Downs Days

A Very Pinteresting Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-16T20:23:00.000-08:00

I love me some Pinterest. I wasn't sure what we were going to do for New Year's until I started seeing all this cute stuff on there...and so...a party was planned!!! How did you ring in the New Year? We had a little New Years party thanks to all the fun finds on Pinterest - I love me some printables!!!! We toasted to a great 2011 and looking forward to the future of 2012, made resolutions, ate some yummy desserts and watched the ball drop!!!

It was just a little dessert party since we had already gone out to eat beforehand. Sparkling cider, cream puffs, chocolate covered almonds, cashews, and macadamia nuts, and vanilla cupcakes - YUM!

Countdown bags - another cute idea I got from Pinterest - these had a New Years resolution sheet inside, a pen, and a blower...and guests picked up their hats to go with!!!

Mom and John ready to party!

We all wrote resolutions on the chalkboard and took our pics by them:)! Another pinterest idea! Here's Jae, John, Kai's hand, and baby C (in Jae's tummy). Resolutions: baby, home, clipped (John's vasectomy - ha ha), love more, etc.

Mom and Dad, resolutions: bible study, sell art, read, travel, etc.

My in-laws David and Susan and Malakai - resolutions: be positive, pray more, view challenges as things I get to do, and David wrote stop smoking as a joke!!!

Me, Curt, Kaden and Kinsley, resolutions: Read, date (as in Me and Curt need to go on more dates), Run, create, Kaden's: pass lego Harry Potter, and Kinsley: lose a tooth:)

Resolutions up close:)

Christmas Decor 2011

2012-01-16T19:40:00.000-08:00

Keep Calm and Jingle On...love this saying...This was totally my thinking this Christmas - my first official Christmas since going back to work - I was more into soaking up the time with family this year than the decorating - so I went for a much simpler look this year than before and here is how it all turned out!

Christmas in Pictures 2011

2012-01-16T19:34:00.000-08:00

Here is our Christmas 2011 in pictures - it was beautiful and everything we wanted it to be:)!!!

Kai, Curt, Kins at the Downs house - snuggling and football watching

Kins and Kai making cookies with Susan

Happy cousins on the couch!

Santa Came!!!!

Kinsley loves her new guitar!

Kaden wanted to make sure Santa knew he did not have to eat the yogurt if he didn't want to - I'm sure Santa appreciated the reassurance:)!!!

...and we begin the year of the DS...we put it off as long as we could - but she was sooooo excited:) - as long as my family is not the one in restaurants where the kids are on DS's and the parent are on Iphones and no one talks to eachother - can I get an AMEN?!!!! Please Lord, help that not to be us!!!

new Wii games for Kaden!

...and on to the Westmorelands house...here's Kai with her new bike helmut - so cute! Yes we have 2 Kai's - Malakai (aka Kai) on Curt's side of the family, and this sweet Kai - on my side of the family!!!

Showing off her new bike - she cracked us up wearing this onesie which she wouldn't let anyone button!!! She ran around all day like this - sooo funny, this girl!!!!

Something was funny!

This is the aftermath of opening presents at Mom and Dad's - gotta love it!!!

Happy pretty girls!

We went to the Gaylord Texan hotel to see Shrek the Halls ICE! It is beautiful there at Christmastime!

John and Kai

Brrr, it was a chilling 9 degrees inside but so fun!!!

Kai, Kins, and me on an ice bench!

Gingy and friend:)

Huge crazy dragon!

The beautiful ice manger!

You better believe we had some hot chocolate after this place - but it was such a fun memory to make!!! We had an amazing Christmas full of Christ, family, food and fun!!!

Smiley Elfibob's Adventures!

2012-01-16T19:16:00.000-08:00

Oh my, do ya'll have one of these? Smiley Elfibob became a member of our family for the first time this past December, and whooo wheee, he was tough to keep up with. He got into all kinds of shenanigans and just plain wore me out - but the kiddos LOVED him, and couldn't wait to wake up every day to see what he'd done next - loved their giggles as they ran down the stairs to find him, and then their little pattering feet as they ran down the hall to tell me what he had done this time...

The first night he drew on our family pic - elf hats and reindeer ears!

Here he is sitting on our mantle just watching...

Then he put reindeer noses on the kiddos to make them look like his friend Rudolph with my lipstick!

Sneaky little stinker - he even gave himself a Rudolph nose:)

That next morning we found him in the fridge and he had turned the milk pink!!!

Our fave was when he showed baby Jesus some lovin'!

Would you believe that rascal got into our kitchen pantry and made snow angels in the sugar!!!

And...one night he forgot to move but when Kinsley went to the bathroom he moved real fast and she thinks he might have taken a peppermint from our gingerbread house - I think he was trying to trick us!!!

He also had a date night with Barbie!

And partied it up hanging from the chandelier!

Here he is getting a little midnight snack!!!

And we even caught him watching TV one morning!

One night he used my computer to write a letter to Santa letting him know how good Kaden and Kinsley were being!!!

And he even came to school with me one day to deliver a message to my students!

Then, him and Barbie had a snowball fight one night!

and he left us this message in the bathroom - in red and green toothpaste of course!

He helped Kaden and Kinsley hang some new ornaments they made...

decided to color a picture of baby Jesus one night...

helped us count down the days until Christmas...

and even helped wrap!

We loved Smiley Elfibob and will miss him until next year but we are so glad he has adopted us as his family to visit each year! On that note...here are my two little elves on Christmas Eve!!! Love these two!

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String....

2011-12-21T18:58:00.000-08:00

These are a few of my favorite things...

Just wrapping, watching Christmas movies, and sipping hot cider tonight! Are you ready????

December So Far...

2011-12-21T18:56:00.000-08:00

Well, I forgot my camera over Thanksgiving Break - we spent 5 days in Galveston at the beach...so...on to December and all the fun Christmas festivities so far!

Me, Jae, and Mom went to my Christmas Dinner at church! It was AH-MAZ-ING - incredible food, music, entertainment, etc!

At the dinner after party they had smores making stations:) So fun!

The very next day we bundled up and headed to Dallas for the Neiman Marcus Parade - this was our first time ever...and such a blast!!! We met Jae, John, and Kai - and some friends of their's the Morriss's.

Then this little guy joined our family...meet Smiley Elfibob! He is so much fun and such a rascal - here are some of the shenanigans he's gotten into since becoming a part of the family!

First he drew mustaches, elf hats, and reindeer ears on our family photo...

Then when the kiddos were sleeping he drew Rudolph noses on them...

little stinker...

Next, we found him in the fridge and he'd turned our milk pink!

Our most favorite so far - we found him one morning cuddled up to baby Jesus...

the next day he made snow angels out of sugar on our kitchen counter!

he forgot to move one night...but then, when we least expected it...and Kinsley was in the bathroom...he moved to the gingerbread house, we thought he might have even snatched a piece of candy!

He had a date night with Barbie one night!

And was the life of the party swinging from the chandelier...

Brief intermission - Kinsley had her Winter Program at school and even had a part playing the xylophone - so adorable!

Now back to Smiley - he helped himself to a midnight snack...

had a little downtime...

another intermission - Kinsley and Kaden at their Christmas parties at school...

Then we found him one morning like this...he had written a message to Santa! He continues to suprise us with his antics but that's all up til' now! More to come on Smiley Elfibob's adventures:)

We've also had Kaden and Kinsley's church program - it's been a super busy December and Christmas isn't even here yet - whew!!!!

October 2011 - Catching up!

2011-12-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

Hello there blog world friends! It's been awhile...let me catch you up!

Kinsley had pirate day at school - so fun and so cute - she was thrilled to dress up!

At the beginning of October we went to the Flowermound Pumpkin Patch, a yearly tradition with Kim (Curtis's sister) and Kaden and Kinsley's cousin Malakai!!

Curtis and John both celebrated their birthdays toward the end of the month...

And we celebrated Halloween! Mom came over and made fun treats with the kiddos...

We went trick-or-treating for the first time ever with Grandma and Granpops - they moved to town and we are so excited to have them here!!!

and I got good and settled in my classroom - still and forever will be a work in progress;) So thankful for my job - I'm LOVING it!

