Canyon Adventure

July 22

This adventure led us straight to DonMark's home!

To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I asked DM TONS of questions about anything you could imagine.

She was very nervous, but had no reason to be. I was excited about this adventure as it had been a while since my last visit.

This adventure took us on another car ride journey with the kids. Shockingly enough...we made it the whole way with ZERO stops! Right away the kids wanted to see the horses.

That is a first for the kids, and no DVD player!!! Thanks again Abilene Public Library.

The next day we headed out to the Canyons. It was ridiculously hot..as we expected, but still fun. The kids had a great time and really that is all that matters. We stayed to have lunch then back home we went...for nap time!

For the majority of the time DonMark was up in the attic working on the airconditioner and Julianna (obviously stayed far away from that mess) and hung out with the kids/DonMark's mom/Gretchen. It was eventful! :)

Never heard so much banging on the ceiling in my life. I was very content sitting in the A/C and hanging out with everyone else!

The AC deal was frustrating on many levels, but we got the problem solved which is nice. 

The next day was church and then a RACE! Yeah you heard that correctly a race.

For some reason Wyatt got the idea that we needed to race or at least he wanted to race against Pa...somehow I managed to be on Wyatts team against Pa and DonMark. This was talked up A LOT. There was even a search for a baton to hand off. Soooo fun!!! After we raced, we were standing around laughing and then Emme...bursts out running the same path we had just taken. It was cute and hysterical.

One of the top Taz moments of all time!!

I got to take a little stroll on a horse...along with DonMark.

The kids also did a little Treasure Hunt with Pa & GT. I loved watching that! So cute and such a great idea!! I know they enjoyed it!



I feel EXTREMELY grateful to be a part of DonMark's life and the kids lives as well. A girl couldn't ask for more.

Overall, this was a great trip. The kids had a blast and I think the adults did too. Glad Gretch could come be a part of the craziness. 

World Aquarium Round 2

We had this grand idea to take the kids to Dallas to visit Aunt Gretch and go to the World Aquarium...
This was also the kids first trip in Black Beauty (Julianna's car).

This may seem like not to big of a deal, but I had decided we were not taking a DVD player for the trip...so then the contemplation of entertainment for 6 hours in a car...all in the same day! DonMark and I had gone to the library in preparation for this journey. Also, we bought coloring books for them as well. I was ready with Pipe Cleaners, but was hoping to avoid that in case my creative brain was lacking. I am extremely OCD about my vehicle so I was a bit nervous about the car ride.

We started off a bit late, but that's ok..when has time stopped us from getting somewhere! Right off the bat Wyatt was asking if we were there already. Yeahhhhh.

I started off giving each a book for them to flip through and then I would read the one Wyatt was holding. Make them trade and then read the next one. It went perfect. I decided I needed a little break from reading so gave them coloring books...which ended in me sitting back with them helping Wyatt with his CARS book. :)

All three kids did great in the car!!! Haha I don't know who entertained who and who had the most fun with the library books. These were not just any random library books, these were carefully selected dinosaur books with some farms animals mixed in there for Taz.  

FINALLY DALLAS! We met Gretchen at the Aquarium. It was PACKED! We still were determined to make due and not miss a thing. Our goal was to make it to the crocodile feedings. (For DonMark)

Crocodile feeding fail. We were told at our first trip that they feed them whole chickens, this I had to see.  Turns out they just fed them fish and it was very uneventful. 

We walked around for a bit until the kids started getting hungry and realized we needed to take a break. We left and attempted In-and-Out...which didn't work. Settled on Chick-fil-a (the kids favorite!)

We attempted nap time, which ended up as goof off time. Then back to the Aquarium for more!

This trip was tons of fun!!! The best part was the kids faces when we would encounter a new animal. I think it was a long day for everyone, but well worth it.  Thanks to Gretch for providing the photography.  My favorite part of the trip came in the last 5 minutes. We were all ready to be home and could see the lights of Abilene from about 5 miles out. Wyatt just couldn't hold it any longer. So when in need find a tree....

