Happy 28th B-day to ME!!!

After months and months of attempting to "settle in" to our new digs, Chad and I found TWO reasons to cozy up our pad. :) My 28th birthday was fast approaching (October 14th) and the ever important HOUSE WARMING party was all too late! Not needing much of an excuse to entertain, we scheduled our shing-dig for the Sunday after my b-day and began to prepare for our guests. Cooking, cleaning and preparing all led us to this day...and guess what? It was a SUCCESS!! Here are a few pictures of that special day.. and for those of you who couldn't make it... we missed you!

Auntie Erin and Miss Macie

Marcus and Ashlee show off their pumpkin carving skills.. :)

Awww... they brought presents!!

Texas State Fair..

Everything I do now seems like the first time. Even if I've already been somewhere, or seen a particular Dallas attraction, going to it with Chad just makes everything DIFFERENT. Going to the State Fair this year was no exception. I had actually been to the fair every year since I got to Dallas, but this one was the BEST.

Anyone care for a cooking demonstration??? Anyone? Anyone?? ;)

First of all Chad was actually working the fair this year. As part of his restaurant-y duties, he was scheduled to showcase a particular recipe at a cooking demonstration in one of the grand halls. I must admit that I was a bit nervous for him. :) My fears were quickly washed away the minute he began to speak. Almost instantly his charming personality and witty banter took over the crowd. He was a success and I even got to help!! Groupie and helping hand! :) Move over VANNA, I'm wearing the sparkly dress now. lol.. :)

And no.. I'm not anywhere in these pictures.. I was the hired help in the back, helping him cook up the change out FINAL version of what he was demonstrating. Wooooooo, GO ME!!

After slaving away as Chad's Sous Chef in order to pay my way onto the fair grounds, Chad and I decided to check things out. :)

Six Flags!!

Taking full advantage of Chad's one GUARANTEED day off, we took this Sunday to head to Six Flags!! Although we had already been there before, this particular day was awesome because we had the entire place to OURSELVES!! It was awesome flying thru roller coaster lines and zipping through the park!! We even found that we had to stop and take a break from all the excitement just because we didn't give our stomach much of a chance to settle down! :) It was GREAT!


lol.. I look drunk. And NO, these aren't my usual sun glasses... we were in some kids 3-D thingy... lol

Putt Putt Time..

Having the day all to ourselves, Chad and I decided to try out a new (or at least new to us) mini golf course. We always have the best time just being silly with each other. :)

Check out this man's SKILLS!!

Catching a ride to the next hole.. :)

Saaaaayyyy CHEESE!

Labor Day Weekend..

Just like old times...

I hate to admit that I don't even remember the last time the girls and I were able to get together like this. It was soooooo fabulous to see all my college station girlies again. I missed them so much! This time around it was the girlies AND their honeys as well. :) Even though it takes a while to get everyone's schedules together, the moment we all see each other, it's like we never missed a beat. I love and miss my friends dearly, and although we are all doing FABULOUSLY in our own little part of Texas, I still wish we were all in the same city... Here's a little sampling of the fun times we had..

My girl Jenny Penny and her man Brent

A couple bottles of wine and a scrabble game later..

Tag teaming it.. :)

Dallas Aquarium...

Seeking out a little underwater action, we headed downtown to the Aquarium. :)

Sweet little Fierro/Caldera family.. :)

He is so silly.. :)

Xuxa, where did you go?! You're the only one missing from this picture!

Awww.. there she is! Handsome Lucas munching away at his Frito bag.. :)

Nasher...

I love that Chad and I have the same desire to “get out there”. For as much as we love lounging around, which I might add, I do VERY, VERY well during the time that I’m waiting for him to come home each night, we both love to seek out new things. During our time together (usually Sundays) we love to explore the city. On this particular Sunday afternoon, we found ourselves at the Nasher Sculpture Center downtown. Although we’ve both been there before, going there together for the first time felt like a whole new experience.

Hail Caesar!!

On his quest to become Dallas' most famous chef, Chad took part in another foodie event to get his name out there...and yet again, I recruited another willing "belly" to be my date. :) This time it was Chad's fan club Vice President Mrs. Lisa Roden, Chad's other biggest fan, and co-groupie. She helped me enjoy the event tasting nearly 15 amazing variations of the seemingly simple salad. :)Who knew there were SOOOOOOO many ways to prepare a Caesar Salad?!! I didn't even know anything like this would even exist! A Caesar Salad Competition?! In Dallas?! Who knew?! But boy was it fun to try out everything and vote for our favorites.

Waiting for the results..

On shaky ground...

So.. it’s a good thing we went to Disneyland when we did cause if we had waited for this particular day, we would’ve been disappointed. I couldn’t even BELIEVE what happened that morning as we were having brunch… I experienced my very first EARTHQUAKE!!! It was INSANE!! I can finally add and then quickly CROSS OFF “Experiencing an earthquake” from my list of things to do/experience before I die. Lol. How nuts!! Apparently California hadn’t even had one in like eight years or something.. and the ONE weekend that Chad and I go, the FIRST weekend I meet his family, THAT’S when there’s an EARTHQUAKE?!! It was certainly memorable that’s for sure. Luckily there wasn’t much damage across the city and it actually just felt like I was walking on a tight rope/plank bridge. There was a huge initial shutter, almost as if the ground gave way from underneath us then…nothing. Right then Chad and I looked at each other from across the table with confusion before it clicked. Earthquake! Almost instinctively, Chad jumped up, grabbed me and led me to a doorway where we braced for the second wave of shutters. The next set lasted several seconds rocking the picture frames on the walls and making the chandelier in the house go NUTS! After it was all said and done, we stood there a moment in shock before his Aunt came out from wherever she was hunkered down to find out if we were ok. We were fine. Shaken and maybe a bit stirred…but… A-OK!! :)


Balboa Island..
After the fiasco of the morning had subsided, we carried on with our day without much hiccup. We made a brief stop at Christy and Ryan’s apartment before heading to Balboa Island with Chad’s mom. We weren’t there very long, but from what I saw, it seemed like a super cute, but VERY EXPENSIVE tourist trap. Quaint little shops with odds and ends that could easily make anyone’s wallet lighter. Very, very cute place to waste away an afternoon though… hmmm… maybe when we win the lottery. :)





Newport Beach..Our next stop was another family bbq with Chad’s dad and his side of the family. After saying our initial hello’s and doing the standard introductions, we found a second to sneak away to cruise along the waterfront on some old school bikes.

Coming back from our ride around beautiful Newport Beach

Sweet baby McKenzie, Logans little sis

My future nephew Logan... munching on watermelon

Chad, being a good influence.. lol

Having a little run in with Christy and Ryan's dog Jack Schmitt :)

I swear there wasn’t an UGLY place ANYWHERE in sight. And believe me, I LOOKED. Again, we ate, stuffed ourselves silly and ended the night by making some smore’s over the fire pit! Mmmmmmm…. Ooooeeeeyyy, Goooeeey GOODNESS!!! :)