Christmas Time!

Last year we didn't get a tree or even put up any christmas decorations because I went out to Utah the whole time. But this year Gabe will be here the whole time and I am only going to leave over new years so we will get to spend Christmas at home. Gabe has to work a lot but oh well, I will enjoy my time off with a lot of sleeping in and christmas movies!! We got our tree last night and got it all decorate. We went with a lot smaller tree this time, last time we got a tree that filled up the whole corner. But now we have room to put this little elelctric fireplace next to the tree and I even hung our stockings above it!! My goal is to now get the house cleaned this weekend so then I can really just sit, relax and enjoy the tree.

Weekend Get Away

Gabe and I flew down to South Padre Island early Friday morning. We got in around noon and it was freezing. You would thing because we were going to the southern tip of Texas almost into Mexico it would be warm, but no. A friend of ours has a sister who owns a condo down on the island and let us stay in it for free. Another reason for the trip was because the Texas Tech Basketball team and the BYU basketball team were playing in a tournament down there and Gabe also had another connection and scored us tickets to the whole tournament. The Condo we stayed in was awesome and right on the beach and right across the street from the games. I am definitely a beach girl and would love to live by the ocean one day.

Tech lost their first game by 20 points.. not good, But the Cougars won in double overtime which was very exciting on a buzzer shot. On Saturday Tech lost again by two we shot a 3 at the buzzer but lost. BYU beat St. Mary's in the championship game and it was really close again. Gabe and I were in the front row right behind the players and our family saw us on TV. My cute little niece told me I was in trouble for biting my nails.. it was an intense game. There were so many BYU fans there which made it really fun. I was sad for Tech but I will always be a Cougar fan so I was way excited they won.

There were so many jelly fish all over the beach. The first one we saw we weren't sure what it was, so Gabe popped it. Then we saw tons of them everywhere you walked. Pretty gross looking.

This was the end of the Island. We drove until the road ended I was scared driving because in parts half of the road was covered in sand we would have to drive on the wrong side. But plenty of cars were headed that way so Gabe swore we would be okay. The sand was awesome down there not so trashy and there were shells everywhere. I loved just walking down the beach with my best friend. I can picture us old and retired one day living by the beach and talking walks in the morning along the shore. That would be awesome!! We had such a great trip. I got to enjoy time with Gabe and on the beach and Gabe got to watch basketball so I think it was the perfect mini vacation! Next time we just need to go back when it is warmer so I can get a tan :)

Yeah Cougars!!!!! Way to win!

Thanksgiving

Gabe and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!! Our plans for Thanksgiving Day were uncertain for awhile. We were going to stay here and have it with friends, then we were going to go to Dallas to be with Gabe's Family. On Wednesday it was decided that we were just going to stay here. Well I had a turkey but nothing else and I really didn't feel like getting up early to start cooking and it was just going to be Gabe, Casi, Jonathan and I. So instead we slept in on Thursday, Gabe went and played football we got dressed and the four of us went out to a Japanese Steakhouse for an early dinner! The food was great and I didn't have to worry about preparation or clean up. It was really fun, who needs turkey to celebrate what you are thankful for, I had Teriyaki Chicken and it was delicious! Afterwards we went and saw Tangled and it was great! It reminded me of going with my family to Disney movies on holidays and how I still wish I was a princess :)

Thriller Night!!

This week we had our annual Thriller week at the rec center. My instructors taught the entire Thriller Dance 3 nights during our group exercise classes. On the last night we encouraged them to dress up and we decorate the room and give out prizes. It is always one of my favorite nights, even though my instructors and I are typically the only ones dressed up. This year we had over 200 people participate in the 3 days. It really was a lot of fun and any excuse to dress up in a fun costume I will take it. I loved the weird looks I got as I was driving home last night stopped at all the different lights. Here are some fun photos from the event. Because not many people dressed up, Abby my student supervisor and I even made it into the campus paper on the Front page I might add! I hope I don't get bombarded with people asking me for my autograph today. I have a tough job but someones got to do it! Also I would like to thank my sister Lindsay for providing me with this dress. It worked great for my whole Zombie Princess look. Who says you can't wear bridesmaid dresses again, and I didn't even have to shorten it!