In this pic my room was set up for Reading Night - we had a "Midnight Snack Restaurant" theme and the kiddos got to wear their pajamas, make a reading "menu" and come and read to their parents:)

more updates to come...stay tuned:)

Chicago - October 7-9 2011

2011-10-11T19:19:00.000-07:00

Curtis and I flew to Chicago this past weekend for a little getaway! He ran the Chicago marathon and we thoroughly enjoyed the city!!!

We stayed at the Congress hotel - it was a super old hotel with great character and charm, plus it was right across the street from the start line of the race:) - here's a pic of our room!

These are the old elevators - I thought they were cool!

We asked the concierge where the best place was to get pizza - he recommended this little pub - so delish!

This was the little pub - must go back!!!

This was the deep dish we had to eat with a fork - oh my it was gooooood!!!

This is a view of the street our hotel was on - the one with the red letters is ours;)

Pic of our hotel

I loved the sculptures and artwork in this city - here's a sculpture of Abe

Buckingham fountain was right in front of our hotel!

Curt and I in front of the fountain

So beautiful!!!

Fountain with our hotel in the background!

Navy Pier was gorgeous with all the sailboats!

All the trees were turning and the geese were out along the Pier - it was so pretty!

I loved people watching as the owners of these boats pulled in, cleaned their boats, and just hung out

After strolling down Navy Pier, we ate at Ralph Lauren's restaurant - I had tomato bisque soup and a arugula chicken salad, and Curtis had the Amish Chicken and Green Beans Almondine - sp?

I had such a wonderful time with my hubs - this was one of our first trips just the two of us since our honeymoon:)

This is the awesome amphitheater

The bean:) Loved this sculpture;)

Us in front of the bean!

This is the lobby of our hotel! This hotel boasts that the most presidents have stayed here than any other hotel!

We loved that we were able to see Curt's bro and sis-in-law and their kiddos - this is Emerson and Corbin - too cute!!!

Curt, his bro Kevin, and Corbin at Artiste Cafe - yummy breakfast place!

Emerson and Sarah - so cute!

Here is Curt and Kevin at the expo for the marathon!

Own it baby!!!!

I ran into my good friend Jacob - we grew up together in school and went to A&M together! It was great to see him!!!

Hal Higdon was there - this is the man who started it all for Curt and I - we were nonrunners when we started his training plan for a half marathon about a year ago!!! It was cool to meet him and get his autograph - he signed the boys bibs!

This is Dean K. he just ran 100 miles - he has also done 50 marathons in 50 days! Whew! The boys were so pumped to meet him. Curtis, Kevin and Sarah's friend Wes, Dean, and Kevin

Their names were on the "Wall of Fame" runners wall!

This yummy place is where we had our "pasta party" the night before the race! Sooo goood! From l to r: Curt, Me, Wes, Hillary, Kevin, Sarah

Race day - unfortunately I did not get any pics of Curt or Kevin running - my camera has a huge delay and they ran by so fast it was hard to even see them, much less have time to catch a pic! So...I just took a pic of all the runners - 45,000 to be exact!

This guy was awesome - what a way to stand out in the crowd - we told our boys to do this next year - ha ha!

All the boys after the race - Kevin shaved his face and cut his hair the night before! Curtis had already showered here while the other two went to the massage tent, that's why he doesn't still have his running clothes on!

The girls - had so much fun with these two!!!

Such a blast - hope to do it all again next year!!!

My 25

2011-09-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

Inspired by my friend Michael's wife's blog here are 25 things about me that come to my mind first thing - without any preparation.

1. I love my family - to death...I can never love them enough, sometimes I could cry over the fact that I don't think I show it enough.

2. I still think my hubby is super hot, even after 12 years of marriage - I could just stare at him all day

3. I secretly want to be a really rich stay at home mom - help at kiddos school, get manicures, work out:)

4. I love sweet tea and Sonic cherry limeades

5. I want to be wealthy enough to help people when I see the need but not too wealthy that I become a snob or high maintenance

6. My guilty pleasures are Keeping up With the Kardashians and Millionaire Matchmaker - so silly and so not me...maybe that's why its my entertainment???

7. I want everyone I meet to know I'm a Christ follower!

8. I'm very conscious of negativity - I feel like I complain too much sometimes, and I hate it when I do, I want to be a light not a drain!

9. I don't think my sisters or parents know how much I truly love them:)

10. I miss my best friends (my high school friends) and my old stay-at-home mommy friends

11. I have been told I come off very confident but the truth is I'm not that confident

12. I love all things art - it gets me excited and pumped up - definitely a passion!

13. One of my favorite dates is dinner and a movie - so cliche' but so rare!

14. I'm not that on top of things when it comes to cleaning but clean sheets are a must!

15. I would go to Maui, Hawaii - particularly Napili Bay every year on vacation if I could

16. I've had seasons in my life where shopping at dollar tree was the highlight of my week - and those were some of our families happiest days:)

17. I've always wanted to be whisked away on a surprise vacation - like he (Curt) picks me up from work and we drive straight to the airport - after he asks my sis and mom to help him pack for me of course:)

18. On the days my hair is pulled up that usually means I didn't wash it that day

19. My fingernails grow in squared off and it really bugs me

20. I love to do crafts with my kids

21. Dinner at the dinner table is a big deal to me - unless there's a good show on;)

22. Red is my fave color

23. I remember almost everything - sometimes it scares people

24. I was raised to believe I can do anything and everything I want to do in life - I pray my kiddos feel the same way!

25. I used to be a really selfish person until God gave me my kids - thanks Lord!!!

First Day of School 2011

2011-08-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

We started school yesterday! Kaden is in 2nd grade and Kinsley is in 1st grade - time is moving too fast!!! I can't let myself think about it, seriously...I am loving this time in our lives:)

Here's Kaden all set and ready to go!!!

And Kinsley excited about the day!

Precious brother and sister - I love that they are only one year apart in school!

Kaden already hard at work!

Kinsley with two of her besties - her sweet friend Landri (on the left) was in tears because her big sis is now in 5th grade and not at the same school - so...we stopped to give hugs and get a pic. Landri and Emma (the one on the right) are in the same class this year but Kinsley is in another:( We will still get together for lots of playdates though!

Here's Kinsley happy go lucky - getting started with her day!

Mom, Jae, and Kai met up with me because Mom wanted to buy Kins a Justin Bieber backpack she had been talking about - it just worked out that they stuck around and were able to see the kiddos after school - so fun!!!

Kaden with his Aunt Jae J.

Kinsley with Aunt Jae J. - can you tell she likes her Justin Beiber backpack?

All the grandkiddos and Justin with Mom:)

Kai is growing up so fast too - she talks nonstop and is so cute - she has learned how to smile and squenches up her little nose - it is too precious!!!

What a great first day!

Our Back to School Party 2011

2011-08-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

We had our Back to School Party tonight! It was so much fun thanks to the folks at www.eighteen25.blogspot.com! I got all these ideas from them and of course put my own little twist on some things;) I love doing stuff like this!

Each kiddo received new markers, crayons, and pencils as a little surprise gift!

Here's Kinsley's place setting! I used yellow scrapbook paper, school themed chalkboard scrapbook paper, white square dishes, and dry-erase nameplates from the dollar bins at Target!

The rice crispie cake inspiration came from www.eighteen25.blogspot.com, actually the whole party inspiration came from them (including all the printable decor). Their cake was a little more simple - but I wanted to use my huge cake/cookie cutters so I chose the flower shape and the heart shape and just put one on top of the other!

Here's what our buffet table looked like before I propped up the cake - it was sliding down into the cakestand:(

Ahhh, nice and propped with a little M & M decor added!

For other decor I added a little chalkboard sign and a Mason jar with pencils and the Oh, so cute printable from eighteen25 that reads You're So Sharp!

Kinsley didn't like the M & M idea too much so she decided it would look better with big gumballs - I thought this look was just as cute if not cuter! I think eighteen25 used Captain Crunch Berries, but we didn't have any so we made do!

The plan was to have dinner, dessert, and a fashion show with the kids modeling all their new school clothes...but...they weren't "into" the whole fashion show idea so I just took a pic of the clothes! We are so blessed to have an Aunt Jae, and a Grammy that spoil us!

