Ft. Worth Beer Festival and Water Gardens

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Fall Beer Festival

Saturday, October 17th

2-10:30pm

Ft. Worth, Texas

Presented by: The Flying Saucer

Four ounce pours... TEN times!

Doesn't sound like much but these aren't your average beers...

Let the DEBAUCHERY BEGIN!

For Chad at least... I'm a lightweight!

Looks like he found something he likes.. :)

My goofball showing us how to "look skinny taking pictures"...

Neck up and OUT!

There was actually a "You're Not Worthy" beer tasting tent behind him...

Those were the ones that pretty much knocked you on your butt!

On to our sightseeing portion of the afternoon!

The infamous Water Gardens...

Ooooooo..... PRETTY....

Looking to get his feet wet... Anything for a great picture...

His "walking on water" trick... lol... well he tried..

Looks so refreshing...

Looked so good Chad thought he would take a little sippy sip.... :)

Then I wanted some TOO!!  lol..

Pretty fall colors....

Apparently this was where the movie Logan's Run was taped...??? 

I'm going to have to trust Chad on this one... never heard of it..

Making our way to the core of the fountain...

I have to admit, I was a bit freaked out at this point..

I think it was the rushing, crashing water all around us..

Ooooooo... I think his face says it all... lol..

Chad, having an impossible conversation with his mom telling her about the movie...

I have no idea how he even HEARD her at this point..lol

Looks pretty intimidating to me..

Getting down was so SCARY!!

 And look at all those KIDS running around?!

Putting on a brave face...

On top of the world...

Hello up there!!  :)

My love..

Being a silly silly boy... :)

How can you resist...

THIS FACE?!?!?  lol.. :) 

Can't wait to marry you love...

364 days til THIRTY!!

29 and COUNTING...

It wasn't long after the sleepiness wore off on this fine October 14th day that my thoughts settled on the fact that in 364 days, I will be in my 30's.  In 364 days I will no longer be 20 something.  In 364 days, I will officially be an "adult"... I still remember thinking 25 was old and now find myself talking like my parents did when I was growing up.  I'm sure it won't take long til I start using the story my dad loved to tell us about the "taco goo" that would run down his pant leg while walking to school in shoes with holes in the soles.... held on by glue and stitching cause they were too poor to buy new shoes or lunch bags... It was clearly an exaggerated mexican version of the snow walking that most people grew up hearing about.... lol... 

Anywho, back to the day at hand. 
Today... I turn 29!  Not necessarily too momentous other than the fact that it is the last year in my twenties.  My very last "single status" year.   This time next year I will have been married for nearly ONE year!  So many wonderful things have happened in these last 28 years, I'm curious to know what the next 30 hold for me??  These last few years alone have been the most memorable years of my life...  In 2006 I moved to Dallas.. In 2008 I bought my first home... met Chad AND got engaged!!  Now in 2009 I'm getting MARRIED!!!  If that weren't enough, 2010 seems to be just as exciting as Chad's takes his new job to the next level, helping to open "his" first restaurant.  Although it's not financially HIS responsibility, The Moth has become "his baby"... HIS restaurant to care for, His to nurture and love and make successful.  His success is, in turn, MY success... HIS happiness is, in fact, MY happiness... and as that cheesy cliche goes... you jump, I jump... and as cheesy as it may seem, it's actually kinda TRUE!  :) 

On the agenda for tonight is a low key celebration of two people enjoying the calm before the wedding storm arrives.  Being so close to the wedding, the birthday plans include a food cheat like no other before.... and on request, by yours truly.... is.... PIZZA and ICE CREAM!!  A fine dining meal unlike any other... lol.. but the BEST I could hope for.  Wedding day diet is officially ON HOLD!  Let the GLUTTONY commence!

A very special THANK YOU!! :)

From the day I first came to Dallas three years ago, I always realized it was the best decision I had ever made.  Even then, not knowing a single soul in this great expanse of a city... I still had no regrets or doubts or fears about my move.  Over the course of three years I have settled into big city life, met friends to last a lifetime and met the man of my dreams!!  Things really could not be any better for me.  Even my job has been a blessing.  Taking me under her wing as a friend and my "older sister", Mrs. Lisa Roden, has been my right hand through this entire wedding process.  She has provided advice, suffered through long meetings with wedding vendors and will even play hostess to a couple's shower for Chad and I on October 24, 2009.  She has even selflessly extended her friendship past the Dallas city limits being my honorary "date" to whatever random chef event Chad has going on or wedding that Chad can't make.  Because the Rodens have come to hold a special place in our hearts, Chad and I are MORE than honored to have them take on the role of padrinos in our wedding... They don't realize this yet, but it was my way of committing them to the Kelley family for years and YEARS to come!!  ;)  I'm not sure how I've lasted this long without them... Thank you guys, so much, from the bottom of our hearts! :)

Our kids future babysitters... :)  lol...

A very Snowy Birthday Suprise...

On a normal Tuesday afternoon at work, exactly one week and a day before my birthday,  I received a very curious email from one of my bestest buds, Erin.  To my delight, I was greeted with a slideshow showcasing what was on the agenda for the following evening.  A girls night out with Erin AND the boys from SNOW PATROL!!!  The afternoon started with dinner at Gloria's on Greenville Ave. followed by one of the best shows I've seen to date!  I'm so lucky to have such great friends in my life!! Thanks Erin, you're the BEST!

SNOW PATROL CONCERT

at the Palladium Ballroom

October 7, 2009 at 8:00pm

One Single Solitary Day..

It’s strange how one single solitary day can change so much in a person’s life. For nearly 29 years, I’ve been Yvette Maldonado, plain and simple. No middle name, nothing fancy, I was always just Yvette Maldonado.. daughter, sister and friend…. But on November 14, 2009, I will add new descriptors to the list… WIFE. MRS. Yvette M. Kelley. How Bizarre. From that day on, I will not only have ONE family, the one I have known and loved for my entire 28 and half years … but TWO, the family I have met in the last year who I’ve come to know, love and accept as my own. Extended families from an entirely different part of the country. States away, I gain a lifetime of connections. Generations to come will now know family I didn’t have before this ONE, single, solitary day. It’s amazing to think of the extended family tree that is created when two people meet and marry. It’s like magic. A blessing. A new life. A new family. I couldn’t feel more blessed and as we both wait patiently for this ONE day to present itself, I’m thankful for everyone who has seen this relationship grow from the very beginning….because they are our witnesses to this magical adventure…because for us, it still feels like a dream.

Wedding Shower- Valley Style

It hasn't taken much to get us excited about our wedding.. The entire process has been fun and challenging, giving both Chad and I the ability to put our creative minds together to plan a wonderful day for everyone.  On September 26th though, all I had to do was show up.  I didn't have to plan anything, I didn't have to organize the food or the ideas or the decorations, all I had to do was BE THERE!  What a concept!!  My first bridal shower and to be honest, I was a ball of nerves.  What was I supposed to do?  What was I supposed to say?  Months earlier, the prep work began back home by my mom who chose the location, started her guest list, (that turned out to be over SEVENTY ladies), and began buying all the necessary decorations to make my first and only valley shower a success!  And a success it WAS!!  It was a great shower with great people, great food, super YUMMY cake and memories to last a lifetime. 

Thanks mom for planning such a great party!