Saturday, May 22, 2010

may 22, 2009

One year ago today we were....


arriving at our rehearsal,

giving a pep talk to our littlest bridal party members,

practicing walking down the aisle,

hugging those we love,

listening to beautiful toasts,

{and attempting to give a few!}

eating delicious barbecue,

laughing with friends and family, 

enjoying the company of many friends and loved ones.

Kyle and I were truly blessed with an amazing rehearsal evening last May. I know it isn't an anniversary that people typically celebrate, but it is a day that I will always remember fondly. We are blessed with amazing family and friends and it was a true joy to spend that evening with them!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

another birthday post.

Kyle's birthday was not the only one that we celebrated during our Texas trip. My sweet little cousin celebrated her first birthday while we were home. 

Sarah Jane's sweet cake

My cousin Madison and I helped the birthday girl perfect her walking skills (crazy that I can remember doing the same thing with Madison when she was little!)

It only *looks* like she is trying to get away from me. In reality she was just distracted with a leaf. Yes, she loves to play with leaves. Ah, the simplicity of being a kid!

Sarah Jane LOVES her swing! We had some good girl talk while the grown-ups were inside at the party. How cute is her hat?!

And just because it's precious... take a look at sweet Sarah last May

Monday, May 17, 2010

24.

Kyle turned 24 way back in March. The two of us (well, three if you count the pup) were able to spend a few weeks in Texas thanks to Kyle's spring break and a conference that he attended in Dallas. 

As soon as I realized that his birthday was going to overlap with our time at home, I set to work planning a party for him. We both miss our TX friends so much and I knew he would love an opportunity to get a bunch of his friends together. I also knew he would never in a million years ask for a party so I stepped in! He had mentioned before that he has never had a surprise party so I took things into my own hands. 

We had the party at my parent's house a few days before his actual birthday.  I was so busy playing hostess that I don't have any pictures of the guests, but we had such a great time getting to see good friends and celebrate my fabulous husband!

I took the party planning as an opportunity to get crafty!  This is the banner that I made... I love how it turned out!

These are a few of the snacks I made. The biggest hit were the crab-bacon rolls that I made from my El Paso cookbook and Pioneer Woman's BBQ jalapeno poppers. Both were easy (but time consuming!)  and can be made ahead of time... perfect for parties with lots of 20something boys!

The other food table. Kyle's parents supplied some yummy chicken wings, I made PW's roasted corn salsa and my dad made a delicious BBQ macaroni. We had LOTS of amazing food!

The fabulous Jessie from Edible Designs by Jessie made Kyle's yummy birthday cake. She also made our wedding cakes and is making Jenn and Jason's cakes. I highly recommend her for special occasions!

A little blurry, but the birthday boy and hostess with the cake.





Tucker had a great time at the party but our little guy was EXHAUSTED from the fun!
 

And of course, a family picture on Kyle's actual birthday

Thanks so everyone who celebrated with us as well as to my parents and Kyle's family! They were all SO helpful with all of the planning (and cooking and cleaning!)

Monday, May 3, 2010

surprise!

Well hello there strangers! I am sure that you had all just about given up on me ever writing here again. I don't really have a good excuse for my absence, but I will do my best to not let it happen again. I have LOTS to update all of you on, but I'm going to start with the most recent blog-worthy experience, Trent and Andrea's wedding!

I flew home to Texas last Friday so that I could be in Houston for the big day. My graduate student wasn't able to join me because of finals and although I missed him dearly, I was able to have some wonderful time catching up with some of my sweet friends. 

Andrea was an absolutely beautiful bride and I am so thankful that I was able to watch her marry Trent. They are honeymooning in Napa right now and I hope they are enjoying every minute of being newlyweds!

Now for a few pics...

Kels, moi and Meredith.  We raced to the reception to get a good table and do some picture taking. It was such a treat to spend time with these two again!
 
 


Holick roomies with the stunning bride. We have quite a collection of these pictures from weddings!

After the reception a few of us decided that we just weren't ready to go our separate ways. The reception was just down the street from Escalante's so we headed over there for a little after party. Our waiter was kind enough to bring Charlie this fancy calculator for figuring out our bills...


My Texas weekend was quick but very worth the effort. I cannot put into words how wonderful it was to be around such wonderful friends again. It was great to hear about everyone's adventures lately, to hear familiar voices, dance with my girlfriends and laugh about old stories. I am incredibly happy that I was able to be a part of the day.

That's all for tonight friends! I promise to be back very soon with pictures from Easter, a first birthday, a 24th birthday and the long-awaited pictures from my weekend in Miami!