Ghouls at Grassmere

Witches, Heroes, And Nemo…OH MY! Halloween is the time for dressing up like someone or something you love. Recently, I volunteered at the Grassmere Zoo in Nashville. At my job we get 2 days off work a year to volunteer somewhere so I got a day off work too…SCORE. Earlier this year I volunteered at the zoo for Ice Day which was awesome because they stuffed us with ice cream all day. I already knew that the other community service day I wanted to do was the Ghouls at Grassmere. I have heard such great things about it and who wouldn't love being at the zoo while little kids run around on sugar highs in adorable outfits while the parents chase them. There were some pretty awesome costumes but I had a few favorites. Nemo, Doc McStuffins & Lamby (2 sisters), and a storm trooper (StarWars nerd in me) won in my personal costume contest. I think I might've been bias though because I love Finding Nemo, Doc McStuffins, & Star Wars. I know I am a complicated person lol. 

Anyways, the zoo encourages it's volunteers to dress up too, so of course me and my friend Ashley took on this challenge. I debated for weeks on my costume this year & finally came up with something that I love & can do myself without having to buy a $50 costume that I'll only wear once. I decided on…*drumroll*...Katniss Everdeen. I liked the idea because of what she stands for in The Hunger Games. I have to long dark hair, pants, shirt, and boots. I borrowed the bow & bag from Ashley. I bought a mockingjay pin that was a key chain but we worked into a pin & a windbreaker for cheap since I couldn't find any brown faux leather jacket in my size. I scoured the stores and found nothing, nada, zip. It must be a hot item this year. 

After waiting in traffic for an hour & half, we finally made it to the zoo. We got posted at the 3D maze table where we just gave the kids and parents 3D glasses and got them back at the end. Not anything hard, but having to stand in 30 degree weather for 4 hrs straight with no chairs wasn't ideal. I can say they were super busy & they were trying to hand out hot water with dash of chocolate hot chocolate as fast as possible, but nothing seemed to help the numbness. I think I got a little loopy from the lack of feeling in my toes and fingertips. I wore 2 pairs of socks (only because 3 pairs wouldn't fit in my boot) and I still couldn't feel my feet. It was definitely a COLD COLD night and some kids were running around with shorts on or very little clothing! Come on parents…I mean really, are you sure you didn't get her outfit in the adult section of the Halloween store.

The night was a huge win for me, even though it took an hr to get my toes and fingers to normal. I got to see adorable kids chasing each other in funny costumes, Nemo shaking his booty fin about killed me, and we had a little dance party all our own when I got a little loopy. I was disappointed that only 1 kid recognized me. He looked at me after he came out the maze and yelled "You're Katniss!" I grinned and told him that he made my night. Thanks little Wolverine! Given I didn't have my bow on my because the zoo doesn't want us to have anything resembling a weapon, but hey wolverine caught on to the costume.

What do yal think about my costume?

Hope yal have a Happy Halloween!!! 

Pumpkins are Everywhere!

It's time for Halloween! Halloween is only a few days away, can you believe it?! I love Halloween time because there are pumpkins everywhere, candy up every aisle, adorable costumes, and family events around evey corner. I have to say buying pumpkins is probably my favorite out of them all. they are great for decorating & adding that POP of color. I do love the carving tradition though and I was excited because Raleigh can experience that this year. So after a couple trips to the pumpkin patch & the local store for pumpkins we finally had enough pumpkins to carve out some orange beauties and decorate my porch. 

This was our first trip to the patch.

We were in the pumpkin patch & heard rain coming so we all bolted under some trees. It lasted only a little more than 5 minutes but there we're lots of kids crying so it felt like longer.

She was also wearing her cute Halloween outfit, but she decided to pee through it in line waiting for the hayride. That trip wouldn't have happened if her uncle Tanner wasn't sweet enough to come with us since Koby had to go to work early.

We did get to go back with Koby the next Sunday for a birthday party. I had never heard of a birthday party at a pumpkin patch, but hey kill 2 birds with 1 stone. It unfortunately had to be the busiest day they had had all year...Joy. Extra long line and more screaming kids because they can't have candy...yay *eye roll*.

The sun was shining right in my eyes and I forgot to bring sunglasses. I have the memory of a goldfish, no joke.

We went to get some bigger pumpkins for carving later. I was very excited to see how Raleigh would react to pumpkin guts. She loved holding the pumpkins but that's not the nasty part. She wasn't sure at first when we started carving then found out how squishy it felt between her fingers and the awesome noise it made when you dropped them on the floor. Aunt Ashley's kitchen was a wreck.

 That's the one she chose for us to carve. 

I couldn't get her to smile for anything. I would've done a handstand if I thought it would've helped.

Hating it. Not a scream of joy.

Loving it.

That is my post all about our pumpkin experience this year. A 1 year old definitely makes it more entertaining than last year. I bet next year will be even better. Raleigh makes our lives more fun and exciting everyday.

Uh...I swear my hubby has more than 1 shirt in his closet.

These are all IPhone pictures since I'm still looking for my camera charger. Sorry for the quality. More to come including our volunteering at Ghouls at Grassmere (zoo). Also sorry for being MIA recently. Our whole family got the stomach bug then we had a lot going on in a short time. I'm glad I finally got a chance to blog. Even if it's just to tell you that I am alive.

Rolo Brownie Trifle

Chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and rolos. Who could resist all that chocolatey goodness in one bite?! Ever since I was a kid I have loved Rolos. Maybe they are a comfort candy too because they were one of my mom's favorite candies. She lives across the country in California now so I take comfort in the little things that remind me of her. Right now, Rolos &  Mother Like Mine-The Band Perry are my go toos.

