Happy 4th of July!! Here are some pics from our neighborhood fireworks show. Enjoy!
You can see 7 other fireworks shows going on behind ours in this picture. Actually, there were many more than that. I love that you can shoot fireworks around our neighborhood since we are outside of Houston city limits. I hear constant popping right now (I may not be so happy when I'm trying to go to bed).
One of my best friends from high school got married last weekend. Kara Jo married Javier on June 17, 2012. I was blessed to be standing next to Kara at the alter when her and Javier tied the knot. She had 5 bridesmaids, all of us friends from high school. Leila, Laura, Jessica, Marion, and I. It was such an awesome weekend with all of us back together. It was like old times and I LOVE these girls so much. We were all so happy for Kara.
One of the other bridesmaids, Laura, put together this amazing video from the weekend. Most of the time I had no clue she was even taping. Here it is... so take a look at Kara's awesome wedding.
If you don't have time for the video (which you should totally make time for cuz my friend Laura did an AMAZING job!) then take a look at some of my favorite pics that I snapped throughout the weekend. Some I even dabbled with a little photoshop.
The couple after their small ceremony in the Catholic Church the day before the wedding.
The bride and me.
Kara, Javier, and Kara's son, Mateo
Doing what a 6 year old boy would do... splash in some Holy water.
Bridesmaid Luncheon... getting our nails did.
Laura was able to stretch her arm out with my big 'ol camera and capture this great shot of all of us... dang is she talented with the "reach and shoot".
Rehearsal... picture at the alter
Mateo and the ladies
Kara and her Dad... notice the bouquet made by your's truely. I will have a how-to blog up soon on how to make that awesomeness!
'Nough said
Bridesmaids at the bar (plus Jess)
Enjoying my beer in a mug... can't beat beer in an ice cold mug.
I caught this super cute moment between Javier's Mom and niece.
Kara and Javier at the Rehearsal dinner.
Wedding Day! Kara receiving her gift from the Maid of Honor (Marion) and bridesmaids.
Gettin' Ready!
Love this pic... I have one similar from my wedding. No one is bending knees, however Laura has on heels and I do not. I'm a shorty.
Love this picture I caught of Kara. I think she is so beautiful.
Mother-son time prior to the ceremony.
Finishing touches.
Handsome little man.
Being a part of Kara's big day was such an honor. I'm so glad I got to spend the whole weekend with my girls and celebrate such a special moment for Kara and Javier. I don't have any pictures from the actual wedding because I was doing my bridesmaid duties of standing at the alter and then dancing my booty off. Make sure to watch Laura's video posted at the beginning to see all of our goofy pictures we took in the photo booth and Mateo's mad dance skills. It was an awesome night and one that I'm sure Kara will never forget. Love you girls!
I just finished a new book yesterday. I'm definitely not the biggest reader but I have found myself doing a lot more reading in the past few months. It all started when I got a hold of the Hunger Games. It sucked me in and I was finished with all 3 books in about 3 weeks... unheard of for me. I started the Twilight series and I have been half way through the third book for the past year and a half. Let's just say, I'm not a huge vampire fan and I didn't relate to the main character at all. Back to my point.. I just got a new book from my MIL on my birthday called OFF BALANCE, A memoir about Dominique Moceanu.
I had the privelege to know Dominique when I was a gymnast at Karolyi's Gymnastics from 1994 to 1995. I was in the group that was allowed to work out in the 3rd gym for bars with Alexander. Otherwise, the 3rd gym was off limits to anyone other than Dominique, Kim Zmeskal, Svetlana Boginskaya, and Jennie Thompson. I was so fortunate to be in the presence of these elite gymnasts and to be coached by Jackie and Alexander.
I just wanted to recommend this book. Dominique shares all of the details and unsettling delimas she faced as a child and then into adulthood. She had an extremely hard childhood that was masked by the limelight of the media and the Olympics. I won't go in to details, but there are some very surprising things that happen in her life that were so negative. I'm so happy for her now and the happiness she has found with her husband, 2 children, and long lost sister... yes sister that she did not learn of until her 20's.
Go get this book!
