Fall is here!

It’s finally time for a blog/life update! I’ll just hit the high points since it’s been so long since I’ve posted anything. Since August I have been splitting my time between New Braunfels, College Station, and Abilene...and of course work. Blake and I try to see each other every other weekend, or at least twice a month. With my job I have to work two weekends a month, so my other two weekends are normally spent out of town and traveling, with an occasional weekend here and there when Blake is able to come to Abilene. During the week I try to see Hailey if I can, but we have been working opposite schedules lately so we really hardly see each other. I do, however, spend most Wednesday nights hanging out at Hailey and Ty’s after work or on my days off, and Hailey or I cook dinner. So that’s how my week goes in a nutshell.

It’s always fun to go to New Braunfels and spend time with all of Blake’s family. A couple of weekends ago Blake and I met in New Braunfels for the weekend to go to a good family friend’s wedding, as well as Blake’s Meme and Pawpaw’s dedication of their new church building where Blake’s Pawpaw is the pastor. It’s always a busy time and a full weekend when I go to New Braunfels, but we had so much fun.

Blake's sweet family

(photo source: Sydney Forester)

The Forester grandkids

At the beginning of October Blake came to Abilene for family pictures and for my Papaw’s induction to the hall of fame at his high school. Friday we watched Weston play in a tennis tournament at school and then went to the Abilene High vs. Cooper game that night. Saturday morning we got up and went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast, then headed to Lueders, Texas for my Papaw’s ceremony and presentation. After we were done, we all headed back to Abilene for family pictures.  It was the perfect weekend with great weather for family pics and some good food.

Conder Family

Sweet Blaker

Cute Watsons

My adorable parents

The cutest grandparents around

The Gilbert clan

Group photo

Funny pic

Siblings :)

The Watsons and Mr. Django

Love you!

I’ve been to College Station for a couple of game weekends. I always love being in College Station for game weekends, enjoying tradition, and going to tent sales. Last weekend I went to College Station for the Vanderbilt game. Of course we watched the Ags BTHO out of Vandy and it was a great game to watch. On Friday night when I got to College Station, Blake took me out for a really nice date at The Republic (sadly I did not even get a picture of us). The Republic is one of the nicest steakhouses in College Station. I could rant and rave over the food all day. From the appetizers to dessert, everything was absolutely fabulous and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. About 15 minutes into our date though, a man in a suit and earpiece walked past our table. I jokingly said to Blake, “Do you think that guy is in the secret service?” Turns out he was! We started skimming the room and realized that George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush were sitting in the corner of the room that we were eating in. Blake and I both decided that I am not very good at playing it cool when it comes to being around people of “celebrity” status. I spent the remainder of our date asking Blake to sneak a picture of the Bush’s since they were sitting behind me and I couldn’t do it myself. He handled my excitement and begging of him to take a picture like a champ :) After our dinner we headed to the movie theater with hopes to see Captain Phillips. By the time we got there the theater was completely full and I didn’t think I could stay awake long enough to watch the 10 o’clock showing, so we left and rented a redbox movie instead. We had the greatest weekend and try to soak up every minute we have together.

Texas fried shrimp appetizers

Centercut Strip with dipping sauces. We also had grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes for our sides

Apple fried french toast for dessert with vanilla bean ice cream

This is so hard to see, but if you look past the water glass you can see George Bush, Sr. in his wheelchair and Barbara Bush sitting accross the table from him

After the Vandy game

Thanks for reading about my not so extravagant life :) Have a blessed weekend!

Summer: Part 2

Summer has flown by so quickly this year! It’s almost over and I feel like I hardly got to enjoy it. It was fun, but so busy at the same time. The second half of my summer has consisted of many weekend trips and working. In July Blake and I went with his mom’s side of the family to his aunt and uncle’s ranch in Goldthwaite. They have a great place that sleeps lots of people! Most of Blake’s cousins and their families were there, along with some friends and all the little ones in the family! We hung out, swam, and ate some great food. It was a blast and a great time with the family.
 

