Monster Mash ELC Style!

Our computer tech lady created this Halloween video for the ELC. It includes all the lovely ladies on my team. Enjoy and Eat Drink and be Scary!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/8MSSPmdwDMoqnnjM

Friday (almost) Hallows Eve!

Happy (almost) Halloween Friends!
What a week. A week filled with so many activities... sometimes being overloaded of course... but now I could not be more excited it is Friday and the weekend is FINALLY before us. I also am so excited and cannot wait for all the fun Halloween-esque activities coming up!

Where's Waldo?!?!
This Friday, Ray's company, PFS, had their annual Halloween costume contest. I personally think he makes a fantastic Waldo myself:)

My favorite Waldo:)

At school we have participated in Red Ribbon Week! Our themes included wearing team jersies, sun glasses, sweats, the color red, and of course our Friday was spirit day as always. Many adorned our black and gold... which was pretty fitting for the upcoming holiday. Today was also a very special day as today was our Halloween Celebration with some music ladies... including our very favorite one... Miss Libby.

This Friday was also the fourth grade field trip to the Outdoor Learning Center in Plano. We learned about the black land prairie, animals and their habitats, as well as dug for fossils. Let's just say that this was a very interesting outting... but did end with a LOT of laughs, a good time:) and some yummy cupcakes for my efforts.

After a very LONG week, Ray and I decided to enjoy a wonderful date night out!

Dinner and a Movie Date Night!

The Hubs and I:) 10/29/10

We decided to dine at OTB... as I was really in the need of some tasty Mexican Food and a house strawberry margarita. Yum!

I know it's sad but I really do think I could eat Mexican every day of my life. After a very wonderful dinner and being totally stuffed, we then decided to go see Saw 3D. I mean come on... first day out and last of the Saw series. And as Ray would say... what could be better than in 3D!


Saw in 3D!

The Zellners and the 3D glasses

Well as an avid Saw fan I have to say that this final one was not all I had envisioned it to be. As specified all the lose ends would be tied up and all questions were supposed to be answered... pretty much I was left with more deaths, a lot of blood as always, and a twist that was thrown to us within the final few minutes of the movie. I was left (sad to say) with disappointment.

... but while the movie was not all it was cracked up to be... I had a great night out with my papa bear. I love have special evenings out with my love:)

HAPPY FRIDAY and let the Halloween hours begin!

Fall Festival 2010

Once Upon a Time...
... in a land not so far away, a church held their annual fall festival.

Both children and adults alike dressed in festive attire to a theme involving make believe and child like wonder. Costumes were worn, games were played, treats were given, and all definitely had a fairy tale ending.

This past Wednesday the Heights Baptist Church participated in its annual Fall Festival. The theme this year was "Once Upon a Time." Each ABF (adult bible fellowship) set up a booth that incorporated a classic children's book. The Honeymooners chose The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Lions, Tigers, and Bears... oh my:)

From the yellow brick road to Munchkin land to tree orchards to the poppy field and finally to the Emerald City... we definitely were no longer in Kansas anymore.

Enjoy some fabulous pictures of our booth and the cast and crew who made it all happen... Meet the Honeymooners in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. So just remember... There's no place like Home!

Welcome Friends to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The face on our board is our executive pastor at the Heights.

Meet the crew: The Honeymooners

Follow the Yellow Brick Road!!!

Our game this year was extremely clever. It was similar to a cake walk. Each child was to of course... follow the yellow brick road. When the music stopped, whoever landed on the wicked witch won a ding dong! "Ding dong the merry o... sing it high... sing it low... let them know the wicked witch is dead!"

The Scarecrow and a Munchkin! (My first costume:)

The Links as Dorothy and The Yellow Brick Road

The Howards as "Munchkins" and little Leo as "Toto"

The Zoutendams as a Munchkin and a Scarecrow

Julie as our Cyclone

The Kennedys as a Flying Monkey and Glenda the Good Witch

The Henrys

My favorite Scarecrow

Me as the Tin(woman)

So the reason for the mid game switch-er-oo was we had a tinman costume but no one to wear it. So I took one for the team and ended up with two costumes for the night. Super fun! Also let's get real. I loved this costume but these heels were a killer. Pointy heels and Alicia do not mix as well as the fact that they were almost two sizes to small. But all totally worth it:)

Our not so cowardly lion Eric Davis

The Hares as Auntie Em and The Wizard

The Zellners:)

Munchkin Land Fun!

