Festival of Lights

Last week Chris and I spent part of our day off and met one of our friends from work and his girlfriend in Galveston at the Moody Garden's Festival of Lights, then went to dinner at a local italian restaurant near our house. The lights were somewhat underwhelming, but we had a great time anyway and enjoyed the company!

And just for kicks...thought this was funny!

Thankful

"So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves..." Psalm 107:15

There is so much to be thankful for this year that I could go on and on. Chris and I are truly blessed. Good health, good jobs, great friends and family that love, support, and pray for us daily. 


Here are a few pictures from our Thanksgiving this year with Chris's family!

Super blurry, but a good family picture

Where the boys spent most of their day...Call of Duty. Go figure!

Game of Things! SO fun!

Typical. 

Ryan & Nicole

My Wonderful In-Laws :)

Everyone hanging out in the kitchen for round 2

So blurry, but I thought it was a cute picture!

And just for kicks and giggles...I took this picture going into work on TUESDAY!!! Tuesday people....seriously?!!! Black Friday is tomorrow. Bring. It. On.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

So I know I am way behind on blogging...but I figured this was worthy of taking a few minutes to blog about! Things have been super crazy around the Brown house. With Chris starting his new position (HR - nothing like a little friendly competition!) in a new store (much higher volume than he's worked in before) and with the usual craziness of this time of year in retail prepping for the holidays, we've had little time to sit back and just relax. Well yesterday, I was able to coerce my sweet, creative friend, Laura, to come over while Chris was at work and help me decorate for Christmas (wanted to do it before work totally sucked me in and I knew my next day off after Black Friday, I was going to want to do nothing but sit...and bake...) And let me tell you! I owe her huge. Our house (okay, really just living room) looks beautiful!! I'm so pleased with the way everything came together. Here a few pictures of Christmas at the Browns!

My precious friend adding another "twirly" to the tree!

Happy Thanksgiving week! :)

Better Late than Never...NOLA!

So I know, the ol' blog has been neglected a little lately. Truth be told - I've really enjoyed having back my evenings with my husband! It's great to get to come home, eat dinner, and still have a few hours to enjoy each other's company without him having to be in bed by 7:00 pm!

So...in celebration of remodel being OVER - we took a long weekend and headed to New Orleans. Chris had never been and I had only been for a mission trip (definitely a different experience this go 'round!). We had a blast!! We ate so much. Walked around the French Quarter a lot. Went on a tour of the swamp (and saw a 10' gator...NBD). And ate some more. It was definitely a much needed getaway. Here a few pictures from our trip:

Hurricanes at Pat O's to start it all off!

Yes we ate beignets for breakfast Saturday and Sunday. No shame.

We got to see several weddings parade through the French Quarter.

The most delicious steak - ever! Mr. B's Bistro - def. recommend 

Oh, just a random Mardi Gras parade!

Headed to the Swamp Tour!

This was the 10' gator - picture doesn't do it justice!

NOLA - one of Emeril's restaurants - so worth it!

Under that chicken are the world's BEST sweet potatoes!! 

Pumpkin Bread Pudding...yummm

Such a fun trip!!

Let the Fun Begin!

So, let me just tell you. I have the most precious soon-to-be sister in law - Amanda - you can check her out here! We are all so glad that she and Thomas found each other and that they will be tying the knot in Austin next August! She sent me this picture one night while we were skyping to look at "something she found for the wedding" and I was SO EXCITED! I can't wait to get to stand by her side when she marries my little brother. Amanda - you have blessed us all and we are lucky to gain you as a "Reed"! I would be honored to be your bridesmaid!! :)

How can you say no to this face?!

my baby gurl dun growed up!

This post is dedicated to beautiful, and much cooler, younger sister. Caroline just had her first homecoming dance and (thank you retail) I wasn't able to be there :( It broke my heart, but I had plenty of pics sent my way from my mom and dad! I just wanted to brag on her for a minute: freshman class president, incredible dancer (she gets her skills from me), super smart, and beautiful, tall and skinny to top it all off! Tootie Bug, I'm so proud of who you have grown up to be! High school just better watch out! I love you, sis and miss you more!!!