What I do when Gabe goes out of Town

So Gabe was gone this past weekend. So I had a lot of time by myself. I decided to go to my favorite place on Friday that Gabe doesn't like to go with me...Hobby Lobby. I know Ive said it before but I love that store, if I had money my house would be overly decorated with everything in there. I have been wanting to make some more hair accessories this time out of fabric. So I found some cute fabrics and got a few cute embellishments. I made 2 headbands and 3 bows. We recently got netflixs so I think I stayed up until 2am making my creations and watching cheesy romantic comedies. Saturday I got the whole house cleaned mopped and everything. Don't worry Gabe I saved the game/Laundry room for you to clean. And then I saw a great movie with a friend. Life as We know it. It was so cute and I recommend it for others who need a girls night out or can convince their spouses to go see it. Gabe definitely wasn't heart broken that I saw it with out him!

I also kind of want to start sewing, I have always said Never that sewing wasn't for me, but I have gotten into Project Runway this season and I kind of want to see if I can create something.. So I might need to borrow a sewing machine soon and see if I can tackle something easy.

Well here a few photos of my cute bows and flowers! Gabe thinks I'm crazy because my whole dresser is covered in these now.

Surprise visit from my Mom!

Last Saturday night Gabe said he had to go up to work so I was just watching TV in my room, when he got home at 10:30pm He came in and told me to come out to the living room to see something so I went out and my Mom was standing there. I was so surprised I was not expecting that all. I started to cry because no one had ever come to visit me before and I think I was just so surprised too.
My mom stayed until Thursday afternoon. We had so much fun. I showed her around the rec center where I work and then we walked all around Texas Tech Campus. She came to my Zumba class and did a great job. We went to a couple museums and then just went and looked around at a lot of fun shops and stores. It was so fun to have here and show here all around Lubbock, there's not much to see but It it was fun to show here my life here in Texas.
Thank you Mom for coming to visit me!
Gabe thinks he can use this good gesture to earn points. Granted it was really sweet, but this morning a whole week later, he said Hey I have surprise for you, I brought your mom here last week. Sorry Honey you can't milk that one forever. Plus he brought here so I wouldn't be alone last week when he went to D.C to go golfing.

Life as I know it

Well I have done a few things in the last month. At the begining of last month I turned the big 26. So that was exciting I guess. I'm not sure if my life is exactly what I thought it would be at 26 when I was younger, but I can't complain. I have an awesome husband and great job I love and pretty much everything I need. We celebrated with tons of friends and then finished the night with the Bachelorette Finale. It was a great birthday.

I also go the change to fly out to Richmond last month and visit Lindsay and her family. It was so fun spending a few days there. I have the cutest nieces and nephews. We played, got to go to the beach, swam and just had a great time. I should of took pictures but i didn't.

Texas Tech Started back up so my job is pretty busy, I love having the campus full though and seeing all the classes here at the rec center so busy. I am even teaching a Zumba class once a week. I might not be able to shake it like other teachers but I think my class is pretty fun.

This past weekend I flew out to SLC to see my family. Gabe works weekends now and I decided I didn't want to spend my 3 day weekend home alone. It was so fun to see everyone. We got to spend a lot of time with Lisa, Jonathan and the twins. We went swimming, ate great food, and went to the Payson parade. I got to hang out with one my best friends Patrice and reminisce. It was so good to be around a family even if it was just for the weekend. It gave me the little break I needed to make it through the next three and half months. The weather was absolutely beautiful and it made me miss Utah, Provo and BYU. I really did have some of the best times ever out there. I did take a few pictures!

A few recent cakes

I have made a few cakes in the last couple months so I thought I would post the pictures. I really enjoy decorating the cakes I just wish I could just get someone else to do the baking and all the clean up. :) It is fun though and helps fill my evenings when Gabe is at work. So if anyone near by needs a cake sometime let me know!

Wonderful Friends and time off!