Ryder was ready to go swimmin

 

The next weekend I went to College Station to help Blake and his parents move him from the place he and Ty had lived in and into Josh’s house. With the four of us and Josh we were able to efficiently pack all of Blake’s things and move him across town. As you can imagine, it was a hot and busy weekend! Blake will be living with Josh for this fall semester as he finishes up classes at A&M, then he will begin his internship in the spring followed by a May graduation. WHOOP!

Blake and I went to Walmart to stock up on boxes for the move

 

The first weekend in August Blake and I went to Fort Worth for Aunt Donna and Uncle David’s 50^th wedding anniversary. We met the rest of Blake’s family in Fort Worth for the event and had such a great weekend there. Bryan, Sydney, Blake, and I stayed with Blake and Bryan’s cousin Roibeth, her husband Tim, and their three precious girls. Yet again we had a great time of fellowship and great food :)

Blakey and sweet baby Tillery

 

Big sisters Timberlin and Tricia

 

Making silly faces at each other

 

The second weekend in August was my Mammaw and Papaw’s 50^th wedding anniversary! What a great example they are to me! My Mammaw and Papaw started dating when Mammaw was in 5^th grade and Papaw was in 6^th grade. How awesome is that? Unfortunately I had to work all weekend while everyone else was celebrating, but I know they had a great time.

(sadly I have no pictures from the weekend since I couldn't be there for the celebration)

Last of all, last Wednesday Blake came to Abilene to stay with me and my family for five days! We haven’t spent five whole days together since last summer! It was wonderful and much needed time together before classes start for Blake on Monday. Thursday we spent some time in the pool and that night we went to Albany for some all you can eat shrimp, which is absolutely one of my favorite meals! For those of you who know what I’m talking about, you understand. Blake said he has never seen me eat so much! It was amazing. Friday we did some shopping and swam some more. Saturday night we sat out by the lake, ate pizza, and threw the football around! The boys can obviously throw a little harder and farther than the girls, but I’m pretty positive I am the best punter :) Either way, we had so much fun spending time as one big family. On Sunday morning Blake and I went to Mountain Top Church in Cisco with Hailey and Ty where Ty has accepted a new job as media minister. Mountain Top was amazing and I know it will be a great fit for Hailey and Ty. Big things are happening there.

Django swam too

 

First and only one to jump in the lake so far

 

Throwing the football and dancing :)

 

 

Now that summer is over I’m hoping things will slow down a bit…even though it seems like that never actually happens. I’m hoping to go to some Aggie football games and enjoy the fall season. I hope you all have a great rest of the week!

Ps. Pictures from Hailey and Ty's wedding are up. Go check them out if you're interested. Lindsey Cotton did a fabulous job!!

 

 

 

 

First half of summer!

I’ll start off by apologizing for such a long post. May and June have been crazy busy! I feel like the summer is just flying by. Hailey and Ty got married, I started working the night shift, Bryan and Sydney got married, I switched to working the day shift, our friends Chelsea and Kevin got married, and here we are…finally taking a breather for a couple of weeks.

I’ll start at the beginning. May 25^th was Hailey and Ty’s big wedding day! It began with much hard work and preparation. Blake and our good friend Josh came in for the whole week before the wedding to help Ty out with some things and to help us all get everything ready for the big day. It was such a fun and busy time. When Blake got here on Sunday, he, Django, and I swam for a bit then dad cooked dinner for us. I had to work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so Blake got to spend a lot of time with Ty and Josh during that time. Wednesday night after I got off work we all went out to mom and dad’s new place and chilled on the dock for a while. We watched the neighbors across the lake ski for a little bit and just relaxed before getting busy with last minute wedding details. We spent all day Thursday setting up for the wedding reception at Larry and Shea Hall’s barn (Celebration Hall). The boys came for the manual labor on Thursday morning and helped set up all the tables and chairs. Thursday afternoon Renee and Michelle (two of Hailey’s bridesmaids and our good friends), my grandparents, and mom’s good friend Brenda, who helped with all the wedding details, came and helped us finish up the decorating. Friday morning we had Hailey’s bridal luncheon at my Mammaw and Papaw’s playhouse (that’s what we call their two-story antique showroom that my Papaw built). My Mammaw and her sister Mary did a fabulous job with the food and decorations. Every bit of the bridal luncheon was so thoughtful and fitting. After lunch we all went for manicures and pedicures! It was nice to be pampered after how busy we had been with wedding preparations :) Friday night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner! The wedding coordinator was unable to make it to the rehearsal, unexpectedly, so Ty’s dad took over and did an awesome job making sure we all knew what we were supposed to do! The rehearsal dinner was downtown at the Beehive. Ty’s mom, Jana, and his sister-in-laws, Cassidy and Jessica, did a wonderful job setting up for the rehearsal dinner and making it special. We all had such a great time relaxing and fellowshipping. Friday night most of the bridesmaids spent the night at my parent’s house with us then we got up on Saturday morning and headed to the church around 1 to get ready. I don’t know how it is for most people getting ready on their wedding day, but getting ready for Hailey and Ty’s wedding was so relaxing. No stress, no worries, no anxiety…it was perfect! The wedding and reception were flawless as well then we sent Hailey and Ty off for a week of bliss in Hawaii!

