Thankful for Thanksgiving

 Thanksgiving was just a little bit busier than usual this year. We had lots of company, lots of food, and a running toddler. It was overwhelming to say the least, but we really enjoyed getting to spend the holiday with people we cared about it. And, of course, we got to eat a lot of good food. And who doesn't enjoy that?

After an incredibly busy Thanksgiving day and weekend, we got to kick back and relax on Sunday. Except we never relax. Pretty much ever. James' boss had given us free tickets to the Renaissance Festival, so we decided to check it out. It seems to be such a big deal each year and neither of us had ever been.

So we drive the long drive, we sit in traffic, and then we get there. All I wanted was a turkey leg, and I walked away realizing that a turkey leg, some life lessons, and a weak daiquiri were all I was going to get.

Life Lesson #1: We won't be attending the festival again. Never.

Life Lesson #2: Crotchless panties shouldn't be worn in public. I'm so glad Cullen isn't old enough to ask.

Life Lesson #3: There are some weird people in this world, and I've found their meeting place.

Life Lesson #4: Don't buy mixed drinks from someone wearing a princess hat.

I could go on all day, but I think #2 explains why I won't.

Needless to say, Cullen enjoyed some turkey leg. I call this one "Cullen leg and a turkey leg." His new habit is to lift his leg no matter what he's doing. Funny kid.

On a less positive note, Cullen HATED Santa. Let's hope things go better with the mall Santa. Can't wait. 

As if our day at the festival wasn't long enough, Cullen decided that the ride home would be a good time to throw up. Everywhere. Hours of cleaning later, the car is mostly scent-free, and Cullen seems to be on the mend. He's been home all week so far. Here's to hoping for a better tomorrow!

xoxo Ashley

So Thankful

I'm updating early this week, because I'm relatively certain that things will be too chaotic for an update by Wednesday. I am so thankful for all our blessings, and I'm hoping a little reminder here and there will keep things in perspective by the end of this week. We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year, so it will be a busy day. Luckily, James' parents are providing the ham, and my parents are providing the turkey. I'm only responsible for sides and desserts. They're so much more fun anyway!

I've planned out this week with all the details filled in. As if things weren't busy enough, James and I are meeting with a lawyer today to get our will written in stone. I drafted one up shortly after Cullen was born, but I think I'll feel safer knowing that we have something official. We also have to squeeze it in now, because I'm only on my company's legal plan for a few more weeks. I'm getting my money out of that one.

Last week was pretty incredible with the amount of illness that passed through our home. I spent the majority of the weekend scrubbing to overcome the germs. The picture below is of Cullen's long hair and the first smile of evidence that he was starting to feel better.

Only moments later, he was in impeccable condition when he elected to use the drawers in the entertainment center as a stepping stool. I now know why there is one little hand print at the top of the screen. He'll even climb in there when the tv is off. I think it's just for shock value.

Friday night, we all went in to get my favorite boys some hair cuts. I haven't gotten my hair cut since July, but my boys were the ones who managed to get in. James' hair came out looking fantastic, while Cullen only came out with a less Beiber-looking 'do. One side was significantly less bald than the other, so I tried to amend it a bit with some safety scissors last night. It doesn't necessarily look worse than it did, but I don't know if I would call it an improvement either. All I can say is that Cullen won't be seeing me or Mallory for a trim ever again. 

Cullen has darn near refused to smile for a picture since his hair incident. I think he knows how it looks. Luckily for me, he poses for cute pictures without even knowing it. Below, Cullen and Scout are spying on the neighbors. With Cullen banging on the window with a plastic screwdriver and Scout barking, they aren't exactly discreet.  

And now it's back to work for me. I have a couple of incredibly busy days in the office, followed by a few incredibly busy days at home. I can't wait to see family and spend time with them, and I'm really looking forward to my Sunday afternoon nap!

xoxo Ashley

The Human Petri Dish

The Shulers are sick. And not like perverse crazy (although sometimes it fits). We are all ill with fun fall sicknesses. Yuck. James was sick last week and still has a lingering cough, Cullen is harboring ear infections with other fun activities, and I think I died earlier this week, but I've forgotten to stop doing things. Alas, Cullen and I are having some super fun Mommy & Me days while James goes out and mingles with the world. Lucky guy.

Tomorrow night is the annual Gobblerfest at a friends house, so tonight I will be utilizing my germs to test out a new recipe. Pumpkin creme pies. Let's hope those that try my goods have built up their immune system. More importantly, let's hope I can build up mine before everyone arrives for Thanksgiving next week. Both sets of parents, a grandparent, and our little family for Thanksgiving dinner. Let's just hope I can find a place for us all to sit since I don't have a dining room table!

xoxo Ashley

When A Baby Becomes A Toddler

 Cullen's first birthday was on Saturday. He is now a toddling toddler. He goes everywhere quickly, with no regard for safety or my heart rate. I love that he's walking already, and it makes me so incredibly proud. I just wish he didn't have to grow up! Sometimes I think about Cullen growing up and my heart breaks a little bit. There is so much ahead of him, and I won't be able to protect him from everything. Ah!

All that rambling to say that Cullen's birthday and party were on Saturday. We had so many great friends and family members share the day with us, and I was happy with the big picture. I spent most of Sunday recovering, and now we're just enjoying our precious little toddler.