It was tons of fun...so packed with people, but we had a good time and that is all that matters to us. We ate some dinner (at Jimmy Johns) then headed back. 

Yes, of course we stopped at a Jamba Juice on the way home. 

Our fuses were very short and the kids were all riled up, but that didn't stop us laughing hysterically with them and smiling all the way home.
Wyatt was being silly and singing songs...then all of a sudden sings 'And Emme got the base.' We started dying laughing.

Keeping Austin Weird

Next adventure was to good ol Austin.







We wanted to go visit DonMark's buddy...Bullet (or Matthew).

I REALLY didn't know what I was getting myself into! Yet as always I had a blast.

Started out going to dinner with Bullet at The Oasis and then playing a few holes of night golf.

The Oasis was nice. You pretty much go there for the view. It was nice just relaxing and hanging out. We had good conversation and lots of laughs. The night golf was 'interesting' I didn't know much about it beforehand, but it was cool. I didnt play, but it was fun watching and trying to avoid the sprinklers that happened to be on at the same time we were playing...whoopsies!

Night golf brought back many fond memories.  Apparently new technology has made it even better. If you get a chance order the LED golf balls, they are much better than the old light stick kind!! 

DonMark met up with Bullet to go workout that morning. Julianna stayed in bed until she finally got up and ready and went and laid by the pool to read her book...errrrr iPad.









Then we went to Magnolia Cafe for breakfast...STUFFED!!! At this point both DonMark and I thought we were just going on a boat for a bit...we were a apprehensive, but excited because we could call and tell Jamelynn...."I'm on a boat!"


Seriously...we did not know what we were getting involved in!

Apparently there is an art form or timing required to do this swing thing accurately and it is also apparent that I don't have it. Back flips don't come easy, but we were with fire fighters so we were all good!!
































After finally reaching the safety of land...We made a quick pitstop at the AT&T store for Bullet..and we headed for Jamba Juice. Ended up finding Bullet at Dillards...He decided he needed to show DonMark the groomsmen attire for his upcoming wedding...
We went to Hula Hut to eat dinner. The wait was FOREVER.

Next day was more relaxing. We had breakfast again at Magnolia Cafe, a little shopping adventure, scoped out another Jamba Juice and then said PEACE OUT AUSTIN and headed back home.

Wedding Weekend

June 8
This was wedding maddness preceded by a little detour through Bryan, TX. :)

First stop in the journey...Bryan, TX. Gretchen had a Mercy Project Art Auction Dinner. We decided we would go and surprise her. She had two pieces up for Auction. We weren't going to miss it. We had figured out to keep our names off the guest list to keep the surprise for Gretchen. Her face when she saw DonMark was priceless, definitely made the trip! The auction was amazing. It was great seeing so many people get together for a great cause.

I wish I could take credit for the idea of going down there for this, but I can't. Yes, the look on Gretch's face was worth it all. It is a very great cause and more information can be found at: http://www.mercyproject.net/

Before this, I didn't know much about Mercy Project other than Gretchen had gone with them to Africa to help slave children. After hearing about it, I was amazed at the work that was going on. That they were working to make an actual difference for these kids and changing their community.

We stayed at Magnolia Hotel, which was right by the place where the MP Dinner would be.

Loved the hotel...except for when it came time to sleep...it was LOUD. The train went by all night and we barely slept.

The next day we met Gretchen for breakfast at Rudy's to catch up and say goodbye before our next stop. Right before we left Bryan...another Jamba Juice stop!

Rudy's breakfast is a must. I feel like this blog is becoming more about the food we eat than anything else. 

We decided to head through FortWorth. We didn't need to be to the Rehearsal Dinner until late so we wasted time and went through FortWorth. This little detour allowed us to make a stop for Jamba Juice right in downtown. Then headed to Eastland.

