Blog Fail

Oh man, I am totally failing at this whole blog thing. Well, December has been jam packed with fun and exciting things, which is probably why I've fallen behind so badly on the blogging.

Super condensed version: The first weekend in December we had the Werners (Terri, Alan, Scott and Michelle) over for a Christmas feast. Michelle and I cooked our little hearts out, then showered them all with gifts!! Such fun! No pictures to share.

Last weekend we went to Terri and Alan's for their annual Christmas wine party. Let's just say that last year, Andrew and I had to take a cab home...this year, I was cautious with my drinking so I could be a DD. However, the BIGGEST news of the night came when I won not one, but TWO of the competitions for the evening!! They have a blind wine tasting in 3 categories and everyone brings a competition wine, Andrew and I won for our patio white!! We brought Four Vines Naked Chardonnay, it is fantastic, and only 11.49 a bottle, and happened to beat out everyone else's bottles that were WAY more than that!! Then I won the sniffing competition! Basically, you just write down the smells in this one bottle they choose and if you are correct, you win the bottle to take home. SO - we won $60 for the patio white, and a bottle to take home. AWESOME. Andrew of course partook in the hot tub...while no else did mind you...and we had a jolly good time all around. The photos below are ones I yanked from Michelle's facebook.

I'm a big winner!
Andrew - the only one in a swimsuit, and so proudThe ladies who make it so fun!

Also, we are sending out Christmas cards this year (hopefully) and I just love the picture. Our dogs hate this, but don't worry, they get revenge EVERY Saturday morning at 6am when they wake me up to go out. And also when they shred everything I've ever owned. I'm excited about a Christmas schedule. This year, since Andrew's mom is working on Christmas Eve afternoon/night we are having his immediate family over for brunch and present opening on Christmas Eve morning!! So fun! Then we go to Uncle Julio's for a bit to see his extended family, then to Granbury for his grandmother's traditional Mexican food Christmas Eve dinner, then we fly out to Lubbock that night. Wake up Christmas morning in LBK with my family, open those presents, then mom and I become cooking machines prepping for her whole side of the family to come over for Christmas lunch. After that, we head to my other grandparent's house for Christmas dinner. Whew...I'm exhausted and getting fatter just reading that. Yikes. I'll try to be better about blogging and posting pictures this round!!

You Say It's Your Birthday....

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOOOOOOOOOVE a good birthday celebration! I am the person who would love for it to be a birthday month as opposed to one stinkin day. Unfortunately for Andrew, who doesn't believe in even celebrating his birthday, it makes it hard having to constantly celebrate the birthday for a week.

However....this year Andrew wins a GREAT prize! With the help of Michelle and Terri, Andrew threw me a surprise party this year!! It was just so fantastic. Complete with Werner fajitas, fabulous New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, Dancing on the patio, and hot tubbing! What a great night with great friends!

My actual birthday is November 15th...so don't worry, more celebrations to come!!

Andrew pleased with the surprise

Michelle, one of the mastermindsMe with some of the ladies, Brooke, Becca and Jenny
Andrew and I ready to load up on fajitasSeriously dancing a jig (and snapping, yikes)
Andrew's Scary Shorts

Good and Evil Halloween

Well, our friends Tiana and AJ threw a "good and evil" themed Halloween party this year. It was smashing. However, I tend to be slightly cheap at Halloween, when it comes to costumes, and I don't get in to the skanky fill-in-the-blank costumes, so sometimes have a hard time. This year was great though! Michelle and I went as "The Night Before (good)" and "The Morning After (bad)." It will obviously take you one look at the picture below to realize I was the bad. Well, I hope you realize that's a costume anyway.

We had so much fun, and on the way over, Andrew decided he wanted a mustache for the party. So we stopped at Party City - THE DAY BEFORE Halloween, fought ALL of the monstrous crowds and wrangled him a mustache. Turns out all you need is a $4 mustache, and you have the best costume ever! It even turned him into a beer-pong player!! However, the best good and evil costume of the evening had to be Brooke and Jason. Brooke came dressed as a lobster, in a costume she designed herself! Jason was the Lobster Fisherman topped off with the wharf hat. Awesome.

Michelle and I ask "Night Before" and "Morning After"Andrew and his mustache and me and my eye make-up
Scott and Michelle - amazing Scott face
Brooke's amazing costume, Andrew, and Jason's Lobster Fisherman
End of the Night Exhaustion

Pumpkin Carving!

On Wednesday Andrew, Michelle and I tackled the task of carving pumpkins. Well, we had a pumpkin for Michelle that turns out was as hard as wood, and since Michelle gets grossed out by the goop, she turned picture documenter of our carving.

