Happy July 4th!

Happy (early) Fourth of July!

Hopefully a re-look at past blog posts will help get you ready for the holiday. Here's a look back at how we spent some previous 4th of July's:

2010: 3 Pups at the Lake House

2011: Sea Kayaking with Brother

2012: Trivia- When Ross and I first Met?

2013: Float Trip from Hell (with a few good memories too)

2014: 4 Month Old Baby Girl Claire

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The Roma Cycle

It's been awhile since the blog featured the grey one. Oh, times have changed :)

Roma has adjusted to life with baby and now she's adjusting to life with a walking baby. It's a whole new ball game. Roma can't just lounge around and drool whenever she wants, she has to watch her back or she will get her hair/tail pulled.

Action shot of the incessant routine: Claire goes for Roma, Roma runs away from Claire, then Claire chases Roma. And Repeat.

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Baby Babble

As Claire gets older I know that our days of baby babble are numbered. It seems Claire's on the verge of words. She'll say "Momma" and "Da" but we're not sure Claire associates us with those words. One word she knows for sure is Roma which comes out more like "Ro Ro". Claire loves her puppy and I wouldn't be at all surprised if Roma turns out to be her first word!

Here's some pictures of Claire reading to us :)

High Five!

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Midland Sprint

Just got home from a quick trip to Midland, TX for a meeting. I'm spent, so short blog tonight. However I did learn a couple things about Midland I thought I'd share:

1. People don't drink the city water, they drink bottled water or install reverse osmosis water filtration systems in their house.
2. Grub Burger is the new hot spot in town.
3. Every company car, for every company seems to be a white truck. Why white?
4. Midland has more than 100,000 people
5. Midland started as a rail stop between El Paso and Ft. Worth

Happy THURSDAY!

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Britany is Married!

Another beautiful wedding in the books!

The matching robes were so cute, we're gonna have great pictures!

Lauren, Maid of Honor Lindsey, and Candace

Bride, Britany's hair

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Wilson!! Enjoy your Dominican honeymoon!!

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Father's Day 2015

Father's Day is a great time to say the things you sometimes forget to say a whole lot of other days of the year. We love the dads; all the patience, sacrifice, and love you show us!

Look what Claire made for Ross at skoool :)

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Britany is Getting Married!

My longtime friend Britany is getting married this weekend!! Britany and I met in highschool and bonded over our love of volleyball and then worked together at Zio's Italian Kitchen as hostess's. Here are some pictures of Britany and I through the years

At my wedding, 2008

Post-College

College

The exact moment Ross was asking my parents for permission to marry me, unbeknownst to me

I'm so ready for this wedding, I hope Britany and Steve are too! :)

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Crockpot Korean Beef

Welp I can't seem to find pictures of this meal, which I made for dinner a couple weeks ago. So, once again you'll have to take my word that it was good. I think the fact that it only took 15 minutes to throw together made it taste even better.

I'd recommend doubling the recipe for some great leftovers; be sure to make some basmati rice to accompany.

Korean Beef

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha, or more, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 3 pound boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large bowl, whisk together beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, ginger, Sriracha, onion powder and white pepper.
• Place chuck roast into a slow cooker. Stir in beef broth mixture until well combined.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours.
• In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and 1/4 cup water. Stir in mixture into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 30 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
• Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

df

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Natalie is MARRIED!

I love seeing my special friend so happy... it's contagious because I feel so happy too! 

Isn't she gorgeous!?!

Getting updo.

Side

Back View

The mariachi band was my favorite part of the reception; they did a great job getting everyone to loosen up.

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Baby isn't so little anymore

Ross and I had a couple days away from Claire this weekend so that we could see Miss Natalie get married in south Texas. Anyway when I came home and I saw Claire running around the game room it hit me: My baby girl isn't so little anymore. When did this happen??!

Anyway this prompted a look back at newborn pictures to reminisce on my teenie tiny baby Claire. 

Newborn Claire Pictures from 3/2014

Remember that baby? Pictures don't give you a sense of all those "baby noises" that accompanied them. I'll have to find some videos for that :)

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Cheese!

Just because...

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Summer time

I can tell that kids are now out of school for the summer...

There is less traffic during my commute which is nice. But our neighbors have a pretty epic pool with a stereo system and it seems like a non-stop pool party from 10-2AM. I know we're the new kids on the block but we need our sleep!

Oh, I feel so old right now.

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Natalie is 'bout to get Hitched!

My special friend Natalie is walking down the aisle this weekend. Eeeeee! Here's a link to Natalie's wedding website. I rounded up some old pictures of Natalie and I- not in any particular order, just for fun :) It's almost game time now!

Natalie's Graduation from law school

My engagement shower

Texas/OU weekend

Chuy's

Trip to Mexico with Natalie and her family over Thanksgiving

Hula Hut- best drinks ever!

My birthday dinner at Benjy's on Washington

Hula Hut... again.

Cain and Abel's, aka the engineering student bar

My Bachelorette Party

Brennan's 2008

San Fran, post law school graduation

Love this girl!

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