Back From ABQ

We made it back from Albuquerque Saturday night...after some issues at the airport. Nothing like a 2 hour delay with a 2 year old. Thank God for Barney! We had such a great vacation and it was so very relaxing, which is what I needed. Of course, reality is I have to go back to work tomorrow, but only 2 days this week, so how bad can it be? Probably crazy after being gone a whole week!

Abigail chillin' with the boys. They've gotten so tall! Abigail had so much fun with Emma, Noah, and Jonah...following them everywhere and getting into as much trouble as she could find. They had a blast.

This is dinner Friday night. The food was so yummy...everywhere! We ate lots of Mexican, but it's different than our Mexican, more...New Mexican! We also got to eat outdoors a lot, which I really enjoyed. The weather was wonderful, even at 80 as long as you were in the shade it was nice.

Friday we all went to the Aquarium and Botanical Gardens. The kids got to run around and just have a good time. We went first thing in the morning, so we were outside a bit and then in the Aquarium.

We went to a gelato place on Saturday before we left. Abigail really enjoyed it! Thank you Bearden Family for such a great time! We're looking forward to seeing you all again soon!!

Cupcakes in Albuquerque

Greetings from Albuquerque!  We are having a blast with the Beardens!  It's been so nice just to relax and visit and watch movies and eat CUPCAKES!  We decided today to hit the four shops in ABQ that had cupcakes.  Three specialize in cupcakes and the fourth is a general bakery.  They are Just A Bite, Cake Fetish, Cupcakeology, and ABC Cake Shop. 

ABC Cake Shop is where Daisy had her wedding cake made.  We got four cupcakes from here, as well as two other shops.  The service here was great and the atmosphere was just a typical bakery.  It was really big and they had some beautiful cakes displayed.  Price was great.  I mean, we paid like 1.00 or 1.50 for each cupcake.  There red velvet was pretty good, but the others were a bit dry.
Here we got red velvet, chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake...the carrot cake was not good.

Cupcakeology was really neat on the inside, very trendy.  The service was good as well.  This was the most expensive of the four at 2.25 per cupcake, which compared to the Metroplex is still awesome!  They had the best cupcakes of all four shops...by far!

We got red velvet, cheesecake, vanilla and neapolitan.

Cake Fetish looked promising on the outside.  The cupcakes were 2.00 a piece, so not bad.  Service and atmosphere were not bad either.  The cupcakes on the other hand...not so good.  Some of them didn't even qualify for more than just one bite to taste!

Here we got Boston Creme Pie, Birthday Cake, Velvet Elvis and Half Baked...awesome names, so that was cool. 
And Just A Bite.  These were mini cupcakes...like a fourth of an actual cupcake.  This shop is super close to the Bearden's house.  We got 6 mini cupcakes for a little under 6.00, so that was good.  Atmosphere and service were good.  The first one we tasted wasn't that great, but a couple others were really, really good...not quite Cupcakeology, but definitely a close second.

We got Lemon Curd, Vanilla, Berry, Strawberry Creme, Boston Creme Pie and Cinnamon Spice.  The Lemon Curd was so good...it was probably the most moist by far.  So many of the cupcakes were dry...could it be because we are in a dry climate?

All in all it was a great experience...we are all totally stuffed and ready to puke, but it was so much fun!!  Final note on cupcakes...Sprinkles is still by far my fav!!

So, food in ABQ is soooo yummy...I am loving it!!!!  Tomorrow is Aquarium day!!

Sprinkles vs. The Cupcakery

As most everyone knows...I love cupcakes. Well, trendy little cupcake shops are apparently the new thing, so Eddy and I decided that we'd slowly try them all and rate them. Okay, so this is how we spend out time and Sundays...crazy I know!