Andrew went the free-hand route, well sharpied on pumpkin route, and designed it all in his head. I cheated for a bit, but it was harder than expected, then did a free-handed mouth...didn't turn out as cute as Andrew's. The dogs loved the smell and were really curious about the new jack's in the house. I really appreciate my fantastic husband that goes with my weird whims, such as carving pumpkins on a Wednesday night!

The beginning, yes dogs are on table, but newspaper is below them

Gus interested in the smellsAndrew Free-handing
My cheat sheetHappy CarvingThe jacks in the light
Jacks in the dark

Whew, auction over!

As you know, I am an event planner for BRIT. I have many small fund raising events throughout the year, but I have two HUGE events each year that just about wipe me out. This past Friday was our Fete du Vin Wine Auction and Dinner, and if I do say so myself, it went off splendidly!!

My parents are the most awesome parents a girl could ask for, I think I've mentioned that before in this blog, and they came in on Thursday to help Andrew and I out with our dogs (he was flying a lot Thursday and Friday) and help me set up my auction. I mean really, my parents drove 5 hours to work for me for free. See, awesome. It was great seeing them, and of course Huck and Gus loved having their friend Tucker to run around with.

The day of the auction is spent putting up displays, deciding we don't like the way it looks, taking them down, then re-doing them. Whew...by the time the guests arrive we are ready for a nap. Haha, but this year was just awesome, and I even had a seat to sit and chat with some of my dearest friends. Not to mention try a spot of their wine! ;) I am posting some pictures of the event that my friend Tiana took below for those of you who haven't seen it because you don't travel 5 hours to Fort Worth to work for me for free...which really you should reconsider, I'll give you a bottle of wine. Come on, you know you want to come next year....

The Hallway - when guests arrive it was supposed to feel as though they were entering a vineyard!Oh the yummy cheese display
Tiana, myself and Becca after they modeled designer gowns for us
Terri and Alan, some of our dearest!

P.S. I think Andrew and I will be carving a pumpkin in the coming days...so expect to be blown away by awesome pumpkin pictures. Well, actually, I told Andrew we could download all of these cool designs to carve, to which he responded "no, we'll just do a regular jack-o-lantern." We may be carving two as a competition now! :) Also, it is getting colder, so it is totally acceptable to jam out to Christmas music in my car now...leave me alone.

Oktoberfest

It has officially been over a month since I last posted. Man, I'm not very good at this blog thing!

So, Andrew and I had the fantastic opportunity to go to Munich for the real Oktoberfest at the end of September...what an unbelievable time!! Our dear friend Dick joined us with his friend Mary, and we met up with the Werners and Pinkstons who had been in Italy for the past two weeks. What a crew! If you want to see all of our pictures click here. I guess I'll break it down into days...

Day 1
Andrew and I arrived on a Friday morning, and had about 8 hours to explore the city ourselves. Well, as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and I planned out our 8 hours just as my mother has always done to a "t" for our family vacations! Andrew was a little nervous about the amount of activities I had planned. Turns out, I was pretty over-zealous, and come noon-time, we were both OUT! However, we did enjoy a nice tour around Marienplatz, were able to see the Glockenspeil and really loved walking around the outdoor market! There were so many neat foods, tons of sausage, and wine and beer. It was really fun seeing the culture like that. Munich is just a gorgeous city! Andrew and I did grab a bite to eat around Marienplatz...he picked best and ordered a weinerschnitzel. Oh man, how yummy!!! However, after the tour of Marienplatz and lunch, and with a side a jet lag, we were pooped. We went back to the hotel and rested until the rest of the crazy Americans got into the city. That night Dick, who speaks German and has been to Munich many times, organized a dinner for all of us at his favorite Bavarian restaurant, Spatenhaus. OH. MY. WORD. That food is unbelievable!! I had the goulash, and Andrew had pork knuckle, and there just wasn't much left on our plate. We then took a walking tour around the old city, and Marienplatz, then ended with beers at Augustiner.

Andrew in MarienplatzMe at lunch and with first German beer

Andrew and I at SpatenhausSome of us at Augustiner

Day 2
We woke up ready and raring to go to the tents at Oktoberfest. Andrew and I had run into a couple on the airplane, then in our hotel, who happened to have reserved tables at the fest. Actually at the most popular tent, where they tap the first keg, the Schottenhamel tent. He let us use his name in order to get into the tent...apparently an impossibility on a Saturday. However, every table in the tent was reserved, and you can't get a beer unless you are seated. Well, our friend let us use one of the tables until his other friends got there. We got some big ole' beers, stood on the tables, sang to the oompah band and relished the fun. We hung around a while after being kicked out of our table and danced with some fun friends from Zurich. Andrew loved making friends with everyone. Oktoberfest outside of the tents is a lot like a HUGE fair...Dick and I even rode a ride. Which was probably a mistake as it seemed to last 10 minutes! The ones in the States, if you get on, you ride for 20 seconds, then are ushered off.
After the fest, we went to a little nook the Werners had found and munched and salad and relaxed, so pretty. Then Dick, Mary, Andrew and I went walking and shopping around the city. After freshening up at the hotel, we scooted off to the Hofbrau haus so some beer and laughing at Italians, we happened to be there during Italian week, where all Italians come to Munich for the fest. We then enjoyed a nice dinner at another Bavarian restaurant Dick liked, and then crashed hard!

