San Antonio

Jerry and I got back from Myrtle Beach on Wednesday and I was back on the road on Friday. My mom flew all of us to San Antonio.  Lauren was a bit nervous because it was Claire's first flight.  However, Lauren was ready!  She had milk, juice, jelly beans, and toys ready to go.  Claire was a complete champ!  She kept on saying, "Here we go!" and "WEEEEE!" 

 We stayed at La Mansion which is right on the River walk.  That night we went to dinner and went on a River walk boat ride. 

 The next morning it was time for Sea World!  I didn't know this but, Sea World has a huge area of Sesame Street rides and activities.  Claire was in heaven! 

 Next up, Elmo Rocks show.  Claire was so cute!  She enjoyed the show, but liked it when Elmo kept his distance. 

I just want to say that Lauren is a GREAT mom!  I love watching her with Claire Bear. 

This is a video of Claire watching the beluga whales and dolphins.  It was more fun watching her reaction to the show than the actual show.  Notice how she signs "more."  She is so smart!

After a long day a Sea World it was time for bed!  Let's just say we slept very well that night, but not before taking a few pictures with Aunt Kayro.

 Claire and I with our blankies... yes I still sleep with my baby blanket... don't judge me

 Smile faces

 Tongues out

 Kissy faces

This was Claire's first of many girl trips!  It was so nice spending time with my mom, sister, and niece!  We had a great time!  Thanks mom for a fab trip! 

Summer Update/ Mytrle Beach

Summer is going by so fast!!!! I can't believe we are already half way through July! 

I am really enjoying this summer!  This is the first summer in two years that I haven't had to worry about intern hours, graduate school, or starting a new position in the fall.  I am still doing summer school... which I LOVE.  I love that I am able to work with elementary students during the school year and high school students in the summer. 

So far this summer, Jerry and I have traveled to Washington DC and Myrtle Beach.  We met Larry, Karen, and Walker in South Carolina and enjoyed several days on the beach.  As Jerry and I were getting onto the plane, we were judging parents of toddlers.  The parents were giving their already hyper children candy as they were about to board.  I know... we don't have kids... we have no right to judge....but seriously who gives their kid sugar right before they get on a plane????  Just as we were saying, "Please God, don't let us be seated next to those people...." the US Airways employee called us over.  God answered our prayers because we got upgraded to first class!!! 

It was our lucky day!  Side note, please don't think we hate children.  We love kids!  I'm sure Jerry and I will be doing the exact same thing when we are parents. 

Myrtle Beach was a blast!  Jerry, Walker, and Larry played golf while Karen and I went to the beach.  Jerry had a record round---he shot a 75!  We also did some damage at the Outlet Mall.  I got some great back to school stuff!  The condo that we stayed in was great.  It had a view that couldn't be beat. 

I don't know how this happened, but I did not take any pictures! I could just kick myself ! 

We had a great time.  Thank you Karen and Larry for an amazing vacation!  We always enjoy spending time with you guys. 

A trip to the Capitol!

Jerry had to go to the Washington DC area for a work conference so we decided to go down a week early and have a little vacation.  We both have been to DC before, but we were both children.  I had forgotten how close everything is.

Day One:
Jerry and I arrived at our hotel around 1ish.  We decided to grab lunch and explore the city.  We just started walking and ended up at Union Station.  Throughout the trip we became very familiar with using the train.  We continued to walk and ended up at the capital. 

The weather was perfect for most of the trip.  Which was nice because we did a lot of walking!  That night we decided to go to a National's game. 

The stadium was really nice.  Something that I found interesting was a party area that was right outside the stadium.  Because most everyone rides the train to the ballpark, there really isn't a way to tailgate.  So when you get off the train, the first thing you see is this party area filled with food trucks, games (corn hole, latter golf)and a band.  It was like a tailgate party without the tailgate.  :)

I also enjoyed the President's race.  It was pretty funny watching these buys on a Seqway. 


Day Two- Bicycle Tour!
We decided to take a Bicycle Tour.  This tour was awesome!  It was just the two of us and  the tour guide. 

 The capital:

 Washington Monument:

 Jefferson Memorial:

 FDR Memorial:

 MLK Memorial:

 World War II Memorial:

 Everything was in walking distance.  This is the view from one side of WWII Memorial:

 Lincoln Memorial:

The water in front of Washington Monument was being worked on.  Can't you just see Jenny from Forest Gump?? 

 After the tour we decided to eat some lunch at a place called Legal Seafood.  It was very yummy! 

That evening we decided to walk to the White House and enjoy the sites at night. 

 This is a picture of WWII Memorial and Lincoln's Memorial in the very back--- beautiful!

 That night we were walking around Washington Monument and President Obama's helicopter flew over us.  It was pretty cool. 

Day 3- Smithsonian's!

