It's My Friday and Day 26 of Thanks

Today is my Friday for the week! Tomorrow we set out with the goon for a 9+ hour drive to Texas to see my family. I'm excited to see everyone and hang out and Porter gets to meet his puppy cousins!! Just for fun, here are some recent puppy pics.

This stick is just my size!

Just rolling around on the floor...

Hi Mom, please pet me!

So today I am thankful for Pinterest!  Not only would I have an amazing wardrobe, be super fit, and have an amazing wedding if all of my boards came true, but I would be an excellent chef as well.  I really do love pinning fun things.  Today I tried out a hairstyle I found.  I have made lots of recipes and even found some cute outfit inspirations.  I also have made some of the crafts.  The easy ones, of course!

Braid at crown of head...kinda fun!

Since Pinterest is kind of something silly, I am doing a 2 for 1 today.  I am also thankful for holiday treats!  Bobby and I bought a mini Tippins pie-carmel apple flavored!  He has eaten 3/4's of it by himself, but I managed to sneak a bite in last night.  It is wonderful!  I hope I can have some of the last piece!!  My future mother in law makes the BEST sugar cookies.  I don't know how she does it, but they are amazing!  Everyone loves them and always wants a batch for themselves.  She and Andrea baked on Sunday for Thanksgiving.  Since we are going out of town, I was hoping we would still get some.  Not only did we get a few to have for the week, we got a whole tupperware full to take with us to Texas!!  Yipppeeeee!!!

What is your favorite holiday treat?

Have you tried any fun Pinterest ideas?  Success or Fail? 
***If you love pinterest, you should check out Pintester's blog.  She is HILARIOUS!! She tries out various pins and lets you know how it goes.  (usually fail)***

Things I am Thankful for...I'm WAAYYY behind...

So I was looking back at old blog posts and I haven't done a things I am thankful for since November 14th. That means that I have 11 things to catch up.

#1-I'm thankful that I'm engaged. He did it perfectly! It was a surprise, he asked my dad, and he planned it
so it was personal for the 2 of us.

#2-I'm thankful for my Kansas City family. From the moment I met Bobby's family, they welcomed me in and treated me like one of them. His sister Andrea and I have become best friends and his mom and dad are fantastic!!

#3 & #4-I'm thankful for Crystal Light. I do NOT like water. I would start my day with a Diet Coke before I found out that I really do like Crystal Light. I know it is not the best choice for a drink throughout the day, but it is better than not getting hydrated at all!! :) My favorite flavor is Peach Mango. I literally start every morning with a glass in my favorite cup!!  My mom got me this Tervis cup last Christmas and I LOVE it!!  I left it at a friend's house for a week and was so sad each day when I didn't have it to drink from. 

                                     




Also, my favorite cup!!

 #5-My Texas girls.  I have been friends with these 2 girls since I was a little kiddo.  We have been through so much and are still friends.  I don't know many people who keep in touch with their childhood friends, but I can't imagine my life without them!!  Don't mind the fact that I am orange in this pic.  I had been spray tanning and looked terrible!!  I can't believe no one told me that I was ORANGE. 

#6-My friend Carla.  She was my Kansas City mom from the day I met her daughter.  She is fantastic.  We all travel together.  Our trip to Oregon was to visit her sister.  I'm going to Vegas with her and my 2 adventure girls in March.  She also has invited me to various holidays when I couldn't go see my family and just been very supportive through the past 10 years.  My life in Kansas City is definitely better because I have her in it!

Teaching Carla how to take a selfie in Oregon.

#7-Wine-I love wine...all kinds!  That is all!

#8-My sister is the greatest girl in the whole world.  She is super girly and funny and adorable!  She keeps us grounded and laughing constantly.  You need a little girly-ness to balance the rest of us out.  She is also so thoughtful and considerate.  She reallys cares about others feelings and makes sure to make everyone feel special.  In a family of non-feeling jock people, she is the heart for us all! 

Getting ready for Beyonce!  (AMAZING concert if you haven't seen her!!)

#9-I'm thankful for my faith.  I love having a grounded life in God.  It is nice to be able to turn to him for anything-big or small, good or bad.  I definitely am not the perfect Christian, but I strive to be better and better each day! 

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#10-Volleyball-I love playing volleyball even though I think I am getting worse!!  This summer, I was playing in 2 sand leagues and 1 indoor leage during one of the sessions.  It is just a fun way to exercise and feel young again...and sometimes old after a particularly tough game!!

#11-Last one for today.  I am thankful for the blogs, websites, and cookbooks with healthy options for great food!  I have mentioned skinnytaste.com before.  Her blog is fantastic and has so many options.  I also love Eating Well-the magazine and website.  Ellie Krieger is a fantastic chef and her cookbook is great!  I love trying recipes from all of these places.  I don't think I have made anything bad yet!!


