Spring is here, spring is here. It's the best time of the year! -Little Bill-

Ok, so the only TV I watch these days is cartoons, so sorry if you are not familiar with Little Bill!  I am, however, really excited for sunshine, warmer weather and the chance to go outside!!!  We have been very busy this this week taking care of some repair work, spring cleaning and some crafts! 

Green cookies in honor of St. Patrick's Day

        I am cleaning out the closets, and it was time considering I had stuff from college in there!

Logan took this pic of his shadow!  Shadows mean sunshine!  Love it!

Flowers blooming all over the yard!

One of the sweetest pictures ever! 

We have several bird houses that need to be repaired and cleaned out after the long winter.  The boys were amazed at the nests inside.  They were very impressed with all of the stuff that the birds had used to build them with!

We also painted a new house to add to the yard!

Some lucky bird will get this hand-painted gem!

I have also had this picture on my To-Do list.  My aunt did this many years ago. Unfortunately, she passed before I was born and it was then given to my grandmother. When she passed, my mom adopted it. I never really appreciated the work she must have put into it until a few years ago.  I believe it is crewel which is a form of embroidery.  It is difficult to see in the picture, but it is very detailed and every bit is done with yarn.  It is just really unique and I want to keep it in the family if possible.  I always felt it needed a more updated frame, but I thought I would try and use the frame I already have and see what I could do for it.  I used some spray paint and then sanded it a bit so it would have an antique look.

I think it will work for now.  At some point I would like to do the picture justice and re-frame in a better frame.  But, for now, I think this makes it pop!

I also added this above the bed in the extra bedroom.  I found it at Target, and I love it.  It makes a fun and easy solution for my lack of a headboard!

Slowly but surely, this room is coming together!

Cancun!

Here are pics from the trip!  We had a great time, and thanks again to Nana for stepping in to watch the wild ones! 

This hotel was really spread out!  I loved it!

I could have stayed in this bathroom the whole time (insert jokes here)!  The giant window made me a bit nervous at first, but it was really relaxing.  I want this bathroom in my house!

We got to hang out with some great people! There are a bunch of Aggies that work for the company, so it was great to hang out with some fellow Texans!

Sorry, this pic turned out a bit on the bright side.  Very proud of my husband! 

Lyndon and Andrew receiving their awards!

Lyndon's boss and his gorgeous wife! We always love spending time with them!

On the second day we were there, I walked around and took some pics of the grounds while Lyndon was in a meeting! 

This guy had no problem with me taking his pic, but he would not look at the camera. 

Because the hotel grounds are so spread out, they offer BMW bikes to ride around on.  They are everywhere, and you can just take one and leave it where you stop!  The beach is about a mile from the rooms, so I hoped on one.  I have never driven an actual BMW, but the bikes are pretty nice!

Me and my BMW!

As expected, it was perfect!

Meals, colds and rewards!

It has been a long and miserable few days.  I had to hand over my computer to the geeks on Saturday for some TLC.  We have had this computer less than 5 months, and it was locking up on us and doing some weird stuff, so I finally took it in to have it seen about.  It turns out that ITunes was the problem or so they think.  Anyway, we have her back, and she is better than ever!  Speaking of sick, let me just say that as far as my family is concerned, this is the worst sick season we have ever had.  Logan finally recovered from his surgery only to have Luke come down with a nasty cough that kept him up for several nights, and then I caught the cold from hell.  It just won't go away.  I am not sure what is going on, but I am just frustrated about it all.  The boys have never had as many issues as they have had this past six months, and I have had two really nasty colds in that time.  They aren't even in school yet which makes me cringe to think what it will be like when they are around a ton of kids all day.  We have never eaten more healthy than we have since we lived here, and I am giving them a vitamin everyday and making sure the house stays as clean as possible.  I guess it is just one of those seasons.  One of the more positive things is that Logan has been infection free since the surgery.  He has had a ton of energy (which makes it really tough when I don't feel great), and he looks better than he has in awhile.  I started to think that maybe the allergens around here were catching up to us.  My doctor says that it can take up to a year for a new environment to start affecting your system.  But, none of our issues, so far, have been about allergies.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that we won't have too many issues with that.  A couple of people have asked if they are still wearing their amber necklaces.  I have insisted on it.  Luke has not had an issue with his eczema since he put it on, and I still think that it is keeping some stuff under control.  Knowing that Logan no longer has to take Nasonex makes it worth it.  That is what caused the nose bleeds in the first place. At any rate, we are just trying to get through one day at a time until all of this passes and we can spend some time outside! 
In other news, Lyndon and I get to spend time away together this weekend. This trip is a reward for Lyndon from the office for winning the Pace Setter award (just going to brag for a minute, but it is my blog, so I get to do that)!  I originally was not planning to go because of the boys, but without knowing,  my sweet husband made the arrangements so I could be there with him.  I am very excited for him and proud of him.  He has worked very hard this last year and spent a lot of precious time away from the boys which I know has been hard on him.  I am grateful everyday for all of his hard work and appreciate all that he does for the boys and me (and does so without complaining...I could take some lessons)!  Thank you Lyndon for your constant, selfless work at the office and at home.  I love you, and I am very proud of you!

