oh hello there, 2013!

Hi!  Remember me?

I am here saying hello and making a promise to myself that I will come back to what I love so much...and neglected last year.  My blog and the blogging community!!!!!

{via}

So, with that said.  I am going to do a small recap {in photos, of course} of the last quarter of 2012.  Beginning right after we said good bye to my sweet grandma in October. 

In November I got to see some wonderful friends for my good friend, Nicole's baby shower.  She welcomed Weston on December 5th.  #sweetbabylove 

Yes.  Your eyes are NOT deceiving you.  I blew up!!!  I'm as big as a damn house.  I am taking care of that this year as well.  Time to jump on that healthy train!!!  Woot woot!!!! 

On November 14th, Layla had her very 1st Field Day at school.  I know it is strange to have it in the fall, but  they did.  I don't get it either, but I loved every second of it.  Those kiddos are so fun.  And funny! 

{her teacher whom she adores} 

 

{major air...I think we got a baller ya'll!!!  She sunk it.} 

Thanksgiving MJC style. 

Stylin' once it finally cooled off a bit in Texas

Fall Texas colors outside my backyard

Gymnastic Skills Competition ~ December 2012

Layla's "I wanna model" pose

Layla and PaPa ~ San Antonio Christmas 

Daddy, Layla and NaNa ~ San Antonio Christmas 

We dined at a yummy restaurant and gorgeous bar.

Sugarplum joined our family...and we love her.  #elfontheshelf

One last Christmas wish before Santa arrives

And boy!!! Did he deliver!?! 

Merry Everything!!!! 

Happy Burfday to meeeeee!!!!! 

And a Happy New Year to all!!!!

Addison's 5th "Candy"-licious B-Day Par-Tay!!!!

Layla's BFF, Addison, turned 5 a few weeks ago!!  {Um, blow me away with a feather!!!  eeek!!!} 

But this past weekend it was celebrated with a super sweet CANDY-licious birthday party at The Bake Shoppe and Cafe in Cypress, Texas.  This place was soooo uber vintage chic and fun.  I could go on and on...but I will let the party and the decor speak for itself.  I was in HEAVEN!!!!  And so were the kids. 

I mean LOOK AT THAT CAKE!?!  I think I know where I am ordering Layla's!!!

Seriously...that cake!!!  It was yummmmm-meeee!!!!

{and that face!?!}

How sweet are these two lil' ladies!?!

{love much?}

Just check out the quirky signs and decor...

{National Sarcasm Society - like we need your support!  ha.  priceless.}

{me too and that's a problem.}

{doh-kay!}

{I do!}

{I don't!  bwahahaha}

{love this, especially that witches shoe! Oh, and the fact that this is their bathroom.}

{I know that's right!!!}

Fabulous, huh?!?

But you know what the most important fabulous item of the day was?  Definitely celebrating this...

first the pics and then the party

I am impressing myself, you guys!  I am holding strong on the February Photo Challenge, and it is Day 7!  Yeah, yeah....some of you are probably like, "big deal!?!"  But this is big for me. 

So I am gonna post Day 6 - dinner and Day 7 - button and then I will get to the yummy cuteness that was Addie Mae's 2nd birthday party on Saturday.  And since tomorrow will be Day 8 - sun....I will pray the overcast sky diminishes in Houston and Mr. Sun comes out to play.  If not, I am sure I will think of something.  You'll understand what I am talking about when you see my next two pictures!  hehehehe.

{Day 6 - dinner}

{Day 7 - button}

Hopefully the remaining photo challenge pictures of mine will get a little more inspiring.  I know I am failing right now.

At any rate, Happy Tuesday everyone! 

What Makes Me Smile

What makes me smile? 
Lots of things!  Like....carnivals!

Layla {duh!}

My family

Blue Skies with fluffy white clouds

Green, green grass against said blue skies

Flowers

Kites

Balloons

Bubbles

Graffiti

Hugs from friends

Our dog, Sammie

Hearing the giggle and growl from Layla and Sammie playing

Celebrations

Weekends

Splash Pads

Spring

Autumn

Sweet whispers

Moving quotes

And of course - PHOTOGRAPHY!!!

My most favorite pic this past week - that made me smile real BIG - came from one of Layla's BFF's birthday parties!  It was a Tangled/Rapunzel theme...and her mother made the most adorable "Tower" cake!  Check it out....



Pretty impressive, eh?!?!



I'd say she did a fabulous job!!!  Quirky and fun....right.up.my.alley!

Calling all Houstonians to Bernie's Burger Bus!!!!

Seriously...you guys!!!  I just ate THEE best burger I have ever had...in my entire life.  No lie!  I have to spread the word.  It's too good to keep to myself!!!! 

Meet Bernie's Burger Bus!!!!

Specifically, I had The Principal, with Truffle Laced Parmesan Fries. 

That bag o fries only set me back $3 and I split it with a friend.  AND....I still had half a bag leftover that you can bet your bottom I took home!!!!  Heaven....

Bernie's Burger Bus is not like your average taco truck.  This dude, and his two man crew, serve up gourmet burgers, for a pretty reasonable price. 

And what makes this even more awesome, you ask?  Bernie's post up outside of Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique at various times throughout the week.  When you order a burger and fries....you get half off a cupcake inside, at the Cupcake Boutique, where you can go inside, eat, grab your drinks and enjoy a delicious treat!  Um, can you say win, win?  Not for your bottom.....but for your tummy, for sure!!!

Oh, and don't forget a side of Chipotle Aoili to dip your fries in....oh yeah baby!!!!

Make sure you check out their twitter so you can make sure when and where they will be!!!  I promise you....you will not be disappointed. 

I know I wasn't after the burger and fries had time to settle in my tummy....just in time for that 3 o'clock snack break...

{carrot cake did not disappoint....but I highly suggest the Va-Va-Vanilla, my fav}

At any rate, whether you are a native Houstonian, or just in town for a visit....I suggest adding Bernie's Burger Bus to your "Must Do List" - find a way to fit this in!  And tell em Melissa sent ya!  For real...tell em I sent ya!

{NOT BAD FOR A WHITE BOY!}