golden friends

I have been MIA for a bit...  right now life is throwing a curve ball.  Having a supportive group of friends around has been so important this week.  I am thankful that I can send a text/email with a prayer request to my buddies and know that they will make it a priority in their daily thoughts.  Everyone deals with stressful situations differently.  I prefer to be alone, sulk, cry, pray, and just check out for a few days.  Obviously I can't do that for every stressful situation that comes up but I have done it this week and my friends just keep on loving me and supporting me.  I cherish these girls and all their positive words.  So get ready for lots of smiling ladies.........here's to some of the greatest friends a girl could have!!!!   Some of these pictures are oldies....but all are goodies!!!!!

All these smiles lift me up!!!!      

I also have the most amazing Mr. is the whole world.  He is so loving and positive. 

A big "Hooray" for stand-up friends and a loving hubs!!!!!  

Thank you so much to my bloggy friends for all the kind words and continuing to keep my family in your prayers.



A little request

We showed the Daddy Love this weekend.  We went to lunch with my dad at our most fav restaurant of all time!!  We had many daddy/daughter dates at this mexican food grill in the past several years.  We have built such a special relationship and I am so thankful for his support and love.  

 

 We also had a a BBQ with The Mr.'s Daddy and Uncle.  I didn't get a picture of his pops or the huge kabobs we chowed down on!!!   I'm serious.... I've never seen kabobs that big or tasted any that were so juicy.  Are you drooling yet?!!   After we chowed down.....I helped my nieces make "rainforest punch".  They are full of sweetness. (the punch was sweet too but not as sweet as those little lovies!) 

I also wanted to know if everyone could add my family to your prayer lists.  I know many of you are prayer warriors and that is what we need.  I would rather not disclose any details......  but I feel comfort and encouragement knowing I can use this blog as a support system.   Many thanks :) 

We made it!!!

We celebrated our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY this week!!!!   So, my question...do you become an old maid after one year...because you can't be a newlywed still...right?!?!?    At any rate...I feel like a newlywed.......The Mr. makes me all anxious and giddy when I see him.  He is so thoughtful and usually doesn't take the easy way out when it comes to making me feel special.  He goes all out!!!!

Last year we had dinner with all our closest friends after we said our vows.  We went to the same restaurant....with a few surprises.  I went to the restaurant earlier that day and dropped off champagne glasses (that The Mr. used when he proposed), our wishing well advice jar (made by our friends at our couples shower),  and a cake I had made by a delicious bakery.  They had the table set up when we arrived........The Mr. was so surprised! I also booked Cirque de Soleil tickets...I love planning for future events. 

I decided to top the cake with...what else...but...cake balls!!!! 

Let's rewind....That morning-
I woke up to a snuggly kitty....that had a bow tied around his neck.  Yes, a bow!!!   An anniversary band was hanging at the bottom of the ribbon.  True story.  The ring size wasn't right....so we went to our favorite jeweler to make it perfect.  While we were there...our eyes immediately went to another set of rings.  The Mr. told me to try it on and we both loved them!!!  I am picking them up on Saturday....counting down the hours!!!!   Although I love diamonds.....   the meaning behind each piece he has given me is what matters the most.  I have never been a big jewelry wearing gal...even now I only wear my wedding ring and earrings.  He knows how to pick 'em.   I can't wait to get my new addition snug on my finger!!!

I love our little family and hope it grows one day...but for now... we are pretty happy. 

You're right if you predict an epic kitty battle happened after this photo!!!! 

It's been a great week with the hubs.  I know our lives may not always be so "easy" and care free.... but for now....it's our time to become a strong couple.        
Cheers to all the old maids out there!!!

How do you celebrate?

If you have read my blog for any amount of time you know how we celebrate around this house......... with FOOD!!!!!   We were so happy for the Mavs....we just had to get a big ole juicy burger as our own personal tummy trophy.  Not just any burger...an In and Out burger would be the only reasonable choice. 

Good gracious....it was so good!!!!

I'm pretty sure he's making fun of me for taking his picture while he has his first bite.

 We cheered the Mavs on at my FIL's house last week.....so you guessed what we had to wear last night.  Yep...the same clothes.     The Mr.is a little superstitious when it comes to sports.....but this was a whole new level!!!!!     It has been such a fun season to watch....our guys have so much heart!!! 

 Here are some randoms to make your tummy growl and lips smile!!!!    Have you ever eaten one of these???

