Land of the Free Wreath

Check out the newest addition to my Etsy shop! Introducing "Land of the Free Wreath"...

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays! I love that it is in the summertime so that includes barbecues, beaches and fireworks - is there anything better! I also absolutely love the decorations! The red, white and blue splashed everywhere, the flags flying, and remembering why we are free, and those that sacrificed for our freedom makes me proud to live in this country!

I can't wait for Fourth of July!

This was my Grandma's favorite holiday as well. I remember when we were little, we would always spend the Fourth of July weekend at her house. My uncle would barbecue, and Grandma didn't mess around when it came to decorating. There would be huge tents set up behind her house with plenty of tables and chairs for the whole family and then some. She would decorate the tables with patriotic tablecloths complete with matching citronella candles (to keep the mosquitoes away), the dishes and tableware matched as well. And there were always too many flags to count! One of the adults would take us to the fireworks stand where the boys would go crazy and buy all kinds of fireworks. Once we got back to Grandma's house, they couldn't wait to set them off - and they would usually get yelled at for trying to fire at the dog or getting to close to the house! After dark, we would head over to the beach and watch our uncles set off the "special" fireworks. I have so many great memories of the Fourth of July that is probably why it is one of my favorites!

This year we have plans to go to my parents house where my Mom's side of the family will be joining us! I am very excited and I am sure there will be plenty of pictures taken to share with you!

Our Houston Trip

This past weekend my husband, his sister (M), her husband (D) and I went to Houston to see Glenn Beck's live comedy tour! I like to be informed about our government and what is going on in the world, but I do not watch news religiously (like my husband does) it is just too depressing for me. So I had an idea, but really didn't know what to expect from this comedy tour. Let me tell you it was hilarious! I was laughing the entire time, some parts almost to the point of tears!

Downtown Houston

We left for Houston Friday afternoon, and made it there just in time for work traffic, which I was expecting to be much worse than it actually was. The trip up there was filled with laughter thanks to my husband - the stand up comic (according to his sister). We made it to the hotel with a couple of hours to spare before the event so we decided to eat, change clothes and meet M&D down in the lobby. Oh yeah, our room was on the 20th floor - how cool!

M&D

Me and Hubby

The Verizon Wireless Theater, where the event was being held, was only about four blocks from the hotel. We weren't sure if they would let us have cameras in the theater, so we left them in the car - stupid! Everyone else had cameras and we didn't feel like walking all the way back to the car, so we didn't get any pictures!

We ended up getting back to the hotel around 10:45 that night and ordered some yummy room service right before they closed!

The pool on the roof of the hotel

That next morning we woke up and took part in the complimentary continental breakfast and then played a game of pool in the billiards room. It was too bad we didn't know about that room the night before, it would have made for a fun place to hang out! After breakfast, we went up to the roof level where the hotel swimming pool was. That was the only time we took pictures on the trip! We didn't end up swimming because we only had about an hour before check-out time, but we stuck our feet in the cool water!

Me pretending to shower

The water was cold at first - he didn't know I took this picture!

It ended up being a nice mini-getaway which I think we desperately needed! Thanks again M&D for inviting us!

My Weekend

This past weekend we travelled to my husband's hometown of Port O'Connor, Texas for his cousin's wedding.

They had hired violinists to play all of the beautiful wedding and mass music.

This is my husband and I outside of the church.

One of my husband's cousins and her family.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law - aren't they cute (she totally doesn't know I took this picture - it was a quick candid shot!)

Another one of my husband's cousin's two kids - so cute with their blond hair and blue eyes!

The ceremony was beautiful and the reception was held in a massive white tent on the beach. In the forecast was rain, but miraculously the rain passed just north of us leaving nothing but cool, perfect weather for an outdoor wedding.

As we approached the tent, tiki-torches lined the way to the entrance. The cake was a four tier creamy white masterpiece complete golden sand dollars. The grooms cake was in the shape of a crab - so cute!

The table arrangements were stunning, consisting of orchids, hydrangea and bells of Ireland, to name a few of the flowers. The caterers had prepared roast beef, shrimp, couscous, a green bean and squash medley, and a baby spinach and strawberry salad.

After dinner, we all danced the night away! The band was amazing - SkyRocket from Austin, Texas.

And finally to see the bride and groom off, we stood outside the tent with glowing sparklers! It was by far one of the best weddings I have attended!

***By the way, I just figured out how to link to view larger pictures - okay so my husband figured it out and told me what to do.  So you can click on each picture for a larger view!

Easter on the Coast

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter! We spent the weekend with hubby's parents. It was such a nice visit. Easter at his Grandma's house is insane! His dad comes from a huge family, so on any given holiday there are probably fifty or more people at his Grandma's house - and Easter is no exception! There are so many people that they have to divide everyone up into age groups for hunting eggs! There is always wonderful company and food. It was supposed to be overcast and raining on Easter Sunday, but the weather turned out to be gorgeous - very warm and sunny! Here are some pictures that I snapped amongst the chaos!

Patiently awaiting the egg hunt.

Searching for more eggs.

Now it's the adults turn!

Nothing in there.

Yes, they bury the eggs too! I told you they were hardcore!

Air Show

Last weekend was so much fun! Okay, I know that it is already Friday of the next week, but I have been busy. We had the local air show (which is nothing exciting, in fact I did not even know that our small town even had an air show until this year, so it is not like the "Blue Angels" flyovers or anything like that). My uncle is a pilot and this year he was aksed to fly his plane to our little air show, and he let my family take a private tour!! He was so excited to be able to show us his plane.

This is my uncle and my aunt standing near the plane (I don't know the other pilot or that other guy in the baseball cap.)

This is my Mom and I.

This is my husband and I on the plane.

From left to right this is my brother, my sister and my sister's boyfriend.