Going Fast....so don't lose your place!

Okay....I think I am finally sitting down to blog. Now don't worry about my stress levels.....I have had time to come in here and blog....I have just chosen to do other things....like photo shop.....I'll get to that in a bit....better keep up!

So October and November have been a whirlwind so far - all of it fun....which I am sure surprises no one!

So, let's back up to the end of September/beginning of October.....GO

Our vacation to Destin was absolutely perfect. Orie and I drove down just in time to watch the MISS State game at a local establishment with more SEC fans in Destin than I have ever seen. We spent the next few days just hanging out with each other. The beach was beautiful and I was loving the rays we were catching. For the first time in a long time....Orie wasn't really Casper! Later in the week our friends Jon and Erin from D.C. and Geoff and Camille from NYC came down to spend the rest of the week. We had a ball! I think Florida's emerald coast was a big hit....as was the fresh fish, the condo, the wine, cold beers, people watching, shopping and just about everything else Destin has to offer!

Di and Orie before his birthday dinner

Di and Orie on our sunset sailing cruise

Our group....G, C, O, D, E, J

After Destin, we stopped off in Shreveport to celebrate Orie's real day of birth with lunch at the original Fertitta's

Ethan giving Uncle Woo Woo his card....he was so proud of it!

Happy 30th Orie

His mama remembers the day like it was yesterday....

We had a super fun trip to Shreveport for Cooper's First Birthday. He was the happiest little birthday boy ever. His mom planned a "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" party and it was top notch. She had Chef John come over and fix gourmet pancakes (any way you like), we sipped on mimosas and bloody mary's, kat and I provided the entertainment - HA....we read the book If You Give a Pig a Pancake...and even had finger puppets! The decorations were fantastic and I think everyone had a great time. The big kids played on the swing set/fort and Cooper tried to keep up with everything his big brother was doing. They sure are some sweet boys!

Uncle Woo Woo and I got to take Ethan to his soccer game that day while his mom and dad finished up the party. It was Orie's first soccer game and I think Ethan sure impressed him. He ran super fast, made contact with the ball and even scored a goal. These are all vast improvements from the last time I saw his adorable team play. Go Ethan the soccer star!

We ended the fun weekend with a trip to the Kat and Josh's to watch the LSU game. She had everything so cute for a "tailgate" and Orie was excited to finally get to see their house.

Not sure how I don't have any photos from the birthday....

Sunday called for a drive back to the Big D.....it was time to gear up for the next adventure!

We were off to OKC to visit Chad and Marissa for a little LSU vs. Florida action. The drive up was really nice....I have never been to Oklahoma before and I think Orie has only passed through. We had a great time seeing their newly decorated home....Marissa did a great job! They live in this adorable neighborhood close to downtown and they have a great group of neighbors. LSU even pulled off a victory which capped of a great evening including steaks on the grill, great sides, cold beer, and great conversation. Thanks Chad and Marissa for a fun weekend!

After that I think we were off to Destin for Kat and Josh's wedding festivities. It was amazing! The weather was absolutely perfect from start to finish. We went from one festive event to the next....all of them full of fun people, smiles, and a great sense of family and friends. It was next to perfect. I was even able to stay a few days extra and help mom take care of those sweet boys E and C. I wish it had been for better circumstances but I still enjoyed soaking up as much of them as possible!

I have a ton of pics....will try and post a link later on....

Di and Orie at the reception

hanging out at the Boardwalk post wedding weekend....

After the wedding we headed back to Dallas to get ready for Chad and Marissa's visit to our house for the Auburn game. We had a great day of football and friends. LSU did not win and actually didn't do anything all the exciting during the game but we still had a blast. Chad showed off his basketball abilities, Marissa shocked us all with her shooting talents and Grace even got in on a little action while chasing the basketball around the driveway. Again, I think fun was had by all!

Halloween weekend we were headed back to Shreveport for a party for Kat and Josh. It was so much fun....I think they were pretty excited to finally be married and celebrating again with so many more friends.

Orie headed back to Dallas on Sunday and I stuck around anxiously anticipating the arrival of Charlie H.....he didn't quite come as his Di had planned so I did not get to meet him on that trip...sad....but his mama and daddy keep me updated with sweet pictures and I can't wait to meet his precious face soon!

