Weekend Getaway to Tennessee!

I had the opportunity last weekend to go visit Lori and Josh in Tennessee and got to meet Baby Lyla for the first time. Lori and I have been friends since middle school and were roommates 4 of my 5 years in college.

I am so grateful that friendship has been sustained over time and distance. I was telling Lori that this is the first time we have had some QUALITY time together since she graduated college, just because every time I have seen her since has revolved around weddings or babies.

It was SUCH a great visit....much too short, but very sweet time with Lori!! We got to spend most of Saturday outside which was great. The leaves have turned colors there and are starting to fall. It was wonderful!

I even got to see Erin, which was a HUGE blast from the past. We figured out we hadn't seen each other since sophmore year of college, so 7 years. WOW - we are old!

This weekend made me so grateful for friendships and was proof that if our friendships are rooted in Christ -- they will always remain deep loving friendships. Thanks again Lori for letting me come visit.

Here are a couple pics from the weekend!

Baby Lyla (who I call 'Tiny') and me

Lori and I at our walk at the park

One of my highlights!

Precious Lyla was a "Tree Hugger" for halloween


Lori and I

Josh and Lori's dog Shasta - I am in love with this dog.

His demeanor is like my parents' dog Skid. He is hard not to love.

It was so much fun!!! Can't wait until next time I get to see The Sesler Family!

Facts you didn't need to know

I stole this questionnaire from Erin. Here we go!!

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? a kolache - we get kolaches every Friday and I had one today. :) So yummy
2. Where was your facebook profile picture taken? At Bush Intercontinental Airport at like 5 am waiting for our flight to Vegas last March
3. Can you play Guitar Hero? Ummm...I have never tried, but I would assume no consider my lack of guitar skills.
4. Name someone who made you laugh today? I was about to say no one since its so early in the day, but then I remembered my conversation with Erika this morning, Erika did!! Her husband is in China this week and went to get a two hour massage in China. Erika was telling me how she couldn't help but think of those "massage places" in china that only moonlight as a massage place and really house prostitutes. She did a great impression, we will jsut leave it at that.
5. How late did you stay up last night and why? well it would have been until 10:30 because I was packing to go to NASHVILLE today to see Lori, but then Alex was watching the soccer game and that kept me up until 11.
6. If you could move somewhere else, where would it be ? honestly - maybe Austin. It is so pretty there and I would be closer to mom :)
7. Ever been kissed under fireworks? ummm I am not sure....but what I do know is that one year for 4th of July we were watching Fireworks in Horseshoe Bay with Erika and Mikey and I was sitting on alex's lap in a folding chair and we definately BROKE the chair. haha Never felt thinner in my life. :)
8. Which of your friends lives closest to you? oh, this is a close race between Kimberly and Samantha -- they are both neighbors. I guess based on distance it would be Samantha :)
9. Do you believe ex’s can be friends? I think it depends on how they ended the relationship....or you could do what I do and marry the guy you started dating in high school so you dont really have any exes that count.
10. do you like Dr. Pepper? only diet
11. When was the last time you cried really hard? last week I believe...but I cry pretty easy so that doesnt say much. :) Poor hubs!
12. Who took your profile picture? Alex did
13. Who was the last person you took a picture of? Erika and I at Kristi's wedding. Well I didnt take it, but that was the lsat picture on my camera.
14. Was today better than yesterday? It well be, considering I get to see Lori today!
15. Can you live a day without TV? Probably....I watch tv, but I am not obsessed with it.
16. Are you upset about anything? Upset I didnt take a salt bath last night like my office mate suggested...I have seriously NEVER been THIS sore IN MY LIFE. I feel like I was in a car accident or beat up.
17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? Yes...without a doubt
18. Are you a bad influence? Um no -- I am MISS GOODY TWO SHOES....I try and convince people otherwise and get laughed at. Amanda says I can't even say Hip Hop right. :)
19. Night out or night in? Depends what kind of out. at a bar -- I will pass. At a wine place - I am IN!
20. What items could you not go without during the day? Gmail Chat :)
21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital? Jennifer and George after they had my niece monkey
22. What does the last text message in your inbox say? "My wonderful fellow Bible Study Sisters, we only have 3 more sessions! Let's see Christ revealed and end strong. Love, Beth." Our bible study is attending Beth Moore's revelation study at First Baptist and she sends out text messages from time to time to the members.
23. How do you feel about your life right now. Pretty good -- growing spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally. Can't complain!
24. Do you hate anyone? Nope - not hate.
25. If we were to look in your inbox, what would we find? Work Inbox - our admin is now a notary of Texas! Personal - a forward from mom and some fun details about Stacey's bachelorette party.
26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? haha - yes. Never even smoked a ciagarette.
27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before? no
28. What song is stuck in your head? none right now, but last night that song "Big Papa" but the version sung by Will Ferrel somehow popped into my head. haha how is that for random
29 . Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be? no idea -- spiderman?
30. Wanna have grandkids by the time your 50? most likely no...considering the math would make my baby a young mama since I am not preggers at all
31. Name something you are doing tomorrow? playing in Nashville with Lori and Lyla and maybe seeing Mrs. Erin Monaghan??
32. Do you think too much or too little? both -- sometimes I don't think enough...and other times I over think situations. :)
33. Do you smile a lot? I do - I would consider myself a very smily person!