DonMark watched a movie while I went through wedding rehearsal madness at the Golf Course. After that we went for dinner and then he dropped me off at the hotel. Then us girls headed back to the golf course to work on our bouquets...which ended in all night flower maddness. LOL. It was fun/stressful/silly/busy all in one night. We left around 2 a.m. and then went back up the next day to work more and get ready. It was Lauren's big day.

DonMark made it up there around 6 to help me destress and to see me before I was back at it again...doing my MOH duties :)

It was a gorgeous wedding and Lauren was just breathtaking!!! So glad I could be a part of it all!!!

It was a very long weekend, but worth it given all of the smiles we produced and luckily for me I had Matthew and Jamelynn to keep me company. Also, they are great at filming wedding videos if you are looking. Just no Cupid Shuffles please.    

Finally left Eastland around 12 and headed on home!!! What a weekend!!!

San Antonio!!!!

June 25

We decided we needed a weekend getaway. Just to regroup after the craziness of life. This trip ended up being the trip of FOOD.

San Antonio was the choice destination....via Menard????
DonMark had a job to scope out in Menard so we had to make a quick stop there first. This took us a little out of the way to our final destination, but it was required...since bills keep coming...

Menard was boring and lame. I did get to sit in the car and read some of my book on the iPad so I was very content waiting.

We go to San Antonio and stayed at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio.

First stop dinner, We couldn't decide where to eat so we ate on the River at Cafe Ole.

This was the beginning of what seemed to be the nonstop eating. The food was just ok, but we mostly just wanted to eat in the shade and on the riverwalk so we were happy.

Next, Julianna made reservations for dessert in the Tower of Americas. The reservations weren't until late so we had time to walk around and scope out SA. We went immediately by the Alamo (which was already closed for the day).

I had been to SA before and gone to the Tower so I knew it was a must stop for us on this trip. I thought dessert would be nice up there and to look down at the city, but it seemed like we were up there FOREVER and we barely got halfway around the circle. I was pretty disappointed, but it was still so fun going up there and spending time with my DM.

The best part about the tower was that it was a bit of a walk from where we were staying. In my mind this extra walking helped justify all of the food we were cramming into our mouths. We seriously fatted for two days straight. The tower wasn't the best, but we did have good seats.

That morning we went for breakfast at this place Julianna read about in an article online. Schilo's. It was not on the riverwalk, but it was just a block off so not far.

I was happy because I got to have French Toast! I don't really eat breakfast, but I love some French Toast. I was very content with the breakfast stop.


Not the best breakfast I have ever had, but a neat place and of course great company. 

We HAD to ride the riverboat. We waited in line FOREVER. The thought was that it only got longer during the day so early in the day we could get it done and completed and go onto other things.

I thought we were never going to get on the boat!!! And we were concerned about not getting good seats or getting stuck by 'heavy set' people. It worked out great. We got end spots and were able to look out and see everything.


This was the first attempt of a still ongoing effort to be able to tell Jamelynn "we're on a boat" as many times as possible. 

We then had Lunch at Rio Rio.

Scoped out the Alamo...We both weren't too into it so moved along rather quickly.

We walked up and down the riverwalk. Then Julianna had this idea to scope out this area she had seen the last time she was there. This was the adventure that was thought to never be complete....We had dinner reservations so had to turn around to head back to hotel to clean up and go to the restaurant. BOUDRO'S.

I enjoyed Boudro's. I definitely would go back there again. Seriously had no idea I would be taking us on this ridiculous adventure to find this little spot I remembered on the last trip.


Would definitely recommended Boudro's.

Sunday we decided to head out first to find the place I was searching for...'the grotto' the only issue is that we had no idea how far down the river it was. We took the car and drove down...walked...saw a sign FINALLY for it...realized. It was down by the highway. Drove more...and found it!!! Good grief!

