The Fair

We ventured out to the Alabama National Fair on it's opening night a couple of weeks ago. I used to love the fair and always looked forward to this time of year. Lately Brian and I haven't been, but we were both excited about being able to go back.

There wasn't very much that Hayden could ride (I don't know why I thought there would be) but we were able to ride the Merry Go Round and thank heavens Papa agreed to ride with Hayden on that one because it went awfully fast and I don't think my tummy could have taken that much spinning. Here are some cute pictures of all us there. Brian's parents and mine joined us for the fun night - thanks so much!

And yes my Dad was there, but no there are no pictures of him and I don't know how that happened but I will snap some of him next time. Although he was the one taking most of the pictures I suppose.

First stop was the petting zoo!



I was not a fan of this camel - he kept getting way too close, so I kept backing up. I was so afraid he was going to spit on me. We quickly moved on.



But this fellow - he was a cutie! Hayden liked him too.



Here are a few more from our visit to the Fair - what great memories thanks for going with us this year!





Hayden liked this apple!





Doesn't Brian look so happy? He doesn't smile and it drives me nuts, the pictures you see of him smiling I have done something right before the flash to catch his smile such as tickle him. He actually is happy I promise but let's just say he and the camera aren't always friends.



This red balloon stayed with us the entire time, she loved it.





And this tiger - he came home with us. He still watches over us now and Hayden still climbs on him and says "roar". We like to think of him as Aubie!

Boots

Just a quick post to show you Hayden's new boots - I am in love with them. She is so adorable and she loves wearing them and looking at them. Aren't they the most precious things ever? Little baby feet are so cute to me and the shoes, oh my the shoes...

I used to have a problem buying shoes for myself and by problem I mean I couldn't stop buying them, but now I love buying shoes for Hayden. I see so many pairs I want, but for now we are loving our new boots!

A War Eagle Kind of Day

Two weeks ago Brian and I made the decision to take Hayden to her first Auburn football game. Many people thought we were nuts for taking her since she would be running all over the place, but I was very excited about the trip. Some of my favorite memories from growing up are going to Auburn sporting events with my parents. I want Hayden to have lots of these same memories and I hope her love for Auburn will be the same as mine - let's hope my hatred for Alabama doesn't rub off on her though, well on second thought...(just kidding, sort of)

I know she won't remember this trip, but Brian and I will and I know this was the first of many for her. The day went so wonderfully and I can't wait to take her again, maybe we will try and go back for Homecoming next month.

We started the day by driving over early and walking around. Next we headed into the stadium just in time to watch Spirit fly down onto the field. Hayden was amazed at the people, the cheering, and most importantly the band. Everytime people clapped she did too and she just smiled so big. She had an absolute blast! When the band started playing, she started dancing.

We spent most of the day on the ramps so Hayden could run around and enjoy moving around. What a wonderful day, I can't wait until our next game. WAR EAGLE!

Here are a few pics from our visit to the Loveliest Village on the Plains!

Colors of Fall

October is definately one of my very favorite months of the year! Fall begins and the weather usually cooperates with the season. Fall colors start emerging everywhere, leaves begin turning colors and falling off of trees. Jeans, pants, long sleeve tops and boots come out of the back of the closet, and I can start re-decorating the house for the season! Here are a few pictures of what we have done so far. (obviously still on the list is to have the carpet cleaned)







It also signals so many fun outdoor things to do and I have been looking forward to many of them for months and months.

I think hunting season also comes in sometime this month, so that means that Brian will be MIA on the weekends, boo!

Happy Fall!

What's Cooking?

I haven't posted our menu in a while, mainly because it has been very boring - things like spaghetti, hamburgers, etc. But I am trying to add a few new things...

Here is our menu for the week, it started yesterday:

Saturday - Steak and Baked Potatoes

Sunday - Potato Crusted Tilapi and Lobster Tails
This was a new one for us and it was so easy, I thought I would share the recipe with you in case you are looking for something new.




Fresh tilapi fillets, however many in your family
1 cup instant mashed potato flakes
1/3 cup mayo
1 Tbsp horseradish sauce
salt
(it also called for dillweed, but I opted against that)

place tilapi fillets on pan with tin foil and add salt, preheat oven to 450, set aside
place the potato flakes in a microwaveable bowl and heat for 1.5 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
add mayo and horseradish sauce and mix well.
Spoon the mixure over the fillets and cook for 12-14 minutes.