Blake and Django taking a swim

 

Sitting on the dock at mom and dad's new house

 

The boys taking a break after working hard to help set up for the reception

 

Mammaw and Brenda decorating the chandelier

 

No event is complete without 12th man towels ;)

 

One of the tables Mammaw decorated for the bridal luncheon. This one is of Hailey and I

 

Manicures and pedicures!

 

Rehearsal dinner at the Beehive

 

Bridesmaids dresses and boots

 

Melinda did both Hailey's hair and my own. She did a wonderful job!

 

Almost a married woman!

 

Groom's cake

 

Bride's cake

 

On the way to the reception!

 

The boys chugging sweet tea after cleaning up at the reception

 

Probably one of Ty's favorite parts of the honeymoon...their rental car haha

 

They had a great time relaxing on the honeymoon!

 

 

A week after Hailey and Ty got back from their honeymoon, Blake came back into town and we got to spend the weekend with my family and Hailey and Ty. I’m ready for more weekends together like that!

Our first double date after Hailey and Ty got back from Hawaii

 

 

The weekend after that it was my turn to go to New Braunfels for Bryan and Sydney’s wedding. (If you’ve missed it in a previous post, Bryan is Blake’s older brother.) June 15^th was their big day and it was also an absolutely beautiful wedding! Friday was the rehearsal dinner which took place at the winery right next to Bryan and Sydney’s wedding venue. We had such a fun time listening to friends and family share stories and love on Bub and Syd. The wedding was Saturday night at Boulder Springs in New Braunfels. The weather held up for the gorgeous outdoor wedding and the whole thing fit Bryan and Sydney perfectly! On Sunday we all went to lunch at Blake’s Meme and Pawpaw’s house. I bet there were at least 30 of us there. Blake has such a big family and it’s always so much fun getting together with everybody!

Blake and baby Silas! All of Blake's baby cousins are adorable! (Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of Blake with Paislee or Cambell)

 

Blake and brother Bryan! (the groom)

 

Before Bub and Syd's wedding

 

Sydney looked gorgeous!

 

Blake and baby Tillery! Her dress and hair bow were adorable

 

Blake's mom, Sherry, and baby Tillery

 

 

 

First dance

 

The truck Bryan and Syd rode away in

 

Blake's cousin Lindie and I unknowingly wore the same dress ha!

 

 

That finally brings me to this past weekend. Hailey, Ty, Blake, and I went to Houston for the weekend for some of our friends’ wedding. We stayed with Blake’s aunt Teresa and uncle Brad, and we spent most of the weekend with them and their kids. We ate lots of good food, watched movies, and took naps. It was great! Chelsea and Kevin got married on Sunday afternoon at Ashton Gardens in Spring, Tx. Their venue was quaint and gorgeous! After the wedding I dropped Blake off in College Station and made my way back to Abilene for work the next day.

 

Chelsea and Kevin's wedding

 

Love him!

 

Being silly

 

I may have made Blake do some model poses for me...

 

...but come on, he's so cute!

 

It’s been a crazy and busy couple of months, but it has also been so much fun! I’m ready to spend a couple of weeks relaxing and I’m excited to see Blake again in a couple of weeks as well! I apologize for the long post but now I’m all caught up for the first half of the summer :) I hope everyone has a great rest of the week! Blessings!