Texas State Fair 2009 (Or the day we ate Fried Butter)

We had a great time at the Texas State Fair last week. AJ's favorite was the Bubble House, which she did twice. Plus, I am a sucker for fair food. Remember? My favorite this year, Fried Peaches and Cream:


We also gave the Fried Butter a try (how can you not?):

It was actually pretty good. Nevermind that you increase your risk of heart-attack by 5000%

The Bubble House



Feeding the animals


Craig nearly got his eyes pecked out by this ostrich


Little Hands On The Farm


AJ got picked to go up on stage for the puppet show


Me and AJ with Big Tex


Check out these creepy photos! Craig and AJ went on the scary funhouse ride, but these pictures look scary, don't they?!



The view from the skyway that goes over the fair


And lucky us... we get to do it all over again this weekend after Mary Poppins.

Not That I'm Complaining...

because I'm not. The mild Texas winters are one of my favorite things about living here, but I'm wishing I had a reason to buy this. Isn't it lovely?

Happy Tunesday

My playlist today consists of:

Smile by Uncle Kracker (I LOVE THIS SONG!)
Take It Home by White Tie Affair
Dance by Lady Gaga
I Run To You by Lady Antebellum
How You Love Me Now by Hey Monday
Fireflies by Owl City
Don't Stop Believin' - "Glee" cast version (DON'T JUDGE)
Tell Me What To Do by Metro Station

Zoo Passes

We FINALLY broke down and bought season passes to the zoo. We went 3 times in the first two weeks. The weather will be getting cold soon, but I think we'll be getting a lot of use out of them this year.


AJ being a penguin.


Lunch at the pizza place. It was a cool, cloudy day and we had the whole place to ourselves. Perfect!


We love the train!

The Invention of a Crappy Movie

Craig and I went to this show on Friday. We were so excited to see it. I think Ricky Gervais is hilarious and I thought this was a great concept for a movie. It started out funny, but tanked about half-way through. What they don't tell you in the preview, is that the big "lie" he comes up with is that there is a God, a place we go after we die, etc. etc. It is very offensive to anyone who is Christian - in fact several people got up and walked out. Just a heads-up if you are thinking of seeing this film, it's not what it's promoted to be.

Fall Fun at Calloway's Nursery

We took a quick break from watching conference to decorate some pumpkins



and plant flowers.


Popcorn and treats to be had for all, plus I found a great cinderella pumpkin and some cool apple gourds.

Timpanogos Cave

While we were in Utah this summer, we hiked up to Timp Cave with A.J. She was a trooper and did most of the hike herself (she did hitch a shoulder ride or two). The hike is only 1 1/2 miles each way, but you gain over 1000ft. in elevation. She was a little nervous at first going into the cave, but she calmed down pretty quick and we had a great time.

The view on the way up



At the cave entrance (The little hole above our heads was the original entrance when the cave was first discovered)


A.J. had her hood on most of the time because she kept getting dripped on


In front of "The Heart of Timpanogos", the largest stalactite. (Note A.J.'s tribute)


They call this one "The Chef". Can you see it, with his fat tummy and chef's hat?


More pics of the cave - which really don't do it justice. It is pretty magnificent. I recommend it if you are ever in the Salt Lake area.




And as soon as we started driving home...

Boots - It's a Love/Hate Relationship

I love boots. So so happy they are in this fall. On the OUTSIDE of your jeans, so you can love them in all their leather glory. But finding the right ones? It's safe to say that the perfect casual brown boot has become my nemeses.

I bought a version of these about 5 years ago, justifiying the cost by saying that it was a staple, a classic look, THESE will be a lifetime in my closet.

So I ordered them. AND THEY KILL MY FEET. I now only wear them when I don't have to walk more than 50 yards in an evening. Which is pretty much never.

So this year, I wanted a more casual brown boot to wear over my jeans. When I saw THESE online,

I loved them, but didn't want to pay even that much, unless I had to. So I looked around - ALOT. Couldn't find anything. Finally resigned myself to the idea of spending more on brown boots and went to buy them. Walked in, saw them sitting there - as beautiful in real life as in the catalog, tried them on and...

they looked ridiculous. My feet looked like little round knobs. I don't know if the toe was too round or what, but the ankles were baggy - everything was just WRONG. And these were my back-up boots. My go-to-if-I-can't-find-any-other-boots boots. Then I was really perturbed.

So I finally settled for these, which I like a lot,

but they don't make my heart thumpity-thump.

Also picked up these which I think are fun.

Target is always my trusty friend.
Have you seen any great boots out there I should know about?

Happy Tunesday: Mika

This new album is GREAT! Buy it now and spunk up your fall today.

Tweet

I am LOVING these napkin rings.

Something I'll Miss About Summer...

Snowcones.

Ouch!

I saw this on TV at the gym yesterday and about fell off the treadmill.

I'm In Love

With my daughter.

(A.J., self-portrait)

Is it weird that my child is quickly growing into my best friend? I don't know when it happened, but she suddenly stopped being a drag to take everywhere and now I actually LIKE shopping with her. I PREFER her. She is fun and makes me happy and actually has pretty good taste, for a four year old.



After I picked her up from preschool, we spent the day today perusing around antique shops and browsing boutiques.


We even stopped for some refreshment at a charming cupcake shop. (A.J. had strawberry; mine was chocolate with mint buttercream icing and crushed Andes mints on top - SO GOOD!)


It was a fantastic day. I love that little girl. I am grateful to live such a blessed life and that she's part of it. Check out my great finds:

2 frames for A.J.'s room (yes it's STILL in the works)


Some fun new jewelry



And my new favorite thing EVER...


I have been on the never-ending-lookout for something new to hang my necklaces on. They were getting too jumbled on my current piece, plus to take one off, sometime you would have to take 5-6 off from in front of it. NOT ANY MORE - YAHOO!

Before:


After:

Each necklace can hang on its own little leaf. Plus it has a bird. Ya, I'm still on the bird thing.

Laughter - The Best Medicine

We have had a pretty rough weekend around here. But somehow, AJ can get us laughing no matter what. Tonight, Craig took her on a quick motorcycle ride. The conversation went something like this:

DAD: Make sure you hold on tight.
AJ: Don't worry Dad, I'll just hold on to your fat.
DAD: (Akward silence - thinking "did she really just say that?")
AJ: So Dad, why are you so fat?
DAD: Well, I guess because I eat too much.
AJ: But you were fat before dinner.
DAD: (More akward silence - only the sound of self-esteem being crushed by a four year old.)