"Yeah Mon"

I've really been a blogging-slacker, and as a result, this post is more than a month late...but nevertheless here it is! In mid June my aunt Debra, cousin Kelley, mom, and I took a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica to celebrate Kelley's 21st birthday (a few years late, she's turning 23 tomorrow). After a rough start including a forgotten bag, forgotten driver's liscense, and a six hour layover in the Atlanta airport, we had a wonderful time, relaxing on the beautiful beaches, just soaking up the sun! It was a great trip, and I've got pictures to prove it! ;)

Mom and I, finally on the plane to Jamaica!

Kelley and I on the beach, the water was crystal clear and so warm!

Have I mentioned the relaxing part??

I couldn't resist...love you, babe!

Day at the beach, drinks in hand...

One of the days we went on a trip inland to zipline through the jungle, and tube down a river. It was so much fun...I definitely want to do this again!

Getting in the harness...

All of us ready to go!

Can you tell we're excited?

Getting hooked up to the line...

And I'm off...

Can you believe how big the bamboo is? I look so tiny next to it!

Me and mom on our last night. We ate at an Italian themed restaurant at the resort, and we all agreed it was by far the best food of the whole trip!

Sad to be leaving :(

Thank you so much, Debra and Kelley, for inviting us to go with you! It was such a great trip and we had so much fun with you! :)

Emily Update

My parents and I recently returned from a trip to Houston to visit Ben, Andrea, and Emily! We took lots of pictures while we were there, so I thought I'd share a few. Little Emmy has grown SO much! She is such a precious, happy baby, and we love getting to be around her! (Oh, and Ben and Andrea, too! ;) )

Pretty in Brown

Whoa, what was that?!?

I love her many facial expressions!

This girl is destined to be an Aggie...already giving the Gig 'Em!

Just so content with her Mem..

Happy girl

Nap time! I love that she sleeps like this...

Emily loves her bath time too...

One day she will really not like me for this, but I can't resist....

after the bath...

Mom (Mem) and Emmy B!

Of course we couldn't visit Houston without eating some good south Texas Mexican food!

Thanks for letting us visit...we had a great time with all of you!

I'll Try Not to Make This Too Mushy...

...but I make no promises! ;)

Happy 1st Anniversary!!!

One year ago today, I was lucky enough to marry my best friend! We've really had an amazing year, full of God's blessings and trials, and while times in a marriage aren't always perfect, we've made a habit of coming out better and always together on the other side. I really wouldn't trade a single moment of our lives together, even the hard ones have helped shape our love for one another. We've learned so much from each other in the past year, and we have grown together in a way I never knew was possible. I know this is cliche to say, but I truly am even more in love with Chris today than I was a year ago, and it brings me such joy to know that my love for him will continue to grow and evolve in our future years together. Chris has far exceeded any dream or desire I've ever had for what my husband would be like. Not only is he a wonderful provider and leader, he takes such care of my heart, ever attentive and considerate of my feelings and needs. He has a knack for keeping me on my toes and laughing constantly...even from thousands of miles away, he can always make me smile! My only hope is that I am able to give him the same selfless love and care that he has given me. My cup overflows!! :)

Here are some pictures from the wedding...it's hard to believe it was a whole year ago!

 

 

 

I think this picture serves as a perfect description of us...goofy and always ready to have a good time! :)

We would really like to express our utmost appreciation to the many family and friends who have prayed for us and our marriage. Those prayers have truly been felt every step of the way! God has blessed us in so many ways in just this first year of our lives together, and I know He will continue to bless and take care of us through many more years to come.

Celebrating "Early"

Given Chris's deployment to Afghanistan, we knew we would not be able to uphold the tradition of eating the top layer of our wedding cake on our first anniversary. So instead, we decided to have it on the one year anniversary of our engagement, which happens to be New Years Eve. I really had low expectations for what the cake would look or taste like after having traveled in a melty ice chest across half of the US in the middle of June...

but it was actually still in pretty good shape...

(I kept the sugar flowers on my kitchen counter until we moved out...they were still so pretty I couldn't bring myself to throw them away!)

and it was still really good!

We ended up eating the whole thing over the next week!

Wow, has this year flown by! It literally seems like just a few weeks ago we were moving into our house on Camp Pendleton, painting the walls, decorating, and adding our own touches to our first home together. What a difference one year can make. We are eagerly looking forward to what God has planned in the many years of our marriage still to come!

What Happens in Vegas...Goes on the Blog!

After spending a little less than a week in Texas with our family, we flew back to California for our last two weeks together before Chris deployed. The next day we took off again...this time for Las Vegas! It's only about a 5 hour drive from where we lived in California, so we took advantage and had a quick mini-vacation. We visited several different casinos (mostly playing video blackjack...our favorite), enjoyed the nightlife, and saw Blue Man Group one night. We both would really recommend seeing Blue Man Group to anyone going to Vegas...very entertaining!! I was only asked for my ID in one casino...the guy thought I was still in high school :( Oh well...I'm told I'll appreciate it when I'm older! We didn't walk away with any money, but we had a really good time getting away and just spending time with each other!
Here's some pictures of our first visit to Vegas...

In front of the Venetian

Gondola Ride

With the Eiffel Tower

After seeing Blue Man Group

Night out in Vegas

When we left, we decided to make a stop at the Hoover Dam on our way home. It was only about 30 minutes away and we were glad we took advantage! Neither of us had ever been and we were both just amazed!

We were very blessed to be able to get away together before Chris deployed! We made some great memories and I can't wait for him to come home so we can make many more!

Playing Catch-Up

I know I promised to blog about mine and Chris's pre-deployment leave trip to Texas and mini-vacation to Las Vegas, so in order to catch up quickly I'm writing a short synopsis of each in a couple of quick posts. I'll do my best to keep them under a mile long! :)

Meeting Emily

After getting all of our stuff into storage and packing our car to the roof with everything I was moving home, we hit the road for our cross-country (half of the country, anyway) trip to Texas. After two days on the road, we arrived in Gatesville to my parent's house, and the place I'm calling home for the next 7 months. The next day we headed off to Houston to meet my sister's first baby, our precious new niece, Emily!

Precious Baby Girl!!

Sleeping angel...

I don't think I put her down for at least 5 hours :)

What is this crazy lady talking about?!

Love this picture!

Chris and Little Emmy :)

We absolutely loved getting to meet this little sweetheart and had a great time with our family! Thanks Mom & Dad and Andrea & Ben for putting us up all week!