Author Archives: Lindsay

Jul 05 2010
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July 4th

4th of July explodathon

For the 4th we headed down to our almost sister-in-laws abode for the evening. The girls looked so cute in their independence day duds. The good thing about the twins being different sizes is that Preslyn can always wear hand-me-downs longer. So Ella wore Hayden’s dress from 2 years ago, Preslyn wore Hayden’s dress from 3 years ago and Hayden wore her dress from last year as  a peasant top with shorts under it 🙂
Hayden also let me french braid her hair for the first time. It turned out really nice and she loved it!
We ate some delicious food and fabulous Red Velvet (my FAVE) cupcakes and then headed out for fireworks. I was a little nervous for what this would be like since the twins really haven’t had that many firework experiences yet. Usually they are either already asleep or are inside the car. Hayden prepped them all week for the “loud booms” and told them not to be scared. 
Well the first ones went off and Preslyn dug her hands into me like claws. She is very skittish of things in general so this put her over the edge. She held my hands tightly over her ears the whole time and wouldn’t let me let go. I tried to get her to at least open her eyes to see the pretty colors, but she kept them tightly squeezed shut.
Ella had her hands over her ears but watched and liked the colors. And Hayden loved the entire experience.

It was  a lot of fun and good to spend time all together.

P90X Day 2 – Chest and triceps – DONE
P90X Day 3 – Plyometrics – DONE
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Jul 03 2010
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P90x

4th of July weekend

Have a happy and safe 4th!

Just wanted to post that I’m starting up a round of p90x today so here goes day 1. I’ve never made it all the way through the 90 days yet, so i’m hoping if I blog about it, maybe it’ll actually happen this time.  Wish me luck!!

Day 1 – Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X…..youch!
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Jul 01 2010
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Uncategorized

Show your support for Lindentree Boutique!

Here’s a cute little badge that you can show off on your blogs if you are a fan of Lindentree Boutique! just click where it says create your like badge and if you are a fan of ours on facebook it will let you scroll down to Lindentree Boutique. If you aren’t a fan yet, then go be our fan and then you can come create a badge!!

Thank you so much!

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Jun 18 2010
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lindentree boutique

Today I added some fun stuff to my shop http://www.lindentreeboutique.com/ and http://www.etsy.com/shop/LindenTreeBoutique

So! I’d love your feedback! My new etsy stuff needs some love 🙂 Go “heart” the products and let me know what you think of everything!!

Here’s a sneak peek!

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Jun 14 2010
4 Comments
7th, anniversary, love

What love is

This weekend was our weekend to celebrate our 7 years of wedded bliss. Bj, as you’re reading this I’m sure that line made you laugh.  We had decided that we wouldn’t do anything elaborate, but just to have some time to ourselves to relax and not be planning or diapering, working, feeding, cleaning up after kids, laundry. Just time to ourselves. I was thrilled because it seems like our family orbit has just picked up so much speed that there is rarely time for just us two. Our plans didn’t go totally as planned and I was so crushed. Poor BJ was trying his best to understand me through the tears and words that made no sense. Because really it wasn’t what we did that made the difference, it was just being able to be together with no plans that was so important. After 7 years I have realized that it isn’t that I have to sacrifice what I want love to be, I just have to realize that its those stolen moments here and there that really matter. Today we were able to sleep in late, go to breakfast together and just get to know each other some more. It was so nice and made me appreciate the life that I have and the family and husband that I have been given.

The past 7 years HAVE had much bliss, and of course its fair share of bliss-tering. I’d be lying to just tell you all of the times that were perfect, but that’s not the full circle of marriage. Yes we have had many moments of laughter and peace and fabulous memories, but we’ve also had our share of heartaches, pain, tears and stress. And its through those times that we have been able to peel back layers of ourselves that we never knew what lay beneath. We have grown together during those times in ways that we may still not know.We have learned to challenge each other to be people we never dreamed we could  be. And since we aren’t there yet, I know we will be by each others side cheering and pulling each other along, every step of the way. I know that after these years together that God truly did place us together and even when it feels like pulling teeth, God knew that we were the ones for each other and we would have a lovely family of three precious little girls to train up and love.

And at the end of the day the only thing that matters is that we have our salvation, we are still together, still doing the best we can day after day to provide a roof over our heads, food on our table and love in all of our hearts.

Bring on the next 7 years! I’m ready.
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Jun 14 2010
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Since I’ve been gone

Well hello blogosphere 🙂 Just wanted to check in and let you know i’m still here! I have seen many of you lately in person and just haven’t had a chance to get on here and document.
We finished out Hayden’s soccer league with a team party and a trophy. She was so proud to get that trophy. Her little red bulls team was so much fun and lots of adventure. Most of the season was spent with us parents trying to keep our children on the field for the duration of the games. Mind you, the games are 30 minutes long MAX! Hayden scored lots of goals and stopped lots of goals, when she would play goalie. She really had a fun season and that’s all that matters. A definite improvement from last year.
We also celebrated my Grandad’s 80th birthday with a lovely celebration with all of his sisters and many other cousins and relatives. We rarely get to see that side of the family so it was nice to get reaquainted. For most of them it was their first time to meet my children. Were they all in for a surprise 🙂
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May 23 2010
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death, grandparents, granny

Your legacy is one I will never forget

Dearest Granny,

So many things remind me of you it is hard to walk through my home, smell things, hear things and not think of you. YOU are forever a piece of my heart, a piece of me and my world that exists around me.