We decided to visit the National Museum of American History.  It was very interesting!  My favorite part was seeing all of the First Ladies' Inaugural Gowns.  This was Michelle Obama's--- beautiful!

 After the American History Museum, we decided to go to the Holocaust Memorial Museum.  All I can say is wow.  This museum is incredibly moving and it's hard to imagine this happened. 

After the museum, we decided to take the train to Georgetown.  Prior to the visit, I purchased a Groupon for an hour long boat ride down the Potomac River.  The boat ride was great time rest our very tired feet. 

 After the boat ride we walked around Georgetown.  Georgetown is very cute and has excellent shopping!  We also found Georgetown Cupcakes.  The line was out the door and around the corner... I was so not willing to wait that long for a cupcake!

Day 4- Baltimore

Jerry and I decided to take the Amtrak to Baltimore. When we arrived we went to the Aquarium and saw a dolphin show!  

After the Aquarium, we decided walk around the harbor to grab lunch at a bar called Pickles.  I felt like I was at a Tech football game.  People were everywhere and excited to cheer on the Orioles or Phillie's.  I liked the National's stadium better, but I liked the atmosphere at Camden Yards.  Also, while we were there Tommy Hunter, Chris Davis, Darren O'Day and Endy Chavez (former players of the Rangers) were all playing.  Chris Davis was one of Jerry's favorite players.   

I like how the stadium had the Baltimore skyline in the background. 

After the game we decided to head back to the train station.  Unfortunately, one of the station's power was out and they were not sure when they would be up in running.  The guy said it could be 2 hours or it could be 20.  This was obviously a problem because I had to catch my flight that next morning. 

We decided to split a cab with a guy going DC and got back at a reasonable hour! 

We had a great time on our trip!  I loved seeing the sites and sounds and exploring the city with Jerry.  We walked our tails off-- my feet need a vacation!!!

Segway Party!

Jane and Glenn gave me a Segway Tour of Fort Worth for my birthday! We had a blast!!!!

We started in the Stockyards and traveled to the Trinity Trails and Arts District.

Watch out!

 Police and Fireman Memorial:

 Hello, Mark Twain!

After our tour, we decided to eat at The Woodshed.  It is very tasty- I highly recommend!  Thanks Jane and Glenn for a wonderful birthday celebration! 

Happy Graduation!

After beginning grad school in January 2010, Jerry has earned his Masters in Business Administration!

WAY TO GO, JERR BEAR!

Chapter 3- Homecoming, Haunted Houses, Jars of Clay

As the weeks progressed, Jerry and I had a couple of conversations. 

Homecoming was just around the corner and I was hoping Jerry would ask me to be his date.  So I did what every typical high school girl does... I got my friends to to talk to his friends and his friends to talk to Jerry.   Well... my plan did not work out so well.... Jerry ended up taking someone else and I went with my friends.  Darn...

A few weeks passed and before we knew it it was October!  This means it was time for haunted houses!  We went on a double date to a haunted house. We had a great time!  Jerry of course was super shy.. He wouldn't even hold my hand.  However, this seemed to break the ice a bit.  Couple nights later, I  received a phone call from Jerry.  I paced the entire time we talked. 

 Jerry and I started hanging out (but not "going out"-- by definition- Going out means you were boyfriend and girlfriend... we were not there yet.)  Hanging out included golf practice, going out to eat with friends, meeting each other between classes, and haunted houses. 

About a month went by and on October 25, after a Arlington High football game, Jerry officially asked me out.  Worlds Apart by Jars of Clay played in the background during our "what are we" conversation. This became our official song. 




I feel like this song was perfect for us.  When we were in high school Jerry and I were very involved in our churches.  Aside from being on the golf team, God was the first thing Jerry and I really had in common.  I look back on myself in high school and realize I have changed so much.  This isn't a good or bad thing.. I'm just different.  I'm sure many people can agree that the high school version of themselves has changed/matured (hopefully).  This is a different post for a different day.  Now that Jerry and I were officially together, I enjoyed sending Jerry fun little notes.. Here are some good ones-

Notice the Arlington High golf bag- such an artist!

After school, I would go up to Shady Valley, where Jerry worked, and hang out.  Jerry was a bag boy.  This is an ideal job for a high school boy.  A bag boy's duties include picking up a club member from their car, loading up their clubs, and picking up the range balls.  In exchange for all this hard work, bag boys were paid minimum wage and got free golf.  It's a pretty good deal...

When Jerry was not busy at work, we liked to take the golf carts down a steep hill and slam the brakes..  Looking back, this was probably not the safest thing we have ever done... but I'm still breathing.... Every time I drive by Shady Valley, I smile. 

Graduation!

Well... I finally graduated from grad school! Hoorrraaayyy!!! No more writing papers! Here are a couple of pictures!