"Fall"ing in love with Texas!

It's Fall Y'all! I'm a little surprised how quickly Texas has felt like home. It might be because it feels a lot like where I grew up in So. California- the climate being very similar. However the fall here is much more colorful (but still has the 70 degree temperature!) These are some pictures I took on my jog with Danelle today.

In this picture, you can see how it runs past downtown.
I had to add another picture of Danelle's "random toys". I don't know if other kids do this or not- but she loves the non-toys as toys... (that would be a tooth brush she has there...)


This trail is several miles long and it runs along a river. Danelle loved feeding the ducks and swans.

This would be our sleepover friend for Thursday night- Tootsie. Danelle was in love to say the least. Special note- I learned to make hair bows for Danelle finally, one of which she's showing off here!!! I can't believe how much you have to pay for one of those things when I could make it for $1 myself!

Riviera Maya & Cozumel Island

WARNING: If you hate seeing a bazillion pictures on blogs, please stop reading right now!

Ok, for the rest of you, here are the pics from our vacation. Lane and I had a blast to say the least! All-Inclusive is the way to vacation! We stayed at the Aventura Spa Palace and I don't think a better hotel exists! We decided to keep it really low key and not over plan our activities. We did some golfing and snorkeling on Cozumel Island(thanks to Lane's wonderful Spanish skills- he talked them into taking us out on our own private boat to do it! gracias! :) Most importantly we chilled out on the beach!

Snorkeling on Cozumel Island was awesome!! I'm sure for Lane it wasn't all that great though since he's been scuba diving so many times- places like the Red Sea to name a few!

Viva Mexico! (like the flag in back :)
On the ferry ride over to the island! Beautiful clear blue waters!Lots of this going on during the vacation!

Golfing- well me trying to golf at least...
Courtyard in our hotel.
More hotel shots... many resturants and bars, and cool tiki huts for spa/massage stuff...
One of the MANY pools with swim up snack bars and drinks! Many (virgin) pina coladas!!!!

So many staff members!!! And it was not crowded at all being November and all!Beautiful grounds!


Best room service ever! I loved eating breakfast out on our patio with the ocean view!
Me in paradise!!
Yeah, that would be a double jacuzzi in our room, overlooking the beach! Staying out late! Man it's been awhile since we've done that! Thanks grandparents for babysitting!

She's Walking!

Goodbye October!

So here's the "Baby's First Halloween" pictures! There's quite a few- our home computer has crashed- nice blue screen message :) so this post will have a bunch of our farewell to October pictures! First off, Danelle's first trick or treat house! She had a very strong start!

Have you seen anything more adorable than a little giraffe butt? Can you say "Go big or go home"? Thank you Texas! These neighbors of ours the Hatmakers really know how to throw a party! Notice the giant inflatable bounce house there in the back + 2 BBQ grills, and food like you wouldn't believe! Not to mention we had 3 haunted houses in our neighborhood and one of those synchronized pumpkin light/music show (like the ones during Christmas where the lights flash to the music). Yeah, quite the neighborhood!

A typical day at the "home" office for Lane. Danelle likes to check up on him!

Outside our house- I was very proud of all my luminaries!

She's showing you the Mummy hot dogs we had for Halloween dinner (with pumpkin soup)! mmmm!

Our pumpkin carving: Lane did the Obama face, no wait, I think that was just a skeleton... and mine was inspired by Danelle's sickness the past few days... hence the puking pumpkin ;)

There was a downtown Halloween party- but Danelle wasn't feeling it... still a little sick :(

Ya, just a little sick huh.... no ward trunk or treat for us this night....

Here I thought her flush cheeks were just cute... come to find out it was becuase she had a fever! woops...

Last but not least- University of Texas vs. BYU volleyball... wow I miss playing college volleyball!!! Megan will be happy to hear that BYU, and her old coach got their butts kicked!! Hook em horns!!!!!!!!!

NOW WE ARE ALL CAUGHT UP............. for now.......

Harvest?

Check out what we grew this year in our garden... Does anyone know any good recipes?

Our lil' pumpkin!

Look guys, it's just my size!! What's a trip to the pumpkin patch without a cheesy photo? Hope we didn't let you down ;)

This is Danelle saying "Give me the candy people, and fill it to the top." Ya, she poses like this all the time when she's chill'n and eating bitter biscuits.

Bwwuuaahaaahaaaaaa!

Just so you know, that's Danelle's favorite thing to hear these days... (bwwuuaahaaahaaaaaa) She cracks up every time!
I got tagged from my friend Sarah so here's my craft post:

These little ghosties are soooooo easy to make- for sure a fun kid project... Ava ;)

(I gave these as treats for our friends/neighbors) Here's Martha Stewart's Link to make them... here


Keeping with the GHOST theme, here's another awesome kid (or craft-challenged-adult-such as-myself) project that is way easy and fun to do.

Here's a video link on how to make it here.
BEFORE:

AFTER:Put those little battery-operated tea lights in them and you're good to go!!!
Enjoy ya'll!!! Happy Halloween!

An apple a day

What better way to celebrate peak apple season than with caramel apples and warm apple cider! Danelle will stay busy gnawing on those things with her two little "tooths" for quite some time. (ones with out caramel and nuts of course)
What a face huh- we were out playing in the rain- hence the crazy hair!
And this is her favorite hang out spot. She's just tall enough to look out the window to our front patio where Cole hangs out. She'll just stand there and watch Cole, it's pretty cute!

Check out her little spin move in this clip... she's hilarious these days with the little moves she comes up with!

Not much to report on...

She is getting pretty close to walking though.... stay tuned...

Dang Martha! & Summers still here...

I DVR Martha Stewart everyday. It's true. I really just end up fast forwarding the entire show (she drives me nuts-but the ideas are still great), but every now and then she has something cool on- such as these babies...
Well- let me just say there is a reason the woman has her own show on the Fine Living Network... and that is because it is impossible to recreate what she does! Exhibit A:
After hours of working on these little things, this was my best attempt! I thought it would be cool to have these at Danelle's 1st bday, but I think I'm going to scratch that one... and they taste like a ball of dough. That may be a good thing for some people though.

It's so weird to see everyone post pictures of fall and all the changing leaves. Being in Texas is starting to remind me of growing up in California where the summer seem endless... Danelle is still loving the pool:

She's also enjoying the race track + sideburns (to replace her mullet) + dye died shirts. Niiiice! Long live summer!