Kinsley and Daddy! We tried to talk with them about what their goals are for the year...but they were in a really silly mood, and had really goofy answers like "learn about barbies", "recess", etc.! We'll ask again another time:)

Me and Kaden - I love this sweet boy! Can't believe he's in 2nd grade already!

Here's my place setting with our simple dinner - the kiddos picked tomato basil spaghetti, fresh green beans, and buttered toast!

Kaden's drink in a Mason jar with straw flag - too cute!

This was the kind of mood they were in! So silly but I'm glad they were having fun!

I love the joy these two have for life! They are so excited about starting school and can't wait to see all their friends again! Lord, thanks for the JOY!

Here's another little decoration I had at the entry table leading into the dining room - I am really loving Subway art right now!

Stay tuned for more pics of Meet the Teacher, First Day of School, and Mine and Curt's 12th anniversary - can't believe its been that many years!

Happy Back to School!!!!

Playdates, Cotton Pickin' and Horses

2011-08-16T16:17:00.000-07:00

Kinsley had a playdate with her best friend Landri the other day!

These two are so cute and funny together!

So cute - I'm praying they are in the same class this coming year!

And here's a little something I love about living in Texas - on our way to a wedding shower the other day we came upon these cotton fields - we live in the suburbs so cotton fields are not the norm for us - I love that my hubby pulled over so the kids could get out and pick some for themselves!

Love these boys!

What could she be dreaming about...a life in the country???

Once we got to the shower they had these two horses - Kinsley wanted to ride them soooo bad!

But we just said hello!

Back to School Party Decor:)

2011-08-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

Ok, remember that blog I was telling you about called www.eighteen25.blogspot.com? They've got me all pumped up for Back to School and here's why:

Super fun ideas for a back to school party!!!

A rice crispy cake and flag banner - How cute is that???

Straw flags for the milk - and these name tag white boards came from the dollar bins at Target - you know I love me some dollar bins!!

Simple - Yellow scrapbook paper, black scalloped paper - could cut it out if you have the tools, or like me, go freehand, its ok:) Top with a napkin, pencils, and adorable "Sharp" tag they provide:)

Seriously - the cute factor can't get any cuter!

Not to mention, they have all the free printables to create the tags, the flag banner for the cake, and the straw flags! Umm, yes, and thank you!!! I've already got mine printed:)

Check back for more pics of our Back to School Party/Fashion Show!!!

What are you doing to get ready??? Our school starts a week from Monday...lots to do but loving it!!!

I Am Crazy! But FUN!!!

2011-08-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Hello my name is Jara and I am a Pinterest-a-holic! I have been printing subway art like its going out of style - by the way, I hope it doesn't any time soon - I think I've just about got every holiday's art printed!

So...of course I wanted to share them with you...all of these are on pinterest - just FYI! Join pinterest, follow me, you will find all of these under "Happy Holidays". Pin it to your own board, and print! A lot of them come from www.eighteen25.blogspot.com - these ladies are amazing...just wait...I have more to show you from them later!!! You can also print straight from their website!

Here's just a little taste of what you can do...Enjoy!

This one is just for fun - I think I might frame it and put it in my kiddos bathroom - cute!

Lately...

2011-08-05T16:32:00.000-07:00

Kinsley and Kaden served in church last week - they were greeters and handed out bulletins:)

They were so excited to have this "big" job!

My running club had a super fun Bachelorette party the other night to watch the season finale of the Bachelorette - go team JP! The sweet girl on the left was the hostess and she had a final rose for us all and ring pops - so cute!!!

My inlaws were in town this last week and brought this little cutie with them - this is my nephew Malakai - I could just cover him in kisses - if he'd slow down long enough to let me:)

Those chubby cheeks get me every time!

My best friend from high school and her little boy came over to swim today! I love being with them!! Note to self - get new pool toys - sweet James played with a broken basketball hoop - he was super creative and made "instruments" out of them - it was so cute!

Kaden and Kinsley thought that idea was pretty cool!

Sweet James - the one man band!!! Precious!!!

More Pinterest Love...

2011-08-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

Oh man, I have serious issues...must...get...off...computer!!!

But I can't help it, I have joined Pinterest, and now my days are full of looking up really cool stuff on there! Or seeing what my friends have pinned and repinning! Don't know the lingo...just go to pinterest.com...it won't take long and you'll be hooked too!!! Here's what I'm lovin' today:

This would be so cute to make for my kiddos teachers the first week of school!

The hubs and I need a date night pronto - I'd love to be wearing this...

This might be my favorite thing to give or get for a gift right now!!

Lovin' this art work!

I saw this a long time ago somewhere and I have wanted to do it in my kiddos playroom since - gotta start collecting letters...in fact, I saw a "Z" at a thrift store the other day...gotta check back:)

This would be fun to leave someplace where people typically have bad attitudes - drivers license office, tire store, places where you have to wait in line...

and...last but certainly not least, when I'm needing to go work out but just not feeling it...all I need is to hop on Pinterest for a little inspiration from people like this chick - she better not have had kids...ok, so maybe I need a smile - ha ha:)

Permission to CREATE!!!

2011-07-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

All images via www.pinterest.com

More Crafts...

2011-07-26T16:43:00.000-07:00

Just been feeling creative lately...

I downloaded this free printable, cut to fit and framed - easy peasy and sooo cute!

Get you one at www.simplecrafter.com/summer-free-printable-subway-art/

Remember those apples Kinsley was making a few weeks ago? Yep - found a use for them - sweet little teacher gifts for the first day of school - found "Good Job" stickers, a list note pad - I know I love these, and some stamps in the dollar bins at Target. We just wrapped them up with coordinating curly ribbon, and used Kinsley's apples as the tag - cuteness!

Found this idea on an art teachers website - let the kiddos put drops of watercolors on paper, then blow with a straw to make some modern art! Kept mine busy at least 30 minutes - ha ha!

And my sweet hubby finally hung this bulletin board in their playroom - I let them each choose a few pieces of their fave art (notice the new straw paintings), and we will switch them out as they create new masterpieces - I'd like to do this seasonally:)!

What have you been creating lately? Have you been inspired by something you've seen? Or just not feeling it??? Let me know!

She's Crafty

2011-07-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling a little crafty lately - probably from looking at all the amazing things on Pinterest. So...my sister gave me all the supplies to make a yarn wreath a little while back and I decided to finally complete it! But first...I did my research...

This one is by Gloria at Little -White- Whale.com, I love the alternating grey and white!

And this one is from Sewcraftalicious.wordpress.com - love the "peacock-y" (is that a word? It is now) decorations!

Here's how mine turned out...I'm thinking I might have gone overboard with the flowers...but for now...I like it!

Clean House

2011-07-20T17:09:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if I ever told the story of our house on here. We love our house...it was truly a gift from God in so many ways! We sold our first house in about a month and moved into an apartment while we looked for this house - we knew we would be here awhile and did not want to rush into choosing because we wanted to make sure it was something we could grow into and that it had all the things we could wish for. We actually made a list of the things we wanted - knowing we would have to sacrifice something more than likely. We actually had a contract in on a house in the perfect neighborhood that we thought was "the one" until ...a crazy realtor sold it out from under us to a higher bidder even though he'd given us a verbal contract - we were devastated...but God had better plans! You see, if we would have gotten that house, we would have sacrificed so much! God knows what he's doing and I'm so glad! I took some pics the other day because I was cleaning for my inlaws to come - that means it was SUPER clean according to my standards and I just LOOOOVE when its like that...so, this is more for me than for any of you who read my blog, this house is a blessing to us!

Here is a verse we claimed and clung to during our search: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus! - Phillipians 4:6

The pool

Our bedroom

Our bathroom

Guest bath

Dining room

Office

Kinsley's Room

Playroom

I have more pics I will add to this later...

Lovely Days

2011-07-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

I love days like today! Today we chilled at home, I edited, wasted lots of time on Pinterest, worked out, watched old Oprah's, then we went swimming - I love watching my kiddos under the water diving, kicking, trying to do handstands - I thank God for their healthy bodies and the fact that they can swim to their hearts content! Such freedom and innocence to the summer and playing and laughing all day. Here they are after swimming, no TV on - my fave, and playing a Star Wars guessing game! LOOOOVE!

