Life Lately

We've packed in a lot of fun over the past week! Life lately has been full of making memories, slowing down just a little bit, and just enjoying each other's company. 

Adalyn was in a silly mood Wednesday after school. She knew we had a surprise for her but she didn't know what it was. 

But when it was time to get dressed, and head to our "football event" she was really mad that she was missing soccer practice. I kept telling her it would be worth it, but she was pouting big time. 

I mean, really big time. It was at this point that I really wanted to tell her what her surprise was, but I knew that I couldn't and just kept telling her to trust me. 

Much better. Smiling girls. 

We picked up Gretchen from her play practice and headed down to campus. DJ met us outside, and let Adalyn know that we did not have a football event, but that we were actually going to see Carrie Underwood in concert! 

We thought she'd be thrilled. When we took her to see Garth Brooks this summer, she told us afterwards that her next concert should be Gabby Barrett or Carrie Underwood- because they would be "quiet" When we told her the first thing she said was, "It's going to be so loud!" 

Whomp Whomp. 

Why is it that surprises never go as planned?

We got inside, found our seats, and even had headphones for the girls. We learned a big lesson by not having them at the Garth Brooks concert. 

These two knew about the concert for months and did a great job keeping it a secret! We had intended to surprise all of them, but Megan overheard us talking about it in May, and Gretchen eventually found out too. 

Our biggest country music fans. 

The concert was great. I've seen Carrie Underwood 3 times, and this was probably my favorite concert from her and definitely one of my top 3 concerts that I've been to. Gretchen had so much fun singing along. I was shocked, because crowds and loud music aren't typically her thing. Adalyn ended up having a blast too! 

I let the girls sleep late on Thursday and then got them all dropped off at school later that morning. I took the day off and it was fabulous! I voted, grabbed myself lunch, and just enjoyed having a few hours to myself. 

Thursday night, Gretchen performed in her school's play. She has been working so hard and has had a lot of late nights! She had two parts: a hobo and a dying 4 year old child. 

Her biggest goal was to make the audience cry when she died, and I definitely did! 

She even had some sweet friends come and watch her!

And had friends in the play. Since moving here she has found the sweetest group of girl friends and I couldn't be more excited for her. 

We were so proud of our performer! 

Friday I was busy cleaning the house, running errands, baking brownies, and hosting a girls night for some of our support staff wives. And this brownie tray was the only thing I took a picture of the entire night! 

I made homemade waffles Saturday night, and realized that it's been a long time since we've had a slow Saturday morning for me to cook breakfast. 

We watched my friend's kids Friday night and all day Saturday. The girls had a blast! 

I ended Saturday night with a glass of wine and a football game. 

Thankfully I remembered to paint my toenails which helped us bring home the win and become bowl eligible. 

After church on Sunday, I dropped Megan and Adalyn off with DJ and took Gretchen to the Texas Book Festival. At first she wasn't sure of the speakers/authors, and then on our way down she recognized the name of Ayana Gray. 

My uncle was Ayana's teacher in high school and had gotten Gretchen a signed book from Ayana's first published book. Her series is a trilogy, so of course we had to buy book 2 and have it autographed as well. 

It was fun meeting her and telling her who my uncle was! She said he was one of her favorite teachers and it just reminded me of how small the world can be sometimes. 

We've squeezed in a lot of fun in the past week. This weekend we have friend's coming in for the game, and we are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with friends. 

Weekend Wrap Up: Soccer & Pumpkin Patch

I feel like this past weekend was one of our most relaxing weekends we've had in a while. It helped that we had an away game so it was one least thing on our schedule. 

Friday night, Adalyn had a soccer practice. I brought a book and read while she played until well past dark. 

We were up the next morning to head north for her soccer game. 

Adalyn played midfield and had a great second half of  the game. 

I am all about the hat hair lately, and bringing back the 90's topsy turvey. 

Saturday afternoon, we watched the game. The girls cleaned, I went for a walk. Life was good, until we lost the game. Sigh. 

Sunday morning we went to church. DJ had a staff meeting, and then was able to get home and we spent the afternoon together at the pumpkin patch. 

The girls immediately went after the chickens. 

