saying good bye and cupcake liner wreath

Today was our last day with my parents visiting.  They are headed back to Florida to visit my grandparents before going home to Virginia on Saturday.  I know they had a great visit and we loved having them here.  Avery always loves having her grandparents around.  We got out and about and did lots of shopping and dining out at our favorite restaurants.  I miss seeing my parents.  It is really hard living all the way in Texas away from them.  I got pretty emotional dropping them off at the airport today.  We aren't scheduled to fly to Virginia until the end of September... so I probably won't see my parents for 7 months.  It breaks my heart that they won't see Avery again until her second birthday.  I'm hoping we can somehow work out a visit in June, but we'll see. 

I slacked with blogging and taking pictures this week.  That always seems to happen when we have family visit or we go to visit family.  I just get too involved with what we are doing and forget about taking pictures.  Here are a few pictures from the last day or two.  Avery playing and putting the little picnic blanket from her picnic set on her head. 

My mom and Avery this morning before heading to the airport. 

Mom and dad with Avery. 

Over the week, I've got my mom addicted to Pinterest.  She came across this really cute and easy cupcake liner wreath and wanted to make one.  It turned out so cute!  Now I have a very inexpensive way to make different holiday wreaths for the front door. 

My parents told me that they bought my grandma a brand new laptop.  She doesn't have a computer at all.  My dad is going to help her get it all set up this week when they are with her so she can email, read my blog, and use Skype.  I'm so excited for her. 

My plans for the rest of the day are to do basically nothing.  We've been on the go since my parents arrived.  It's pretty cloudy and wet outside today, so I'm content lounging around the house and relaxing.  As for the rest of the week, we don't have any set plans.  I need to get the house back to normal and cleaned up, as well as getting some grocery shopping done.  Avery just went down for a nap and I think I might do the same. 

beauty products part 1

I was inspired by another mommy blogger that I follow to do a post on my favorite products.  I know I always love finding great new products to use!  I've tried so many different products, but always seem to run back to the same old things I've been using forever!  Here are some of my favorite tried and true products I use.

In the shower:

I've tried all kinds of shampoo and conditioners over the years.  From cheap to expensive.  My absolute favorite that I have been using over a year now is the Suave Rosemary and Mint shampoo and conditioner.  It cleans my hair really well and I love the smell.  Why pay more?  I have found that the Aveeno shaving gel is the most smoothing and soothing on my skin.  I've been using Bath and Body Work's Warm Vanilla Sugar body wash since probably high school.  I love anything with a vanilla scent.  I ALWAYS have this body wash in my shower. 

To clean my face:

I started using the Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash in 9th grade.  I've been using it ever since.  It is the only face wash that keeps my face from becoming an oil slick and keeps me from breaking out.  Same thing with the Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15.  Every few days I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub, another product I have been using for years.  I use Loreal eye make up remover when needed.  I use the Neutrogena Rapid Clear zit gel when needed. 

To moisturize body:

Hands down using the old school Jergen's Original Scent body lotion.  I love this stuff.  I also just discovered the Jergens Natural glow face and body lotions.  I've been using those at night before bed.  They really do give a natural healthy glow to your skin after using for a few days, no orange color. 

My scents:

Just like my body wash, I love the Bath and Body Work's Warm Vanilla Sugar body lotion and body spray.  I've been using it forever and always have it on hand.  My two favorite perfumes I use are Burberry Original and Ralph Lauren Romance.  Both are classic scents and never go out of style.  I have a few other perfumes and things, but I always go for my old favorites. 

So there are some of my favorite products!  Maybe I'll help someone find something new that they love.  I plan on doing another post soon with hair styling products and make up.  :-)

the past two days with the g-units

We've been having a great time with my parents visiting!  Yesterday we spent all afternoon down at the San Marcos outlets.  We had lunch at McDonald's (Avery had her first Happy Meal!) and then we did some shopping.  I got some new tops at LOFT and my dad bought my mom, Avery, and I all something at Vera Bradley.  We enjoyed some awesome beef stew for dinner that I got going in the morning before heading out.  Once Avery was in bed and Eric and dad set up shop in the living room to play video games, mom and I headed back out to some stores.  We went over to Kohl's, Old Navy, and Carter's.  We got Avery some new pajamas and outfits.  We all had such a fun day!