In other news, my sister, who was also my Family Reunion secret pal this year, came over the other day and as part of my secret pal gift she bought these plants for me to plant in my planters by the pool! My parents gave me the planters and I was going to paint them, but after we got the plants inside I decided I kinda liked the rustic look - what'dya think?

Pinterest and Cute little girl clothes!

2011-07-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

I just joined Pinterest, I am hooked!!!

This is how I would dress my little girl if I had all the money in the world...and if it wasn't 110 degrees here in Texas right now:)!!

I will give credit to the person/company who took this photo when I find out where its from! Cute though, huh???

What's Up?

2011-07-15T10:29:00.000-07:00

What's been going on in your world's? Here's a little snippet of ours lately! Just enjoying the summer!

Kinsley's been cutting out apples, when I asked her why she said, "I don't know, just in case I need them for crafts later"...ok!

We created this little art wall in the "art room" - Kinsley spends most of her time in here!

Kinsley and I had a "girls night" while Curtis and Kaden went to Curt's basketball game the other night.

Kinsley wanted to color...all...night...long:) So fun!

Here's my puppy checking up on us! She made it mandatory that we have puppies to watch us color!:)

Coloring in my bed with the coloring princess!

My mom bought this coloring book at Old Navy a few years ago for the kids and I haven't seen a cooler one since!

We colored this...

and this...

Today I braided her hair while she watched a movie - every woman should have a little girls hair to braid - LOVE IT!!!

This sweet little boy watched the movie with us!

And then she sat under my desk to flashlight read while I checked emails and updated this blog!!!

So...what have you been up to?

ARRGH!!! Kaden's 8th Birthday Pirate Party

2011-07-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my little boy is 8 years old already!!! We celebrated with a Pirates of the Caribbean Party! Here is the cake and snacks table!

A close up of the treasure chest - complete with Pirate Booty veggie puffs:)

Kaden was able to choose 3 friends to go see the new Pirates of the Caribbean 4 movie - we saw it at the imax in 3D - AWESOME! Here he is with Colton and Kayden - two of his fave friends, and since his other friend was out of town, little sister happily filled in:)!

Birthday sign in the kitchen!

So...we totally improvised on this cake - no store around us had ANY Pirate cakes, period. Luckily, Curtis had the idea to buy some leggo Pirates stuff and just added it to a cake a lady at Target made us to look like water and a beach!...Whew...!

The pirate loot - Kade's presents!

Another shot of the table!

I had these cute little X's and O's dishes from Pottery Barn, they are actually for Valentine's Day desserts, but for this party - the X's really marked the spot!!! ha ha

The little scalleywag with his cake!

Family pic! We love this boy!

Opening presents with cousin Kai, and friend Kayden!

Then it was time for a treasure hunt - thanks to my sweet hubby for making these maps right quick - each kiddo had to find 2 coins at 5 different locations, and then trade those coins in for a treasure at the end!

This is team Kins and Kayden

Team Kaden and Colton!

And the little pirateer Kai Kai!

The party ended with a dip in the pool:) Kinsley is a scary mermaid here - if you've seen the movie, ya get it! ha ha!

Sweet birthday boy enjoying life!

Can you see them - Curtis and David - Colton and Kayden's dad!

Mom, Dad, and my bro-in-law John! And the last pic below is of me and Stephanie - Colton and Kayden's mom! Fun was had by all!!!

July 4th 2011

2011-07-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

Since my inlaws were in town this year we were happy to host the Fourth of July Celebration at our house! We got these new lights for one of our patios and I couldn't wait to use them!

I made these cute red/white/blue strawberries - I saw this idea in Parents Magazine!

Curtis worked his magic on the grill - we had hamburgers, hotdogs, grilled corn, squash, and zucchini, Texas sheet cake, and ice cream - it was delish!

We swam a little - (Malakai, MIL Susan, and Kinsley)

And talked a little - my sweet momma!

Swam...here's my cute dad!

Swam some more - MIL, Malakai, FIL

Ate our delicious meal...

while the kiddos chilled at the kids table!

And talked some more...

It was a pretty laid back 4th - no driving all around town, parking miles away, walking in the 100 degree heat to find some fireworks, fighting the crowds, etc. I kinda liked it!!!

Glenrose Dinos:)

2011-07-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

My inlaws are in town this week and we drove down to check out a campsite my FIL might be superintendent over, it was 7 miles from this dinosaur valley so we decided to check it out! Here's a poster of the types of dinos that left tracks here!

Su-weeet! Dino tracks plain as day!

Kaden and Kinsley LOVED this but it was soooo hot, as you can tell by Kinsley's melting candybar and crayons I made her take out of the car so they wouldn't melt! It would be great to go here in the Spring when you can stand to be outside a little longer than 10 minutes. Nevertheless, it was cool to see these tracks!

Here's my father-in-law, David and my nephew Malakai by a HUGE dino!! My kiddos were already back in the air conditioned car by this point! Ha ha!

Thanks Grandpops and Grandma for taking us here! It was fun to see!!!

Broken Bow Family Trip 2011

2011-07-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

After the family reunion we headed to Broken Bow, Oklahoma for a few days with both of my sisters families and my mom and dad. Here are all the cousins, from l to r: Kai, Kinsley, Stewart, Kaden, Colton, Madison, and Makenna

We stayed in this awsome lodge called Lone Star lodge - obviously owned by some Texans!

This was our view from the porch - gorgeous!! It felt like we were in a HUGE treehouse!

My mom enjoyed being with all her grandkids!

We spent a day on the lake tubing, wave running, swimming, exploring islands, and boating!

My dad brought us all a canvas to do a little family art!

We also took a scenic drive one day - this was the view from the top - awesome, huh?

This is my older sister, Jayna's family! LOVE THEM!

This is my younger sister, Jae's family - too cute!

And here's our little family! We all had a magnificient time!!!

Family Reunion in Arkansas 2011

2011-07-07T12:50:00.000-07:00

This is the lodge where we stay

This is the pool we swim in and the lake we fish in and the view we see complete with deer grazing most of the time...

This is the porch we sit on, rock in rocking chairs, and shoot the breeze remembering reunions from years past...

This is the space where we all gather for meals, games, and memories - this year we did a Heehaw skit, that's me as the teacher with my "class", it took awhile for everyone to get "into" it but once they did we laughed and laughed - by the way...my mom wrote the script - pretty funny!

This is my mom and one of her cousins Linda chatting and catching up...

And this, well this is a pic of my cousins Linda, Sharon, and Millie - we helped my cousin Sharon dye her hair!!!

I love being with my extended family once every year. We eat, play Bunko, talk, laugh, have a silent auction, and just enjoy being with eachother.

Do others of you out there have family reunions? If so, where do you go and what do you do while there?

An Incredible Man

2011-06-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how I got so blessed but I remember the day I met this man! A boy at the time, and I was a boy-crazy teenage girl!!! My dad told my sister and I we were getting a new pastor at our church and the first thing we asked was, "Does he have kids? Sons? Are they hot?" Ha ha! We went through this loooong line to say, "Hello" and shake all their hands...afterward my dad asked what we thought and I remember saying, "Uh...he (the pastor) can stay". Little did I know...

Four years later I asked that boy - now a Hot college guy, to my Senior year High School Cheerleading banquet, and I'm not sure to this day why...but he said, "Yes"! The rest is history folks! Even though his friends gave him such a hard time...we began dating, fell in love, got married 2 years later and began a life together!

He is the most incredible man, hand-picked by God for me...everything I asked for on my "list", and the BEST father ever to our children!

Curtis Jon Downs - you are my ROCK! I love you more and more each day!!! Happy Father's Day my love!!!

Another Project - Life Verse Painting!

2011-06-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

I've also been working on this - my dad made me this HUGE canvas to put our family life verse on! I had a BLAST working on this! In case you are wondering the verse is Colossians 1:9-12 - my FAVE!

a far away view...

and a close up...!

