Visiting the new Mommas...

Well, we made our first trip back to Dallas together this past weekend to go to Liesl & Dudley's (Jonathon's) couples baby shower in Frisco.

We had a great time getting to catch up with them & others at the shower who we hadn't seen for a while. I also got to meet Dudley's parents whom I have heard so much about, but had never met. So that was fun. I also got to meet Liesl's sisters. Liesl is due to have Aaron Sayres Dudley on December 31. Doesn't she just look so cute at 8 months pregnant though!

We also got to stay with Alicia & Collin and see the beginnings of the baby room. So far, the closet is painted blue & all decked out with baby boy stuff and the bedding/decorations she chose are farm animals, which of course I love! (being that I am a farm girl) We enjoyed our short stay with them. It was great to be with close friends for the weekend! We didn't get to fit in our usual Spades card game though (not sure who is ahead right now -- girls or guys), but Alicia and I have been known to kick their tails at Spades! We also didn't get to fit in a ping pong tourney. Last time we played, Collin was the champ, but I made it to the finals (yes, it is what you are thinking -- I BEAT JARROD)!! If you cannot tell, I am very proud of that. ;) It is a loving competitiveness that we have though, right Dear? LOL Anyhow, we'll have to make another visit to fit in all the competition with the Sharps.

Alicia is due January 30 & is so cute pregnant too! I hadn't gotten to see her since she was showing a little.

And, on Sunday, we went to service back at our old church, Stonebriar. The new sanctuary was completed about a month ago so we were so excited to go back and worship there! It was wonderful! The choir sounded so good & the organ pipes that were just put in sounded & looked amazing! It was great to hear from Chuck & just be in a place that was so familiar. After church, we made a pass by our "old house", which is really weird to say. It was still there of course and things looked pretty good, but the grass wasn't near as green as when we left it and my flowers I planted had grown a lot! But they looked pretty wilty & dying after going through the hot summer. Next, we went for some sushi at our old fave, Chaucers. It was yummy! And a stop in Frisco just wouldn't be the same without getting some custard at Sheridan's ---

It was a short visit so we hope to make it back up again soon to see everyone!

Down South where it's "Gruener"...

Mom told us about a music & wine festival in Gruene when we were in Corpus a couple weekends ago so we decided to make a day trip down South to Gruene, TX this past Saturday. We met up with mom and Ernie and had a relaxing time listening to some music, trying a few TX wines & of course hitting up a few of the "cute little shops" in Gruene. We ate at the famous Grist Mill restaurant & conversed about why the restaurant would be named a mill if its history went back to a cotton gin? Oh well, the food was really good. We had great weather and a great time! It was so great to be able to meet up with them on a daytrip! We never would have been able to do that in Dallas. Here's some pictures.

Aggieland is close, but Corpus is Home...

Although we got to visit my surrogate home, Aggieland, last weekend, this weekend we made the first drive home to Corpus from Austin. It was such a relaxing drive. Especially b/c it was 3 1/2 hours less than we are accustomed to from Dallas!! We took a back route to miss Friday afternoon traffic, but also with ulterior motives to go through Lockhart and stop for some BBQ at yet another talked about joint! This one is called Kreuz. We decided that they have the best brisket that we have ever tasted! Jarrod and I have differing views on the pork ribs. I liked them better than several of the places we have tried (although, all have been wonderful!), but Jarrod wasn't to keen on the seasoning. Nevertheless, we left there with very full stomachs!! And on to Corpus we went. It was a great time visiting family and friends. We went to a wedding of a friend of mine, Licia Dodson, from grade school who also went to business school at A&M with me.

I caught up with quite a few familiar faces whom I hadn't seen in years so that was fun, but also got to see Amber for the second weekend in a row! That never happens these days!

We were also able to celebrate with my mom on her actual birthday, which has probably not happened in quite some time -- usually it is a card sent in the mail & a phone call. Love you Mom! And I am thankful for the ## years (I won't tell) that God has blessed you with & the almost 29 years of it (getting close to the big one!) that I have been blessed by having you as my mother! Wish I had taken a picture to put here from the weekend, but these older ones will have to do.

Remember our Troops...

Since my last post about the Aggie band tribute to the military, I watched this video on You Tube that was put together by a 15 year old girl. We should never forget all the troops that are fighting for us, for our freedom!

Spirit of Aggieland Never Changes...

Our lives are ever changing, but it never ceases to amaze me that the same spirit I knew while I was at A&M, is still there & is felt the moment I drive into College Station. It is also that feeling like you get when you go back to your hometown to visit family -- it was so exciting to be home in Aggieland this past weekend! And if you are reading this and thinking, "what is she talking about?", I guess it is like they say, "those inside cannot explain it & those outside don't understand it (my husband included in this bunch)". It was a great time of visiting friends and being a part of the 12th Man (fans) at Kyle Field! Army was the opponent so it was fitting that special tributes were done in honor of those men who proudly serve our country.

There is usually a fly over at all the games, but I had never seen paratroopers dropped from helicopters to drift down to Kyle Field...

The band played a piece for each branch of the military,

And of course, the standard block "T"...

God Bless America! And God Bless our Troops.

The singing cadets sing as the flag covers Kyle Field.

The guys were focused on the game,

Jarrod & Brad


While Emily & I chatted & caught the highlights...

After the game we met up with friends.

Amber, Me, Rachel, Emily

To bring the weekend to a close, on our way back to Austin Sunday we stopped through Elgin to check out 2 BBQ places we keep hearing people rave about. We got BBQ at both & taste tested that night. And the winner is.....

Southside Market! Their pork ribs are tasty!