Where did we go?

We have been busy... but we are home again! Here's a little update on what we have been up to the past few days!

We got new bedroom furniture! YAY! We picked it out a few weeks ago and Brandon surprised me with it for New Years! What a great way to start off 2010!! Now I need to get all of my clothes out of boxes and into dresser drawers! I have been putting it off, but it will get done today!! It's about to drive Brandon crazy!! I love it and will post pics soon.

Kolton was sick for a few days. I'm not sure what he had, but I think it had to do with all of our crazy weather. West Texas weather has been nuts! The temperature went from 70 degrees to 5 degrees with in a few hours! It's weird! Kolton was sick for a few days, but he is well again and louder and messier than ever!

Friday, we packed up the truck and surprised my mom for her birthday. We made it to Midland in time for dinner, cake and presents and then made the boring drive back to Lubbock! We had a great time... wish we could have stayed longer!

Saturday we got up early, packed up the truck again and headed to Dumas. We missed Christmas Eve with Brandon's family because of the icy roads so we decided to visit the family. Kolton spent the night with his Memaw and Pepaw. Brandon and I spent the night in Amarillo. We had a great dinner at The Country Barn Steak House. We loved it! You should try it if you are ever in Amarillo! Brandon and the waitress talked me into trying calf fries. Ya, I never thought I would try them.... but I did. As much as I hate to admit it... they were good. There, I said it!! ha We each had steak and Brandon got a side of crab legs. They were the best crab legs I have ever had! So good!!! After dinner, we went to BWW to watch the Cowboys play. What a good game. We finished our night at Rounders Bar and watched a fantastic band, Boss 420. It was so wonderful to have time with my wonderful husband! I love you Brandon!! The next morning we picked up our little guy, had lunch with Memaw and Pepaw and drove back to Lubbock. I sure did miss my little guy!!

That's what we have been doing the past few days! Busy but fun! Can you believe that I don't have any pictures on this entry? I can't believe it myself!! I will make up for it soon!

What am I doing today? Making a meal menu, going to the grocery store, organizing our bedroom, setting up appointments, organizing and finishing up my office, makin a pizza taking care of a very very active one year old!

Also, I will be in Midland the last weekend on January (1/30 and 1/31). I am booked on Sunday but still have times on Saturday! Email me if you are interested. (Tiffany@LifeLoveandPhotography.com)

It's Monday... that means pizza and wrestling! Really! It's our Monday Night Ritual! What will you be doing? Have a great week!

One more Chritsmas post!

I know this post is late... We have been busy!! Here are a few pictures from our Christmas. Brandon, Kolton and I celebrated together at home before we left for Ruidoso. We had a great time being silly, laughing and opening presents! We are going to try and plan something a little different for next year. I will let you know once we get all the details worked out!! It will be fun!!



















Have a great week!

New Recipe

I make regular pot pies all the time but Brandon thought I needed to try and change it up a little bit. Here is a recipe I made up as I went. I tried it last night and it was great! *Remember, I don't measure. Sorry!!*

Mexican Pot Pie

Pillsbury Pie Pastry
Ground beef
Taco seasoning
Red kidney beans
Corn
can green chili
Velveeta cheese chopped
Shredded cheese
Onion chopped
Bell pepper chopped
Potato chopped

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.

Place pie pastry a pie pan. Place a few slits and cook about 10 minutes or until almost done.

Spread chopped Velveeta on pastry.

Cook chopped potatoes in boiling water until soft. (About 10 minutes)

Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning. Follow the taco seasoning directions.

Add chopped onion and chopped bell pepper and cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Add corn and potatoes and cook about 5 more minutes.

Poor beef and veggie mixture over pie crust add shredded cheese and and place remaining pie pastry over the top. Place a few slits in top pastry.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes or until golden brown and filling is bubbly.

10 things that make me happy:

• Nice long hot showers or a hot bath, candles, a good book and a glass of wine. They use to be something that I didn't appreciate, but now it is a rarity! Now I am lucky if I have 10 minutes to get completely ready!!


• Hearing my son say, "MaMa". Who knew I would like hearing it so much? He is my world, my heart, my soul, my proof that I have at least done one thing right! He is my everything.


• Knowing that even with all my faults, craziness and general mayhem... my husband loves me unconditionally! What a great feeling!


• "Me time" -Even if it is only for a few minutes!


• Hearing my son say things that don't come out right, but can still be understood. It sounds so cute to hear him try so hard to learn to express his wants and needs. I love "toddler accent"!


• Clean sheets! I love climbing into bed recently made with clean sheets. I once heard that Oprah has her sheets changed every other day. If I had the money, I would do it daily!


• Reading Blogs- It started when I was pregnant. It kept me busy and educated me on the bits and pieces of pregnancy that they don't teach you in Lamaze class!


• Looking at pictures. I enjoy looking at pictures and feeling the emotion from that time all over again!


