Someday...

One of my dear friends from college started a blog.  Finnnalllly.  I'm still working on a few (yes, I'm talking about you Anna!) but I'm absolutely thrilled that Kari J has started a blog and I can now keep up with the daily happenings in her life.  

Kari titled her blog "Someday by KJ" and I think she got it just right. Her first post included a beautiful picture of her and her husband with these words to follow...

"We will..someday." What a beautiful yet terrifying concept. Seasons in life allow us certain freedoms and opportunities. If we did everything we ever wanted in one week, what would we have to look forward to? Yet life is short, so make sure to eat dessert first. Everyone has their own "someday." Whether it's to get married, have a baby, take that dream vacation, find the perfect job, build that house on the corner, or forgive a friend...I want to share my SOMEDAYS with you...

 

Please stop over and say hello.  You won't be disappointed!

13.1 - Here we go again!

Last January I completed my first half marathon and I loved it so much that I have foolishly signed up again to run my next 13.1 miles on January 30, 2011.  And the best part about it is that Ryan will actually be joining me this time.  However, Ryan and I run at completely different paces (I bet you can guess who is faster) and we won't be running side by side.  I'm definitely ok with that though as we both have a goal in mind for this race and I wouldn't want to slow him down :)

My plan was to keep up my running throughout the spring and summer and I managed to do pretty well in the spring but I have since dropped off.  I am definitely blaming  my lack of running lately on the sweltering heat we've had in Houston.  Even though it probably won't cool down anytime soon I hope to pick it up a notch in the next few weeks as I have a brand new toy to train with this time :)

Ryan and I have been eying the new Garmin Forerunner 110 since this spring and quickly snatched up a "his and her" pair when they became available.  I can't say I have used mine as much as Ryan but so far I'm impressed.  I love that it tells me when I've hit every mile, what my pace is, my heart rate, number of calories I've burned and then I can go online and map my run.  I must say it's pretty fancy and makes it easier to get out on the trails.

Here's to my next half marathon and I look forward to logging my miles and tracking my progress on here!

Slumber Party

Last Friday night we had a slumber party with our five year old niece.  Her mother dropped her off at the office after work and we took her home for a fun filled evening with her coolest Aunt and Uncle :)

When we got home we posed for pictures on the bed...

And we hugged on Benny.  However, Benny was a little jealous as he wasn't getting all the attention for once...

And we went to dinner and colored on our menus and ate salads.  Well, actually Caroline was the only one to eat a salad.  I thought most children ordered off the kids menu but not this grown up girl!  She knew exactly what she wanted :)

We decided we needed a little sugar so we splurged on icees and Nerds...

And we watched Despicable Me at the movies...

And then we came home and realized our AC was no longer working.  No more pictures after this point as we were all a sweaty mess in the house.  We managed to sleep through the night though and woke up bright and early the next morning and worked in the yard.  Yes, the yard.  My five year old niece insisted we pull weeds and sweep the back patio.  She also said she would clean the house.  Hmmm I knew it was a little dirty but I guess she pointed out the obvious.  Anyways,  Caroline is welcome back to our house anytime :)

We have a pool! Well, my parents do....

I mentioned a few weeks ago that my parents moved into their new house and that it deserved a post of its own.  And it most certainly does.  It does just because of the fact that they now have a pool.  I don't know about anyone else but if you live in Texas you need a pool.  Or at least know someone that has one nearby.  I wanted a pool my whole entire life growing up and now, when I'm 26, they decide to build a house with a beautiful pool.  Good thing the house has plenty of room for my little fam of three because they don't know it yet but we are moving in :)

Anyways, I wanted to share a few pictures because their new house is beautiful and my parents spent so much time on every detail that it wouldn't be fair to not share this with others.  And now for a tour of some of my favorite rooms...

Great Room

We normally find oureslves gathering in the kitchen when we all get together and now we will be able to cook, hang out at the island, eat at the table, watch TV and no one would be left out. 

One of the many old doors 

I know this picture isn't exactly a room but I wanted to show a picture of one of the doors. My parents carefully selected old doors and had them refurbished to fit their house. I love that they did this and it really adds character to the house. 

Wine Room

I think the picture says enough but everything about this room is amazing.  I love how you have to step down to enter the room and I love the antique brick on the walls and ceiling.  Oh, and I kinda love all the wine in the room :)

Master Bath

Now this is truly one of my favorite rooms.  Look at the tub!!!  I think it's calling my name...

Outdoor Living / Pool

There she is.  The pool.  The pool I always wanted.  And it's everything I dreamed of. 

More outdoor living

Even though it's the hottest time of the year here in Texas we have still spent tons of time out here already and I imagine that will always be the case. 

I hope you enjoyed the tour.  I know I sure did and I wasn't kidding about moving in.  Mom, I know you're reading this so I hope you don't mind.... I promise Benny won't go swimming too much :)  Honestly though, they have built this house for their family and I'm so excited for all the fun memories to come here. 

Also, I couldn't end this post without a picture from Ryan's birthday night.  My mom cooked up a delicious meal and we ended the evening with a delicious carrot cake.  Unfortantly, I do not get "wife of the year" as I did not bake this but I did pick it up from a fabulous local market and that counts in my book :) 

Fun on the Fourth

Ryan and I spent this last Sunday celebrating July 4th with some of our best friends.  Ryan played golf that morning and we then headed to our friends apartment for an afternoon at the pool.  Later that evening we all put on our most patriotic clothes and headed to the rooftop of their apartment where we had an amazing view of downtown Houston.  We enjoyed hamburgers/hotdogs, listened to some great music, enjoyed a few cold beverages and anxiously awaited the fireworks show.  All in all, it was a great summer day and we had a blast celebrating Americas birthday!

That's not the only birthday we are celebrating in our household as Ryan turns the big 26 this Friday.  We've got plans to spend the weekend at my parents new house with the whole fam and I'm sure they'll be tons of pool time, golf, laughs and good food and wine :)