2011...the best one yet.

I may be the worst picture taker of all time...but I keep a mean calendar. Having exact dates is kind of fun! And, big shocker, I actually have some pictures of what went down in 2011. Let's do a little end of year review shall we?

January 2011

January 1st to be exact. Travis called me for the first time after out little hiatus. Who would've know what would become of that little phone call (Except me. I pretty much knew we'd be together forevs at that point.)

Me and T went on our 2nd 1st date! January 13th.  Two days later I saw him again on his way back through town...then 5 days after that...and 5 days after that...and 5 days after that...(this pattern continues) 

Mill and I redid my room entirely from gift cards from my kinder babies.

• I got sick. I mean sick, SICK with the flu and missed an entire week of school. I then mustered up the energy to go back the following week and fainted during lunch duty - in front of 80 terrified kinder babies. 

what is going on with my spacing up there??!

February 2011

• My birthday wishes were granted when we got a "snow day" and didn't have school the Friday before my birthday. I worried that Travis wouldn't be able to drive in town to celebrate. (He did!)
• I made the girls (and Danny) get bundled up and "sled" down our apartment ramp. It was fun. Until the ice melted...we also ruined 3 cookie sheets.

 

• Casey planned a fun painting/wine class for the girls while the boys boozed (and created an impressive yet highly inappropriate picture for me as a thoughtful hilarious gift...)  We had a great time and a huge bar tab.

• We went shark fishing in Galvey! And I actually have pics from that trip but can't for the life of me find them! Grr.
• I fell in a little bit of love with Travis in Rockport at CAST for Kids and partied hard all night until we couldn't party any more (9 pm) at the Sand Bar. It was a looong day!

 

March 2011

• We celebrated Katie's birthday in midtown.

• Rodeo season started! (The funnest month of the year)

•  I ran the Warrior Dash. Got muddy and had a blast! 

• I surprised Travis in Victoria on the first day of my Spring Break with a steak dinner (and my awesome company of course!) I fell in A LOT of love with him as he showed me a memory book his mom had made. Most precious little ginger kid ever, sweetest notes he wrote the people he loves most, emails from his teachers raving about what a great student/athlete he was (In high school! What HS teacher goes out of her way to email a student's parents??)
• My brother Taylor and his girlfriend Katie got engaged! We celebrated at a surprise lunch in Austin. 
• Travis got and incredible opportunity at work.  He accepted and got ready for this huge transition.

April 2011

• We went to our first of nine hundred million wedding together from then until forever.

•  I spent a weekend in his hometown to meet his parent's for the first time and fell in love with them too. We rode horses, shopped, ate, played on 4 wheelers, and Mr. Urbo just happened to have beekeeping gear (a hobby I am SO excited about starting one day soon!)

 

•  We had another awesome weekend in Rockport celebrating Justin's 25th. Even though the boys could care.less. I thought it'd be fun to make it a little cutesy so beer labels and cakeball toppers it was!

Notice the unwelcome addition to the pic? We obviously had no idea.  Bday boy does what the bday boy wants I suppose. 

• Travis and I spent one of many, many, many days at his bayhouse in Palacios for Easter. 
• We joined Lindsey for shopping, lots of Skinny Girl, lingerie, and laughs at her bachelorette party in beautiful La Grange, TX.

May 2011 

• We celebrated Travis' brother Chris graduating from the Texas Maritime Academy in Galveston. (I love these pics but they aren't on a computer!)
• Beautiful Abby married her man and we danced (and sweated) the night away! 

•  We went to New Orleans, my favorite city in America, for Memorial Day.  It was a blast!

• Travis moved far, far away to Carrizo Spring, TX.  Not to be confused with Mexico.

June 2011 

• I welcomed summer with open arms after a long, long year in Kindergarten. 
• Lindsey married her man and we celebrated the couple at a beautiful reception.
• I spent a weekend with Travis in Carrizo and we helped catch baby deer to be tagged and vaccinated.

• We celebrated Ashley's 25th with a girls weekend in San Antonio on the River Walk and at Sea World (My first trip, but not my last! I fell in love with the Shamu show!) 

• I started a business, Class Couture, I had been thinking about for years. I spent the summer sewing away! It was really fun but as it turns out...working all day and then coming home to work more is well, a lot of work.  Something I would like to really peruse more seriously when I have more "free" time. 

 July 2011

• We celebrated America with Travis' entire family at their bay house. A good time had by all!
• I found out Britt and Mark were going to have a BABY!! I cried...in a bar. It was quite ridic.
• We spent a weekend with friends in Palacios and I spent a week in Carrizo with T and Mill. 
• I taught myself how to screen print! 

