Thanksgiving!

It has been a very busy week but I think I finally have a moment to write about our first married Thanksgiving.

My last day of school was Friday, November 20th. I had Keno with my friends in Ft. Worth and Matt and Tanner went to see the Mavs play in Dallas. We both got home pretty late but Matt was the one that had to get up early and go to work Saturday. ha ha ha

Saturday and Sunday were pretty normal days but Monday I got to sleep in while Matt had to go to work. Maybe he will realize the error of his ways and come join the dark side (teaching)! Audra had her check up (with shots) in the afternoon so I went with Dennise to help out. Dennise, Isaiah, Audra and I ended up spending the day together. We went shopping at Toys R Us and The Parks Mall in Arlington and then met my parents for dinner at Chili's.

Tuesday I got up early with Matt and my mom, Dennise, Amanda and Ashley came over to watch Jeopardy. (I've been dvr-ing them for my mom since August.) We watched about 30 episodes, ate chili and cookies (thanks Ashley!) and visited. Matt got home around 6 and Amanda, Marshall, Matt and I went to eat at Jimmy's.

Wednesday I got up fairly early and went to my parent's house. We went Thanksgiving Day Dinner shopping and hung around. Matt came over after he got off work and I made chinese food. We spent the night so we could get up and watch the parades at my parent's house.

Thursday was a great day! Matt and I got up early and made a big breakfast burrito breakfast for my parents. We watched the parades and went through the ads. Matt's headphones broke so we ventured out to Walmart to replace them....yes on Thanksgiving. We were back by 3ish to watch The 'Boys play. Dennise, Mike and the kids joined us in the afternoon and we finally sat down to Thanksgiving Dinner. It was super yummy. By the time the kitchen was clean, I had a plan of attack for Friday morning with a list of everything I was interested in purchasing. Matt left since he had to work Friday morning. :(

Friday morning Mom, Dennise and I left the house by 4:40 am. We arrived at Target in Burleson shortly before the store opened. Unfortunately, about 2,000 people beat us and we had to wait for everyone to enter the building before it was our turn. Thankfully, as I rushed through the store I happened upon the end of the line (which was way back in the far corner of the store by sporting goods.) I stood in line and waited for my mom and Dennise to join me. While they waited in line, I ran around the store looking for the deals that I wanted. I ended up getting everything I was looking for and more and we were out of Target by 6:30.

After Target, we went to Kohl's, Academy, Lowe's, Sears, Kirklands, Half Price Books, Barnes and Noble, and some more places. By the end of the day, I had all of my Christmas shopping done minus my mom. We couldn't buy for her since she was with us. We all decided to stay another night at Mom and Dad's since we were going to the TCU game Saturday. By the time Matt joined us after he got off work, I had most of the Christmas presents wrapped. Yea!

Saturday morning we got up early and headed to the game. TCU beat New Mexico 51 to 10. They won the Mountain West Conference! Go Frogs! After the game, Matt and I went out searching for Christmas decorations. He is very particular about the type of lights allowed on the house. We found exactly what he wanted at Walgreens and spent Sunday decorating.

It has been a super busy week but Matt and I are having a great time. I have been joining him at the gym and we've been taking Lucy on walks. Our neighborhood is very festive. It seems like almost every house is decorated. We don't have much planned for the weekend. Saturday evening Nebraska is playing Texas and we are joining some family friends for a Holiday meal in Ft. Worth. I am a true native Texans but I am NOT a longhorns fan...so GO HUSKERS! (BUT could we find a better mascot? - How scary are corn huskers? I mean...at least the horned frog looks scary!)

I have some pictures to post but I keep leaving my camera at home...so we shall wait. :)

Matt's Birthday and Other Stuff

Matt and I had a great weekend. Friday night we rented the second Transformers. It was a really good movie. I could have done without about 15 minutes of shoot 'em action but Matt loved it. It is a good combination of action, a love story and comedy. Maybe we'll end up buying the set.

