Spring Break 2013...

My mom, Lindsay and I decided to take a weekend trip to KC...bring on girl time! 



What trip wouldn't be complete without shopping, right?!?!...and good food!

The Country Club Plaza has it all.  We went to our usual shopping locations but found some unique stores that Tulsa doesn't offer as well.  We bought a few pieces from H & M  and Free People that are adorable for spring.  Oh, yes, let's not forget maternity from the Gap....

...posing with one of the bunny gatekeepers...
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We ate dinner Friday night at the Brio Tuscan Grill.  It is a quaint Italian eatery in the Plaza area.  I took a picture of our appetizer in hopes that Ben can re-create it at home. 

Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta

with fresh mozzarella ,basil, parmigiano-reggiano and a drizzle of balsamic...delish!

For dinner, my mom and I shared the sweet potato and chicken risotto which  was soooo good as well!  In the past, she has always split dinners with Lindsay but now it's with me...lol!

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While resting in our hotel room, I was able to get my first "feel" of my niece.   She gave her Aunt Ali one little kick...it felt more like a hiccup to me. 

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On Saturday, we shopped til we dropped with a little rest stop at this cute chocolate shop. 
Check out the size of the strawberries below...

Mom and  I posing with some chocolate shamrocks...

These were well worth the $2.50 each price tag...

Chocolate filled martini glass

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Lunch at a pub on the plaza...

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We took a break from shopping to see the movie, Safe Haven...a suspenseful, romantic chick flick.

I happened to be reading the book; but, didn't mind spoiling the end because it was a chance to watch a movie with my mom nd Linz.  We need to do that more,,,

Lindsay's favorite movie snack...and if you know me, I'll eat anything... so sour it was. 

That evening we ate another nice dinner and turned in early. 

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On Sunday morning we made brunch plans with one of my dear college friends, Tisha. 

She lives about 5 minutes from the Plaza with her family. 

We were Zeta's together back in the day.  It's funny  no matter how much distance or time goes by  we can always pick right up.  

MY how times have changed since our old South Padre spring break trips...NOW we've moved on to brunch and coffee...lol.  Love and miss you,  Tisha!

Thanks Mom for a memorable trip...We LOVE spending time with you.~Ali & Lindsay

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March 10th, celebrating Lindsay's 32nd birthday at The Tavern on Brady Street. 

Back at Lindsay's house for her favorite dessert and gifts.  I know this was a special birthday for her with our little princess growing every day....and we are so thankful!

S'MORE than ever...

Ben surprised me with a little sweet treat the day after Valentine's.  He placed  marshmallows on a stick and we headed outdoors to grill marshmallows for smores.

It was so sweet and spontaneous... just perfect for a low cost romantic evening. 

Finished product...didn't last long...YUMMY!

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LOVE my shopping Saturdays with Mom and Linz...we stopped for a quick lunch at Wild Fork in Utica Square.  Lindsay got a few maternity pieces and we gained some ideas for her birthday gifts.  Her belly is really growing...I enjoy watching the changes.  Still waiting to feel my niece kick...hurry up little one!

  

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We had a brief but beautiful snowfall last week.  It was our first snow with Perry......as you can see in the tracks,  he LOVED running in it.  He made several circles in the yard but then decided that inside was a little warmer. 

Taking a break from his marathon...

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Today has been a cold rainy day with expected snow...fingers crossed.  My friends in the western part of the state are snowed in with record amounts and I AM jealous. 

We decided to make comfort foods..First up, homemade pretzels.  Ben used the kitchen aid to make the dough and I helped form the dough into pretzels.  They took awhile to make but they were definitely worth it.  Warm, salty goodness with two dipping sauces...just what this day called for..Thanks, Chef Ben! 

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 My Reac3h Coach position with the OSDE has been keeping me very busy...If I'm not on the road traveling to different schools, I am working on the next presentation....I love being in the different  schools and their classrooms...I definitely love making a difference...At least that's what I hope I am doing....



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...Love & Joy.....

                                                                                                             .....S'more than ever!

Life Lately....

I can't believe that February is already here...this year is flying by! 

On February 2nd, I hosted a baby shower brunch for our dear friends the Wadkins. 

Jennifer is expecting her second baby boy on February 28th. 

Their son, Jackson, was the sign bearer in our wedding...what a sweet big brother he will be!

 (Jackson  also was the trolly chaperone...lol!)

We had a wonderful time visiting, eating and celebrating Jennifer and Baby. 

Thanks for all of your help friends!

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On a side note...this baby shower is making me soooo excited for my niece's arrival in July. 

I just purchased her first gift from Etsy...she is going to spoiled by this auntie FOR SURE!

Lindsay will be 19 weeks tomorrow and she felt three kicks on Tuesday night...thank you Father!

 ...profile of our little blessing at 14 weeks...AMAZING!...

...at the gender reveal dinner...

