Macee is Married!!!!! Wedding 1 of 2 for this Family!

That's right - Macee got married.  She is the middle sister - just 3 years younger than me.  Also the "one with my nephew" as some people describe her! lol (when your sister's look so much a like it's the easy way my friends discern who is who!)

Macee and Craig got engaged just earlier this year, when he flew her to Cali for an impromptu visit and surprised her with a gorgeous ring on La Jolla beach!  My Aunt Trish captured their GORGEOUSness for their engagement photos and Wedding photos as well.

They have been together for what feels like forever and were building a house (which is done and also Gorgeous -- I think Gorgeousness just follows them!) - so naturally we all wondered WHEN would they decide to tie the knot.  We didn't expect it to be so soon after being engaged but.....

We threw them a couples Bar shower and Macee had her Bachelorette party in July (yes I braved the nightlife and stayed out til 1 am in my heels!)  Some photos of each below....

The spread of food -- too much but so yum

just one of the frames I got them

Dessert!!!

Drink Bar - mixers

Macee with Danielle (SIL), McKenna and Finley

Sarah, Trish, Macee and Me

Bachelorette cookies

Bride to be!

Trish and Sarah

Tiffany, Macee and Jamie

The wedding was in Colorado - Avon, Co (which is pretty much Beaver Creek/Bachelor Gulch - just outside of Vail!)  It was absolutely gorgeous (sensing a trend here!?!?) there and the weather was a welcome from the heat of Texas.  Justin, Trevor and I decided to drive as 3 plane tickets just wasn't in the budget.  We stopped in Raton, NM on the way there and Dalhart, TX on the way back.  Trevor will tell you his favorite part of the trip was staying in the hotels (why I have no idea!) We stayed there for 3 days and took time to visit Vail, Colorado Springs and the great sights around town.

My Parents rented this nice "4 story" town home for us. So I got to spend time with my Grandmama, Uncle Willie and Aunt Peggy (all whom I rarely see) as well as experience a nice place to relax!

The wedding was fabulous! (I didn't say gorgeous this time ;) ) Macee looked beautiful as ever, Sarah was the MOH and Craig's Dad was BM.  Craig's brother officiated, while Trevor and Craig's nieces served as ring bearer and flower girls.  Trevor had a sweet connection to Finley (same age) and she tried really hard to keep him happy at the rehearsal dinner and reception!  I read a scripture from the Bible and a poem I found online about "hands."  I was my typical self and began to cry half way thru the reading as I just thought of the symbolism it possessed for each one there - and that I truly want this to be my sister's forever -- that I hope he does/treats her as she should be!  In my head my sister's have frozen at age 15/18 for me.  It's hard to see them all grown up and adults!  Not sure how I'll react when they each have a child! 

All in all it was a gorgeous (lol) beautiful affair!  True Macee fashion!  Click on the links above to see my FABULOUS Aunt's photos.....mine are below!

The Ritz-Carlton - where she got married

Stopped off in Colorado Springs CO to see this beauty

Rehearsal - giving the bride away

Biggest Dandelion EVER

Top of a Mountain in Vail

Nick and Sarah - rehearsal

Sarah getting ready

Macee did my makeup!

waiting to go

Barry, Craig, Macee and Sarah

Nick and Justin

Grandmama Trudy and Aunt Peggy

The Bridal Party

Cutest Ring Bearer EVER!

and 2 families become 1

Cabo 2013

Cabo sure was fun this year!  We had not been in 2 years and couldn't wait to get away from the daily grind for a few days of R&R.  This year we tried to lay low and only do a few of our favorite things, plus try one new one! We lucked out at the "timeshare" wars and got a deal on the swimming with dolphins package.  Trevor was excited, then nervous, then excited again!  We each got a special turn with Andee the Dolphin and now I can cross that off the "bucket list."

