My First Real Adult Birthday Party!

For the first time in my adult life, I had a real birthday party! Ok, so there wasn't a cake, but it was a party! Jason had the idea, then I took it and ran with it. We started off with dinner at my most favorite Mexican restaurants, Cantina Laredo. Then we went to Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. If any of you have never been to a dueling piano bar, you must go! It is so fun and will keep you laughing all night. It's like two comedians on two pianos.

I lost my camera (thankfully it has since been found!) so all of these pictures are compliments of Marcia and Amy. Thank you both for bringing your cameras! Most of the pictures below speak for themselves....I clearly had a fun night! So many of my close friends were there to celebrate for me, which was humbling knowing they came out for me. I'm not used to that! It was a night I will never forget, thanks to my fabulous friends!

Isn't Todd & Marcia such a cute couple? She is so freaking pretty.

They had all that served in the armed forces come to the front and sing "Proud to be an American". I was in the LONG line at the bathroom and missed it. I would have cried though, that song always makes me cry! And because I'm proud of my soldier. Thanks, Marcia for taking this!

My good friend Sergio ended up coming with his wife Lisa. I didn't think they were coming, so I was happy to see them! I think this was like the 10th hug I gave him...you can tell by the look on his face he is thinking "yeeeaaaahhhh Alli, I love you too. Uh-huh, ok, thaaaanks for the 10th hug!"

mmm....I love apple martinis!

Me & Kristi, my birthday twin. What? You don't think we look like twins? We share the same birthday, but she likes to remind me every year that I am 1 year older. Thanks!

Me & Marcia....we had so much fun together!! She started off as Jason's cousin when I first met her 14 years ago, but she is by far one of the best friends a girl can have!

Ah, Jason & Todd. They share a deep passion for NASCAR, fishing, and yes, each other. They make a cute couple!

I love this picture Marcia took of us.

I found something really funny, didn't I? I told you that place would have you laughing!

For those of you who might find this offensive, sorry. That's just how my husband is. He is a typical man...just checking to make sure they are still there. :)

Bluebonnets

Tis the season for bluebonnets! I missed taking the kids annual bluebonnets pictures last year, so I made it a point to NOT miss it this year. I grew up with my mom taking pictures of Meredith and I in the bluebonnets. When I reached a certain age, I didn't find it amusing to sit in the flowers with Meredith. But now I love looking back at those pictures. I hope my kids do the same when they are grown.

It was a windy day, but thank goodness Joshua was in a good mood and said "cheeeeeese" many times for me.

As always, Sammi smiled perfectly for me.

All Joshua really wanted to do was run! So I let him....

....running some more!

Sammi taking the time to smell the flowers. I love this picture of her.

Sammi took this picture. Isn't it good?

My beautiful girl.

Fun in the field of flowers. I was so careful to not have them step or sit on any of the flowers, but I am pretty sure I failed this time. :(

Isn't he cute like this? He never stays in one place very long, so I had to snap fast!

Cheeese!!!

Me and my baby boy. Another picture that Sammi took. I am glad now to have someone be so willing to take my picture! I am usually never on the other side of the camera. :)

Ah, the good 'ol college days....

This past week I was in Austin at UT for a few days doing various recruiting events. Being there in the different buildings, on campus, and talking with the graduating seniors made me miss being in college.

I miss the days when I woke up just in time to throw on clothes and a baseball hat to run to class. Great naps in World Lit, running into friends on campus, joining different causes or groups, going to the library or another place to study with friends, and the parties! For those that went to a really liberal school like I did at UNT, you just loved (sometimes not!) listening to the various people or evangelists coming to the square to preach or talk about what was on their mind or their cause. Having to walk past the many groups passing out fliers for whatever they wanted you to join or read about. I know I ticked off several because I didn't want them. Oh well.

In Denton, we had a place that was half a laundromat and half bar called This Suds For You. Not kidding. But we loved it! I remember having to scour my car floorboards to get enough change to do my laundry. But I ALWAYS had money for beer while we waited for our laundry to be done. Ah, the days of messed up priorities! :)

While I was at a career fair at UT, I talked to so many seniors. Some that knew exactly what they wanted in life and some had absolutely no clue what they wanted to do. Some had their resume filled with internships and tons of organizations they were heavily envolved in, all while maintaining a 3.75 GPA (those made me feel like such a slacker when I was in college!). Some did not. Those that did not and knew I was noticing that, I made sure to tell them that just by graduating they are now in the 25% of the US that has a college degree, which they should be proud of.

That night, I sent Jason a text message about me missing the college days. He replied with: "send me all of your money, trade vehicles with a homeless person, turn off your cell" Oh yea, now I remember the yucky part of being in college....being broke!

Sammi's Big Turnaround Soccer Game

Sammi had a soccer game on Saturday. Let's just say that the past few games did not indicate that she had or wanted a future in pro soccer. She played a great wing man! But when the ball came anywhere near her, she did nothing. At all. As if she was scared of the ball or afraid to be aggressive against anyone. Her first season she had no problem kicking a ball from someone or getting in the middle to at least be in the group by the ball. But not this season. I know I know, she is only 5. Jason nor I ever said anything, but we were left scratching our heads as to why now she didn't even want to kick the ball. Jason turned things around for her because she has no problem running and is pretty fast. He told her to go down to the other goal and pretty much play goalie, even though they don't have that position yet. It worked! So this past game, she kicked the ball. A lot! She was so excited. Most of the time she also runs and looks at her shadow or looks at us. It cracks us up! They play 3 on 3, so for the most part it is a pack of 6 girls running around the ball. It seriously is the funniest thing.

I promise, I won't blog about her game every week or bore you with tons of pics each week. But just this once I'll post some "action" shots since for the most part, they look the same each week. :) Other than one of us chasing Joshua as he runs onto the field, it is fun family time for us.

Sammi kicking the ball! Check out that grass....I for sure did not play soccer on a field like that! I think it was mowed down weeds. And the uniforms! Did you see the Inaria brand socks and shorts? And the jersey? Really. I had a t-shirt with the name and number printed on it at the local Forney print store (aka our neighbor's garage) worn with whatever shorts our parents put us in, whether they matched or not, and whatever tube socks. I guess that's the difference between Forney Youth Soccer and Keller Youth Soccer. I get enough jokes from Jason about that!

Check out that form! She's so stinking cute when she runs. For her size, she is fast. I wonder if they have 5 year old track and field? Just kidding!

Thank goodness my mom found this shake & go truck that we left at her house. It kept Joshua occupied for awhile...in 2 year old terms that is about 5 minutes. But I'll take it!

In action. Can't you see the fear in the little redhead's face? Yeah, she's scared. I just know it.

Sammi & Grandpa....probably the most faithful watcher of Sammi's "skillz" every week besides her mom and dad! He LOVES his grandkids.

Sammi and her #1 fan (tied with her daddy). It's rare I'm ever photographed. I actually thought to have my mom take this. Selfishly, I did it on purpose because I actually had make up on, although you can't tell. :)

Sammi's favorite part of soccer is at half time and after the game. For the snacks! And as always, she has to share with Joshua or we all hear him screaming. I thought I was smart to bring his own. Nope, doesn't work when she gets something completely different.

After the game we went out to lunch. Here is Lito (my amazing, wonderful, most patient stepdad!), Sammi, & Joshua.

Sammi & Joshua pretending to sleep. Of course they opened up their eyes when I took the picture.

Again, I promise not to bore you with soccer action pictures each week. But if I get her on video running down the field with the ball and into a goal, you bet I'll post it!