Only in San Antonio
July 31, 2009
It’s true, ONLY in San Antonio can you go to a minor league baseball game and see a puffy taco running bases. Yes, a puffy taco, a piece of food, runs the bases at the San Antonio Missions games…it’s hilarious to say the least. When I moved to San Antonio I had never even heard of a puffy taco, so imagine my surprise to see one rounding 1st base at my first minor league experience in my new town! For my DFW friends who’ve never lived in San Antonio, a puffy taco is a a corn tortilla that’s been shaped like a taco shell and then deep fried until it puffs up like a pastry and then filled with all the regular taco ingredients…quite yummy…but in my opinion not yummy enough to be the mascot for a baseball team (but then again I’m a tamale girl 
).
What a perfect night for a baseball game! The Mission's mascot, Henry the Puffy Taco
I Believe
July 30, 2009
If you’ve ever been to Sea World and seen the Shamu show, the title of this post needs no explanation. The way the animal trainers are able to interact with the whales is unbelievable (ironic wording, yes), but in the end leaves you believing that anything is possible – what a great message for those of us lucky enough to see their performance. My aunt Beth, cousin Bobby, Dustin and I were lucky enough to sit in on the fantastic tail flippin’ show at the end of July. Beth & Bobby made a visit to San Antonio and I so dearly enjoyed the family time and adventures that we all had together. Friday was filled with whales, dolphins, and sea lions, oh my! Sea World was able to bring out the kid in us all while we enjoyed the shows, food, and roller coasters (well, except maybe Bobby).
The Steel Eel - Bobby getting support on the ride up - All of us on the coaster
Saturday led us on an impromptu trip to the Natural Bridge Caverns, which just may be more magnificent than the whales…with the stalactites and stalagmites and all of the interesting formations…my eyes had never seen such beautiful creations and my mind just couldn’t wrap itself around the science behind it all. But I guess that’s part of the allure.
It was so great having Beth & Bobby in town although it was really sad to send them home. I miss my family so much, but am thankful to have the time together that we do.
All of the pictures from the weekend are here.
And we’ll have fun, fun, fun…
July 30, 2009
And that we did. We’ve been putting a lot of effort into our goal of being in the sun as much as possible this summer (at least that’s my goal since I’m stuck inside so much! ), and a few weekends ago we were lucky enough to share the big blue skies and sun with our friends Matt & Chris (the ones from Austin). We all convened in New Braunfels for a float down the Comal River. The river was packed, but proved to be perfect…temperature was nice (not too cold), and even with its slow flow it gave us an awesome 3 hour trip! 
Me & Dustin
Chris & Matt
I know I’ve said it before, but we just don’t get to see these 2 enough and we cherish each of our visits! Matt & Chris – thanks for being such great friends…we look forward to many more adventures with you both in the future! To see all of our Comal River pictures, click here.
I had run for 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours.
July 28, 2009
If you’ve followed my blog at all the past few months, it might seem as though all I’ve done this summer is run. And really, to me, it seems like that also…so without further ado here are the pictures from my last 5K (last as in last from the month of July…who knows what August holds!!)! This race was run with great friends – Lisa, Caty, Maureen & Shauna.
Top: Randy Beamer (WOAI) announcing the beginning of the race - We're off (if you look closely, you can see 4 of the 5 runners in my group in this photo) - Maureen (in the left of the photo) Bottom: Shauna, blazing a trail - Caty, showing her muscles - Me, getting passed by Jennifer Broom (WOAI weather girl)
I must admit (again) that I LOVE running with Caty & Maureen (some because I don’t get to do it that often and also because they really push my limits). I actually ran my fastest 5K ever that weekend and I know this was in part to their motivation and encouragement!
The fantastic finishing five! Shauna, Maureen, Me, Caty, Lisa.
Now you wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I could run like the wind blows…I finished the race in 28 minutes 18 seconds!
Me, Caty, Maureen, Shauna, Lisa
To see all of our Women’s 5K pictures, click here.
Row, row, row your raft
July 26, 2009
What a wonderul weekend I had with some of the funnest and funniest girls a few weeks ago. My sorority, Chi Omega, had a small reunion river float on the Guadalupe River and I am so glad I got to attend. Not only did I get to reconnect with some old pals, but I made new ones as well. The river was packed and provided the perfect backdrop for a boisterous time. Caty, Maureen, Jessica and I decided to get a raft for the float (having had a few bad experiences with Guadalupe rapids in the past) and it proved to be the best decision we have made all year — we were even able to rescue a fellow ChiO from the raging waters after she got bopped out of her tube!
ChiO. ChiO. ONLY WAY TO GO – HEY -aaaaaaaahhhhhh-1.2.3. GO CHI-O! WHEW!
All the pics from our trip are online here.
Free to play
July 26, 2009
While celebrating our freedoms this Fourth of July, we expressed our freedom to play while visiting with friends at a small backyard pool party. Barbara & Justin were gracious enough to open their home and their pool to us – they also fed us delicious gourmet snacks throughout the day. Maureen joined in on the party and Cinko showed us all how to be a true party-animal! It was a great day filled with sunshine, friends, food, and nice cold beverages…and the awesome evening was filled with more of the same while watching magnificent fireworks.
Top: My handsome husband - Barbara & Me - Mo, sitting pretty on her pool float. Bottom: Dustin & Cinko and Justin, our grillmaster for the day
Pretty Girls!
Relaxin'
Pretty explosions! (A few photos courtesy of Blackstone Studio...www.blackstonestudio.com)
All of our July 4th photos can be seen here.
Free to Run
July 20, 2009
My friend Maureen & I couldn’t pass up the chance to celebrate all of our freedoms and run in the Freedom Day 4 Miler held at Woodlawn Lake on July 4th.