Ok, that was fun. Back to work so I can get outta here and get to the airport!

Fall Festivities (stole your word Erin!!)

This fall is keeping us busy....most weekends have been filled with various events.  This weekend we had really nothing planned and it has been great to get caught up on some things.

In true fall fashion and with the weather so beautiful outside, I have spent as much time outdoors as possible, I put up my fall decorations and I just pulled out Pumpkin Bread from the oven!!

Here is a recap of what we have been up to...

A few weekends ago my parents celebrated their 29th Wedding Anniversary.  My parents are such a GREAT example of what a marriage should look like and what it means to love and respect your spouse.  Alex and I are so thankful to have their example and hope to be just as happy as they are. 

The weekend of their anniversary, Mom and Dad came into town with their friends Joe and Karen who share the same anniversary (40 years!!) and we all celebrated by going to Meet Me in St. Louis followed by dinner at Del Frisco.  OMG...Del Frisco's food is fabulous and their service is superb.  I can't wait to go back there...plus it was just a very fun night.  We were asking Mom and Dad and Joe and Karen for advice on what has kept their marriages so healthy.  Some of their responses were pretty interesting.  :)

Scott and Amanda at the play

Me and Hubs

In-Law Love

Here are the happily married couples...Happy Anniversary!!!
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SURPRISE AMANDA!!!

The following weekend, Scott had planned a surprise party for Amanda.  It was a Fiesta complete with sombreros, mustaches and pinatas.  Happy Birthday early Amanda!!!  It was so much fun celebrating with you!!!

At the celebration, I finally got to meet little Gracelee, Tiffany and Justin's baby.  

What a cutie patootie!

Gracelee testing out the mustaches

The Sutherlands

As you can see...Amanda was VERY surprised!!!

Pinata Time -- She was all set!

The wind and a super tough pinata made this VERY interesting!!

Mom at La Fiesta -- surrounding by her granddogs while holding a precious little one.  The dogs are so curious about little babies.
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DUATHLON

Last weekend, Erika and Mikey, ThomAdam and their friends ran their first Duathlon.  (running and cycling)

It was a wet cold Sunday Morning, but well worth it.  Everyone did so well!!!  It was also Mikey's birthday so we celebrated with him too!  Happy Birthday again Mikey.

The wet and cold was a little bit too much for Spencer...so Erin wrapped him in her scarf so he would stop shaking.

They finished!!!  So proud of you too.  Way to go!!!

ThomAdam, Mikey, Erika and Norm

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AWARD WINNING CHILI COOK-OFF TEAM

We have a chili cook off at work every year and this year our team from accounting won BEST CHILI!!!  Probably helped that our VP of Accounting voted numerous times!!!

The Red Hot Renegades -- we bring the heat!!!

Serv, Bob, Kisha, Jodi and myself

My and my office roomie Kisha!

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THE PERFECT COMBINATION

What could be a better combination than 

Friday Night, The Waters, Champagne, Cake Balls and Bananagrams?!?!?

Yesterday we spent most of the day with the other Leivas -- George, Jennifer, Adriana and Alyssa (my niece Monkey) 

It was one of my favorite Saturdays in a long time.  The guys watched football and we played outside and then all went to dinner.  I am so grateful for Jennifer and unfortunately we don't get to hang out enough...it was nice to catch up.

Adriana and Alyssa

Precious Niece Monkey who is walking ALL OVER THE PLACE!!

I hope you are all having a fabulous fall so far!!

Football Season

Well we are deep into football season...as you most likely know, UH is having a GREAT season so far (with the exception of UTEP -- not going there).

A few weeks ago we had a big tailgate for the UH vs. Texas Tech game.  It was so much fun and our adopted Cougars, The Waters and The Hurlisons, came too.