Saturday we woke up early (Again, Matt can't sleep past 8 very often!) and did some errands. We bummed around the house before heading to my parents' to celebrate Matt and Ashley's birthday. My sister and her family had spent the night at my parents' on Friday night so everyone was there when we arrived. Our friends Amanda and Ashley were also there to celebrate. Matt and my Dad stayed busy watching the Nebraska game (Go Huskers!) and visiting with everyone.

We had steak, broccoli and cheese, mac and cheese, potatoes, cheesy bread, and corn for dinner. It was very cheesy and starchy. Matt requested his groom's cake (pineapple angel food cake type thing) and then a chocolate mayonnaise cake for Ashley. It was super yummy. After dinner we had presents. Ashley got an apron and pot holder set that it totally her. Matt got an air compressor with a nail gun.

After presents we put the Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma Cowboys game on mute and the TCU vs. Utah on the radio. Sadly, Tech lost. However, TCU kicked some butt! Go Frogs! We didn't get to go to the TCU game because it was sold out. :(

Sunday was a very relaxing day. I started laundry and then went to get a pedicure with Dennise. By the time I got home, Matt had done numerous loads of laundry and was ready to go grocery shopping. We spent way too much money but hopefully we will have groceries for the next month. Our goal is to stop going out to eat so much and cook at home. After grocery shopping we watched the Cowboys until Matt got angry enough to change the channel. It was a very nice and relaxing day.

Monday was back to work for both of us. My best friend, Kimberly, and I haven't see each other in a while so we met in Mansfield to have dinner. It was so nice to catch up. Matt and I were both home around 7. He made a quick dinner and then we went for a walk with Lucy.

All is well in our world. He is off on Tuesday and we plan to drive into Waxahachie in the evening to get our hair done. He also has a short meeting at the bank. (Maybe he'll take me out to dinner after!) Thursday evening I have three basketball games starting at 5 for cheer. Friday morning I have cheer practice at 6:15. Friday evening I have Keno! Then I am off all week for Thanksgiving! There is a high possibility we will try to paint the living room/kitchen area....but maybe I'll just get to sit, relax and read the entire week.

Ashley in her apron and oven mits!

Matt beginning his scavenger hunt! Yes, I made him go on a scavenger hunt.

Matt being cute!

Matt finding his present!

Matt's 28th Birthday and Other Stuff

Matt and I both caught a bit of a cold last week but are both feeling much better. Since Matt didn't have the flu, I decided going out of town would be just fine. Thursday morning (the 5th) Jamie (my clinical teacher) and I headed south to Galveston for CAST. CAST is the Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching. We spent a lot of time in workshops and the expo collecting tons of information and ideas. We also got to spend some time at the beach. The water was a bit chilly but it wasn't horrible. Our hotel had a heated pool where you could swim right up to the bar. It had a hot tub, water fall and a slide. The slide was not heated by any means but it was still pretty fun sliding down!

We headed back home Saturday morning in time to squeeze in a nap before Matt and Ashley's birthday celebration. Matt had to work Saturday morning so we both napped a bit and then headed to the Chinese Buffet in Cedar Hill. Dennise, Mike, Isaiah, Audra and Ashley met us. The food was great. I think Matt and I mostly filled up on sushi rolls. We said good bye to Dennise and her family and headed to the Oasis.

The Oasis sits right on Joe Pool Lake. Since it was chilly we opted to sit inside. It may have had something to do with Nebraska playing too. (Go Huskers) Kimberly, Tanner, Brittney and Victor showed up shortly after us. We had a lovely time until a man accidentally backed his suburban a bit too far into the water when loading his boat. His trailer and suburban both went under with him. He got out and began swimming toward shore when he realized he could stand. He stood up, lost consciousness and went under. A couple of bystanders pulled him out and began CPR. The paramedics came and continued CPR but they never got a response. From the news stories we have found that he was 77 and was out on the lake with his family. He was pronounced dead at the hospital around 9:30. It was a horrible experience for all of us.

