H-Town Bound

Easter weekend was a 3 day weekend at my office so Chris and I took advantage and headed South for some fun! During the time we lived in New Jersey we were blessed to meet many people but mostly The Thompsons! Jeff & Cindy were our very best friends while we lived there. They were such a wonderful support to us. They were also our favorite travel buddies! In May of last year they moved back to Texas and we have kept in touch. So this was our big reunion weekend! We drove down Thursday. Spent Friday & Saturday shopping, eating & watching movies. It was so wonderful! Then Saturday night we continued our reunion by meeting The Albanese's for dinner at the Galleria. Parking was a nightmare but it was totally worth it! It had been a long while since we had been able to just hang out with these 2 (now 3). Averie was cute as ever! Saturday night we landed at Casa Hobson for some more fun! Matt & Nicole welcomed James just a few months ago and we enjoyed so real time with him. The boys played some Super Mario Bros which was awesome! Sunday morning we did church and lunch and then hit the road. On the road home we were able to make one more stop to visit with my BFF Linn and her family. Always great to just hug her neck and chat. All in a ll a wonderful weekend! Looking forward to doing it again soon!

Birthdays R Us

January, February & March are busy months for our families in regards to birthdays.

Our nephew Mason & niece Emmerson both turned 5 just a week apart from one another. Emmerson had a Disney party. We drove over to Weatherford and caught a little of the action! She was a very cute Minnie Mouse and had lots of wonderful things to share about her trip to Disney World! Then the next week Chris had to work, but I was able to join the family at The Magic Time Machine for Mason's birthday dinner. Chris & I both were able to make the Going Bonkers party. We all had a great time and Mason got some awesome toys! Here are a few pictures of our time with them.













Granty also celebrated a birthday and so we enjoyed the traditional birthday dinner at Abuelos. She is such a wonderful lady! We are happy to be living a little closer to her.



In March we headed to Lubbock to celebrate our niece Brooklyn's 1st Birthday right along side my Dad's 60th Birthday. It was a wonderful weekend! We really enjoyed all the family time and especially dinner with my Dad. Brooklyn was quite a hit with the birthday cake as you could imagine! She is so stinkin cute!

My Granny

I am blessed beyond measure to have had such wonderful grandparents! They lived 6 blocks away for most of my life and we were able to spend so much time with them. It was all truly priceless! There were times when I thought I might not get married before they passed - what a great gift that I could share Chris with them in their last years. The holidays this year were bittersweet. Chris & I got to spend our first Christmas at home - but my granny was to sick to be there. However we did get some incredible one on one time with her late one night at the hospital. I think I somehow knew it might be the last time I would get to visit with her. So despite the fact that it was 3am we soaked it all up. She was the granny I remembered as a kid that night - and one we had not seen in months. To say that she was a Godly woman seems to be an understatement. I learned so much from her about life and about my Lord. I miss her like crazy! But I know there will come a day when we will be reunited - oh what a glorious day that will be!

I love you Granny!

MEXICO

Oh how sweet it is to be on vacation....oh how hard it is to get back to reality!

We headed out New Years morning for a week vacation in MEXICO! Warm weather & all you can eat/drink! It was fabulous & I can't wait to do it all over again next year. But until then I will just soak in all these beautiful pictures! We stayed at the Aventura Spa Palace - it was wonderful! We would both highly recommend it! The hotel was great, but we did venture out to Playa for the day & also to Xel-ha. Xel-ha was beautiful! Another great recommendation for your next Mexican vacation! Chris & I both got some sun - which was awesome! I guess it makes up for our summer in NJ where we never saw the sun. Now we begin our countdown to the next vacation...to bad its 6 months away :(

Sidenote: we saw lots of Iguana's and I just could not pass up the opportunity to snap their picture...sorry if its a bit excessive!

White Christmas

It seems Chris & I are on a roll of White Christmases. Last year we watched the snow fall in Vermont & this year it followed us to Lubbock. I love SNOW! So it was the perfect addition to our holiday celebrations. Unfortunately Christmas in our family was a little rough this year. My Granny fell and broke her hip just a few days before and so we spent the holiday on hospital rotations. However I really would not trade it for the world. Chris & I spend part of Christmas night at the hospital. My Granny had slept most of the day which made her awake & alert for our 9pm-3am shift. We just sat & talked. I held her hands, rubbed her back & just shared the details of our Christmas day. She commented on all her great grandchildren & how beautiful they are. It was truly priceless time! We always treasure our family time and this year was really no exception! I think the kids all had a wonderful Christmas!

Pre-Christmas Christmas

This was the first year that Chris & I have been on a more typical holiday circuit with our families. Since we spent Thanksgiving with his family then we will be in Lubbock for Christmas. So his family had a Pre-Christmas Christmas this past weekend. The kids got tons of toys, games, clothes & costumes! I still cannot believe all the loot! We enjoyed spending the evening with everyone & watching the Cowboys afterwards. The pictures really tell it best...

Run the Rock

My twin sister has always been the athlete, so it should be no surprise that she has a new hobby....running. A few years back she & a friend began training for a half marathon. They have since run 3. It just blows my mind! Anyway this year they were back to run the White Rock Half Marathon & fortunately for me we now live close enough to participate as spectators! Saturday night we "carb loaded" with she & Andrew at Bucca. Yummy food & great Sangria! Then Sunday morning I met up with Andrew, the kids & her in laws. We drove down together and found a place to spot her at mile 9. They stopped long enough to hug Drew & I got a quick photo op. Then it was back on the road to the finish line. Susan & Sarah set new personal records & were very pleased with how the race went. Congrats ladies!!!