MIZ-ZOU!!!

Last weekend, Jon and I took a trip to my old stomping grounds...The University of Missouri!!!

Jon had never seen my school and this was the perfect time to introduce him to everything MIZZOU. For two reasons... 1. Fall is Jon's favorite season and Columbia is most beautiful this time of year and 2. One of my best friends Kay is in her last year of Medical School (smarty pants) there so we got to hang out and play with her and her boyfriend Brandon!

Let's start with a quick look at the campus:

This is the new bookstore
This is the front door to the Delta Delta Delta house where I lived almost all 4 years of college. The house holds close to 90 girls! I couldn't get a good picture of the front because they have a big sign out for Homecoming, but below are some pics of the inside.
Jon couldn't believe how "grandma" it was inside. I like to say it's cozy.
The Pit
Kay and I cracked up at this NEW wallpaper!!! That's right. This wallpaper is actually new. The 60+ year old women who are in charge of the house actually paid for this!
Brandon and Jon taking it all in...

And now for the FALL LEAVES...

I had so much fun showing off my school! It really is beautiful. I felt so proud. I also felt extremely blessed that I had the opportunity to go to college and get a great education in such a wonderful place. MIZ...ZOU!!!! HOME OF THE TIGERS!

Thanks Kay and Brandon for letting us spend the weekend with you!!! We had a great time and can't wait to see you in Dallas soon!!!

State Fair of Texas

Last week we traveled downtown to experience another wonderful trip to the State Fair of Texas where everything is fried and Big Tex seems to get creepier.

Kaufman Pumpkin Carving 2009

Two weekends ago, we went over to my parents on Sunday to watch the Cowboys and eat dinner as usual. However, this Sunday had a theme...Halloween! I know it was a tad early, but Jon and I are out of town 2 weekends this month, so October 11 was the day.

Before I get to the pumpkin carving, let me first point out that I made the most delicious pumpkin cupcakes with homemade cream cheese icing for a festive treat. I got the recipe from one of my Real Simple magazines...my favorite!!! They were really easy to make, so if anyone wants the recipe, let me know :)

And now...to the pumpkins!

Apparently pumpkin carving freaks Cole out!

Drum Roll Please......




Meet our pumpkin Herman
Jon did a great job carving Herman, our sweet Frankenstein

Here's a group shot. Herman, my parents Gramps and MiMi pumpkin and Lyric and RT's Mickey Mouse! Everyone did a great job.

Baby Shower Bliss

On October 3rd, I had the honor of attending my friend Jaime's baby shower! Kim (Jaime's sister), hosted a beautiful shower and we all had a fabulous time talking, eating & oohhing and aahhing over the most precious baby girl outfits and accessories! If you've heard me say it once, you've heard me say it 1,000 times...I LOVE baby showers!!! Here are some pictures from Jaime's special day:

The Decor

Kim, Jaime & their mom Debbie

The Guests
The Moms-be-be...Aren't they adorable?
Game Time!
We played 3 great shower games and I was the lucky winner of game 1. Kim had a long ribbon cut and you had to guess how big around Jaime's tummy was and mark the ribbon with your initials. It's had to tell because the ribbon in reversed, but my initials, KLB lined up exactly!!!

Present Time
My mom got Jaime her Diaper Gennie and this sweet outfit. The picture doesn't do it justice!
I found this "gown" and fabulous bow in Canton and had to have them!
The Loot
Baby Grace is expected to make her big debut on November 28, but my prediction is she'll be here the beginning of Thanksgiving week! I'm so excited to meet this precious baby girl! One thing is for sure, she's a lucky girl to have such a sweet momma!

Road Trip to East Texas

A few weeks ago (I'm so behind) we traveled across east Texas for the weekend. Our first stop was in Nacadoches to visit Jon's Mama!



After spending some time with Mama, we were off to Marshall. We got to Ray and Terri's (Jon's Aunt and Uncle) at around midnight and crashed. We had been in the car for roughly 6 hours and were beat!

The next morning we enjoyed coffee and cinnamon rolls with the fam, put on our Sunday best (not really) and jumped in the car yet again to travel to Jon's other grandparents church in Shreveport, more specifically Belcher...Yes, I said Belcher, TX! It was a special celebration Sunday. Jon's grandparents, George and Gerri Bailey were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, 60 years in the ministry and I think 12 or 13 years at Belcher Baptist Church!!!

After church, one of their members welcomed us into their home so we could hang out for a while before the reception the church was having that afternoon.

While we were relaxing, Randy and Nancy presented a lovely scrapbook they had put together for the big occasion. It was so fun looking at all the old pictures and listening to them reminisce.

(The picture to the left of the one being pointed to is Jon's grandfather as a little boy...the spitting image of Jon as a boy!!!)

(Random, but beautiful Jon pic)

Off to the reception...

It was a jam-packed weekend filled with lots of driving, but the best part was it was filled with lots of family!!!

Grilling and Game Night!

A few weeks ago, Jon and I had friends over for burgers, games and ice cream sundaes! After a week straight of rain, the sun came out just in time for our get together.

I made a few dips and this yummy homemade cherry limeade I got from a friends blog. The ice cubes are made with a cherry and sprite...cute and smart! Your drink will never get watered down!

Before firing up the grill, the boys played Bag-O in the backyard while the rest of us chilled on the patio.
Look at these precious mommies-to-be!!! Jaime and Michelle are 2 weeks apart. Grace (Zach and Jaime's baby) is due November 28th and Katelyn (Seth and Michelle's baby) is scheduled to come into the world December 15th. I can't wait to meet these sweet baby girls!!!


Jon and David in the kitchen. Burgers and homemade fries coming up!
After everyone finished eating, it was BINGO time!

The big winners of the night were Seth, David and Jaime. And I will add that Jon is quite the announcer!!!

Finally, we ended the night with homemade ice cream sundaes!

I love this last picture of Michelle! She knew exactly what she wanted in her sundae (probably the pregnancy talking) and I assisted. The concoction consisted of several layers of vanilla ice cream, bananas and caramel, topped with a generous squirt of whipped cream. She didn't want to be in any more pictures, so she hid behind the counter while I clicked away!

Thanks for coming over gang! We'll have to do it again soon!!!

Buddies!

Saturday morning, Lyric came over to help me hang some frames. While we were busy "working", Jon and Cole did what they do best...hang out and play! The first time I checked on them, they were chillin' in the rocking chair on the patio. How cute are they?

The next time I peaked out the window, Jon was letting Cole help him water the plants. Cole felt so big and cool!


The next thing we know, Jon's asking for a towel!






Jon was soaking wet too!!!

I love to watch Jon and Cole play. They really are the best of buddies!