Crikey....NERD ALERT!

*The title of this blog post is a line from the first Austin Powers movie. My sister told me it was too obscure a quote for  most people to know to what I am referring. I also say the phrase "nerd alert!" a lot...I'm such a nice wife I know. So for all you non-Austin Powers connoisseurs, this explanation was for you ;)

I have to brag on my better half for just a teensy second because I am so very PROUD of him!! He'll probably be embarrassed that I did this, but I don't care. He just finished his first semester of going back to school, and the man got a 4.0!! Aced all 5 classes...what a smarty pants. I know he will continue to do well as he works toward earning his Master's and becoming a practitioner. He consistently amazes me with his ability to focus and do basically anything and everything he puts his mind to....this kid makes me sick! At least he's mine :)

I am a proud wife. Love you Joey!

Occupy Washington....in a hotel.

The North American marketing communications team!

It can be nice to travel for work, especially when your husband can accompany you some of the time. It was especially nice this time for several reasons: (1) I love DC (2) Joey had never before been to our nation's capitol and     (3) we got to spend time with friends who live there. Of course I had to work during the day, so Joey was on his own for the most part. Luckily, DC is a great place to be on your own - there is so much sightseeing to be done! But the evenings were spent getting together with friends, which was a great thing. I did have part of a day free, so we got in a few sights together.

Segway much?

oh....hello....

At the Smithsonian and stoked about it

With my Holly Boo

The following pictures were taken by Joey while he was flying solo. I had to relive these beautiful sites vicariously through him. Enjoy!

Joey walked to Virginia one day...he was quite exhausted when he made it back.

My personal favorite, the Jefferson Memorial

Arlington Cemetery

An especially beautiful shot of the cemetery

Iwo Jima

Another night out with the McAlisters....yes, we're too self-centered to take pictures with the boys :) 

Inside the Jefferson

All in all a great week, but after 6 days, we were happy to get home to Miss Polly Browne!

Lord it's like a...card candy Christmas. Or is it?

I heard an ed op piece one year about sending Christmas cards. The writer claimed that sending out cards with photos of kids or pets or of that time the family went to the beach diminishes  the real reason for sending out a Christmas card in the first place. Interesting. The piece obviously affected me because I think of it every year during the holidays.

I personally love getting photo cards from friends and family each year at Christmas. We get so little meaningful mail through the post these days that holiday cards are something I look forward to. And although I appreciate and love every card we get, I have to admit that the photo cards are my favorites. I have some very creative friends, and I enjoy seeing what they'll come up with each year - and I also keep them (they're too pretty to throw away!) I just don't believe it diminishes the meaning of Christmas - it's simply a holiday greeting for the people you love. Here's a few of the cards we've sent over the years...

Now I know that some people find holiday cards a little "icky" as a general rule. Some may view them as a "look at me and how happy I want everyone to think I am" tool, while others think they're just too cheesy to stomach. To each his own. Judging from the images I've just shown you, you can probably guess which way I lean....I'm pro- photo card.

I spend a good amount of time picking out my Christmas card design each year. I've done one every year since we've been married, so it's almost like a little timeline...a holiday timeline! I almost didn't send them out one year just because things were so busy, but  in the end I just couldn't bear it. I decided to send them out at the last minute, so there wouldn't be a year without a card. Call it a compulsion. There have been some years that I've taken a photo especially for the card; other years I've simply used photos that were taken in that particular year. Sometimes I do more than one version. Since we got our dog (aka child) three years ago, she's been part of the card pretty much every year with the exception of last year (and I did get complaints about leaving her out!). I have not yet attempted to hand craft cards just yet, but it is something I plan to do one day.

To avoid offending the holiday with one's photo-infested folly or a photaux pas if you will, the writer of the piece I mentioned suggests inserting a photo inside a Christmas card. I have to say I don't agree with this. It's fine to do of course, but if you're like me, you like to display all the cards you get that year as decor during Christmas - loose photos can make that a little difficult.

Like so!

So as I label and stuff this year's cards, I'm interested to know what you think. Do you believe that photo Christmas cards weaken the meaning of Christmas? What are your general thoughts on sending and receiving them in general? Do you yourself send out cards for the holidays? If you get a card from me every year, do you wish we would take you off the list? :) haha, I hope not, but here's your chance to let me know! No matter what our particular thoughts are on cards, we must not forget (myself included) that our Holy Savior born in a manger is the most important reason for the season.

Sending you and yours Season's Greetings! (sent either with a card or not - your choice!)




For God so loved the world, That He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in Him Should not perish but have everlasting life. ~John 3:16

There were never such devoted sisters

Source: swagbucks.com via Fleur on Pinterest

I always miss my sister, but lately I have been missing her so much it hurts! Maybe because it's the holiday season. Maybe because she rocks my face off. Maybe because we are irreversibly connected to one another. Probably all of those. Blessed be the ties that bind.

Miss you Sister! Our reunion can't come soon enough.