We made our way through the corn maze and to the other side of the activities. 

Duck racing was a blast! 

The girls all challenged each other on the rope course. 

But the swing was a hit! 

As was jumping in the hay. 

We walked down to the river and skipped a few rocks. 

And DJ tried his hand at this maze game, and won! 

Adalyn held a baby chick and was a fan. 

Megan however was not! Ha! 

They both loved the goat though! 

Megan and Adalyn each rode a horse. 

These girls definitely have some "farm" in their blood. 

Gretchen decided she was too big though, and was happy watching her sisters in the petting zoo and on their horse rides. 

We eventually made ourw ay over to the apple cannons. 

Everyone took turns shooting their apples out of the cannon and on to the old cars. 

They each took tricycles for a spin, and I gladly sat that one out! 

Once we were finished with all of the farm fun, we headed out to the pumpkin patch for lots of pictures. 

We may or may not have gone overboard with the photo ops. DJ would definitely say we did, but gosh it was fun!

Love these girls! We've been going to the pumpkin patch since they were little, and even though they're older and they enjoy it differently now, I know that we've made memories that will last a lifetime! 

 

The Hat is Back

A few weeks ago, Texas played their Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma. The first year we lived in Texas the girls and I went to Dallas, but I got sick with strep throat and we never made it to the game. The 2nd year, we went with some friends from Oklahoma, then I took the girls during the 2020 Covid season. After winning the first year, we lost the next 3 in a row. I had sworn off the game and didn't attend last year, thinking I was the reason we had lost, but since we lost when I didn't go, I figured what the heck- i'm not the cause of the loosing streak, and we made plans for me to attend again. This year, DJ's mom flew down for the game! 

She flew in to Austin Friday morning, and after helping me clean house and organize the girls, we dropped Megan off at gymnastics, Adalyn at a friend's house and we drove to Dallas. We arrived around 7:30, got settled in our room, and waited on DJ to finish meetings. 

We walked to dinner, had a few drinks and called it a night. 

I was up around 6:30 Saturday morning so I could squeeze in some yoga, shower, and get ready for the game. 

My dress is here. 

I feel like it's always hot during the Texas OU weekend, and this dress was comfy and kept me cool! 

Roxanne and I left the hotel a little after 8, grabbed a bite at Starbucks, and then headed to the fair grounds. We found our parking, made a mad dash to the bathroom- ha! bought fair tickets, and then headed right inside to our seats. We had about an hour of sitting in the stadium before kick off, and we debated walking around the fair, but I always get nervous before a game, and it doesn't go away until I'm in my seat, so we were good waiting! 

The football world brings us togehter with amazing people. Micki was the football secretary while we were at Tulsa, and she and her husband have retired to the Dallas area. We had tickets to the game and asked if they would wanto to join us! It was so good to see them and share the experience with them. It was even better that they weren't OU fans ;) DJ came up to say hi before he had to get to work.

A quick pre-game picture. 

The game was amazing. It helped that it was a shut out 49-0, but we definitely had a fun time. 

Longhorn nails and bracelets. 

We made it down to the field for post game celebrations, and DJ was no where to be found. 

All I wanted to do was run and hug him, and I kept searching in a mass of football players, staff, and families. While we were on the field celebrating, DJ was in the press box working on game film so the coaches could watch film on the way home. 

The hat gets passed back and forth between Texas or OU depending on who wins. We were glad it was coming home with us.

Since DJ was no where to be found, my mother in law and I took a post game celebration picture! 

DJ made it down to the tunnel to finish up film, and we went to hang with him until he could snap some pictures. Sam Ellingher walked by and congratulated DJ, and since Adalyn has the biggest crush on Sam, I had to send her this picture. 

Finally, a post game picture. 

Love this guy! 

And a pic with his mama. 

DJ and the golden hat. Definitely going to have to frame this one. 

While DJ was finishing up film and packing, Roxanne and I walked to get a Fletcher's Corny Dog. They're a must have at the Texas State Fair. 

Her first corny dog ever! 

We brought DJ one too! 

Once he finished up with film and working, we were able to get on the road and back to Austin. 

What a weekend!