New Camera

This weekend we got a lot of little things check-off of our to-do list before going home. One of the things we needed to do was get a new camera. The pictures taken with our old camera came out too dark no matter what setting we used. If baby Gum is born while we're at home (which is what we're hoping for) we want to be able to take pictures that we can see. So here are two pictures, one from the old camera and one from the new camera, of Phil at the pool this weekend. Can you tell a difference in the pictures?

Picture 1

Picture 2

“Toobing” or “Tubing”?

Since moving to Texas, our friends have given us a list of things that we need to accomplish while living here. One item on the list was to “tube the Guadalupe River”. Last weekend we checked that item off! You may be asking yourself, “What on earth are they thinking? Camping in Texas, for a weekend, in over 100 degree weather?!” Yes, we asked ourselves that question as well…. we have no response.

On Friday we left work early to try and beat the traffic. It was about a 3-hour drive dominated by signs for Buc-ees. Every mile or so there was a billboard telling drivers that this was a necessary stop in every road trip. At first I was not interested…..but by the 20th or so billboard I was hooked. Since experiencing Buc-ees…..I can honestly say that it is a necessary road trip pit stop, they do have the best jerky in the world, and they have awesome fudge! After leaving Buc-ees, Phil’s mom called to let us know that she saw some game footage of Phil on Live! With Regis and Kelly that morning on TV. I’m married to a celebrity! Phil’s first thought was, “I wonder if Kelly thought I was hot?” hehe! When we arrived at Jerry’s Campgrounds on the river, we met up with 4 other couples from church. We all set-up camp, cooked some hotdogs over the fire, and roasted s’mores. Since there is still a burn-bann in effect in Texas, we had to get pretty creative with creating a fire.

On Saturday, we got up early and went on a walk to mentally prepare for our float. We packed lunches and caught the bus up the river to the drop-off point for floating. The float took 5 hours and we stopped midway for lunch. The float was so relaxing and fun! All I can say is thank goodness for SPF 50 in the Texas sun! When we arrived back at our campsite it was getting ready to thunderstorm so we got in the car and went to the town of Gruene (pronounced Green). We had a delicious dinner in Gruene and homemade ice cream for a post-dinner treat! Sunday we packed up the campsite and went to lunch at Rudy’s. After lunch everyone else went back to Houston and we ventured off to San Antonio. Sleeping under the stars and being with great friends, left us very happy and so glad that we got to experience the famous Guadalupe River Float; but it was off to San Antonio for us!

This was our second trip to San Antonio, but this time we stayed at the Historic Menger Hotel. We could see the Alamo from our hotel room. We slowly walked around doing a little shopping and ate snow cones. Our first trip to San Antonio we were told to go to Mi Tiera, but the line just to put our name on the waiting list was 3 hours long; needless to say we didn’t eat there. But this time we got our name on the list for dinner Sunday night! It was a delicious meal in a fun atmosphere, with a fabulous bakery! Monday we had breakfast in bed, went for a swim, and then decided that it was time to go home. However, I was not about to end the trip without another Buc-ees stop! This was our first trip with the new car and everything went great; thank goodness! All-in-all, it was a great weekend full of new adventures, relaxation, laughs, and good times.

Phil putting up the tent- See men do read the instructions :-)

