Halloween!

We had 42 trick or treaters stop by our house this year. It was so fun seeing everyone dressed up for the holiday!

Our cute Duncan.

He sort of likes bandanas.

My "Dirt and Worms" dessert from work.

It was a fun night. We had too much candy left over...
-Jack and Kayla

PS - someone is getting ready to light up NW OKC!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's is a tricky holiday for Jack and I. Since our anniversary is the week before, we rather celebrate that than Valentines Day. On actual Valentines, we stayed home (it's a recurring theme) and made pizza! Delicious.

On Wednesday, our small group decided to not meet and have the night as a date night. It worked out great - Jack took me to Rococo's for the first time. It was awesome. I'd imagine the place was packed the night before, but the day after Valentines, not crowded at all. Our meal was delicious and we cannot wait to go back and try more.

We learned Wednesdays are Ladies Night at Rococo's. About half way through our meal, I got a raffle ticket. About five minutes later the raffle began and my ticket was drawn for a prize!  We are the proud owners of a serenity water fountain.

There were four gifts and this one might have been the less useful of them all.

What's hilarious about this serene water fountain is Jack purchased one in college on a spur of the moment trip to Walmart (I know this because I might have encouraged him to get it). His was cool, but somewhere during the packing and unpacking during our move must have done something. We ended up throwing it away about 4 months ago. Luckily, this cordless wonder is now residing in our guest bath.

We must be destined to always have serenity fountains.

It is kind of peaceful.

But, I would have used the Keep it Local OKC card a lot. No fear, I will purchase one soon because they are awesome.

Happy Valentines Day, and every day.
-Jack and Kayla

Happy New Year!

Happy 2012! We had a low key, New Years Eve. Really... low... key. In fact, we celebrated New Years with New York City and we were in bed by 11:30 Oklahoma time. It was perfect for us.

The next day, we made up for going to bed early and celebrated the new year with champagne and chocolate pie.

We can't wait to see what 2012 brings!
-Jack and Kayla

Christmas with the Harpers

Alicia and the kids stopped by for a quick Christmas get together. It was low key, but my nieces and nephew sure make any time fun. I didn't get that many pictures, but this one of my favorites:

Henry decided to play in Duncan's crate. He tried to get Maggie to come in and Maggie politely said "I'm not a dog".

Funny Boy!
-Jack and Kayla

Wrapped and Ready

With Christmas just about here, we are wrapped and ready for the festivities!

Wrapped.

Ready.

Also ready are some sweet treats from our kitchen. We should have plenty to share!

No Bake Cookies.

Oreo Cupcakes.

We can't wait to spend time with our family. In just three short days, we will get to see almost all of our Oklahoma family. That's pretty awesome. We can't wait.

Wish we you a very, merry Christmas.
-Jack and Kayla

Decorating the house

Although it's our second technical Christmas in this house, I'm saying it's our first. If you recall, we closed on our house December 15, 2010, then a short 3 days later left for Colorado, then 5 days later returned for a few days prior to Christmas, then heading to Norman and Duncan (the city). Every minute in between was spent  packing and not decorating our first Christmas. So, we are making up for it this year. Big time.

My Spode, one of most favorite gifts. I didn't like receiving it as a 10 year old, but golly, I love it now.

Our new tree skirt.

Our first tree!!

Up close. We love this tree.

 New stockings and garland. Jack's Nutcrackers.

Here are the other Nutcrackers. Jack says he gets one every year, however I am only counting 18 - therefore there could be 6 nutcrackers on the run....

Our small Spode tree from my Grandma. This guy served as our tree last year.

Our Nativity. Joy to the world!

So the inside is totally ready, and our outside is too!

It's much better in person. We are hoping to add some red and green lights as our lights by the garage. Oh, and garland around the front door.

We are super excited. And maybe I have named a room in the house the North Pole. You know, a room to wrap, sing loud, and be all Elf like (oh, note to self: watch Elf!!!).

Plus, we are seeing Trans-Siberian Orchestra this weekend with my mom. It's our Christmas tradition and I love it. I may or may not be trying to memorize all their songs prior to Saturday. It's hard to recall them each year, since you only listen to them once a year.

We hope you are getting ready for Christmas (and I hope you are staying warm and stress-free!). 

Now, we just some snow...
-Jack and Kayla

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving came quickly, but we enjoyed our time away from work and time with our families. Jack and I went to Duncan (the city) for Thanksgiving lunch at my mother in law's parents house. The whole family was there and it was lovely - great food and tons of laughing.

