The wedding planning has begun

The wedding planning and festivities have begun! Katie is one of my very good friends (the one to the left of me in this picture), and she just got engaged a couple weeks ago. I had the honor to hang out with the lovely Sweeney ladies and brainstorm for the big day! Her two sisters, Mom, and Grandmother came in from California to make some headway on the planning. They already found her perfect dress that she looks stunning in.

Thanks for letting me spend spend the weekend with ya'll, and I can't wait for Cabo .... to create so many more memories together. Hopefully we will all be celebrating even more exciting news too (*especially for Mollie, Katie, and me if we all keep our jobs through this downsize in our industry).

My husbands big birthday!

Gabe's 31st birthday was this past week, and we had a wonderful time attempting to extend the celebration as much as possbible. Friday night, we went to dinner and had an absolutely fantastic time at Capital Grill downtown. I had eaten there back in the day in Dallas, but I never realized how great their service was.

They were so accomadating, and I still can't believe how above and beyond they went. We got to the table and there was confetti with a hand written card (I told them it was his birthday when I made reservations). Then, the chef brought out a palate cleanser of shrimp and asparagus with yummy champagne! We ordered calamari, which was to die for smothered in peppers. But, our favorite part of the dinner wasn't even the steak or my swordfish, it was the sides ..... lobster macaroni and cheese and au gratin potatoes. They had to take the mac' and cheese off the menu because it is now required to put the amount of calories on the menu, and they assumed it would not be as appealing with the calories listed. Crazy!! (Is this a new rule for just WA or are they doing it in TX too?)

Lastly, the server stopped by while Gabe ran to the bathroom to see if he preferred chocolate or coconut desert. I said he is a chocolate, chocolate, chocolate guy. So, he brought Gabe two kinds of chocolate deserts complementary, and he took our picture with the restaurants camera without us even asking! Wow, what amazing service!!

He was a satisfied birthday boy who was full as a tick by the end of the night!

We went to Benihana's Saturday night to celebrate Gabe's birthday and our two good friends, Cassy and Nate. We always enjoy hanging out with this group of friends, and it was a really fun night downtown. Yes, two nights in a row in downtown Seattle is bigtime for us :)

New Year's Resolution

Is anyone else ready for the gym to become less crowded?! I asked the manager at LA Fitness how many new members have joined in the last week, and he said 400 .... holy cow!! I feel like all 400 people have begun working out at my exact hour, and I wish it would go back to the less crowded and more enjoyable days. The second I leave one machine to continue on with my circuit of going to a different one, it is then taken. Plus, I had to stand and wait for an elliptical and/or treadmill because every single one was being used. That has never happened before, and it is a little awkward staring at people while they workout insinuating that you would like to use their machine!

I figure it will only last another couple weeks, and then my life at the gym will go back to normal!

Speaking of losing weight and getting fit at the gym, is everyone watching The Biggest Loser? This is our households favorite show of the year, and Gabe and I are so glad we only had to wait a couple weeks for the next season to begin. I have turned many people on to this show, and if you haven't watched an episode before ... please give it a chance and start. It is reality TV, but real issues of families changing their lives and taking care of their bodies. I get teary eyed, multiple times, every episode. Weird, me crying?? ha

Visiting my favorite 36 week preggers friend

I got to drive my Momma's brand new Smart Car, which she likes to call her "Blue Bug." Arrie calls it a wind up car, and I would have to agree because it warms up as if you just twisted the key and it's going to take off. I got lots of stares, but all in all it is so fun to drive and a great means to meet Abbdae in.

It was so wonderful to see Abby and spend the day doing our thing'. Abby noted in her blog that I immediately "lifted her shirt, pulled down the band on her pants, fully exposing the belly ... within two minutes of seeing her." It is true, and I don't believe in personal space with Abby so I treated her belly as my own :)

By the way, doesn't she look fantastic?

Of course, I had to bring goodies for Colt since I wasn't able to make it to Abby's previous shower!