The gift/favor table. Just moments before the party, we assembled the wagon, car, basketball goal, and workbench. Luckily, we got everything done just in time!

I wanted so much to be responsible for the food, so I made fun little cupcakes in ice cream cones for all the kids, a beautiful cheese tray, and some precious gingerbread bears. Next year, I will be ordering take out.

 Although I didn't make Cullen's birthday cake, I did design it, so that's good, right? The little bear on top was almond cake. He was so yummy!

 We have a full 15 minutes of video while Cullen stared everyone in the room down. He wouldn't touch the cake for the longest time. I gave him a spoon, and all bets were off. It got so much worse after this.

 Cullen loved the little car we got him. We took him for a long walk on Sunday morning, and he really seemed to enjoy honking the horn and propping his feet up on the dash.

Cullen's first birthday was overwhelming on so many levels. I'm disappointed that the moment has passed us, but I'm so glad to be done with the stress. This weekend, Tera comes to visit so I can have a shopping buddy at the Nutcracker Market. We can't wait!

xoxo Ashley 

Chaos Is Good, Right?

Cullen's birthday and his party are only three days away. I cannot believe my baby will be one year old in just a few days! I am in complete and total denial. As the party draws near, we are doing everything we can to be prepared. I still have a laundry list of things to do, but it is slowly getting smaller. I'll be taking Thursday and Friday off this week to make sure Saturday is an easy day.

As is to be expected, we've had a couple of guests here and there let us know that they won't be able to make it. Sadly, James' parents are a part of that group. James' mom was assigned a case at work that absolutely requires her to attend on Friday. Since they wouldn't be able to arrive until Saturday morning, we decided Thanksgiving would be a better visit. Now we have more family time to look forward to later this month! The crummy part is that I was counting on the extra help with Cullen on Friday, and I just can't bear to send him to school when I could have him at home. So I'm taking an extra day off work. Bummer. Two days at home with my favorite little guy. :) The good news is that we can have a fabulous Thanksgiving at home with just a few people. I love quiet family time!

Last night, James and I stayed up until midnight making little bear-shaped gingerbread cookies as part of the party favors. Tonight's project is assembling the favors and cupcake toppers and completing Cullen's scrapbook. Wish me luck! Hopefully, I'll have party pictures to post by this time next week!

Cullen's first Halloween was a fabulous success. He looked great, he was completely happy with his costume, and we had so much fun! I can't wait to do it again next year!

xoxo Ashley

Sometimes Change Is A Good Thing

We haven't had much change this week. My mom is still in the hospital, we're all exhausted, and we're working on Cullen's birthday party. In just over a week, my baby will be 1!

We had a busy weekend last week full of zoo and Baylor. It was a lot to squeeze in, but we had so much fun! After only 93 seconds of playing time in the Baylor game, there was a lightning delay. James and I have encountered some pretty crummy weather at Floyd Casey, but this was the first time they actually recommended that we leave our seats. After a 1 hour, 47 minute delay, the game resumed, and the bears earned their sixth win of the season. That means we are bowl eligible and should be going to our first bowl game since 1994! It was a stressful day, but it was so worth it!

This weekend, we'll be headed back to the zoo with other friends, and we'll be taking Cullen's one year pictures on Saturday. After pictures, we're going to watch the Baylor-UT game. On Sunday, I'm planning on sleeping. Or going shopping for skinny jeans. I haven't bought anything for myself in a few months, and I think it's time. I would love to come home with something that isn't for someone else for once. We'll see how that goes! Maybe next week, I'll have some cute photos from Picture People to post! Until then, enjoy this one of Cullen being cute during dinner. He now has seven teeth!

xoxo Ashley

When It Rains, It Pours

Isn't that the Morton Salt tag line? I'm borrowing it today. It just fits.

James and I have been keeping busy with our day to day life, a family virus, and my mom being in the hospital. We aren't really sure which one of us caught the virus first, but it knocked all three of us to our knees within a twelve hour span. It amazes me how well children can handle it. I know Cullen wasn't doing well, but it didn't slow him down as he made laps around the living room. He is really on the move now, and it amazes me everyday. He is slowly taking a few more steps consecutively each day, and he is so proud.

Our most entertaining development this week is when we sing "If You're Happy and You Know It." He laughs and claps his hands just when he's supposed to. It seems to put a smile on his face no matter what he's doing!

My mom has been in the hospital for a little over a week now. A routine surgery went poorly, and she is now in ICU for observation. It has been really hard to get to see her, because Cullen isn't allowed in ICU, and he never sits still. Today, I'm going to visit her at lunch just to keep Cullen out of there. We're hoping for some good health soon, and she should be going home by the end of next week.

Tomorrow morning, I'm taking Cullen to Zoo Boo to spend time with our friends Noah and Dana. Hopefully, I'll have some precious pumpkin and costume pictures before next week's post.

This weekend, we're loading up the car and taking a day trip to Waco. It is Homecoming, and it will be Cullen's first home football game. If things go the way we'd like, we'll also be celebrating our sixth win for the season. That means we go bowling!

We're praying for health and wellness in our home and our family. God is taking care of us; we just have to be patient!

xoxo Ashley