August 2011

• I anxiously awaited college football and started a Christmas countdown.
• My summer ended. Tear. But I welcomed 22 sweet kinder babies into my class! I dipped my toes in the water and decided to start a class blog.

September 2011

• College football started! My idea of a perfect Saturday was back in my life!
• I stayed busy with Class Couture orders.
• We spent a weekend in Cuero.
• Had too much fun, yes too much fun, at a wedding. 
• With the help of Mr. Urbo I grew pumpkins! One of my very most favorite things ever!

October 2011

• We went to Cuero for Turkey Fest. (Wish I had pics! It was a blast!)
• We celebrated Dan's bday in Palacios. Fun as always!
• We had a shower for my brother and Katie. And we skipped out on two weddings.
• Travis cooked at Yoakum Western Days. We watched Cory Morrow put on one of the best shows I've ever seen...and somehow, not sure how, but Travis' ah-mazing ribs didn't even place!? wtf?

• We spent a low key Halloween weekend in Carrizo, just the two of us - never happens - and we carved pumpkins! 

November 2011

• I started this little blog and I am SO glad I did!
• My sweet Mill girl miraculously survived downing 300 vitamins. Thank the Lord. 
• Mrs. Urbo and my mom met for the first time! We enjoyed a day of shopping at the Nutcracker Market!  Mrs. Urbo did a great job not spilling the beans on what was to happen the following weekend!

• WE GOT ENGAGED!!

• I had an amazing Thanksgiving with my FIANCE!

December 2011

• Travis was in a wedding in Oklahoma City. We had a blast Friday night which left me feeling not so hot for the actual wedding - I didn't get a pic of my cute dress and new shoes!
• We fell in love with Cabo at my brother's wedding.

• I went to a friends wedding sans Trav but met him that Sunday for the Texans game.

• I spent my very last Christmas as a Landin and loved every minute of family time!
• We went to Pete's to ring in a new year!  

And now 2012 is among us and I couldn't be more excited about everything that this year will hold. 

New babies added to the mix, a ton of weddings, a big move, a new job, A NEW LAST NAME!!

2012, I am already obsessed with you. 

I wish everyone what we will have this year...

SO MUCH LOVE AND HAPPINESS IN 2012!

Christmas Joys!

As it turns out, when I'm on vaycay so is this little blog. Whoops. I have umpteen posts to write but I'll start with Christmas and probably work backwards (if I get that far). I still haven't posted about Cabo! Slacker of the year award. 

My VERY last Christmas before I become an Urbanovsky.  It's is SO exciting but I have to say, it's a little sad knowing that things will never be the same.  From now until forever we will have to plan where we spend holidays, whose parent's we see when, and travel for every holiday. But oh my goodness...how lucky are we to have families that we WANT to spend the holidays with.  If deciding how to split out time between two amazing families is the biggest problem we face I'd say we're doing alright.

Obviously I have no pictures from the festivities...gah, I suck.  

I did however take a pic of the sweet treats I took!

Red Velvet Cakeballs...I could literally eat that entire plate.

No need to list all the things I received for Christmas but here is one thing I am just L.O.V.E-ing...

A Lauren Elan friendship bracelet. Isn't it so cute! AND it's in my favorite fall colors! Such a sweet gift from Casey.  You can buy one for your bff here. I'm sure she'll love it as much as I do!

Another gift I am beyond excited about this year came from Mr. Santa himself...otherwise known as my soon-to-be father in law, Mr. Urbo. I have GOT to get y'all a pic of this man.  He's got the Santa act down pat. The beard, the belly, the rosy cheeks, even the sparkle in his eye.  It's the sweetest thing seeing children do a double take and smile. I am so upset "Santa" didn't make an appearance this year in kinder but time just got away from us.

Anyway...all 3 of his sons are getting married and I think it's pretty safe to say he loves the girls they chose. When Travis told me his dad wanted to take us (the girls) to pick out Christmas plates I was excited but didn't really think much of it.  Well, on Monday morning we woke up early to make it to Dillards for the after Christmas sales and I picked out a gift that will with out a doubt be one of my most cherished gifts ever received.  Beautiful Christmas china! 

We each picked out something different.  This is the pattern I chose:

Isn't it beautiful?! 

I CAN NOT WAIT to serve a Christmas dinner on it next year with my husband!

I was so excited to get it home and try it out with my Grandma Doll's silver handed down to me.

It's absolutely perfect! (Even though the silver is tarnished as all get out at the moment!)

Sounds silly, but I wrote a little note about the gift and tucked it in  with the plates.  I love running across handwritten memos about particular items! My Grandma Doll was super about this, she has detailed notes and the original receipts for almost every important item purchased.  I figured now is a good a time as any to get started! If I wait until I'm 8o I'd never get done! Do y'all do this? You should! One day our grandchildren will thank you!

