More travels!

This last week Jay and I spent a relaxing 5 days in South Padre with his parents.  It was super relaxing and just what we needed.  Time away from work, stress and great beach weather perfect for laying, reading and napping.  Here are a few quick photos from our trip.

 Aye matees!  A fun restaurant called Pirates Landing.

Jay and I rented an electric scooter one morning and explored the island.  And yes, we are wearing bicycle helmets, too funny!   

Jay and Darrell enjoying the waves. 

We enjoyed the first half of the Texas ATM game... we all know how the second half went. 

Our last night in Padre... the wind was crazy thus the crazy hair. 

My wonderful in-laws... we had a great vacation and look forward to many more trips to come. 

Beautiful sunset! 

Tomorrow it is back to work... But the good news is we are headed to Dallas this weekend for the Texas State Fair and the Texas A&M.  Fried food... we hear you calling us! :)

House updates

Over Labor Day weekend we added two new toys to our house; lights in our kitchen dining area and our formal dining room!  We have waited for both of these chandelier for over a month... I have been exercising patience and now they are installed and we LOVE them!

Old light in kitchen dining area...

Old light in formal dining area...

The installation process!

We couldn't have done it with out Dan!

Finished product in the kitchen...

The finished product in our formal dining room!  It goes with our table perfectly!

More house updates soon... just waiting for the couch we ordered to be delivered!!!  

Happy Wednesday!

Trip to Maryland

This past week I enjoyed a relaxing trip to visit my grandparents in Maryland and enjoyed some great beach weather with my family!  Sadly, Jay wasn't able to make the trip, so it definitely wasn't the same without him, and I look forward to him joining us the next time we make the trip to the eastern shore.

Trip recap:

Tuesday - I flew in late Tuesday evening
Wednesday - Perfect beach day!  83 was the high and there was a steady wind all day!
Thursday - We woke up super early for a day of fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.  This was my first serious time to fish.  I mean... I have been fishing before, but nothing like this.  We cruised out an hour as the sun rose and caught out limit by 9:30 a.m.  Then we headed back in and stopped by and visited family on our way back to the beach.
Friday - Cold front came through Thursday night so Friday was COLD... the high was 50 something... I was soooo not used to that weather!  But it was nice and we did enjoy it.  We spent most of the day relaxing in the condo and hanging out with family.  That evening we drove to this amazing restaurant one hour and a half away called Suicide Bridge and celebrated my Poppop's (that is what i call my grandfather) 88th birthday!  We had a blast... even though we were in the car forever!!!
Saturday - Packed up the condo and headed to my grandparents house.  More visiting family and friends and a little shopping with my mom.
Sunday - Woke up super early and caught my flight home to see my love...

Also, on Friday while we were visiting my great uncle he let each of us pick out a painting for us to take.  This was his give to Jay and me for our wedding gift.  There were over 80 or so painting to choose and they were all so beautiful.  Some were impressions, others were scenic, and the one I choose was a replica of Van Gogh's Bedroom in Aries.  What do you think?

This is the original Van Gogh's Bedroom in Aries

This is an original from Jacque, my great uncles dear friend who passed away a few years ago.

It was a great trip with my family!  Here are a few photos from the trip!

Happy Monday!

Jennifer and I right after we boarded the boat... it was super early... can you tell.

Dad and I on ride out to our fishing site.

The first catch of the day... Dad was the lucky fisherman! 

My big catch of the day!!!

Jennifer big catch!  10 seconds before I took this photo she dropped it right on the floor,  it was hilarious! 

 Poppop and me relaxing on the boat!

Dan caught the biggest and last fish of the day! 

All of us after our day of fishing!

Jennifer and I on the step in front of Mommom & Poppop's house.

Me and Poppop... the birthday boy!  Happy 88th Birthday Poppop! 

Jennifer & Mommom.

Mom & Dad!

All of us after dinner at Suicide Bridge. 

The beautiful view from the condo.

Where were you?

Ten years ago our world changed forever... the way we travel, our global economy, politics, the way we honor and respect our public safety heros, and so many other things... too many to mention.  So as I remember the horrible attacks on our country I think back to where I was and what I was doing...

It was a normal Tuesday morning at The Woodlands High School my senior year until I heard from friends a plane crashed in to the World Trade Centers in NY in-between first and second period.  I was on my way to Spanish class and when I walked in the room our teacher already had the TV on and a handful of students were helping her adjust the rabbit ears to get a more clear photo.  The rest of Spanish class that day all eyes were glued to the TV... well all but two of my classmates... the two had their heads down on their desks and I later found out that both of their parents were in the US Air Force and were called to immediate duty and were on their way to Washington D.C.

The rest of the day I remember my teachers trying to get back to teaching, but some either had the TV on or radio reporting news from the days events.  After school I remember they cancelled all after school practices, so golf was cancelled, but I still went to work.  I worked at a local day care in the 2 year-olds room.  Most of the kids in my class were gone before I got there... their parents came and pick them up early so it was a slow afternoon.  I remember the rest of the week we were glued to the TV in shock.

Being that the 10th Anniversary of 9-11-01 is tomorrow, I have found myself thinking how I will remember this history that changed our world and how I will continue to share my store of where I was... and how I will honor those who lost their lives that day.  So... where were you... and how will you remember?

Lastly, Jay sent me this article link earlier this week, and I thought I would forward it on... it is so interesting to see how the events on 9-11 have impacted the last 10 years in ways never expected.

After 9/11: 50 dates that quietly changed America

Happy 30th Birthday Jennifer!

Today is wonderful sisters 30th birthday!!!  We celebrated this weekend with a fun surprise party.  She was so shocked, it was great!  I love surprises, but get so nervous something might go wrong... we were lucky everything feel into place and worked our perfectly... no need to be worried... I know!

We are celebrating her actual birthday tonight so I will post more photos shortly!

Happy Birthday Jennifer!  I love you very much and am so blessed to have a big sister like you!

And the next Bachelor is...

 Ben Flajnik Is the Next Bachelor!

news via People.com

The rumors were true: Ben Flajnik is officially the next star of The Bachelor. 

As PEOPLE reportedin August, the 28-year-old Sonoma winemaker, who famously had his proposal rejected by Ashley Hebert on the most recent season finale of The Bachelorette, will star in the next season of ABC's The Bachelor. 

Flajnik, who confessed during his proposal that, "Every second I spend with you makes me fall deeper in love with you. I want to thank you for allowing me to feel completely and utterly vulnerable and open with you," is described as a "Renaissance man" in his bio. 

He attended the University of Arizona, majoring in music production with a minor in business. After his father – to whom he was very close – died in 2007, he moved back to Northern California, where plans to stay for the foreseeable future. 

Note to contestants looking to nab him: He's a fan of outdoor hobbies, including crab fishing, sailing, golf, skate boarding and surfing. Better be a pet lover, too – Flajnik shares his home with a Jack Russell terrier, Scotch. 

The next season is due to begin in January. In the meantime, catch a glimpse of Flajnik as he makes an appearance during the season finale ofBachelor Pad on Sept. 12.