whoopeee! yeah! congrats! you rock!

Those are the words I have for my husband tonight after his 1st review at his new job! They love him and are so proud of him....his accomplishments.....the job he has done...what he brings to the table....and his ability to tackle anything they throw at him. Well done Orie....we are so proud of you!

After only a few short months in Dallas it's nice to know he's doing an awesome job and that we made the right decision heading down south. Thanks Orie....you're the greatest!

help....

So...I plucked about 20 gray hairs from my head this weekend while getting ready for the wedding festivities and they are back.....what the heck?

I can't die my hair...my black is too unique, it would never look right....what do I do?

DISCLAIMER.....Orie has gray too....it just blends better with light brown hair!!!

NOLA Bound on Friday....Super Bowl Bound on Sunday!

Wow...what a fabulous trip we head to NOLA this past weekend. Thanks Chris and Tyhler for another great reason to celebrate with friends....we love getting together!

Orie and I headed to Shreveport Thursday after work and relaxed that evening in mom and dad's hot tub after a very busy last couple of weeks. We have been go go go and it really hasn't stopped yet....oh well!

Friday we headed down south to New Orleans to begin the wedding festivities. We had a fantastic rehearsal dinner Friday night at Muriel's hosted by The Garretts. It was such a great evening....even complete with Mardi Gras beads. The boys' toasts were awesome....food incredible....company even better....we really can't ask for more when we are together with our friends!

Friday evening and even into the wee hours of Saturday morning we headed to the casinos to try our luck at the craps table....we won a little bit of money and played for a really long time....the groom won some money too and Jarrod...we considered it a successful evening....how could it get any better? Well, guess who I met while Orie was rolling dice at the craps table....Troy Aikman! Yes....we were in total shock he was there but I was not afraid to walk over to him and make a fool out of myself. I definitely told him my dad was a huge fan....then asked who he was rooting for....he politely told me "sweetheart....I'm calling the game....I then politely told him "Who Dat"....I'm such a nerd!

Saturday we walked around the quarter a little bit....picked up our Drew Brees Finish Strong tees and then headed back to the hotel for the boys to get ready for the big night and the girls to get pretty and ready to hang out. We had transportation to the church and the reception which was really nice. They had a lovely wedding and had the best smiles (my favorite part) for each other. We're so happy for you Chris and Tyhler!

We then headed tot he reception which had a fantastic band....there was dancing all night and lots and lots of picture taking!!! Gosh...can I say again how much fun it is to get together with so many of our friends! We partied until the police told us we had to leave the building and then headed over the Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar for a nightcap. What fun! We even met Deuce McAllister at our hotel on our way up to bed....how very cool...Orie and I both shook his hand....I wasn't nearly as nerdy as I was with Troy!

Sunday we woke up pretty early so that we could get back to Dallas before the Saints game....a long drive (done entirely by my husband....thanks babe) but we were glad to get back. It was an intense game...we were literally on edge all evening long.....but couldn't have asked for a better outcome....GEAUX SAINTS!

Enjoy lots and lots of photos from our weekend!

Sweet Sarah....running a little late to rehearsal dinner and still full of smiles....

and a little sass....

the happy couple listening to their toasts....love their expressions here....

and here....

the girls....di, sarah, kim, marissa, & lecie

i guess emile thought we looked like fun people!

some of "the boys"

being weird...as always

and now being weird and silly

di and orie....i love mardi gras beads!

the brides dancing shoes for post rehearsal dinner and the wedding!

di and orie again....we love pics for the blog!

mr and mrs. jcg's first dance...

marissa, sarah and di

di and orie at the wedding...i love orie when he gets all pretty!

michael and sarah...prom style...we do this often

michelle and david....so fun to have them down for the weekend!

group pic...minus some...but still cute

orie and david (a faithful follower of the blog!)

kim and jarrod....

lecie and ben....

lecie and ben....once ben decided to be cute!

di and dave!

dancing to when the saints go marching in....hoping for a saints victory the next day!

orie and ben...

nerdy prom pose 2010....i think this will be a recurring theme for us

group pic....take 2...still missing some

What a great weekend....!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Mom today....hope you had a super fabulous day!

a little behind lately...

I was chatting with a blog fan this weekend and he noticed I was a little behind on my blogging since moving to Dallas....and since becoming employed. He was so right....I am behind. Have no fear.....we are still on an adventure and one I would love to continue writing about. It's a little different living in Dallas though because so many of our adventures are experienced with our family and friends now....it's no longer something I have to "report". I also lost a lot of my spare time since joining the workforce (Orie is definitely okay with this loss!!!)

So...that's my disclaimer for the rest of the blog! Anywho...on to better, brighter and bigger things!

We had the privilege of going to the Cowboys/Eagles playoff game last weekend at Jerry World....aka Cowboy Stadium. Dad treated us to two tickets and we were thrilled to get to go....as Eagles fans of course. People wonder why in the world I am an Eagles fan.....I feel like I grew up on Eagles games with Dad being from a suburb of Philadelphia....I can vividly remember watching them with Dad and thinking Cunningham was the coolest player ever. Besides....who wants to be a Cowboys fan?

We had so much fun "tailgating" for a brief moment in our car and then walking in to the stadium wearing our Eagles Green with pride. We got several looks and I wasn't quite sure we would survive the evening.

