Thirty something...

Yesterday, I turned 38 years old.  It was a great day.  The weather was beautiful, I got to sleep in, my friend Lynne brought me flowers...

Aren't they beautiful!  Thank you Lynne!  They're my favorite colors and I loved seeing you today. 

I received this...

...in the mail from my good friend Donna.  I love it!  It's perfect.  You really didn't need to do that.  Thank you so much!  I miss you.

 I feel so lucky to have such wonderful friends.

I had a very relaxing day and a fun evening...we went to dinner at Chuy's and then to the Miranda Lambert concert with some of our favorite people...

~ Gary, Laurie, Halli, & Dave ~

It was a blast!  Thank you so much for making my birthday special.  You're the best and we are so grateful to have you in our lives.  We couldn't ask for better friends.  Y'all rock!

We thought the concert was fantastic and the company even better! 

Randy Rogers and Justin Moore opened for her...

 and Miranda  put on a great show!

 Even though it was late when we got home, the kids were still up so we opened presents...

 Lauren wrote me a poem...

Taylor drew me a picture...

And Dave got me a Kindle... 

 Yippee!  :)

Taylor made me a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (my favorite)...

It was goooooooood. 

The kids didn't think I could only leave one candle burning but I proved them wrong...

Yep, just one boyfriend for me...and he's a keeper!  ;)   Thanks Dave for everything you do for me and our family.  I love you!

A Poem about Carter

Last week I met my friend, Darlene, for lunch.  She brought with her a poem that her son, Miles, had written for a school assignment...

________________________________________________________

Carter

Carter is a joy to be around.  He is as skinny as a pencil, and as big as sugar.

Carter would never lie to you.  Carter is worth a lot more than money to me, even a trillion dollars.

He smells like kindness always.  He sort of likes Call of Duty, but he really likes to play sports games.

He likes to go outside and play football and basketball.

________________________________________________________



Isn't that the sweetest thing ever?  I cried a little when I read it. 

Way Back Wednesday!

~ Taylor (2 1/2 yrs.) & Carter (9 months) ~

~ 1999 ~

Carter's Slumber Party

Last Friday, I picked Carter & his friends...

~Carter, Justin, Chris, Sam, & Brock~

up from school and took them to Austin's Park & Pizza.  Carter wanted to go there because of the go-karts, which he loves!

And of course, the arcade...

 I loved it because they have unlimited pizza and drinks so I didn't have to worry about dinner!  :)  We stayed until they closed at 10:00 p.m. then headed back to our house for ice cream cake...

After which they wanted to play a little football...

 At midnight we made them come inside to settle down for the night.  Evidently, they finally fell asleep around 2:30 a.m. but were up by 7:30 a.m. ready to play more football!  It was fun, but I'm glad it's over! :)

Carter...

*he's funny

*he's perceptive

*he is active

*he loves to play basketball

*he is super social

*he is neat

*he is organized

*he's easy going

*he's sensitive

*he has a special bond with his Grandpa

*he likes to ask stupid questions

*he's thoughtful

*he does not like to read

*he wants to quit piano

*he's goofy

*he is kind

*he works hard

*he wants to be an FBI Agent when he grows up

*he is always happy to help out

*he is personable

*he is polite

*he's charming

*he has a great sense of humor

*he's athletic

*he has a low pain tolerance :)

*he is honest

*he's a good friend

*he takes good care of his stuff

*he is slow to anger

*he is quick to laugh

*he's caring

*he is a rule follower

*he's a mini Grandpa McDougall :)

*he loves soda

*he is a sports fanatic

*he has an amazing memory

*he's a boy scout

*he loves hamburgers

*he's smart

*he's happy

*he's covered in freckles

*he is thirteen years old today!

*he's growing up way too fast

I love him more than he'll ever know.

Taylor's First Dance

Saturday night was the High School Home Coming Dance.  Taylor went with friends.  She got asked but she told him she wasn't allowed to date until she was 16.  She said she was glad we have that rule because she didn't even really know him and that would have been "so awkward."   

She went to her friend, Rachel's, house for dinner and then they all got ready together.  Dave & I went over to take pictures.  They looked gorgeous...

~Taylor, Marissa, & Rachel~

don't you think?

Taylor's Slumber Party

On Friday, Lauren...

& I decorated the van...

  then we headed to pick up Taylor & her friends from school. 

They played rock band... 

ate fettuccine alfredo, salad, & bread sticks for dinner...

  and ice cream cake for dessert!

We headed to see The Lion King in 3D.  I was surprised that's what they wanted to see but everyone loved it.  Lauren leaned over and asked me if I'd ever seen it before?  Ha-Ha!  Only like 200 times my dear!  :)

They turned their 3D glasses into nerd glasses...

I'm not sure what time they all went to sleep but they were quiet so the rest of us actually got some sleep.  :)  I had to wake them up at 10:30 a.m. for breakfast.  Taylor opened her presents...

and then they all headed home.  It was fun!

Taylor...

*she's persistent

*she's brave

*she's outgoing
*she is committed

*she loves to play the piano

*she's creative

*she thinks outside the box

*she "marches to the beat of her own drum"

*she's smart
*she thinks she's a good singer  :)

*she is kind

*she's loyal
*she is artsy

*she has a sweet tooth

*she's a milky way hoarder

*she loves animals

*she's a dreamer

*she loves to read

*she is responsible

*she's quirky
*she's passionate

*she has a sense of humor like her dad

*she's unique
*she's tough

*she wants to be a lot of different things when she grows up

*she is a night owl

*she has a special bond with her sister
*she is a leader

*she's friendly

*she is conscientious

*she's independent

*she's a saver
*she is messy

*she's not a drama queen

*she is a dare devil

*She's fifteen years old today!  I can't believe it.
*She's awesome!

I'm so thankful that she's mine.

Football season begins...

Carter had his first tackle football game Tuesday night.  They won 14 to 0.  He's #81.  I think they look so cute in all their gear.  He thinks they look "tough". 

He LOVES football and is thrilled to be a part of it...I love that about him.

Way Back Wednesday!

~ Lauren & her Grandpa Matheny in 2001 ~

Kefir Smothie...Yum!

 Another favorite around here is our Kefir smoothies.  I make Dave & I one after our workouts,  Taylor makes herself one every morning for breakfast, & Lauren & Carter love them as after school snacks.  They're a staple at our house.  They are healthy and easy. 

Here's what you'll need to make your own... 

1 cup plain Kefir

1 cup frozen fruit

1 TBSP Agave Nectar

Blend in blender until smooth.   I got the recipe from the 17 Day Diet book...yummy!

Garlicky Chicken Breasts

This...

is my favorite meal.  It's healthy, quick, easy, and delish!

Garlicky Chicken Breasts

1 envelope Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix (the powder)

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (the fancier the better)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Mix salad dressing mix and cheese in a pie pan.  Roll the chicken in the mix until well coated on both sides.  Place in baking pan and cook at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. 

I hope you try it and love it as much as I do!  :)  Happy Friday.