Andrew and I with our beers in the tent

Our beer maid in the tent

At our resting place...and switching to wine

Mary, Dick, me and Andrew at Dinner

Day 3
On our third and final day, Mary, Dick, Andrew and I went to Schloss Nymphenburg...what a gorgeous castle. King Ludwig built it as one of his four castles, and it had gorgeous rooms, beautiful carraiges and lush grounds that were HUGE. We spent most of the day touring the home and the gardens, it was just perfect. The really neat part is that you don't have to pay to use the grounds, so there were a lot of Germans walking their babies through the grounds, or running or just hanging out. Really cool. After Schloss we went and got an Italian pizza, in honor of Italian week, and rested and looked through our photos. We met up with the Werners and Pinkstons for dinner, as well as two of Dick's German friends. It was a perfect end cap to a phenomenal weekend.

The next morning (yes, I'm throwing day 4 in here b/c it doesn't really count) we woke up at 3 am and headed to the airport. Dick managed to save Andrew and I each a row, so I was able to lay down and sleep on the way back. Andrew and I also caught up on movies, and turns out he like the Proposal just as much as I did! Yay, a fun movie for us to watch on cold nights!!

Andrew and I in front of SchlossAndrew and Dick in forest at Schloss (notice those jackets)Andrew and I on the grounds at Schloss

No One Puts Baby in a Corner

Um, so I came to work today with an adorable little dress...however, getting dressed in the dark makes for some mistakes. There is a hole in back!! What?!?! I think Andrew is going to have to learn to deal with lights in the morning...b/c currently I'll be sitting all day until lunch. Could someone grab me a snack and a water?

On another note, I'm sad about Patrick Swayze's passing. The first movie I ever really loved is Dirty Dancing, and it is a movie I watch almost every time I am sick, cleaning, or just wanting to be mindless. I used to crave that pink dress and shoes she wears at the end of the movie. Anyway, he and his wife have a place that is near my grandparent's cabin in Las Vegas, New Mexico. It is gorgeous! Right when we found out he moved to that ranch at the basin of where you drive to the cabin, it was mayhem! I even have an aunt that rode on the TOP of an Escalade with binoculars in hand as my other aunt drove as slowly as possibly just to get a glimpse of the man. He will be missed. He was a good one.

Also, Andrew and I just got a new computer, so it will take a few days for us to get pictures loaded, so this post will only have one picture...and it is a picture of my family's cabin in NM, wish I were there right now reading a book!!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Is ball-game one word or two? Should I change the title since I don't know? Oh well, I'm rolling with it.

So, anyone who knows Andrew knows that he is a devout Rangers fan. Since this past January he has been touting that "this is their year" to anyone who will listen. As always the Rangers did well up to the all-star break....then, in a shocking turn of events, they actual did well AFTER the all-star break as well. Sidenote: I am not certain it is called the all-star break, I am a football fan, not a baseball fan.

Well, we had the good fortune of getting some incredible tickets from one of his flight students...we were two rows behind home plate! It was great to watch Andrew and Christian, as they both LOVE those Rangers...and Brooke and I enjoyed $1 hot dog night. Such a great Wednesday...and to top it off, the Rangers won!

Andrew and Christian at the Cuervo Club

Brooke and I at Cuervo Club with field behind us
Andrew and Chris from our seats
The hubs and I during 7th inning stretch

I'll Tumble For Ya

Mmmmmm Fall! I can seriously feel it coming...we are down to 94 as opposed to 104 for about a week now. I love when the leaves tumble down, it is my dream to go to the North East during fall to see all of the leaves turning. I'm hoping that my mom and I take a trip to do that someday, b/c she has also said she wants to do this since I was about 15.

Anyway, I had to go to Garden Ridge yesterday to grab some stuff for a work event...they are setting up for Christmas already!!! The early set up just about kills Andrew, as he could take or leave Christmas (I think mainly take or leave the pressure of gift purchasing...which has now dwindled for him as I take care of all the gifts for his family as well, and he only has to purchase gifts for me). However, the Christmas trees just about sent me into a tizzy! I cannot wait until it is socially acceptable to have Christmas music playing in my car when people get in!