Golden Afternoon

Phee's lovely table at Thanksgiving

I hope that you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know we did. This was our first experience "coming home for the holidays" since this is the first time we've lived somewhere else for a long period of time, and it was all I hoped it would be: running around like headless chickens, lots of hugs, puppies, beer, friends, flower beds, CC's coffee stops, vampires, deer stands, with just a hint of a car wreck :)  Tis the season!

Apricot Brie Bites - this is an easy recipe from Louisiana cook and author Holly Clegg that I like to make for parties....they are always a hit and Joey's fav!

We really did have a great time being home - it had been nearly 6 months since my last trip to Louisiana, so it was time! There really is no place like home. But I must say it wasn't quite the same without my sister Maya. She sadly wasn't able to come in for the holiday. Thankfully we'll see her at Christmas. It was wonderful to get together with so many of our friends and family that we haven't seen in so long - it was refreshing to spend time with people who know me best; the people I can laugh, cry and just be myself with. I know it will take some time before we develop close relationships in Austin, but it'll be hard to compare to the ties we have from home. And that's okay! There's a season for everything in life. We enjoyed celebrating the Sabbath at our home church and getting to visit with some of our church family.



Joey got in as much time in the deer stand as possible, perhaps in an effort to avoid my over scheduling him with social appointments :) Just kidding!...but seriously? He didn't get a deer unfortunately, but he did have one in his sight, although she was too small to shoot. Joey is always the valiant hunter!



I helped my mom plants flowers in her beds one golden afternoon - you can learn a lot of things from the flowers! Her new rescue puppy Eleanor looked on. He is too cute and sweet! And yes, Eleanor is a boy...I would explain, but as I've said before, you can't fix crazy.

We had multiple lovely Thanksgiving feasts at our various family gatherings. Between mine and Joey's sides, we always have lots of places to go and delicious food to assist in inducing comas. All in all a wonderful week - let us rejoice and be glad in it! Looking forward to doing it again at Christmas!

3 generations of awesome.

Whew! It's been a busy couple of weeks with traveling for work. It's good to be back home and catch up on my blogging.





 A few weeks ago, my mom and grandmother (and of course Lily, the family chihuahua and Polly's cousin) came to visit us for a long weekend. It was sublime to have them come stay with us, especially my Phee because she hadn't been to visit yet. We had a grand time showing them around Austin, shopping, eating and of course taking a trip to IKEA! I had never been before, but these birds were very excited to learn there was a showroom close by, so we saddled on up and headed out there for much furniture and frivolity. They both came away with loot, and we also stopped by the Round Rock outlets. Mom bought me some new specs!

Lily of the Ages

Love 'em!

I was oh so worried that the Austin bats would no longer be around because it's gotten quite cool, and this was something that Phee did not want to miss. They go back to Mexico for the winter. If you don't know about the phenomenon of the largest bat colony in North America, you can read more here. But luckily, they hung around for Phee! They were less plentiful than during the summer, and it was a bit harder to see them because of the earlier sunset, but it was still a sight to behold.

Check out those little bat bodies!

We spent our last night watching Little Miss Sunshine, one of my all-time favorite movies. Niether of them had yet seen its greatness! But they cackled throughout the whole film :) It always brings back memories of my old pageant days....which is always a good time....picture little Fleur singing "That'll be the Day."   

We were very sad to see them go, but all things must come to an end. Polly Browne cried for about 10 minutes after they left ... it was so sad! We love you Mom and Phee, come back soon!

You can't fix crazy. . .

If you ask me, running 13 miles is a challenge in itself. Well, a few weekends ago, my husband and his bestfriend decided to take that up several notches when they competed in the Tough Mudder, which makes the claim, "Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet." The race was held conveniently close to Austin. After witnessing (Denise and me) and competing (Joey and Mark), I'd say we'd all have to agree with that.

In the zone...

Joey and I have raced triathons, Mark has done a marathon or two, so this ain't our first rodeo. But honestly, I've never seen anything quite like this. And I'm not altogether certain that I could have completed it, but they both did! Which is the only goal, by the way. I don't even think they keep time.

The rest of their team! The race had other entertaining aspects, besides the live torture. The costumes are hysterical. No babies were harmed during this race, although I can't say the same for the doll and pony.

Like I said before, it's 13 miles and interspersed in the hilly terrain were 29 ostacles. Examples that come to mind are having to take a dive off a 20-foot high plank into mud, hmmm, and wading through a neck-high mudhole that had just been filled with ice, oh and if you tried to get out you would be struck with barbed wire.....oh, and to finish off, crawling through a final mudhole while hundreds of wires charged with electricity shock you. All I can say is, what is wrong with these people?!?

Needless to say, it was quite an accomplishment to finish a race like this, and I'm proud of both the boys! I took a ton of pictures at this very entertaining spectacle, and I think they speak pretty well for themselves. Here's a few, enjoy!

About to start the crazy!



Poor pony....



ICE!!

Second thoughts? :)

Still smilin'

I mean...just wow buddy. Teehee

Last but not least...a little shock therapy.



COMPLETION! TOUGH MUDDERS FOR LIFE

Needless to say, I didn't run the 13 with them to see all the obstacles, but you get the idea. As for me, I think I'll just stick with triathlons.....sheesh.

Not to mention we had a wonderful visit with our dear friends!