Family Pictures

The first weekend of November one of my fellow co-workers took our annual fall family pictures. Kate did a fabulous job capturing our family, and I was very impressed with how many great shots she got of Mac. 18 months isn't the easiest age to do pictures, but she captured his personality and different faces perfectly; I couldn't be happier with how they turned out!

All photos are copy righted Kate Kelser Photography and should not be saved or used in any way without permission.  

October + November Wrap-Up.

Oh Holy Night, I cannot believe it's already December! In just a few weeks we'll be ringing in another new year and then I will have a TWO YEAR OLD! Time please slow down! Anyways... I know it's been a little quiet here on the blog lately. I apologize, but sometimes life just gets busy and this little place that I do love gets put on the back burner. I could've sworn it was just time for me to write an October post, and then I blinked and I needed to write a November one too so this time I'm just combining the two months together! Fall is always a busy time of the year for us.

We started October off with a big celebration! Clete's younger brother got married, and we spent the weekend celebrating him and his bride. We wish Thomas & Kelsey many years of happiness together!

The following weekend we purchased a new truck for Clete, it was LONG overdue! He'd been shopping around for quite a few weeks, and he finally decided on a F-150. Mac had his first experience at the car dealership too, and we think he helped get us a good deal! ;)

The 3rd weekend in October was an eventful one. The weekend started off as a normal one, but ended on a not so fun note. Our family came for the day and we went on our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Later that evening Mac's fever spiked and we ended up spending half the night in the ER. We are so thankful all is well, and it wasn't anything too serious.

Thankfully, Mac was all well by Halloween. Our little dragon had a ball trick or treating with friends! He got lots of candy, and was so much fun to watch this year. He didn't quite have down "trick or treat" but he always said "tank you" when he got candy in his bucket.

We kicked off November by doing our annual fall family pictures. It was very difficult getting an 18 month old to cooperate and smile for them, but Kate did an awesome job and we have some great pics! There will be a post coming on those very soon.

The following weekend we had our cousin Turner's 4th birthday party at Main Event. Mac had a blast playing games, and Daddy did too!

Mac took his first trip to Seminole Children's Museum with his Queenie & Poppie. Growing up, the children's museum was somewhere I LOVED going with my Aunt Lessa and I'm so glad Mac enjoyed it too. He played his heart out, and I loved getting all the pictures from my mom of him. I know my parents enjoyed it too. I see many more trips to be made there in the future!

Clete and I went to the OU/TCU game, and my parents came and stayed with Mac. We had a fun day date in Norman, and loved cheering the Sooners on to a victory!

We put up our Christmas tree the weekend before Thanksgiving, which has always been a tradition because we're usually out of town Thanksgiving weekend. Mac loves all of the lights and "balls" so it's been interesting trying to keep him out of the tree!

Thanksgiving weekend we spent in Tulsa at my parent's house. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and loved all of the Queenie and Poppie time we got! We gobbled, shopped, played, cheered on the Sooners to a bedlam and Big XII victory, and relaxed. We have so much to be thankful for!

October and November were both fun filled, crazy busy months! And that's a wrap until next time...

How to Organize Your Closet

If you're like me, you're the typical girl who stands in her closet completely FULL of clothes and complains about having nothing to wear. Are you guilty too? So many clothes, but not a thing to wear. Ha!

I'm also the person who cleans her closet out at least once a year, and some years it's more than that. I did a de-clutter and clean out when we moved in April, but a few weeks ago I couldn't take it anymore. I pulled EVERYTHING off the racks and went through it all. I ended up donating 2 trash bags, I put one bag together to give to someone, and I put some things in the attic in case I end up wanting them in the future. After I got it all off the racks and figured out what I was going to keep, I then organized it by type (shirt, pant, dress, jacket, sweater, etc.) and then color coded it all. 

I also turned all my hangers around backwards. I got this idea off of Pinterest a while back. I turned them around backwards, and as I wear the items I will rehang them up with the hangers normal. This time next year, I'll be able to see exactly what I've worn and what I haven't worn.  