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 We went to our annual crawfish Super Bowl Party at the Crancer's house.   I always debate the crawfish taste test and then I think about eating the head and say "no thanks!"

I witnessed two large trash sacks full of craw fish being consumed while we were there....Whoa! 

After the party, I packed my bags and left the following morning for my

monthly training at the OK State Department in OKC. 

This week at training, my region had our second lunch with Dr. Barresi.  She is very enlightening to listen to and I'm encouraged by her efforts for state reform.  We also had a visit from a representative with the Barbara Bush Foundation.  Her foundation has paired with Dollar Thrifty to increase parent involvement nationwide.  Oklahoma is now a lucky recipient of these efforts and the REAC3H coaches will assist with the implementation...exciting!

Next month we are scheduled to have breakfast at the capitol with our state reps...We are... busy, busy!

My training weeks are made a little sweeter because I stay in Bristow.

This trip I stayed at Mamo's house and she spoiled me with  two of my favorite meals ...what a treat! 

I enjoy spending time with her and/or my mom and Paul when I'm in town every month. 

 But, I  miss my boys and am excited to see them at the end of the week...

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and JOY  on Valentine's Day....Ali

...winter RUIDOSO trip...

The day after Christmas Ben and I headed west with my mom and stepdad to our family cabin in the tall pines of Ruidoso, NM.

After unloading the suburban and getting the water and heat on and building a roaring fire in the fireplace,

we headed to Casa Blanca for some tasty Mexican food.....We never leave Ruidoso unless we have eaten there.  Not only is the food great but the layout of the restaurant is rustic adobe adding to the atmosphere..

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The one thing I enjoy the most is shopping on Suddreth Drive...the heart of this cute, little village...

Ben and I ate at Cafe Rio when we were here in Jan. 2011 but b/c this trip was during the Christmas break, it was too crowded with the wait line being outside in the cold.  It's just a small, unique pizza place...

...the Chili Pepper....if you want something mild or you want something extremely hot, this place has got it!

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Stopped at  Grace O'Malley's Pub to take a break from shopping and warm up a bit...Had hot coffee and Apple Dumplin' Dessert.  This is the newest restaurant in Ruidoso....very much like a tradtional Irish Pub with alot of dark wood and great atmosphere. 
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My mom is always looking for something different to see or do....Well, on this trip she decided we were going to take a drive around the mountain to the historic Lincoln area and eat dinner at a place called the Laughing Sheep Farm...it is a working ranch...farm to table eating experience...

We had a western swing fiddler and guitarist for entertainment...one of the songs they played was 'Amarillo By Morning', which was one of my dad's favorite songs...

...picture with Sally, the owner...a granola hippie, for sure....

From the very beginning my mom kept saying...well, we may get there and turn around and not stay...Once we got there and saw that it was busy, she was ok with going in....lol!  We all chose the variety plate of ribs...elk, bison and wild boar....For the most part, it was good.   We liked the wild boar the best. 

Ben's plate of bones....

We enjoyed our night....

My mom and I came back to the cabin and went to bed while my stepdad and Ben went to the Inn of the Mountain God's Casino....

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...breakfast at the Log Cabin...

...Perry and I...yes, Scout and Perry went with us...

...one of our stops with the dogs...(once we were there, they stayed in the cabin)...

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 Late lunch at DreamCatchers on Saturday.  This is another stop in Ruidoso  not to be missed...A quaint, small bistro type pub with the owners on sight that keep the atmosphere upbeat.  Played a new game called "Shut the Box"....keeping it on my list to purchase in the near future.  Of course, my mom puts us together for a photo shot with a group of Texas A&M fans....!  BOOMER SOONER!!

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Went to the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino.... enjoyed hanging by the fireplace and listening to the piano man in Wendell's Lounge before going to the casino...watched Ben and my stepdad play some games, then my mom and I went into their Club 49 to listen to a classic rock band.

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On Sunday, Ben and I stayed  at the cabin until time for the Bears game.  We bundled up and took a mile hike to Farley's Sports Bar...a place busy with locals and tourist....It was a cold, windy day but made the walk even more fun.

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Sunday evening we decided to go back to Grace O'Malley's for dinner....We got there at six o'clock and had an hour wait...the food was worth the wait.....While we were waiting, it began snowing....Let it snow, Let it snow....It had snowed in Ruidoso on Christmas Eve but when we arrived on Thursday, there was only patches of visible snow in the village area.....My mom and I were excited for our first snow of this season...We ran outside so my stepdad could get our picture.

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On the morning we left, we opened the door to many hungry deer.  It was a good thing my stepdad had bought plenty of ground corn.  It's not unusal to have deer at your doorstep but on this morning there was a gathering more than most days.

As always,  I had an awesome time and am happy to share this special place with Ben and my family...(missing Lindsay and Brett and Lucia)....

love and joy, Ali