Sweet Birthday Surprise :)

I’m not sure what I did… or which wish was granted to bring him to me..but I’m lucky. The luckiest in fact. Since the first day we met, my life has been ABUNDANTLY blessed with so much love. It’s almost internally explosive. I know that sounds morbid and kinda disgusting really..but I feel like my heart, at any given moment, could just POP with so much goodness! I have, without a doubt in my mind, the most AMAZING husband anyone could ever wish for. I know I’ve said it before, but I can’t seem to say it enough. I love him more and more every single day and I’m blessed and shocked at my good fortune in finding him, and humbled for being loved by him. I can’t gush about this man enough.

This week I turn 30. Thirty years of life...sounds long, and short all at the same time. :) For whatever reason, I anticipated NOT looking forward to this day. I thought I would have a hard time NOT being in my twenties anymore. I actually still remember posting my 29th birthday blog this time last year as Chad and I were making our final preparations for our wedding day. It felt like just yesterday. With all the hub-bub going on last year, both our birthdays (mine Oct. 14th, Chad’s Dec. 10th) took a side seat to the wedding, knowing full well that we’d be sure to make up for it in the coming years as husband and wife. Chad, being the sweetheart that he is, DID NOT let me down. :)

It’s funny how the things he does for me doesn’t ever surprise me, yet he still manages to get me every single time. He never ceases to amaze me with his attention to detail, the HUGE effort taken to make everything just “right” in order to make things as special as possible, and his cunning surprise abilities! A month of planning and little birthday gifts scattered here and there, given like they were the last, definitely had me blind to what was the “end all, be all” gift.

A brand spankin’ new 27” iMac computer!!

After what seemed like a long day flying, I arrived home to a darkened office where supposedly the light bulbs had gone out.  Reaching for the light over the desk top, my mouth DROPPED when I found THIS waiting for me!! 

HOLY CRAP CHAD!!  :) :) 

I definitely think Chad gets as much happiness out of giving me gifts as he does in receiving them.  Almost immediately, I turned around to spot Chad's eyes welling up with tears just seeing how happy he had just made me.  What a MAN!  Knowing full well that I wouldn't have considered such a large purchase for myself, he planned this unbelievable surprise.  I'm still in shock!  I can't wait to use it... too bad I have to wait til AFTER we come back from our Yosemite trip (which I thought was my ORIGINAL and ONLY birthday present!!). 

To Nana's House We Go! :)

To cap off the weekend in the valley, Addie, Christi and I took a little detour to the tiniest town of Elsa, Texas.  If you've never heard of it, no worries, there's not a whole lot to see there... well except our Nana of course!  :)  Because my parents were already there spending the day with my grandmother as she got her roof repaired, we had a bit of time to catch up before we headed to Harlingen to catch my flight back to Dallas.  :)

 Addie and I with our Nana, my grammies :)...

 Showing us her pretty band-aids

CHEEEEEESSSEEEE

Fall Fun @ the Corn Maze

Since picking her up from school on Friday, Addie had been talking non stop about going to the Corn Maze in Donna.  By day, it was simply a large open field with hay barrels, a pumpkin patch, large slides, swing sets, a barn yard with animals and a corn field made into a maze.  By night, it turned into a scary like park with a "haunted maze" for those ready for a fright!  Needless to say, we high tailed it out of there once the sun went down.  ;) 

Trying to show me her Dora band-aid while on our way  :)

 The Maldonado's taking a "hay ride" around the corn field. 

 Making her sweet "CHHHHEEEEESSSEEEE" face.  :)

 Doing the Maldonado's rendition of Michaelangelo's Creation of Adam

 Wheeeeeeee.....

 Here they come!!!

 There they GOOOOO....

 Next up:  Slide :)

 To be honest... I was kinda nervous for them... well for Addie really. 

 But... by the time she got down, she was one smilin' fool! 

 The sun setting that day was incredible! 

 Last stop before heading out:  The Barn

 Come here Mr. Moo Cow....

Gorgeous!

 As close as we could get her to sitting on the pumpkins

Callin' it a day... Stinky and exhausted!  :)

Awww...

