Big day!

It has been a big day for Carmen. After 8 years, she can finally hang out with her dad like a normal 11 year old. Here's to lots of catching up and second chances. 

Welcome home RD!!

Water Dog

Hudson has been taking swim lessons all summer. As most of you know, we are a family full of lifeguards. Some might think we are crazy, but we believe the sooner they are in the water the better. And that does not mean just splashing around...it means going under. Here is a photo of Hudson underwater during his swim lesson this week. He knows how to hold his breath, but has not figured out to shut his eyes. ;) 

On another note, I am so homesick. I have not been home since Christmas. Thankfully, my whole family is coming out in July and we are headed back east in August. I don't know that I can wait that long....

3

 Today we celebrated our 3rd Anniversary. I can't believe how time flies when you are having fun! ;) It has been an amazing day! We had a lovely dinner, exchanged gifts and cards.

It is a tradition, every year, to read from our "anniversary" book we got from The Scotts (Ed and Marge). It is one of our favorite gifts we received from our wedding. It sits on our bookshelf year around. Naturally, I am dying to read ALL of the "gifts/quotes" for the years to come, but I must wait. Here is what it says about the 3rd anniversary.

First paragraph, last line...."whenever you're right, shut up!" Brian take the hint....

Brian is so good about following by the book. Me? Not so much.

I got 2 new black leather "clutch" purses. He out did himself this year. 

After Brian returned from his work trip in the Turks and Caicos ( lets all take a moment and feel sorry for him...) he claimed he was on a "crash diet". I got him a months worth of personal training to help him jump start his weight loss goal. ;)  

The best part of the day was Brian lip-syncing and dancing in the kitchen to "What makes you beautiful". He learned all the words. The 3rd time around he finally got it right! ;) 

There is never a dull moment in this house....and I like it that way.

Here is to many more anniversaries!

My BFF is moving to Denver. I am very, very sad. But, I know they will be so happy up in the mountains. We hosted a little get together for them this eveing! Unlike my mom, I am not a great cook. But thankfully, I am a genius and ordered Qdoba catering! ;)  Here are a few photos I snapped through out the night. 

 

 Allie, Tia, Maggie and Karla

We had a great crowd!!!

We celebrated with Tia's famous  raspberry chocolate brownie mousse cup. This is one of my favorite desserts she makes. Naturally, she had to make something for her own party. This is affecting my life too. This was more a Gonsior goodbye/pity party for Amanda. 

The big boy had some friends over too.

Just hold hands, already! 

We had a little girl talk on the bed.

Frames and Pictures! We had fun with these. I made all the guest take a picture with the frame above with a Polaroid camera and then write a little note for Zac and Tia.

This was supposed to be a serious face picture (Tia's idea). Clearly, we both failed on the "serious" part. 

I knew this time would come and it's as hard as I imagined it would be. Zac, Tia and Logan are our "okc family" we will miss them dearly. Thankfully, we are going out in September and November. I am terrible at "good-byes". When I go home, I deliberately do not say it to my family. I am way too emotional. This is no different. My heart aches and they are not even gone yet. 

 I will end it with this... I am so thankful for the day I dripped sweat into Tia's mouth, while spotting her in our workout class (True story...you can't make that up!). It was extremely embarrassing, but surprisingly sparked a true friendship! We love you, we will miss you and your cupcakes!! :)

Until next time...

Atlanta

This past weekend we headed down to Atlanta for Lehne and Drew's Wedding. 

Clearly, Brian had to make some type of statement with his facial hair.

It was so nice to see Tess, Lehne's roommate from UK, she is just as sweet as EVER! It was also nice to hear a "country" accent beside my own. ;)

After an early flight to Atlanta, Brian decided he probably needed some coffee. Only, he ordered a latte. Same thing, right?

We walked around the Chattahoochee River.  

                                             

Looking good in his suit!

                                               

I think we clean up rather nicely. 

Mr. and Mrs. Drew George during their first dance.

The maid of honor "Iced" the groom.

And to the brides surprise...she got "Iced" too!

Congrats Lehne! (I hate this photo of me, but it is the only one we got with the bride. So, I am taking one for the team.)

Made some new friends at the wedding!

Brian and Talley (Lehne's sister)

It was a short trip, but lots of fun. We visited the World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Park and had lunch at Varsity (a staple restaurant in atlanta). We scored some awesome ski pants for Brian at REI and I got to walk through the Container store. All in all, a great trip! 

Giveaway

My sister is having a little "giveaway" this Friday. Check out her blog for details.

New "Blue" Orleans

Brian and I made a last minute decision to go to the Final Four. We booked our hotel room, purchased our tickets on Friday morning and headed out a few hours later. The joys of being able to "drop and go" at a moments notice.

 

 I'm not sure if we were more excited to see this little guy or watch the ball games ;)

Check out that smirk!!!

We had oysters at Drago's. They are as nasty as I expected them to be. Why do I let people convince me to try things?  But Brian and Ben really liked the charbroiled oysters.

Here we all are before the big rival game against Louisville!

 Our "last" minute ticket purchase got us 4 rows from the back of the dome.

Note: it holds 75,000 people.

But not to worry, we managed to get into a suite for Saturday nights game.

Holla!!!

Mikki and I in the FedEx suite.

Brian and I took the Street Car into the French Quarter. The homes are beautiful on St. Charles.

It would not be a trip to NOLA if we did not visit Bourbon Street. We managed to stop for a few drinks along the strip. 

...and show some skin for some beads.

I "helped" Jen out and got her some beads.... ;) (if you got them, flaunt them....or that is what they tell me...)

 Waiting in line (45 minutes) for the famous beignets (French donuts) from Cafe du Monde.

 While I would like to say we were "strolling hand in hand through the French quarter, we stumbled upon a UK pep rally", that would be a lie. I was a hot sweaty mess (I had to wear black in order to not show sweat.).  There is nothing romantic about  having sweat run down every crack and crevasse on your body.  None the less, I sweated and cheered on our cats!

 Here we are standing in front of St. Louis Cathedral 

What a little trooper Sam was on our trip. Here he is getting some aunt and uncle time and listening to his new favorite band, The Avett Brothers.

 Brian and Sam

We decided it was necessary for an evening treat of beignets, on the river, while listening to Jimmy Buffett's free concert.

One of Brian's co-workers, who is from the area, recommended "Mothers". It was by far the best meal we had in NOLA.

Here is a picture of the Po'Boy Brian and I shared. It is their Famous Ferdi Special. It has pot roast debris, roast beef, ham, gravy, cabbage, mayo, Creole mustard and pickles. Is your mouth watering? Because mine is...

Although you cannot tell, I have changed out of my sweaty shirt and put on my Kentucky shirt for the Championship game! (This is right before a huge thunderstorm.)

We won!!!

So happy to experience a national championship victory. 

I insisted that Jen and Ben take a photo together after the big win. Jen holding up a #1 and Ben #2 he did not seem to see the humor....I did! HAA.  All joking aside, Ben was calm and he knew who the best team was this year (and every year) ;)!!! Great run Kansas, but better luck next or...or maybe not! 

CHAMPIONS! 

"Fear the brow"

What an AMAZING trip. So thankful we were able to go and spend time with family and see the CATS big win.