I hope everyone is remembering to be thankful during this time of the year.  It is sad that it is just one month of the year!  We should all try to be thankful each day for something.  Do I smell a New Year's Resolution on my horizon!?!?!?  :) 

Happy Monday...I hope it is a great start to your week!

Brrrr....

It was less than 30 degrees all day.  So what is a girl to do? Go to a chiefs game! What else? 

While tailgating we saw something I have never seen in a pre-game parking lot. A wedding!! The couple looked super young, but the idea was pretty cute. 

After the game we came home to warm up. I chose puppy snuggles. :) 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready for the coming week. Happy Sunday!! 

Engagement Fun

We got out first engagement present!! Our sweet friends got us fun drink charms, prosecco, and a great card. It said "if you're coming to live together anyway, you might as well get presents for it."  

I also started asking girls to be bridesmaids. I came up with a fun and unique way to make it personal. I don't have colors or plans yet, so I kept it simple. Some lotion and a champagne candle. Then I made personal cards for each girl. 

Finished project...

So far we have researched venues. We will start touring in early December. It's been really cool to see what our city has to offer. We settled on October or November. So...let the official planning begin!! 

Maybe after a quick nap. Some little fella wanted to get up early. Bobby is out running with his friend in the freezing cold the rest of us are staying warm. :)

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!! Stay warm. 

Happy Wednesday

Can you believe Thanksgiving is next week?  This year has flown by!  Bobby and I will be heading to Texas with the puppy...9 hour drive!!  OMG!!!  I'm nervous about it.  Pray for us!  I found this recipe for Bacon Jalapeno Stuffing: http://www.food.com/recipe/bacon-jalapeno-stuffing-467644.  I don't think you can go wrong!!

Yesterday was a great day.  I am so lucky to have such a great family!!  My Dad called me to make sure I knew he was very excited about my engagement and I spoke to my sister who is ready to start planning anytime.  I also received so much love and support for my facebook people.  I know social media can get a bad rap and put out so much negativity, but it can also be very uplifting!!  Speaking of social media, I began a Pinterest board.  I am a HUGE Pinterest fan.  I always try out recipes and some of the crafts (the very easy crafts!!).  The coolest thing I have found so far is a wall decorations made of wine corks from your wedding.  I don't have a date or season or any plans at all, but I think this is adorable!!

Workout yesterday was from Nike Plus-this time I did a 30 minute workout in my living room.  The puppy was so good!  He stayed off to the side for the most part and didn't jump on my head once!  I call that a success!!!

What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? 

How was your workout yesterday?

Lots of Good Things Happening

Sorry it has been a few days since my last post.  I went on an awesome trip to Seattle.  Great weather and great company.  Our hotel had wine hour each night from 5-6pm so we got to meet other people staying in the hotel and have a nice relaxing drink before dinner and heading out.  We went to Pike Place market and saw the very first Starbucks---there was a long line and about 10,000 other Starbucks within a 5 mile radius so we just took pics.  We ate at Pike Place Chowder for lunch...so yummy!  I highly recommend it!  Sushi for dinner by our hotel and recommended by one of the locals.  That was my favorite meal!  Sunday, we went to the Seahawks game and made friends with our whole section.  We ended up hanging out with them all night.  It was a blast!

Wine hour in our hotel-complete with a magician!!  It was fantastic!

Pike Place Market---home of the first Starbucks and an amazing chowder place!

On top of the Space Needle

The totally real looking photo they give you at the Space Needle



Space Needle from below

Sushi!! 

Pre-party before the Seahawks game-Yes, we are "those people" wearing another teams jersey to a game where they are not playing!!

Great view of the game!

Cheers! Celebrating the Seahawks win and watching the Chiefs 1st loss. 

Now for the BIG NEWS...I'm ENGAGED!!!!  I was totally surprised when I came home last night.  Bobby told me that the fur-babies got me presents.  The cat got me flowers and the puppy got me a surprise in the refridgerator.  I opened the fridge to see what they puppy got me and it was a bottle of champagne.  When I turned around to ask what we were celebrating he was on one knee.  I couldn't believe it!!!!  I'm beyond excited and happy and thrilled!!! 

More Puppy Training and Happy Thursday

This morning was a first.  I took the puppy out to go to the bathroom before I left for work.  We live on the ground floor of our apartment complex, but they were mowing where I normally take him.  So we had to go down some stairs to another area.  When we went to come back up, he froze and refused to come up the stairs.  He was terrified.  I tried calling him and bribing him, but no luck.  So, I decided to show him.  First, I demonstrated by bear crawling up the stairs, then I stood behind him and moved one paw at a time up a few stairs.  Finally I just picked him up...I am sure it was quite a funny sight for those looking on.  It was an unexpected morning event, so no pics of this.  I'll try to take him that way again and snap a couple. 

Packing for Seattle-I packed this morning with no real idea what to take.  I feel like it is a pretty laid back city, so we will see if I packed appropriately or not.  We leave tomorrow afternoon!!!  The weather is looking okay.  We definitely need rain gear!!