The tent fully put together- notice that it is still day light

Me roasting my s'more

Phil and I by the camp fire

Floating down the river

Us in Gruene

The town of Gruene

The Historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio, TX

Phil is very excited about his snow cone

Inside Mi Tiera

Wild West Showers

This past weekend was fun and busy! Our neighbor’s birthday was on Friday and we were invited to participate in that celebration with him. His birthday party was at Wild West. Phil and I had never been to this place before and had no idea what to expect. When we arrived, there was a huge line of vehicles (mainly trucks of course) just to get into the parking lot. As we got closer to the parking lot we began to see what Wild West really was……a huge big red barn in the middle of the city! It seemed so out of place. We finally found a parking space and went inside, to be in complete culture shock. Now we have been in Houston for almost two years now and have attended the famous Rodeos, so we thought we knew a little bit of what to expect. We could not have been more wrong. When we walked in, we stuck out like a sore thumb! Everyone was dressed in their best, and most authentic, cowboy/cowgirl outfit complete with boots, belt buckles, and Stetsons with the country music blaring through the speakers.. In the middle of the room, or barn I should say, there was a huge wooden dance floor that couples were twirling around; they looked like they were floating. They were doing a dance that we had heard of before but had never really seen, the Two-Step. This is a typical dance in Texas that apparently everyone knows. There were younger couples (about 18 years old) all the way up through 85. There was this sweet couple dancing who was 85 years old! What an age range on a dance floor! Phil and I figured, that despite sticking out like a sore thumb, if all these people could two-step, then so can we. We sat out a few dances to watch what the others were doing to pick-up a few of the dance steps. Our first attempt on the dance floor went great! We aren’t naturals at the two-step, but I think with practice we can get even better. The birthday party was great fun and now we can officially two-step and line dance, Texas style!

Us :-)

Me learning how to line dance

On Saturday, my small group from church threw a baby shower for one of the women who is due in August. We had games, food, presents, and favors. It was a fun and special shower. There are two more women in our small group who are due, so we have two more showers to plan. I had a great time seeing the ladies from church, outside of the church walls. I love showers, it’s so much fun to be around women who are encouraging and supportive friends who share in my love for the Lord.

The lovely ladies from the Saved to Serve Heights Smallgroup at the shower. All the future moms are glowing!

Fourth of July

Last year we were in Nebraska on our family vacation for Independence Day, so this was our first 4th of July in Texas. Texas doesn’t celebrate the holiday any differently than what we have experience in the past. They still have backyard BBQ’s, kids running through the sprinklers, fireworks, and parades.

Our neighborhood, River Oaks, has a great park and community center with tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, walking trails, and a jungle-gym area for the children. We really like to go to this park as a retreat from the city life and of course to play outside! So we started our American holiday out with a trip to the park; we went on some of the walking trails and threw the Frisbee. Later in the day Phil grilled his famously delicious chicken fajitas. I know this isn’t the typical Independence Day meal, but hey we live in Texas, and to be honest, those fajitas are just too yummy to pass up!

Like most Americans, we ended the day watching fireworks that were set to music. So beautiful! I remember the first 4th of July that I spent with Phil four years ago and the fireworks that we went to see. It’s so great to look back and think of all the precious and special moments we have been blessed with since then. All in all, we had a great 4th of July again this year, and look forward to many more.

The First

This is my first experience blogging, please be patient with me. It may take a while for me to get the hang of this, but I will catch on with time.

Anyhow, welcome to our blog! Phil and I met in school at Randolph-Macon College and were married in 2007. It's hard to believe that we have almost been married for two years; even we can't believe it sometimes. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. Since we’ve been married, we have kept ourselves really busy. We are constantly going to a game, museum, traveling, meeting new people, etc. Unfortunately, our family and friends are spread out all over the country, and we hardly get to see one another to catch-up. We thought a blog would be a great place to meet and share the stories of our lives. We will post pictures and information about what we have been up to in hopes that everyone will be up-to-date with our lives. Hopefully you will enjoy reading what Phil and I have been doing in our blog.

So far this summer I think we are both just trying to stay cool. The daily temperature bobs around 100! While it is pretty hot, I think that last summer was warmer; however, that could be because I'm starting to adapt to the Texas weather. Summer officially starts for us tomorrow, July 3rd. Now that classes are over we are hoping to take some weekend trips for summer vacation. This past winter, we went to several of the major Texas cities, but we have yet to make it to the beaches (which the exception of pre-Ike Galveston). Hopefully this summer we can make it to the beach a few times and even back home to Pittsburgh.