Each year we always take a sunset cruise to view the arch and see how much the beach scape has changed over the years.  This year the sand was completely under the arch - which was so weird to envision - as none of our other 4 or 5 trips to Cabo had this!  We HAD to explore under the arch!  I was in heaven!  I wish I had awesome stories to share but thankfully it was a pretty calm and relaxing trip.  I'll post the highlights below.....

* Pirate Cruise - always a MUST do!  Complete with pirate brawls, music, drinks, and meeting some ladies from Midland/Odessa area!
* Cabo Escape Cruise - Lots of dancing, "shots" (of Shirley temples), and a beautiful sunset. Oh we learned the Wobble here!
* Beach time - Medano Beach, Lovers beach - Trevor even snorkeled with Daddy! and eating at the Office! YumYum
* Pool time - splashes, happy hour, meeting new people (Chicago, Dallas, and even Dripping Springs!), winning a HUGE drink at Lazy Trivia, and lots of relaxing!
* Submarine tour - it's a cute yellow "submarine" where Trevor learned even more about fish and we got to hear more about the history of Cabo!  Always a favorite with us!

Next year - we'd love for another couple to join us!  So look at your calendar and see if you can fit in a week of fun June 8th - 16th!  We found out Austin finally has direct flights and they are pretty cheap! Let's hope they stay that way! :)

5 Greatest Accomplishments -- (Things my Kid should know series)

Not sure why I chose this one to talk about next....maybe I wanted to focus on some positives in my life; or maybe I am trying to psyche myself up for something?!?! All I know is that it is hard sometimes to talk about yourself in a positive light; like I'm gloating or something.  It just feels odd.  I've never been one to brag or shout from the rooftops -- "Look at me!"

I dream that in writing my 5 greatest accomplishments they would entail accomplishing world hunger, a Nobel Peace Prize or working for a fabulous non-profit somewhere in another country but it doesn't.  And that's ok. I still have a lot of life to live - so who knows I might accomplish one of those one day......

1) My son - he tops the list for sure.  We waited years to have him, trying to find the "right time" for us.  He was definitely a gift and accomplishment.

2) Graduating College -- I am so glad that I had the backing of a proper education in my family, as it pushed me to get higher education -- not that I didn't ever see myself not doing it, just that college is a feat in itself.

3) Moving out so young -- it may have broken my parent's hearts at the time, but this was a very bold move for me.  I left home at age 19 to live with my "boyfriend" while in school.  Well this boyfriend became my husband (of 11 years) and I think it really helped us to live together.  I was so scared to have that talk with my parents but I did it.  I needed to do it for me and for our relationship.

4) Taking a chance on my passions - This includes stepping out of my shell with Photography and Training.  It took some coaching and throwing myself out there to find they are both things I just LOVE doing and have gotten better and better at.  Maybe one day they will be ONLY what I do for a living, but for right now I am satisfied with them being just a nugget of my life.

5) Hopefully I am will achieve this last accomplishment..... I've been struggling with weight loss for awhile, but I must focus on the better side of things since this hasn't been the most successful feeling lately.  I am proud to say that I truly have focused more on better eating and getting moving so much more this past year.  Though the scale may not show this "success" I know within me - this is great!  Maybe one day my outside will look like I dream - but for now I focus on building the foundation for a healthier lifestyle.

Trevor turned 6!

A little late -- but here's the nitty gritty details of Trevor's 6th birthday party! 

His new love is Skylanders Giants.  It's a game you play on a game system, like his Wii, where you collect different characters (who have different powers) and try to save the Skylander Nation.  Any who -- he had a blast inviting his friends over for some water gun fights, munchies and cupcakes!  In my "themed" nature even the food went along with the theme representing elements of the game itself. 

It was a hot day but not as hot has it had been this summer so it was a nice relief for those who did not get wet!  The next day he woke up to a decorated room and balloons all over the floor, plus some presents form Mom and Dad.  Then he went fishing with Papa and Daddy. He had fun but accidentally threw his pole into the lake! :(

Thanks to those who came - Trevor really had a blast!  I can't believe he's 6 already!