Five on Friday

Happy Friday friends!

Linking up with these lovely ladies to share what five things I'm loving this week.

Kicked off my weekend early and am in Chicago.

I know I will miss my boys but so looking forward to time with B, catching up with old friends and spending time with B's brother and wife who are coming as well for the Bears game {her brother is the new starting quarterback!}.

So in honor of my Chicago weekend, here's what five things I'm most looking forward to here.

1. Sipping some bubbly laughing with this guy and this gal.

2. Indulging in amazing food here and here.

3. Shopping!!!

4. Sleeping in and relaxing in a comfy hotel bed.

5. Cheering on the Bears!

Happy weekend!

Bride to be gift box

Can I tell you how excited I am for my brother and soon to be sister in law?

I was so happy to be able to pass along my well wishes to them in person during our trip home and am honored to be a part of their big day.

As much as I love my brother, let's be real.

It's way more fun to shower the bride to be with gifts, right?

I wanted to put together a little box of happy for Alicia with all my favorites that a bride to be needs.

I am obsessed with this macaroon ring holder!

It has become my go to gift for my bride to be friends.

Alicia is so creatively crafty and loves her some Pinterest.

I thought she would love making these fun cards to use throughout her engagement.

Who doesn't love gold and washi tape?

Packaged everything up, and of course had to include my favorite bubbly.

Lots of toasting in her future!

Is she not the cutest?

So how do you show the love to your newly engaged friends and family?

Any ideas for the groom to be??

Two under two head to Dallas!

Other than a few hours out to attend an event Saturday night, our weekend pretty much consisted of staying in our pjs and blowing through lots of tissue thanks to constant runny noses. It's certainly no fun being sick, but it really stinks when your little ones don't feel well and you're supposed to be there for them. Moms should not be allowed to get sick.

So, since we don't have too many fun pics from the the weekend {should have snapped one Saturday night when I actually put on makeup and heels!} I thought we'd reflect on our fantastic Texas adventure from two weekends ago {that of course I'm just now posting}.

Highlights from our trip to Dallas...

Despite delayed flights there and back, we survived flying with two under two {let me just say we'll be driving at Christmas!}.

Enjoyed sitting around my childhood kitchen table eating the spoils of my parents biscuit making and pancake flipping watching as my kiddos equally loved and were loved on by their Oma and Poppa.

Spent sweet time with my Mamaw {although she goes by GeGe to my kids!} and got to introduce her to Baby Jude.

Explored the incredible new Children's Adventure Garden at the Arboretum.

Ate copious amounts of amazing Mexican food and beverages.

Caught up, laughed and reminisced with fabulous friends.

Pulled off a complete surprise celebrating 60 years of my dad with family and friends from all walks of his life.

Enjoyed extra time with family, catching up with my mother in law, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and soon to be sister-in-law {who by the way asked me to be a bridesmaid!}.

The best part of the trip though had to be my two sweet boys soaking up time with family and friends just laughing and playing...oh and sleeping! Not sure what it is about my parent's house {maybe overstimulation from all the attention and spoiling!}, but Jude slept 12 hours each night! So looking forward to going back at Christmas!

B's famous chili

So sadly I am a vegetarian and have never actually tasted B's famous chili.

However, I can tell you that from what our friends and family say, it does not disappoint.

He has been making this chili for years, and people absolutely love it.

He has named it Slap Yo Mama Chili.

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef {cooked in taco seasoning}

2 15oz cans kidney beans, drained

1 20 oz can of maple baked beans, drained

2 15 oz cans Rotel tomatoes

1 small can of tomato paste

1 medium onion, chopped

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 medium jalapeno pepper, chopped

1 jar sliced mushrooms

4 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tablespoon ground cumin

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce

1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for eight hours.

Enjoy with all the fixins!

So do you have a favorite chili recipe?

What's your secret ingredient?

Second Annual Halloween Party

Our second annual Halloween party was a success! 

I have to say though, I was a little disappointed in our friends and their lack of costumes. 

Oh well, I think with all the new little ones this year, it was all we could all do to just make it to the party. 

I mean the Boltons barely had costumes...

We finally settled on G as a parrot {he repeats everything you say these days!}, B and I as pirates {total cheapskate DIY with plastic tablecloths} and Jude as our treasure {yes, the beads around his neck probably were a choking hazard!}.

Costumes or not and tornado warnings or not, the party was such fun!

A little different than last year now that the kiddos are more mobile and into everything.

However B's chili {recipe coming soon!} was a hit and the mamas certainly enjoyed some spiced cider mimosas.

Chasing kids, laughing, eating and drinking...

All while looking ridiculous...

Cannot wait to do it again next year!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! What a day! A costume parade at school for G and our second annual party at our house. So much fun, but this mama is tired! More pics to come...

Scenes from the weekend...

It was one of those weekends...

The best kind.

So much fun and filled with nothing but family time.

The kind of weekend where we did so much but never felt rushed or pulled in too many directions.

B and I enjoyed a night out just the two of us.

Left the boys with a babysitter {that wasn't grandma!} for the first time.

Dinner at one of our favorite places and a fabulous party at one of B's client's amazing homes.

Best part of the night though was coming into a quiet house with both boys already asleep.

Spent a lazy morning inside on a cold, rainy Saturday, but then the sun came out and we headed to Gentry's Farm.

This place was incredible.

Watching G run around taking in all the animals, pumpkins and corn maze just warmed my heart.

We will definitely be making it a tradition each year!

Headed to church Sunday morning and ended the day with a trip to the park.

The perfect weekend with my three favorite guys.