I found this recipe on the greatest and most addicting website ever...Pinterest. I've had it pinned for 6 months and I'm finally getting to it. Maybe I should start narrowing down my boards...naw I'll use them all...eventually ;). Anyways, this recipe comes directly from Bakingdom. Now I am not a professional baker by any means so I cut some corners by not making the brownies, caramel, or whipped cream from scratch. I know, I know...slacker. When I get a little more comfy in the kitchen then I'll try it.

Here's my take on this recipe! My in-laws said it was awesome and rich.

Ingredients:
1 box of Brownie Mix
   2 eggs
   1/2 cup vegetable oil
   3 tbsp water
Caramel topping (squeeze bottle is best)
Bag of Rolos
Cool Whip

First, start on your brownies. After you pour it in the pan, cut a few Rolos into pieces and drop them on top of the brownie batter. I found quartering them was best size.

Pop that in the oven according to the brownie box's guide and go to town on cleaning the bowl while you wait. That was my favorite part as a kid and still is now. My and the hubby fight over the bowl every time.

While the brownie is cooling, get out your cups, cool whip, caramel, and rolos. Once cooled cut the brownie into small bite size cubes.

Next comes layering. I started with cool whip on the bottom, then brownie, caramel drizzled over the brownie, then start the process over again. Cool whip, brownie, caramel. I also added a few more small pieces of rolo in there on top of the brownie too. You can't have too much chocolate right? Can you have a chocolate/caramel overload? All my taste testers seemed okay. 

I think my heart skipped a beat when I first saw this dessert because I love Rolos, caramel, brownie, and cool whip. My hubby & I always have to steal the Rolo bag from each other because you just keep eating them and before you know it you've eaten half a bag. Unfortunately for me, my hubby ate the whole bag the other day...grrr *deep breaths*. Anywho, this was an awesome treat to finish our night and I will definitely be making it again.

Our Third Anniversary!

 We finally got to celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary on Saturday night. It was actually on October 2nd, but it was on a Thursday so it wasn't ideal for going out to eat since Koby goes to work at 9:30 at night. We went out to dinner while Raleigh got playtime with her godparents.

It doesn't seem like we've been together for 4 1/2 years. We have known each other for almost 5 years now, but I made him chase me for a little while ;) We've gone through living in an apartment with my crazy smoker of a roommate, to living in a barn (yes, an actual barn), and now we are in a house. Definitely the happiest place we have been so far. I also can't believe the changes in our lifestyle too. When we first met I was in college & he was staying with our mutual friend in his dorm. He lived the same party lifestyle as a college student, but didn't have to worry about going to class the next morning wearing sunglasses because you had too many beers the night before.

Action shot! Wow we look young. Crazy how 4 years makes a difference.

After only 7 months of dating, he proposed to me. I loved these engagement pictures! These are a few of the pictures that I just found. My computer is overrun with chunky faced baby photos so these got lost in the overload.

11 months later we were married! It all seems like a lifetime ago. I remember it like it was yesterday, but so much has happened since that beautiful October morning.

Yep I rocked my aviators on my wedding day. I think they match my dress perfectly ;)

 One of my favorite pictures even though we have no heads! Ahhh!

Just over a year later our world flipped again when we found out we were going to be parents. Seeing him as a daddy makes me fall even more in love with him everyday. I love when they have tickle fights, make funny noises, sing, and just be goofy. It warms my heart to see him in this light compared to the man he was 5 years ago. I like this guy more ;)

Nursery Makeover Tour

I realized recently that I have never shown Raleigh's room. I just painted and redecorated so I thought it would be a good time to give you a sneak peek.

 Before:

Moved around furniture before painting to see what I liked:

Wow Panoramic was much easier to get everything in at once.

After a layer of primer, because if any room has ever needed it then it was this surprising assault of a room. I had a couple of people say woah when they turned the corner. I have been wanting to change the color for months, but just never got to it. My plan to paint was off-white & gray bold stripes. The hubby didn't want that so I comprised to solid off-white on the top half, and if we didn't like it then I could do the stripes.

I ended up painting at 8pm, 2am, and then again at 7am. The primer we got in before the hubby went to work so I got help with that but was on my own on the late night shift. We had sweet Raleigh's crib in our room during the whole process, of course she didn't mind waking up and seeing us immediately. Yes, I think white would look better with the white & gray walls but I am fine with it this way.

 This bookshelf was actually mine as a kid so I was overjoyed to see that the color matched her crib & dresser. Most of the books are either my old books or my mother's so we definitely have some oldies on there ;)

I guess drawing during class & work finally paid off. This chalkboard is hand drawn.  

The baby monitor being in that corner was genius! Thanks Ashley Taylor! I can see the whole room since it pans & zooms. So when she's pulling all the books off the shelf or rolling on the floor then I can see her. Next to the mirror I am planning on getting some white single picture frames to hang there.

Recognize that yellow mirror & chalkboard poster???

There's the birthday girl pulling her blankies off. I had to get more than one since she loves them. I have to say they are ridiculously soft.

Sorry for the yellowy tint to the pictures. It was kind of gloomy that morning so there wasn't a whole lot of good light. I wanted to tone down after that bright yellow wall because all I ever wanted was a pop of yellow. Someone else *cough* painted since i was 7 months prego when we moved into the house.

Those floors are the big project for me to do in the bedrooms. I DO NOT like carpet. I have always had hardwood & I miss it *tear*. What's your favorite item or feature in her room?