daughter will be turning 10.

As I had her when I was all of 18.

Some things that haven't changed about me:

-my freckles

-I still love my hair color

-My big boobs

(even though they aren't were they used to be)

-I'm still funny

-I love photographs and taking them

-my favorite hobby is still scrapbooking

(ten years now)

I'm so thankful to have been born 28 years ago.

I could have been born to anyone.

God placed me in my mother's womb.

He has molded me into the woman I am.

Psalm 139:13-16          

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

So Happy Birthday to me.

Mini Pedi

The little girls love to have their fingers and toes painted.

The other day Kirstin got to go to a friends house and the girls were sad.

So I told them I would paint their toes.

It was MiKayla's first time. 

 She refused to be left out.

Needless to say she loved it!

I have been on a crafting roll so there will be lots of posts coming soon:)

Cute Craft :)

It all started when my gramma was visiting in August.

We went to eat at this sandwich shop that we really like.

Smallman's Deli.

We were sitting on the patio when I noticed their salt & pepper shakers.

They were recycled soda pop bottles.

I loved them. I even tried to convince Derek to take them.....

You know he refused.

Oh well,
I searched  around for some soda bottles that I liked.
I settled on some clear cream soda bottles.
I chose them b/c they were clear and didn't have sticker labels around them.
We drank them and the I washed them in the dishwasher.
Let them dry. Derek put holes in the twist caps.
Then I simply added the salt and pepper.
I did add some white rice to the salt.

Then I was left with the six pack holder they came in.
I googled covering one. This lady had a 'pattern' to help you cut paper according to size.
Well, I followed her pattern but the paper would not cover the whole thing.
I was getting frustrated. I even had Derek look at her pattern and then look at what I had cut.
He said I did follow her pattern but her pattern was just wrong : /
So we made our own.
I love it!

I added a little extra support to the bottom before covering it.

After I covered it with paper (that I heart)

I modge podged pretty much the whole thing.

It's like a seal.

Add embellishments.

I cut one of the inserts on the inside so I could fit napkins in there.

So cute. I'm really happy with the finished product.

I saved my patteren in case I ever make any more.

You could us this for a bbq. Easy way to tote stuff outside.

You can fit those mustard and ketchup squeeze bottle in there too.

Or forks and straws.

You could decorate it for a holiday - 4th of July- Bday party....

Also I saw a cute idea where a family made it for their dad on father's day.

They filled all 6 soda bottles- choc covered coffee beans- mm's- ect.

Endless possibilities.

The Score

We got so much candy that looking at it made me want to throw up.

People around here are not satisfied giving only one piece.

They have to give 2 or 3 or even little pre-made bags stuffed full for each kid.

Multiply that by three = way to much!

This was after Saturday night.

This amount was doubled on Monday.

We got apples, popcorn, drinks, mini pumpkins, and of course candy.

This is a picture of the full size candy.

Nuts right?

I separated it from fruity candy and chocolate.

It was so much. If you open my cabinet you would think

we are candy hoarders and you also run the risk of a

candy avalanche.

This fit on the floor, demonstrated by MiKayla, is how you know

the sugar is crashing and its time for bed.

On another note, me and the girls hit up the clearance halloween

section for next year.

It's crazy how much money you can save.

Our whole family will be dressing up.

Bet you can't guess what we'll be......

But if you do I will literally send you some of our halloween candy!

Trick or treat- We were sweet!

It was cold this year. Just a little.

Before we got to the costumes we had to bundle.

And I mean serious bundling.

First was the thick tights. Two pairs each for each little girl.

I wore one pair of leggings and on top of those I wore Derek's Army issue long johns.

They came up to my boobs!

Next Came two long sleeve shirt for each girl, including myself.

Then socks on top of tights. Then boots.

Now for the costumes.

Last year I shopped halloween clearance.

This is what I chose.

That's right. Sweet little angles.

We had a blast. We got sooooo many compliments.

Everyone we passed and every house we went to thought the family was so cute.

We went on Saturday and on Monday night.

We did not bump into any other angels.

We couldn't find Derek a costume :(

My favorite compliment of the night:

"your family is so beautiful, you guys are truly blessed" -random sweet lady

Kirstin was such a big girl walking the little ones up to the houses.

Kaveri and me were walking together when a lady lit up a cigarette.

"mom hurry that lady is smoking and it stinks!"

Kylie passing some scary dressed boys

" those guys are discussing!" (disgusting)

And if you know my girls they talk very loud which makes it even funnier.

Candy score coming next.......