Today we needed to make a Costco and Super Target run for some groceries.  Mom made her really tasty lasagna rolls for dinner.  She made these last time she was here and we all wanted them again.  I'm going to have to try making these because the recipe looks super simple. 

I decided I felt like making a cake to have for dessert.  YUM!

Before dinner Avery and her grandpa played on the laptop some.  She is loving having her grandparents here. 

Tonight Eric is working.  Avery is in bed, so I'm hanging out and relaxing with my parents.  I'm sure we'll have seconds of the cake soon!  I also got my dad into playing this silly game on his Kindle Fire that I play on my iPhone.  It's called Water? and is super fun and addicting (and I'm NOT a game person at all).  If you have a Kindle, iPhone, iPad, etc check it out! 

Hope you are having a great weekend! 

lucy's fried chicken

Today was the first full day we had with my parents visiting.  We had plans on going to Wimberley for lunch and to explore around the town, but ended up not going.  The place we wanted to go for lunch didn't open until 4pm.  So we decided to stay around Austin. 

We had a relaxing morning with coffee, breakfast, and lots of playing.  Avery is loving having her grandparents in town.  Two extra fun people to play with and act silly with!  She has warmed up to them really fast.  I know my parents are just loving being here with her. 

This afternoon we headed into downtown Austin.  We stopped at REI because I needed to get my little redhead a nice rimmed sunhat to wear now that it is getting warmer out.  She turns pink after being in the sun for 5 minutes so we need to protect her sensitive skin.  Next, we stopped at Savory Spice shop.  I always talk to my mom about what a great little store that is and she wanted to check it out.  We got to visit with Karen the owner again, Avery ran around and had a great time, and my mom bought herself a bunch of new spices! 

For lunch we wanted to try a new restaurant.  We picked Lucy's Fried Chicken.  I love me some fried chicken!  Lucy's is located off South Congress.  We all got to try fried deviled eggs for the first time, and man they tasted SO GOOD!  We all shared a huge bucket of fried chicken, pickles, corn bread muffins, collard greens, mashed sweet potatoes, and red potato salad.  It was so delicious and we'll for sure be going back.  We learned today that Avery LOVES pickles! 

For dessert, we all split Avery and I ate a piece of S'mores Pie.  It was gone in about 2 minutes. 

I think she liked her pie! 

After lunch we headed home.  Avery needed an afternoon nap badly (she was getting restless at the restaurant).  Eric and dad stayed home and played video games while mom and I ran out to Walmart to get some groceries we needed.  We had an easy dinner of sandwiches and chips, followed by some Hello Dollies that my mom made for dessert. 

Have a great night! 

welcome to our home!

I read and follow quite a few mommy bloggers and have been gathering some fun ideas on posts to do on my blog.  I've really enjoyed reading posts from other bloggers who do home tours (who doesn't love looking at someones home?), posts about favorite beauty products, posts about favorite places to shop for clothing, kids stuff, decor, etc.  I LOVE getting to know you posts, so I wanted to invite you to our house today!  :-)

Right when you walk into our front door, the playroom/study is on the left.  We spend a lot of time in this room.  I keep all of Avery's toys, books, stuffed animals, etc in here.  I also have all our books, camera, computers, etc. in here. 

The other side of the playroom/study. 

This is what you see right when you walk through our front door.  Our home is small but very cozy.  I love our house.  I know having a dog crate right when you walk in the front door is kind of an eye sore, but anyone that comes to our house knows us and that we have the best dog in the world and doesn't care.  We don't mind it either.  His crate used to be in Avery's bedroom before it was Avery's bedroom. 

This is the short book case that is in the front foyer area.  The baskets have all of Rolo's things in it (leash, toys, etc) and all of Eric's nursing school books are on the bottom.  The red dried rose bouquet is my wedding bouquet.

The view when you come around the corner past the dog crate.  We have an open floor plan.  Our kitchen, dining area, and family room all flow together.  I LOVE it.  Avery is back there enjoying her lunch while I take pictures. 

Our kitchen.  I always have a candle burning on the island.  I love candles and my house smelling nice.  I always go for warm scents like apple and pumpkin pie.  I also always have magnetic notepads on the fridge.  I am forever making lists! 

The dining area. 