Re-Do's

2011-06-21T18:12:00.000-07:00

Remember this:

We bought this desk for $200 at a garage sale...and these?:

8 foot bookshelves for $25??? Umm, I'll take two please - same garage sale:)

We finally finished them and here's what they look like now:)

The desk - this thing is HUGE, my computer looks like a toy on it now - ha ha! We sanded and stained, sanded and stained, until it was just how we wanted it!

and the bookshelves...honeslty - we just spray painted these - dontcha just Loooove what a little spray paint can do? I am loving arranging and re-arranging these, can't wait to buy something pretty to put on top of both! What do you suggest?

In the meantime, it's been fun putting my little do-dads all around:)

and rearranging books like this...

and just for fun...here's another view! I'm linking up to Thrity Decor Chick - check my links on the right! She's got some great projects and ideas there!

Summer Snow!

2011-06-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

One of the fun gifts Kinsley asked for and received for her birthday was this Snow Cone Maker!

It has been super fun, and they LOVE making snow cones with it!

And...in this 100 degree Texas heat we've been having lately, I've been loving it a little bit too:)!

Kinsley's Art Party

2011-06-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

Kinsley's Birthday Party was a big success! I think it turned out exactly how she wanted it to!

We began with the invitations:

They said: Crayons, Paint, and Markers Galore! A Very Artsy Celebration is in Store! Creative, Fun, and Masterpieces Great...Come and help us Celebrate!

Didn't my hubby do an awesome job?!

Then it was on to the food...

We went for a rainbow theme here to include all the colors, so...rainbow frosted cupcakes on an easel:)

Even the inside of the cake was rainbow!:)

Fruit in every color! Mmmm! We also had veggies in a variety of colors and rainbow goldfish to munch!

Now for the decor:

I got this precious idea from a party website to hang paint cans and attach tablecloths to look like spilled paint! I thought it turned out adorable!

On to the FUN:

As each kiddo arrived they were given their very own art smock and ushered outside to create a one-of-a kind masterpiece! I think they enjoyed not having a certain picture to paint but they were just allowed to create whatever they wanted! The ice trays served as great paint holders - and allowed just the right amount of paint to be squeezed out without being too much!

Here's the birthday girl working hard!

Group shot of all the little artistes':)

A colorful masterpiece!

We also had a play-doh table and a drawing/coloring table set up for the party-goers to explore!

After eating cake and opening presents we were sure to get pics with all Kinsley's friends in front of the chalkboard picture frame for Thank You Notes (I actually ended up emailing all the photos to parents with a note of thanks, but it would have been super cute to make photo postcards like this, that was my original idea in the perfect world of plenty of time:)!)

For party favors each kiddo went home with their smock, their masterpiece, and a new set of watercolors!

All in all, it was a colorful, creative and artsy-rific time!!!

What other cool bday ideas have you heard of? We love out-of-the-box parties!

Super Saturday!

2011-06-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

Today was a good day! The kids wanted to sell lemonade using their cute new lemonade poster we bought for $1 in the dollar bins at Target! They actually made $7.50 - pretty good for a little lemonade stand, and just a couple of hours I think! Kinsley loved waving cars down and screaming "Lemonade, Get Your Lemonade Here"!!! Kaden was a great salesman too, making sure everyone had a straw!

Then they wanted to make forts and eat smores - here's Kinsley's fort in the dining room:)

And here they are reading books by flashlight in Kaden's fort in his room! Excuse Kinsley's nakedness but this is us...real life...she loves going au natural:)

Just enjoying summer!! Hope you are too!

A Quote for YOUR Weekend!!!!

2011-06-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning out/organizing my home office and I found this quote by Charles Swindoll: LOVE it!!!

ATTITUDE

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a CHOICE each day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our ATTITUDE...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I REACT to it.

And so it is with you...we are in charge of our ATTITUDES."

Summer Patio(s) Renovation

2011-06-09T09:51:00.000-07:00

I have been dying to renovate my patio's out by the pool but just have not had the time, nor the money to do it like I want to...so...I am entering a contest on Making It Lovely, haven't checked out her blog??? Go! She is amazing and along with her husband, they have completely renovated their house, and did a stinkin' good job I must say! Plus they have two adorable kiddos! I get so inspired when I visit her site!

Here is what my patios look like now: (literally, I JUST went outside and snapped these picks, please forgive the trash bag with my daughters latest painting project, and the leftover trimmings from our oleander that froze this winter)!

First patio, right outside the back door, covered - dreaming of a backyard living room, comfy cozy seating, fireplace or firepit, long breezy curtains, some type of art or sculpture on the walls, or a swing... again... - I used to have one but it broke:(

Looking at the 2nd patio from the side of the pool - this one looks out onto the yard that we have off to the side from this direction

2nd patio looking toward the pool - All that's out there right now are things our neighbors and friends have so generously offered - thank you sweet friends! I am dreaming of chaise lounge chairs to lay in, a table and lots of chairs filled with sweet friends, lights strung across us overhead, a cozy little nook for reading in (love the Pottery Barn one Making it Lovely has), a fountain in the middle of the patio by the hot-tub...ahhh...the possibilities are endless!!!

This Summer I Promise...

2011-06-08T18:53:00.000-07:00

This summer...I promise to let you be a kid...to let you sleep in until you naturally awaken, to let you watch cartoons until your hearts content, to let you eat popsicles for breakfast, to let you swim in the pool until your fingers and toes turn to raisins...

...to let you wear your funny swim fins and goggles to neighborhood pools and friends houses, to play with you in the pool rather than just relax and lay out/read a book/text on my phone/talk with my friends...I promise to take you to lots of parks, to let you play in the sandbox no matter how dirty you get, to go on nature walks with you...

...I promise to let you wear pajamas all day, or run around in just your underwear, to let you get the playroom as messy as you want without making you clean it up each day, to let you paint and play with play-doh, to do crafts with you, to let you play in the sprinklers in your clothes, to take you on surprise trips to get snowcones, ice cream, or to see a movie...

...I promise to be silly with you, laugh with you, turn up the music and dance with you, build you sheet forts in the dining room, bake cookies and brownies with you and let you lick the bowl and spoons, I promise to play board games with you and let you pick the game, to let you make pallets in my room to have a slumber party, to catch fireflies in a jar with you, to take you on fun field trips....

...to let you invite friends over to play or walk you down to a neighborhood friends house just to say hello, I promise to make you lots of Kool-Aid in all different flavors, to let you play outside until it gets dark, to let you play on the Wii, the DS, and the computer and to play on these things with you...

I promise to let you be a kid, to soak up your summer, to delight in all things you love to do...I promise this because I know these days go by fast...and I want you to enjoy the WONDER!!!!

ARTY PARTY!!!!

2011-05-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

Kinsley's Birthday Party is Saturday! Here's a little taste:

Grapevine Main Street Festival

2011-05-16T18:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Weekend!

2011-05-13T17:53:00.000-07:00

Headed out for Date Night with my LOVE!!!

Will probably be working on this...

and this...gonna be so glad when all the "projects" are complete:) Have a good one!!!!

Baby Girl is 6!!!!

2011-05-13T17:46:00.000-07:00

This little beauty is 6 years old!!!! Seems like yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital - a teeny tiny perfect baby girl with HUGE brown eyes and tiny little rosebud lips:)

Kinsley, you are a joy! Mommy prayed for you and God gave me the desires of my heart when he blessed our lives with you!!!! You have brought tons of joy to our lives with your quirky little personality, and your HUGE smile! You have been smiling every since you figured out how to and haven't stopped - your joy is contagious! May you always be filled with it! Happy Birthday Beautiful!!!

She wanted to go to Cici's for dinner and was thrilled with some quarters and squinkies:)

It's the simple little things in life...

Stay tuned for her awesome Art Party coming up!!!! I'm having a blast buying decor for this one - can't wait!!!

Word to Ya Mother!!!

2011-05-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

I had a great Mothers Day! These two brought me breakfast in bed:)

It made me smile and was quite yummy!

My note from Kaden - I LOVE kid-spelling:)

My note from Kinsley: It says: Two eyes to watch me play on the playground, two lips to say "lets go inside", two arms for hugin' me:), a heart filled with Jesus (*insert tear), a lap for me to sit on, and two feet to take me to Wal-Mart (the girl loves her some Wal-Mart and Target - ha ha)!

