This is a little old now, we did this before we opened presents. I still wanted to share.

CA Christmas

Mom sent me a few pictures of Reilly and Taylor opening presents. Check them out at Picasa.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/CAChristmas2010#

Pogo Stick

Lauryn also got a Pogo Stick for Christmas!

Happy Birthday to my Mom!

Just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my Mom, or Granny Jo to Lauryn. I hope you have a great day, and get to do exactly what you want to do. Have fun, and I hope you get a great cake!

My Mom is amazing and a wonderful Grandmother, thanks for all you do, and have a great day just for you.

Soccer Playoffs

Lauryn had soccer playoffs yesterday. They played three games, 8am, 11am, and 2pm. Yes, she was very tired after the games. They lost the first two games and won the final game. They came in 4th overall. She had fun, and her favorite was the last game. She scored two goals in the last game and the final score was 4 to 1.

I'll post pictures soon....

Halloween

Frankie shared a few pictures of Lauryn dressed up for Halloween. She was an 80's Valley Girl!

Dinner tonight?

So, whats for dinner at your house tonight?

Our house, you ask? Shredded Chicken Tacos! Super easy! Here is what I did:

2 frozen chicken breasts in the crock pot this morning with 1/2 jar of salsa

When I got home tonight, I just shredded the chicken and dinner was done. AWESOME! Fun easy dinner when you don't have any time to make dinner.

Throw in some sides and dinner is done.

Hope you get to try it out, and share reciepes with me and I'll share here also.

What's for dinner tonight?

I hate that question! and yet, you know it is coming! so everyweekend I plan to make dinners that will work for the week. Does it ever happen? Not that often, although I wish it would.

Tonight I tried a new reciepe, it was called a Quesida Cassarole (think of something like Mexican Lasagna). It was suppose to be dinner for tomorrow or Tuesday (prep today and put in the over after a workday), well that didn't happen. It smelt so good when I was cooking it actually made me hungry! So I caved in and tried it tonight instead. I actually really liked it! And lets face it, I'm picky, but it was good!

David even liked it! So here is what it is basically:
brown 1 pound of hamburger with 1/2 a cup of diced onion
add in
1 can of black beans (drained)
1 can of corn (undrained)
2 cans of 8 oz tomato sauce
spices (think taco seasoning) -- I was able to get a reciepe card and premeasured spices at the store, which is where the idea came from.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Layer meat mixture, then toritalls then cheese and repeat.

Anyway the whole meal probably took 30 minutes total! It was nice, for sure I could make after dinner another night.

So with the idea more of you out there hate the question "What's for dinner?" email me your favorite reciepe's. I mean EASY weeknight reciepes. I will try some out and post here so we can all share.

Pictures

Here is a link to a few pictures from Lauryn's B-day weekend. See the post below to see what we did (Soccer, Bowling Party pictures are here).

Hope you guys like them!

http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/LaurynS9thBDayWeekend#slideshow/5516051702977895954

Birthday Party/Soccer Game

Today was my first soccer game, we won 6 to 3 and I scored a goal. It was really hot and everybody was really tired by the end....Daddy got really sunburned.

I also had a bowling party for my birthday this weekend. I invited friends from my class and family. I had 3 spares, but no strikes....It was really fun! I had a tied-dyed peace sign cake and got a lot of presents. Daddy even bowled two times, he was really good and it was cool!

Miss everybody, talk to y'all later. I gotta go watch the Horns beat Wyoming. Hook 'em!

Love,
Lauryn

PS Pictures to come tomorrow! -- From Kim

Websites

Just wanted to share a few new websites I found and really like. Take a look at these if you want, they have a few different ideas and of course I also still love Etsy.

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/10/apron-adventures-2/

http://newlywoodwards.blogspot.com/2009/10/by-my-apron-strings.html

http://www.itzyritzy.com/reusable-and-washable-snack-bags/

Update

I just signed in to check the blog and realized we haven't blogged in a while. So to finish out the summer here is another update.

Lauryn left today, boo hoo :( she left with David's parents. Last week she spent the week with them and even got to go back to Schlitterbahn one day. The week before she finally did make it to Art camp. She LOVED it! You should see all the stuff she made, paintings, sculpted and painted a clay zebra, drawings, and a vase! I am pretty sure she had a awesome time.

This last weekend with us, Franke and I went to the Cedar Park Farmers Market. It was early, I thought it opened at 8 but it was really 9 so we were there early! Anyway, we got some awesome stuff, produce including peaches, and even some Tuna Steaks. We grilled and everything was um um good!!!

