Bev’s Graduation!

Last weekend, my sweet cousin Beverly graduated from high school AND turned 18 all on the same day! And, she didn’t JUST graduate, she was #10 in her class of hundreds! She also completed a very challenging academic program where she took classes that were much harder than average (harder than AP and many college courses) in order to receive lots of college credit  hours. This was also the first year they offered this program and her high school was the first in all of Fort Worth ISD to participate in it… It was obvious that Bev worked hard in her classes, but also made lots of friends over the last 4 years at Western Hills High School.  She had many friends and family there to cheer her on.  It was a fun day!

We’re so proud of you Bev!









Mom & Me with the birthday girl & graduate! Brittany & Beverly: The Mary Hardin Baylor sisters!


Can’t wait to see the Lord use you for His glory at Mary Hardin Baylor! Go Crusaders!

Our Quick Trip to Chicago

This past weekend, we jumped on a plane on Friday night and landed in Chicago around midnight! Saturday morning, we woke up and had the opportunity to attend and be a part of Nana’s (Kyle’s Grandmother) Memorial Service.  She was a wonderful and beautiful lady who we will miss SO much.  It was a pleasure to be able to travel back to Kyle’s home for the weekend to spend time with family and remember our sweet, sweet Nana. 
Here is a picture of me with Kyle’s Nana & Papa at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in July of 2008. Nana & I were stylin’ wearing the same sunglasses!

Her Memorial service was perfect and beautiful.  All of her grandkids spoke and did a wonderful job portraying her beauty & the legacy that she’s given to her family.  Listening to each person speak and thinking about Nana reminds me of Proverbs 31.

“A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her.She brings him good all the days of her life

….She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks

….She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her

…Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

After Nana’s Memorial service, we spent some nice quality time with the family.  We ate lots of food, played games, ate more food, got to catch up on life, and then ate even more food.  It was great fun.  Here’s a picture of all of Papa & Nana’s grandkids.  {Katie, if you are reading this…I stole this picture from you! Thanks for taking it..I’m kicking myself for not getting my camera out!}

On Sunday, we enjoyed time together with Kyle’s parents and siblings! The weather was perfect, so we played a little “Up the River, Down the River” outside on the deck.  We played this game a lot this past summer on our Alaskan Cruise…so it was fun to play it again.

Here we are as a little fam…and, then there’s Corey, Kyle’s younger brother…ha! I couldn’t help myself…I had to zoom in.  This pic is so GREAT! I didn’t even noticed that he made this face until I uploaded my pictures onto our computer a few minutes ago. HA!

While playing cards, we spotted a little bunny in the yard! Although, after trying to feed the bunny some carrots and helping him (because we thought he was hurt), we decided that the bunny was just messed up in the head.  He was doing flips and jumps and other strange movements I’ve never seen a bunny do before…it was quite odd.

We played a few games of knockout basketball and Kyle & his older brother Chris played golf in the front yard. Not sure how the game actually worked? All I know is I kept seeing golf balls fly OVER the house. Interesting. Looked fun, though! Meanwhile, Jodi and I entertained ourselves by doing cartwheels and riding bikes.

After about a 48 hour visit, we headed back to the airport to began our long adventure back to Dallas.  Chicago had some severe thunderstorms on Sunday evening, so our flight kept getting delayed. 
Here we are sitting & waiting FOR.EV.ER. at the Chicago O’Hare airport.  At least we found some nice chairs to sit in, right?!


Needless to say, we arrived back to our house in Dallas around 4:00 a.m. And, yes, our alarm clock went off at 6:00 and Kyle had to be at work by 7:00 a.m. It was a loooong day, but we’re slowly catching back up on sleep!

Graduation

This past weekend, we celebrated my brother’s graduation from Baylor!

Friday night, we visited with family that was in town to see everyone & celebrate Randall.
We got to see this cutie-pa-tootie, Mr. Ethan who is now 18 months!

                                                                                                                         {blowing kisses}

We also hung out at Common Grounds with Kyle’s cousins & Aunt who were also in town for Taylor’s graduation!


Then, we watched Randall graduate on Saturday!




We had lunch together, too!




Congratulations Randall!