Before we left OKC, we snapped a few pictures in hopes they would work out for our Christmas card. Luckily one will work (which I won't spoil the card by showing) but here are the rejects -

Just a sweet little kiss on the cheek.

and then a second, bigger kiss.

Jack needs kisses too.

And for said kisses, he wants a belly rub.

Bad placement... and his skunk - Stevie - was in the picture.

No more pictures, please!

I will post our final picture and card once they come in.

Hope your Thanksgiving was full of family.
We're thankful for so much.
-Jack and Kayla

Halloween!

I'm not scared to say Halloween isn't my favorite of the holidays. We didn't even bother getting pumpkins for our porch. I was excited and thrilled to pass out candy in our new neighborhood.

For small group, we had a Halloween themed food night. We made spiderweb pretzels.

Delicious and very fragile.

For a special treat for us, Halloween funfetti cupcakes. 

Jack had class on Halloween, so it was my job (and Duncan's) to pass out candy. 

One tradition my family does is tally how many trick or treaters come.

 We had 49 trick or treaters. Two of them include two girls that were my height, but dressed up. It also includes three 10 year olds that weren't dressed and commented on my tv show. He called me out on watching "reality tv". Relax kid, it's just Dancing with the Stars. It could be a lot worse.


The little decoration we did include these fun spiders from Jack's old babysitter. We loved seeing them hanging out around the fireplace.

We hope your Halloween was spook-tacular.
-Jack and Kayla


Oh, check out the Harpers!

 Check out my mom's front porch!

Rusty isn't a real diablo... he is an angel.

And... I guess I sort of dressed up for Halloween. I volunteered myself to be Snow White at a co-workers daughter's birthday party. I'll admit ... it was fun!

This might be my new weekend gig - Disney Princess.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America!

My super poor attempt at a firework picture. Ultimate fail of a picture.

We (Jack, Duncan and I) spent many hours poolside enjoying the sun and super hot tempatures. Duncan wore himself out. His typically swim day consists of something like this:

• Test the water out.
• Jump in.
• Fetch anything and everything thrown into the pool.
• Retrieve.
• If all toys have been fetched, jump towards people in the pool.
• Swim after people.
• Play lifegaurd.
• Practice diving for toys underwater.
• Rest, briefly.
• Start all over.

Once home, he may or may not eat dinner. Definately not breakfast the next morning. He will just lounge around and give you eyes "please, rub my ears, head, chin, back, tummy... all at the same time.. please."

note: the couch doesn't stand vertical. it's an illusion.

We hope you had a great 4th of July, three day weekend and we hope you have a great four day work week.

Happy Birthday USA.
-Jack and Kayla

Mothers Day

Happy Mothers Day, Mom! You are simply the best. Thanks for putting up with me for all these years.

I love you!
-J&K

Today is the....

119th Anniversary of the first documented ice cream sundae, per Google.



Happy Sunday!
-Jack and Kayla

Happy Valentine's Day!

 If there were no words
No way to speak
I would still hear you
If there were no tears
No way to feel inside

I’d still feel for you

Monmouth, 2008

  And even if the sun refused to shine
Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
You’re all I need, my love, my valentine

Kite and Key, 2008

 All of my life
I have been waiting for
All you give to me
You’ve opened my eyes
And showed me how to love unselfishly

Sam's Place, 2007

 I’ve dreamed of this a thousand times before
But in my dreams I couldn’t love you more
I will give you my heart
Until the end of time...
You’re all I need, my love, my valentine

LOVE - Vegas, 2008

And even if the sun refused to shine

Even if romance ran out of rhyme
You would still have my heart until the end of time
’cause all I need is you, my valentine

You’re all I need, my love, my valentine

Kite and Key, 2006 (Our "first" date)

Happy Valentine's Day!

(Thanks Martina McBride for this wonderful song)

I love you Jack!

-J&K (Well, mostly K today).

1 Year!

I can't believe this was us a little over one year ago -

And we celebrated in warm WARM climate, below the equator. We miss St. Lucia!

A year later, we are happy. So happy. We had a lovely dinner and dessert (on the house, courtesy of Red Prime Steak). We have been snowed in (and off work, together) and have truly been able to relax (and unpack).

And, we had our "top layer" of our cake. (Our cake lady - Amy Cakes - makes you a "top layer" as a first anniversary cake. This way, you get her cake fresh just like you remembered it on your wedding.)

 It was delicious, as always. We love Amy Cakes!

To many, many more anniversaries. I love you Jack!
-J&K