Thanksgiving-time

Thanksgiving is JUST around the corner, and I get to celebrate twice this year!
We will be feasting early with my family in Bixby and then Chris' mom and dad will be coming to San Antonio for second feast! I am very enthusiastic about this! Bring on the tasty goodness, cozy chats by the fire, football in the yard, cocoa and re-counting all the hysterical childhood memories. Oh, and singing... this is my brother-in-law's favorite! :) Looking forward to all these pleasantries has made me go back and look at pics from Thanksgivings of yore (last year).

A big Steffins family tradition has been attending the Annual Fort Worth Parade of Lights. It's quite a spectacle. Actually, I'm pretty sure our family makes this parade what it is.  Although the parade is fairly dinky in itself, we make an all day event of it... riding the train downtown (singing Christmas carols), renting a hotel meeting room for food, cards, PS3 etc..., staking claim to an intersection for the whole family (blankets, chairs, cocoa, candy canes and more caroling), and then the parade itself (which is MUCH more exciting when a horse poops in front of you). Hahaha! I have a fantastic family!

A VERY special thing that happened last year was the surprise visit of our favorite Marine!!!!

So excited!

Proud Grandpa and Grandma

Sara and I ventured forth at 3:15 Black Friday morning... it takes brave souls.

Bargain shoppers extraordinaire!

All-in-all it was a fabulous holiday and I'm so thankful we all got to be together! So proud of you Sarabara! Thank you for what you do! I'll love you forever and you will be missed this year!

Happy Halloween

This past weekend we had our 2nd Annual Halloween Party!  I had so much fun checking out different blogs, websites and Pinterest to get a ton of great ideas. 

Here's how some of those ideas came to life at our party...

We also had some wonderful friends come over all costumed-up!

Back Row: Aaron & Cristy, Hunter & Shelby, Bethany & Caleb, Heidi & Erick
Front Row: Amanda, Chris & Kirker, Chris & Danielle, Tracey & Ray

Even my daddy was able to be there!!! He's the greatest! :)

Three-hole-punch Dad

We all had a great time, and I can't wait to put my costume back on to pass out candy tonight! Have a safe and Happy Halloween everyone!

Testing...testing...Is this thing on?

Well hello World Wide Web!!!

Yes, it is I...that girl who never ever uses her blog!!!

This post is proof positive that nagging works. ;) ALL (3) of my friends and fans have been begging to hear about the wonders of our life, and my defenses are useless against their incessant pleas.

Hey did you know that the name of this blog is supposed to be read Our Lively Life? I heard someone pronounce it live-lee (As in, I live in San Antonio.), and it just sounded terrible. Maybe I was trying to be too clever? I've considered other options... MerriLee We Roll Along, HappiLee Ever After... Actually I just thought of those, and they're both way better. crap. (Sorry grandma, I know that's not a nice word.) Maybe a blog-overhaul is in order?

Ok, I actually have a TON to post about (that happens when you don't post for a year), but I'm taking baby steps. I think I avoid blogging because I feel all this pressure to post something awesome that will make you laugh, cry, or impress you with my witty phrases and excellent use of vocabulary and punctuation. Needless to say I cower from this daunting task, but I SAY NO MORE!!!

So today I will post about my doggy... The Kirkerman!!

aawe!

Don't you just wanna squeeze him!?!

Full Name: Kirker Alejandro Lee

Breed: Miniature Schnauzer

Age: 6 years this Dec. 6!

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Popcorn or Bacon (yes, the maple bacon kind) :)

Favorite Game: Tug-o-war

Favorite Expression: "You're flingin' flangin' right I am!"

Besties: Maggie (girlfriend), Lucy, Dixie, Harper and Harley

Cousins: Heidi, Kody, Buddy and Timmy the cat

Favorite Place to Visit: greatGrandma and greatGrandpa's!!! (My grandparents)

Thing He Most Fears: His own toots

Kirkerman is the bestest pup in the wide, wild west! My love gave him to me as a Christmas present when we were still at ACU, and he is our pride and joy. :)