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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

An Acton Christmas

I can't believe Christmas has already come and gone. I've started taking some of the decorations down, but the house was looking SO empty, so I stopped!

Spending Christmas 1,000 miles from family definitely seemed daunting our first Christmas in Texas, but thanks to Skype, we don't even miss a beat!

Here is a quick glimpse into the VanderLugt Family Christmas. The best part is, we didn't even have to get off the couch :)


Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I decided last night to force Damon & Dozer to take a picture in front of our tree before all of the presents are gone... getting those pictures *with* the dog can prove to be a disaster, see below:

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Backyard Project

Damon and I have been in this house for almost 10 months now, and we are finally doing a little back yard makeover. We are *so* thrilled that this is happening! Our yard is pretty big (and Dozer loves it!) but our concrete patio was so tiny.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Baking Extravaganza

'Tis the season to bake! One of the best things about the holiday season is all of the amazing food, specifically, desserts! My mother-in-law brought some delicious cookies to us a few weeks ago when they were visiting, but those are long gone by now... so I thought I'd make some of my own. Damon also swears that we need to leave cookies out for Santa, but I know this is really just his ploy to get me to make gingerbread men for him.

I tried a few different recipes this year and thought I'd share them here.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Lists

Lists are one of my favorite things. I love the satisfaction of crossing an item off after it has been completed. Yes, I even will add things to my lists after I've done it JUST so I can cross it off. I'm that girl.

I absolutely *love* having a clean house, but I am not so in love with cleaning. I am constantly telling my husband how much easier it would be if we would just maintain the clean house instead of trashing it and having to start over each week. I also loathe Saturday morning cleaning days... they are just the worst.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Holiday Prints

Go check out my Etsy shop to check out the new Holiday themed prints! Feel free to leave me a note in the comments if there are any prints / invitations / designs that you'd like to see!


Friday, November 9, 2012

{LA} Paper Designs

*DISCLAIMER* I am writing this post on my phone, so sorry in advanced!

Today I decided to try and open an etsy shop. I always have *loved* designing small things like invitations and prints... so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Please check it out and pass it along to anyone you think would be interested. I only have 3 listings right now, but I am hoping to add more very soon along with some custom listing!

Thanks!

My Etsy Shop




















Sunday, October 28, 2012

Ironman

So here's the deal... over the last 14 weeks, Damon has been training 6 days a week.. hours each session. Match this up with him working over 55 hours a week (plus traveling), and I basically haven't seen my husband since July. But that is ok. It was all for this. This one day. Race day.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Forrest David

This weekend, Damon and I *finally* had a chance to meet our nephew, Forrest. Neither of us have spent much time around babies, so I'm pretty sure we were both freaked out a little a lot. He is 5 weeks old, and honestly the cutest thing ever. I'm already missing the way he snuggled his little head into me to get comfortable.

baby fingers :)


Can't wait until the next time we get to see him.

Love you Forrest!
-Aunt Laura & Uncle Damon

Sunday, September 16, 2012

DIY Restoration Hardware-Inspired Shelving

Site should automatically redirect - if not, please go here for the DIY Restoration Hardware Inspired Shelves!

PUMPKiN DONUTS

What else do you on a rainy Sunday afternoon but make pumpkin donuts? I followed this recipe that I found on Pinterest (where else?)

I only put the sugar on the top of the donuts, but they were so good! I highly recommend you try making them RIGHT NOW!


Happy Fall!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Lens Love - Part II

Headed outside this afternoon to test out my new lens some more...





Damon wanted to test it out too!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Friday, September 7, 2012

Lens Love

I'm pretty sure my family is sick of me taking pictures of them, but what's a girl to do when her new lens comes in the mail? This week I ordered a 35mm f/1.8G lens from Nikon... and it arrived today :) So of course I forced my unwilling subjects outside.

I only got a few shots in, but I think I'm going to really like this lens. Only time will tell...

"are we done yet?"

trying to catch his breath, it was 99 degrees out after all!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air...

Tonight Damon and I decided to head to the Dell Diamond to check out a Round Rock Express game and some fireworks. We sat in the lawn section which was so relaxing and fun.... until the entire area filled up with tons of people. This little boy was the cutest though!


Anyways, after the game they had a FABULOUS fireworks show. It was amazing, and I love, love, LOVE watching fireworks. We were in such a bad drought last year that we didn't get to see any, so this was awesome. I've always had a hard time getting good shots, but here are a few of my favorite pictures:


Aside from the BBQ & beer, please remember the importance of this day and what it means to be an American, freedom is never given, it is won...

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th of July!


Thursday, June 28, 2012

Surprise!

Normally when Damon texts (or in this case tweets) something about having a surprise for me or trying to win the husband of the day award... I can expect that he is bringing me home ice cream or a cookie.. not today. No, no.. today was much better - he bought me a new camera :)

I've been eying this camera for a little while, and apparently my husband knows I would never actually buy it, so he bought it for me :) :) :) I am such a happy girl right now! Since Dozer was my only willing subject, you will have to suffer through even more pictures of my dog (cue the groaning). They aren't the best since the sun was starting to go down and Dozer was running around like crazy, but I'm still excited!


Can't wait to get our and test it some more this weekend. Stay cool everybody. xoxo

Friday, June 15, 2012

Bibs & Diapers & Cribs - Oh My!

Since last week was really the first time we had been back to Indiana since the big move, this was officially the first time we were able to see Sarah (sister-in-law) pregnant! How exciting! My mother and I also secretly planned a surprise baby shower for her since I was in town. We went with a garden theme for the shower, and I hope she liked it! Thanks to everyone (Debi, mom,Teena, the boys-Mike, Tom, Dad & Damon)  for all of your help.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Pomp & Circumstance

I am having a very hard time believing that my baby brother has graduated from high school. There is no way that I am old enough for this to have happened! Although I don't believe it, it is still true! Two weeks ago he officially became a high school graduate!

Even though we missed his actual graduation ceremony (sorry G), we were able to make the trip back to Indiana for the fun stuff, ie, graduation party! Since Gerrit loves computers (nerd alert!) and is going to be studying them in college, my mom decided to throw a computer themed party. We had burgers, beans, taco salad, cake and cupcakes of course. Overall it was a great day where Damon and I got to see a ton of family and celebrate Gerrit (and Lindsey's) graduation.


Congratulations you two, we are so proud of you! xoxo

Monday, May 28, 2012

For love of country they accepted death...

Happy Memorial Day! I know many people probably spent today hanging out with family, eating good food & soaking up the sun, but I hope that none of us forget the true reason we celebrate this holiday. Let's remember all the brave men *cough, my brother, Ryan VanderLugt :)* and women that help keep this country free, and especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

My husband participated in a triathlon downtown this morning, and they set up a memorial across the street. Such a sobering sight to see...



Sunday, February 26, 2012

That's What I Love About Sunday...

Today was definitely one of those days for us. It was a beautiful Sunday, blue skies, mid 60s and lots of sunshine. We are supposed to be moving into our new house next week (yay!) so Damon and I thought we would take our last weekend with no obligations to do something relaxing. We decided to take a hike through the Wild Basin Wildlife Preserve.