This was such a generous gift and it will always be such a special part of our families Christmas tradition! 

Speaking of traditions...talking about ones we would like to start with our family is one of my most favorite convo's to share with Mr. Trav! I love that we will be our own family of 2 next year! CRAZY!

In other news...

I helped Casey make these pillows for her MIL's Christmas gift and they turned out SO cute! I will def be recreating them for my house!  Love how simple pillows are and the impact they can make in a room! 

And I've been buying all kinds of fun things for me and Travis!

Address stamp for thank you notes. Love it!
Super awesome steel letters for our cake topper. The "&" is in the mail. Ahhh, BHLDN, I really do adore you.
And bookoo's of pretty Christmas ornaments!!  

Well, Christmas 2011 is officially over but I am all set for Christmas 2012 and chompin at the bit for it to get here. It will surely be the BEST one yet! SO much to look forward to!!

I hope each of you had a joyful Christmas full of merriment and happiness! 

schmorgesborg

I'll fill you in with a long mess of pictures, a schmorgesborg if you will, and everyday happenings in this little life of mine...and for the record, I def had to google how to spell schmorgesborg.

On Friday, not more than .3 seconds after briefly stating that I had a few gift cards, I received an email from Casey (I'm not lying < .3 seconds later) saying we should have dinner at Cheesecake Factory that night.  Obviously I agreed! I was saving that one for the ole fianc...but who better to share mac and cheese with than Case?! We stuffed our faces with delicious food, Texas Teas, and took cheese cake to go (vanilla bean - SO yummy!) 

Layers of Creamy Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, Vanilla Mousse and Whipped Cream. ...mmmmmmm

want.this.in.my.mouth.right.now.

You know what happens to a teacher after a week of kids and Christmas festivities? They CRASH. After our little Cheesecake Factory Glutton Fest, I stopped by a Redbox, went home, and went to bed. At like 9:30. True story. No movie. In order to watch a movie you have to keep your eyes open and that just wasn't happenin.  

Saturday I attended the wedding of this precious couple.

SO, SO very happy for them! Bryan is the sweetest guy and will without a doubt take care of Laura all the days of their lives. Of course I had to steal this pic from fb bc like always, I didn't snap even one pic! I loved my outfit and had some freakin' cute shoes on too! Dang.

Unfortunately, I went to that wedding sans Trav, he had a work party in Mexi...uh, Laredo but I had fun with some old friends! 

Couldn't party too hard because I had to wake up pretty early Sunday to meet Travis at our hotel for the Texans game! My very first event as an oil man's (almost) wife.  Not a shabby gig as I'm learning! I am so incredibly thankful for Travis' job, the company he works for, and the friends I have made through his colleagues (if it weren't for their wives I would have zero friends when I move).

Typically I feel tiny next to big ole T but these itty bitty cheerleaders did not support that feeling...

I made sure to wear my steel blue, battle red, and liberty white! GO TEXANS!!! 

The Urbo's were a little behind with sending out their Christmas cards this year.  After the game, I got a phone call from Haley, my future sis in law, asking me to awkwardly take and send a picture of me with my ring by my face for the card. Huh??

Fun fact: Travis has 2 brothers. They all proposed in 2011 and we are all getting married in 2012! YAY! 

Anyway...the idea for the card was to have all us girls with our new rings. Sure, it's cute. But awk. Taking pictures by myself is one of my most hated things (unless it's funny) so Travis was loving every second of taking this pic in the lobby of our hotel. With people watching mind you. Oh, and we had been drinking ALL day. 

"Merry Christmas future family members and closet friends. I'm excited to be a part of the fam. Can you tell I've been drinking since 11 am? Sure hope not!"

On Monday I was super pumped about going out with my favorite girls for dinner and the Nutcracker, which I had never seen. 

This is the same pic of us but I had to do some clever cropping and zooming so the Britt and Baby G would be happy with the pic! 

Dinner was scrumptious, the experience was great, and the company was top notch, but I gotta be honest...

the Nutcracker was a big ole bore in my unsophisticated opinion.  BIG bore.

 I was on the edge of my seat only because I was waiting for one of those fruity ballerina's to split their pants or slip. Never happened.  They just kept on dancing....and dancing...and dancing....and dancing.  I don't know about you but this girl needs some action, hell, even a few stinkin' words would do to keep me entertained! As it turns out, the ballet is clearly not my thing. Loved the champagne part though! And the dressing up and nice din and good friends part! 

Can you tell I had to get versa sprayed twice?? Yep. That's why I look like a Comanche.
Still have an unwavering love for that machine though! 

Hmm...what else did I do between Friday and Monday?

