The 3 Year Old Cowgirl Party Adventure!

I have a 3 year old! How did that happen? It's like she's born and then *POOF* she's 3! My little Anna turned 3 on October 14, 2012! And she has got the attitude to go with it! Grandma and Grandpa Doud threw her a party on her actual birthday and it was so sweet! The cake was adorable and so delicious!

Then, Yesterday, Oct. 20, 2012, Anna had her cowgirl party. My mom and her friend brought their horses to let the children ride for about an hour. They had a BLAST! Anna was SO excited to see the horse trailer pull up next to our house, it was precious! The table spread looked great and everyone had fun! It was wonderful to see the things that I had planned turn out so well. So here are some pictures from the party. (For anybody needing ideas for your own cowgirl party I will be posting this on pinterest.com)

 

 

 Fruit kabobs were "Cattle Prods" and Chex Mix was "Trail Mix" 

 Chocolate No-Bake Cookies were the "Cow Pies" and root beer served as the "Sarsaparilla". Pretzel Rods dipped in green candy chocolate and coconut were the "cactus", and green berry Hawaiian punch was "Cactus Juice".

 

 I made Anna's cake! I am so proud of it!

 

                             The "Chuck wagon" was over the food table

               "Anna' Country Store" was above a table with a bunch of candy for the 

kids to make their own party favor bags

                                         The kids also got to paint a real horseshoe!

I know it's spelled wrong, but it's supposed to read "3 Candles Saloon" over the drink table

 Love the cowgirl boots holding down the napkins!

             My sweet little cowgirl is 3 now!

Blessing # 26-I am the mother of two sweet angels

Blessing # 27- I have the honor of raising said angels

Recipe for the Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 3 TBS cocoa
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk OR just plain milk
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups quick oatmeal

Directions

1. Place a long sheet of wax paper on the prep area. 
2. In a large saucepan bring the butter, sugar, cocoa, milk, and salt to a boil, then boil for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes
3. Take off heat and stir in the peanut butter, vanilla, and quick oatmeal.
4. drop by teaspoons OR tablespoons on wax paper and flatten just a bit
5. Let cool. (for faster cooling place on a cookie sheet and put in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes
6. Store in an airtight container. (they taste extra yummy if you store them in the fridge!)

One Sweet Anniversary Adventure

Let me just say...HAPPY 7TH ANNIVERSARY DEAR SWEET HUSBAND OF MINE!!! I love you and you know it! I have the best husband in the world!!!.

 

Friday afternoon Mark and I dropped Anna and Lyla off at their Aunt Shell's house (Mark's sister). Anna and her cousin Lana apparently had a fantastic time and they were sad to leave each other today when we picked them up! Anyway, after we dropped them off, Mark drove us into Atlanta and we visited the Liahona  bookstore (an LDS bookstore) and the LDS Atlanta Temple. We walked around and I took pictures.

  Then we had to drive into Atlanta, the whole time Mark is not telling me where we are going to eat for dinner. All I know is that the reservations were for 7:30 pm and we were cutting it close! So we are driving and BAM! The Westin hotel is right in front of me. We ride the elevator to the top floor and lo and behold Mark got us reservations at the Sundial restaurant. For those of you that have never been, it is a restaurant that is slowly turning so you can see all of Atlanta!!! It was so amazing!

Mark's appetizer was roasted duck and mine was shrimp and cauliflower. The funny thing that happened is that Mark didn't know that his roasted duck came with a reduction sauce made from port!!! He asked me to taste it and and I was like "WHEW! that is alcohol!!!!" 

 Mark's main dish was lamb chops and beans. I had a taste and they were yummy!!! My main dish was
broccoli wrapped in lobster. It was pretty good!

Then we stayed at the Hilton Hotel in Marietta. The next morning we drove up to Helen, GA and walked around with all the drunk people smoking cigarettes who were there for Oktoberfest. lol. We got some yummy ice cream and then went to my favorite place up there... Hansel and Gretel's Candy kitchen. We bought 6 different types of fudge! Mark got walnut and pecan and together we chose caramel, peanut butter, mint swirl, and apple pie fudge!! They were delicious!!!! Then on our way to the hotel we stopped off at a road side store and bought some apple cider and some muscadine cider. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm looking forward to it. (let's just say my diet is taking a break this weekend!!!)

Of course I had to post a picture of one of the carriage horses we saw in Helen. I couldn't help myself!!! All in all it was a wonderful anniversary trip and some much needed relaxation time!!! Thank you sweetheart for the wonderful surprises!!!

Surprise Anniversary Trip and Weight Adventures!

On Sunday, September 30, 2012, Mark and I will be married for 7 YEARS!!! I can't believe it has been 7 years already. Time is whizzing by. I bet if I blink I'll be a Grandmother! To celebrate our anniversary, Mark is taking me on a weekend get away. I'm not sure where though, he won't tell me. But I am really excited. I do have a slight hint to where we are goingfor dinner tomorrow. All he told me is to where a dress. So I know the place is nice!  I will definitely have to dish on the details once we get back home. 7 years...wow. Here's to the rest of eternity with you baby!!!!

Also on a side note, I have now lost 11 lbs!!! I am so excited. When I first started this diet I was a little skeptical because I never thought I could stick to it, but it has actually been easy!!! 

Blessing #24- I have an amazing husband who is hard working and also romantic!!!
Blessing #25-My husband has a job that helps provide for our family!!!

A Purse and A Weight Loss Adventure

I thought having a blog would make me write everyday since I'd be on the internet anyways. Apparently not. Well, since I last wrote I have lost almost 10 pounds since I started myfitnesspal.com 25 days ago! I am thrilled! I can tell a little when I look in the mirror and in my waist. Some of my pants are a little loose on me! I hope I can keep this exact weight loss up all the way til' next May!! I will be at my goal weight by then! (I hope!)

On another note, I have finished sewing my first real sewing project!!! I chose to make a purse for my first project. It turned out pretty cute. But one could definitely tell it is my first purse. After some uneven stitching and cutting my purse is complete. I now need to figure out what I will be making next. I'm thinking another purse since I know how to make them now!! A big THANK YOU to my mom who was there every step of the way!!

Blessing #20-I have been blessed with money so I may buy food!

Blessing #21-I have been blessed with the ability to read and write!

Blessing #22-I am blessed with an incredible mother with a great talent for sewing so she can teach me!

Blessing #23-I am VERY blessed to live in a country where women and men can vote and not be dictated
to!

I love the button!