the library

There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world.
Love of books is the best of all.
-Jacqueline Kennedy-

Super Bowl Smash

After watching the Super Bowl in Colombia for the last few years, 

{no commercials or half time show. instead analyze the game in Spanish}

we thought a small gathering to celebrate football americana was important.

So we called some friends, made some appetizers. prepared cocktails, and Super Bowl partied. 

The crowd favorite:

a bourbon cocktail called a smash.

When we were in Tennessee my mother served us a smash. 

Both Matt and I loved and have been making ever since.

Correction.

Matt's been making, I've been enjoying. 

It was such a hit amongst our friends, I thought you might be interested too.

'Super Bowl' SMASH

Ingredients:

*ginger

*mint

*lemon

*bourbon of your choice

*agave

*ginger ale/ginger beer

1. Muddle ginger, mint, & lemon until everything is smashed.

2. Add to cocktail shaker. Add ice, one jigger of bourbon, and agave to taste. 

3. Shake. Shake. Shake.

4. Strain into a glass, top with ginger ale, & enjoy.

Cheers.

Happy Friday Ya'll.

Ya'll...

This weather.

Loves me a Texas winter.
{with 70+ degree temps}

Where park visits are possible & sweaters are optional.

For those of you experiencing less than desirable January temps, fear not,
we're in for a rainy weekend.

Happy Friday.

nine.

Nine years ago today I began the greatest adventure that would lead to all the other adventures...

I married this man.

While today will look like any other day in the McQuinn household...

piggies & toofers

Lauren is at this age where every time I look at her, I think she may have grown a little bit.

Gone are the days when I saw that baby face, instead I see a little girl growing before me.

Desperate to keep Lauren's hair out of her eyes I've been trying ponytails, quickly realizing we weren't quite there yet.

Then this happened.

Pig-tails.

lately

hi.

long time. no blog.

I came up with a new excuse though.

She is furry, has four legs, & goes by the name of Charlotte. 

Thank goodness she is cute.

Mostly because she is naughty. 

Matt and I have been out of the puppy game for too long and it's been a reality check. Each week gets a little bit better and we keep reminding ourselves that someday "she will be a really good dog."

She starts puppy class this week.

I've got BIG expectations for the end of the next six weeks.

But incase you were curious, here's a few moments from the last couple weeks, when we weren't in the midst of puppy chaos.

fifteen + a fifth McQuinn

At fifteen months, this little girl....