The taste and smell of ice makes me think of all of the times spent at the saxon house….hearing that floor crack as you tried to walk quietly across in the mornings not to wake me….your green bathroom with clothes hung from the shower rod. I never knew how you actually took all those baths you did, surrounded by all of those clothes, but somehow you did ….walking into your home smells like dryer sheets and starch. It is comforting and now everytime I do laundry I think of you. Building forts out of the pillow cushions and playing out in the backyard on the old motorcycles leaning up against the house.  Sitting at the glass coffee table ( i still have no idea how that has survived 7 grandchildren and 6 greats without breaking) coloring with you after everyone else was napping. Coating us down with Vicks vapor rub when we were sick or coughing. I hope I never forget your laugh. It brings a smile to my face just thinking of it. We had so many happy times at your house. Never can I remember a time that the house wasn’t filled with loud, uproaring laughter.

I think of all the foods that are tradition at your house and hopefully we all have recipes for. Potato salad, dum-dum cookies, lime jello, strawberry cake, deviled eggs, shrimp dip..all of our faves. And lets not forget the secret to the summerlin sweet tea. It can never be too sweet.
I remember waiting and waitng to finally turn 16,  to inherit the opal ring that you promised. I thought it was pretty special then, but little did I know that my firstborn’s birthstone would be an opal (same as yours) and now its even more special to me. One day it will be hers and I will tell her about you and how wonderful you were. I wish that she could have grown up knowing you like I did. I’m glad that she considers you one of her best friends and I will never let her forget you. Don’t you worry! 
I remember countless times in dressing rooms with you during our many shopping excursions. Thanks for taking the time to get to know me….sitting there watching me try on outfit after outfit. I know we came away with some great buys, but really we came away with a true friendship that I will never forget. We laughed and  giggled and cried we had laughed so hard. I remember feeling SO grown up when we’d go out together and you’d let me wear your lipgloss. Or paint my nails. You always told me that if I had the time to paint them, I had the time to take them back off when they started chipping. Thanks for teaching me so many wonderful things about how to be a woman and a mother and a wife. Thanks for teaching me how to be a friend. 
Thank you for teaching me how important family is. I am so glad I was born into your family where each member is loved so much and unconditionally. When any of us tried to stray from the pack, it seemed that you were in the middle with a lasso, pulling us back into the fold.

I love you more than words do justice. I am so glad I was able to spend so much time with you during my life. You always made me feel so important.

You were always in the stands for every event I participated in. I’m sure it was extremely boring at times and grueling to watch me walk every batter in an inning (ok, who am i kidding….in a game) or give turnover after turnover to the other team, but I always knew that no matter how bad I did,  you’d still be in the stands cheering me on and you rarely weren’t there, even for road games and meets. Thanks for being my cheerleader.

Thanks for helping mold me into who I am today. You always made me feel like the big things in my life, that may not have actually been big things to most people, were a big deal to you too.  You taught me to stand up for myself, for what I believe in, for who I believe in.

Most of all….I know that I will see you again one day. Watching you cross over into forever and enter the gates of Heaven was so precious and I’m glad I was able to be there to witness it. And though each day you will be so truly missed and family gatherings will never be the same. To know that you are up in heaven smiling down on us, waiting for us to join you….that gives me comfort.. You left a fabulous legacy for us to remember and for us to carry on.

Vivian Charlene Summerlin
10/8/1934-5/23/2010

I love you BUNCHES!

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Apr 22 2010
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recipes

A yummy dinner and its really fast!

Chicken Burgers Milanese

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

1 lb. ground chicken (our store was out so I substituted lean ground turkey)
1 medium zucchini (6oz. finely shredded 1cup)

1/3 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano
1/2 tsp each kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
2 Tbsp. Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
olive oil cooking spray
4 potato or brioche hamburger buns
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 cups baby arugula
2 plum tomatoes, diced
1 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar

1. Mix chicken, zucchini, Parmesan, oregano, and half of the salt and pepper in a medium bowl: form into four 3 1/2  inch round burgers, about 3/4 in. thick. Sprinkle 1 Tbsp. of the breadcrumbs over tops of the burgers.
2. Coat a large nonstick skillet with olive oil spray and place over medium heat. lightly spray crumb-coated side of burgers with spray and place in skillet, crumb side down; cook 5 minutes or until first sides are golden brown. Sprinkle remaining breadcrumbs over tops of burgers, coat with olive oil spray, and flip burgers with a spatula. Cook 5 minutes longer or until second sides are golden and burgers are fully cooked.
3.While burgers are cooking, brush buns with 1Tbsp. of the oil and toast, cut sides down, in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, 1 or 2 min. Remove from skillet.
4. In a medium bowl, toss arugula, tomatoes, vinegar, and remaining oil, salt and pepper. Place burgers on bottom half of bun, top with arugula salad, then place bun on top of salad.