Our tailgate....

Di and Orie bundled up and ready to rock....

Proud Eagles fans....and possibly the only ones who were at the game...


Jerry World....in all its glory....blah blah blah

Once inside, we had a really fun time. Our seats were on the 50 yard line at the top level....not too bad and if there was something we wanted to see really close we could watch the GINORMOUS screen that Jerry installed for all his guests. It was crazy! Most people just watched the screen....we did not....we reminded ourselves that if we wanted to watch the game in HD we could have stayed at home!

Well...Jerry's screen was nice when capturing this moment....

It's so amazing when you are reminded of how great our country is....I love it when people cheer when servicemen and the flag come on the field!

We're ready!

Warming up...
Donovan's ready to go!

Thought this shot was cool from Jerry's GINORMOUS screen...
Donovan trying to get something going....we were cheering as best we could in a sea of blue and silver....

We made our way to Kat and Josh for some of the 2nd half....

We were yelling "come on D" but our Eagles just couldn't stop them....at least Minnesota did today....he he he he he he

We had so much fun going to the game....I hope we get to go back next season for some other great teams when they come to town. Sporting events are so much fun. Thanks again Dad...it rocked!

Since our trip to Jerry World we have celebrated quite few birthdays.....Mia, Sedona and Bear turned....um not quite sure how old they all are! Dad turned 60 with a surprise birthday party at Robinson Film Center....and Ethan and Maddie turned 3 with a Camping Party Under the Stars at Jen's house. We really are full of celebrations and I love it! I especially love getting to be a part of it with everyone...there's nothing better!

Party hats are always a must....
Maybe we should have trained her for the circus?

Well I think that is about all we have been up to in our busy lives. Don't worry though....we have still saved some time to think about and pray for all our friends and family who are having rough times right now. It seems like everyday someone else is struggling with an illness, misfortune or just a rough time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers!

We hope you all have a great week and do something fabulous....make each moment count!

life is moving fast....

Wow....since moving to Texas I can officially say life is moving pretty fast. We have been super busy since our last post....doing lots of fun things with friends and family. Here's a bit to update you.

We spent Christmas in Shreveport and had a blast! We made it to EVERYTHING....well almost everything....both grandparents, both families, two aunts houses and still had Santa with Ethan and Cooper. I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas vacation!

We headed to Shreveport on the 23rd and celebrated my dad's 60th birthday. We enjoyed a holiday party that night with some friends and family and hit the town late night to catch up with a few of Orie's guy friends. After that we were in full blast family Christmas mode....and like I said....we made it to lots of events.

Orie and Di on Christmas Eve

Ethan....celebrating Christmas....this kid was just as excited over a feather in his stocking and this styrofoam (which he fashioned into pom poms) as he was about any other gifts!!
Cooper was excited too....he just isn't showing it! This is pretty much what he did during Christmas!

We stayed in Shreveport until Sunday and then headed back to the Big D...afterall...I'm a working girl now! I had my first full week of work at the baby store and all is still going well. I just wish there were more babies in my family because I am always seeing something I want to get!!

Orie had a very busy work week and a few late nights on the job....I hate this...but I guess I am blessed that he doesn't really travel and late nights are few and far between.

We enjoyed some beautiful snow flurries Tuesday afternoon but they didn't last long....it quickly became yucky precipitation instead of beautiful flurries. Grace and I did have to "suit up" to go outside for her walk....very NYC style!

My poor girl...she's cold

We spent NYE at two fabulous parties. We had dinner with some girlfriends and their husbands/significant others at Karrie and Bob's house. It was such a nice evening with friends. Karrie loved getting to use her wedding china too...I can't wait to get in a house and have a fun dinner party with friends and use my china too! Orie met some really nice guys and the company was great.

Friends....both old and new

After dinner we all headed to another house for our 2nd party of the night....yes....2nd party! We chatted....mingled....met new friends....caught up with old TCU friends....and toasted the new year....until much too late to mention. What a fun evening...we were so glad to be included!

Ringing in the new year....east coast time!

We spent a quiet New Year's Day around the house watching football (nothing to mention about LSU) and I made homemade crawfish and corn soup. The next day we headed to Canton for the First Monday Trade Days. I was really hoping to find some great furniture but no such luck. We did find two cheese spreaders in our Sterling and some beautiful pewter serving pieces....oh I can't wait to entertain! On our way home from Canton we drove past a house we are interested in....it looks fantastic....and we are hoping to see it this weekend with our realtor....hopefully there will be exciting news to post about it soon!

That evening we headed off to the movies. As many of you know....I have a hard time going to the movies...I love watching movies but don't really like the theater. Well my sister had mentioned that I just needed to see a movie at this particular theater and then I would feel differently. I guess she thought that because this particular theater serves dinner and drinks....all in the comfort of your own comfy chair at your private little table. It was crazy weird but we had a nice evening watching Up In Air....and a glass of wine paired with a movie is always a good combination!

Today we have taken it easy....put away Christmas...sniff sniff :(

no more beautiful mantel.....

.....and cleaned house. Now we are ready to watch the Eagles take on the Cowboys....come on Donovan!!!!

We hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Happy 2010 to all!