First Fourth

My first fourth in Texas was ALL AMERICAN.  Here are some of my favorite images from one of my favorite holiday. 

Sunday night started the week with a red, white and blue festive dinner.

Wednesday morning spent some time in the word.  I love not working on weekdays.

Pre-Run motivation.

Lantern Garland.

Made in the U.S.A.

A little H-O-R-S-E action in the pool.

 Fireworks in Georgetown, that we watched from the back of our pick-up truck to beat the crowd out of the parking lot.

Fireworks from the F-150.

We wore Red, White and Blue all day. Made homemade ice cream. Spent time with friends and family and enjoyed the freedom that was fought for us.

God Bless America.

Five Things: Weekend

30th Birthday!

From my sweet husband chocolate cake with pink icing, requested for the second year.

 Republic of Texas (ROT) Rally.  Taken of East 6th Street.

Would like to show up at my house.

Growing: Cucumbers, Mint, Thyme, Cilantro, Lavendar, and Basil

First professional photo from the wedding!

Five Things: Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos, Providenciales
Windsong Resort

First Night Dinner dinner at Somewhere.

Breakfast on the Dunes.

 Crystal Clear Water

 Fresh Conch

Iguana Island.

Five Things: Wedding

HELLO!
I am back!
With a series of Five Pictures!
Wedding, Honeymoon and Weekend.



I wore my Mom's dress (altered some), my Aunt and Sister all wore the dress too on their big days!
Pictures above are L-R: Aunt 1976, Mother 1982, Sister 1999

Precious sign bearer my nephew Will.

Mr and Mrs.

Dessert Bar

  

Sparkler Exit

Just Married!
 Okay that was six, it was a BIG day!

An Exit

Wedding planning, work travel and running a gazillion errands is the name of the game around here so that leaves little brain power or desire to post.  So I will just pop in with this quick story that I want to remember. 

Neal and I have been discussing wedding ceremony music the last couple of days.  So this is our conversation today on gchat.

me:

 Neal:  you want that at the wedding?
 me:  maybe as we exit
what do you think?
 Sent at 1:23 PM on Tuesday
 Neal:  maybe
 Sent at 1:27 PM on Tuesday
Neal:

We will be looking for a happy medium! 

Pomsky

+

=

Can you imagine these little guys pulling a tiny sled.

January.

 This month has been super low-key, and I've been missing this face. 

and this one.

to be honest all of these faces.

Family Portrait December 2011

And just for kicks.

 Our "official" photo. 

 If Neal were to run for an elected office we would be set (but he thinks he looks like a total goober). The only thing missing are my pearls.

We've made it to church every Sunday this month! It has been awesome. There is nothing better than hearing the man you love sing and worship. We also FINALLY joined the young couples Sunday school class, which is made up of around 30 couples. We are excited to meet new friends and start our marriage with a strong foundation. Thus far, the lessons have been on Team Work in Marriage and we've learned a lot. After church and Sunday school, Neal and I discuss the lesson and how we work as a team and how we can improve our roles on our "team". God is Good!

January has also kicked off some new obsessions.  

1. Downton Abbey. Do you watch? I can't get enough. The PBS app is now prominently displayed on my iPad. Do you remember the movie "She's Having a Baby" with Kevin Bacon?  Well, Elizabeth McGovern or "Cora" in Downtown Abbey, was the wife. Remember, this scene? I do. It took me forever to connect those dots.  

2. "Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts" 

Read It. We are reading it for our pre-marital counseling. My pastor growing up recommended it.  

3. PURE Austin

We got a Groupon for 10 passes to visit to this gym that bills itself as an "indoor gym for outdoor people".  Compared to our bare bones gym we usually go to, this place blows our minds. We even closed the place down on Friday night. Winners.

4. Pinterest. I know. I finally jumped on board. It is as time consuming and amazing as I imagined. 

New Year's Eve Wedding

One of my best friends from college got married on NYE in Austin, and it was such a special way to ring in the New Year.  Erin and I met our Sophomore year at Ole Miss, pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma together, lived together our Senior year and three years later moved to DC at the same time.  We have remained so close through the years and still share so much even 1200 miles away.  Erin met Mike our first year living in DC, and from the beginning his pursuit of her was special and sweet.  It was incredible to watch your best friend fall in love.

Erin and Mike's big day was filled with AMAZINGNESS from the weather (70's in December) for their outdoor ceremony to the perfection of the vows they wrote for one another.  It was such a special event to be a part of, sharing the love of two made for one another. There is no doubt Mike will take care of my best friend for the rest of their lives. After all these years Erin and I can't believe we were engaged at the same and both getting married within four months of each other!

The bride still radiating beauty after hours of dancing.

 Happy New Year!

Welcome 2012!

2011 Recap:

Joined small groups in our church. Celebrated two years together at Max's Wine Bar. Traveled to Anaheim, Orlando, Chicago, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., Greensboro on work trips.  Prayed through  Neal's Mom kidney surgery. Ran the Capitol 10K, Vail Half Marathon, San Antonio Marathon, and Turkey Trot 5 miler. Celebrated the Fourth of July in Madisonville. Rode our bikes in the Ring of Fire in Luckenbach, TX. Celebrated three marriages: Emily and Joe, Rebecca and Jonathan, Erin and Mike. Schneider family Reunion in Lockhart. Started a new job in Temple, TX.  GOT ENGAGED. Welcomed Elliot Brooks Leasure to the world. Spent our first Thanksgiving together. Bought a new truck. Celebrated Neal turning the big 3-0.  Spent Christmas with my WHOLE family in Madisonville and celebrated our engagement with friends and family. 

 We look forward to 2012 and all that is in store for us as we continue to grow in our relationship, learn more about each other while strengthening our love.  Blessings to all in 2012.