We had a great 4th of July weekend. No traveling for us just staying home and relaxing. Gabe and I spent Saturday cleaning and rearranging the house. I found a cute new kitchen table and chairs on craigslist that fits perfectly in our little eating area. I feel like I have a real kitchen eating area now. Maybe we will actually sit down at the table for meals now, but that would require me cooking so I'm not too sure that will happen. Of course its been raining here forever and so our town was basically flooded over the holiday weekend. I was hoping to spend my weekend out at the pool and we had a BBQ planned, oh well we still had a bunch of friends over on Sunday and enjoyed food and fun. My work gave me a huge brisket and we cooked that up. It was really good and we are glad our friends could come and help us eat it or else we would of been eating BBQ brisket for a year. And of course Gabe had to shoot off some fireworks with our friends and of course I kept nagging him that he was too close to the house or to be careful they were going to hurt themselves or catch something on fire. I had Monday off so it was great to be able to sleep in and have a day off or work. If only I could have a 3 day weekend every week.

Flying Adventures

The past two weekends Gabe and I have flown to opposite sides of the Country. Over Memorial Day Weekend we flew out to Dallas to attend our good friend Algot's wedding in Dallas. It was really great to see him and his new wife sealed and share that special day with them. I love going to other weddings because I literally have no memory of what was said at my own wedding, so when I go to other weddings it helps me remember the special day I had over three years ago.
Since we were already in Dallas and I had Monday off, i took an extra day off and we flew out to Salt Lake City to visit my family. Lindsay moved this past week back to Virgina so it would be last time I could go out and see everyone minus lachelle (we missed you Lachelle). It was great weekend. We had a great time visiting with friends and family. On Monday we went up into the mountains and had a BBQ and played football and just enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery. That is one thing I miss about the west, the mountains. I loved playing with all my cute nephews and my little niece. I wish we all lived closer to one another. We were able to make it back home with the only exception of missing the last flight into Lubbock, but we got to spend some more time with some friends in Dallas. We got back Wednesday morning and I went straight to work.
Then on Friday I left straight from work and we flew back out to Dallas and spend the evening with Gabe's family for my brother in-law's birthday. Then we woke up at 5am and headed off to DC for my nephews baby blessing. It was hot and humid in DC we did a little walking around but mostly we just relaxed and spent time with Wade and Kelly and the family that was there. The baby blessing was great, little Ammon was adorable and he made the day special by blowing out of his diaper on his lovely mamma at church. I think he just wanted to make the day memorable. Some great food and games finished our trip in DC. We will have to go back so we can do all the cool sights and museums. We did eat at Ben's Chili Bowl, Bill Cosby's favorite place to eat.
Well we were suppose to catch a 6am flight back to Dallas and then we would be fine making it back to Lubbock. Well lucky for us that flight got cancelled and so we weren't able to leave until 10am and by the time we made it to Dallas all the flights to Lubbock were oversold. Not good for stand by passengers. Gabe's amazing father decided he could do some work a few hours from Lubbock drove us home. The drive actually went by quick just 4 and half hours and we listened to my Father in-law tell stories the whole time. We are so grateful for David taking us home so Gabe could go to work at 4am the next morning.
I am so glad to be home this weekend with nothing to do. Well besides laundry and cleaning. All this traveling as taken a toll on my house, it is pretty pathetic. So tomorrow I am going to sleep in and then take my time to clean. I love traveling around but I am so happy to come home. Nothing beats sleeping in your own bed.

Sometimes you just need a day in bed

Things have been kind of stressful lately in my little world here in West Texas. Sometimes I hate feeling stressed or worried about my troubles because I know there are so many people with bigger trials in their lives but my own mountains were seeming very heavy to climb this week and I just needed a day a lone in my bed. So yesterday I called in sick to work, which wasn't completely untrue, plus sometimes I think mental/emotional sick days are just as important as physical ones. I woke up at my normal time because I guess my body is just use to that but then I just laid in my bed all morning dosing in and out of sleep. Then I watched TLC and home decorating shows all day. I think in all I watched like 6 episodes of Say Yes to The Dress. Its bad if you are starting to see repeats. I picked up my house a little but mostly just did nothing and ate a lot of ice cream. It was a good day. Sometimes it is just so nice to be alone in the comfort of your room closed off from the outside world. The down side was I was wide awake at 1am this morning so waking up for work this morning was a little struggle, but my "me" day has definitely helped me regroup and I think I am ready for the summer! I miss being a kid when the summer meant sleeping in and playing all day. I guess in a month or two I will just need to take another "me" day.