After the Oasis, Matt, Brittney, Victor and I all headed to the Larsen's for a bit. They had the fire pit going and we sat around and chatted. Overall, I think it was a pretty good time...at least it was interesting.

Sunday was a very lazy day. I spent the day catching up on TV shows and reading. Matt cleaned and organized stuff (ocd). We both napped.

Monday was a pretty normal day. I met Matt is Waxahachie and had dinner at Corninos for his birthday. I took him out to Corinos last year on his birthday and we thought it might be a nice tradition to start. Monday nights are family nights so you get the family platter for the price of an individual platter. YUM! (he let me take the leftovers for lunch...I'm so lucky)

Tuesday was Matt's birthday so after work I took him to Jimmy's Pasta and Subs (the place where we had our rehearsal dinner) and then we went to see Saw VI in Waxahachie. I also took Wednesday off since Matt was off for Veteran's Day. We slept in and relaxed. Matt mowed the yard and I read my book. We had lunch at subway and met his friend Trey at starbucks. I made chinese for dinner and we lounged around and watched Ghost Hunters. It was so nice just to have time to ourselves.

The Hughes Cheerleaders cheer for basketball too so I get to stay late for a games on Thursdays until February. Matt will close Thursday and Friday but he doesn't have to work this Saturday! Our plans were to attend the TCU game but it has sold out so Dennise doesn't have to count ticket money and we don't have seats. Instead we are going to Mom and Dad's house to celebrate Matt's birthday and Ashley's birthday. Matt has chosen a menu of steak, a potato product, broccoli and cheese, cheesy bread and the cake my mom made for the groom's cake.

I can't wait blog about all of Matt's gifts he receives! Y'all have a great rest of the week!

Halloween (Part Two of Many)

Matt and I had a wonderful Halloween! Friday night we met my friend Jamie and her boyfriend in Burleson for dinner and a movie. We ate at Logan's Roadhouse and then went to see Couple's Retreat! It was a pretty good movie but we were very tired.

On Saturday we woke up fairly early because Matt is apparently not capable of sleeping past 8:00 am. He went to get my oil changed and my tires rotated while I caught up on some shows. :) hee hee We didn't have much time to decorate for Halloween before we needed to leave for the TCU game.

It was TCU's homecoming. We beat the snot out of UNLV. I think the final score was 41 to 0. We rushed home to finish decorating and to meet Isaiah and Audra for trick or treating! Here is Audra as Yoda. Isaiah was Wilbur the big but would not let me take his picture. I'm sure Dennise will have some posted soon.

Matt and I were exhausted by the end of the night. We were hoping to go to a costume party at Victor and Brittney's but we both fell asleep in our clothes around 10:00. (Matt was going to wear a wedding dress and I was going to wear one of his suits...it would have been super cute!)

Sunday morning we got up early and had lunch with Tanner and Kimberly (Matt's cousin and his wife). We got home and immediately put the Halloween decorations away. It is nice to have the spare room back to normal. Here is a picture. Please note that we still have wedding stuff on the right side of the bed and Matt decided that the left side of the bed was a perfect place to store some extra glasses we have. Really? For being so neat and tidy...really?

Matt also thought it was time to hang the stars in the living room. I didn't think they would go where we wanted to put them but I think they look nice. Did y'all want to vote? Does it look strange or does it work?

I actually started writing this on Sunday but time just gets away from me. It is now Tuesday and Matt has left work early with a fever and a stuffy nose. I ordered him to go to the doctor but who knows if he actually will or not. I have a football game that will last all night (seriously, I should have just brought my pjs) so I wont be home to take care of him until super late. I am also scheduled to go to Galveston for a science conference Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday but we shall see how Matt feels. Matt works on Saturday and then we are supposed to celebrate his birthday on Saturday night. Again, we shall see how he feels.

I will try to update y'all more often on what we are doing and how things are going!