Meeting Pioneer Woman!

A few weeks ago, Pioneer Woman posted on her website that she would be doing a book signing in St. Louis. Reading the news, you would think the President was coming to see me; I was so excited. I am still so excited.

One of my very first blog friends, April, said that she would go with me. I had never met April before, but I did see her husband one time at the mall and I recognized him from her blog. How creepy am I? (And no, I didn't say anything to him).

Anyway, Saturday night April and I decided to meet and drive together. Last minute, I woke up my sister from her nap fearing that my first blog-friend visit could go really bad. I've read April's blog long enough to know that she spends her days in her pajamas, similar to how I spend my weekends. She posted on facebook before meeting that she was wearing a baseball shirt. So last minute, I decided to take off my heels and be more comfortable.

So we met!! And she was dressed SO CUTE!! As soon as I saw her, I said to my sister, "Shit, we are under dressed!!" On top of that I was driving my husbands toaster (aka his Scion Xb)... You know, the car that most computer geeks drive. It might as well say "The Nerd Herd" across the back of it. April suggested that we ride together but I knew the back seat needed vacuumed and I didn't want to subject her to the go-kart-like-feeling on the highway. So she offered to drive. And THANK GOD she did. Let's just say, she drives a really nice car.

We arrived at the library about 45 minutes before the book signing... and there was already 300+ people in line! We only had to wait outside for a few minutes before they let everyone come inside. They handed us tickets as we entered which indicated which group we would be in for the actual signing. We were group #8.



Pioneer Woman came out and answered a few questions from the audience. I was kind of embarrassed by the STUPID questions people asked like... Does your kitty get to come inside during the winter? Um, who cares, crazy person! And... how do you keep things "green" around a ranch? What? Then there were people who came bearing gifts. I didn't get the memo from the three wise-men... but I will assume that Pioneer Woman does well enough that she doesn't need $80 earrings from a fan in St. Louis. I can understand bringing things that are from/about St. Louis as a souvenir to her... but people were bringing flowers and prayers like we were meeting the queen.

Can you tell I was annoyed? Ha.

Then there were the people who really only wanted to meet her husband, Marlboro Man. He had his own line of grown women gawking at him and taking pictures. Who does that? Of course, I gawked from a distance. :)

After 3 1/2 hours of waiting, it was finally time for group #8 to have our books signed. I assume that the reason why it took so long was because she literally had genuine conversations with each person that came into the room. I couldn't stop smiling. I told her that I was so happy to finally meet her... and blah, blah, blah. Then I had my little sister, who just came along for the ride take my picture... And she couldn't get a good one! We tried four times... and here is the final product!

My internet idol, Pioneer Woman!



Thank you April for coming with me (and being normal and so very nice)!!!!

Happy Birthday, Buck Wheat!

The past two years have gone by too fast. I wish I could rewind and live them over and over.



You are the kindest little boy I know. Such a doll, artist, and climber. You love to pinch the skin on the top of my hand to relax, watch Barney, play with Mr. Potato Head, and dance to Aunt Noel's music.



I don't know how I ever lived without you.


Happy Birthday, baby.

Sesame Street Live

Last weekend, my in-laws came to town and took us and my sister-in-law and nephew to see Sesame Street Live.

Haven just started, mildly, watching Sesame Street so I wasn't thinking he would know the characters. But I knew he would love the music.

{Our little family outside Scott Trade}


{My sis-in-law and nephew with Chris and Glave}


{Haven loved his light-up Elmo}


{Chris with his parents at the Hard Rock Cafe}


{Steph and Blaine}

Funny story: After the show, we walked back over to Union Station and ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe. We were seated next to a family of four, but the father of the table looked familiar. As I wrestled to keep Haven in his seat and from throwing his shoes at the patrons next to us, I couldn't help but notice the dad! Yes, I was with my husband, but nothing could stop me from staring. He looked so familiar from somewhere, as in he-is-in-a-famous-band-that-i-can't-think-of-right-now (but I'm a fan?). At this point the dad is staring back at me... and giving me a sly smile like, "Yes, I am who you think I am."

So, I whisper to Chris, "Baby, that guy is famous. What band is he in?"

Chris' responds, "Just because he has long hair doesn't mean he is in a band."

A few minutes later, after a wrestling match with Haven in the bathroom, I walk back to the table... and Mr. Famous is gone.

I lean over to my mother-in-law, who knows everything about pop culture, and say, "I think that guy next to us is in some band."

She says, "I just told Gary the same thing!" Gary then says, "Just because he has long hair doesn't mean he is in a band."

Like father. Like son.

To make a long story short, we creeped on his bill. His name? Patrick Miller. I googled him... and the only thing coming up is an Iraq Veteran who was on 60 minutes.

I eye-flirted for no reason.

Toddler Room

For Christmas, Chris' grandmother, Betty, bought Haven his toddler bedroom furniture. We purchased a little bed with the matching dresser and bookshelf.

I decided to go with an "ABC" theme so that it feels more bright and cheery... like my pumpkin. I kept the Kermit the Frog green because I'm too lazy to paint and I'm sure I'll have to paint again before we moved.

The toddler bed was only in his room for these pictures so that we could show Chris' grandma. I still have his baby crib in there right now because I don't think he is ready for that transition just yet.

{His room feels so much bigger}


{Bookshelf with all of his books and puzzles}


{The dresser that he loves to climb on and jump off of}


{My cousins little boy painted these for me}


{ABC rubber mat}



I purged so many toys and other trinkets that weren't played with anymore.

I'm doing my winter purge (again) because we are putting our house up for sale within the next two months. I'm beyond excited... and throwing things away and seeing all of the bags leaving gives me more joy. I know I'm nuts.