Getting My Addie Fix

Since the first day of October, I was certain this month was going to be wonderful.  We had an amazing trip planned to Yosemite just days away, my 30^th birthday was just around the corner, Chad had begun giving me little treats here and there for my birthday AND Omar and Christi graciously gave me one of their free southwest flights to head down to the valley for a weekend!  What could be better?!  Knowing the family would be heading up to Dallas for Thanksgiving in November, I took the first available weekend to get my Addie fix.  J 

After picking her up from school and being greeted with the sweetest little voice saying "that's Aunt Yvette!" (heart swells immediately, and baby pangs commence ;), my mom and I treated her to one of her favorite lunch treats... Double Daves Pizza!!  :) 

Bellies full and perfectly content, we headed back to her house where she and I took a MUCH needed nap before heading out to see "Addies House"... aka her new play set out back. :)   

Addies "House"

Winn Meat Article - Chad & The Moth

Chef Chad Kelley Takes Familiar, Full Flavors to New Levels at Dallas’ Meddlesome Moth
September 28, 2010

The Meddlesome Moth’s Executive Chef Chad Kelley with his popular Beef Bone Marrow at Dallas’ busy gastropub, a new arrival in 2010.

Chef Chad Kelley is innovating the dining experience in Dallas with the menu at The Meddlesome Moth gastro-pub.

And it’s with the use of big flavors in smaller portions, filling the table with exciting Share Plates of recipes reflective of cuisines from everywhere.

As guests are looking at adventure and leisure with their dining out, the culinary journey is even more fun when they can select from a menu and try a variety of recipes, rather than one large serving of a selection.

Chef Kelley is enjoying the creative work on The Moth menu, delivering on the clever promise of the experience of Shannon Wynne’s new concept that opened to great acclaim in 2010 in Dallas’ Trinity Design District at Oak Lawn and Hi Line.

“Great food doesn’t have to be expensive,” said Chef Kelley. “We’re giving everyone a concept that has the relaxation of a great bar and pub, good music, and a food and beer and ale selection that are something you won’t find anywhere in Dallas.”

“We’re getting a great balance of innovation and adventure, taking ‘the fear’ out of trying some really wonderful foods that our guests are really getting to enjoy without feeling like they’ve spent a fortune.”

Winn Meat Company is providing proteins for Chef Kelley’s recipes, including Classic Schnitzel with Pork Jowls, Yucatan Pork, Chinese Five Spice Pork Belly, Lamb Kafta, and Beef Bone Marrow. A lot of authentic Italian sausages and meats from famous Salumeria Biellese also are key ingredients in Chef Kelley’s menu. Hearty recipes, but in portions that don’t overwhelm the guest and the appetite, to be enjoyed with flights of beer and ale that are an experience of culture and fun all their own. Kelley’s culinary in Northern California at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, and in Southern California, bring some fresh and light approaches to charm the palate.

“There are classic and traditional recipes, with influences of citrus, salsas, mustards and other flavors that add brightness to the recipes,” said Chef Kelley.

And it’s turning into high traffic and great business all the time at The Moth.

The Moth Executive Chef Chad Kelley and Winn Meat Company’s Jose Vargas in the innovative Dallas gastropub’s distinctive dining room featuring tributes to rock and roll legends.

Flights of fine beers from around the globe are served with Chef Chad Kelley’s small plate wonders at The Moth.

http://www.mothinthe.net/

Shadow Box Love :)

A few months ago, on a trip to Wal-Mart for our usual gathering of house-hold necessities, I came across some fairly inexpensive ($10)-12"x12" shadow boxes that I instantly had an idea for. 

Knowing I had a box full of our wedding day knick-knacks, I had every intention of gathering them up in some sort of creative way, I just never really got around to it..... 
Until now.  :) 

"Save the Date" Box

Featuring our Save the Date cards (back & front- made by yours truly ;) Our monogram (again, by me), the "From the Kitchen of Chad Kelley" stamp we used on the recipe cards we gave out at the wedding & business cards of our various wedding vendors. 

Invitation / Wedding Day Box -

Featuring our invitation, response card, my "something blue" butterfly that was perched on my bouquet, Chad's boutineer, and church favor bags with the handmade rosaries my mom's best friend made for us. 

Wedding Ceremony Box -

Featuring our wedding program, scratch that BOOKLET - (Cover and first page shown here...designed, cut & assembled with love by us), ring bearers pillow (made by my sweet mama) and beautiful rosary given to us by our Padrinos, Celeste & Javi Moreno.