And the winner is...

Forgive my delay!  Finally, pics from the Halloween Party. I have to say I did not set my expectations too high when we sent out the invite for this party.  Was so tempted to put “costumes required” but went with “costumes encouraged” for fear no one would show up.  Well I was proven wrong!  Not only did people show up, but every person showed up decked in costume.  I was so impressed!

 Why did the chicken cross the road?

 The duck was not digging the headpiece.

High School Girl

Mad Men

 Cat's out of the Bag

Split Pea

Creepy Old Man Playing the Slots

These two are trouble...

Kate Middleton and Prince William

C-Lo with Willie from Duck Dynasty

 

 Time for the results of the costume contest...

 

Funniest Costume

 Tie for Cutest Costume

By a landslide...

Scariest Costume

 

And the winner of Best Costume...

 

Seriously!

We won {and I swear it wasn't fixed}!

 

Such a fun night with fabulous friends!  Looking forward to making it an annual tradition.  Here’s hoping G always wants to dress in group costume with us!

I know you're just dying to know...

Our Halloween costume

 

We went as Duck Dynasty!

 

Gotta show some love to our Monroe roots.  The party was a success.  Everyone had a ball {and came decked in costume}, and B's chili was a hit as usual.  More pics to come, plus the results of the costume contest...

 

Here's hoping your Halloween was just as ghoulishly good!

 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from this little monster!

 



Let's play dress-up!

I love me some Halloween.  Not so much the goth and gore side of it, rather the costumes and candy.  Sadly though, I have not dressed up since college.  Well now with the little man here, I am ready to bring back Halloween!
 

We are hosting a costume party tomorrow night, and I am SO excited.  Some of our friends were a little hesitant about dressing up, but now it has turned into an all-out competition.  Rumor has it, people are bringing it.

So of course I want us to have the best costume.  I’m all about a cleverly themed costume.  We went back and forth.  My idea {which I still think is SO good} was to go as Pat the Bunny.

 

I read this to G all the time and thought it would be hysterical for B to go as Paul, me as Judy and G as the bunny.  Funny, right?  B did not think so.  He had to ask me what Pat the Bunny was {hello, do you read to our son?}.

So, his big idea?  Eastbound and Down.

He would go as Kenny Powers, I as April and G as Toby.  Somewhat funny, yes, but I was still not convinced.  Thankfully B came through and came up with an idea we both agreed upon!  I think it will be perfect except for one slight issue.  Since we waited so long to decide on our theme, I didn’t order G’s costume until Sunday.  Tracking says it won’t arrive until 8pm Wednesday!  Looks like G might be having a wardrobe change halfway through the party.  Here’s hoping it gets here in time!

 

Still not sure what you’re going as?  Check out these clever ideas. I just love them and love that they are totally doable from stuff you already own.  Don't you just love waiting to the last minute?

Scenes from the weekend...

This weekend was just what I needed.  I know we are all busy, but lately our little family has literally been going non-stop.  I was counting down to this weekend like it was Christmas.  This was the first weekend in a long time that we were in town, not working and no one visiting.  It was absolutely perfect.  I feel like I finally caught my breath!

 

Kicked things off Friday night hosting a fun and festive couples baby showering honoring our sweet friends and the upcoming arrival of Baby T {cakepopped for the occasion!}.  G was excited because that meant a slumber party with some of his best buds {let me tell you how much I love sharing sitters!}.  The party was amazing, but honestly, the highlight of my night?  Afterwards, sitting in my pajamas on my couch sipping on some wine and catching up with B.  It had been one of those weeks, and our late night veg was just what I so desperately craved.  Got some much needed sleep Saturday morning, and then it was off to the Artisan Fair in Edgehill Village.  Talk about some talent.  I had to keep my wallet zipped shut.  There was so much I wanted!  Met up at Taco Mamacita with some dear friends from Monroe in visiting, and that tortilla soup may have just been the highlight of my weekend.  Home for a quick nap {G and I both!} and then off to Trunk of Treat at the church.  B and I were on inflatables duty.  Wow those big kids can be crazy.  Decided to sleep in Sunday and be lazy {I live for a lazy Sunday!}.  Worked on cleaning up the house and last minute touches for our Halloween party Wednesday.  A quick run to Party City and our costume is complete.  We finally picked one! J  Stay tuned to find out…

 

 

 

 

 

Red rover, red rover...

Let absolute cuteness come over!

 

Oh my goodness, look what came in the mail yesterday.

 

 

Is that not the cutest shirt you have ever seen??

 

My little turkey is ready for Thanksgiving and will look simply precious thanks to

Red Rover Kids.

 

My fabulous and oh so talented friend Beth has been crafting, creating and sewing for years.  She’s one of those super talented people you just love to hate {you should see her house!}.  After making so many of her son’s outfits {and getting so many compliments!}, she and a friend decided to go into business.  And thus, Red Rover Kids was created.  I am so proud of Beth and beyond impressed with their creations {I already have them working on a custom shirt for G’s first birthday party}.  Check out some of their work and feel free to place an order here.

 

 

Also, rumor has it Christmas appliques are in the works. Oh I cannot wait!

 

Comfort Food

I love that it has reached 82 degrees twice this week, but really??  It’s almost November.  I’m ready for the cold {which I guess I better be since it’s getting down to 30 something this weekend}. 

So, I’m willing it here with some yummy cold weather, comfort food.  Check out these quick and easy {and super yummy!} recipes.

 Tomato Basil Soup with Cheesy Quinoa Bites

 

Tomato Basil Soup

·         32 ounces Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato &Roasted Red Pepper Soup

·         4 ounces mascarpone cheese

·         4 tablespoons pesto

 

 Heat soup and add cheese and pesto until melted.

 

Cheesy Quinoa Bites {as adapted from Iowa Girl Eats}

• 2 cups cooked quinoa (about 3/4 cup uncooked)
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine. Liberally spray a mini muffin tin with non-stick spray and spoon mixture to the top of each cup. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges of the cups are golden brown. Let cool for at least 5 minutes in the tin before eating.