For the lobster tails, I just cooked these on my stove top on a grill pan. I placed them on the pan and cooked without touching them for about 10 minutes shell side down. Once they were done I added melted butter and garlic salt mixture onto the meat and turned them over and let them cook (off the heat) for about 2 minutes.

Dinner served - it was so much fun!

Monday - Crock-pot Roast and vegetables

Tuesday - I will be bringing home leftovers from my golf tournament, probably fried fish, hushpuppies and cole slaw.

Wednesday - pizza

Thursday - Shrimp Scampi served over a parmesean angel hair pasta

Friday - Pulled Pork Barbeque Sandwiches and Camp Stew

Saturday - the cylce begins again and I am sure Brian will grill out either a smoked chicken or steaks.

And let's not forget all of these dishes came from Publix with my couponing. Everything was on sale this week or I already had it in the panty since I have been stockpiling. My pantry is so full, it is about to bust at the seams!

Happy Cooking to you all, please feel free to share your favorite recipes with me. I am always looking for some new ideas.

Tag...Continued!

My oldest sister "tagged" me in a blog post she wrote last week - actually one she was "tagged" in. There are 8 questions I am suppose to answer and then ask others to answer 8 questions of my own. I am not going to ask my own questions, only because there are only a few of my blog friends that read my blog. Most everyone that reads my posts do not have blogs of their own they just read mine on a daily basis. And speaking of, I am so sorry for not blogging more, but if you can remember this is my busy time of year which leaves very little time for me to get on here. I do have so much to say and write and lots of pictures so hopefully I can get these out there soon.

Now on to the questions from Lori:

What is your favorite TV Show?

I have so many favorites and this is a different post that I hope to write very soon, but my favorite show right now is The Good Wife - it is awesome!



What bible story totally rocks your world every time you read or study it?

My all time favorite bible story is one of the most well known ones there is for many reasons. I have a lot of favorites, but the birth of baby Jesus gives me chills everytime I read it or hear it. All of the miracles surrounding his birth are amazing from his conception, to following the North Star, to being born in a manger. This story is amazing! It also brings back sweet memories from my childhood when my Mom and Dad always read this story each and every Christmas Eve before we went to bed. This is one tradition that I would like to pass on to my children.


Where all have you travelled?

I haven't traveled to many places, but I do love to travel. I have been to Mexico, Jamaica, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Indianapolis, NYC (many times), Washington DC (many times), Chicago, heading to Minneapolis in a couple of weeks and back to another part of Mexico next month. Have been to many other places, too many to list that were within driving distance. A few that come to mind, Orlando, Charlotte, Atlanta, New Orleans, Biloxi, Nashville, Gatlinburg, Knoxville, Chattanooga, etc.

How many rings do you wear on your fingers?

Three - a Tiffany band on my right hand and my wedding band and engagement ring on my left

What are your plans this weekend?

I think Friday night we are going to go out to eat at Bass Pro (one of our favorite family places). Saturday we are going to play around the house that morning and then we are going to the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery late that afternoon with Hayden. Sunday we will go to church that morning and then hang out around the house and I am sure go to the grocery store!

What did you have for dinner last night?

I made homemade Chicken Pot Pie - one of Brian's favorite meals and usually Hayden's but last night she wouldn't even touch it. She just cried the whole time and ate nothing but cheese. Oh the joys...

If you are married, how did you meet your spouse? Was it love at first sight, or did y'all, you know "grow" to love one another?

Brian and I met when we were 21 years old while we were both out with friends. I can say that it was instant attraction to one another, but not love at first sight because we didn't actually start dating until about 7 years later. But that's about how long it takes me...

I remember falling for his eyes and he was so nice! I didn't know what nice was back then and I needed someone to Not be so nice (crazy I know), but let's just say I had some issues. We met back up several years later (he was with his same group of friends) and I went up to him and gave him my phone number and told him to call me. I was determined not to make the same mistakes again and we have been together ever since.

What is something you want done around your house right now?

Wow - I want so many things done around the house, but number one on my list is to have a hearth built for our fireplace. It drives me insane that we don't have one and I think our fireplace looks weird without it.

Thanks a million for tagging me in these - I just love doing these kinds of things. My friends and I use to do these via e-mail all the time! So much fun.