I can't wait to go back and get more stuff. Just have to find a weekend and a friend to go with. Hopefully that won't be to hard, maybe I can just meet Joyce there (we ran into her). Oh plus they letyou bring dogs!! There is even a booth with dog treats! Everyone was so nice, so next time anyone is in Austin over the weekend be prepared to get up early and visit the Market.

Lauryn and I are starting a "reading contest" tonight at 8. We have three of the same books and will start reading book #1 tonight at 8. Then we will talk a few times a week to discuss whats going on and how far we have gotten. Hopefully all these books will help her for AR (Advanced Reading in school). So if you hear of any cool books for 3rd grade let me know so I can get them for us. Our first book is the first in the series called "A Series of Unfortunate Events".

Don't miss out on Lauryn's birthday / christmas wish list. Its posted on the left hand side here and let me know if you get anything so I can remove it, ok?

That's it for now, I'll try to post later. Hopefully some new pics or a book update.

Art camp

Okay, so no art camp this week for me. :( They cancled it. boohoo.

Ok, let's talk about something else now....Missy had her baby. Aaron was born at 11:20 pm on Tuesday night. Missy's water broke at 6:30am that morning, so she was in labor for a long time. Aaron is 7lbs 9oz and 18 inches long. Congratulations Adam and Missy! They will be coming home Friday, Saturday, or Sunday (I'm not sure which day) since Missy had a C-section.

I had fun at soccer and almost scored a goal. I told Daddy at dinner that I wanted to be a......goalie!

Love,
Lauryn

Kim's Weekly Wrap up

This week was our vacation. David and I celebrated our third wedding aniversary and we took the week off to spend with Lauryn. We went to San Antonio and visited the Alamo (per Lauyrn's request!), Sea World, and spent one day at Schlitterbahn. We still have tickets for another day back to the "bahn" but the weather was so bad we skipped the day. Guess we will find another day this summer to visit.

This weekend was quiet at our house as Lauryn, Kim, Grandma and Jaxson spent the weekend together in Austin. She will be returning home soon, and is sure to play with Winnie. Winnie has been missing her friend and roomate since Friday :(

We also did some inside "rainy day" activies. We played with Winnie, of course, visited the Library, and the best thing was -- we tye dyed! Lauryn likes everything 70s so much, so we bought a kit at Walmart, and even though they aren't paying me to advertise for them, I really really loved it! I actually layed in bed and thought of other items we could tye dye next!

I think everyone should tye dye something, with or without kids! It was AWESOME!

Stay tuned, this week we have soccer again and lots of other activies.

Did I mention I just made a cake also? It is called a Sock it to me Cake, and it is one of my favorites. It is a bundt cake and super easy to make. The best part is the layer of Cinamon, and Brown Sugar in the middle! You should really try it.

Quick Post from Kim

Hello to all,

Just wanted to share a great book I got at the library yesterday. It is called "Mommy Wars", and it is a collection of essays written by stay at home moms and working moms. It is great! It will for sure make you feel like you are not alone, and laugh also! Love it! It is edited by Leslie Morgan Steiner, pick it up if you want.

Lauryn's Friday at Main Event

Me and Kim went to Main Event for 3 hours today, and played 2 games of bowling and one game of glow in the dark minature golf.

I didn't want to play Laser Tag. I was freaked out about the sound of the gun. So we did not go into Laser Tag.

Instead we played bowling again, and I WON!! I won the second time and Kim won the first time.

They had a bunch of lights at 3:00 and music. I decided to call it "Club Main Event", I think it looked like a club with disco balls and music, but I've never been to a club.

Today was fun, when we were done Kim went and got the car (in the rain) and I stayed at the front door and didn't get wet! Kim came and picked me, and we came home, went to the Library, went to pick up Daddy, played with Baxter, went to dinner, went to HEB and finally made it home!!!

We were busy! Off to bed now.

Kim's week wrap up

OK so rain rain go away, and come again -- hum?? -- much later!!! So, since the rain has been here, all week thanks to the now tropical storm in Mexico, we've been inside much of the week. Sorry we didn't post every night like Lauryn wanted to, it just came down to a lot of inside days and that doesn't leave a lot of details to write about. Stay tuned, next week is full, and Lauryn is going to write in just a minute.

Dog Park

So I went to the dog park with both Kim and Winnie and all of us got wet and muddy. Winnie got to play and was able to get some good exercise. I kicked a ball with Winnie and a few other dogs. The girl Kim works with, Lisa, came with one of her dogs, Luke.

We saw a baby chihuahua and 2 great pyrenees. Winnie accidentally stepped on the baby chihuahua and it started to squeek like a chew toy. We had fun at the dog park and Daddy had to hose Winnie off when we got home because she was so dirty!

