It's the most WONDERFUL time of the year!

My favorite things about this time of year...

 Snow! Real or not, snow has a magical way of transforming the world into a winter wonderland, and making me feel like a kid again
...not that i'm really a grown up or anything. :)
Snow is also an essential part of our yearly tradition of going
skiing which is kinda the best thing ever!

  

Baking! I love filling my home with wonderful smells and getting 

to share delicious treats with friends. 

Christmas Parties! ...Like we need an excuse for a party. :) This year's gift exchange was a My Favorite Things party, and it was a hit! 

 Putting lights on my house!  Our street really gets into it,

and I just love coming home in the evenings!

Christmas Trees! I really love how everybody's tree is so unique. Our tree is full of snowflakes and ornaments from different places we've skied or visited, and ones that remind us of special memories. 

Christmas Cards! A big fave in our house and the only time of year 

we fight over who gets to check the mailbox. Haha! :) 

 Hot Chocolate! The perfect beverage while wrapping presents, watching Christmas movies, listening to/singing carols and absolutely okay to drink every evening after dinner. :)

Looking at all the lights! My siblings and I used to count all the houses 

with lights when we were little. :) Love the trees at this house!

Christmas Presents! It is so fun to give gifts, and I love the way they look all piled under a tree. I'm not gonna lie, I do get excited about picking out paper and ribbon to make them all coordinate! Haha!

Lake Texoma Weekend

We had a Family weekend at Lake Texoma this April. We specifically got together to spend some time with Sara, our Marine, before she leaves the country.  Check out my dad's blog for full details on what she's up to. We had a really great time out on the water, playing scrabble, making s'mores and just being together.

Me, Becs and Lucas headed to the water. 

Jonathan, enjoying the boat before it's even in the water. Haha!

Me & my Sara. So proud of her.

Me & brother with our awesome boat hair.

The girls by the camp fire. <3

Our very own Eagle Scout gettin' the fire going.

We found this rock and he became our pet. HEEEEEYYYYYY!!!
What was his name again?

Fun in the sun!

I love my family! 

We did miss our Daddy, but it was great to meet 

Sara's man-friend Murphy. :)

Can't wait till next time!

Harding RoadTrip

Took a trip with my "little" brother this Spring to check out Harding University.

I was so glad that I got to go with him because we got to hang out a lot and he's pretty awesome! He is ten years younger than I, but I look up to him in many ways. One being that he is 6'3" and I have to look up to talk to him. :P

Jonathan in his power stance. I really have no idea what this pose is. I just said smile and this happened. hahaha

My most favorite brother in the world! 

Daddy came too and we got to tour the campus and hear about all the fun times when he was a student there, and all the new buildings, 

and the sidewalks, and grass.... hahaha 

I love my Daddy!

 This was absolutely my favorite thing that happened while we were in Searcy. After Jonathan's events were completed for the day, the three of us strolled over to the track where there was a small meet going on. Of course, we stopped to watch the girls vaulting... I was a pretty stellar pole vaulter back in the day if you weren't aware ;)... and were reminiscing when who walked up and put his arm around my shoulders but COACH BRISTO! He was my high-school track coach and one of my most favorite people ever! I lost it (surprise, surprise). It was just too crazy and perfect and weird! It was fun to catch up, and I gotta give a shout out to the awesome OCS girls and boys track team for taking STATE this year! So proud CONGRATS!

I can't say I'm not jealous. :)  

Best Coach ever!
 Kinda like Coach Taylor from Friday Night Lights...
tough, but genuinely cares and makes you wanna be better.

 I just had to add this pic for my Chris Lee's benefit.

He makes fun of me because I never know where to look when we take a pic with the iPhone (when the screen is facing you). It's just hard sometimes, especially if you're the one taking the pic. Too many things to think about. Anyway this is a prime example! Haha!

At least I look really happy about that sno cone! 

Jonathan totally showed me up by nailing that photo. Doh!

Y'all keep an eye out for this boy. He's an up and coming star! He can sing, dance, act, and has such an incredible gift for completely drawing you into his performance. God has given you a fantastic talent Jonathan. I'm praying for you and all the big choices and awesome opportunities you will have!

Love you brother!!!

Florida in February

In February we took some vacation days and here's what we did...

First stop was a trip to Abilene for ACU's SingSong, seeing friends, 

and staying with Becs and Lucas.

