Elf Yourself!

This is pretty hilarious...click here to see dancing ELVES!!

Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for. We had a cozy and memorable first thanksgiving. Our family is growing. Our life is blossoming. We are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives! On top of that we all live amazingly blessed lives. Here are a few things I'm thankful for:

1. Our Faith that carries us through each day

2. My very patient husband

3. Our parents who love us

4. Our friends who make us laugh (and who love us too)

5. We are healthy

6. I can call my mom anytime I need her.

7. Charlie finding a job he's excited about (and having many other options to consider)

8. Charlie's, Travis', and Jenny's graduation in a few days

9. We have a comfortable house to keep us warm.

10. We have traveled to amazing places

11. Our Texas A&M Education

12. Extra funds to do fun things
13. Opportunities to grow, experience, and explore the world we live in

14. Change that pushes us forward

15. We have hope for our future

16. A&M Beating t.u.

17. Having two running cars

18. Having enough food to eat everyday

19. Getting tucked in with my husband every night

20. I have a computer where I can type all of this

Wedding Pictures

We have finally gotten our rehersal/wedding/reception pictures!!

Check out our albums on the right, YAY!

"YAO-wsa"

GO ROCKETS...I mean Mavs!

Our first Mavs game in the Toyota Center...

having Mama and Daddy there made it even better!

This mouse was drinkin' the hate-orade...he wasn't very nice

I've got my game face on!!

Sean Combs, Puff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy, etc... was at the game too!

New York State Of Mind

Although these pictures are a week late coming to our blog I hope ya'll enjoy looking at the shots Charlie took during his trip to the Big Apple.

NYC Subway

“For three decades, this sculpture stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled "The Sphere", it was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. The Sphere was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. This eternal flame was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of all those that were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Lady Liberty from afar...

Pretty statue outside the Customs House

A monument dedicated to soldiers who have died defending the American coastline.

Wall Street's Charging Bull symbolizes aggressive financial optimism and prosperity. The sculputre was created following the 1987 stock market crash as a symbol of the "strength and power of the American people." I feel more patriotic already!

"Big Board" a.k.a. New York Stock Exchange

That's my kind of cab!

Good eye Charlie!

Pretty Nails, Pretty Rings

In honor of Kati's new engagement ring (and her going home to show it off) we went to get our nails and toes painted...its a tough life ;-)

Capin' Adam

Kati and Adam came to visit me at work and he kindly modeled a pilot's hat for us...silly boy!

Roadhouse

The guys took their gals out for a yum-o steak dinner the night before Adam proposed

They're Engaged!!

Our wonderful friends are going to tie the knot Ü

I'm trying to get Kati to show off her beautiful ring!!

WE'RE SO EXCITED!!

Kati's favorite...cookie cake

We are so excited for our friends to share all of blessings marriage brings!

Flowers? Yes Please!

Charlie's off on his second round of interviews in Houston with Conoco Phillips!! He knows how much I miss him so he left these pretty flowers and a couple sweet notes for me to find around the house... he's the best husband EVER!

He's Home!

So I made it through my first night away from Charlie with the help of friendly phone calls and good movies. It helped to know he was interviewing with a good company that he's excited about; they even set him up with this nifty personalized sign...he said everyone got the girl picture on their poster ;-)

3rd Day

The second day camping I found this really long log that I thought we could chop for fire wood...since we only had a camping hatchet this made the job pretty difficult.

After a day and a half of chopping we got through it. Charlie kept joking that we would finally get there 6 minutes before we left. He was more or less dead on; more than less. So we hung out at the campsite a little longer to enjoy the fruits of our labor Ü

These guys (Daddy Longlegs) were crawling all over our tent and everynow and then one would actually get inside. Don't get me wrong, I know they eat the other bad bugs but I don't want the thing crawling on me. Charlie shooing them out of the tent: "Time to check-out Daddy Longlegs!"

2nd Day

Our sweet tent! Charlie brough his Sherlock Holmes book so I could read us a story of "The Red-Headed League" mystery.

Lots of Mancala and Speed were played this weekend. Charlie couldn't believe that I had never played the card game Speed, so he taught me how...ehhhxelent!

Our vegtable soup lunch that we ate before going moutain biking. Charlie also bought us some "instant" camping food that was Jamaican BBQ flavored. Basically it was like drinking chicken...YAY Veggie Soup!

Charlie took this picture right before our biking excursion...a.k.a. getting very lost on the trails. Luckily it was only for an hour or so and luckily we ran into a biker who actually knew where he was going. Lesson learned: Look at a map before biking into the wilderness and bring water with you!

We did get to see a very pretty sun set

Charlie was such a champ building our fires.
It was neat cooking fireside "Laura Ingalls style" but very reasuring to know I could go home to my gas stove, heated house, and soft bed.

1st Night

A crackling fire to keep us toasty warm

and what would a camping trip be without yummy hot dogs?

...and

... SMORES Ü

M-M-M Good!

Into the Wild!

Charlie and I decided to go camping this weekend at Lake Bryan and here's our "pile 'o stuff". I can't wait to get outside with my bible, our fishing poles, and SMORES (of course)! We're bringing Chinese Checkers, Mancala, and cards...YAY. It'll be interesting to see how I fair going two days without a shower. Anywho, have a great weekend!

Jesus Shoes

If Jesus was alive today I think these are the sandals he would have and if he didn't have any I'd give him mine; they're so comfortable, easy to slip on and they have adjustable straps...I wonder how many people tried to give Jesus stuff during his 3 years of ministry. Or were they so wrapped up in his presence that it didn't even occur to them that he may need shoes etc. I'm sure if I were standing with Jesus I wouldn't being thinking about what's on his feet.

(wow that thought sure did evolve!)

Poor Pumpkin

If you're moldy, a pumpkin, and in the care of Charlie Lloyd this is what happens to you...our neightbors actually came out to watch