I was really starting to wonder if this place even existed, but by this point it had become our personal mission to find it at all cost. 


Next stop...in typical Power Couple fashion...Jamba Juice. Then onto San Marcos Outlets.

DonMark can't go on any trips without making a Jamba Juice stop. We wish there would be one in Abilene...but I am kinda happy there isnt because we would be BROKE! The outlets were fun. I bought a few things. (Trying to be careful with money as to save for future..and so I can pay off debts!)


Of course we had to stop at a Jamba Juice....twice!

We THOUGHT we would meet up with DonMark's good friend that now lives in Austin while we were in the area. We headed to Lakeway to meet up with him..then...no response from him on his phone...It was the perfect excuse to make stop #2 for Jamba Juice. Then headed back home!

Overall it was a great trip!!! I had a blast and felt sooo fat when we left. Oddly one of my favorite parts of this trip isn't listed here..but a quote we now have from watching COPS in the hotel room...


This was a great trip. Lots of food and lots of walking and lots of laughs. We also learned if you are a 9 year old black boy its not a good idea to throw rocks at moving cars, especially if you just got off punishment. 


http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/cook-county-police-featured-cops-20110225

Couples Shower

4/22
Let me just start off by explaining that my bestie was getting married (wedding occurred June 11th...hence the 'was' getting married...since she is currently married). So I was crazy busy with wedding activities and planning all summer!
Lauren and Tre were having a 'couples shower' in Southlake the weekend of Easter. Julianna's family was supposed to come visit so we resolved that making the shower would not be possible. Last minute, Julianna felt the need to attend so she asked DonMark to go with her...though he was sicker than a dog. We planned on staying at Julianna's parents that night and then head back the next morning. Note this is also the first time DonMark would be meeting Julianna's parents.

Was sooo happy to surprise Lauren by showing up to the shower. I was glad to be there and be a part of everything with her. DonMark..I already know was confused on the whole 'couples shower' but I wasn't going alone...
I was not worried at all for DonMark to meet my parents. He is perfect. Was concerned with him barfing all over the place, but that is the risk I took :)
I forgot to warn DM though that my parents don't believe in A/C...well they don't believe in using it. They are cheap and won't turn it on...so it was like a million degrees in the house and he is warm natured. I think we will only be visiting my parents in the winter. HA!

I don't know that I was really confused on the whole "couples shower" as to what it was. But more confused as to why I should be a part of it. See to me wedding and baby showers etc... were always more of a female type thing kind of like blogging. However, as evident here I am turning over more than one new leaf. I am FAR from perfect, but meeting the parents went well and no I was not nervous at all.  Luckily for me/them by that point I was pretty much out of Double Dave's Pizza and stomach acid so no more barfing occurred.

Also, I remember the drive back that morning. DonMark wanted Jamba Juice. I will say one thing about his driving..he hates when I doubt him or try to give input on turning/directions. I trust him to get me where I need to go. There is no doubt in my mind that we will get somewhere safely and on time, but sometimes I just cant keep my mouth shut and I want to point out turn here, stop there, park over there. Sooooo after the jamba juice stop. We were headed to get back to I-20...instead. We ended up on another highway. I dont say anything. But we do take a random hysterical detour. Sooooo funny.

This back seat driving deal is very similar to her leading when we dance. I find it very frustrating, but we are working on it. I will however take 100% responsibility for us ending up on the wrong highway here.  I was completely not paying attention to where I was driving, but it was worth a few laughs so it worked out.

Skip Days

March 25 - This was our first out of town adventure together...We went to Dallas. Which started as a skip day...ended as a surprise/nonsurprise hang out for Lauren's Birthday.
Note: Julianna thoughts written in pink. DonMark's in blue.


Our trip:
STOKED!!!! Excited about the first adventure. Nervous about how we would do...Well not nervous, but you know how you get along with someone then hit the road and BAM...you don't do anything the same. You like to get somewhere. They want to dilly dally on the road. Welp. We did perfect!

