This Is How We Do It...

Another Christmas has come and gone. It was so nice to celebrate this year in the States and know that we weren't rushing out of the country in a few weeks. This year, we celebrated with both Seth and my family. We spent Christmas Eve over at his brother, Aaron's house. Then Christmas morning my family and Seth's mom celebrated at our house. Then after all

Let's Get This Party Started...

My infant girl turned into a toddler on Monday. I know. I know. All mom's say, "I can't believe how big she is" or "where did the time go" or "she's growing so fast!"  Its true though. I was looking through old pictures, and all I could think was how much Taelyn has grown. My baby isn't a baby anymore. She's an honest to God little girl now with her own little

Gingerbread House Fun...

When I was in college and living in my own apartment, I started the tradition of making a gingerbread house every Christmas. I'd get the hot chocolate all warmed up, turn on Beauty and the Beast, and start my masterpiece. I'm not so sure how much of a masterpiece it was, but it made me feel good non the less. Over the years, I grew up and life passed by, and I quit my gingerbread house tradition. Then, a few weeks ago I was walking in the grocery store and there it was….a gingerbread house kit. I knew I had to get it immediately so that Taelyn and I could start the tradition all over again. I'm so glad I did because we had such a good time. Even Seth got into it and helped do some decorating. It was great fun!

I thought since Taelyn was only two that I would be doing most of the work, and she would kind of slop things around. Boy, was I wrong. She was a pro from the get go. The only challenging part was keeping her from eating the candy! Then once we got her to not eat the candy, she realized the icing was

Thanksgiving Dinner...

Thanksgiving is the one holiday that most Americans look forward to probably more than any other in the US. My family is right there with the best of them when it comes to planning, eating, and enjoying this fantastic time! But, what I'm loving most about this Thanksgiving is

Thanksgiving Time...

We missed Thanksgiving in the US for the last two years. Everyone else in the world is thinking, "What is the big deal about this holiday?" I mean, really? But it is a big deal. Its what makes the US, the US. I would be willing to say that most American's look more forward to Thanksgiving than they do Christmas. But that's just me talkin'.


So this year, I decided to make some Chocolate Turkey Cupcakes for Taelyn's class. No, they weren't made with turkey, silly! They just looked like them. Funny thing is I made one container for Taelyn's class and a plate for the family. Seth took all of it up to her school not

Pumpkin Patch USA...

One of the main reasons Seth and I moved back from Mexico was because we missed all the holiday activities that are common in the US. The first one, of course, being the pumpkin patch. Every kid in the US has at some point gone to a pumpkin patch during the Halloween and Thanksgiving season. Its just a time for down home, simple, country fun. One of my favorite pumpkin patches in is Newcastle, Oklahoma owned by a local family farm, TG Farms. Over the years they have expanded it to be a small

Dallas Farmers Market...

Oh, how I neglect thee. I looked back on my blog posts for the past couple of months, and it seems that its just become a "Wordless Wednesday" blog. I won't make excuses and instead will just show you one of my favorite places to go in Dallas now.

A few weeks ago, my sister and I made the trek downtown to the Dallas Farmers Market. I haven't been in years so it was nice to go with Taelyn and the kids so they could see it for the first time. My, my how its grown! When I had gone eight years ago, there was just Ruibal's Nursery and the fruit and veggie shed. Now, they have a building with different local vendors and restaurants so that you can make it a nice

Last Days of Summer...

Oh my goodness how time has flown! I swear we just arrived back in the US, and now its already Labor Day! Its been a whirlwind of summer for us. First moving back. Then staying with my sister until I knew what store I would be working. Then finding furniture after furniture after furniture for our eventual move. Now, we in our own place and its the end of summer! Whew!

So enough about us. On with the story...The city of Richardson built this fantastic new Recreational Center and pool just a few blocks from my sister's house. The fantastic part is that we technically have a Richardson address so we get to use it too as residents. The most fantastic of fantastic part is that they built a new pool area. Let me tell you. It. Is. FANTASTIC!  As an adult, I look at envy thinking what I would have done for a local pool like this one when I was

Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore...