Maureen
Me
As the woman in the picture below will testify to, it was a typical July day in Texas – hot, humid, and HOT, but our freedom to run couldn’t be restrained!
Wow!
It was fun running with ‘the other twin’, I just wish I had the chance to do it more often!
Maureen & me after the race
I think running with Maureen & Caty has been good for my pace – I finished the 4 miles in 38 minutes, 21 seconds – a quick 9:32 pace (compared to my normal 10 to 11 minutes per mile!)! Thanks girls for bringing out the best in my running abilities!
To see all the photos from the Freedom Day 4 Miler, click here.
Pretty in pink (and black)
July 16, 2009
My friend Vera and I had the absolute privilege of hosting a bridal shower for our dear friend Merick on June 27th. Merick, Vera and I were college roommates for 3 years and then Merick and I shared a house in San Antonio for another 2 years after college. We’ve been through the best of times and the worst of times with each other, and lately it just seems that the best has come and stayed…and we aren’t complaining!
The Lighthouse Cafe in Olmos Park played backdrop to the pink polka-dotted themed shower where guests ate, drank and completed a little craft. Our great florist friend, Mary, provided the stunning flowers to match the pink theme and once Vera and I set everything up we had transformed the shower space into a striking damask centerpiece for the days activities.
The awesome flowers
The back room at the Lighthouse Cafe in Olmos Park, after Vera & I did our decorating magic!
The cake (strawberry with cream cheese filling), with its large fondant bow, drew party-goers in the right direction as they entered the room, allowing for everyone to sign the guest book and drop their gifts before mingling.
I LOVED this cake!
Seriously, LOVED it!
Cake/Sign-in/Gift table
Vera had the cutest idea of having each of the gusts make 2 wine charms…1 for themselves and 1 for the blushing bride. If you know Merick, you know her and Chad (her fiance) are quite the wine connoisseurs, so the charms will definitely get used! While we munched on spinach artichoke dip, finger sandwiches, caprese salad and sangria, everyone had a ball designing and wiring their favors. Before the afternoon was over Merick’s wineglass was toppled with cute little trinkets for her to take home and reuse.
Merick's Granmother & Mom fast at work - The gang making their wine charms - Vera's Mom & My Mom diligently working on their charms
Merick's first charm that Vera made...it was an engagement ring - Merick's glass collecting charms
Merick, Becca & Anne taking a break from charm making
All of Merick's wine charms made by her shower guests
Merick certainly got some nice swag and family and friends alike truly enjoyed celebrating with her and visiting with one another.
Merick having fun opening her gifts
Merick with Chad's mom Lorraine and his Grandma
Merick with her beautiful Mom, Grandma & sisters
Merick with her wonderful shower hosts - haha - me & Vera
All the shower guests
Go Chi-O!
Merick, you know that you are one of my dearest friends and I am so happy for you & Chad. I miss having you in San Antonio so much (I’m tearing up as I write this because I msis you soooo much!), but I am happy that you are starting your new life with the man you love! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives and your special day. And not to stress you out, but let the countdown begin, as October 24th will be here before we know it!
To see all of the pictures from the shower, click here.
Cheers, Mate
July 15, 2009
We wandered up to Austin the weekend of June 13th to help celebrate Matthew’s 30th birthday party…Matt is a good friend of Dustin’s from college…he was in our wedding. Not only did we get to experience Salt Lick for the very first time, but we got to hang out with some amazing friends (Matt & his girlfriend Chris). We don’t get to see them that often, so it made it all the more fun. Unfortunately, I didn’t last long and ended up crashing after dinner (I ran a 10K that morning and then stuffed myself so full of delicious BBQ I couldn’t keep my eyes open!), so I didn’t get many pictures 
But I plan to make up for that when we meet this awesome couple to go toobing down the Guadalupe this weekend!
Dustin & Matt @ Salt Lick - great food, awesome live music, and even better friends!
Cheers to our 30th birthday mate Matthew (Matt played rugby in Australia for a while and picked up some of the lingo 
), you’re a big boy now!! We love you and had fun visiting and seeing your lovely new home!
Spaghetti Set Go
July 15, 2009
The start of the race
Caty and I ran the Carrabba’s Half Marathon Relay again this year. We’ve done this several times the past few years, but this year we got stuck…ok, we chose, to run as a 2 woman team (teams usually have 4 people on them) meaning we each had to run a 10k to complete the course. Instead of running a 10K straight through though, we chose to alternate, running in 5K segments. Caty started and got our team, Spaghetti Set Go, off to an awesome start…I took over and although the sun was making it’s way through the cloud coverage my first 3.1 miles went well. Caty improved her time on her 2nd 5K, running in under 27 minutes and surprising me at the transition by coming in so quickly! It was extremely hard to make my legs start going again, but my pace for the 2nd leg evened out and I improved toward the end of the race. Final time, 2 hours 9 minutes and 19 seconds – with a 22nd place finish in our age group.
Caty, Caty, Me, Me -- haha - Caty was on the opposite side where I was at the start, so I didn't get great pictures of her, but did catch a few!
We got to share this experience with our friends on team Out Chasing Booty (Stephanie, Sharon, Julia & Janet)! It was great seeing familiar faces at the transition points and cheering each other on at the hand-off area.
Sharon & Stephanie of team Out Chasing Booty - LOVE the cowboy hats!
Here I come & there I go -- crossing the finish line!
Perhaps the best part was the catered lunch from Carrabba’s after the race – yummy chicken marsala with mushrooms, salad and pasta – makes it worth running 6.2 miles (almost)!
Sharon, Janet, Julia, Stephanie (team Out Chasing Booty) & Caty and Jenn (team Spaghetti Set Go)
To see all of the pictures from this year’s Carrabba’s Half Marathon Relay, click here.
