Bridal Shower Time!

Alli's bridal shower was held at my parents' house this past weekend and it was so much fun for the "hometown 6" to get together one more time (with our moms) before the wedding. I had a blast helping mom plan the shower. Why? Because we are both OCD and when we plan, we plan for success. :) Mom decided to incorporate Alli's wedding colors into everything, including the cake (thanks to Monica's mom)! I don't think many people could pull off a orange and teal bridal shower, but by golly, Denise sure did! Check out some of the pictures from Alli's "Hometown Shower". We served mini quiche, pinwheels, fruit, veggies, crackers, dip, and some kind of amazing drink that I have yet to figure out. I was also able to print off pictures of the bride and groom to put around the room.

I have to thank Cliff (big time) for taking the groom, Zak, to the golf course for the afternoon while us girls did our thing. I know it's never a man's wish to sit in on a bridal shower. :)

Also, please note my Fall arrangement on the mantle. Mom put me in charge of decorating for Autumn...she even let me buy the new painting above the fireplace.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

As Maid of Honor, it was my duty to plan Alli's Bachelorette Party. She decided she wanted a weekend in Oklahoma City (her new home). So after much thought, I came up with the perfect girls' weekend for Alli and her closest gal pals.

I started with the reservations, then moved to the invitations. I refuse to use store-bought things when I know I can make things just as cute or cuter. So my idea was to create a lingerie-themed invite. I browsed the web and found exactly what I was looking for. It's amazing what one can do with some scrapbook paper, scissors, and a glue stick!

In the invites was the weekend itinerary, which included:

• Friday Game night at Zak & Alli's future home,
• Saturday morning brunch at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art,
• A trip to the OKC Zoo (Alli loves animals),
• Lingerie party at our hotel, The Skirvin Hilton (my favorite),
• Dinner at Elephant Bar (we had a personalized menu), and
• A night on the town (Pete's Piano Bar and Skyy Bar)

I had an absolute BLAST using my event planning degree to put together an unforgettable weekend for a girl I could not live without. To say that Alli is anything less than a sister to me would be an understatement.

Enjoy some of my favorite photos from the weekend!

My Amazing Parents

My mom and dad went on a week-long trip to Tucson, Arizona this past summer. It was their first time away from work and kids since their anniversary cruise in 2007. They stayed at the Ritz-Carlton Resort in Tucson, where they were treated like royalty the entire time. (I still think it's a miracle they actually decided to come back home!) While my parents were gone, Dylan and I were in charge of the house. This did not just include getting the mail and feeding the dogs, but also doing laundry, mowing, watering, and making sure the place didn't burn down. Even though I had spent years away from my parents at college and in Dallas, it occurred to me that even when they are gone, I still depend on them.

After seeing their smiling faces when they arrived back home, I thought about how much I admire my parents' relationship and the guidance they have given me and Dylan.

Reasons I admire my parents...

• Always ready and willing to chat
• Dinner leftovers
• Availablity (at most times)
• They now know how to text
• Strict, but not legalistic
• Their involvement in the church
• Hard workers
• How well they balance each other
• Encouragement (and lectures when we need it)
• Their wide variety of friends
• The fact that mom loves dogs now
• Always active and competitive
• The example they have set for me and Dylan

Lobo Invitational 2010

Dylan ran in his first official meet as a Big 12 athlete last week at the Lobo Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I could not be more overjoyed for him. Not only was he able to run as a member of the Texas A&M men's traveling team, but he was also able to earn a spot in the top 8 runners. I was not able to watch the meet because Cliff and I were in Colorado (will post about that trip soon), but being the super parents that they are, mom and dad made the 470 mile trip to see him run.

After listening to him talk about the race, I can definitely tell that Dylan is in his element. His first words to me were, "I've never felt so good about running. It's actually fun again." The feeling I got when he said these words overwhelmed me with joy. I am so happy for him.

Dylan's official meet time was 26:36.8 and he placed 40th out of 82 runners.

Pre-meet write-up: http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/c-xctrack/spec-rel/083010aab.html

Post-meet wrap-up: http://www.aggieathletics.com/sports/c-xctrack/recaps/090410aab.html

Hotter 'n Hell

I have found a new hobby. No, it is not crafty, nor is it really fun for most people (especially those with sensitive backsides).

Biking. Not mountain biking. Road biking.

I have no idea why it occurred to me that I should pick up a new sport, but I figured "Hey, it's riding a bike! How hard could it be?!" Note to self: if you have been on mountain bikes your whole life, you are in for a rude awakening if you choose to start riding a road bike...that comes from experience, by the way.

About four weeks before one of the nation's oldest and largest cycling events, the Hotter 'n Hell, took place in my home town, I decided to take up cycling. I borrowed a Gran Turismo road bike from one of my mom's friends. Now, these days cyclists use lightweight (less than 10 lbs) bikes made from carbon fiber or titanium, but not my little gem. The copper colored Gran Turismo had a mild-steel frame and weighed in at about 43 lbs. (Talk about a resistance workout!)

For those four weeks leading up to the race, I rode about 18-20 miles during week days and did my long distance rides on the weekends. My weekend rides ended up totaling 34 miles, 38 miles, and 45 miles. I was determined to be in great shape for the Hotter 'n Hell 100 kilometer race. I felt comfortable during my rides, especially when the more experienced riders complimented my form, pace, and stamina. I started loving the bike. For someone who has always been a runner, biking was just what I needed to give my body (mainly my joints) a break from running numerous miles on an asphalt surface. Between the realization that I was actually good and the ease on my joints, I guess you could say I was officially hooked after about two weeks.

When race day came on August 28th, I felt very confidant and prepared. I was not "in it to win it" as some would say, but I was in it to do the best that I could, and set a bar for my future races.

I ended up having no problems along the course. No flats, no fatigue, no complaints...okay, so I might have been frustrated with the wind for a few miles towards the end...but overall, it was a great ride. My mom and I finished the 100 kilometer race in just under 4 hours. Take the rest stops, slow start, and wind into effect and you've got yourself a very proud first-timer!

I plan on continuing this new passion in hopes that eventually I can do a few triathlons next season!

Thanks mom, for riding every mile by my side!

(I know you could have whooped me if you wanted to.)

• Hotter 'n Hell Bike Race: http://www.hh100.org/
• Texoma Cycling Center: http://bikeusa.com/articles/texoma-cycling-center-home-page-pg184.htm