A Super Incredible Halloween

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a long haired girl in an oversized Incredibles costume. Yes, I know that the Incredibles had skin tight costumes that aided them in defeating the villian, but when you order a costume designed to fit a 4 year old and your child is a small 5 year old, this is the result. We thought she looked adorable anyway. We also got tons of mileage out of this costume. She wore it for her birthday, 2 days of gymnastics, her class party and then on Halloween. Best $25 I've ever spent. And based on it's size, I'm thinking it may still fit four years from now.

Posing with our scary Mr. Pumpkin Head

All smiles at SHS trunk or treat

Getting the good stuff to satisfy her sweet tooth.

"Enough pictures, Mom"

Loving on Cherry the Devil Dog (our neighbor's dog)

Training Goldie

Giving Goldie a belly rub. Not the most flattering picture of Goldie.


All smiles from our two long haired girls.

Cameron has loved training her new dog. She and Goldie have been working on "sit" and "stay". It is so funny to listen to Cameron get this stern voice and give her command. Then of course she rewards Goldie with tons of scratches in all her favorite places.

Happy 5th Birthday

Cameron celebrated her 5th birthday on October 11th with some of her most well dressed friends. Being the frugal family, we decided to get as much use out of her Halloween costume as possible by having a costume themed party. We had a house full of princesses, a bride, a witch, Captain Hook, Tinkerbell, a football player, a cheerleader, a golfer, and a few superheros. We had a great time decorating bracelets, playing pin the nose on the pumpkin and of course eating cake. Oh how the time has passed too quickly. Five years went by in the blink of an eye. Eric and I are so blessed by our sweet Cameron.

First Hunt

Our first hunting adventure started on Friday morning in Academy. I was at the register to check out with my 4T camoflauge shirt and the smallest pair of camoflauge rubber boots I could find when the sweet looking little old lady in front of me commented on how adorable my little boy was going to look in the items I was holding. The look on her face was priceless when I told her they were for my little girl. She almost gave me a look of contempt that I would dare dress my daughter in these things. (Note to others: Do not go to Academy and think that you are better than others. It is Academy, not Neiman Marcus) Little did she know, it didn't phase this country girl. I just smiled and said Cameron is our little hunting buddy. Again, the look of contempt.

Anyway, Cameron was super thrilled to have the perfect outfit to wear hunting. (See, still girly) While in San Angelo, we took her out to Cousin Tom's ranch and she had a blast looking at cows and goats and riding on the bumpy, rocky, so called roads. After a few test rounds fired off from Mom's 20 gauge, Cameron decided "that wasn't too bad" and we were off to dove hunt. She was a real trooper. She stayed right by my side picking up the dead birds and the not quite so dead birds (twitchers). She would even spot them in the air and yell "Shoot, Mom!" It was an amazing first hunt with my hunting buddy.

New Puppy

We have a new furry baby at our house. She's soft, golden, and only weighs 70ish pounds. The kicker is she's only 8 months old. Our new golden retriever, Goldilicious aka: Goldie has come home to stay at the Briley house. After her first day here at home, she only managed to tear up one of my plants (roots and all) and the cover for Eric's BBQ grill. Not bad considering I thought my backyard would look like war zone in Afghanistan when I got home this afternoon. She's really a sweet girl and loves to play ball. I think she may have the Briley hunting instinct too. She was ever so close to catching a poor neighborhood cottontail. That little bunny didn't know what the hell was going on when Goldie came at her so fast.

Cameron is so pumped to have an animal that is her very own.

Class Pet

Cameron's new school has a class pet and we were the lucky folks that were able to bring him home for the weekend. Boomer, the guinea pig, has been a great houseguest. He loves to eat veggies and is quite cooperative when a overly excited 4 year old wants to hold him. Cameron is such a lover of animals that this was probably the best weekend adventure we could have ever had. I'm sure we'll volunteer to bring him home again before the school year is over.

Go Rough Riders

Nana has been on the hunt for the perfect cheerleader outfit for Cameron that matches our school colors. It is much harder than you think to find Cardinal Red (not maroon and not red). At last she found one and mailed it to us just in time for the first football game of the season. As we made the trek up to our seats, we were stopped by at least 4 different people asking where we'd gotten the suit. An obvious hit among Rough Rider fans.

Cameron not only looked the part that night, but she acted the part too. She spent the entire first half yelling DEFENSE and Let's Go Riders. When the streamers came flying from the sky after the first touchdown, she concluded that God must have sent them.

Thanks, Nana, for making the first game of this season a memorable one.

Random Pictures from this summer

Here are some random pictures from this summer that I just now got around to taking off of the camera.

Cameron the last day of swim lessons finally brave enough to jump in.

Swinging at Memaw's house. She learned how to pump her legs in order to keep herself swinging.

Cameron and Hannah's annual picture sitting in our living room. Hard to believe that it's been almost five years since their first picture was taken together in this same spot.

Original picture of the girls the first summer they met.

Making Cake Balls

Cameron and I were home alone today so we decided to bake. (Yes I know, amazing we didn't burn the house down.) Ever since she went with me to a retirement party at my school, she's been wanting to make cake balls because the ones Joni made for the party were SOOOOO YUMMY! Cameron did an excellent job mixing the batter and sprinkling the cake balls after they'd been dipped in almond bark. Here is a link to the allrecipes website if you'd like to make them yourself. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cake-Balls/Detail.aspx?prop31=1 We used a strawberry cake mix and strawberry frosting. The ones covered in dark chocolate taste like a chocolate covered strawberry. It was a great mommy/daughter day!

Uncle Clay and Aunt Jo

I just had to post these pictures of the happy couple. Only a few weeks to go until they are hitched!

Swim Lessons

Today was the first day of swim lessons for Cameron. I was fully anticipating a morning of crying and refusal to participate. She surprised me by actually trying what the teacher wanted including sticking her face in the water. Tomorrow could be another story.

Harvest time

When Cameron and I were home in Mathis, she was able to check out the combine and were even able to make a few rounds with Kyle, my cousin. The new combines are so awesome because they now have a jumpseat for passengers. This is so much more comfortable than riding on a water jug like I used to do when I was a kid riding with my dad. It even has a computer system that tells you the moisture and the bushel weight of your maize.

Cozumel

Eric and I had a week away just the two of us. We spent most of our days just relaxing in a lounge chair looking out at the blue water and enjoying a good book and a beverage. The entertainment was good, the food was great, and the time together was fantastic. I we traveled to the other side of the island one day and had a cold beer at a great little bar called Coconuts. Free margaritas to anyone that bared their coconuts, but I wasn't brave or drunk enough to do it. Eric snorkled and found some cool sealife including a starfish. The sunsets were beautiful ways to end each day. On our last full day there I had the opportunity to parasail. It was such an amazing experience. It was so peaceful and I was actually able to see the divers below on the coral reefs 50 ft. below the water. Ahhh!!! I love summer.

Our Spa Day

Cameron and I spent the morning being pampered at the spa. We opted for just pedicures today. I was so proud of how patiently Cameron sat there while her toes were being polished. She chose polka-dots for herself and decided I needed a heart on my toes because I love her. It was such a great morning together!

Thou Shalt Clean Up After Yourself

One of Mommy's commandments: "Thou Shalt Clean Up After Yourself". I've got one of them trained. Now maybe she can help me teach Daddy to follow the commandment as well.

Daddy's Good Luck Charm

Cameron calls herself "Daddy's Good Luck Charm" because everytime she goes fishing with him he brings home a big catfish. I'm so glad they love doing this together. I still remember fishing with my Pop when I was this age.