I love the shelf ledge the divides the dinning and family room areas.  I always have picture frames on it.  Since we don't have a fireplace, I use this to hang our stockings at Christmas time. 

Our family room.  We have a huge map of Colorado over our couch that we've had forever. 

Eric's pride and joy.  The kegerator!  We always have great beer on tap at our house.  :-)

The other side of our family room.  I want to replace the picture above the TV.  It looks a little lost.  I want a larger frame with matting. 

My funny little signs.  I have this taped on the back of the back door, front door, and door leading into the garage.  We always have the alarm on, but have set it off on accident way too many times!  These little signs have helped! 

My tiny laundry room.  To the left of the machines is the door leading out to the garage.  To the right it leads down the hallway to the bedrooms.  One day I'll have some awesome red front loading machines!  I spend a lot of time in here. 

The hallway/Avery's bathroom.  It was hard to get a decent picture since it is a small bathroom and I didn't want a reflection of me in the mirror!  But it is the same color scheme as the rest of the house, all fall and warm colors. 

This is the hall wall to the right of the bathroom door.  These collage frames have pictures of me as a baby/kid, our wedding pictures, then pictures of Eric as a baby/kid. 

Here is Avery's room.  Sorry for the bad lighting in some of these pictures.  This is the view from her door. 

The other side of her room.  I made her name letters above her changing table and the blanket over her green chair. 

Avery loves playing on her pink chair!  I like hanging all her hoodies and hats and stuff on this shelf with hooks.  In the summer, I'm thinking of hanging her cute bathing suits instead. 

This is our master bedroom.  I went with some cool and calm colors in here.  We are probably the only people in the world without a TV in the master bedroom, but I like it that way.  Our room is really relaxing. 

I'm sure you can guess which dresser is mine! 

Our master bathroom.  I like that our bathroom has lots of light in it.  Perfect for doing makeup! 

The toilet and some cabinets are to the right of the closed closet door, but I'm sure you have seen plenty of toilets before! 

This is our guest room.  This is the one room in the house I haven't really done much with.  It is pretty plain.  But it does the job.  Our house doesn't have a linen closet (one thing we will FOR SURE have in our next house) so we use these two dressers to store our extra sheets, towels, and some craft materials. 

I'd like to eventually get something to hang on the wall above the bed.  Eric and I both agree that this queen size bed is more comfortable to sleep on than the kind size bed in our bedroom!  The closet in the guest room holds a good majority of Eric's beer brewing supplies and some kitchen appliances that we rarely use. 

This is the hallway looking down from the laundry room towards all the bedrooms. The rust colored wall on the right has been begging for me to hang a bunch of pictures I have had printed, but I still need them all framed.  I wonder if it will ever get done! 

So that is our home!  Thanks for stopping by!  My parents fly in today around 4pm.  Avery and I are going to the airport to pick them up.  Eric has to work tonight.  Tomorrow we are all taking a trip out to Wimberley, TX to sight see and get lunch. 

And... if you are in the Austin area and ever need someone great to come and work on home appliances, please contact True Blue Appliance Repair.  We needed help with our dishwasher and Mike was great!  He knows his stuff and is so friendly.  Also check out his great Yelp  review.

Hope you are having a great Wednesday! 

sazon and secret valentine gift

Today we decided to go have lunch at Sazon.  Sazon is a really good authentic Mexican restaurant off South Lamar.  We have been in the past and recently bought a Living Social deal to use there.  We sat outside because it was beautiful out today, in the low 60's.  Avery loved watching all the people and the cars drive by.

Eric and I at lunch :-)

Mmmm enjoying some sopecitos! I love these!

Once we got home, we changed clothes and headed out for a walk around the neighborhood.  Eric and Avery all ready in their shades.

Seriously the coolest little girl ever!

Ready to roll!

I also wanted to add a few pictures I took a few days before Valentine's Day.  Avery and I participated in a little Valentine's Day gift exchange with some of my mommy friends.  We all sent cards and books.

Avery got her card and book from Hunter in South Carolina.

The cute little card from Hunter!  Thanks Amber and Hunter for our secret Valentine's gift!

I'm spending my evening watching the train wreck that is The Real Housewives of Atlanta.  Happy Sunday everyone... and just 2 more days until my parents arrive in Texas!