My hubby gave me these beauties! Love that man, he makes me be a better mom!!!

We went to church, Kari Jobe was there and sang for us, and then to spend the day with two of my faves - my mom, and my sis, Jae!

I created a scavenger hunt for my mom to find her gift - I taped little riddle clues to her brush, her straightener, her mirror, and then on her computer...

Once she got to her computer there were instructions for her to go to her email and then to print this gift card to Dry Bar - a place here in Dallas that just does blowouts for your hair - DIVINE!!!!

Book Club

2011-05-02T18:27:00.000-07:00

I LOVE BOOKS! Yep, I'm a bonafied book worm, and I happily admit it! I love to sit with a good book, escape reality for a little while, and peek into other people's/characters lives:) Especially in the summer...by the pool...with pink lemonade...or better yet, at the beach, getting a tan, with my toes in the sand!

I was sooooo sad tonight when I saw my friend Jenny's number on my cell phone and quickly realized she was at book club and I was not...I completely forgot:( I was already in my pajamas and folding laundry so just jumping in the car and racing up there was not in the cards for me tonight;(

In honor of my Book Club, here are some of the books we've read the last few months and just for good measure I'll throw a couple of others in that I am personally reading myself! In case you are getting your summer reading list going...ENJOY!

This was our first book, a murder mystery - a great read, great mystery if you are "in" to that sort of thing, but a little sad.

LOVED this book - laughed, cried, can't wait for the movie!!! All about rich southern women and their maids (what they REALLY think)...Everyone should read this book!

Totally fun read...Pioneer Woman's (do you know her blog yet? You should!!!) love story with her Marlboro Man cowboy - laughed out loud reading this one - PURE ENJOYMENT, makes this city girl wanna spend some days in the country! I hear a movie might be in the works for this one too???

This is one I am reading on my own - a christian book that MOPS sent out this year to all MOPS members - makes me want to clean, decorate, and make my house all warm and cozy:)

Great book, doing this with the women in my small group at church, highly recommend, especially if God still has some things to work out in you - which should be all of us right?:)

And last but not least...this is our next book club read, don't know much about it but... gonna see the movie when I'm done too, LOVE Reese Witherspoon!

Have any of you read any of these, what did you think? What's on your Summer Reading List this year????? Any recommendations?

Happy Reading!

This is YOUR LIFE!

2011-04-30T20:21:00.000-07:00

Borrowed this from another blog...LOVE IT! What's your PASSION? Mine is living the best life I can according to what God's will is for me and hopefully shining His LOVE to others everywhere I go! Have a great rest of your weekend!

Sand and Stain, Sand and Stain, Sand and Stain some more...

2011-04-25T16:39:00.000-07:00

We also did a little of this this past weekend! Sanding...

Staining...

Staining some more...

This was our first staining project - this furniture is for Kaden's room, can't wait to show you the finished product!!!

Easter 2011

2011-04-25T16:35:00.000-07:00

How was your Easter?

Ours was good...

We got dressed up and went to church - had an awesome service with baptisms, the true message of the gospel, etc.

Came home, ate lunch, had a little Easter Egg Hunt

Enjoyed hunting for baskets

Checking out the goodies...

And trying out these new cuties...

new bunny/frog slippers for all!!!

So thankful for a quiet, intimate, family Easter, even though we missed our big fam who were all in Galveston this weekend!

But even more so, we are super thankful for the Day the Lord Hath Made by his HUGE SELFLESS SACRIFICE ON THE CROSS!!! Praise God - we love that the one we serve is alive and well, already preparing a place for us one day in HEAVEN!!!!

Happy Easter to All of YOU! May you know the true reason for the holiday and my prayers are that you get to spend some intimate time with HIM, bunny/frog slippers optional:)!!!

Lots of Growth:)

2011-04-09T13:47:00.000-07:00

Remember the blooms from my yard that were just about to burst???? Well, here they are today...

in front of the house

front of the house - this bush had 0 blooms last year, I cut it back this year and voila!!!

side of the house - this is the one I think we share with our neighbor, but I claim it as mine - since I take care of it:) ha ha

Yellow Irises by the pool

Bluebonnets 2011

2011-04-09T13:39:00.000-07:00

The Bluebonnets were out in full force in my parents neighborhood the other day....so...so were we:)!

Happy Anniversary Barbara and Don!

2011-04-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I helped to host an anniversary party for this precious couple! Barbara is one of my mom's best friends and she was like a second mom to me. She used to pick me and my sister up from school, take us to her house, give us purple dinosaur grape Kool-Aid and snacks and watch us until our mom picked us up after work. She also let us walk in her golf grass with bare feet, and cut gorgeous flowers from her flower beds to take to our teachers! It was my pleasure to help celebrate 50 years of marriage to her hubby Don!

The sweet couple renewing their vows!

Little helpers in the church kitchen!:)

This was my job...BEST...JOB...EVER!!!! LOVE making these!

More of the help - Christiaan, Jenny, and Ashley

and more help - Jae (my sis), Linda (another one of mom's besties), and Dawn (only daughter of the anniversary couple and sweet friend)

Her job was to test the mics by singing cute little tunes while we worked:)

Some of the food we prepared:)

Yummy mini cheeseballs:)

Mmmm!

Growth

2011-03-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

It has been a dreary day here in Texas, cold and rainy but when I got home today and peeked outside I couldn't help but notice the growth that has quietly been taking place!

my rose buds in front yard

So much like life... - when we are down and out - have dreary days, grey days, we can always assume Christ is working in us to GROW us in a sense!

huge bloom out front

I spent some of these dreary days not too long ago, pruning and weeding in my yard so that my plants would flourish this Spring/Summer and it is so SUPER exciting to see them sprout - seriously...I celebrate with a little happy dance every time I see a new shoot, or bud, or leaf!

tiny little rose starting to bloom

The growth in my yard has been such a mirror of my life this year. I went through some grey days, some dreary days back in September - right as the weather was turning. All through the winter I have felt God pruning me...and at times, believe me, it did NOT feel good at all! Nonetheless, he knew what was best, as he always does, and he continued... pruning, cutting back, getting rid of the weeds of self doubt, of pity party-ness (is that a word? ya'll know what I mean!), of timidity, etc. etc.

YES...God knows what's best and just like me, he CAN'T WAIT to see the new growth he has uncovered, and boy oh boy am I gonna be glad to see it too!!! I pray it bursts out much like my yard is doing right now - bursting out with colors, blooms, strong bold stems, tough bright leaves, and such glorious vibrancy!!!

pink flowers on a small bush in the back

raindrops on my bold strong callas leaves

beautiful new iris blooming

pansies by front door

iris unfurling

That's why Spring gets me so excited - the grey days are gone - and it's a NEW BEGINNING, a time to start fresh, forget the past, MOVE ON!!! I am thankful for the pruning, I am thankful for the pulling of the weeds, I am thankful for the getting rid of the unwanted dead stuff, I am thankful for the rain, ...but most of all....I am thankful for the GROWTH!!!

growth behind the pool - bold, tough callas leaves

my trumpet plant vine bursting with blooms like crazy along the fence and pool gate

Praise God for the GROWTH!!!

Creative Kids - Gotta LOVE it!

2011-03-22T15:03:00.000-07:00

I gotta hand it to them for their creativity! My kiddos rock in the creative department! They wanted to have a Star Wars movie watching marathon one day of Spring Break...so they dressed up in their best Star Wars costumes!

How cute are they?!!! LOVE the creativity and imagination of kids!

Spring Break - Donut Picnic at the Park!

2011-03-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

The weather was just gorgeous this year for Spring Break so one of the days we decided to have a donut picnic at the park! We picked up our faves from our local donut store - (where they know us by name by now because of Curt and the kids Saturday morning tradition:)), and headed out to our most favorite park in town!

We went on a nature walk - isn't this a cute pic - why yes we DO wear princess dresses to the park, why not? She is actually throwing a fit here because she wanted to keep walking further, but we had turned around - still...what a cutie!

we counted how old this tree was by its rings!

played in the sandbox

and even found a caterpillar! Such a perfect little happy day!