California for work! I know hard life I live!

Last week I went to Anaheim California for a work conference called NIRSA( national intramural and recreational sports association). It was a really good time. I got to stay in a nice hotel and attend different sessions and workshops as well as go out and have some fun. We went to Downtown Disney, an Angels Game, and the beach on my last day there. It was a little disappointed that it was cold and raining the first three days and then became nice right when we had to go home. Good thing I live in Texas and we are having nice weather now. It was a great trip and I learned a lot and hope to improve my program at work. Next year the conference is in New Orleans so hopefully i will get to attend that one as well and maybe Gabe will come along. Trips are more fun with him there.

Oh yeah and I might of put a couple of quaters in the slot machine at the Vegas Airport :)

My New Shelf!

I love Hobby Lobby like most people know and can spend hours in there at a time. I spend a good hour and half in there on Tuesday and picked up an unfinished shelf and brought it home, painted it and added a few things to it. I think it turned out pretty good. I love adding little things to my home, that make it feel so much more homey!

Happy Birthday Gabe!

Today is Gabe's 27th Birthday! I was out of town all week last week for work (pictures to come later) and didn't get back until late last night so I didn't have time to plan or prepare anything for him but I did pick him up a hat and a pair of basketball shorts in California so he was happy and he bought himself some golf stuff. Today was great just relaxing and spending time together. I love Gabe very much and I hope he enjoys his birthday! Gabe is the best husband a girl could ask for.

Weekend Project!

Gabe and I painted our living and room and Kitchen this Saturday with the help of Casi and Jonathan. It turned out great. I have been wanting to paint for 2 years now. It feels more homely than just the plan white walls we had before. We did like a beige neutral on the walls with one blue accent wall in the living room and kitchen side. Next task the bathroom and our bedroom, so look for another post in 2 years saying I completed that task!

I need a new hobby!

Gabe works nights Monday through Thursday so I have a lot of free time in the evening and need something new to fill it with. I already work over 40 hours a week so I don't want to get a second job or anything. I have tried painting but I am more all about instant products and it would take me too long to paint something and I am not that great so I don't want a million mediocre paintings in my house. I make cakes every now and then but that is a lot of work and leaves a huge mess. Recently I have made a bunch of flower hair clips, but I think people at work think I am weird because now I wear a different one every day. I need to find something creative and fun to do that doesn't cost a lot of money, and reading is not an option I have never enjoyed that. There is only so much reality tv a girl can watch.

I am glad I don't have anyone like this in my Family!

So a friend showed me this funny letter. That someone received prior to going to a family Thanksgiving dinner. I thought is was hilarious. If anyone ever sent something like this to me, I would not show up or I would bring something way wrong just to spite them.