I too was very excited about this trip. I would say the only thing I was nervous about is the cultural arts time. Not exactly how I would normally spend a morning away from work, but I knew it was important to her so I gladly agreed. I was also excited to introduce Gretch as the two have many things in common.

We got to Dallas a little early and needed something to do so Julianna thought of Jamba Juice (knowing DonMark loves that place!)
The guy takes our order. Nothing too special. DonMark hands his card. The guy scopes it over as though he were memorizing the number. Hands it back. We wait for our drinks to be made. Takes a couple minutes. Then he calls out: 'Order for a...DonMark?' We stare at each other wondering WHAT?!?! How did he have your name???

I almost wet my pants laughing. Right of the bat, laughter! How perfect.

The Jomba Juice idea was a PERFECT spur of the moment idea. The idea came out of left field and after a quick Google Maps search.... and boom problem solved. The credit card deal was very funny indeed. I am still checking my credit card for a charge from www.turbinsforyourhead.com or some place similar to that.  

Nasher Sculpture Center was our next stop. Julianna wanted a little arts.

I thought DonMark would look around. Instead he pretty much stood around awkwardly until I got done reading all the information about each piece.

As previously mentioned I am not so much into the arts deal. However this place, as does ever place we go together, produced numerous laughs.  I found that at the Nasher Center you often learn things the hard way. i.e. what a meditation center is, what you can and can't touch/lean on (which is pretty much anywhere and anything), and that art is very often "racially cool".

Then we met DonMark's sister at Grimaldi's. In typical Power Couple fashion. We brought Phase10 as a surprise to play!

Food was Meh. Not my favorite place, but it filled me up.

Yes, not the best pizza ever, but great company!

Then next stop Dallas World Aquarium
GOAL - See penguin feeding.

I didn't care about anything else...just the feeding. We ran through the place to find the penguins. That goal was accomplished. I was a happy girl. DonMark making dreams come true yet again. (Yes I am easily pleased)

I don't know about the "easy to please" part, but I do very much enjoy making her happy.  We had a ton of fun at this place, and we knew we had to bring the kids. 

If you haven't gone to the Dallas World Aquarium...GO!!!! It is a must see. Get ready to spend a whole afternoon/day there. Don't give yourself any time limits. Also go during the week. That will limit the number of people there. We basically had the place to ourselves. It was a blast.

Next Genghis Grill with Lauren.

My first time at this place. Was very impressed. You get to pick everything you want and you get a ton of food!  Our idea was that we should put one of these in Abilene. Turns out someone else thought it was a good idea too. We were one step behind on that one.



IKEA - Fastest walk through EVER.
We basically only went because I have a weird fasination with that place ever since I watched the movie 500 Days of Summer. And I found out DM has never been so we HAD to go.

My comments from IKEA are all summed up in this photo:

PS I HATE this picture...but DonMark loves it....oh gosh!

Hotel - Aloft Las Colinas

Very metro. Enjoyed staying there. Would highly recommend it. (And I am a giant hotel priss!)

Neat place, and also provided free 5 HR Energy drinks, but I'm not thinking that is a regular deal. 

Aaron Watson Concert

This is when I realized we needed dance lessons. As I tried to coach him through and then started leading myself. Even though we were laughing hysterically on the dance floor...we both realizing..we needed help. 

This is exactly when we both realized we needed dance lessons. This was emphasized with a resounding "NO" on the dance floor.  Turns out I needed to learn how to dance. She didn't really need to learn how to dance, just needed to learn how to not lead all of the time. 

Opening

Here are our stories/adventures/memories shared together. No day is the same and always brings new light and love. Follow as we learn something new in life/love/travels/parenting. No experience is the same.

Time is a brisk wind, for each hour it brings something new...but who can understand and measure its sharp breath, its mystery and its design? - Paracelsus