Better late than never...

Week of April 3 - 9
Whew...I have been so busy with new things that I haven't even had time to let you in on them!  Sheesh...time is flying by and I am barely hanging on!

Caleb made ribs...

They were delicious...but we sure could not eat them all. 

Sunday night we met up with the Carrs and the Fabishes at Scalini's.  It was a delicious hole in the wall pizza joint.  It was my first time to sit in such a strange shaped booth - once you were seated, you were pretty much staying. 

During the week, I wasn't feeling my best, but we did try out some new recipes - crock pot macaroni and cheese, and honey dijon chicken.  The chicken was absolutely my new favorite way to prepare chicken - Caleb on the other hand thought it was a little too sweet. Bummer...I am going to try to sneak it into the rotation and try it again sometime.  Maybe the second time will be a charm - it was for us!  <3

Then the weekend showed up...and I felt GOOD! 
Saturday morning was a fantastic brunch with my favorite Bachelorette watching ladies!  Amanda Fab (who just started a new blog - Life in the Fab Lane - how cute is she?!) was given the loot reward.  Too bad Emily and Brad aren't going to be heading down the aisle.  But we did get a kick out of celebrating!

 Our afternoon continued to the Annual Armstrong Carnival! Boy does Armstrong whoop it up!  There were more blow up bouncy houses, games, booths, and even a zip line covering our field.  The kiddos were singing karaoke, getting fake casts, and sending people to "jail".  Fun was had by all!  

"Dan da da dan" (imagine it sounding very musical)
Saturday night the Brattloffs treated us to the Dallas Symphony.  Wow-ee-wow!  It was my first time, and I just loved it! 

 The theme was based off of a movie composer's scores.  He just so happened to be the composer of some hilarious flicks (Dodgeball, Tropic Thunder, Marley and Me...) which helped hold Caleb's attention.  It was a treat to get all dolled up and enjoy some Dallas culture.  Thanks Britni and Ryan! 

Virginia ain't just a place!

The most wonderful "new" thing so far this year - a new family member!  Monday, March 28 I was thrilled to receive a call (while at school) from each family member - Virginia Hays was on her way.  Named after my darling grandmother, on my mom's side, and Wells' cousin - she is just lovely and delicate.  Addie is doing great, already in a good routine and Wells is at home enjoying paternity leave.  Wellsman has been sweet and welcoming to his new sister.  I can't wait to get down there for a visit - will definitely post lots of pictures after my visit!  I have loved talking to them on the computer and seeing cute pictures but I can not wait to get my hands on that little precious one!

Friday, we went back in time to college days and went to a house party with our friends the Fabs - new people, new place, new fun!  We also late night dined at Cafe Brazil.  That place has the most delicious french toast, I will need to get that again...soon!

Saturday was errand day - first stop - car wash at Sewell - my parking spot is clearly the bird's out house - ew...  This led to immaginary car shopping -  where I regretfully developed a love for the Cadillac smell.  We also went by Starbuck's to use a gift card and I tried my first iced coffee - it's no Diet Mountain Dew, but it was a fun treat.  Then we were book sellers at Half Priced Books.  Caleb vowed to never buy a book brand new again - I have to agree.

Saturday night was my first time to cheer on Kentucky.  The Smiths are big fans, and we helped grill out and support the team.  No win this time, but they had a great season!  Next time, I will have to wear blue.    Michelle also introduced me to godtube - kinda like youtube - but I think I might like it even better.

 

Who makes the bed?

New highlight of the week...I came home to a perfectly made bed EVERY DAY!  Caleb sleeps later than me, often I am headed off to school before he even gets out of bed.  Now, he has been known to make the bed before, but never, never has it been every single day in a week.  What a treat!  It is so nice to come home to a beautiful bed and so much better when going to sleep.  I love to have a made bed when it is time to lay my head down.  Thanks honey!

Saturday morning, Caleb and I went to "Doing the Right Thing" at our church.  It was my first time to see Chuck Colson.  This conference discussed economic, moral, and ethical issues in our country.  We were challenged and encouraged. 
Check out the website below:
http://www.colsoncenter.org/ethics/registration-dallas
 My church website will be posting the session if you want to check it out:
http://www.watermarkradio.com/index.php?id=153

This weekend we tried a couple of new restaurants:
- Vickery Park - a great brunch place with an awesome outdoor patio
- Regio - almost fast food, but definitely better Mexican restaurant that Josh introduced us to

Well...it is confession time...
I have two guilty pleasures - I am addicted to Sisters Wives and Celebrity Apprentice.  Do not judge - but maybe DVR these fabulous treats and let me know what you think.
Sister Wives: totally intrigued.  I have no plans of sharing my man and taking on sister wives, but I would absolutely love to be friends with them.  I was totally obsessed (I mean, totally) during the polygamy trials a few years ago.  I have read all I can find, and it is out of my realm of understanding.  So...I like the show.
Celebrity Apprentice: I used to watch it, so we recorded this season, but had not watched any of them yet.  I am just now getting around to watching them all and it is an exciting season.  My personal favorites so far are: John Rich (I hope he wins) and Mark McGrath.  I loved Nikki Taylor, but she bowed out gracefully - class act she is!