UH barely pulled it out at the end of the game.  It was so much fun and a well deserved win.

Alex and Steven right after the game ended.

Erika and Mikey staged a sit-in to save Alex a parking spot.  40 minutes before game time (mind you Alex had been there tailgating since 10 am) Alex realized he left our tickets at home and had to rush back home to get them.

Erika staging a sit in

Mikey guarded Alex's spot

The Almost Hurlberts

Some of the tailgating group -- I think there were close to 80 people at the tailgate

The Waters

The Hurlisons, The Coles, The Waters and us!!  What a fun gang!

Me, Stace and Erika

Wedding Day is less than two months away!!!

Me and Hubs

Next week is SMU. Go Coogs!!!

Disney Re-visited

Our disney vacation was SO MUCH FUN!!!  Feels like it was so long ago, but we had such a great time.  This was the first time we had gone on vacation with just my parents...and it was a success.  

We spent our first two days at the Portofino Hotel near Universal Studios and then spent 5 days at the Wilderness Lodge on Disney property.  Mom and Dad met us at Wilderness.  

Of course our pictures are completely out of order....but here is a glimpse of our week.

The California Grill is at the top of the Contemporary Resort and if you get the right seat, you can see Cinderella's Castle.  We were very fortunate to have the PERFECT seat.  We timed our reservation so that the fireworks over the castle would go off while we were between dinner and dessert.  At the restaurant, they dim the lights during fireworks and stream in the music (the fireworks are timed to music).  Not to sound cheesy, but it really was magical.

We also celebrated Mom and Dad's Anniversary while at dinner.

Here are Mom and Dad at Dinner

Mom and I having a drink before dinner

Me and Hubs  :)

Tuesday we went to Animal Kingdom.  Highlight of Animal Kingdom was Mount Everest -- a roller coaster all about the Yedi in the mountains.

Alex, Mom and I in front of the Tree of Life

Highlight of Magic Kingdom

#1: The Haunted Mansion -- my ALL TIME favorite ride in ALL of Disney

#2:  Riding Splash Mountain which normally doesn't get you that wet -- but SOAKED all four of us.

Alex and I in Magic Kingdom -- Post water ride  :)

Alex and I at Mickey's Philharmonic -- a 3D show.  Actually pretty cute.

Upside down -- on the boat from the resort to Magic Kingdom

Mom and Dad on the boat

Alex and I at the Portofino Hotel 

The Portofino is a great hotel and is only a boat ride from Universal and The City Walk.   It is Italian themed, complete with italian food, gelato and live music every night.  The service and quality was phenomenal.  I great place for families too.  I would stay here again in a heart beat.

Us again

The City Walk has all sorts of restaurants.  It has a NBA Bar and Grill that had Hakeem's hand print.  Hakeem is a UH Alum so Alex had to take a picture.

In our hotel room at The Portofino -- definately need to check this place out!

Spencer stayed at Camp Olson while we were at Disney.  This is us Friday night dropping him off.  He had so much fun with his cousins and Uncle Scott and Auntie Amanda....thanks again for watching him guys!

Me and my sister in law

Alex and Brenna - posing for the camera

That was our trip in a nutshell.  It was such a nice, much needed getaway.  We came back to busy life between work, football season and the living room re-do.

Here are my excuses....

OK, so I haven't vanished and I have actually attempted to update the blog numerous times....but to no avail.

Here are my excuses for vanishing:

1. Went on vacation - post to come, but the pics are on my Mac so have to use at home.
2. Having the hard woods re-screened, so not at home
3. Staying at Mom and Dad's Condo -- they don't have internet, so I only have internet if I can borrow one of the neighbors and the one that I could borrow was too slow to upload pictures.
4. ven tried updating at work during lunch yesterday, but no open internet access for the Mac.

I have a lot to blog about, so here are a couple of posts you can get excited about:
1. Hello!! Our Disney Vacation - which was awesome lately
2. UH vs. Texas Tech Game --- SO MUCH FUN!!
3. I finally figured out my Spiritual Gift.
4. Mom and Dad Annviersary Weekend
5. Living Room Re-Do Before and After (this one is not ready yet, but will be in the near future!!!)

So with that little cliff hanger, I am goign to get back to work. Pray for me. Work is RIDICULOUS and I am trying to keep everything balanced....fortunately God is using this crazy time at work to teach me of my need to depend and fully rely and be filled by him alone and no one else. God is teaching all sorts of stuff in this season and I am loving it.

Have a wonderful weekend!! Come on FALL, we want some cooler weather so we can eat lunch at the park!