Puppy cousins! Heidi, Kirker & Kody

Dinner at Lytle with some awesome people.
Shelbi, Candice, Becca, Lucas, Chris, Preston & me

After the weekend in Abilene, we spent a few days in Arlington with our famiLEE!

Waiting for the train to downtown Dallas to go to a Mavs game.

Sweet friends, world travelers, and event planners extraodinaire!  :)
Check out Shelbi's blog!

 This next photo is one of the greatest things you will ever see on this blog...

Christopher is giving a big thumbs up for our new banner in the AAC!!! GO MAVS!!!

We couldn't leave town without seeing John & Carrie. Love them!

On Wednesday morning we went Love Field to make the flight to Florida. We were going because one of Christopher's friends from Med. School was getting married. As we boarded the plane we were greeted by Jordan (groom) and Sarah (bride) and all the family! It was one of the most memorable flights. When the crew found out we were headed to FL to get those two married they made the big announcement to the whole plane, started throwing napkins in celebrations, passed out free drinks and pranked us all by pretending to trip and dump hot coffee on us (the cups were all empty). I have never laughed so much on a plane! It was such a great week and a gorgeous wedding!
I had so much fun I didn't even take pictures! Haha! 

I did get a couple of us enjoying the beach....

The water was chilly!!

Showing off my seashell! 

It was a great vacation. We came back exhausted. :)

My Valentine

a romantical poem for my man-friend

The lovers meet:
We met on the top of a slope, 

In that wonderful town of Steamboat.

You were impressed with my skills

as I flew down those hills

in my pink hat and puffy blue coat.

Our first date:

 You wanted to take me to lunch,

but I called to re-schedule a bunch.

You tried (gracefully) to bow out

Until you heard me shout

No, no! I really would like to go on a date! I just keep getting my schedule confused because it's the beginning of the semester and such! :)

We continue to date:

I remember our first kiss in your old house on Grape.

Then my semester abroad where I ate a crepe

Formals, Welcome Weeks, Sing-Song

In a place we will always belong

We made it through under-grad in good shape.

We still continue to date (long-distance this time):
In grad school we had much to ponder.
And had to be apart how much longer?
Hating Sunday good-byes,
And having occasional phone-cries
We learned to listen, and that made us stronger.

He proposes!
Oh that wonderful day, October five!
When you popped the question I never felt so alive.
So nervous and sweet
Oh, how our hearts beat
I just knew that together we'd thrive.

Happily Ever After:
The wedding, a party, the best we could plan!
The outcome, a marriage to last a life-span!
And now we're together
Best friends forever
I love you my husband, my man!

Happy Valentines Day
to the most incredible man in the world!
I am so proud of you and so very thankful to be your wife.
I love you the mostest! :)

Super Sunday XLVI

We had a little football shin-dig last Sunday to watch all those awesome Super-Bowl commercials! ;) A bunch of friends came over, there was a ton of food and we had so much fun! Of course I've been excited about this party for a while and had a blast decorating and planning!

top left: I thought it would be clever to put a play on our wall. It was the topic of much controversy and conversation...Love that!!, top right: referee garland,  bottom left: homemade table cloth (felt, stencils and paint), bottom right: I purchased this frame at Hobby Lobby. It's definitely a piece that can be used again!

Referee cupcakes, Goal Post taquitos, Meathead meatballs, The Chains cheese sticks, Caramel corn & Party Mix, Pigskins in a Blanket, and "You've been sacked" party favors. Yummy!

A delicious spread! Friends also brought veggies, queso, cake, and some fantastic Mexican Brownies!

Notice the men sitting around the TV and the women chatting around the table! Hah!

Beautiful (and handsome) friends!!
Lauren, Jenny and Jude

Chris and Chris
Which one's which?!? :)

The gentlemen: David, Josh, Jeffery, Aaron, Hunter and Caleb

The ladies: Miss Hailey, Autumn, Lindsay, and Cristy

Sweet girls
Bethany and Shelby

The Falls (I think Kirker wants to be adopted)

Super fun betting game board. Buy a square for $1 and if the final scores end in the #s you picked - you win!! Nobody pick 1:7 so the closest squares won
Congrats Lindsay and Hunter!!!

I was there too...Supporting my Cowboys!! Haha!

Hope you enjoyed this post!