Grace the shark for Halloween

I think this was her least favorite costume:(

Cooper was the cutest Dalmatian ever and his big brother was a fire man....ADORABLE!

Uncle Woo Woo and the Dalmatian

my favorite Charlie pick so far....

I had to leave Shreveport before Charlie's arrival to get ready to head to Washington D.C. with some family. We were all off to the nation's Capitol to hear my grandfather speak at a WWII Veteran's conference. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience.....He did so well and I felt so honored that he is my Poppy....not just a story I heard about. Us girls and Mr. E had a fun time tooling around D.C. It was full of lots of laughs, a few tired feet, some well deserved glasses of vino with family and the biggest "bunking party" that town has ever seen!

Di at the Iwo Jima Memorial

Poppy and his sweetheart...who got a shout out during his presentation....it melted the audience:)

he look pretty sharp with his hat and all those medals

this one of the coolest moments....those are all foreign officer's who have come to D.C. for a training...their leader was telling them about the monument and the battle of Iwo Jima and the corpsmen who were there at the raising of the flag....we just had to tell a man from their group that our grandfather was a there when they placed the flag....the man was very intrigued and stopped the tour leader to introduce Poppy to the group....he was an instant celebrity....evryone one their picture with this great veteran.....we were SO PROUD

Jen, cousin Adam, Kat and Ethan in the subway...on our way to a delicious Mexican dinner

Ethan's first subway ride

The Capitol....we took a tour courtesy of Rep. Fleming...thanks

off to the Smithsonian's Natural History museum....they were working on some super old fossils in the lab....we thought Orie would love it!

the Hope Diamond was taking up residence there for a little while....

the Lincoln Memorial....we arrived via pedi cab....probably not the safest way to travel in D.C.

The Washington Monument from the LIncoln Memorial....very cool

I flew from D.C. to San Fran to meet my sweet husband who puts up with my bopping around from town to town. He was heading there for some training and we thought my joining him for some fun was just perfect. He had a full day of training but we were able to enjoy our evenings together. We had great trip planners...thanks Camille and Erin.....and hit some of the hot spots of San Fran. It is such a great city and this was our second visit together. We have decided that the next trip needs to include a visit to the Napa Valley also!

first stop...China Town


an alley way transformed into outdoor dining spots....

our choice...Plouf....excellent!

trying our handheld photos again!

down by the Oakland bridge....I did think it was the Golden Gate at first but knew it was in the wrong location of the city....Orie laughed:)

down at the farmer's market at the Ferry Building

the Ferry Building

the city is full of antique cable cars from all over the world....this is the F line which runs by the Ferry Building....I took it to meet a friend for coffee

the Ferry Building

our trasportation to Fisherman's Wharf.....it was SO FUN!

Orie on the cable car

Di on the cable car

Fisherman's Wharf....

We dined at Scoma's....great fresh fish and the prices weren't too bad for a tourist location

off to Ghiradelli square for dessert....

The De Young museum has a collection from the Musee d'Orsay (while doing some renovations)....all impressionists....it was AMAZING.....loved this quote on my way out.....

strolling through Golden Gate....strolled upon the Japanese Tea Garden....

Delicious swedish pancakes.....thanks for the tip Dad

And our last evening's activity....a trip the California Academy of Sciences for Nightlife....they open the museum up in the evening for adults only....bring in some music, cocktails and dinner....it was jumping! We saw a short film in the IMAX theater...Orie was in heaven!

their beautiful aquarium

the picture just doesn't do it justice

penguins....monogomous for life....

orie hanging out with the scientist, her skulls, and his good friend "Lucy"....he even got a sticker for answering a question right!

on the rooftop checking out Jupiter and her moons

Don't think we're finished yet....

The weekend we got back from San Fran we geared up for some friends and a trip to McKinney for an engagement celebration. Our great friends Michael and Sarah are getting hitched and we couldn't be more excited....especially since a lot of the festivities are right here in the metroplex!!!!! Sarah's mom and dad hosted a great party and we enjoyed meeting some new friends and catching up with all our old friends. I just love a good visit with friends!

The weekend ended with a big crash....yes....we crashed! We enjoyed the laziest Sunday ever and geared up for another week...ironically with no plans!

Let me know if I missed something....I would hate to exclude a fabulous event just because I have been a bad blogger lately!

What have y'all been up to...any great plans for November?