I LOVE a vacation

Saturday, March 12 Caleb and I left for Honeymoon Part B.  We had a wonderful road trip honeymoon right after we got married, but have been eagerly waiting for a Honeymoon Getaway.  It was everything I could have hoped for!  There were so many fantastic new things - I am just going to list them off.

1. First out of the country trip with my husband!

2. First time to get out of an airplane on a staircase - what is that called?

3. First time to ride on a horse down the beach. (oh so beautiful)

4. First time to bike in Dominican Republic.  (down a bumpy, rocky, dirt road might I add)

5. First time to view workers in the rice field.

6. My first drink out of a coconut. whew!

7. First stay at an all inclusive resort. And it was AMAZING.  I highly recommend the Excellence!

8. First breakfast on the beach.

9. First time zipping through the canopy - do it!  

10. First dinner on the beach. 

11. Caleb kissed a parrot - he might as well be called the bird whisperer.

Back in America - I was not going to let the remainder of my Spring Break go to waste:

- First married St. Pat's in Dallas - last St. Pat's was Caleb's bachelor party - time sure does fly!

- First slumber party with the Wards - they make everything so much fun!

- First time to eat at Joe T Garcia's - one of a kind Mexican Meal Family Style - makes you wait :) 

- My first concert at Billy Bob's - Josh Turner!

Tanning Beds and Open Houses

Apparently if you have never used a tanning bed you should not tan long...I thought it might be a good idea for Caleb to tan in our apartment's tanning bed in preparation for the trip - I was wrong!  My intentions were pure, I didn't want him to be miserable on our trip - so instead he was miserable the week before.  He was a hot, red mess - his bum was fuchsia.  I felt so bad, as a novice he must not recognize the burning flesh smell, and clearly stayed till he was fried.  The silver lining is that he definitely decided he does not want to be sun burnt on the trip (thankfully he had a week to recover) so he plans to wear lots of sunscreen.  This was a new thing for him, that I am willing to bet will never be repeated.
Thursday night I had my first HPISD Open House.   It was great.  My student's parents are the BEST!  They were so kind and encouraging.  My kiddos were precious showing off all of their good work. It is really fun how Armstrong does it - the night is complete with a cookout, all of the school is open, and activities are around to participate in. 
Now...off to pack for Honeymoon Part B - I promise next week will have many more fun new things to report!  

faux hawks are fun

This has been a busy week...lots of new things to report!
Sunday night Caleb's brother Josh came to church with us.  It was a first, and we loved having him.  We had a great dinner and good conversation.  It's so nice to have him back in town for a while!
I have had two certification tests looming over my head - eh!  Texas grants you one year to gain your Texas certification when you transfer your teaching license from another state, and I sure have been taking my time.  Tuesday was my test day - boy, did it show up quickly!  So...Monday night I began "studying".  It doesn't quite come back like I expected.  Tuesday morning, I headed to the testing center and completed the first exam - went home for a quick lunch, and cram session - headed back to the testing center for exam two.  Whew!  It is exhausting to test again.  Thankfully, I found out on Friday, that I did pass both exams - hip hip hooray!  Texas history and all :) 
At school on Thursday,was my first Famous American Project.  it was such a treat to spend the day with a mini Abraham Lincoln, Georgia O'Keefe, Jimmy Carter, Pocahontas, and the list goes on...They were precious and had clearly learned lots!

Friday night my handsome hubby transformed his afro

into

a

faux hawk!

Saturday night we met the Smiths and the Tubbs at The Park.  It was a one of a kind resturant experience.  They grow all of their fruits and vegetables on the roof, and serve them so fresh!  Each and every dish has a little twist.  We had quite the dinner extravaganza.  I highly recommend The Park for your next special event. 

No need to worry, the faux hawk was not permanent...

Caleb shaved it off before work on Monday - just a week before Honeymoon Part B!

Belated Blogging

OH dear...my first major slip up in blog land - I AM A WEEK BEHIND!  
Let's quickly log through February 20 - 26.  [conveniently, I don't have too much to share]
Saturday morning (my last day chance to have a something new) I realized, I had nothing much to share with you - tragic! 
Right on cue, my fabulous hubby enters with a delicious breakfast in bed pancakes and scrambled eggs - my first!  It was so thoughtful, scrumptious, and later I realized it was our 8 month anniversary - bonus! 
 Onto the afternoon and onto Penguin Days at the Dallas Zoo!
We have heard that the Dallas Zoo isn't that good, and there was no need to waste your time...head down to Fort Worth for their zoo.  Well, ladies and gents - the rumors are NOT true!  It is fantastic - definitely worth your time.   Apparently there have been many upgrades recently. 

We met up with Mr. and Mrs. Smith (I can't resist) and had the thrill of only paying 5 buckeroos for "penguin days" (January and February).  I loved seeing all of the animals, the sunny weather, and a fun time with friends.  It was the perfect Saturday afternoon.