The one on the left is from The Cupcakery in Frisco and the one on the right is from Sprinkles in Dallas. Everyone thinks we are totally crazy with our love of Sprinkles and most don't think they are as good as we do...so, is The Cupcakery better?? I'm going with no. The cake didn't hardly have any flavor. I mean, I can make a Pillsbury box with more flavor. The icing was okay, but a little to soft for my liking. They were a bit cheaper than Sprinkles, but only by fifty cents. And the decorating was a bit more extravagant, but who care what they look like! It's all in the taste! We also decided to rate service, since some think Sprinkles can seem snobby. Service at Sprinkles was even better than The Cupcakery. Just not very friendly and didn't really act like they cared to be there.

This is how we cut our cupcakes to eat them...again, we are crazy! But this way we get to taste more flavors without eating way too much! The pink one was a Strawberry Shortcake from The Cupcakery. It was a bit better than the Red Velvet, but not much. All in all, Sprinkles still has my heart in the cupcake world. A new shop called Dimples Cupcakes opens in Plano on Friday, so we'll see how that goes!

Easter/Anniversary Weekend

This weekend was off to a great start beginning Thursday night. Eddy and I went to The Keg for an early anniversary dinner. Our anniversary is today and we knew with all of the Easter events we wouldn't have time, so Katie watched Abigail while we enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Eddy and Abigail got to spend the day together Friday while I went to work. They did come and eat lunch with me and Abigail hunted eggs at the bank...it was a slow day. For some reason, Eddy decided to dress Abigail in her pjs for the day. He said he didn't realize they were pajamas...he was probably telling the truth! Friday night we just prepared for family coming on Saturday. Every year the Saturday before Easter we have our families come for lunch. This year not everyone could make it, but we had a great time. Abigail and Cousin Hunter dyed and hunted eggs. Saturday night we had family night and watched Tinkerbell. Sunday morning Abigail enjoyed her Easter basket before we got ready for church. She also got to hunt eggs at church, which she really enjoyed...nothing like 8 two-year-olds running around getting eggs. They all have their own way of doing it! We came home and had leftovers for lunch. This afternoon the Burks family came over for a visit. Aubrey and Abigail hunted eggs inside. I was determined to go out tonight since it is our anniversary, so all six of us went to PF Chang's. It was delicious as always!! Another great Easter. It's my favorite holiday...I'm always sad when its over, but thankful that it's Spring! And another wonderful year of marriage, for a total of 6 years! We have such a blessed marriage, and I'm so thankful for my awesome husband!!
Yes, we had customers and we still continuted to just have a wonderful time!!

Mom and Abigail at the bank. I'll only be at this location for another 2 weeks. They are closing this branch and I'll be relocating to a Plano location.

Abigail waiting for the family to arrive.

Abigail and Hunter beginning their Easter feast. Abigail didn't eat much, but Hunter did...as did I!!

Abigail and her Nana...she loves her Nana!!

Hunter and Abigail playing with their eggs in the front yard. They were having so much fun!!

It's time to dye those eggs! The kids did really well!

Abigail spotted her Easter basket on Sunday morning!

Yes, I let my child have her chocolate bunny after breakfast. It was a little early, but I knew she wouldn't eat much. It was hollow and everytime it broke she tried hard to put it back together!!

Hunting eggs at church. Abigail wasn't interested in the eggs, just what was inside. Some just wanted lots of eggs and others didn't seem to care about either!

Dressed in our Easter dress.

Aubrey and Abigail at PF Chang's. So, I have a picky eater, but she seemed to like the lettuce wraps. I mean they are super yummy, but that was so unexpected!!

Abigail and Aburey looking for eggs in the kitchen. Abigail seemed to like just getting them out of Aubrey's basket instead of actually looking for them!! And if they didn't have anything in them, she just put them back!!!

I'm Speechless!

The award has been handed out to me...of all people! Getting awards is not something that ever happens to me. I remember getting one from Southern Arkansas University the year after I graduated...and it was awesome! So, from what I understand, first I have to list 7 things I love, then pass the award on to 7 fantabulous friends! Here it goes:

1. My family-they are my life, so who better to start with! Eddy and Abigail bless my life in so many ways, but this also includes my parents and brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles. I'm a family girl all the way!!