Love,
Lauryn

Bike Ride

Lauryn and I just got back from our nightly outing. Each night this week we have gone on a walk or a bike ride, tonight was a bike ride. We actually did two!

The first ride was with Winnie, who also got to run around in the field with Lauryn (on her bike). I think we wore Winnie out! We had to bring her back 1/2 way on the ride and let her rest! She came inside with David to get some A/C and cool off.

Then we were off again! We went out to find some hills (not many in central Texas), and we found one in our neighborhood. We went around the block with the hill twice! once up and once down.

We were gone for about 45 minutes, man I am TIRED! But at least we know I'll sleep tonight!

Tomorrow it is up early and off to the Dog Park with both Lauryn and Winnie. So stay tunned to see what is on schedule for next week.

PS. Lauryn want's to blog almost everynight this week so keep checkin back!

Soccer Academy

Lauryn is here for the summer. Tonight she started at the Soccer Zone for a weekly Soccer Academy. She practiced for 30 minutes then they played a game/scrimage against...........wait for it!.........................The PARENTS!!!

Yes, David, in his work clothes played soccer, and even almost scored a goal.

I think they both had a great time, and got in some good exercise.

Here are some pictures, this is indoor soccer so some of these pictures are "blurry" cause they are against the glass. At least they play in the air conditioning.

Here are the pictures.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/SoccerAcademyAustin#slideshow/5486149350179180626

Spring Soccer

Lauryn is playing spring soccer again. This weekend is her last game so stay tuned for pictures. We shall see how the last game goes. Wish us well this weekend.

Soda Update

So.............today is day 15 with no soda! Can you believe it? If you know me at all...........you'd probably say NO WAY! I love my coke and diet coke, so while it may be hard to believe it is actually getting easier.

The first few days were very TOUGH, but now each day is getting easier. Admittedly some food just goes better with a soda....for example a burger -- yeah need a soda! Mexican food -- yeah for sure! and the worst one of all -- PIZZA -- gotta have a soda.

So far I've made it through all of them without a soda. At least I know without Diet Coke I'm drinking plenty of water.

I guess we shall see what the summer holds. Think I'll make it? Just wait and see.

Reilly email

Reilly emailed me this week and sent me some pictures of how cute she looks in the jumper I sewed for her. Here are some pictures.

Lauryn's First Communion

Last weekend Lauryn got her first communion. She did fantastic, had a beautiful dress, and enjoyed her time with family.

They took some professional pictures, but here are Frankie's until we get those.

http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/FirstCommunion#slideshow/5462758770133482994

Metro Train

Well................it has finally happened! After years of planning and waiting, on most of the cities part, we have joined the ranks of a major city.............or at least to me we have.

Yes, the Austin Metro Train started running today. I took it to work this morning, it left at 7:10 and I got to work around 7:50 or 7:55. Which is on time, or a few minutes late, for me. As long as I get there before my class or around 8 I am fine.

It was great, the train is clean and obviously with no traffic the commute is fantastic!

Actually you wanna hear (read) a secret?????????????

I am on the train RIGHT NOW!!! we have wifi on the train! and as it turned out the walk to work from the station (.9 of a mile) wasn't bad!

gotta go pulling up to my station now :)

Soccer with Winnie

So all of you know how much Lauryn loves soccer, but she got a new "playmate" this weekend. She tried playing soccer with her Dad and Winnie on my birthday. Winnie loved the ball and even kicked it a few times!

After they played Winnie was hot so David hosed her off and let her cool off. She loves the water and started playing in it.

Winnie and Lauryn really love playing together. If only Winnie was allowed at the soccer field during the games! I also have the cutest picture of Winnie carrying the ball in her mouth, I'll save it for another post though.

After Winnie and Lauryn played David got involved. We all played, and tried to keep the ball away from Lauryn or she tried to keep it away from us. This year in soccer she will have a goalie, so we were trying to help her practice.

And after it all...........................

Winnie and Lauryn rested and had a great time. It was a wonderful Sunday in my world. After this we all went inside for more birthday cake and then it was back off to Austin.

Here are a few more pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/WinnieSoccer#slideshow/5445329228164336546

Ice Cream Cake!

I forgot to mention in my previous post how much I LOVE ice cream cake now...............Never had one before, and I am not sure why..................ICE CREAM CAKE!!!! I don't think I can say it enough.

Ice cream cake can cure anything! I am sure of it! We should give it to everyone, all the time, your sad -- have an ice cream cake, you got a promotion -- ice cream cake, you worked all week? you got it ICE CREAM CAKE!!!

