Cowtown Getaway

Several months ago, Todd's company was holding a charity auction. Todd bid and won a weekend in Ft. Worth - dinner, a show, and an overnight stay at some hotel. We'll we finally decided to go this past weekend. We wanted to go earlier but I didn't like any of the shows playing at the performance hall. It was so nice to leave the girls in capable hand (a college student home for a little while) and take off for 18 hours.

Now everything we did was set up by the guy who put up the item for bid so we had no say in anything except the show. Dinner was at a restaurant that serves things like rabbit and rattlesnake sausage, kangaroo nachos. It was owned and run by an Iron Chef winner and Todd and I were unsure what we were going to order, it was a place that neither of us probably would have picked on our own. I'm glad we were a little adventurous because it was yummy. The cooks all wore stetsons and it had a very cowboy-ish feel in the restaurant. It was nice to try something a little different - we did try the kangaroo nachos, wild boar ribs and then I did a wagyu skirt steak-very yummy!

Next it was off to the show - The Ten Tenors. Neither of us had heard about them before but it was the only thing interesting showing before April so that's what we picked. Our seats were on the front row. I could see every facial movement, all the spit flying, and they even looked directly at us to sing. It was an enjoyable show but I think we were some of the only people under 35 there. The first song they opened up with is "O Fortuna" -great song but I once saw this on misheard words and I'm smirking as they are singing. Their Bohemian Rhapsody was lots of fun too.

The decor

Our hotel was built in 1907 and very western! It was right off where they do the cattle drives everyday. We stayed in the Outlaw Room, had the pull string toilet that sounded like some monster that was going to suck you in any time you pulled the string. I was thinking it was going to be so nice to sleep in, no kids, and what do you know, 6:45 AM and I'm up and can't get back to sleep so back home we went. It was a nice short weekend getaway.

The Main Lobby

Divide and Conquer

Soccer season has begun. Now we have two daughters playing and for the first few games, their games overlap at different fields.

Today was Kaitlyn's very first soccer game and she scored the teams first 2 goals! She was so happy and said it was the best part of the game. It sure is funny watching these 4 year old girls play.

Lucky #13 getting tips from the coach.

GOAL!!!

Todd took Olivia and Abby to Abby's game. Abby also scored 2 goals in her game and was thrilled about that. Abby is still on the original team she started with 2 years ago - this is their 5th season together and to see their progress is amazing. Their coach is really fabulous and all the girls get along great.

Kaitlyn was on her way to shoot a goal and one of her teammates decides to "help" her out. Classic.

book reviews

25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and how to Avoid Them by Randal A. Wright. I borrowed this book from a friend of mine almost a year ago - sorry Wendy! I knew the author and his son and wanted to read it. I started off strong. Even wrote a few notes down but then I started to get burned out halfway through reading. I don't know if it's because it was non-fiction, the book or a little of both. Anyway, I finally finished it and I liked a majority of what he said. Each chapter was an area that parents make mistakes in such as television, music, parental example, discipline, friends, communication, dating, etc. He used great quotes from prophets and scriptures that I liked and had some research data to prove points. What I didn't like was that he had so many personal/example stories for every scenario. I felt that it was a little much. However, after reading the book, it just reaffirms and supports that what we hear from our church leaders at General Conference (want to know more click here), the guidelines from "The Strength of Youth" and even the Primary's "My Gospel Standards", are really what we need to follow and adhere to. Overall I give the book 3 out of 5 stars.

Can You See What I See? by Walter Wick We have had so much fun looking through the series of Can you See What I See books as a family. The detail and photos are fantastic! He even has younger versions that are great for Olivia. Great books for everyone! 5 out of 5!

Bloody Jack, Curse of the Blue Tattoo by L. A. Meyer: This is book two in the Bloody Jack adventures. I did enjoy the first one so I picked up the second and liked it even more. Is it the best juvenile literature out there? No. Is it full of adventure? Yes. Easy reading - yes! We pick up right where book one leaves off. Jacky is getting sent to an all girls school in Boston so she can learn to be a lady. Of course Jacky does not fit in and gets into all sorts of trouble and has many adventures. If you read it, you will probably think like I did, "what's going to happen now? Of course that happened to Jacky. etc" but the book is fun and you are into the characters it doesn't matter that much. It does end on another cliff-hanger and if I pick up the next book, I'm hoping to see some of my favorite characters from books 1 and 2 return. I would recommend for kids 15 and up - there are some situations that are probably not for the younger crowd. Overall 3.5 out of 4.

Ice Break 2011

View from front of our house.

Who would have thought that we'd be out of school for 4 days! I thought we'd get cabin fever and kill each other but nothing out of the ordinary bickering between sisters. We enjoyed having Dad "work" from home on Tuesday and Friday. I don't know how much work he got done with us around. But I liked that he didn't have to drive downtown everyday. I cannot remember a time in the 20+ years that my family has lived in Texas that winter weather has ever been around for so many days. We get a day or two off of school but never 4!

We did a lot of free play - which is probably what the girls spent most their time doing. They never asked to watch TV or movies. We only watched one movie a day which was a shocker to me - I thought the TV would be on quit a bit. Abby did some homework and piano practicing. We made lots of treats, did crafts, cleaned the house and played games. And of course, we went outside twice to play in the snow. It's been nice to hang out and not have to go anywhere. We've had yummy breakfasts every morning since there was time to bake and cook. Sleeping in until 7:30 - extra nice for mom.

hot chocolate cookies - recipe found here

Valentine craft found here - just changed from leaves to hearts

Todd did make it into work on Wed. and Thurs. I had him stop off for milk one night coming home. He said the grocery store was all out - they didn't get any shipments in. He was smart enough to go to the nearby gas station and get us a gallon to make it through the rest of the week. We ventured out as a family this morning to go to Wal-Mart to restock. There is still lots of ice on the road and I cannot believe how fast and close some of these drivers are going on the road! I'm fine staying at home.

Being stuck at home reminds me of 8 years ago when Todd and I were first married. We had a huge ice storm come through Texas and all the freeways and roads were closed. Semi trucks were stuck on the roads for 2 days. Todd didn't have to go into work and either did I. One of the Harry Potter books just came out and Todd and I were fighting over reading it.

I hope the girls will remember, down the road, the good times we had during these past several days at home and being together as a family.

Catching snowflakes

Working hard on building a snow fort- her tongue is even sticking out in concentration.

Snow deep enough to cover Kaitlyn's boot.

Cutie!

Checking out the different snowflake designs.

cold face

Olivia Dancing

I finally got the video uploaded of Olivia dancing to one of her birthday cards. The girls all wanted in on the fun.

Untitled from sassy momma on Vimeo.

Snowy Sunday

A few weeks ago on a Sunday, we got snow. It started before we left for church. When we got home, the girls quickly threw on some "snow" clothes and headed outside. (our snow clothes consisted of tights under pants, rain boots, and anything else to keep us warm.) I took a few pictures but didn't go out in the snow since I was still dressed in my Sunday clothes.

Olivia patiently waiting for Dad to finish bundling her up.

Ready to go!

The snow was the nice kind that you could easily pack together. There wasn't much of it but the girls had themselves a nice snowball fight and worked together making a 1 and a 1/2 foot snowman that Kailtyn later kicked over. Abby of course, was not very happy about that. Dad was kind enough to go out after dinner, with a flashlight, to put the snowman back together.

Rosy cheeks and nose

I was surprised how long the girls stayed outside but I guess you have to make the most of what snow we get. I am now typing this 3 weeks after this happened as we are all home for a ice/snow day - those pictures coming soon.