Our First Home

We're officially homeowners!

Visitors welcome soon! 

Celebrating Mom's birthday

Last night we celebrated my Mom's birthday at the Dallas Arboretum's Concerts in the Garden series. I just knew she would love being outside, spending time with family and most importantly, seeing the fall pumpkins display. 

She even wore orange to match. :)

So the arboretum has had a fairy tale theme for all of their seasonal displays this year. Here is Cinderella's village. 

Too many pumpkins. So many varieties. 

After strolling through the arboretum, Mom and I met up with the guys and listened to the hits of the decades by Dallas Unlimited. 

Cooler weather + fried chicken + panzanella salad+ beer and wine + great music = Perfection. 

Followed by Sprinkles cupcakes!

Happy Birthday, Mom! Here's to many more! 

Em's bachelorette

Last weekend Courtney, Callie, Rebecca and I headed Northbound I-35 all the way to Wichita, KS for our dear friend Emily's bachelorette celebration. It was at one of my all time favorite places, her parent's home. It's just beautiful.

Wonderful backyard and pool. 

Wheat fields are behind the pool. True Americana. 

Emily's mom saw a picture of a house like this in a magazine when she first got married. She told her husband she liked it and unbeknownst to her, he tore it out of the magazine and built it for her years later. So sweet! 

Em's mom and dad made dinner and chatted with us for a while. Her dad, Tom, is so excited for the upcoming wedding. He had us all in tears telling us about seeing Emily in her dress. 

And then they left and the festivities began. The hanger says, "Mrs. West."

Us gals from Texas were COLD in the 68 degrees weather and required wool blankets from the moment we got there. (Starting now I will take Uggs with me anytime I am north of Denton.)

(Callie, Cassie and me)

Beauty. 

Baylor ladies in Wichita. 

It was a quick trip but we enjoyed every minute of it and can't wait for the Page/West wedding at the Broadmoor in October!

Dallas Arboretum

For a while now, John and I have been looking for a time to go to the Dallas Arboretum's Summer Concert series and when we saw one of John's favorite bands were playing, we decided we had to go. And secretly I'm glad we waited this long because it was one of the nicest nights outside since May. Seriously.

Chair, blanket, picnic basket? Check, check, check!

Picnic for two via Central Market. 

Asleep at the Wheel played lots of our favorites. 

It's not a picnic without a little wine!

Enjoying the sounds. 

The rest of the crowd. 

View of White Rock Lake at sunset. 

We're hoping to make it out to the concerts again before they end for the season! Maybe you can join us!

Baylor vs. TCU

Last year Baylor and TCU played each other in Fort Worth. It was a disaster. I'm pretty sure John and I left by the end of the first quarter. Of course TCU went on to win the Rose Bowl (which was awesome, I support TCU when they aren't playing Baylor) and then in early spring we bears learned TCU would be our first game of the 2011 football season. Ugggg.

To quote my father-in-law, "Always optimistic and never hopeful," we left Dallas early Friday to meet up with friends and family in town for the game and partake in some quality pre-game activities. One thing is certain: We are no longer novices to tailgating. Check it.

How many tailgates are complete with a green and gold chandelier?

Or have three tents with cable and electric hook-ups?

Or serve green and yellow foods?

And personalized cups!!

It was a lot of fun! Megan was even stopped by for a bit too! 

As did my Dad, grandfather, uncle and long time family friend all down from Fort Worth for the game. 

And then more Baylor and TCU friends stopped by too! 

We had a blast and the game hadn't even started. But as we took our seats, we didn't realize we would be there for the next four and a half hours watching one of the most intense games of football, ever. 

Taking the field, ready to dominate. 

I'll spare you the play-by-plays but with twelve seconds left, Baylor intercepted the football and won

 the game! Clearly the fans rushed onto the field to celebrate. 

And concluded with "That Good 'Ol Baylor Line" and a huge Sic 'em! 

(Note RG3 in the middle.)

Following the game we headed back out to the tailgate where we popped open a bottle of champagne I had thrown in our ice chest, that I explained to John was reserved for, "just in case we win." 

It was a GREAT start to the Labor Day weekend and it's always better to open the season with a win! (Right, my TCU friends?!) 

:)