This was a project that I'm so glad I got done. I feel so much better that my closet it now in order. It also makes it much easier to find things to wear! What kind of organization tips do you have?

Halloween 2015

This year we had Mac, the magic dragon on our hands for Halloween! When trying to find the perfect costume for Halloween, I went back and forth about what I wanted him to be. After talking with my mom, we decided the dragon from PB Kids was the perfect fit, and oh how we had the cutest lil' dragon Halloween night!

We had our family and a few friends over that evening for chili and all the fixins. The plan was to take the littles trick or treating after we ate, but we ended up holding off on dinner until after we went out. It was a fun filled evening for everyone! Mac really enjoyed his first big trick or treating experience! He got tons of candy, and his favorite were the suckers. Teiler was such a good helper showing him how it's done!  He liked getting to spend this Halloween with his best girlfriends, Cameryn and Teiler. Mamma (me) has decided we might have to make this an annual tradition to host everyone and trick or treat around our neighborhood.  I say, we're putting this one in the books as a winner!

Our 2nd Annual Trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

Last weekend we had our annual family trip to the Pumpkin Patch. My parents, sister, and brother in-law came to the city for the day and we all went to the Orr Family Farm. This is an annual activity we started last year, and we plan to continue over the years as a fall tradition.

Mac wasn't feeling 100%, so it wasn't as much fun as we had anticipated. If he would've felt better, he would've had a ball! He did do a few of the activities and picked out a few pumpkins to bring home. It was a good day as we made some good memories!

Today, we stand with the Cowboys.

Growing up in Oklahoma, you're usually either an OU Sooner or an OSU Cowboy. Since OU is my Alma Mater, it seems completely accurate that we bleed crimson in our house. We are Sooner Born and Sooner Bred.

With the tragic accident that occurred earlier today in Stillwater and that made national news, we're standing with the Cowboys today. My heart is broken for all of those involved in the accident, including the suspect. To think that a poor decision at 25 years old will now haunt her as long as she lives. I do not judge her, as we've all made a poor decision or two. To the victims and their families, we lift them up in our prayers. We pray for healing, peace, and comfort to all of those affected today and the days ahead. What should have been a fun filled day of homecoming activities, turned in to a day of living hell for some. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them all.

To anyone reading this post, I ask you to please vow to never get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. To think this tragic and horrific day for so many could have been prevented by a simple decision makes this sickening to me. I know many people who always think they're fine to drive, and I'm sure that's what this woman thought as well. I'm often harassed by friends for not having a good time because 90% of the time my husband and I go out I am the DD. I have no problem sipping on water for the evening as long as I know we have a safe and sober ride home. So the next time you think you're "okay" to drive, please take a moment and think about what life would be like if you caused an accident that took the lives of 3 people. No one wants to live with that guilt; so call a friend, family member, co-worker, or an uber to get you home safe.

Today, we stand united with the Cowboys. May the days and weeks ahead bring about healing for all.

Not Your Mama's Chili

With it officially being fall I wanted to post this older recipe again; it's a favorite at our house when cooler temps hit here in Oklahoma. I originally thought I got this from my mom, but later learned I actually tweaked her recipe and made my own. Chili is often reoccurring on our menu during the fall. I've taken this to football tailgates, watch parties, and pot lucks; and it's always a big hit!

ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
2- 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, chili ready
1- 15 oz. can pork & beans
1- 10 oz. can rotel
1/2 cup ketchup
1 packet of Williams chili seasoning
1 onion, diced (optional)

instructions
1. Brown ground beef and drain any grease.
2. Mix in diced onion and chili seasoning with meat.
3. In a large pot, combine tomatoes, rotel,
ketchup, pork & beans, and meat mixture.
4. Stir well, then bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat, stir, and let simmer before serving.
6. Top with your favorite chili toppings, then serve.