Friend phone time..

The last few days Mr Wyatt has certainly started throwing fits. Don't get me wrong he is a good kiddo 99% of the time!  As my dear friend Andrea warned me yesterday something happens to your kids around the age of 2 or 3 where they seem to have a split personality..they are angels in public and terrors at home. Well after talking to her and I really don't think we are that point however, mama has seen some good attempts. HA!

The phone and internet are my lifeline with our friends and I truly cherish the girl time. It is amazing how much better you can feel after talking to a sweet friend.  This week I have been really lucky to talk to several of my girlfriends which has included exciting news, stressful events, sad news, laughing, mommy talk, and just friends catching up. Love it! I know that forever and always I will be close to my girls regardless of the miles!

Love each and every one of you no matter how long we play phone tag!

XXXOOO

Family Traditions.

 I am so thankful and grateful that I grew up in a family that made special memories and had traditions. To name a few of things: trout fishing on Little Red River, camped, to White Water, Silver Dollar City, vacationed at Possum Kingdom Lake, playing horse or any other 4 or 5 letter word, visited family in Dallas, hiked on the mountain land, hiked on the land around the house, played in the creek, fished on the river and at the pond, hiked and stayed in the cabins at White Rock, moved the sequined cow ornament around on Mom's tree, attended Razorback games, Horsehead and Shores lake, Hot Springs, high school football games, track meets, fort and mud pie making, putting buttons on our stockings, many a baskeball game at Altus with mama, sledding,  haunted houses, gardening, riding bikes to the Steam Plant and River, family runs, leaving cookies for santa, Sunday visits with Mema, sleep overs, target practice, family move night, swim meets, helping daddy after a hunting trip, always having bird dogs and watching daddy train them, finding the perfect tree on our land and decorating it, fun gift for Ben and I on Christmas eve, school plays, art projects with mama, making our costumes and special trick or treating places, and had many fun "family" dinner and parties with friends are all things we did often or yearly.  It was typical for every Easter and Thanksgiving to be spent with my dads side in Van Buren at Aunt Phil and Uncle Johnny's and Christmas in Dallas at Mom and Pops. New Years was spent at home or Mema's and we would always watch the Ball Drop on TV.  I have many fond memroies with my family that I hold dear to my heart and each of the above brings about several special specific memories that we always did as well.

When Daniel and I got married we started creating traditions including pumpkin patches, Possum Kingdom lake trips, mountain biking, snowboarding trips, hiking, lunch date Friday, we follow the traditional anniversary gift idea, pictures each year for our cards, family runs, Hershey's jumping events, remake the topper of our cake, cartoon family drawings, etc. to name a few,  Now that we have the kiddo they seem to be even more important. Since the holidays are approaching I have been thinking about more traditions for our little family and I have several I hope to start this year.  I can't wait..but for now, I am just thankful that I grew up in a family that cherished and created new traditions.

What are your family traditions?

Boo!

snow fun

fishing

Just because...we still love Hershey and Chance!

Possum Kingdom lake fun probably around 86

Glad we live in a country where we get a voice.

Day 5

 

Though it is not always easy..

  Goin' places that I've never been.
Seein' things that I may never see again

Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends.
Insisting that the world keep turning our way

Almost on a daily basis we meet new people that think our lifestyle is amazing, yet can't imagine a life as ours. Today I was reminded yet again how amazing it really can be. Found a new neat town while searching for a better grocery store. Goin' places that I've never been...yep!

Day 4 - Monkey

Today I am thankful for simple pleasures. When I was little I had a favorite Baby Melissa, 

I think picture was taken early one Easter morning..when I wasn't supposed to have had candy. Clearly that isn't chocolate on my mouth! HA!

 Ben had Blue Baby

.

 And now Wyatt has Monkey

I love seeing Wyatt love and care for Monkey. He hugs on him, tries to feed him, will carry him around, rock him, etc. It amazes me how the bond for love and care comes at such a young age.  Monkey mainly stays in bed, but does come out if needed. He makes my little guy squeal with delight and I love seeing this happen. I am thankful for simple pleasures.

Anniversary

We decided a trip to Austin was a good idea for our 5th Anniversary. Daniel's mom agreed to watch Wyatt and Daniel and I were looking forward to a night out. As I previously mentioned we went to a pumpkin patch/ Christmas tree farm that day. We enjoyed spending time with our friends and had the opportunity for some fun pictures. It was hot that day so it didn't really feel like fall at all! But...I guess that is what you get in Austin.

