family, friends, and fun

Well, those 6 weeks went by quicker than expected...

Let's see...I got home, spent a few days in Houston with some of my favorite people then headed up to Dallas to spend the weekend with my BFFs.  It took us a while to think back and calculate, but I have had a love affair with these 3 ladies for 16 years.  I'm still confused how these past 16 years have flown by so quickly, but I am lucky to have them in my life.  Anyhoo, Lauren kicked her sweet husband Brett onto the couch, and we had a good old fashioned girls-only sleepover, and it was even better than I remembered.  Saturday we were moving a little slow, so we walked up to have lunch and some bloody mary's at an outdoor restaurant...which turned into a 5 hour event.  At one point Lauren saw a guy that looked familiar and asked me who it was, so I took a look and jokingly said oh yeah, that's Kliff Kingsbury.  An hour or so later, out of nowhere Lauren goes OMG IT IS KLIFF.  She had just seen a group of girls go up and take a photo with him.  Naturally, we jumped up, walked over, and casually asked for a photo (while exploding with excitement inside).  I then proceeded to send the picture to every Red Raider in my phonebook.  Needless to say, it was a wonderful weekend...I wonder if Brett will be up for getting kicked out every time I'm back in Dallas ;)

Houston lovahs

Lucy Braun gives the best cuddles.

Basic, but cuuuute

Just us and Kliff, no big...

After a weekend with the girls, I headed home for some quality time with my parent's couch - them too.  My mom always says she looooves having me home, but all I seem to do is get in trouble for napping on the couch.  It's really not my fault, that thing is COMFY.  I spent the next week taking naps, going down the street to Nana and Papa's, and eating home cooked meals.  There's nothing better than home!

SO lucky to spend an afternoon with this group :)

Mom making me do activities, nothing has changed.

From Dallas, Mom, Dad, and I headed to San Antonio for an impromptu family weekend.  Andrea, Mom, and I took a girls trip (I got lots of girltime last month) chauffeured by Dad to Fredericksburg.  We did our fair share of wine tasting...just to make sure that Texas wine can compete with California, Italy too :)  The next day I FINALLY made it out to Uncle Billy's Triple Creek Ranch in Uvalde.  I'm not sure exactly how long Billy has had the land, but I know it's been a year or two, only because he so lovingly asks me to go out to the ranch every time I'm in San Antonio, and I always turn him down.  Mostly because it's typically sunny in SA, and Andrea has a really beautiful backyard equipped with a pool, cabana, and a super comfy hammock/chair so it's really hard to leave.  Lucky for Billy, it was super cloudy so we all decided to make the trip, and I am SO glad we did!  He has a beautiful plot of land and has gone back to his roots as a country boy!  He even let me drive the tractor...

Fredericksburg!

Life on the ranch

On top of the hill at Triple Creek Ranch

Daddy on the tractor

Uncle Billy does a GREAT job with the landscaping...

After San Antonio, I headed to California to (finally) see my honey! We hit the road headed to Palm Desert for our yearly pilgrimage to Stagecoach.  Last year my sweet boy partook in too much tailgating and only actually attended 1 concert.  I'm proud to report that this year he not only made it into the venue every day, but saw several concerts and even took me on the ferris wheel - which I asked to do about a million times last year.  I'd call it a successful weekend with sun and good times old and new friends...     

laaaaaadies

One of MANY failed selfies.

Ferris wheeling with a view!

I spent the next week in Bakersfield recuperating from Stagecoach, celebrating Chad's 28th birthday, and catching up with friends.  Chad had a training scheduled for the week in Dallas, so not only did I get to spend my last week with him, but we also got to celebrate Mother's Day with both our moms and grandmothers!  I was excited because I thought I was going to be able to rest up (since all I do is sleep at home) and be well rested for coming back to work, but between all the crazy severe weather and my sweet Nana giving us a hospital scare again (all is well, the Lord is SO good) I didn't get to lay on the couch as much as anticipated, but I wouldn't have changed a second of my trip ;)

28 never looked so good!

Carrie and Cody are going to be in trouble with this cutie!

loved getting to see baby Nora and big sister Jenna!

Spent some time in Dallas going through old photos, these are two of my favorites :)

I am SO thankful for all the quality family time that I got to have during my 5 weeks home.  After 3 months away, it sure does feel good to know that my family and sweet friends haven't forgotten about their part-time African over here!

We were supposed to have our last big shutdown this morning and work through the day, so I was nervous that I wasn't going to be able to get my blog done which tends to get me in trouble with my mom (there is a trend here...)  BUT I think the good Lord really wanted me to get my blog done because a HUGE thunderstorm rolled in last night and rained out our plans for today.  It's still a little drizzly outside, but I'm hoping the sun will come out for my walk this afternoon.  

5 days down, 23 to go!  xoxo...