2. Traveling-I LOVE to travel, and only sad that I can't do it more often, which most of you are probably thinking if I traveled any more I would never be at home! I love the ocean, mountains, hills, sometimes even the desert...okay, not the desert. I love to appreciate God's beauty and what He's made for me to enjoy. I also love seeing what amazing things people have created, such as art, architecture, etc.

3. God/Church- I feel so blessed to have found the church where I know God wants me and my family to be. After years of searching as a married couple, we were so excited about First Baptist Coppell. Our Bible study class rocks...and shows how true Godly people live by example.

4. Reading-I think reading is the best past time ever. I could read all the time...of course I don't because time doesn't permit. But I do try to make time to get in a chapter here or there whenever possible!

5. Food/Sodas-This is terrible, but so very, very true. I adore food. I enjoy the experience, the good feeling, and it's just so dang comforting to me. If I ever figure out how to give up this one love of my life, I might be a very skinny girl!! As far as sodas, Sonic, Diet Dr. Pepper with Cherry & Vanilla...need I say more????!

6. Handbags...Awesome! I'm a handbag sort of gal...give me some cheap shoes and clothes, but I need a rockin' handbag! And how blessed I am to have a husband that understands my need and love for good, quality, gorgeous handbag!

7. Sleep-I am a sleeper. I could sleep for hours. It's crazy enough that I sleep from 9:30 until 5:45 each night, but I still think it's not enough! I mean, I need like 10-11 hours!!! Or I want that many anyway!

Now, I present the award to seven friends, who may or may not have a blog, but they mean the most to me:

1. Dee-She's more than just a friend, she's like a sister. She helps me through bad times, jumps with me in good times, and always builds my self-esteem. I love her so much, and I have no idea what I'd do without her. I'm so glad God brought us together...even though she didn't like me at first! :)

2. Katie-What would I do without Katie! She's my relief. I can talk to her and she understands everything because our lives are so similar. I can relax and totally be myself with her, and she's reignited my love for going to the movies!

3. Daisy-I'm so glad I met Daisy and that she was brave enough to ask us to lunch after church one Sunday! She has taught me so much about life and what it means to be hospitable. I miss her dearly!!

4. Heather-We've been friends forever, since we were 9. About 60% of things that I see or hear remind me of her and things we've done together. We've had so many great times, and I know there are more to come!

5. Bernie-What a Godly woman and friend. She is my prayer warrior who helps me through life with her love of God and wisdom. What a blessing that I get to move back to our Midway branch and be with her every day again!

6. Jane-Another wonderful friend who I met through work. I can vent to Jane and she can vent to me. I love our conversations and visits...just about life. And she'll be at Midway with me too!!

7. Nyssa/Carla/Jennifer-Okay...this technically takes me to 9, but I have to mention them as well. They are all equally important to me, but in different ways. We all met in college, and we were the group. We did lots of fun things together...including a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, etc.!

Pizza Night

Tonight we made homemade pizza...well, the dough wasn't totally homemade, but close. Abigail helped me spread the dough and add all the toppings. I was afraid it was going to turn into a huge mess, but that didn't happen until she was actually eating! It's amazing to me that she's old enough to help with stuff like this. She's just growing too fast!

Oh, and don't look at me. I really wanted to not be in the pictures in my comfy after work attire, but that just didn't work out.

To Go To Six Flags Or...No

So, Saturday morning we were suppose to go to Six Flags. It would have been Abigail's first trip. Unfortunately, the weather just wasn't being cooperative and we decided it was really much to cold...and windy. After a trip to Target at 11, we were 100% sure we made the right choice! So, we've had a very relaxing weekend, the first in 3 or 4 weeks...I've lost count. Saturday night we had dinner with some friends and then cupcakes for dessert. As you'll see below, Abigail LOVED it. Of course, she really only ate the icing and played with the rest! And yes, I still occassionally make clean up easier!