The Thanksgiving Letter (back by popular demand)
From: Marney
As you all know a fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner does not make itself. I need to ask each of you to help by bringing something to complete the meal. I truly appreciate your offers to assist with the meal preparation.
Now, while I do have quite a sense of humor and joke around all the time, I COULD NOT BE MORE SERIOUS when I am providing you with your Thanksgiving instructions and orders. I am very particular, so please perform your task EXACTLY as I have requested and read your portion very carefully. If I ask you to bring your offering in a container that has a lid, bring your offering in a container WITH A LID, NOT ALUMINUM FOIL! If I ask you to bring a serving spoon for your dish, BRING A SERVING SPOON, NOT A SOUP SPOON! And please do not forget anything.
All food that is to be cooked should already be prepared, bring it hot and ready to serve, warm or room temp. These are your ONLY THREE options. Anything meant to be served cold should, of course, already be cold.
HJB—Dinner wine
The Mike Byron Family1. Turnips in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. Please do not fill the casserole all the way up to the top, it gets too messy. I know this may come as a bit of a surprise to you, but most of us hate turnips so don’t feel like you a have to feed an army.2. Two half gallons of ice cream, one must be VANILLA, I don’t care what the other one is. No store brands please. I did see an ad this morning for Hagan Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream, yum!! (no pressure here, though).3. Toppings for the ice cream.4. A case of bottled water, NOT gallons, any brand is ok.
The Bob Byron Family1. Green beans or asparagus (not both) in a casserole with a lid and a serving spoon. If you are making the green beans, please prepare FOUR pounds, if you are making asparagus please prepare FIVE pounds. It is up to you how you wish to prepare them, no soupy sauces, no cheese (you know how Mike is), a light sprinkling of toasted nuts, or pancetta, or some EVOO would be a nice way to jazz them up.2. A case of beer of your choice (I have Coors Light and Corona) or a bottle of clos du bois chardonnay (you will have to let me know which you will bring prior to 11/22).
The Lisa Byron Chesterford Family1. Lisa as a married woman you are now required to contribute at the adult level. You can bring an hors d’ouvres. A few helpful hints/suggestions. Keep it very light, and non-filling, NO COCKTAIL SAUCE, no beans of any kind. I think your best bet would be a platter of fresh veggies and dip. Not a huge platter mind you (i.e., not the plastic platter from the supermarket).
The Michelle Bobble Family1. Stuffing in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please make the stuffing sans meat.2. 2.5-3 qts. of mashed squash in a casserole with a lid and serving spoon3. Proscuitto pin wheel – please stick to the recipe, no need to bring a plate.4. A pie knife
The June Davis Family1. 15 LBS of mashed potatoes in a casserole with a serving spoon. Please do not use the over-size blue serving dish you used last year. Because you are making such a large batch you can do one of two things: put half the mash in a regulation size casserole with lid and put the other half in a plastic container and we can just replenish with that or use two regulation size casserole dishes with lids. Only one serving spoon is needed.2. A bottle of clos du bois chardonnay
The Amy Misto Family (why do I even bother she will never read this)1. A pumpkin pie in a pie dish (please use my silver palate recipe) no knife needed.2. An apple pie in a pie dish, you can use your own recipe, no knife needed.
Looking forward to the 28th!!
Marney

Here is the link as well

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2009/11/26/awkward-family-story-the-thanksgiving-letter/

3 Years & NEW YORK CITY

3 Years ago today I married my best friend and we are still in love most days :) I mean everyday! Gabe and I actually celebrated this past weekend. Gabe took me on a surprise trip to New York City. I knew we were going somewhere but I didn't know where. He told me the night before so I could pack the right clothes. I had never been to NYC so it was a fun weekend trip to see some sights and spend some time together. We stayed in downtown Manhattan and had a great time. I am lucky to have such an amazing husband! Here is a photo look at our trip!




















NBA Store, Probably Gabe's favorite Store we went into. We will have to go back one day when we can actually afford to buy the things in it!

Central Park. It was kind of cold another reason why I need to go back again to see it all green in the summer

Time Square. Lots of People, Lights and Starbucks. To bad TRL isn't on anymore I could of been screaming under that window for backstreet boys or some other boy band.

Ground Zero.

I was part of street show. This guy did a flip over five of us. I was scared to death. My legs were shaking liking crazy. I just kept telling myself Don't Move Don't Move!

Of course you Gotta eat a New York Hot Dog and Take the Subway!

Because I love Gabe so Much we finished out the night by going to the World Famous Arena Madison Square Gardens and watching a Knicks game. Am I a good wife or what?

This is me exhausted after the day waiting for the bus. Oh yeah that is my new hat I got in China Town. We spent a lot of time there it was fun. If anyone needs a self esteem boast just go to a china town. The guys kept calling me beautiful to get me to come into my store. You feel good about yourself until you hear them say it to next lady walking down the street who clearly doesn't have any since of hygiene but is also female.

It was a great weekend! I love spending time with Gabe and traveling and seeing new things. The last 3 years have been full of adventures and I am excited to see what the next 3 years will bring.