Yay for Ding Dongs!

Our Scarecrow in the Apple Orchard

"Munchkining around!"

Getting Ready

"Toto"

The Hoopers and our psychedelic Poppy Field

The Davis'

Fun friends The Fants came to visit us.
Look at cute little Bryson (10 months) as Superman! Love it!

What a fabulously fun time at this years fall festival. Ha say that five times in a row. More pictures should follow as well as who won this year's contest. Happy Fall Ya'll!

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad...

Ok people... let's totally be honest. I know that we've all had days like this where it seems that everything from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed... things go wrong... but as always these stories have a happy ending. Well I too am like this... well mine probably is not exactly one single day but really this entire week. Ha. And again not every moment of every day but for some reason I think... and please tell me if I'm wrong... but we all have some week or so within our year that is just not up to standard. So I'm happy to say that I'm getting mine over with this week... so maybe I won't have to worry about another one coming until the following year... or that's at least what I'm telling myself. ha.

Seriously I'm not sure if it's a full moon or what but for some reason things have been crazy this week... from our apartment being fumigated for three days(due to the wonderful smoke smell) to my car smoking and its wonderful wiring issue, to the kids that for some reason are trying to test us :) ha, to just having completely restless sleep and no energy and potentially getting sick again, to other useless and trivial things happening... all I have to say is... finished!!!! Ha. So tomorrow I will salute this "not so exciting week" and say good-bye as I am not ready for you to return for a good while. I pray for a wonderful week ahead, a week of exciting and fun opportunities including the Zellner annual pumpkin carving party, my school carnival, class field trip, our upcoming anniversary, and thanksgiving of course. To all of you who may be feeling a bit like me... we are absolutely in it together. Wishing you all a wonderful Friday and fun and exciting fall adventures. Good-bye to the old and welcoming the new...

Chick-fil-a, AMC, Joyland, Fall Festive Weekend!

Our weekend was filled with wonderful activities from dinner and date nights out to Fall Festival work days to working several nights in Joyland at the church. It was definitely a busy but fun-filled weekend.

With very little food options in the fridge and with a gift card in hand (won at Minute to Win It), Friday night the hubs and I decided to grab food from Chick-fil-a. We dinned on the usual; however, I will have to say that this really is one of my favorite fast food joints... if you can call it that.

It was definitely a nice night to catch up with the hubs and to RELAX!

Saturday morning, the pups let us sleep in until 9AM. I mean this is huge. Toby's internal clock had kicked in ever since the move and since he was no longer sharing a bed with us. Typically between 6:30AM-7AM he greets us with his whining and impatience but on this morning we were given a gift of two extra hours. Hey I'll take it.

By that afternoon, with our other Minute to Win It gift card we left for AMC to see Hereafter starring Matt Damon and directed by Clint Eastwood. This film discusses death and of course the "hereafter" as described by the title.

After our matinee movie at Stonebriar, we spent a few more hours with the pups before it was time for me to head to the church to work with my kiddos in Joyland. But before I left for work I had to take a cute picture.

Zellner Family of Four

Tonight I worked with children from kindergarten through fourth grade. We colored pictures, put a few puzzles together, and watched a movie. I received the cutest comment from a second grade girl. She looked at me with a questioning face.

girl... "Um Miss Alicia. Do your lips hurt?"
Me... "No sweety. Why?"
girl... "Well you keep putting stuff on your lips and I didn't know why."

I absolutely love this age. They are so cute and inquisitive... and she was right. Sadly I don't even notice anymore.