• Date Night with my husband. I love it. It's great to have that one night a week to get all dressed up and go out with my best friend! It's even better if I can talk him into seeing a chick flick with me!


• Accomplishing a goal. It's such a great feeling to know that you achieved what you have worked so hard for!


Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.- Aristotle

Sunday Randomness...

I love this website! (http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/)This site discusses anything and everything photography and allows you to show off your photos in various contests! The site consists of people of all different photography levels, some are amateur photographers who just want to take better pictures of family, some are hobbyists, and some of are seasoned pros. They focus on capturing faces and their various emotions. I love capturing raw emotion...it's my favorite! I especially love the site because it was started by two moms who met by blogging. I just love that...very inspiring! I have been blog stalking this site for a while now. I even make Brandon look at all the fun pictures with me!

*I did not get paid to say that... I just really love the site. Although, I wish I could say that I did!!!*

People always ask me if Kolt thinks I have a camera strapped to me at all times... Well, the answer is probably yes! Here is a sweet picture of him playing with his cars, trucks and airplanes in the bath this morning.

The New Year's Resolutions...

Okay... here they are. I have a real good feeling about them this year.

Success is not an accident. It begins with a plan. I am working on a disciplined plan of action. I am ready to improve my business! Life Love and Photography is receiving a face lift! I will be posting new and improved packages and price lists this week!

I am organizing my home, office and life. We do this all the time and it never sticks… it will stick this time! (I hope!)

I am going to learn something new every day! With access to the Internet we really have no restrictions. We can learn something new at any time of the day or night! Also, I am planning on attending a few new classes!

I am working out an hour every morning. This always sounds easier than it really is! I want to lose a few pounds, be fit and healthy!

I want to be the best Mommy and Wife that I can be. I want to help Kolton to grow physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually and educationally. I want to be Brandon’s biggest supporter.

BYEBYE 2009....

and hello 2010! I can't believe that 2009 is gone... it seems like just yesterday I was still pregnant! So many wonderful things have happened this year. 2009 is a year I will always cherish and hold dear to my heart!

2009 was the year...

that my beautiful and amazing son turned one. Who knew that Brandon and I could be parents... good ones at that!? We have worked very hard this year to do the best that we can do as parents. I still think that there should be a step by step manual or something! It's the hardest thing I have ever done.... and I have loved every single minute of it! March 26, 2009 we celebrated Kolt's 1st birthday. (I am already planning his 2nd birthday! hehe)

that we took Kolton to Disney World for the first time! It really is the happiest place on earth! He loved it and I can't wait to take him again! Thanks Mom and Dad for going with us and all the help!!

that Brandon and I realized what's important in life. We realized how much we loved each other and how much we have grown together. We also realized how much we care about the other and we are constantly working to help better ourselves and better each other! We have become each other's best support system and biggest fan! It's an amazing feeling to know that you finally have that person!! I have the person that I have always dreamed of! August 28, 2009 was the date that Brandon and I married on the beach of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We confessed our love and commitment in front of our favorite people! It was beautiful.

that the Swine Flu craze began! Ooops... I mean H1N1. I remember when the reports came out in April... it was nuts! The infection quickly spread throughout the world. We have done our best to not overreact. Although, we have purchased lots and lots of anti-bacterial soap!!

that we elected Barack Obama as president. Whatever your political affiliation, no one can dispute that Barack Obama made history when he took the oath of office on January 20, 2009.

the economy remained weak, with rising unemployment, a depressed real-estate market, the near collapse of the domestic automobile industry and the scary decline of the dollar. YIKES! 2010 has to be better!

that Kolt has changed from a baby to a boy. He is a boy... all boy! He likes his cars, trucks, balls and animals. He has all of his teeth... yay for no more teething! He is starting to talk... and talks a lot! He knows what he wants and he can express it to you. He has a huge personality and is very funny! He keeps us on our toes and always laughing! He is everything we could ever want in a son and so much more! We love him more and more and more and more every day!

I could type so much more... but Kolt's about to wake up from nap and I still need a shower!! So that's all I am going to say about 2009! Bring on 2010!

We don't get out much on NYE. We enjoy spending time together at the house. Then Brandon and I will go out another night and celebrate it together. We have done this the past 3 years. It's nice to not worry about the crazy drunks or wait in line forever at the restaurants! Here is a little bit from our evening at home.

Brandon surprised me with flowers! Very sweet! He also told me that we will be getting the bedroom furniture that we have been wanting! Exciting!




Brandon and Kolt worked hard boxing up the Christmas decorations. I enjoyed the decorations, but was excited to box them up and have our house back to normal!







I made lasagna for dinner. I think my favorite time of the day might be sitting at the dinner table talking to my two favorite guys! Also, Kolton has come a long way with his fork. He doesn't spill nearly as much!!



Before I went to bed I made pigs in the blanket for our breakfast. They were great!



2010 is the year to do something different, step out of your box and do something that you desire and are passionate about! I will post my New Years Resolutions soon! What are you planning on doing in 2010?