Catch Up!

Oh my...no blog posts since Valentine's Day?  Ugh.  I have such good intentions, but then there is the part that takes effort.  That is where I lack.  Ok, over the course of the next week or so, I'm going to try and get caught up on where we've been lately.  We've been busy, as usual, so I want to make sure I have some photos documented...so when we are 90 and we wonder what we did with our lives, I can look back and remember.  Since my last entry, we have been to New Orleans for a surprise 40th birthday party, celebrated a new Pope being elected, Easter, the opening of President Bush's Presidential Library, John's cousin's wedding, mine and Kerry's birthdays, the inaugural weekend at the lake, my last day of work, and the sixth anniversary of losing Mom.  This is not a complete accounting of what all we have been up to, but it is a good start.

Let's start with a weekend trip in March for Michael Murphy's 40th Birthday!

This is AFTER a seven course meal with wine.  It was in the wine cellar at Commander's Palace.  Totally Fantastic!  Thank you for including us.

My honey!  We were the first to arrive because my love didn't want to be late.  He just knew we would "ruin the surprise."  Of course, we were almost an HOUR EARLY.

Not great photo quality...but this is for my "memories" in 50+ years.

They printed the menu on the back of this print.  I thought it was just fabby.

The Columns Hotel.  Looks charming and wonderful on the outside.  Rooms, not so much.  Great bar and patio...scary rooms.

Next, the exciting election of a new Pope!  What a joy to watch the process that is the Catholic Church in electing a new Pontiff to the See of Peter.  I kept being asked "who I was for"...and I found such humor in that.  "I'm for whoever is elected," was my usual response.  Anyhow, our prayers are with Pope Benedict who made the most selfless decision by stepping aside as Pope.  Everyone is saying how Pope Francis is "leading by example!"  Not that it is a competition, but I think that award goes to Pope Benedict.  Never the less, Pope Francis has already been a wonderful Pope.  He is carrying on the  works of Blessed JP II and Pope Emeritus Benedict.  We are a blessed people.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

Finally, we had a very fun time over Easter.  I had Good Friday off as did John.  We went to Shreveport to spend a night with Dad and Suzanne and then all headed up to Little Rock for Easter Brunch at YaYa's.  Uncle Sirini has started this tradition, and we think it is a good one.  Sadly, I don't have photos of the cousins or Dad/Suzanne.  We did take some photos, but they are so dark, all you see are teeth.  I promise we celebrated this holy day with family!

Dad and I at Cush's in Shreveport.

Suzanne's Easter tulips.

My Easter date.

John & Clay at Brunch

Our "end" of the table.

This is re-cap one.  There are more to come!!

Valentine's Day Trip

Happy Valentine's Day from snowy Colorado!

Wade, me, John and John's Uncle Steve

John and his Uncle Steve

John and I went to Colorado on Valentine's Day and stayed through Sunday.  We had a world wind trip with college basketball, skiing, sightseeing, and visiting with John's dear God Father, Father Tom.  The above photos was from the University of Colorado basketball game.  They beat the top ranked University of Arizona.  We sat on the floor right in front of the student section.  There were some excited students!

The next day, we headed up the mountain to Loveland for some skiing.  We were so thankful to have Wade with us for navigating purposes and his mad ski skills.  I haven't skied in ages and I wasn't super great last time I went, so I felt like I had two of my personal ski instructors with the very abled skiers in John and Wade.  One was in front and one was behind/beside at all times.  It was awesome!  It was C.O.L.D. but very awesome.

ElK Horn Sheep crossing en route to Loveland

John & Wade taking a break from schooling me.

My Valentine & I

16 degrees, wind, snow, first time on the slopes in 10+ years--not too shabby!

On our last day in Colorado, we toured around Denver and got to enjoy the city.  We met up with Father Tom for some visiting and dinner.  We were able to see his new apartment and enjoy the gorgeous view from his sitting room.  He is always such a treat and an inspiration, and we are so happy he was in town while we were there.

Dinner at a neighborhood restaurant favorite of Father Tom's

John and Father Tom discussing Ancestory.com

Milestones...