At the end of the book, Dominique begins to talk more about USA Gymnastics and the political power that Marta Karolyi controls. I was watching Olympic trials this weekend for track and field as well as diving and realized that the way gymnastics chooses its team for the Olympics is very very different. For other sports, the top spots at the trials go on to the Olympics... very straight forward, simple, and objective. However, in the sport of gymnastics, only the first place spot at the Olympic trials is guarenteed a spot on the 5-person team for the Olympics. The other four spots are chosen by the Olympic committee...with Marta being the main voice. So, someone placing 2nd place at the Olympic trials may not even make it to the Olympics. I find this sooo unfair and un-American. Those girls train so hard and for so many hours, that I don't believe it is right to take that away from someone. Whether Marta has control or not, I still don't think it is fair that the system has come to this. In the past, this is not the way it was done. There were girls petitioned to the Olympics (Dominique and Shannon Miller in 1996), but they were unable to compete in the trials due to injuries. They had proven their spots by placing high in the US championships. I just hope that at this Olympic Trials, the top 5 girls are awarded the opportunity to compete in London... however, I doubt that it turns out that way.
The Olympic trials are this Sunday on NBC at 8:00 PM (not sure if its Central or Eastern time). Take a look and enjoy some unbelievable gymnastics. Every year I am amazed by the advancement of the sport and the difficulty these girls perform with such precision. I love watching it! I will be glued to the tv for every routine and hopefully there will be a fair and unbiased result.
For the past 10 years... that is a whole decade... my wonderful husband has taken me to The Melting Pot for my birthday. If you have never been to The Melting Pot, you should definitely check it out. It is fondue where they serve you melted cheese (yum), salad, an array of meats that you cook in a broth, and then finally a melted chocolate (my favorite part). I'm a chocoholic if you have never met me. If you are ever wondering what kind of gift to get me... get me chocolate, if I'm ever stressed... chocolate, if I'm tired... chocolate, if I'm bored... chocolate. You get the picture.
I have a few pics from The Melting Pot over the years.
2006
2011
Tonight (2012) Sorry the picture is so blurry.
And all the super yummy things we ate. I love me some fondue.
My Dad turned 25 for the 32nd time on Friday. My brother and sis-in-law bought him Beach Boys tix and wanted to surprise him on his birthday. We met at the 'rents house and waited for him to get home. He was confused because his kiddos were there and he thought he was on his way to get a massage. He was told to put on the clothes laid out on the bed (a new Hawaiian shirt from my Mom and some cargo shorts). Of course, being my Dad, he put on the shirt and shorts (with tags still attached) and left his dress socks and shoes on... such a jokester. Sorry I don't have a picture of that.
We loaded up in the burban and started our trek to the Woodlands at 4:30... holy traffic. In the car, Stephanie (sis-in-law) videoed him opening a gift that included clues as to where we were going. You can check that out here on her awesome blog... BEAUtiful Mess
Once arriving in the Woodlands, we met up at Baker's Street Pub with some other friends and family that were joining us for the concert, ate some dinner, then headed to the venue. We camped out on the hill and enjoyed some good 'ol Beach Boys music.
Me with my handsome hubby
The stadium was packed. There were fifteen 60-70 year olds up on stage.
The group listening to some rad vibes.
Then, we could see the storm clouds rollin in. We were mostly prepared with ponchos and bags to store our valuables in. A couple of us enjoyed getting soaked and dancin in the rain (Steph). They saved the best songs for last... the enchor consisted of
Kokomo, Surfin Safari, Barbara Ann, Rhonda, and Good Vibrations.
It was an amazing, fun-filled night that my Dad very much enjoyed.
At the freeLincoln Park Zoo in Chicago we ran in to this little rascal. I don't know her name but she was the most active and playful zoo animal I've even seen. She was awesome. Brian and I watched her for about 1/2 an hour and then came back to watch her some more. She reminded us of our dog, Ryley... by her looks and curiosity.
See the resemblance? They definitely make the same "long face" expression.
This polar bear loved to play. She picked out this particular toy and the barrel. She kept putting the toy inside the barrel and then getting stuck in the barrel. IT WAS SOOOO CUTE!
The polar bear had bones to chew on. She was flicking this one in the air before she lost it at the bottom of the pool.
Here is a video of the polar bear wandering around her habitat and doing a Swan Dive. I tell you this polar bear was AWESOME!
We weren't the only ones interested in watching the polar bears. I was glued to the window just like the kiddos :)
This isn't the clearest picture, but it was amazing how she would make eye contact and actually take a look at all of her admirers.
Check out this cool video of the bear swimming by all of the spectators.
This was definitely one of the best parts of our trip to Chicago. It makes me want a cute cuddly big ol' polar bear... ok, maybe not. But it would be awesome to watch this little lady all of the time. Will definitely go back and see her if I make it back to Chicago. Ta Ta.
