A loungy day at home...

So with the Harper's in Austin for another day the girls and I decided to take it easy. I even got a full night of sleep (caused me to miss my workout I was sleeping so good)....which has been rare the last few weeks, as one of the girls has been waking up in the middle of the night, they do trade off on which girls.....but some nights I feel like I am up and down the stairs all night....Oh well what is a mother to do....

Today I got caught up on my work and I am staring the process of taking down the Christmas decor and cleaning up the house.....Well, I should be clear.....I am thinking about getting started....The girls and I played some V-Motion in the playroom as a distraction or procrastination.....and yes they are still in their PJ's.....

.....this was of course after we cleaned the playroom (a reward)....I am always amazed at how messy it can get when the girls forget (or choose not too) to put away their toys.....We are hoping to go through their toys and purge toys that are now too young for Lila....I tell you it is sometimes hard to keep two different age group of toys around.....I will go to donate something and then remember that Lila would probably like to play with it in a few months....it will still be nice to donate some though.....

Now I am just being lazy and trying to think about something to type so I do not have to get up and actually get something done....does one load in the dishwasher count as doing something???? I do have that running.....

A Trip up to Austin....

Today we headed up to Austin for some lunch and a visit to the Texas State History Museum......It was a good time had by all.....Nanna and Grandpa are staying up there for two nights to see some sights and hang out with Uncle Joel.....The museum was pretty awesome.....I would have loved to have gone there sans the kids, especially Lila, I think I would have learned a bit more....(I was chasing her around most of the time).....but still a great time!!!

Merry Christmas Y'all......

So today was our 2nd Christmas in Southern Texas.....and what a great one it was.....The men got up early 6.45ish to start the BBQ......the Brisket was on by 7.30am and done around 2-2.30pm.....(It was 16lbs).......The girls were excited to see that Santa did come after tracking him all day on the Norad website.....they loved knowing where he was......The twins each got spoiled by Santa and all our relatives.....Thanks to all for making this Christmas so special for us and our children!.....I could try to list the loot the kiddos and we got but I am sure I would leave something out.....

Our dinner was wonderful, Homemade Texas BBQ......The brisket was perfect, the potato salad I made using County Line's recipe tasted exactly like theirs so good, the creamy cheesy corn turned out as yummy as always, the Pinto Druken Beans were great and the Pumpkin Dessert was awesome.....I am so full!

So instead of rambling on, I will leave you with some pictures over the last few days, there are a lot so I do apologize!

Christmas 08

A little early Christmas Present for All....

So Christmas came a little early for the WHOLE Harper Family......Grandpa, Daddy and Uncle Joel headed out to do some Christmas shopping and here is what they brought home.....

It is a 20" Trailblazer Smoker w/Fire box on Cart w/Wheels....made in Texas and finished in SA....We are talking top of the line....this is what happens when men are left up to their own devices.....Needless to say, I LOVE it and they are seasoning it as I type this......We are so looking forward to our Christmas Brisket and have planned on Smoking some Salmon, Ribs and possible a Turkey....We might have to add a ham to that list......Oh man!

Today we also wished Grandpa Harper a "VERY Happy Birthday!".....The girls and I made him a Red Velvet Princess Cake....we even used his mom's recipe (Great Grandma Harper is the best cook!).....

We like Surprises....

So here is what was delivered to us today......

Thanks Mom, now our house truly feels like Christmas now.....It even smells like Christmas! We love it.....

Back to square one......

So after having the Library, Parlor, Red Room.....(Whatever you want to call it) painted now for almost a year, I finally decided to move the Hutch out of there.....it was just too big for the square room.....of course now the walls look a bit DULL, but artwork will come later and I still need a good floor lamp too.....Shawn and I are both pleased with the results and think we may actually sit out there now.....I think we just wanted it to feel more spacious.....So my lovely antique like hutch is now in the garage and I think I will be creating a crafting center out of it and maybe even add some lighting under the top part.....maybe that will help me get my crafty ways back.....well that and actually having time to do it.....

This weekend has been a low keyed one for us.....We took the kids on a nighttime walk around the 'hood w/ hot cocoa to look at Christmas lights.....They liked it so much I think we are going again tonight! The twins went to a snowflake birthday party yesterday morning down the street and had a really good time.....they were so excited to give their friend her present.....So cute! We spent the rest of the weekend cleaning, organizing, pruning, trimming and just anything and everything to get ready for the Harper's on Friday!! We are looking forward to the week to fly by as I know it will.....since I have a bunch of work to do and still more cleaning.....Oh well. Hope everyone had a great weekend! I have included some pics of daddy and the girls gathering some rocks for momma, which seems to be a monthly trip for daddy and the twins....They love it!

Dec 08

Sometimes I forget about me........

Well I have spent the last few days on me, I wish I could say I spent the last two days at the spa or getting my nails done or shopping but it was more for health maintenance.....I get so wound up with all the scheduling of appointments for my kids that I have been leaving myself out.....SO yesterday I went to the dentist.....it was my first time going in a long time....note to all of you try to get to the dentist every 6 months and floss everyday! It actually wasn't that bad, I just had to have a deeper then normal cleaning....I must say my hygienist was great.....I will going back for a normal cleaning in a few months and also get lovely enjoyment of having REALLY OLD fillings replaced.....can not wait to see what all that is going to cost......We have dental insurance but you know how that goes they usually only cover at 80% for most stuff.....and 50% for some stuff.....blah blah.....I am getting my treatment plan today so we shall see....

Today I went to my new Doctors office and met my new Doctor....She is awesome, I knew from the moment I met her that I was going to like her....She is similar to me in a few ways, she has 5 year old twin girls, she also has a 3rd daughter who is two and they even have a female dog....Too funny! Anyway I had a good check up and so far so good. I have to go back when I fast to do blood work (which is standard) but other then that a clean bill of health.....I did weigh more then I thought I would....I now I have renewed drive to hit the gym daily....since lately I have been averaging 1-2 times week...

So finally after being down here a year I have found a great dentist and a wonderful doctor for me and Shawn (he goes to the same dentist and I think he is going to join my Dr's practice, not to mention, the girls excellent doctor and dentist....This is all we have been up to this week....Boring I know...

1 Year and 1 day......

Yup....it has been 1 year and 1 day since I arrived down here in San Antonio with the girls....So much to reflect on that has happened this past year....and so many new great memories....I must say I feel at home in my new city....it has been great exploring the ins and outs of this new great place to live, the shopping, the restaurants, the neighborhoods....So much culture for us to experience....Shawn and I celebrated tonight with a good bottle of WA wine....Yummy....

Tag I'm it......

So I was tagged by MaryCatherine at Peaches and Posh, so now I must list 6 things about myself and then tag 6 other people.....I am going to list Random things....it's is always more fun...

1. High Heels are my favorite shoe choice especially when worn with jeans and a tank, although working at home I do not wear them as much as I use too...my girls dress up in them more then me...

2. I want to start a non-profit company, something to benefit and help children in the USA; I am still brainstorming but have lots of ideas...

3. I love music; I could listen to it night and day and am pondering guitar lessons….I would love to learn how to play....

4. I was a tomboy & athlete growing up, I hated skirts/dresses….Now I would rather where a skirt then shorts (I hate shorts)……

5. I went to college to major in Chemistry and ended up getting a Business Degree instead, I am thinking now I should have stayed with Chem.....

6. When I am sick, I like to watch Pride & Prejudice (the BBC Mini Series Version) I am easily sucked in to good romance stories....

Tagged.....any and all of my girlfriends that blog....Erin, Molly, Jill, Lorrie, Charity, Miranda.....