I am also going to post meals for this past week and the following week!  Sorry for getting behind...
Feb. 26- March 11
26) Rose's Chicken casserole with corn and green beans
27) Beef stir fry
28) Bruschetta and raw veggies
1) Eggs Benedict and hash browns
2) Beef stroganoff with veggie salad
3) Homemade pizza
4) leftovers
5) Beef stew
6) Tex-Mex chicken and rice with black beans
7) Homemade hamburgers
8) Oriental chicken cashew
9) Shepard's pie
10) Baked potatoes and salad
11) leftovers/ out to eat!

Have a wonderful, healthy week!

About Italy!

We hosted homeschool group again today. This week, we talked about Italy!  I was trying to keep in line with the theme of love since it is February.  I figured the Italians are passionate people who have love for life and really great food! So, we colored the Italian flag, discussed facts about the country and made our own pizzas! We also had a yummy Italian salad, fruit and biscotti for dessert!

I would share some fun facts about Italy, but the most important thing you need  know is that they introduced the world to pasta and gelato! Ok, maybe they are also known for the incredible artists, Michelangelo and da Vinci, operas, beautiful fashion and amazing history.  It is a beautiful country that I would love to visit sometime in my life!  For now, I will just have to eat enough gelato to feel like I am there!  Dio ti benedice!

Awww spring!

I finally feel like I can take a deep breath! I was very excited about the fall and Christmas, but I have to say that I am really really pumped about spring this year!  We already have the start of some flowers coming up in the yard, and the weather is SOOO much better.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that the cold is over.  Spring always makes me want to organize and clean and open up the windows (which drives Lyndon nuts)! We have been in this house just over a year now, so it is time for the master list of to-dos around here (something else I do that drives Lyndon nuts)! I already have a start with painting the family room.  Now, I am looking at kitchen cabinets, the laundry room and perhaps taking out a wall, but that may have to wait! I will share that list once it is complete.

                                                         In the meantime, we are spending
                                                               our days updating hairdos...

...and do you remember this closet from a few weeks ago???

Here is the update!

I really wanted it to function as storage for art supplies but be a place for the boys can hang out.  I found the cabinet, ottomans and rug all at Target for about $100.  The ottomans are hollow which provided even more storage! I would still like to do more with the shelves.  They are organized, but they don't really appeal to me.  That will take a bit more time.  Cute organizing bins and such are expensive. But, I am happy with the start and feel like it is more user-friendly!

They boys have really enjoyed it!

In other news, I finally have a successful black-bean burger recipe!! One of the yummiest black bean burgers I have had was from Chili's (thanks to Melissa for introducing it to me)!  I actually found the recipe for it online http://www.kitchenlink.com/cookbooks/2006/141169709X_1.html.  Lyndon was really impressed and Logan liked it.  Luke would not touch it, but 3 out of 4 is not bad! It is a good alternative to burger nights or a great vegetarian meal!   

Meal planning!

Saturday Feb. 19th-25th!

19) Angel hair spaghetti with bread and asparagus
20) Chicken and Dumplings
21) Black bean burgers (trying a new recipe for this)
22) Egg sandwiches (all the boys love these)
23) Homemade chicken soup
24) Eggplant croquettes with tomato sauce
25) leftovers/out to eat!

We are trying to get in one or two more chicken and dumplings before the cold weather leaves us (which I am very excited about).  I consider it a winter meal.  I also have two vegetarian meals this week I am anxious to try out.  My last black bean burgers were awful, so I am attempting a different recipe this week!  I will be happy to share if it comes out ok!  Happy meal planning!