Dad turned another year older, and we invited ourselves to Shreveport to help him celebrate.  As always, a fun time was had by all.

We made breakfast, but only Dad can thinly slice the salmon.

Breakfast & Birthday Gifts (Nike Fuel Band was a B.I.G. hit)

 Dad turned 65 on February 3!  While most people likely walk into the senior citizen category somewhat hesitantly, Dad jogged in with the vigor of a 50 year old!  He diligently signed up for medicare and is looking forward to all those savings...at the movies, restaurants, hotels etc.  He knows how to age with grace!

Sisters pre-dinner

The ladies

Kerry, Clay, John and I prepared a big breakfast on Saturday, and Dad chose to go to Ristorante Guiseppe for dinner.  So, after 4 PM Mass, where we all received the blessing of the throat in honor of St. Blaise, we went home to freshen up and head to dinner.  We dined on meats, cheeses, salad, pasta and fish.  Despite Kerry asking me to take numerous photos of our meal(s), I declined and decided to enjoy the moment and not capture the lovely dishes for this blog.  Believe me, they were all very decadent and very photo worthy.  The above photos are all pre-dinner.

The birthday guy & Suzanne at dinner

Italian Cream--the same cake every year!

It isn't every year your birthday falls on Superbowl Sunday!  It isn't ever year you turn 65 and enter a new phase of life...government entitlement programs!  I know, he paid in...ha,ha.  Here is to milestones, medicare and hopefully only mid-life.  Happy Birthday Dad...you never looked better.

Hello, 2013

New Year, Old Friends...Holland, Sarah Beth and me

The Men...

Only a true friend helps you take off your boots after a long day/night!

We rang New Year's in with a bang catching up with some old friends.  After driving back from Arizona on December 30, a late night was not high on our priority list.  Having said that, Holland and Scott were down south because Scott is on break from law school at UVA.  We convinced each other to rally and come together for New Year's Eve.  We also successfully convinced Sarah Beth and Mitchell to host their good 'ole buddies.  It has been years since us girls were roommates, but it seems like yesterday!  We had a blast...

Winding road through the Appalachian Mountains-does not do the "scary factor" justice.

The Homestead

Beautiful Catholic Church on The Homestead property

My honey humoring me while trying not to be late (we were 5 minutes early) for Mass.

Sam Snead Golf Course at The Homestead

White ball...white snow...oops! 

Great picture by Ned Ryun 

I was crazy enough to ride around in the golf cart...freezing!

John and Ned, the first to golf on the course in 2013...cold but fun.

By mid-January we found ourselves traveling to Hot Springs, VA for a conservative political conference.  John went for work, and I got to tag along.  I've heard of The Homestead for years, but I've never had the good fortune of going.  It was very cool.  I can see why so many people have retreats and family vacations there.  It was like an old timey resort with activities, fine dining, dancing and afternoon tea.  There was literally snow skiing, snow mobiling, ice skating, skeet shooting, horseback riding, hiking, swimming, a spa...the list goes on and on.  The meals were first class, and blue jeans were not allowed in the dining room (for breakfast or dinner).  This wass my kind of place.  Dinner was business formal and there was live music and dancing each night (not cover band live music either...ha!).  They have tea every afternoon at 3 PM and chess and other game tables scattered throughout.  It was nothing to see people of all ages sitting on a couch in the lobby by the fire reading a book or searching their ipad.  I would love to go back in the summer.  

More importantly, we were able to make lots of new friends and catch up with some dear old ones.  I can't believe I got so few pictures.  This would be the perfect spot for a picture of us dressed up for dinner...or us dressed up walking to Mass (fabulous Irish priest, by the way).  It would be a perfect spot for a picture of John and I with our flower girl who is now 10 and is following me on instagram (and I am following her back)!  But, nope...we got no pictures.  I guess we were to busy visiting and catching up!    

Rounding out the month was our wedding anniversary.  We celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary on January 27.  I can't believe the time that has gone by.  We have lived several lifetimes in these six years, but it still feels like yesterday.  Just yesterday Mom was planning every detail of our wedding down to perfection.  Just yesterday she was in her cream St. John and white mink--looking like a million dollars.  Where does the time go?  Sweet memories and a sweet marriage to show for it.  