It is awesome, amazing! Ours was chocolate cake on the bottom, a huge layer of Birthday flavored ice cream, then covered in chocolate with oreo bits and whipped cream! Plus there were pieces of chocolate chip cookie dough around the bottom.

WAY TO GO FRANKIE!!! Awesome choice! See the pictures

Sunrise!

I went back to trying to walk Winnie every morning, yeah right! Actually I did walk her yesterday morning (I know because it was 30 degrees outside with a wind chill!) and I walked her again today.

So I got to hear the rooster somewhere near our neighboorhood crow at dawn again and got to see sunrise. It was beautiful, and amazing. That is for sure one nice part of such an early walk. Although I will be happy when the time chages again (soon) and the sun comes up before I get up!

Stay tuned to the blog, this weekend David, Lauryn and Winnie all tried to play soccer in Frankie and Hugh's back yard so I'll be posting some pictures soon.

Birthday

So......its been another year. And yes, another year older here. What do birthday's mean to you? Time to reflect on the last year? If so then my last year was busy and fantastic. In the last year we

• Had Lauryn visit for a week for spring break (and we are about to again)
• Got Winnie (yeah!)
• Had Lauryn spend 1/2 of the summer with us
• Had Karen, Mom, Dad, Reilly, and Taylor come visit
• Went to IL (for MaMa's funeral not the best circumstances, and David's first trip to IL)
• Had Christmas / Holidays in Disneyworld (AWESOME!)
• Went on a week cruise with David and my in-laws
• Planned Winnie's birthday party

So you may be asking with all this going on did I learn anything? Well, if every year you are suppose to become more "wise" then I did learn a few things.

1. Try to look at the world as if you were still a child. Lauryn see's things in such a great way, she is open to everything, and is willing to try most things.
2. Trying is half the battle, just start with trying the effort is worth it.
3. Give back, make an effort. See #2. Give back to any one or any thing. Be it as small as sharing your time, or your talent, it will be appreicated.
4. Age is just a number (I am still working on accepting this one). As my Father in law tells me you are just a day older than you were before, not a whole year older! Wise!
5. I am lucky enough to have wonderful In-Laws who are within driving distance. My family is so far away and the older I get the more I wish I could see them and spend time with them. So it is nice to know my in-laws and friends are so close. It helps for sure.
6. Pray, think positive thoughts, wish for things, whatever it takes. For me it is praying, simple as that. And do it often. The more you involve God in your life the easier things get.

So those are a few lists for now. Every day I am constantly amazed with David, Winnie, my job, Lauryn and my friends. I learn new things about myself and David everyday, and I love him more each and everyday.

A few of these are deep so maybe that means I am getting wiser, either way I am for sure getting older! And that can't be stopped.

SNOW!

Yes! It actually snowed today in Austin. We got a few inches at the house and even got to leave work early. It was nice to see, but cold. Of course I am not so good driving in these conditions so David drove us to work today :) What a great hubby, gotta love him!

Anyway.....I think everyone had a "snow ball fight" of some kind at work today. We did! And so did David. You'd think we've never seen frozen water fall from the sky....oh wait, this is Texas, we don't see it!

We had some of the biggest snow flakes I've ever seen. It wasn't just small normal sized flakes or even flurries, these were HUGE!!

Well, I am sure you have figured out we love to take pictures, and especially of our dog! so take a look at Winnie in her first snow :)

Love to all,

K
http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/WinnieInTheSnow2010#slideshow/5441608912082074274

Disney Vacation

As most of you know Lauryn got a trip to Disneyworld this year from Santa Claus. Nana and Pa went with us and we spent 4 days at all 4 parks. She loved the trip. We started the first day at the Magic Kingdom, which was Lauryn's favorite park.





Lauryn loved the train! We went back most nights, so a lot of our pictures are a little "dark". We rode the train from Mickey's toon town village to main street the first day, and saw a few parades that day also.

Here are the rest of the edited pictures on picasa:
http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/Disney#

Taylor's Birthday

Taylor had a birthday last weekend and turned 3!! Can you believe it! 3 already :) Here are a few pictures my Mom shared with me. Looks like she had a great time. I love their matching outfits.
http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/TaylorBirthday#slideshow/5431167653606533394

Weekly Update

We are in Nederland this weekend with Lauryn and it is still raining! It rained in Austin starting Thursday until we left and it is raining here too. It is suppose to rain here until tomorrow. That is 4 straight days of rain! Oh well, guess I can't do anything about that. At least Winnie is in Austin at the Kennel with her friends.