Spring Break Day at the Zoo 2011

2011-03-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous Spring Break and spent most days just relaxing at home, but we did venture out to the zoo one day with Mom, Jae, Kai, Penny, Janel, and Emma! Love being with my mom and sis!

We saw and pet snakes in the MOLA exhibit!

had fun watching these guys - this one only had one tusk:( and rocked back and forth like it had issues? - but was fun to watch!

This mama and baby giraffe were too cute!

This is our friend Lazy Lion - he's always in this same spot, yawning and sunning - we tried to get him to roar but he refused!

One of our favorite things at the zoo is to feed and hold the birds:) My kiddos are getting good at getting them to get on their sticks!

On the train ride - Grammy and Kaden

Kinsley and me on the train

We saw this big guy - look at the size of that face!

And we had a great time with these ladies!!! They are ALWAYS a blast! Janel, Penny, and precious Emma!

Pinkalicious!

2011-03-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

Kinsley had a fun playdate with some of her friends (Landri and Emma) from school the other day - we went to see Pinkalicious the play! We love the books but it was a blast to see the story come alive!

They had a little after party afterwards with all things pink - cotten candy, pink lemonade, pink cupcakes, pink fingernail painting, etc.!

And they even got to meet all the actors/actresses in the play! It was a pinkalicious perfect playdate!!!

Our Magical Trip to Disneyworld 2011

2011-03-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

Curtis won a trip for two to Disneyworld at his work Christmas party this year, it included two tickets to the Magic game, two parkhopper tickets to the Disney parks, two flights, and a two night stay at the Westin Imagine hotel! So we forked over the extra money and took our kiddos with us! The boys got the tickets to the Magic/Knicks game so Kinsley and I went to see Cirque De Soleil's La Nouba the first night!

The next day it was on to Animal Kingdom!

Where we did the safari ride and saw giraffes...

elephants

funny gorillas with their very own blankets

This super cool tree with tons of animal carvings in it...

and rode this crazy roller coaster - Kaden and Kinsley's first real roller coaster...yes it is a roller coaster, no we did not take a detour - see the tracks on the left!

After that we were on to Hollywood Studios!

We watched a little padawan training...

which inspired Kaden to buy this Jedi cloak, and Kinsley got her face painted - they were both sooo happy they held hands!

We also ate in this precious 50's diner!

After lunch it was time for Epcot!

Where we met our first character for this trip - Daisy!

They were having this beautiful flower exhibit and the park was just gorgeous!

Then it was time to see all the countries - we started in France - this is Kinsley by the bridge!

Spain

Japan

Our only pic with Minnie and Mickey - we didn't see them much this trip:(

Venice

And just in case you were wondering - the view from our hotel - I took this just to remember how pretty it was - we were so busy we didn't acutally ever get out to this pool, but boy was it beautiful!!

and finally...Magic Kingdom - funny story - we were supposed to see ALL these parks in ONE day - you heard me right - we just had the one day park hopper passes ya know...needless to say we got mixed up on the closing times and ended up getting here right at closing time...so...we forked over some more money and went back the next day - because after all - you can't come to Disneyworld and NOT go to Magic Kingdom - that's what it's all about right?! Honestly - I was happy for more time at this park - its my fave!

and this is why - lots of happy memories made here!

What would Disneyworld be without the Mickey ears pics?

Or the family Cinderella Castle pic - do you love our Mickey shirts?:)! Curt was too cool for school here!

We visited the Swiss Family Robinson's treehouse

rode all our fave rides - the kiddos were a little scared on this one at first, though they'd never admit it!

and how many of you have this same pic? From what year???

Of course we rode our fave!

Posed for more character shots with Mary Poppins

and Peter Pan of course

One more pic in front of the castle

and then it was time to go:)

So this we did say...

but not before we saw the parade:)

Whoo Hooo Curtis - First Marathon!!

2011-03-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

Curtis just completed his first marathon!!! He did the full and Jae and I just did the 10K at this year's Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth! I am so proud of him! It didn't turn out exactly like he wanted (goal times, etc) but he worked hard to train, still made it in a GREAT time and finished a MARATHON!!!! I think he ROCKS!!! The kids and I watched him start, met him at mile 15 to load him up with hydration, made a fun poster, and saw him cross the finish line! We were so PROUD!!!

Valentine Parties at School 2011

2011-03-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

I am room mom in Kinsley's class this year and we had a blast at her Valentine party - there was a picture frame craft, yummy create-your-own sundaes, stacking conversation hearts game, Don't break my heart/pass the heart game, and of course the opening of the Valentine boxes!! I love doing things to help at my kiddos school and seeing their happy faces on party days!

Lauren, Landri, Kinsley, and Amanda with their cute little boxes!

Kaden's party was a blast too - with many of the same activities!

and his very own special little Valentine Avery - these two are such cute friends!!!

Valentine Brunch at Jae and John's 2011

2011-03-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

Curtis and I

My mom and dad

Jae and John, and all our kiddos enjoyed a fabulous Valentine's brunch at Jae and John's house!

There was a delicious waffle bar, bacon, and juices to choose from

and fun little gifts to exchange!

We also went for a walk in their neighborhood, toured the model home, hung out, and went out to eat at Mi Cocina that night! It was a perfect day of all the things I LOVE - good food, fun gifts, and family!!

Daddy/Daughter Dance and Date with Kaden 2011

2011-03-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

This has become a tradition in our house - the Daddy/Daughter Dance! Kinsley and Curtis went last year and she has literally talked about it ever since, so of course they had to go again this year! It is a very special date with just her and her daddy - believe me when I say JUST her and her daddy - (Kaden and I tried to sneak in and take pictures and they had this lady guarding the door that said we COULD NOT go in - thank you very much!!!) But...it is precious and she loves her one on one time with her daddy!

It is very special because she gets to go to this sweet little girl salon called "Girly Girl" to get her hair done - always an updo with glitter...just fit for a princess!

Then she gets to get a mani and a pedi in whatever color she wants - here she is supposed to be showing off her mani but being silly instead!

And since her and her daddy get a special date, so do Kaden and I! We played Lego Star Wars on the Wii and went out for Frosties at Wendy's - Kaden's picks for the night of course!

I love making these precious memories with them!

Snow Dayssss!

2011-03-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

The kiddos were out of school for about a week at the beginning of February for the SNOW!!! This happens at least once a year here in Texas and it is so funny how everything is shut down - you northerners just laugh at us I know, but we LOVE it, and look forward to it every year - even if we have to make up those school days in June!

Here's the house covered in snow!

Snow angel wearing my bibs from when I was her age - we don't buy them much around these parts ya know? Nor do the stores sell them too often:)

Snow angel 2 - he LOVED being out in the snow in his pajamas:)

If all the snowflakes were lemon bars and milkshakes...

Oh! What a snow it would be!!!

Curt's work even shut down for a day - something usually unheard of - and he got to enjoy it with us!!! He built forts and played snowball fights with the kiddos - they just LOVED it!

Whoa - bad pic alert - this is me after having the worst case of flu I've had in years - I was recuperating here but was still in the "too weak to wear make-up" phase;)

Building Frosty

Biggest Icicle this baby has ever seen!!!

Western Day 2011

2011-03-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

Yeeeehaw!!! Kaden and Kinsley had a rootin' tootin' good time at school on Western Day! Their daddy was able to go watch them participate in different relay races and western singing and dancing! Aren't they just the cutest little cowboy/cowgirl you've ever seen? Thanks to our friends Mande Babb and Jayme Hughes for letting us borrow boots/hats from your kiddos:)!

Upwards Basketball and Cheerleading!

2011-03-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

Kaden and Kinsley just finished Upwards Basketball and Cheerleading! It was a wonderful experience! Upwards is a christian organization and they have devotions at half time at every game! Also, while teaching the kiddos the fundamentals of cheerleading and basketball they are also teaching them lessons from the bible about character. Kade and Kins had to memorize a weekly bible verse - which is awesome, and Curt was able to coach Kade's team - it was a wonderful experience for the whole family!

Kinsley cheering - it was so exciting to see her confidence SOAR after starting cheerleading! She was so proud of herself, and we could tell it made her feel a part or "cool" to have her "thing":) She loved every minute of it!