Here is to 2013...the ups, the downs, the adventures and the set backs.  We are looking forward to what God has in store for us this year.  More importantly, we are trusting him fully this year with his plans for our lives! 

Merry Christmas!

We traveled to Pat and Ted's house in Payson, AZ for Christmas this year!  They did not disappoint.  Pat had the house decorated to the nines, and there is no doubt that Ted did his fair share of 'decorating' as well!  Here are a few quick pictures of the house.

Sitting Room

Family Room

Oh Christmas Tree....

We were able to meet their two new puppies, Dorothy and Toto.  Sweet 10 month old brother and sister labs.  They are very sweet, well behaved, and full of energy.  They are just puppies...and they love to play.  We had some fun walks with them and John thoroughly enjoyed getting them wound up.

Pat and her pups--with a little devil eye going on...

Toto

Pups at play

Did I mention we drove?  It was a very long drive, but nothing beats seeing AZ mountains after being in the car for 19 or 20 hours.  I never tire of seeing the mountains and beautiful views.  I couldn't help myself...I had to take a few pictures.

Just entering the AZ state line

First AZ sunset of the trip

Snow on the rim

View driving down the mountain

Leaving AZ (Southern route)

On the first full day of our visit, we went to the Valley and saw Cavalia Odessyeo.  It is a mixture of crazy gymnastics, horse stunts, the Circus and a trip to the theater.  It was beyond cool.  I was a nervous wreck the entire time because I did not want to see anyone break their neck-not a person and definitely not a horse.  The whole show was such a treat!

Big White Cavalia Tent

Cavalia Tents in the AZ desert

After the show-whew, I can relax!

We also did a little Christmas light looking.  I wish I had gotten a picture of the outside of Pat and Ted's house.  It was fantastic--lights on the roof line, wreaths on every window and light post, door lights, decorated outside plants etc.  You name it, they had it!  I did, however, get the below gem of a photo.  There are three photos of the same house.  The photos do not do the "decorations" justice.  This home was the "winner" of the Payson light contest.  This is good stuff.

Notice the first place sign between the penguin and snowman.

I don't know where they put their vehicles since the carport was used for additional decoration area. 

To the left of the snowman are a few deer.  Their heads go up and down and they are drinking from the red/green "river".  Somewhere Clark Griswold is smiling.

Christmas day was a great day.  For the first time in my life, we did not attend Vigil Mass.  We actually went to Mass on Christmas Day.  There is something to be said for really marking the feast of Jesus' birth by attending Mass on the actual feast day.  I don't know that I'll do it for the rest of my life, but it was a very nice change.  I don't think it is my last Christmas Day Mass.  We woke up and had some breakfast and quickly got down to business opening gifts.  I must say that I did an awful job with pictures during the opening of gifts.  I have to get better about that!  We got some wonderful gifts from each other and our families.  I am blown away by the generosity of our families year after year.  We are so fortunate and we count our blessings.  After presents, we went to Mass, came home and took some pictures and then took the pups for a walk.  We ended the day with Christmas dinner and a relaxing evening.

The stockings were hung.

The evidence

We tried a few "poses" for our Christmas Day picture

A full view of the "outfits"

The final shot.  John is sporting his new bow tie!

The perfect pre-Christmas dinner appetizer--cheeses, olives, garlic, pears, dates, crackers...oh my!

Overall, we had a great Christmas vacation.  I got some reading in and John worked a little.  We tried our best to get some rest, go for walks, see some friends, and basically eat our way through the trip.  I think we succeeded! Oh, John got fitted for his new golf clubs.  He was like a kid in a candy store trying out clubs at the PGA store in Scottsdale.  He worked with a golf pro who used a computer system to analyze his swing.  He is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his new, perfectly fitted, clubs.

We are looking forward to rounding out the Christmas season and starting 2013 on the right foot!  We can't complain, it has been a very blessed year for us.