 Oh my....this half eaten cream cheese brownie didn't last long.  Cream cheese anything doesn't stand a chance in our house!!!!
This is Ollie's  little baby.  He loves this little heart shaped mouse.  If we say "Where's your baby?"....he finds it and brings it over to us so we can throw it!!!  Our kitty plays fetch....awww....   if that doesn't make you smile....then I'm all out of ideas.  :)

Beach Buddies

So,  I guess this will be Post #2 for my Vacation theme.  We invited our friends to join us for some fun in the sun...Florida style.   We had the greatest time.  I'm so thankful we got to make these special memories with our besties!!!  (I can't wait to feel the sand between my toes.....  let the countdown begin!!!)

After a small delay at the airport....we were ready to hear the waves!!!

Our set up at the beach.   Didn't they do a great job?!?!

We were THIS excited to be on the white sandy beaches!!!!!

The hubby's rode waves ALL DAY!!!!!  

It was our friend's one year anniversary and we came up with a plan.  I distracted her by taking her on a walk to collect seashells while her hubs buried her gift in the sand.  When we returned...she followed the arrows and found her buried treasure!!!   It was so sweet!!!

We went to yummy dinners and had lots of giggles.

We went deep sea fishing.  Believe it or not....I was the first person on the boat to catch a SHARK!!!!  Yes,  a real JAWS.   But they had to cut the line.....    then our friend caught another SHARK!!!!

Please, no animal cruelty comments.  I looove animals, fish, reptiles, etc. (well, not really reptiles.)  Just skip over the next few pictures if you start steaming....    I'll understand  :)

We were worn out after a day of fishing. 

Throw red paint on me if you must.....but we ate SHARK for dinner that night.  It was soooo juicy and deliiish.  We were scared to try it but we are so glad we did. 

They next day we went on a swamp boat.  Try it if you ever get a chance to....we had a blast!!

I'm glad everyone had something covering their ears.....because I screamed the whole time!!!!

I would redo this vacation with the same people every summer if I could.  Our friendship grew tremendously during this trip!!!  Until next time!!

 

A trip down memory lane.....

Since we're in the traveling season...I thought I would do a super duper long post about previous vacations.  We have a few weeks before we take our big summer trip....so this will calm my anticipation as the date gets closer.  My sweet new bloggy friend, Newlyweds Next Door, gave me the idea to post our honeymoon pictures.  Check her out.....I loved looking at her vaca picts.  I was reading her blog a few days ago and looking at her European trip pictures....got all emotional and had to get out our memory book and flip through it with The Mr. 
Warning: This post will be long and picture heavy....but I don't think there will be any kitty pictures. teehee!!!

Honeymoon June 2010:
We traveled to Spain, Italy, and France.  The trip was 2 weeks long and we traveled by land for the first 7 days and then we spent the next 7 days making stops while on a cruise ship.  We did a guided tour ...and we are so thankful we chose that...we met new friends that we will have for life and we saw so many historical places that I never would have known to go see if I were planning the trip.  (Plus, you make friends and that means you get picture taking buddies!!!!)
Spain:
Madrid-

We were told to watch out for the gypsies at this park...seriously....   they told us they were beautiful women that would pick-pocket your husband.   Geez!!!!

Touring this castle was one of my favorites!!! 

The Prado Museum was awesome.  Historic pieces in every room.

Walking around the city like little lovebirds.

We never missed a meal...or dessert!!!!

Toledo:

We spent the day in Toledo.  We felt like time stopped when we were here.  No computers.....   just an old old city with beautiful cathedrals.

Our group.   We loved traveling with these people!!!

Barcelona:

The dancing fountain.  You've seen the replica of this in Las Vegas.  

I thought it would be the perfect time to surprise my new Mr.with his wedding gift. 

Just the face I wanted to see!  He was so surprised!!

I'm pretty dorky...I have the inside engraved with our "saying".

We spent our last night in Spain eating dinner on the fisherman's pier with our new trip family!!!

Italy:

Capri

Imagining what a real battle was like in there!!!!

He ate this for lunch every.single.day.  

My favorite place...The Vatican.

France:

Farmers Market

Can water really be that blue??!?!

The Mr. loooved looking at the yachts.

Catching some Mediterranean rays before we set sail.

Headed home...   

Okay....I thought I would make this one post all about vacations...but that was obviously a little long!  I think the honeymoon pictures are enough!!!!! (I have about 300 more pictures that haven't been posted....can we say overboard!!!)   I loved going through these pictures and writing little notes under them.  We are so thankful we started our marriage with such a wonderful adventure.  Thanks for letting me dump all these memories in one spot!!!