*we added mayonnaise and Dijon mustard to the buns as well. SO yum!

Makes 4 servings
Each serving 398 Cal. 20g fat, 22g protein, 35g carb

(found this recipe in Redbook Magazine)

Then I served with fresh asparagus and Carmel Toffee Scones for dessert 🙂

Asparagus

Rinse and cut off about 1 inch off the bottom of the bunch. Put in a glass Pyrex dish and pour light soy sauce all over the asparagus and sprinkle a handful of kosher salt on top. Broil for about 10 minutes and remove. Crisp and delish!

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Apr 21 2010
4 Comments
austin, cycling, ms150

MS150 Bike Ride – Houston to Austin 2 Days, 150 Miles

This past weekend my bestest, Deborah and I, my brother in law Britton, his buddy Blake and our friends Bryan/Brian all participated in the BP MS150 Bike Ride. It was such an accomplishment to roll through that finish line! It was so hard at times and my knees tried to disown me many times 🙂  But we all finished!

The night before we bunked down at my Aunt and Uncles house in the country and they drove us to the start in Waller. We were all anxious and excited and I don’t know about the others because they seemed calm, cool and collected. But I was pretty scared. I didn’t know what to expect and I didn’t know if I’d be able to finish.
I had been doing spin classes and riding whenever I could. I also did three organized rides but all of that didn’t seem enough at that moment. We started out and the roads were smooth, the weather was perfect and there was a nice breeze. Couldn’t be more perfect. We rode 80 miles the first day to Lagrange (and three miles further down to the Camp Walmart) where our team had set up camp. Britton and Blake were way ahead of Deb and I and had warned us that our campsite was a good hike off of the halfway mark. Those three miles couldn’t have felt any longer. We were so ready to get off those bikes by then. Luckily the boys had already located our luggage for us and aired up our air mattress.
We stowed our bikes and then got in line for the prize of the day 🙂 PAPPASITOS had been catered in and never smelled so good. Talk about motivation to finish day 1!  After dinner we went to stand in line at the shower truck. I had really low expectations for these showers and kind of had them pictured like a shower port-o-potty. so when we walked up we found two surpises: ONE the ladies line was considerably shorter than the mens. (when does that EVER happen??) and TWO the showers were just like college dorm showers. With the little changing area and then the shower. And the showers were GLORIOUS! Oh seriously I have never loved a shower more. It was so hard to turn that water off and leave. I could have stayed in there for days. But that shower made me feel like a new woman. We made our way back to the tent to get rested up for day 2. In bed by 9pm 🙂 I can’t remember the last time I did that.
I woke up feeling like it had to be time to get up and realized it was only midnight. SWEET!!! Oh and this was about the time that Deb sat up in bed and did some sleep talking and then almost double bounced me off the air mattress when she slammed back down on the bed. Lol. It was so funny. Fell back asleep and woke up again to the sound of people rustling around getting packed up and changed. I looked for my phone to discover it was 4:51am. YUCK! Time to get up. We were supposed to roll out at 7 am. Bags packed. The rain was pouring down so hard all night and into the morning and we dreaded that the day would get canceled and we wouldn’t have a chance to finish the ride. But literally at 6:10am the rain completely stopped and the ride continued on as scheduled.
It was chilly and really slick on the roads and I was a bit hesitant. My biggest fear was to wreck on the road. We saw several wipe outs during the ride and none of them looked fun. Anyway, day two went fine. It was really hilly at times. This one hill was so high that if you looked at it from a distance it curved off to the left and there were trees in front of it and then you could see the peak of the hill OVER THE TOPS OF THE TREES! It was huge! Deb and I did really good. Poor Deb stayed right with me the whole time, even though my knees were hurting so bad and at times I was not going to quickly 🙂 Thanks Deb! We tried to encourage each other when one or both of us would feel pooped. At the last rest stop I was in a lot of knee pain and sat on the ground while Deb waited in the lines for refreshment. I felt so tired and was so ready to do those last 8 miles and be done. We got back on our bikes and I felt great. My knee felt great and I felt energized. (probably from the sugar rush from the pack of nerds I downed 😉 )
We rode into Austin and there were crowds of people lining the streets. It was so exhillerating! We finished together side by side and high fived at the end 🙂
Then I saw the smiling faces of my three little cheerleaders and Bj and my parents. I was so glad they were all there cheering us on and to see us finish this big accomplishment.

I’m pretty sure that aside from having children, that was physically the hardest thing I have ever done. I definitely would have had the hadest time finishing without my bestest with me! We joked about trying out for the Amazing Race next 😉 We’ll see!

Thank you all who donated money to my fundraising campaign. There were people lining the ride that had MS and it was touching to see their signs saying Thank you for Riding for Me!  So, thank you for making it possible for me to ride in this great ride! We hope to do it again next year!

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Apr 05 2010
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easter 10

Happy Easter

Tons more to come, I promise!!

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