River shot -- It was actually very clean and not too crowded

The non-Shooters aka Preggers

2521

Postapalooza!

Ok, you asked and I shall deliver! Here are some catch-up posts of what we've been up to the last few weeks. Scroll down bc there are several!

First of all, our lives are super hectic bc our business is having "growing pains," as Matt likes to call it! He basically had to grow the business so that it would support 2 employees (himself and another). Until the new guy started, Matt had to do everything by himself! The new guy is working out great and we are so excited to have him working with us now!! However, Matt is still super swamped and we expect to have somewhat of a normal life again in about 2 weeks :)

Here's a rundown of what's been going on in our social world: Granny's 80th SURPRISE party was a few weeks ago, Mother's day in Dallas, 2521 Roommate Reunion in New Braunfels!

Granny's 80th Birthday Party

We SURPRISED Granny!!!! It was great - she had no clue!! About 80 of her closest friends and family showed up and it was a ton of fun! I'm so glad that most of the cousins got to come in for the party now that we live all across the nation. This was the first party the cousins have thrown, and, from what I hear, some of the aunts didn't think we could pull it off!! But - we did!

First Cousins

Granny's Great-Grandkids

Granny's Kids

Granny's sisterss

My brother's family (aren't they cute?)

the BEAUTIFUL cake & awesome family punch

Jonathan - he must've been hungry!

Granny w/ Cody's cute family

New cousins!

Close up of the cake

Mother's Day (and a little Father's Day too!)

At Bucca

Mom and KP

Mom, KP & Dad at the airport

Since Kristi & I were both in town at the same time (a rare event)! We celebrated Mother's day....and a little of Father's day too! We took mom & dad to eat at Bucca di Beppo (Yummo)!

Navy Concert

The band in the Oil Baron's Ballroom

Navy Dudes

Mom!!

While swinging thru the Big D on my way to the girls' getaway trip, I got to go to my mom's concert. Her group, New Horizons Band, was asked to play for a fancy Navy ceremony at Southfork Ranch (yes, the one where "Dallas" was filmed)! The Navy made those poor guys and gals STAND for the entire 2 hour ceremony. Dang.

I had been to Southfork a few times in HS, but had never taken the tour. We went around on a little tram to see the ranchgrounds and also toured the mansion. Swanky digs.

Roommate Reunion!

My college roommates and I had a girls' getaway roommate reunion this past weekend! Fun times. It's hard to believe I graduated SIX YEARS AGO. Whew, I am getting old. Anyway, my camera was low on batteries so Sarah has promised to send pics as soon as she gets them. Sarah, Katie, Halie, Laura & I rocked in New Braunfels and tubed the river. It was tons of fun catching up and glueing on fake toenails, which are apparently all the rage in Grand Prairie these days.

The only near mishap we had was when Laura's hubby called from the Middle East (he's in the Navy) and she accidentally pushed IGNORE on her phone while we were in the river. She had even bought a special phone holder to wear on her neck to keep the phone dry in case he called. That was a very sad moment, but luckily he called back a few hours later! Keep Alex and his boat in your prayers!!! And...Laura and Alex's baby that's on the way! Numero Dos!

We also took a trip up to the San Marcos outlet mall where Sarah and I's engagement diamonds both came from. Can you guess we both got engaged to fiance's who were Longhorn students at the time?! So this is the only pic I have on my camera...

diamonds!

Bizzzzzzzeeeeeeeeeeee!

A promise for the Blogger nazi's (aka the Stredwick sisters :)

I promise I'll post (with pictures) next week!!!!

Last week + This week = Bizzzzzeeeeeeeeeee (in a good way)

Ciao bellas!

Cute Baby...what is she wearing?!?!

Here's the latest from the Kofahls!!! Alison is adorable, but I'm not sure what she's wearing....I think she meant to put on maroon. Her uncle Matt from Texas seems to get to 'em while they're young. Dawg.

This hat makes me laugh! So cute!!

All the Kofahl girls! They look so springy and pretty :)

Dallas Visit: Part 1

Kristi, me & Mom

Brooke and Emery

Brooke and Me

Kristi and Emery

Kristi, Me, Brooke & Emery

I flew to the Big D from Midland and guess who was on my flight?! Brooke and Emery! I was so excited to see Brooke after over a year and I finally got to meet Emery. She is ADORABLE. Her demeanor is so sweet too - that is one happy baby! We met up with my mom and sis in Dallas and then headed out to breakfast at Mimi's where Heather and Luke met up with us!

We decided that the breakfast with us all was a "meet your internet friend" breakfast! We all check out each others' blogs, but everyone there met someone in person for the first time. What a weird world we live in!

I thought I had more pics, but it seems they were with mom and KP's cameras! I was so glad to hear that Brooke and Em's trip to the Big D coincided with my Granny's surprise 80th bday party! Pics from the party will follow....Here are the pics I have from Friday.

Emergency Landing!!!

Guess who's engine went out MID-AIR?

Guess who landed on the road a couple blocks away from our house??

While Matt was being helpful and pushing the plane from the highway into a field...I was taking pictures for your viewing pleasure :)

Glad you're OK, friend who wishes to remain anonymous!

Way to go, Hubby!

*NOTE: we have no pictures because our camera was out of batteries (OOPS)!!!

