A Wedding, Some Paint, and Paris!

This weekend, we went to my dad's cousin's daughter's wedding reception (also known as my second cousin, Seema). It was gorgeous, decorated in blue and purple (two of my favorite colors). And the bride was beautiful, wearing (what we were told) was a $10-15 thousand dollar dress. Whoa! Avery was the picture of perfection, wearing a red Indian outfit, and taking turns letting everyone at the table hold her throughout the night.

On a separate note, two weeks ago we had a roof leak, and thought we would have to cancel having the inside of our house painted, and our trip to Paris. I was so sad. But after having a contracter check out our roof, all we're in need of is some gutter cleaning. So we had painters start working this past Monday (they're almost finished, too), and we should be having our roof & gutters cleaned (once it stops raining long enough for the surface to dry).

Also on Monday, I booked our tickets to Paris. So, it's official! Avery will be staying home with grandparents. But when she's five (or so), we'll try to go back to Europe so she can enjoy. Right now, we think Paris is best travelled by Metro, and we don't think the stroller and Metro work that well together.

I'm gearing up for a busy two weeks at work. Hurry up and file your taxes. And if you haven't already filed, and need my help, please just extend. I'll be more than happy to help after April 15th! That is, if I'm not in Paris :).

Bah-bye!

A Trip to Paris - Ce n'est pas facile!

For those of you who don't speak French, the title says "A Trip to Paris - It's not that Easy". Last weekend, Nathan and I decided we were going to take advantage of $400 round trip fares to Paris. I studied French for seven years (junior high - college), and it is my most-desired trip to take. We're planning to go in May, which would double as a 5th anniversary celebration.

While we waited for both of our vacation to get approved (I'm not that impulsive, so I couldn't pay for the trip until we knew we could go), fares jumped up nearly $200 each. Damnit! Oh well, from the words of Nathan "We're still going!". Which we are, but now we're playing the game "do we wait to see if prices fall" or "book before they go back up". We're open to suggestions :)

Avery has been sick this week. The sickest she's been her ENTIRE life. Of course, it was one week before my deadline, so Nathan stayed home and took care of her. She had up to a 102 degree fever. Poor baby. She's much better, now. It seems she has found someone in the household with an even worse immune system than her, and passed it onto them (that would be me, thank you very much). So now I'm sick; but going to work anyway tomorrow (since it's a deadline).

Nathan's brother, Clint, and his girlfriend, Sarah came to visit us yesterday. Well, they came for the rodeo, and we offered a night of free room & board. We had a good time, introducing them to Thai food (mmm - gotta love Nit Noi). And like true lame-o's, we couldn't even stay up for the end of Saturday Night Live. Man, we're getting old!

That's all for today. And if you were praying for my cousin, she's fine (and thanks)! Her and baby Davis are healthy and home.

Please visit our website for more of Avery's words-to-date. It's getting too cumbersome for me to keep up with them in two different places.

Bubbles and Bees, but not Bubble Bees

Okay. So it was actually wasps, not bees. But the alliteration really worked with the title. And without a catchy title, no one will read your post.

So this weekend, Avery, Nathan, and I (and the two dogs) packed up for the 3 1/2 hour trek to Tyler, Texas to visit Mimi & Pop. We arrived around midnight, Avery fast asleep (the only good way to travel with Avery is while she's sleeping), and stayed up for an hour or so talking. Had a good night's rest, and the next day Beth and I did a marathon shopping day (if you run as fast as Nathan, that's about 3 1/2 hours). I love to shop, but even I had a hard time keeping up.

Then, at the house, Miss Avery was walking outside barefoot (in true country style), and I couldn't take it any longer. I don't even walk around barefooted inside the house. So I slipped on some new sparkling sneakers (her Mimi bought her) and ran back inside. She pulled the sneakers off immediately, and walking towards Mimi, stepped on a wasp. She got stung at least once - the screaming lasted 30 - 45 minutes (no exaggeration). Her poor, chubby, swollen foot was the cutest, though.

Then we visited Grandpa Ronnie & Mimi Gail. Cousin Gavin was there, and Avery hit it off with him as I have never seen her take to anyone. Before we left, she was lying on his chest as if they'd been BFF's always.

Back at Mimi & Pop's house, I caught an early night's sleep, and unfortunately, Avery had me up pretty early the next morning. I took TWO naps on Saturday (which was heavenly), and we sat around eating barbecue & cake for a multi-birthday celebration. Lane blew bubbles for the dogs (especially Charley) to attack - see video. Saturday night, we packed up and headed home; we crashed after midnight.

What a busy weekend. Today, we are straightening up, unpacking, etc. Typical Sunday for us, just preparing for next week.

KEY ON MY MIND IS MY COUSIN KELLY. SHE JUST HAD BABY DAVIS, AND IS IN THE HOSPITAL SICK. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND, PLEASE ADD HER TO YOUR PRAYERS - THE BABY IS HEALTHY! THANKS :)

30th Bash - The results are...

My birthday celebration was perfect. Almost my entire Houston family got together at Prima Pasta for some delicious Italian food...and cookie cake. We had a great time talking and taking pictures. Then we all headed to Dr. Tejal's for some after-dinner drinks, and of course more cake. Then drinking, and drinking, and "oh my God, we're late".

We jump in the car to head to Venue. If we got there before 10:30, it would have been free, but no luck. We get in, and all the tables are reserved, which forces us onto the dance floor earlier than usual. Skinny Bitch (vodka & diet coke) in hand, I party on the dance floor for hours (that felt like mere minutes). Enjoying the company (and sometimes even the dancing skills) of Ingrid & Harvey, Josh & Tejal, Kim, Karen & Cody (and some guy hovering over gorgeous Karen), and Cassie & Aaron. What a night - I don't think it could've gone any smoother.

Until, ugh took over. Four drinks & a shot later, I'm ready to go. No time to even say "bye", just ge me outta here! I sleep the entire trip home, and get sick just as Nathan opens the car door. I pass out on the ottoman, wake up to go to bed, and get sick one more time for good measure. Sunday was hangover city. I think I slept until almost noon, and my head was pounding through my skull. But it was worth it.

And that is how I turned 30. A night to remember, and I have the pictures to prove it.