Sunday morning, Ray and I met upstairs with our ABF and enjoyed a great small group discussion on the book "Radical" that we will be studying over the course of the next few weeks. It definitely will give us a lot to think about and to discuss. By 10:30 we went downstairs to our room in Joyland. Every fourth Sunday of the month, my husband and I teach a class of 3 1/2 year olds. I absolutely love it and am so thankful that we are able to share and serve children together. In class we told the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho. We discussed Joshua's army ... as our class portrayed this portion of the story and marched around the room saluting and tooting our horns... Joshua was so loved by God that the walls came tumbling down. In our craft project we discussed how God loves his people. The kids then colored pictures of themselves adding buttons, clothing, glitter, and so forth. In the very center we placed a red heart sticker. We relayed the message that God loves us! What a special message!

Upon finishing church, Ray and I quickly... well not exactly quickly as we waited in line for what seemed like forever... we grabbed some Great Outdoor subs... and returned to the church for our Fall Festival Work Day.

The Heights is providing a free Fall Festival that will be taking place this Wednesday, October 27 from 6-8PM. The theme this year is Once Upon a Time... and as you may be able to see... our ABF is doing The Wizard of Oz. More details and pictures shall be posted shortly. Just know that you are seriously in for a treat!

After our work day, I had a few hours at home then I would once again return to the church to assist with child care. Tonight I worked with the older children from second to fifth grade. From 4:45- 8:15PM we made mosaics, colored worksheets, played on the playground, and watched a movie. Within a short time I've already made so many sweet little friends.

Tonight I received the cutest picture. My little friend Matthew who I work with on Wednesdays gave me this picture to keep and to put on my refrigerator. I am unsure if you remember my first day in Joyland. We discussed being servants to God and the cleaning of feet. His picture says... (just in case you may be unable to read)

I like Alicia
Thank you for liking me Alicia!

Within the picture, he thanks me for painting his feet!

Uh Oh I guess the hubs has a little competition. Ha. But seriously this may be the cutest message ever. I absolutely love what I do and each day am so thankful for the change I made only a few short months ago. God really does have such wonderful plans for us. I am so thankful and look forward to all he has in store.

Love,
Alicia

Stumped: Halloween Ideas?!?

Ok friends, I have absolutely no idea what I want to be for Halloween this year. I am absolutely stumped on this one. Typically I am pretty good about this type of thing as theme parties are my favorite and something I do well. I do feel as though this year as most years just fly by but this one takes the cake. I mean it was seriously the middle of August the last time I checked and now I'm planning Halloween costumes?!?! This just baffles me; however, thus as it is I am going to have to get creative and fast. Now I know some amazing ladies do read this blog... so please if you have any ideas I would LOVE to hear all about them. This first picture was a few years ago where my husband and I did Beauty and the Geek. It was actually one of my favorites. My husband is just too funny as a nerd. Love it. The next picture was taken last year for my bachelorette party on Halloween.



Meet Juno, Kindergarten Indian, Bridezilla, and The Vampiress. So again if you have ANY ideas please feel free to share them with me as I'm having a bit of trouble this year. Also I'd love to hear any costumes that you have planned for yourself.

Thanks again and I look forward to hearing from you!

Miss Libby and Thought-Full Thursday!

Happy Happy Libby Day!

Ok so I am totally referencing a How I Met Your Mother episode that focused on Lilly's birthday... but for some reason every Thursday I sing Happy Happy Libby day in reference to our music therapist that comes to visit our kiddos at school. We all enjoy our relaxing and theraputic thirty minutes a week. Next week is exceptionally special as she and several of our related service individuals will be dressing up for Halloween and putting on a special celebration for the kids. Speaking of the week's plans I guess it's time for some Thought-Full Thursday posting.