Right now David is "playing" on Facebook on the Zoo. David and Lauryn and Frankie really love the zoo. Today is sign up for Spring Soccer so David and Lauryn will be taking care of that soon.

No pictures to update this weekend, taking a break from all that! Update on Resolutions later.

TTFN

CA Cuties!

Mom sent me a few new pictures lately of Reilly and Taylor and these also include some of Mom and Aunt Pat.

Hope you like these

http://picasaweb.google.com/kim.gossett/ReillyAndTaylor02#

Resolution week 1

Ok so week 1 just ended. Here is a little recap of how I did.

Become Healthier: Well, I ate healthier about 1/2 of this week, so I guess something is better than nothing. We joined the Y a few days ago and went today for our first time to work out. So I guess that is also healthier right?

Update the blog more often: I am up to weekly right now so thats better! My plan is to take this resolution thing one week at a time. The idea behind it is there are 52 weeks in a year so if I take it one week at a time I should be able to make these changes.

Less Caffinee: This one was a little tougher, only a little coffee this week and that was in the afternoons. Of course the weather has been bad so can I blame that on the fact that it is FREEZING in Austin? I've had a few soda's but mostly those were caffinee free. I might have done best on this one! WoW!! I would have never thought that.

My plan for the week you ask? Tomorrow I am having cereal for breakfast and Turkey chili for lunch. I've packed my snacks so I am ready to go. And of course hitting the gym after work! If I can keep up the planning this week should be as good as last week if not better!

Keep tunning in and see how I am doing. PS I guess David is getting drug along with this plan since I do the grocery shopping and he works out with me now! Yeah for us!

Disney Pictures

I am still working on editing our Disney pictures but in case you want to see them while we are in the process here is a link.

http://www.disneyphotopass.com/photoshareslides.aspx?photolist=c66d80db-ef1c-4aa2-a108-2e87417026ac

2010 Resolutions

As every new year begins most of us make resolutions, goals, or promises to ourselves. Usually things to do better each new year. Do they last? Some say no, some say "write them down" and they are more likely to work, some say "make them positive and they are more likely to work".



I say "try", at least try. Even if it is for a few months, weeks, or days......it is an accomplishment. So with the idea we are starting a new year here are a few of mine. At the end of this year we can see how I've done and we can all re-evaluate 2010 in just a short 12 months.



In no particular order:

1. Be/get healthy (eat healthy - not really a diet so much as a life style change.....less carbs.....more organic and fruits and veggies).

2. Work out --we are going the Y here so that should help (if we go!)

3. Update the blog on a more regular basis! (I thought you guys might like that one)

4. Less Caffinee

Daily update

In case any of you out there were wondering.....I am working on uploading all of our Disney Pictures to the Disney website so we (I) can edit the pictures and then order a CD. So sooner than later (hopefully) we will be able to share tons here!

These include all of the professional pictures taken so yes, all of us, including myself will be in these! I know you all can't wait so I am working as fast as I can :)

Thanks for your patience and keep checking back to see if there are any updates.

Lauryn's thoughts on DisneyWorld

"It was good, I liked it a lot" she told me to type! We went to all four parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. We stayed at the Carriben Resort in Barbados.

Her favorite thing in Hollywood Studios was the Backlot tour, also we had lunch at the 50's Si Fi Drive in. It is decorated like a drive in theater from the 50's and you actually sit in cars!!! We also saw Fantasmic (show) and met the characters from Up!

Her favorite thing in Epcot was Nemo and turtle talk with Crush (it is interactive and AWESOME!) We had dinner in Italy for David's birthday and saw Illuminations twice. Lauryn and I rode the Mexico ride twice!

Her favorite thing in Animal Kingdom was the Safari and saw huge Ostrich eggs! (pictures coming soon). We also went on a walking tour and saw more animals, including a gorilla, and met lots of characters including Lilo and Stich!

Her favorite things in the Magic Kingdom were Cinderella's Castle, Fantasy Land, Peter Pan, Mickey's Toon Town, Snow White, Tomorrow Land Speedway, People Mover (you can see inside space mountain), Buzz Lightyear (her scores were 7300, 7700, and 28,300!!!) Aladin's Magic Carpet (like Dumbo), Stichs' Great Escape, and the Train.

She really liked the Monorail, we rode it several times! The first night we rode it around and stopped in the Grand Floridian and saw a huge, lifesized, Gingerbread house! There were even people inside it! They were selling Gingerbread. The rest of the time we rode the busses around. She is trying to pick where she wants to stay next time.

Thats all for now, stay tuned for pictures :)

Love,

Kim and Lauryn