Wordless Wednesday

*spur of the moment cell phone picture by Dad

“runners”

So Daddy Buck and I have been running steady for over a year now and training consistently for months for our upcoming 1/2 marathon in January. 

We both ran personal record paces at our Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving and we also both set personal distance records on our long runs yesterday. 

 

 

I think it’s safe to refer to ourselves as “runners” these days…….

Thanksgiving

In all of the craziness that surrounded Daddy Buck’s birthday surprise, I failed to post about our other Veteran’s Day festivities.  I didn’t want it to go without mention and since there’s no better day to speak of veterans than Thanksgiving Day……

Veteran’s Day is a big deal for our family. 

Daddy Buck was asked to be the keynote speaker this year at the boys’ Veteran’s Day school program.  It was an honor and he delivered a heartfelt recollection of his time in the military and a reminder of why we should give thanks to our veterans everyday. 

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room following his time at the podium (nevermind that I didn’t even make it through the sweet 5th grader’s reading of his bio and introduction) and these two little guys were most proud of there dad. 

So…..today….Thanksgiving…..we’re thankful for each other, the brave men and women fighting overseas on this very day for our freedom, and life’s many blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

a few of my favs from today’s photoshoot……..

Today’s photoshoot in a few words…..

::two families, best friends, my friends, a few nerves, unseasonably WARM, cute kiddos, Christmas cards photos in mind, some great captures::

Fall Family Pictures

We were fortunate enough recently to have family pictures taken again by our friend and photographer, Matt Torres.  He was also the man behind the camera here last Spring.

Here are a few of my favorites……

 

You can see Matt’s sneak peek here at his photography blog.

Now excuse me while I stress over the decisions of our family Christmas card for the next week or so…….

11.11.11 {SURPRISE!}

For three months now, I’ve been planning a surprise birthday party for Daddy Buck.  I thought 11.11.11 was a big enough once-in-a-lifetime birthday to have a shindig; he turned 37, nothing special there.  {Why wait until 40 to have a big party?}

 

There were some minor miscues over the course of three months that likely proved I could never have an affair and keep it a secret, but I think I pulled it off for the most part. 

 

He certainly was unaware of the surprise guests that traveled from other states to be here to celebrate.  Daddy Buck had not seen either of these guys in a year or two.

Fall decor throughout the house, cigar boxes held napkins and utensils atop the tables, fresh flower arrangements, unbelievable food, and a mammoth chocolate-chocolate cake!

Daddy Buck doesn’t eat sweets…..

…..but he did this night. 

He even obliged us by blowing out the candles!

He also doesn’t like birthday gifts…..

(Buck-a-roo wanted to make sure that his gift got opened even though he couldn’t be here, adults only!)

…..but, I think he did on this night!

I couldn’t have put it together to the magnitude it was without the help of many of our closest friends.  And, boy, do we have talented friends…..musicians, chefs, bakers, caterers, artists, photographers, beer brewers, and cigar connoisseurs. 

 

Not out of character, Daddy Buck delivered a spur of the moment fantastic speech that included something about having an out of this world wife {smile}.

And, like always, he tried to remove the spotlight from it being his birthday and refocus to the fact that on the same day we celebrate Veteran’s Day and without the brave soldiers fighting for our freedom we couldn’t have been at this very party. 

  

It was a great party that lasted into the wee hours of the morning and that Daddy Buck will remember forever!

 

*all of the photographs were taken by someone else, and thank heavens she did!

Happy Halloween 2011

It has been my goal in the past (and it’s really no secret) to coordinate my children’s Halloween costumes as I’m anal retentive and somewhat controlling like that as they are so close in age and {I} think it’s fun!

I’ve been successful in the past in pulling off a cowboy and an indian, an LSU Tigers football player and a Mike the Tiger mascot, and a poiliceman and a fireman. 

I knew this year would be a challenge for me to have any say in the boy’s choices for Halloween costumes because…..well, they’re older and they have opinions!! 

Which makes this year’s choices all.  the.  more.  fabulous!!! 

 

Why? 

 

They chose their costume theme! 

All on their own! 

And they coordinated! 

And it is quite possibly their favorite costumes yet* (more on that later). 

 

So, you’ve heard of the Swamp People…….

 

I give you……our Troy Landry look-a-like

 

and…..a gator!

{because, “I don’t just wanna be another person Mom!”}

Don’t choot me Troy!!

These boys were hysterical.  They were proud.  They laughed and fed off each other.  They played their parts to the nth degree.  They were creative.  They adored their costumes and their concept!

 

CHOOT ‘EM!!!

 

And if it wasn’t already wonderful enough, get aload of this…….

Troy Landry look-a-like:

polo type shirt, Target, clearance $3.99

camouflage cap, Walmart $3.00

blue jeans, camo rubber boots, gun accessory, brown eyeliner {mustache}, Sharpie {Choot ‘Em tattoos}, already in our aresenal, FREE

 

Gator:

green tee shirt, Walmart, clearance $3.00

alligator (actually dinosaur) hat, Dollar Tree, $1.00

alligator (actually dinosaur) tail, Walmart, $1.99

blue jeans, boots, green camo paint, already in our arsenal, FREE

 

Grand Total: $13.00

for what is arguably their favorite Halloween costumes to date!*

 

:we trick-or-treated on Friday night at our local Bass Pro Shop and will trick-or-treat in our neighborhood again tonight:

Happy Halloween!!