We had a great anniversary. We went to Midland and Matt chose the restaurant: Venezia. It was fabulouso! We loooooved it. Very quiant atmosphere (rustic italian with a fireplace and lots of wine bottles). We both tried something new - Matt had lamb and I had veal. Quite tasty! We also stayed at the Hilton in Midland and we'd like to recommend the "romance package." So, the name is super-cheese, but it was fun! They brought up chilled champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, a basket of chocolates, a picture frame for our nonexistent anniversary picture, an ugly lime green stuffed bear, and shower gel. Very funny, and super fun! It also included breakfast the next day.

Matt also surprised me with a little note that said "good for one new set of golf clubs!" Hopefully, this will help my game (it must be the clubs that are causing my lack of golfing success)! I surprised Matt with a very upscale gift....a magnet! It says, "Notice: The opinions of the husband are not necessarily that of management." :) This is very appropriate since our business is in my name (hee hee)! He outdid me on the gift.

Way to go HUBBY!

Our 4th Anniversary!!

Time flies!! We've already been married for FOUR YEARS! Seems like I just posted our 3rd anniversary blog :)

We're going to Midland to celebrate since that's the big city around these parts! Matt has a restaurant picked out, but I don't know what it is. This is a pretty good recovery seeing as last week he forgot it was even our anniversary :) haha

Collage by Mom

My DAD made this with some snapshots from our wedding. You can see my adorable nieces and nephew, who loves wedding so much he brings books! HAHA
**Correction: my dad made this not my mom!

A few more pics...

Happy 4th Anniversary, Hubby!

Y'all may recognize these (I posted them last year too)!

Another One Bites the Dust!

I'm finished with SPRING Semester 07!!!!!!!!! Now, 4 weeks off and then 15 more hours this summer.


Boooyashocka!

Had to share this one....

I am sitting here at the computer and Molly keeps sniffing the outlet on the wall right next to me. Apparently, she smells something interesting in there. Anyhoo, I told her "no" about 3 times and she backed off. Well, curiosity got the best of her. I was sitting here typing and I hear a loud "Aooouff!" I look over and poor little Molly got a bit of a jolt! She must've gone in for a lick!!

Matt's Bday!

Matt had a great 27th bday (that's right, I got a younger man)!! Here's a pic of Matt and his dad, Dean on his bday last week. Sorry I've been slow at keeping up w/ posting. These past few weeks have been the end of the semester for me. I should be student teaching in the fall! Whoo hooo!!!


Also - Check out the new moulding! Matt put this up in the dining room the other week. We haven't caulked or painted it yet though, so don't look too close!!

Also -- Check out Matt wearing a STRIPED shirt! It only took me 4 years to convince him that solid is not the only way to wear a polo! :)

La Paloma

Matt and I ate at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Hobbs today: La Paloma. Many of you have heard about the La Paloma sign, so I thought I'd snap a pic today at lunch for your viewing pleasure.

Be sure to note the CHIPS AND SALSA next to the BIBLE AND DOVE.

Traci & C.J.'s Wedding!!

Traci & C.J.'s wedding was a lot of fun! Some neat ideas that made it really have a Traci flair:
** She greeted everyone as they came in wearing a red dress and her veil!
** When she threw her bouquet it was really about 20 separate flowers, so all the girls got one!
** They had frisbees thrown at them instead of rice/bubbles/flower petals!
** She wore blue shoes :)

...and many more. It was unique and beautiful. Congrats :)

Traci's Wedding!!

Mowing!

Proud to be New Mexicans...

Ruidoso!

We finally went to Ruidoso after talking about it forever! We figured it was time to do a little exploring in our new state. It's only about a 2.5 hour drive, so it was a great weekend trip. Matt was a little hesitant, but ended up loving it! We stayed at a cute B&B called Casa del Cocinero. It was a neat experience and made the trip a lot more comfortable than motel 6 would have been! Skiing was a lot of fun, although we are definitely still paying the price. I took many many many tumbles and Matt really only had one big spill (show off)! We're definitely going to go back, so let us know if y'all are coming thru NM and we'll join up with you on the slopes ;)

We don't have any pics though, because my only pocket was on my backside and with all that falling down, I didn't think that taking the camera out there would be such a good idea!

Alison update

Little Alison's surgeries have all gone well and Mary is hoping she'll be home by St. Patrick's Day (she is Irish, afterall)! Here's a pic of 6 week old Alison and Mary...

Move over Chicago!

Hobbs is the new WINDY CITY! Let me set the scene for you North Texans and Kentuckians...
Yesterday I pulled up to go to class and parked in a normal parking spot next to another car. As I was getting out of the car, my door got caught in the WIND. I, of course, grab on tighter to the door to keep it from hitting the other car (and having to pay for the damage)! In doing so, I didn't know I would sacrifice my own body for the cause! The door kept right on sailing and took me with it. Who knew I was so light that the wind could just blow me away (HAHAH)! I FELL....HARD....on the pavement. Bloody hands and all. (Quit laughing!!!!) And on top of that, all my papers went flying. By the time I even looked up they were gone -- past the building, etc. On top of THAT, the wind has claimed two boards from our fence (one snapped in half) AND taken off several rows of shingles from our shed.

Move over Chicago...you ain't got nothin on HOBBS!

I have come to a frightening conclusion.
I am the decisive element in the classroom.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis
will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or de-humanized.

Hain Ginott