Pinterest = My Not-So-Strange Addiction

Okay...for those of you that have a pinterest - you get it. That sudden urge to be crafty or try a new recipe or, if you're like me, totally revamp your closet. It gets the best of us! Well, this weekend I decided to give it a go. Of course I had to do it when I had true crafter supervision (thank you, Laura).

And here it is....my tulle wreath! It took about 2 full rolls of tulle. However, the next one I make I think I'm going to use a much smaller hoop. This was almost too big (a little lioness...)! But I am so proud of how it turned out!

Any pinterest DIY's you've given a shot?! Please share! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

So this weekend was just what I needed! After working 3 weekends in a row (tax free was on my weekend off -- it's an all hands on deck kinda weekend), I finally got to enjoy my long awaited 3 day weekend off! And the even better news - Chris had one, too!! He worked overnight all last week and is continuing this week, so it was some much needed hubby time! 

Friday night, we got to meet my mom in Galveston for dinner. Her friend Karen has a beach house down there and she was down to catch some rays over the weekend! We went and met her at a place called Fish Tales and it was delish! Most of us enjoyed crab legs and they were great - we will definitely be going back! And PS. Chris ended our night watching my Baylor Bears dominate on TCU -- what an exciting game and a great start to football season! Sic 'em Bears!!

Saturday night we went on a double date with my BFF, Kelli, and her boyfriend Chad. We hit up Chili's - using our coupon for the week - for dinner, then headed to Main Event. I don't know that we got our money's worth, but we still had a great time putt-putting, bowling, and of course people watching! We always have a great time with those two and can't wait to do it again! (Kelli, next time we'll head to "The Heights"!) 

Sunday was a totally lazy day! We didn't do a think besides going to the grocery and getting out later to grab dinner. We got to relax inside and it was so worth it! The weather was kind of gross with clouds and misty rain, so we took advantage of it!

Monday was the day we've been waiting for for a while now! Chris's parents have been having a pool put in and we were hoping it was going to be ready in time for us to enjoy! And it was -- but just a little chilly! And of course the weather decided to be a glorious 85 degrees, so it wasn't warming up very quick! Nonetheless - we had a great time with family and of course some good food! 

Here a few pictures from our weekend: 

They won.

We lost. :( But still happy to be there!

And well Kelli and I, but mainly I, got dominated in bowling.

Can't wait to do it again!

My in-law's beautiful new pool

Father-in-law manning the grill!

My sister-in-law, Nicole, and the pups :)

What a fun weekend! Only 5 more weeks of Chris's remodel and then we're NOLA bound!! :)

Good for the Soul...

So this post was intended to go up about a week or so ago after I FINALLY got to catch up with my slacker wonderful friend, Kristina! She was a bridesmaid in my wedding and I haven't seen her since. Let me follow that up with the fact that I miss her terribly!! She and her husband, BJ, were living in Waco while he finished up grad school at Baylor. BJ graduated and Kristina found a job back in her hometown of Denver, CO!! I am so excited for them, but definitely will miss them just being up 45-North :( However...I'm greatly looking forward to planning a trip up to the cooler weather at some point!

Kristina -- this post was just for you and I SOOOO enjoyed getting to finally catch up. Now, don't let it go that long again. Miss you and love you!!

Since when...

...did I reach the age that new blinds would excite me?! I've been extremely hesitant to post pictures of the house because we have been anxiously awaiting getting new faux wood blinds in our bedroom and living room/breakfast area. Here are some before and after pictures and a small peak into our cozy home :)

Before - Master Bedroom

After - Master Bedroom (I know, the picture is off center now - I'll fix it!)
Crazy how much it brightens/opens up the room!

Before - Living Room (See why I've been so hesitant?! GROSS!)

Before - Breakfast Area (Yes! Those awful panels were on both HUGE windows!)

After - Living Room/Breakfast Area

It really made a big difference and already makes it feel more like "home"! We have some paint touch ups to do from where the panels were previously, but we already think it looks so much better! The pictures don't do it justice! 

And one more living room pic, just for kicks :)  I'll post more pictures of the whole house later! I have to find my camera cord :( 

Until next time...

Ps. Chris has 6 weeks of remodel left! And we're looking forward to this...a long weekend in New Orleans!