Winspear Opera House - Kodo Drummers of Japan

You know the one thing I really love about my husband is...that he's the spender, and I'm the saver.  Now I realize that might not work for everyone in the average relationship...but our relationship is anything BUT average.  The fact of the matter is...Chad works too much to do any MAJOR damage to our bank account...he just spends enough to surprise me with great and fabulous dinner dates out to fancy restaurants (for "research" of course ;) ...or great tickets to whatever random show or sporting event just so happens to be in town on one of his very random nights off.  This night was no exception.  In one full swoop, we were heading downtown to check out the Kodo Drummers of Japan at the new Winspear Opera House.  A huge part of me, (the part that had no idea what to expect with this show), was dying to see the new theater.  We'd heard so much about it...and being the dorky architecture girl that I am, I was thrilled! 

Our little trusty Canon handheld did a GREAT job with these pictures from the other side of the reflecting pool. 

Can you spot the name Juanita in the pool? 

It was among the listing of the Winspear Sponsors

The show was actually really really cool.  Totally NOT what we both expected I think, but very mesmerizing none the less.  We were in awe by the shear focus they needed just to keep the rhythm and beat consistent with the others for such LONG periods of time.  :) 

A glimpse of the amazing chandelier from our seats..

That retracted into the ceiling once the show was about to begin.  :)

Because photography was prohibited during the show, I scoured the internet for some images that captured the night perfectly.  

Ending the show with a bang.. lol..

The drummers, in sumo-style get ups 

Exhibit piece on display after the show. 

View to the second floor from the lobby area. 

Outdoor Cafe area. 

View from the Winspear side of the reflecting pool. 

Miss Macie Blue Kelley

If you haven't already had the pleasure of meeting our sweet little puppy girl, let me introduce you to Miss Macie Blue Kelley.  Our little miracle rescue pup, saved from the (kind) clutches of Operation Kindness back in September of 2008, she joined our little family at four months old, scared and weary of us (at first)... quickly turning into a rambunctious, but still very well mannered girl.  She's a joy to come home to, waving that tail like a champ, eagerly waiting for us at eye level on our stairs to say hello.  (Chad's two steps higher than I am but who's counting?  ;)  The best cuddler anyone could ever hope for, she's right there to keep you warm on those winter days when the heater is cranked full blast but you still can't manage to get comfortable.  She'll follow you around the house as you do house chores...mostly to take stock of the progress...but also just to be in your presence.  She'll let you know when it's time to go out, and bark, just once, very polietly when she's ready to come back in.  She'll stay just out of reach every night, dancing around the foot of the bed, hoping to be picked up, but not really letting you (or Chad in this case) touch her...just until she's ready.  (We still haven't figured out why she plays this game exactly, knowing full well what the routine is, and what the outcome is... a warm and comfy bed for her to sleep in!) 

Crazy Texas weather playing its dirty little tricks again.  One day it's a beautiful 70 degree day, the next, we wake up to the craziest ICE and SNOW storm Dallas had seen in years!  I have to say that I'm not that surprised, given the unusual weather we've experienced since I moved up here nearly five years ago...but this was the first time I'd ever gotten THIS MANY snow days off in a row!  By day three (of five), Macie and I were a little bored... so I decided to try and capture her sweet presence the best way I could.  She may be scruffy and a little rough around the edges, but her eyes truly are the window to her sweet soul.  <3

Having a ball in the snow...

Love that face!

Barber / Tran Wedding - California

I'm actually quite upset with myself for letting so much time pass since my last post.  So much has happened since Jenn and Brent's wedding.  One weekend we were in Houston, celebrating the union of one of my best girl friends, and the very next weekend we were heading West to Huntington Beach for yet another blessed union.  This time it was Chad's good friend Mitch's turn to tie the knot.  Two weddings back to back in January!  Luckily for both of them, the weather cooperated (despite having an UNUSUALLY FRIGID winter in Texas).  Not long after we arrived home from California, we got blasted with one of the craziest winter storms the entire U.S. had seen in a looooong time!  So crazy in fact, the corporate kiddies at our office thought we should stay home for awhile.  A long while actually, the ENTIRE WEEK in fact....but thats another blog post entirely.  Back to the task at hand....Mitch and Lan's wedding during one of our shortest trips out to California so far.  (Insert double sad face here because we only got teased with glorious weather for the two days we were there.)  Arriving Friday, and leaving Sunday afternoon, we did what we could to make the most of our time there...hanging out with Chad's family late Friday, early Saturday...then spending time with his friends during and after the wedding on Saturday evening.  Here are a few snaps of the wedding before the drinks came along and we stopped caring about picture taking... lol.  Kidding.  :)

In a little chapel by the sea...

Lan and Mitch exchange their vows..

Introducing for the first time....

Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell Barber :)

All checked into our hotel room, right before the reception :)

Hyatt Regency, Huntington Beach.  It was GLORIOUS!

View from our room

Making our way to the reception

Not too shabby... Overlooking the ocean

Perfect afternoon for a January wedding in California :)

Cocktail hour. :)

Mrs??  Crazy!!  :)  Still getting used to it.  :)

Wardrobe change :)

Cortez / Brugliera Wedding - In Pictures

It's always extra special seeing one of your BEST friends get married.  It's not like those weddings you go to out of obligation cause your cousin's, cousin's, cousin's neighbor gave you an invitation because EVEN THEY felt like they HAD to.  The weddings of your TRUE friends are so different.  So much of our lives (since college) has been spent sharing details of the good, bad and ugly dates we'd all gone on...the people we'd met, the jobs we'd started...and then left, promotions we'd received, raises we had seen others get but never got ourselves, apartments we'd moved into...and then OUT of.  It was our life spent together.  Even while none of us lived in the same town any longer, when we got together, or talked on the phone, it was like no time had passed at all since we had seen eachother last.  Jenn was my little Penguin.  She got her nickname from our days spent abroad in Barcelona, where Jenn's love of giving each of us "animal personas" came to be.  We each came back with tales and friendships that would survive a lifetime and we all could'nt be happier to see our little Penguino make this huge step in her life.  We were there to capture it all... so I'll shut up now and let these pictures speak for themselves. ;)

Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Brugliera, welcome to the club :)

Ceremony: Rothko Chapel

Reception: The Grove

Houston, Texas

  

What a view!  On the patio at The Grove

Brrrrrrrr.... But not bad for January weather :)

The first order of business...

The PHOTO BOOTH!

Lorraine (The Cat) and Andrew Page

Me (Little Bear) and the Hubs ;)

Look at that lovely Penguin SMILE  :)

   

The gang, being silly together

Love Jenn's pirate face...lol..

Jenny, taking turns with all of us :)

A toast, from Papa Cortez :)

And sister Val

What an evil little smirk that is!

OOOOOOOOoooooooo..... ALMOST!

A heart filled exit  <3

On to the after party!  :)

The newlyweds...awwwww... ;)

Right before all us old farts called it a night.. (at around 2am :)