Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Perfect Spring Break

Last semester, Trey and I were out on a double date with our favorite College Station couple, Micah and Tori. Trey and Micah have the same major and have had many classes together. They are best friends, and so naturally the four of us have become best friends. We have been on many double dates and have even traveled to San Antonio this past summer together for Micah and I's birthday (yes, we have the same birthday, it's a great day!) Anyways, last semester we decided that we wanted to do something fun for spring break, as it is Micah and Tori's last spring break (they are seniors and graduating in May, booo!) and our last spring break all together. We threw out many ideas, but it was decided that we would go to Colorado and go skiing when my dad called and said that our church was going skiing and that he really wanted to go with them and take all of us! Duh! So we all signed up and were counting down the days. 

Little did we know 5 months later, we would all be SO ready for that life-saving week in a whirlwind of a semester. It was the perfect time to get away, and we were so glad we decided to go away and do something different. 

So we packed up, loaded the car to its' gills (and I mean literally loaded it down), and started the 20+ hour trek to the beautiful mountains of Colorado. 



We had some great times traveling, talking, watching movies, and laughing till we cried in the car. It's amazing how being enclosed in a small space for 10 hours can seem to make even the most outrageous
thing, the funniest thing you have ever heard. 



Anyways, we finally made it to Colorado after two days of traveling, thanks to Elaine and Louis for letting us stay at your house to break up the trip, and naturally it was freezing there. I mean, unpacking the car and can't even feel your hands, freezing. Coming from 85 degree Texas, this was quite a shock, but we somehow managed to layer up, and warm up. We met up with the rest of the group Sunday night to have a short devo, and I was reminded how blessed I am with such a wonderful, strong church family back home. It was so good to see everyone and be around the familiar faces again. I am one lucky girl. 

We lounged around the rest of the night and prepared our minds and bodies for the next day's adventures, Day 1 of skiing. Now this was none of our first times to ski, but I was a little worried I would get out there and forget the whole thing. I was a tad bit nervous you could say. 



Well we wake up the next morning, look at the temperature outside and it says 8 degrees. E-I-G-H-T. I am not joking. I am pretty sure we just all stared at the thermometer for a good ten minutes in shock. I mean how often do we get to see it that low? In Texas we pretty much freak out if it gets below 40, so 8 was just insane. And to top it off we were going to ski in that. Cue "What in the world was I thinking coming here?" look. But we layered to the max with all 8 layers topped with face masks, toboggans, and ear muffs. It was great. 

Next we head to the lifts in those pesky ski boots, and skied the day away. 


Repeat the above for three days.

And although it may not seem like it, I really did have a blast skiing with my dad for the 9th year, Trey,  Micah and Tori for the first time, and my youth minister and his wife. We made some great memories, had some great laughs, many hilarious falls, and lots of good skiing. 




In the evenings, my wonderful mom would cook for us. We were extremely spoiled all week long. We would just relax, watch TV, movies, chat, and sleep. Perfect spring break. 




The day we left the ski resort we decided to make a detour and go to the Royal Gorge, which is like a mini Grand Canyon. It has an old wooden bridge that goes over it (1300 ft-eek!) and we walked along, took pictures, and then convinced ourselves to overcome our fear and take the great plunge by riding the "Skycoaster" which is basically a big rope swing type thing that flings you out over the gorge. I was completely terrified, but I decided that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I should not let my fear define me (I'm such a big girl right??) So with Trey right by my side the whole time, I did the Skycoaster, and I could not be more glad I did! It was an absolute blast, and I am so proud of myself! 



  




On the way home, we stopped at my aunt Elaine's house again for two nights to break up the trip again, and had a wonderful time relaxing out in the country, watching Duck Dynasty, and catching up with family. It was the perfect way to end the trip.




All in all, I had a wonderful spring break spent with some of my favorite people. I will never forget it and am so thankful to my parents for making it all happen. Coming home was not easy, but it just makes me look forward to the next vacation, whatever that may be!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Scott and Abigail's Wedding!

Last weekend was such a wonderful weekend in so many ways. I was able to be apart of one of the best days of my brother's life, I gained a sister, and I was able to celebrate with the best friends and family a girl could ask for. 

The whole weekend started off with Trey and I driving from College Station to Dallas, which was pretty uneventful, just jamming to music and telling each other silly stories like every road trip we take together. I was getting anxious about the weekend and of course was waking up at ungodly hours, so naturally about 30 minutes into the drive I fell asleep! (Thanks Trey for being such a great driver!)

We finally made it to Dallas and went straight to pick up Trey's tuxedo, then Trey dropped me off at the  hotel the girls were staying at to shower and get ready for the rehearsal dinner. We drove to Edison's (the venue) and did the rehearsal, the wedding coordinators were wonderful and everything ran smoothly. 

We then drove over to Sambuca for the dinner part, which was wonderful! My cousin Meg had decorated the whole room so beautifully. It was really a special time. We all chatted, took pictures, and then sat down to finally eat the delicious dinner! It was so fun to catch up with family and friends. My parents gave a wonderful speech that was so heartfelt and meant so much for me to hear as they gave my brother and Abigail their blessing. 

The Happy Couple
Scott, Me, My Mom, Abigail
Trey and I

After the rehearsal dinner, the girls (Abigail and all the bridesmaids) went back to the hotel and got in comfy clothes and had a full blown sleepover. It was so much fun to get to know the girls closest to Abigail and how we all fit into her life in our own unique ways. We had a blast chatting, laughing, and eating junk food! DUH! 

The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast, then headed to the salon to get our hair and makeup done. Abigail, her mom, me, and my mom all went and it was so much fun to have that special time just us girls with our moms! And of couse we loved getting pampered all morning. 


After the hair and makeup was finished, we drove to Breadwinner's, an Elkin's favorite, and had Abigail's bridal luncheon. It was an amazing luncheon filled with wonderful women so close to Abigail. We all went around and told how we knew Abigail, and it was so fun to get to know everyone a little bit better. 

Next was time to get ready at the hotel! It was so fun being with all the girls and helping Abigail get her dress on! She looked so beautiful. It was a really special time for all of us.

We finally made it to Edison's and we were ready to get the party started! We took lots of fun pictures, and then it was showtime! The ceremony was wonderful, filled with happy tears, and lots of smiles. Standing at the front looking out at all the friends and family they have to support them in their marriage was really encouraging to me and I'm sure them as well! 

Now that the ceremony and pictures were over it was time to get the real party started! The reception was so much fun, filled with laughs, and lots of dancing. 



Beautiful moment 
Some of my favorites dancing the night away!
Had such a great night with this guy! 
Best Friends! 

 Last, it was time to say goodbye to the Happy Couple. They were off to their honeymoon in Puerto Rico! It was so much fun to see them off, but a little bit sad that we had to end the party. 

The send off!


All in all, it was a fantastic weekend that I will remember for a lifetime. I am so glad to have been apart of it and to support my brother and new sister in the happiest day of their lives. I love them so much and can't wait for many more memories!