I wrapped presents but didn't make them as cutesie as I normally would. I'm saving the big guns for my first Christmas as a Mrs. next year, duh. I used very non Christmas-y paper this year. I am in love with the paper I got at the Nutcracker Market (the one ballet thing I actually like - the one that involves shopping) 

Red ribbons are festive enough right?? I thought so too. 

Cheetah print? Yes, please!

And I wrapped all Trav's in Camo. Now, normally I loathe camo unless it's being used while hunting but this paper was just too cute to pass on and well, Travis likes camo and I like Travis...C'est la vie.
(Yea, google how to spell that too...I would have def spelled it "saylavee". Wrong. Thank God I teach 5 year olds.) 

Oh and just in the event you may have forgotten...I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!! And this is my new favorite date in the entire world.

I should totes be a prof photog don't you think?? HA!

WOWZA, that was long! Come back later...there's more! Apparently, I've been a busy little beaver.

It's official...

10.5.12

The day I walk down the aisle and marry Travis!

We will be getting married at a beautiful venue near Sugar Land where my very best friend married her husband. SO excited we will be sharing that! Thanks Casey for not caring a bit that I went and copied you!

The venue is quite popular. At first I was very against getting married there because it seems like literally everyone we know gets married there. For a while I was set on a wedding in the San Antonio or Austin area, there's do denying how stunning the land is in those areas. Anyone would be lucky to have their special day take place in such a beautiful setting. However, after realizing the difficulty of having a wedding in a town other than my own (and the costs of back and forth trips and hotel rooms for my huge family, etc.) we decided to have a wedding closer to home. My parents were definitely all for this idea.

The venue we chose is gorgeous. It's a perfecr mix of Texas and chic. Perfect for me and Travis. And let's be honest here, it's just so dang practical! A one stop shop really. I am so excited we will be getting married in the beautiful understated chapel and walking just feet to party the night away!

Another amazing addition...my granddad is marrying us! I was so thrilled he agreed and it will make the day just that more special.

288 days!! Seems like such a long time to wait!

But ohmahword, I am beyond excited! I'm fairly certain I won't hve to worry about how to occupy my time....sugar plums?? Who even knows what those are?! Visions of flowers and dresses and plans are all that are dancing through my head!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Step in their shoes...

So after a long day of traveling back from Cabo on Sunday night, my fam gets on the bus that'll take us to our car. We were ready to be home and really ready for some normal American food (food in Mexico just doesn't cut it for this carb lover). 

When we pull into the lot a man frantically grabs his luggage and jumps off the bus, choosing not to let the bus driver lady take him to his car.  By the time we get to our car and unload our bags off the bus we realize one is missing.  My bag.  Super.  The man that was in such a giant hurry must have grabbed it by mistake.  My dad high-tails is around the parking lot looking for the thief. No luck.  

Black luggage?? Rookie mistake. 

I was annoyed. Really annoyed.  I cursed his name for a solid 10 minutes.  I was still pretty ticked about his careless mistake the next day.  I had already devised plans of ways to nail this guy when I caught him selling all my bag's little wonders on eBay.  This bag y'all contained all my favorite shorts, 2 amazing necklaces (and several less amazing but equally loved necklaces) a fancy bottle of tequila (party!), numerous super cute sandals and wedges, 100s of pics I took - ha, who am I kidding, I took like 3 - every good bra I own (girls you know how pricey these are!) my beloved chi, and one AH-mazing piece of art some might call a dress.

Well, the very next morning I got a phone call, 2 actually, and a message...  

From Mr. Rudy.  The honest apple calling me about his mix up.  He apologized endlessly and explained that he jumped off the bus in a hurry to make it to his granddaughters first dance recital in time.  I immediately went from cursing his name to hoping he made it in time!

Moral of the story: It's true what they say, you never really know where someone's coming from until you've walked in their shoes. Oh, and NEVER buy black luggage. 

This homegirl will be making her hub tote around a hot pink bag from now on.

Santa, did you get that??

Still a LOT little annoyed that I have to drive all the way to Tinbuktu to pick up my bag (that lost and found can't seem to locate at the moment) but I'll have 45 minutes, make that 2 hours with traffic, to let that little lesson learned sink in.

Don't be so quick to get bitchy (or pass judgement).

Dually noted.

On an amazing happy note....

my kinder babes are loving Ms. Landin right now...because they have been playing all morning.  Literally. All because of one simple little phrase....

IT'S FRIDAY!

And will continue to be Friday in my life until January 2nd. Oh and I've racked up gift cards to last me through the next year...anyone want to meet me for some Cheesecake Factory? A date a the nail place? Do a little shopping?

Will never say it enough - best.job.ever. 

This little life of mine...pure LOVE.