Kaden playing - he was such a cutie and learned so much this season! He made two baskets, one in each of the last two games he played, which was a blast since Grammy and Grandaddy, Aunt Jae, and Kai were at the last game!

Catching Up - Museum of Science and History!!!

2011-03-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

I have gotten waaaaaaaaaay behind in blogging lately! I have been working more (subbing in our school district) and have just not been able to keep up lately...sooo...here goes, gonna try to catch up! These pics are from our trip to Cowtown Diner and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History with our friends Janel and Emma, and Aunt Jae J. and sweet Kai Kai! We had a blast! Here are Kade, Kins, and Kai at the Stockshow - it just happened to be going on as well they day we were there!

Ready for the 3D show! So fun!

Janel, Emma, Jae, Kai, Me, Kade, and Kinsley outside of the Cowtown Diner! I LOVE days out with friends - we had a blast!!!

Running and ART!

2011-02-27T13:01:00.000-08:00

My weekend has consisted of two of my favorite things: running and art! Okay...so I would be lying if I said running was one of my fave things - it's not so much the actual running as it is the feeling you have after you finish a long run that I love!! Curtis and I ran in the Cowtown races this weekend - I did the 10K and he ran his first full. It truly was exhilarating!! This was my first time to run for a cause of my choosing - I ran for a little boy that used to go to one of the schools I've subbed at this year. He is autistic, so we were running for a cure for that, as well as for him, and the home/organization where he is now! It was a great feeling to run with purpose while thinking of this sweet little boy and his precious family! We also watched a movie called The Spirit of the Marathon - VERY INSPIRING, if you haven't seen it, do - it will inspire you too!

As for art...I am feeling like being creative lately and I have so many ideas for paintings in my head - just not enough canvas. I have been thinking about just buying a roll of canvas, but then I'd have to learn how to stretch it, etc.? Have any of you ever done this? How hard is it? My art has been mainly inspirational this year so far - I think God has had to work some things out in me...therefore, that is what has come out in my painting lately!

Anyway...its weekends like this that I love - just doing the things I love to do!

I'm Curious - Are you Ready?

2011-02-07T18:49:00.000-08:00

It's almost here...are you ready? I wanna know...what do you do for Valentine's Day? What do you get for that special someone in your life? What are you getting this year? Anything neat and interesting this year?

Do you get just a little something???

Or do you go all out? Also, do you get stuff for the kiddos, if so what? I want some neat ideas - Lord knows we don't need any more junk in this house:)!

I think we are going over to my sister Jae's for a sweet little waffle brunch - more pics on that later;)

It snuck up on me this year...I still haven't even sent out my Christmas thank-you's yet...

Downs Family Christmas 2010

2011-01-26T18:53:00.000-08:00

After Christmas with my family, we spent a few days in Oklahoma with Curt's side of the family! Here's Kinsley with her 2nd cousins Ellison and Quinlynn - they all got American Girl dolls for Christmas so they had a great time playing with them together!

Curt's brother Travis

While we were there, Oklahoma had this super fun leggo exhibit going on! Kaden LOVED every minute of it - here he is at the HUGE leggo table making his own creation!

Curtis and Kinsley getting in on the fun!

Kaden, Grandma, and Grandpops looking at some of the buildings made out of leggos!

funny boy

The next day we went to the Oklahoma zoo - it was a fantastic zoo and we all had a great time!

From l to r: Me, Curt, Kaden, David, Shelley (Curt's aunt), Ellison, Kinsley, Quinlynn, Susan, Chandler (Curt's cousin), Kim, Malakai, Jared, Courtney, and Carol (another one of Curt's aunts)

Swinging by the monkeys with Grandpops

Curtis, with Kaden, Kinsley, David and Susan by the lake

This sums up the wonder my kiddos have when they are at the zoo - they LOVE it!

Kinsley, Malakai, and Kaden on a tortoise

Curtis's sister Courtney and her boyfriend Jared

Curtis's other brother Kevin, with Kaden and Corbin

Kinsley and Emerson playing and opening presents!

Christmas with my family 2010

2011-01-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

We had a fabulous Christmas with my family this year! Both of my sisters and all their kiddos came and had a blast! Here they are waiting to get pics taken with Santa, from L to R Makenna, Madison and Kai, Kinsley, Kaden and in front of him Colton, and Stewart (the newest addition to the family - my sis and bro-in-law just adopted him - so precious!)

posing outside waiting for pics to be developed:)

Here we all are piled - and I do mean PILED in the car to go look at the Grand Prairie lights - we made TONS of happy memories this night - look at Jae and me in the very back - it was soo funny! Jayna came and sat back there with us too - we ate fudge on the way:)

Surprise trip to one of my mom's friends house to meet this reindeer up close - this is Prancer:)

Prancer had a friend named Jingle Bells - Kinsley would have loved to have taken him home:)

Christmas Eve - all the kids in their "penguin" pajamas - this is what I love about having sisters - we all got our kids penguin pajamas and none of us even planned it or were together when we bought them - how funny!!!

Kinsley's gifts from Santa - her first American Girl Doll:)

Kaden's gifts from Santa

My family does everything BIG - here our the stockings - no way to hang these babies with care, so we just lined them up on the floor;)

Wouldn't trade these two for anything in the world!!! I LOVE my sisters!!!!

Kinsley with a few of her fave gifts - hat, scarf, Snuggie, and Elizabeth - what she named her doll:)

Kaden and his double bladed light saber - it doesn't get any better than this for a 7 year old boy!!!

Grammy and all her grandkids with their gingerbread cookies - its a tradition to make a house, etc. each year - this year they all made gingerbread men - much easier and CUTE!!!!

A Visit to the American Girl Doll Store, Cookies, and More!

2010-12-21T20:31:00.000-08:00

We had such a super fantastic day yesterday! First we went to mom's and made Christmas cookies:)

Then we had reservations here...we have been waiting to go until Kinsley mentioned it herself, we wanted to do the whole experience but we wanted her to remember it:)!!! This was the year!

Getting a snack at the bistro:) Sweet Kaden was such a good sport on this ultra girly day!

Guess what Santa is bringing this year?:) This was just one she borrowed to sit with us in the doll highchair at the table, hers will look much more like her with brown hair, brown eyes:)!

Afterwards we went to eat dinner with mom, Kaden lost his first front tooth - tooth fairy brought him $5:)

Another fun part about our day is that my cousin Millie, Uncle Bub, and their families were in town at mom's! Kinsley had a blast with Averi playing "Makeover":) They did a little fashion show for us before we had to leave:)! Aren't they precious?!

Tidings of Comfort and Joy!!!!

2010-12-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

Kelly at Kelly's Korner always does such a fun house tour on her blog each year, so I thought I'd join in! Grab a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy! Welcome...this is the wreath on our front door - it has an ornament on it that says "JOY" - I love it!!!

As you enter, if you look up you will see some of our garland above!

These cute little bottles have been a part of every holiday:) Right now they sit in a window in the office;)

As you enter our house, and pass the dining room, this is what you see. What's Christmas without the most important decoration of all - our Manger scene!

This is one of my faves - I think I won it during a pretty heated game of Chinese gift exchange one year - ha!!

On to the living room where you will find our tree (it is a monster:)), and mantle!

Close up of the mantle - those little tubes are "Letters to Santa" holders:)

Close up of fireplace garland

This is a little basket of goodies that sits on the coffee table

The kitchen seems to be the place all the other decor goes when I don't know where to put it:) Just fun!

These little friends are vintage - they were my Grandmothers - I have many happy memories of sitting at her dining room table, eating breakfast, opening stockings, and admiring these little treasures!

More vintage friends

two more friends - the little girl bell on the right has been mine since I was a very small girl!

Under the tree you will see how I am wrapping some of my packages this year - butcher paper, green ribbon, and then I found these precious Christmas jewel words at Michaels last year in the dollar bins - I LOVE THEM!

Leaving the dining room, looking into the kitchen you see my kiddos Santa pics every year up to this point:) The crying ones are some of my faves - hee hee!

Even the stairs get decorated!

Head on up and you find my daughter's pink tree - I could clap my hands and squeal it's so cute!

The End!!! Hope you enjoyed your tour! Come back and visit again soon!