1. Enjoying some great motivation at school with Diane, my walking partner.
2. Wednesday Joyland nights... We learned about singing praises to the Lord and made praise sticks/shakers.
3. I received my first silly band ring this week from a sweet kindergarden student named Alexa
4. I'm currently blogging and working on online lessons. 9 left to go!
5. My sister-in-law is having dental surgery this Friday and my thoughts are with her
6. This Saturday I will be working with the church kiddos from 4:30-9PM
7. I am volunteering at our school carnival on November 5
8. Our kiddos at school will be going on our first class field trip this year on November 5. We will be going to Heritage Farms
9. Ray and I are planning our annual Pumpkin Carving Party.
10. My car started smoking yesterday on the way to the church. It quickly stopped but all I could think of was my over due wiring issue. Angry fist:(
11. I am way behind on my running schedule
12. I am getting more and more excited by the minute for Thanksgiving. I cannot wait to spend time with our families. Sadly we will miss our pups but know that it is better for them to stay here due to allergy issues.
13. I am soooo ready for it to start "feeling" like Fall. I love the idea of hot chocolate, sitting in oversized pjs, and cuddling on the couch. Sadly I think that's what I did the first few months of marriage. I know I had to look super cute in those oversized jammies:) ha.
14. Next Thursday I will be cheering the hubs on in Ultimate Frisbee. His next game determines who plays in the finals
15. I have no clue what I want to be for Halloween this year.

Happy Thursday friends and looking forward to the next post. Until then...

Love,
Alicia

Downtown McKinney w/ the Dukes!

This afternoon after an amazing church service at the Heights, we enjoyed a fun afternoon in Downtown McKinney with the Dukes.

Around lunch, both Stephanie and Adam met us at our new home in McKinney to see the new place and to enjoy a fun afternoon out. For lunch we decided to eat at Cadillac Pizza Pub and boy it was super tasty. We enjoyed what I like to call a "buffet of options" including fried pickles, mozzorella sticks with marinara sauce, a large pepperoni pizza, and a mammoth of cheesy nachos. YUM!

After filling our tummies on some amazing yummies... the boys decided to stay at the pub and watch the Cowboys game while Duckee and I enjoyed a nice stroll around Downtown McKinney. We ventured into the Salsa shop and Mom and Popcorn... my two favorite places in Downtown McKinney. I love all the amazing salsas from praline spread and apple butter to a wide range of hot salsas and mixes. Mom and Popcorn is seriously a must see on your stop to Downtown McKinney. Enjoy a wide range of candy, popcorn, and desserts!

What a fun afternoon! I am so thankful for wonderful afternoons with friends. Now I am back home... still stuffed on lunch and a candy dessert. Time for some rest and relaxation before we begin our week:) Happy end of weekend!

Love,
Alicia

Minute To Win It: ABF Style!

This past Friday, the hubs and I met up at the church to play an exciting game of Minute to Win It with several couples from our ABF. If you are not familiar with this concept, Minute to Win It is a game of skill including coordination, concentration, and agility... technically things that I do not possess. Ha! But boy was it totally fun. Meet our players!

Meet our Honeymooner Crew!

Oh and meet team purple! Ok this was totally unplanned, but super funny so we all of course had to take a "team" pic!

When we arrived at the church we split into two teams by picking a random card. Odds on one side and evens on the other. Then the fun quickly began. We enjoyed games including breakfast scramble, candelier, candy elevator, defying gravity, dizzy mummy (Ray dominated), extreme hanky panky (which I totally dominated... removing tissues from two boxes), face the cookie, junk in the trunk... another Zellner favorite (videos to be viewed shortly. Ha), keep it up, noodling around and many more. You can view these games and how to play at the link provided Minute to Win It Games.

So enjoy some pictures and commetary of our fun and competitive evening of Minute to Win It!

The Winners!

The Zellners

Courtney & Paxton Kennedy

Carissa and Joel Howard

Michelle and David Hutchinson

Aleah flying solo

Tom and Cheryl with a little junk in the trunk. Ha

Minute to Win It Supplies!

Vaseline & Cotton Balls make for an interesting Friday!

David with some "hot air." Ha! That may seriously be the biggest balloon ever... without popping of course! Ha!

My Candelier

The hubs and Face the Cookie

Courtney and the Candelier

Michelle and the Candy Elevator

Ray and the Dizzy Mummy

They look like Tornadoes to me:) hehe

The Hubs and his "Candelier"

Thank you Tom and Cheryl for putting on such a fun event with friends. I absolutely cannot wait for many more rematches on these games. Look for some video coming soon to a blog near you:)