Today I am thankful for Southwest Airlines and their cheaper flights and no bag fees!!  You may not get to choose where you sit, but you know you are getting the best fare.  Plus, the flight attendants are normally super friendly!

Do you have any Seattle recommendations?

What's your favorite rain gear?

What is your favorite place to travel and what airline do you fly?

Hump Day!

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Last nights pork and chile stew was delicious and just what the cold weather called for.  I hit the gym last night and tried out the Nike Traning app.  They have workouts for all fitness levels and goals.  I did an advanced toning workout for 45 minutes (they have 15 minute and 30 minute options as well if you're short on time).  It was a great workout!  I am terrible at strength training on my own.  I need someone or something to tell me what to do or I am unmotivated and just end up running.

Tonight is speed training and volleyball.  1 mile warm up, 1 mile at 7 minute pace, half mile recovery, 1 mile at 7 minute pace, half mile cool down.  Quick 4 miles, but it will be tough!  1% incline is probably all I will be able to manage. 

Day 13 of Thanks-Today I am thankful for one of my best friends and partner in crime.  Andrea is my boyfriend's sister, but I always tell him that if we break up-I get to keep her.  It is weird that he doesn't argue with me!  She is such a fun and outgoing girl that makes everyone feel happy when they talk to her.  I know I can always count on her to be up for an adventure or a random Tuesday activity.  Plus, she has great style so she helps me since I have none!

Painting at Thirsty Pallete-wine and painting on a cold night---so fun!

Andrea looking beautiful on her wedding day!

Just a Campagne Shower to celebrate



So much fun!

I hope everyone is having a great week!  Happy Hump Day!

Baby It's Cold Outside

High today is 34 degrees.  Brr!!!  This is soup weather!  Tonight, I am making a recipe from one of my favorite blogs-Pork and Green Chile Stew!  Skinny Taste (http://www.skinnytaste.com/) always has great recipe ideas full of flavor and variety.  I have never been disappointed!  If you haven't checked out the site, I highly recommend it. 

I'm in full preparation mode for my girls weekend in Seattle.  I got a manicure last night.  The color is called Fiery Shrimp-isn't that a terrible nail color name?  I like it because it is a redish orange-perfect for fall!  Also, if anyone has figured out how to model nail polish without your hand looking like a claw, please let me know!  I need help!!  I have a few errands to run-buy a rain poncho, pick up a few travel items, and of course hit the gym extra hard so that I can take off or do lighter workouts on vacation.  I always take gym clothes and have good intentions and usually only workout once if I am really feeling motivated.  Otherwise, the gym clothes just take up room in my suitcase.  Does anyone else do this??

I have heard the views in Seattle are amazing and that running around town is really fun.  I want to try to get in a couple of short runs while I am there.  I hope the other girls don't kill me when I set my alarm for early morning!!

I need to get in extra puppy play time and snuggles so I don't go through withdrawals while I am gone.  We have been teaching him to catch things out of the air.  The first day was just us throwing stuff in the air and it hitting the pup in the face or falling near him.  He is getting better now!  I'm picturing him being one of those dogs that catches a frisbee out of the air while jumping off of a dock into the lake.  Big hopes for this pup!!

Thankful day 12...aka 11-12-13...what a fun date!  I'm thankful for my love of sports.  With very few exceptions-golf, soccer, tennis-I love watching sports!  Living in Kansas City with the Chiefs success has been a blast!  Tonight, Duke takes on Kansas in college basketball in what should be a great game.  It is so much fun to cheer from your couch or at a sports bar with friends.  Everyone has a favorite team and the rivalry and smack talk adds to the fun!  I personally am a Texas fan in college sports, but I love a good game no matter who is playing!

Do you have a favorite sports team?  Anyone from Seattle and have a must see or do?

Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran's Day to everyone who is serving or has served our country. Without you, we would not have the freedoms and awesomeness that the USA has to offer!!  Obviously for day 11 of thanks, I am choosing our armed forces.  Both of my grandfathers served and several uncles and other relatives.  I don't think any of us can thank them enough, but I am glad that today is spent recognizing the efforts past, present and future!!

I am a Texas girl and Cowboys fan, so last night I put on my oversized Cowboys sweatshirt and settled in to watch the game.  The Cowboys played TERRIBLE...complete fail!!  I mentioned yesterday that I was making a loaded potato buffalo chicken casserole-well that turned out delicious...and was the high point of the night.  I didn't get any good pics so I am borrowing one from the recipe page (http://www.food.com/recipe/loaded-potato-and-buffalo-chicken-casserole-493413).  I halved the recipe and skinnied it up a little by soaking the potatoes before to get some of the starch out, using 1 tablespoon of oil for the whole recipe, less bacon, and 2% cheese.  It still tasted amazing!