One of my favorite parts about fall, and I'm not kidding, are the candle scents! Seriously...I could blow a ton of money on fall candles. I don't love scented candles most other times of year...but if it says cinnamon, pumpkin, or dead leaves (who knows, they could make one) I am SO in! Maybe that's a Christmas gift hint for Andrew...or rather birthday hint since that is November. Maybe that's a little bit why I like fall too...I love my birthday, I look forward to it like I'm 5 every year and pretty sure I won't care if I'm turning 100, as long as it means I get to have a birthday party and CAKE!

Such a pretty picture of fall....

Oh Heavens!

Well, I knew it would happen, I am already lapsing on my blogging! Yikes! There are many things going on that have updates...but I don't have the pictures just yet. As a tease...I helped one of my dearest friends, Whitney, take pictures for one of the coolest couples, Keri and David, at their wedding this weekend. Whitney is the talent, I was just there in case her flash didn't work and we needed to use mine. I borrowed her bf's Nikon d90, I think that is impressive to photographers, and shot away...mind you, never leaving the "automatic" position. When Whit has gone through them, I'll post some on here as well. On another note about the fantastic Whit-Bit...her 27th bday was Friday, and she drove in to FW for the wedding...so Andrew and I took her out in style. Our first try was for sushi and martini's, around the corner from our place so if stumbling home was necessary we were well equipped, but the ridiculous line thwarted us, and off to Mi Cocina and their fabulous margaritas we went. Here is a picture of the lovely bday girl!

Sunday was also Andrew's first overnight flight! Yay! He flew to Omaha and returns today...he is so cool!

Another fun thing that happened this weekend...my parents called me Sunday after church and asked if I had plans for Sunday night. They surprised me and drove to Fort Worth for the night!! Really I think they were just bringing their dog Tucker for a 300 mile play-date, but whatever.

Also, Michelle let me know that everyone can't comment on the blog...I think I fixed it. So now I am expecting some UNBELIEVABLE comments from ALL of you. You can't see, but I'm giving the "stink eye" to those who refuse to comment.

I'll be back later with a more excited post that also includes pictures.

Marnie and Thomas are Hitched!

Hurrah! Hurrah! The day finally came! Ever since Thomas called us in January saying he was proposing to Marnie, and we had the privilege of hosting a little engagement congrats at our house, I have been looking forward to seeing my beautiful sister-in-law and Thomas' wedding.
Marnie is such a sweet spirit, and I really have come to drop the "in-law" after sister when I think of her, and Thomas has such a gentle soul, but can be absolutely hilarious and surprising. They had a fun rehearsal dinner at Grump's burgers in Granbury, and it reminded Andrew and I of our rehearsal dinner at our favorite burger joint Dutch's (seriously, if you live in Fort Worth, go there - it is half priced burgers on Tuesdays). There were funny stories and speeches all around.

Marnie and Thomas at Grump's
Andrew and I at Grumps

Mouth Watering Fries

The wedding day was great - Andrew was able to golf with the guys that morning, and I was able to hang out with my parents (a SUPER added bonus). For those of you who don't know, I'm ridiculously close to my parents, hate that we live 4-5 hours away, so I love when they get to come down or we get to go up. We even braved the dog park with our two dogs and my parent's dog...good times. Anyway, we got the wedding and it was so great. Thomas and Marnie have waited 9 years for this day...so it is no wonder there was a ton of crying going on! I didn't cry, but that was b/c we had a person sitting next to us with one of those wind up cameras who insisted on taking quite a few pictures, and I was trying not to laugh at that.

Happy Couple RIGHT after the ceremony

The reception was great - that is where my husband's dancing shines! The Heffley's got Llano wine, for those that don't know, that's my family, so that was so sweet that we got to drink that at the wedding. Everytime Andrew and I get ready to leave for a wedding he notes - I will not dance too much at this one, and despite that he is almost always shakin it the entire time on the dance floor. This time was NO different! I love that I married a dancer...and a great one at that. One of the incredibly generous things that happened at the wedding, which backs up my Marnie and Thomas are the sweetest comments, is that half-way through the reception they announced that Andrew and I had just had our first anniversary, then proceeded to play the song we danced to as our first dance, Van Morrison's These Are the Days. Isn't that nice?!

My fabulous parents and I at the wedding

Anyway, it was a great wedding, we had a BLAST with Andrew's cousins, and on the dance floor. Andrew's cousins (I use the term loosely as they call their 100th cousin 5th removed simply "cousin") and their husbands have become great friends to us, and we hung out all night. Coincidentally we were also the most popular table, as we did bring in some reinforcements...but since the Bride, Groom and all attendants partook in our *water* bottle, we figure we're forgiven!
If you would like to see all of the pictures from the wedding and rehearsal you can click here.

The "cousins" and troublemakersSome odd dancing begins with Travis and Jason

Andrew's building up to something great!