Thanksgiving 2011

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed spending time with both our families. On Thursday we went to my cousin's house in Plano for a yummy dinner! My aunt and uncle and cousin/her husband and their 2 kiddos came in from the Chicago area. Crew had so much fun playing with his cousin Hayden! My parents and brothers also came in for the weekend to celebrate.

On Friday we celebrated with Brett's whole family. Talk about a lot of food- I think we had 12 desserts- yet alone all the dinner too- wow!!
This year we are have so much to be thankful for- God has given us so many blessings that we often take for granted each day. We are especially thankful for our health and our wonderful families. Not living in the same city as any of our family makes you really cherish the time you spend with them. Hoping your Thanksgiving was special too!

Our Thanksgiving Cards

The adorable dinner table at my Cousin Mike & Whitney's house.

Mike carving the turkey.

Yummy! Fried turkey and regular turkey!

Sweet Baby Harper just turned 3 months- what a cutie!

Uncle Mike gave Crew and Hayden duck/goose calls.

They were walking around the house like a parade blowing their calls!

Do you think we have some hunters?

Quack Quack!

Out family of 3!

The Lattals.

We all had iPhones- we were sharing apps and tips!

Crew and Hayden!

Notice the yellow kitchen glove- Crew discovered these as we were cleaning up.

He did not let go of them ALL day- even had to nap with them.

It's the little things that make the best toys, ha!

Cousin Wrestling!!

(Notice- still has the glove on-ha!)

Reading bedtime stories with Uncle Mike Sayler and Aunt Whitney.

(and the glove is STILL on!)

The beautiful table at Uncle David and Aunt Sandy's.

Grandma making sure the dressing is "just right!"

Crew helping Aunt Sandy carve the turkey.

Getting ready for the big dinner!

(notice the lazy susan in the middle of the table. It's awesome, you just grab your food and rotate it around. Such a fun way to share a big meal!)

All the desserts and appetizers.

Yummy yummy dinner!

Happy Anniversary, Zoo, and R+B Wedding

This past weekend we went to Houston for a wedding. Our childhood neighbor, Rachel, got married on Saturday. My mom helped throw her a bridal luncheon at the Junior League on Friday afternoon. That night my parents celebrated their 33 wedding anniversary, so we enjoyed a nice family dinner at Nino's. On Saturday morning we took Crew to the Houston Zoo. It was his first time at the zoo and he absolutely LOVED seeing all the animals! Here are a few pics from the weekend.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Crew pushing the Gelato cart outside the restaurant.

HOUSTON ZOO

This is from our lunch table- we ate right by the giraffes!

Crew was trying to figure out this chimp.

Bang Bang Bang!

Big ELEPHANTS!!!

The kids petting zoo- loved the goats this time!

He even brushed their coats.

Crawling in the tunnels just like Prairie Dogs.

RACHEL AND BLAKE'S WEDDING WEEKEND

Bridal lunch setup at the Junior League Tearoom.

Rachel's Place

(Each guest went home with an individual boxed cupcake- so yummy!)

Rachel and her bridesmaids.

Rachel and her mom, Sydney.

The beautiful ceremony took place at the St. Regis hotel in Houston. They had a Jewish ceremony which was beautiful! I had never been to one before, and the traditions were so special. They got married under a Chuppa. This symbolizes the "home" that they will build their life. They also wrote each other love letters and they were read at the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony Blake stepped on a glass and we all yelled "Mazel Tov!"

After the ceremony, we left the ballroom for the cocktail reception and the room was transformed into a sparkling crystal dream! Every detail was taken into account and it just took your breath away! The food was amazing- all 5 courses of it! And it was our favorite band too- Blind Date from Austin.

I feel like just the other day Rachel and I were playing dress up in her mom's closet- but now she is married! She looked absolutely gorgeous- just like a princess. She changed into a short dress after dinner and it was just as beautiful!

What a wonderful night. Congratulations Rachel and Blake!!

Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness together!

The Happy couple during the ceremony.

The beautiful wedding ceremony and Chuppa.

"Ice" bar at the cocktail reception.

BEAUTIFUL reception!

(love the mirrored tables, they just sparkled)

Amazing cake!

Love the personalized dance floor.

Place settings.

So pretty!

1st dance as husband and wife.

Daddy Daughter dance.

Me and the beautiful bride!

The Sturr Family!

Such a fun part of a Jewish reception- lifting the bride and groom on chairs and dancing in a circle around them.
(Notice Rachel's short dress- it was just as amazing!)

Fireman Halloween

What a fun Halloween Weekend we had! It seems like Halloween last for 4 days and we loved every second of it!

A few weeks ago, the Lake Travis FD visited Crew's school. Ever since then, Crew has been obsessed with Firetrucks and Firemen, so I knew that's what he had to be for Halloween. We got his costume last weekend, and he has not wanted to take it off since. I'm sure people looked at me crazy as I was walking to the park with a little "fireman" in my stroller. (Also keep in mind its been in the 80's- so a little hot for a plastic jacket and hat!) I even hid it in my closet and he found it- 2 year olds are mischievous! But, after sleeping with it a few nights, it survived and made it to Halloween!
So here is our little fireman!

Climbing in his firetruck.

On Friday night we watched the Ranger's game (tear), and carved our pumped. Crew and Daddy were in charge of cleaning it out (not my fav part). Crew was the best helper- he loved to pull out all the seeds and gunk! Then mommy and Crew carved our pumpkin.

Clean out time!

Ewwwwww!

Time to Carve!

(Bella wanted to help us out too)

The finished "jack"

Then on Saturday the Hill Country Galleria hosted a trick or treat party. Only a few stores participated and they were out of candy by the time we got there. They also had a live band that was great. Crew couldn't get enough. He was "stop, drop, & rolling" all over the ground and getting his jam on! We had people coming up to us saying "that boys is a dancer", "he LOVES to dance!"

Umm.. Can I dance? I am on the only kid on the stage!

Stop, Drop, & Roll

Raise the Rooof!

Clap Clap Clap!

Then on Sunday, we went to our friend's house for a Halloween party. Shelly totally outdid herself, just look at this amazing table and all the goodies!

So cute- everything was so yummy!

Crew-Fireman, Fields- Olivia the Pig, and Max- Cat

Shelly wrapped dumdums as little ghosts and her husband hid them in the backyard.

Here's Crew on the hunt...

Fields sharing her ghost with Crew

Vroom Vroom

A happy fireman with lots of ghosts!

On Monday it was officially Halloween. We lit our pumpkins and headed out in our wagon.

We trick or treated at a few of our neighbors and then walked down to our friends for a tailgate halloween party. All the kids had fun running around, and we had fun meeting all our neighbors.(we are in a new section and everything is just building up, so there are new people moving in every week).

Little man trying to sneak some candy as I was lighting the pumpkins

Crew and his buddies!