Big Bugz!

September 30, 2009

Over the Labor Day weekend Dustin and I joined our friends Rey and Andrea for a stroll through the San Antonio Botanical Gardens to look at the Big Bugz exhibit.   Big Bugz is a collection of garden creatures made of all natural materials made by sculptor David Rogers.  Although it was a steamy hot Texas day we really enjoyed touring the garden grounds and the bugs were super cool!

Me & Dustin - Rey & Andrea - Scared of the spider - Pretty flower (courtesy of Andrea)

Me & Dustin - Rey & Andrea - Scared of the spider - Pretty flower (courtesy of Andrea)

To see all the pictures from the Botanical Gardens, click here.

Being around the Stanchaks (my best friend’s family), has got to be some the most entertaining, out-of-the-ordinary,  fulfilling, fun times in my life.  As background, Patrick & Mary (Merick’s parents) have 5 kids (4 girls, 1 boy) and although it’s rare that I am around all 7 of them, it does occasionally happen.  One such occurrence was a few weekends ago when I visited Houston for Merick & Chad’s ‘stock the bar’ shower thrown by Chad’s parents.  All of ‘us’ (the 7 Stanchaks, me, my friend Vera, Merick’s brother-in-law Kurt, Rylie (Merick’s lab), Wyatt and Lyla (Rylie’s puppies)) all shacked up at Merick & Chad’s house and boy was it fun!  This family is like the Brady Bunch, only cooler (and I say that as a compliment, of course).  Their caring nature along with their sarcastic wit make times with them very enjoyable.  And now, I’m ‘un’-officially one of them (Whitney, you probably unknowingly said this, but I’m gonna jump on it!)…while picking rooms, beds and air mattresses for the sleepover, I offered one of the beds to Merick’s sisters and said they should get the real beds because they were Merick’s family – to which Whitney (the youngest sister) quickly quipped “you’re family too”.  Now, that’s a compliment!  And might I add, “damn, it feels good to be a Stanchak!”.  Haha – ok, ok, enough with the corny rap references!

The shower was stunning, the food more than delicious, the company contagious and the evening just damn near perfect (only wish Dustin would have been able to join in on the party!).  And the only good part of seeing it end was knowing that it brought us one day closer to Merick & Chad’s wedding!

Pics from the shower & all the awesome decorations plus 2 of Merick & Chads engagement pictures (so cute!)

Pics from the shower & all the awesome decorations plus 2 of Merick & Chad's engagement pictures (so cute!)

Cowboy take me away

September 28, 2009

It couldn’t have been a more perfect night.  Set against the pitch black sky with the great big Texas country stars shining bright in a back yard fit for a king, Anne & Justin and their closest friends and family celebrated their marriage in true Texan style.  It was so fun to be a part of this couples big night.  Although not-traditional, the reception was beautifully orchestrated and represented the true love these 2 people share.  It was great to see old friends, make new ones and bless the “bride & groom” as they embark on one of the best adventures of their lives!

Anne & Justin during their first dance

Anne & Justin during their first dance

The Chi Omega girls at the reception - Bottom: BOOTS - Mary, Amy & Dana

The Chi Omega girls at the reception - Bottom: BOOTS - Mary, Amy & Dana

Anne & Justin – thanks for letting us be a part of this wonderful party.  We love you and know that you will meet each challenge in your future with enthusiasm.  Good luck in your new life together!

Click here to see all the pictures from the night.

Zippin’ Away

September 25, 2009

I married the right man, I’ve known this for a while now, but I love it when he confirms this by picking something adventurous and out of the ordinary to celebrate his birthday!  This year, we took to they skies again (remember our powered trikes last year?), but this time we were tethered securely to a 5/16 inch cable hanging 80 feet above the ground!  We’ve ziplined in Mexico (last year on our Hausman Trip), but this trip gave us an experience to see the Texas hill country as it’s never been seen before.  We went to Wimberley Zipline Adventures with our great friends Jess, Rick, Matt & Chris.  The 2 hour tour gave us plenty of adventure while hiking and zipping along the hills and trees at over 30 miles per hour (you really do zip pretty fast on a zipline!).

Top:  Jess - The Bullet (aka Rick) - Me -- Bottom: The Birthday Boy - Chris - Matt

Top: Jess - The Bullet (aka Rick) - Me -- Bottom: The Birthday Boy - Chris - Matt

Our group during the zipline and afterwards

Our group during the zipline and afterwards

The day was perfect and ended with a delicious dinner at the Gristmill after enjoying Gruene market days and some fine Gruene wine margaritas.

Dustin & Matt -- Jess & Rick

Dustin & Matt -- Jess & Rick

I’m already looking forward to Dustin’s next birthday and what escapades it may hold!   All of our pictures from the day can be found here.

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