High School

I've been thinking alot about high school recently.  Derek and I are going to be working with the youth at our church and it is reminding me of the highs and lows of high school.
What I often say when people ask me about my high school experience is that I was an emotional wreck.  Which, I was.  I was one of those dramatic girls! I stomped, I screamed, and of course I cried.  I was rarely without a boyfriend, which explains alot of the drama.  My dad likes to joke that I usually had a boy waiting in the wings to replace the boy I was going out with.  And, of course every high school girl has a little girl drama with her friends. But, while I was emotional and immature- I loved high school!!
I went to a small private high school, where you know everyone.  Early in high school, I was friends with people 2 and 3 years older than me and then when I was an upper classman, I was friends with kids 2 and 3 years younger than me.  I had many friends and wasn't just stuck to one certain group.  I also had many great friends at my church.  And, since my school and church were closely linked, many of my friends went to school and church with me.  My school was like a small town community where everyone seemed to be included. You could be involved in many different things, if you wanted. So, I was a cheerleader, ran track, played volleyball(one year only- not good and didn't like it), was class secretary and on the speech/ debate team to name a few.
I lived far away from my school, so I often spent the night or hung out at my friends houses until nightime events. I knew everything about my friends.  We were transparent and honest with each other. I loved slumber parties and chatting all night long. I loved hanging out, going to the movies, eating out and so much more.

And of course, high school is where I met the love of my life.  Derek was dating my best friend, Allyson, when I met him(he's 2 grades younger than me).  We all kindof traded around boyfriends and it didn't really seem to matter. I love that Derek and I share so many friends, teachers in common and have many of the same experiences.

I have changed alot since my high school days, but I look back on them fondly and smile.  It was fun!  It was being silly and crazy and not having too many cares in the world. It was formative and a time where we really had a blast just experiencing life!  I am excited to see high school again through the eyes of teens.
Just writing this makes me smile!  We were crazy and had lots of fun. I guess theres a reason they are often called the good ol' days

Build A Dog

Brooklyn got a gift card to Build A Bear Workshop for her birthday.  So, we went there this last week.  This was our first experience with build a bear.  Brooklyn loved it and had a hard time deciding on an animal. She finally chose a dog.

We pressed the lever to stuff her dog.  Brooklyn wanted it stuffed as much as possible

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She kissed the heart and put it in the dog.

She groomed the dog.

 She picked out a UT cheerleading outfit and a pink Astros outfit.

She got the dogs birth certificate. She named her dog, Miley Cyrus.

So happy!  She's been loving on her dog ever since!!

These are a few of my favorites things...

Millennium Trilogy -I finished the trilogy from Steig Larsson including The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest.  It was great!!!  I loved it.  The books are unlike anything I have ever read.

Synder's Mustard Pretzels- I like the nibblers instead of the little pieces.  These are great for an afternoon snack for me.  I can eat almost the whole bag! So addicting!  Though, my hands tend to get a bit messy...

Grilling out and eating outside- I love to grill out in the summer.  Well, actually Derek does the grilling, but I love have food for dinner that has been grilled.  It makes for a low key dinner. And, I love to eat outside any chance I can, so we usually do that too when we grill out.

I phone 4- I just joined the rest of the world and got an i phone. I love being able to text easily.  I like several different features that help keep me organized.  I am still getting used to the touch keypad,so I often hang up on people and put them on speaker or mute, but hopefully I will get that all worked out. And, the kids are liking it too...

                                                              

I love all of the necklaces out right now that have lots of decorations on them.  This is just pretty to look at!

                                                                            

We love cheese around here.  And, these are great!  A filling little snack, sized just right.

What are some of your favorites?

Some restaurant reviews...

Last month Derek and I went to come cool places to eat.  I thought I'd share my thoughts with you about them.
La Condesa- I've been hearing good things about this place for a while and it won several awards in the Austin chronicle Restaurant poll. We went there at ate outside on the patio.  The food was great.  We had a ceviche-yum and some good margaritas. We even shared a meal, which we have never done.   They had tacos that were served in 2's and we shared 3 different kinds.  It was a fun place with a good atmoshere.

The Grove- We like this place alot.  We've been there with friends, on a date and with the kids. It has a great patio and is a very relaxing low key place to eat.  The food is great.  I like the pizza, salads, bruchetta and panini's. And, they have a good wine list too.
Paggi House-  Derek and i went to Paggi House to celebrate our anniversary.  It is in the heart of Austin and we loved it.  The place is a cool old house. We sat outside before dinner and had drinks and an appetizer.  It was relaxing to sit on the couches under the huge trees.
Our dinner was fantastic.  And our waitress was helpful and very knowledgeable about the food and the history of the restaurant.  I had the sea bass which was awesome and Derek had the hawaiian ahi which was good as well. It was a great way to spend our anniversary.

Paggi House

first grade has begun

Barrett had his first day of first grade today.  He isn't quite ready for summer to be over.  But, school has begun and we are looking forward to a great year. I know B will learn many things. He enjoyed Kinder and  we hope and pray that this is a great year for him as well. I can't wait to go get him in a few hours and see how his day was.

Meeting the teacher

Barrett(and the rest of us too) isn't quite ready for summer to be over. We've had a great summer of fun and relaxation.  And, sleeping in too! Yet, here it is- the beginning of the school year. We went to meet Barrett's teacher today and see his classroom. He saw lots of friends from his Kinder class and even has 2 kids from his class last year in his 1st grade class.  His teacher seems really nice and energetic.  Barrett loved looking around his room and meeting kids in his class.

B and his buddy, Jacob from his Kinder class

Barrett and his teacher, Mrs. Faulkner

B and Derek at school

B sitting at his desk

Putting his supplies away

I think he is getting excited about the start of school now, just not the early mornings. We are looking forward to a fun first grade year.

Brooklyn is FOUR

Today is Brooklyn's 4th birthday.  She is so sweet and happy.  She is really into pretending and using her imagination.  She also loves to cook and bake. She also really likes her babies and takes great care of them. She also loves dogs.  She loves to play with Jett and love on him.

We started out Brooklyn's 4th birthday with a recipe from Brooklyn's new cookbook.  She and Barrett both helped to make the biscuits.  And who wouldn't love biscuits filled with chocolate and marshmallows and rolled in cinnamon and sugar.

Brooklyn wanted a rainbow cake for her birthday cake. So she helped me make her birthday cake.  And, according to her, it was perfect!

This afternoon we celebrated with some friends at Locomotion, a bounce house place house place, and she had a fabulous time. The kids just ran and played the whole time.  Brooklyn had a blast playing and laughing with her friends.  She got lots of girly presents and tore into everything as soon as we got home.

Brooklyn loves flowers and Derek brought Brooklyn some daisies today.  She was so thrilled!

Brooklyn decided she wanted seafood for dinner.  So, we went out to eat at Gumbo's.  She enjoyed her catfish and the rest of us enjoyed our meal too.

 It was a fun day of celebrating our Brooklyn.  I can't believe she's 4!  Happy birthday sweet girl- We love you!