When Seth and I had made the decision to move back to the US, we knew we wanted to drive our car back so we wouldn't have to worry about purchasing a new one from the get-go. The plan was to fly Taelyn back to Oklahoma to stay with my mom and dad for a couple of weeks until we were able to drive back. Well, Mother Nature had other plans. Four days before we were scheduled to fly out, Moore, Oklahoma was hit with a deadly tornado. Scariest part of all, it missed my parents house by about five block. Yeah, you heard me...five blocks! Luckily, they were not hurt at all, but the area was completely destroyed. My parents had to evacuate their home and went to my sister's house in

Splish Splash...

When we first arrived back in the US, we spent a couple of weekends in Oklahoma before I returned back to work. It was so great just getting to hang out with my parents and not worry about stocking up on supplies and clothes to take back to Mexico. This time, it was just chilling and relaxing. My mom wanted to take us to this free outdoor water playground for kids about 10 minutes from their house in Norman (that would be the home of Oklahoma University for all you non-sports fans). I cannot tell you what an awesome idea I think this was for the city of Norman to build for

Bull Horns, Biker Chicks, and Horses...

The end of the parade was a long and LOUD procession of motorcycles. Let me first say that I am not a bike kind of girl. I have only ridden on a motorcycle once and that was when I was maybe 12 years old. That was enough for me. I don't have a problem with them, I'm just a

4th of July Parade Cont...

So here we are on our second installment of 4th of July parade pictures. Usually, after you see all the old cars, then the community organizations follow. I was actually really impressed with

Everyone Likes a Parade...

I was so excited to take Taelyn to her first parade this year! I'm not sure how they do it in other countries, but the US loves them some parades! They are simple, fun, and well...just wholesome. Its like going back to "the good 'ol days" where things were more simple. I'm going to break this

Last Days...

We are now on our last couple of days in Mexico. I've taken Taelyn to the US to stay with my family. It was so odd traveling back to Mexico without her. I only had my backpack and one suitcase that was filled with scrapbook supplies I muled back for a friend. I watched The Hunger

Small Town, USA...

My aunt lives outside the town of Edgar, Nebraska. When I say small, I do mean SMALL. You can drive from one end to the other in about 3 minutes. But, I like to think that good things

Who Doesn't Like a Good 'Ol Barn?...

I'm always fascinated with all the barns we see along the road to my aunts in Nebraska. Lately, a lot of the old barns are being replaced by fancy, schmancy metal barns. I'm sure they can handle any gust of wind and will last forever, but I'm not in love with them. I guess I'm just kickin' it old

Snowed In...

So here I am playing major catch up. I'm going to do some serious back tracking over the next few posts to catch you up on my trip to Nebraska. I just enjoyed seeing my family so much, I have to share. I haven't been back to Nebraska to visit my mom's family in probably 15 years. I know that's horrible. Even though this was not a social call, I'm glad that my parents, grandmother, sister's family, and Taelyn and me got to all go together. I wish Seth could have gone, but work, work, work. We had a fantastic time, and I am promise to make it a mission to go back every few years so Taelyn can experience a

On the Road...

Hi! My name is Kristen. I know I haven't been around for awhile, but as always, I have plenty of excuses. This time, I'm going to blame my husband because well...he's as good as excuse as any. Taelyn and I have been back from our most recent US trip, and again, like always, no time for blogging. Then, when I got back, my husband was smack in the middle of a project (more to come later), and I couldn't even ask for computer time. Something about him being the money maker gives him precedence over the computer. So who am I to argue? Seth has been working 12 hour days, and I've been doing the

Roadtrip to Nebraska...

You know you're in an Oklahoma truck stop when...

Good-bye

I've been away for awhile due to the death of my grandfather. He had been experiencing many health seatbacks over the last few years, and he was not expected to live out the year. I have to say that although we were all expecting the news, it still does not take the sting out of hearing those final words. Taelyn and I flew back to the US for the funeral, and a long stay with my family. I will miss my grandfather dearly, but I am glad that he is in a special place. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to know that he's probably fishing somewhere up in the skys. I love you, Grandpa.