Our Chicago Adventure

Last weekend, we had the privilege of visiting my husband’s family in Chicago! Anytime we get the chance, we LOVE going to the windy city.

We flew up there and drove a big Budget truck back full of furniture from his family! I am so thrilled to actually have a dining room table & have an “office” set up in the extra bedroom.  I’ve mentioned it before on this blog, but I love furniture that has been passed down in the family…Some people don’t like that, but I sure do! I love the memories & stories that each piece has tied to it.  I love telling all of our visitors about everything in our house, where it came from, etc. & I just think it’s neat-o. 

More about our Budget truck trip back home in a minute, let’s talk about Chicago!

We arrived on Thursday & headed straight downtown to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field! What a beautiful day we picked to attend my first Cubs game..The sun was shining bright & the Cubs won!







See that big backpack I’m wearing? {I don’t think you can actually see it from this picture, but it was big  AND heavy!} We packed up some nice(r) clothes in the backpack & we met Kyle’s parents downtown for dinner at Lawry’s The Prime Rib Steakhouse off of Michigan Avenue.  Can you hear my tummy growling just thinking about it? Major YUMM. It was quite the treat & we enjoyed every single bite!



Also, while we were in Chicago we got to hang out with our sweet friends, Rich & Jenna Tameling! They are a wonderful couple. Kyle & I wish we lived closer so we could see them way more often.  I think I could learn a thing or two from Jenna in the kitchen. She is quite the cook! She made Chicken Parmesan & an incredible salad for dinner.  {She also made the best Spinach Artichoke Dip I’ve ever had for our appetizer – Gotta get that recipe!}
After dinner, we walked around downtown Downers Grove & took them out for ice cream! Major Yum, again…


This weekend was a lot of fun, but it was also bittersweet.  Kyle’s sweet Nana went home to be with Jesus on Saturday morning {April 14}. She was a wonderful woman who has always been so active throughout her life.  I had the privilege of knowing her over the last 5 years.  Boy, have I been blessed by her!
I loved hearing stories Kyle’s trips to visit his Pa Pa & Nana’s house on Lake Michigan.
I loved hearing about Pa Pa & Nana’s little dog, “Buffy.”
I loved making 800 of Nana’s Special Recipe: “Cowboy cookies” for our wedding reception.
I love this sweet family so much & my heart goes out to my Mom-in-law as she goes through this…I can’t imagine. 
We know that Nana is dancing with Jesus right now & is so full of joy. Heaven must be an incredible place. Can’t wait to find out one day! However, I know that her husband {Pa Pa} and her daughters & their families are missing her greatly.  We get to travel back to Chicago in May to attend her Memorial Service.  We are really looking forward to this trip.

We enjoyed seeing other Phillip & Moore family members while we were in Chicago! We packed up our truck and headed out of town on Monday morning bright and early! Here’s my brother-in-law, Corey…Thanks for helping us load all that furniture. You’re a trooper!


So, Kyle and I set off to make our 17 hour drive back home to Dallas.  We listened to lots of music, played the ABC game too many times & had some great conversations.  We drove through Memphis, TN where Kyle insisted that we try some local Pork BBQ.  We were recommended to try a couple places like, “Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous” or “Lenard’s” but they were both closed on Monday. LAME! So, we found this little hole in the wall place called, “Tom’s BBQ & Deli”

Pretty sure “Tom’s” wasn’t in the best part of Memphis. Ha! However, we had seen online that this place was on the Food Network on two different shows because their Pork BBQ was just THAT good.  So, we had to try it…
Kyle got the ribs. I got the Pulled Pork. Not too bad.  The owner was AWESOME. He gave us extra sides & meat and really made us feel welcome.  Definitely recommend this place if you’re ever in the Memphis area!


After dinner, we headed to the Downtown area to get a Coke-float from another famous place we’d heard of, “Dyer’s.” It was delicious & we were stuffed.


While walking around, we passed a baseball stadium where Memphis’ minor league team the “Memphis Redbirds” were playing.  We said, “Well, Why not?” and we purchased tickets & went to the game!
Spontaneous Fun? Yes, please!



That night, we stayed in Little Rock, Arkansas & drove back to Dallas the next day. .It was a good weekend, overall!