Let the brainwashing continue

After the wedding, we made a stop at one of the best places in Texas, COLLEGE STATION. Whoop! Since Ashton hadn't been in years, she forgot how wonderful Aggieland is and we felt the need to remind her. Not too sure we thrilled to do this but I begged her to humor me and pretend to have fun. My family has made her into a Baylor Bear which I love - but as my 2nd favorite team - and she is wanting to go there when she graduates high school. We started our drive down Texas Avenue on the south side of town and pointed out every little detail. There are so many new places...those kids have everything now! Overall the place still felt like home. It was so good to be back even if for a couple hours. 

Hello Pancho Villa. We miss you!

Ashton in front of Rudder Fountain

Already putting pennies on Sully for good luck on tests. She would make such a good little aggie!

The new MSC...these kids are spoiled. This place is so nice!

The sight of my infamous ring dunking. 23 seconds. I am still so proud.

We had lunch at the Chicken. Yes, I am a good aunt...I took her to a bar to eat. She thought the rattlesnake pit was cool.

Wedded Bliss

My cousin Lizzy's big day had been a long, long time coming. She and Tyler endured a really long engagment - something close to two years - due to his finishing grad school, finding jobs and moving. The long engagement did give them plenty of time to prepare for the wedding and what a wedding it was. They had a party every night for those out of town guests, a Marble Slab ice cream station set up at the wedding as well as a mashed potato bar and ended the night with a great firework show. It was perfect! I couldn't be more happy to welcome Tyler to our family. And I am so happy to announce that they are DFW residents. Lizzy works at Parkland as an RN in the oncology department and Tyler works for the Rangers! Yea for more family working at the ballpark!

These were my dates for the wedding weekend. Kelly had games so he wasn't able to attend. Ashley and Ashton did a solid job of being my date and helping me all weekend. It was fun but I am pretty sure they were tired of each other by the end of the trip.

Tyler's parents held the rehearsal dinner at a fun Mexican restaurant. I was of course very excited! I forgot my camera so had to take pics with my phone all night. In my defense, it is hard getting two people ready - Ashley and Ashton!

Tyler's parents had this made. It was so cute! We all signed the border as a fun keepsake. I guess you can figure out they met at a rugby event.

The yummy desserts. These cupcakes had the highed icing I had ever seen. They were so tasty. Notice the rugby topper?

The happy couple reheasing at the chapel at Briscoe Manor. This place had it all. A chapel, a gorgeous bridal suite to get dressed in, a cocktail courtyard, huge reception hall and lakes! So perfect!

My wedding hair. I loved it and didn't want to take it out.

Our flowers were so gorgeous! Lizzy did such a good job picking them out. Ashton loved it so much that I have her my bouquet to take home.

Excuse the picture as it was taken by my phone...the big camera is way to bulky to dance with. Woman was tearing up the dance floor with Ashton.

Me with the sweet bride...pic stolen from the photographer's website!

Troy of course made the trip. He loves Lizzy and wouldn't miss her big day. We took home so many flowers after the wedding that I just had to pose him in it.

Brothers Under the Sun




Kelly and I went to see Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw's Brothers Under the Sun Concert recently at Cowboys Stadium. Before the show, we met up with some friends for a little tailgate time at the ballpark. I think I love the preshow tailgates a little too much!

Jake Owen opened the show. He was really fun!

We had seats in the "sand cement bar". It was fun being so close to the action but our feet hurt so bad. It was the longest concert we have ever been to - it started at 4:30pm and ended around 11:15pm. That is a long night of rocking!

Up close and personal with Tim. The ladies were freaking out over him....

and his little white pants.

I like it, I love it, I want some more of it.

Kenny flew right over our heads.

Put some gin in the juice and coke in the crown...

Calling the hogs!

 Kelly and I made a pact that for every anniversary we would stay in a different B&B. So this year, I was given the choice of a few B&B's in Texas and Arkansas and I chose Arkansas. I had only been to Texarkana and was dying to see this pretty state. Most of you know that I am very type A and plan out everything but for this trip, we hit the road and didn't even make a room reservation! So unlike me but I went with it and boy, did I make the right choice. We orginally planned on staying at this top rated B&B but when we got there, it didn't feel right. So I googled a place and found our Inn. It. Was. Perfect. Right on the shores of Lake Hamilton and every room faced the lake. I was in love.

Welcome to my Arkansas....



They had a great visitor center. I picked up all sorts of brochures.

Our ride for the week. This is the perfect vehicle for driving through the Ozarks.

Kelly and I made this wine and the label on our very first trip together (Fredericksburg, January 2008). We decided it was time to enjoy it. Worth the wait!



This area in Arkansas is called the Diamond Lake Region. We stayed on one of the five lakes - Lake Hamilton. Gorgeous! Lots of islands and clear water.

Who knew Hot Springs was also famous for baseball!



Kelly and I went to a "zoo" where we were lucky enough to hold an alligator.



It took me 8 minutes to get up enough courage to hold this thing. I was dripping with sweat nervous. He was a squishy little thing.
Sorry about the turned photo - I can't get it right side up!




Fat Bottomed Girls Bakery -  better than Sprinkles!

Hot Springs National Forest

I just had to try the spring water. Kelly was too scared of getting sick but not me. It tasted pretty good but I will stick with Ozarka.

My first duck tour. It broke down right before we got in the water but got a different duck to finish the tour. Good times!

Thanks Pintrest for this idea...
Year One - Alaska
Year Two - Arkansas

Kelly's grandfather is buried south of Eureka Springs. He had never visited his grave and since we were in the area, we decided to make the trip. It was such a beautiful cemetary on top of a hill.

I was more emotional than Kelly and I never knew him!

We went to Thorncrown Chapel. You must go! Breathtaking!

Thorncrown Chapel

Eureka!!!

Arsenic and Old Lace. The name doesn't do it justice. It was such a lovely B&B!

After our stay in Eureka Springs, I wanted to go to Bentenville - Home of Walmart. The Walton Family donated this fabulous (and free) museum.




Sam Walton's first store. He sounds like a wonderful man - no wonder I love me some Walmart!

Calling the Hogs!

On our way home, we went through Oklahoma and over all the lakes getting back into Texas. It was so pretty to see the lakes at sunset.

Happy 2 years to us!

Mr. & Mrs. Lance Armstrong

We had been talking about getting bikes ever since we moved up to TC. There are trails everywhere and we can ride down by the lake. So for our anniversary gift to each other, we bought some. It took us 4 stores to find the ones we liked but the Sun and Ski store in Grapevine had the most selection plus really smart bike guys working there. You also get your flat tires fixed for life!



Getting adjusted to his new bike.

Meet Betty. She is my bike and I love her. Kelly also bought me a matching purple water bottle...so fun!

After we picked out the bikes we liked, we took them for a spin in the parking lot. The store said we had to wear helmets so we got ones that matched our bikes...don't we look cool?

About to take the bikes our for our first ride.

It was a little hot so I tied a sock around my head (Joe Nathan style) to keep the sweat away. We are keeping in real up here in TC.

I am pretty proud of our first ride. It was so fun that we kept going and going and going! By the way, if you have a bike, you should download this app called Map My Ride. It is free and great!