More pictures http://bashamtravel.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-fall-day.html

 That night we took Wyatt over Daniel's parents house before dinner so we could get him asleep before we left. We wanted to make it as easy on her as possible. Daniel had planned on us having dinner at Trudy's where we had our first date. When we arrived the restaurant had moved however, another place had opened in its location. We decided to stay and sat in almost the same table. We had a great time and dinner and were ready to spend a little more time out. Something didn't sit right with the food so we ended up heading back home. We stopped along the way and I had an unfortunate accident in my wedges. I love wearing them for short periods of time however, I am not sure they have the same love for me.

Andrea this was our chocolate cake...I didn't attempt the tradition and thought Daniel might try. He said he attempted in that he saw it on the menu! LOL!

Anyway, Daniel and I ended up going to a local bar to listen to the Garage Band for a few hours. We had fun but decided that we certainly aren't as young as we used to be! (Mama needed some ear plugs..because the kids listen to music very loudly! Hahahah!!!!)

We follow the nontraditional gift tradition. Five years means wood. I got Daniel a wooden watch (pictured) and he surprised me with an antique  wooden music box. We both were super excited!

 
 Happy Anniversary Daniel! I love you more today than I did 5 years ago!

The next morning we headed over to Daniel's parents house to see Wyatt. He had a lot of fun that morning playing with his Mimi. She made Spaghetti before we headed back home and from the looks of the pictures it is obvious Wyatt enjoyed it!

We had a great anniversary weekend and were so lucky to be close enough to celebrate with friends. I am glad Daniel's mom got some special time with Wyatt and Daniel and I had an evening out.

Day 3- Happy Anniversary

I am thankful for my marriage and ultimately for my little family! I will  never forget the heartfelt vows Daniel and I  exchanged in the vineyard a short 5 years ago. I know people thought we were crazy for wanting to have an outdoor ceremony in November however, it was amazingly sunny and warm that day. Regardless it took an army to make it  happen and I am forever grateful! Daniel - 2 labs, 1 kiddo, many life lessons on the road, and 13 moves later, I would do it all again tomorrow. Life isn't always perfect but I love you more and more each day! Happy Anniversary- I love you!!

Thankful!

I am so thankful that it is Friday, Daniel has a job, we are healthy, and we have a fun weekend ahead. This has been a tough week for many. We are both ready to spend some time with friends and family, relaxing, and laughing! Laughter really is the best medicine! We ALL need it!!



 

Thankful Day 1

Here goes...I have seen several challenges for people to bless their family and friends with 30 Days of ways to be Thankful. "30 Days of Being Thankful" The goal is to consciously engage in (at least) one moment of thankfulness every day this month. That's it.

 

I love this picture and am so thankful to make simple and sweet memories with my little guy!

Nannie and PawPaw sent Wyatt a fun Halloween box.  It included his first real set of Crayons and a coloring book. We were gearing up for Halloween, doing a new activity, and he loved it. He had colored before in restaurants however, having an entire box of crayons was so much fun! He talked the entire time and I am certain was telling me about each color!I am so thankful for my sweet little family and am excited to blog about being thankful!

***
Look below for several posts, Halloween, the last week in East TX, the move, and the pumpkin patch.  We seem to have a little better internet connection this evening. I am sure in the morning I will read this and think... possibly midnight blogging isn't such a good idea. (I am certain I will think this!) HA!

Halloween

I had already decided that our big Halloween activity would be the Friday before we moved. (Another post about this below.) We went through the same predicament last year when we moved the weekend before Halloween. This makes it hard to have any idea of what to do. We weren't going to go actual trick or treating, because 1.  We just moved,  2. Wyatt has no idea what candy is at this point and 3. I realize that most of this at his age is more for us and everyone else. That said, Daniel would have only been working at this new rotation for 2 days so really his coworkers would not even know us. 

So on Halloween we went to see Daniel at the hospital for a few minutes then came home  and played outside before heading out to eat Mexican food. We met a really nice couple in town who owns a burger/breakfast joint and got the skinny on all the happenings and the town politics! :) Oh small town fun!

 Just hanging out with daddy.

 Charlie was a definite hit at the restaurant and as always had all the girls glances!  Wyatt's second Halloween was a lot of fun. Watching him take it all in and giggle at everything, makes me wonder what he will think of next year. I can only imagine the fun we will have! I also LOVE the little kid that Daniel turns into showing off his little boy to his coworkers! (Makes my heart explode with love!)

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! Charlie Brown sends his love!