Then, it was essential to take a "roadtrip" to Royse City to see the finished babyroom. It is only 35 minutes from Abby's mom's house, but 45 from my mom's house, which seems like an eternity to me. Before moving to Seattle, I wouldn't drive anywhere that was further than 15 minutes (and that is even stretching it). Everything in Uptown is just minutes away or walking distance, so normally I am not excited about spending so much time in the car. Now that I drive for a living in Seattle putting approximately 30k miles a year, I am a little more use to it and would drive the distance to see Colt's room.

Blake and Abby are so creative and have pretty much made everything in the baby's room ... with help from family members. Her theme fits them perfectly and can't wait to see pics with Colt poking his head over the crib.

So proud of you Abbdae, and you will be an amazing Mommy in just a couple of weeks!

The Sister I Never Had

It has been a real treat to have Arrie in our family, and she truly is the sister I never had. I didn't get a chance to become very close to her while they were dating at ACU since I transferred to SMU, but we have made up for all that lost time! She is one of the smartest people I have ever met and now writing her dissertation at 26 yrs old. She is so level headed, an ear to listen, and someone who loves my brother more than anything. I am so content talking to her while driving for hours throughout the day, and it just would not seem right without our daily chats. Love you Sister!

So most of all, I love coming back to Dallas and spending time with Jordan, Arrie, and Griffin (Plus Momma and Dad).

Christmas in Dallas

Gabe unfortunately had to stay in Seattle and work since he lost a few days due to our snow last week. The plan was for him to come along, but last minute I decided to take advantage of time off and travel solo. I was constantly "on the go" trying to see both sets of aunts/uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends, and eat at my favorite restaurants that we don't have in Seattle. I was in Dallas for four days and ate at Taco Bueno three times .... which is someone over the top, but I just couldn't get enough of it. It is the one place I wished was right around the corner from my house!

So glad Paw Paw and Granny Gayle stayed an extra day than planned to spend time with me.

Love my new scarf GG!

Griffin loving all the attention.

He was intrigued by my new kitchenware, and who knows, maybe he will become a chef one day.

I made a stop to visit the Brooke family (my Mom's brother) and cannot believe how big the boys are. Daniel, who is 15 and recently got his permit, has surpassed me in height. I don't really notice myself getting older, but realize I am when kids I grew up babysitting are SO big!

Grandmother was in town from Enid, Oklahoma and was staying with Dad's sister, who conveniently lives just minutes away from. I just don't get to see my sweet Grandmother enough ... We ate her famous Italian Creme cake, played Trivial Pursuit like old times, and took advantage of our time together. Next time, I am going to bring the newest version of the game, so I can actually be able to answer a few questions every now and then. I wasn't much help since most of the questions occured before I was born.

Grandmother with her three kiddos - Dad, Tanis, and David (his family is in Houston)

Christmas in Seattle

We had a wonderful Christmas in Seattle before I was able to go to Dallas. One of my best friends, Mollie, included Gabe and me in on their family Christmas. It was a great treat and so nice to have a family adopt us over the Holidays.

At the end of dinner, Mollie and Jason surprised us with a present for Harley .... new stairs to put by the bed! For the last two years, Harley has used all of my fancy pillows as "a ramp" to get on the bed. We have been unable to move the pillows (unless company is coming over) because it is so hard for my 4 lbs rugrat to make it up and down. So, now I have to make my bed everyday since I don't have an excuse anymore :) We are so thankful for our friends to include us with their family, and we LOVE the new stairs. Thank you, Thank you!

Gabe's favorite present would be his De'Longhi espresso machine. Once we moved to Seattle, he has become a huge coffee drinker. After making a trip to Starbucks once ... sometimes twice a day ... I gave in and thought this would be better for the pocketbook! There is a true skill to making a tasty Mocha, and Gabe has mastered a pretty great treat. So, anyone and is welcome to come over to Gabe's coffee shop.