Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love

This past weekend we headed down I-35 with Austin's sister, Lauren and her BF Colby to Fredericksburg for Austin's cousin's wedding and a Trantham Family Reunion. It was such a neat wedding! We took our time sight seeing along the way and even attended the first ever Hat Festival in Luckenbach. There was a super fun line up with Micky and the Motor Cars, Deryl Dodd and good ole Gary P. Nunn. Our first stop on 35 was at the Style Station outside of Waco. So many fun vintage outfits and other antiques... Showing some Baylor Love

Since we had to drive through Waco, the only place to stop is George's for a BIG-O.

We arrived in Fredericksburg just in time for dinner and stopped by a cute little wine bar for a cocktail and had a German feast at the Auslander Biergarten. A little spitzel, spatzel....and some great German beers.

After a long night, we met Austin's mom and dad at the Silver Creek Cafe for brunch and enjoyed another tasty German meal. A round or two of Bloody Mary's later, we headed out to Luckenbach!



Finally in Luckenbach Texas with Willy and Waylon and the boys....
Luckenbach is such a great place to relax and be outside with fun people. Austin and I visited a couple of years ago and had the best time, just learning all the history, listening to live music, eating great food and of course drinking a little Shinerbock.

After our first round at Luckenbach, we headed back to FBurg for Shea's wedding. They had such a special ceremony and reception decorated with beautiful wildflowers, and we sipped on spiked lemonade served out of mason jars with cute red and white straws and the best BBQ in town! It was so neat and relaxing. It was an Aggie wedding, which I am still learning about all the Aggie traditions, songs and yells. The grooms cake was a hoot!
Austin, Jan and Lauren

Austin's brother, Justin and his wife Johna, our nephew, Braeden and niece, Allison

We took the scenic route on the way back to Big D to avoid the dreaded Sunday drive on 35. We stoped at the Blue Bonnet Cafe for brunch and even stopped at the Koffee Kup Restaurant in Hico for a piece of pie called The Doctor's Office. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the Texas Hill Country. It was a great break from Dallas.

Austin's Derby 30

We celebrated Austin's Dirty Thirty in style this weekend at the horse races at Lone Star Park for opening weekend! We had an awesome group that came out to help Austin celebrate the big day, which truly meant so much to us. We chartered a bus to drive us to Grand Prairie. We enjoyed cocktails, music and lots of laughs on the way to the races! Did I mention the party attire was "Kentucky Derby"....seer sucker, pastels and obnoxious hats?


The Birthday Boy and me before the party


A group shot


The party bus




Colby and Lauren













The Birthday Boy - Happy Birthday to my hubby!

Grandmom's 85th and Easter Weekend

For Easter this year Austin and I went to Weatherford to visit my grandmom and celebrate her 85th birthday. We had so much fun visiting with her and hearing stories from her past, especially the stories about my grandfather, whom passed away before I was born. His name was Austin as well. Listening to her stories of their courtship during WWII and reading all the love letters they sent back and forth while my grandfather was stationed overseas are fascinating.

We met my Uncle, Aunt, my cousin, Claire and her husband Richard out for dinner at a favorite local restaurant, Fire Oak. The food is always amazing! Then we went to my aunt and uncle's house to have cake and celebrate!


The birthday girl and me.


Claire and Richard


The Brithday Girl picking out her cupcake!

We attended a lovely Easter Service and took a couple of quick shots at Chandor Gardens, next door to my grandmom's house.


Happy 85th Janie and Happy Easter!


Austin and Jane

A Touch of Gray

A couple of weekends ago, we attened the 30th birthday parties for two of our good friends. Since the men's Baylor basketball team made it to the sweet 16, Austin went to Houston with Mason, a fellow Baylor Bear to watch the game. Meanwhile, I went over to the Brewer's house to celebrate Peyton's 30th birthday with fajitas and fancy Mexican beer. It was so good to see her! She just had a baby and was excited to celebrate her birthday.


The Birthday Girl and me


Peyton's sweet baby boy, Ben with his first lottery ticket. He won $2.00!

On Saturday night, Austin and I went to dinner with the Coopers and Morris' at Fireside Pies and then met everyone out at TABC to celebrate Michelle's Bday! We had so much fun and ended up next door at a bar called the Londoner.

The girls


The birthday girl striking a pose!

Happy Birthday Michelle and Peyton!

St. Patrick's Day Shenanigans

St. Patricks Day is a pretty big deal in Dallas. To celebrate this occasion,there is a 5K Dash Down Greenville and a street parade afterwards. Greenville is completely shut down and everyone and their dog is out enjoying the sun, the parties and green beer.


We met Lauren, Colby and their crew at the tailgate early in the morning. They had a great set up with washers and a great view of the parade.


Lauren and Colby


We met up with the Easters and the Rogers for some bloody mary's, champagne and pigs in a blanket. Yum!



We ended the day at the White's house just off Greenville and had so much fun seeing everyone!

Searching for my lost shaker of salt

We enjoyed a much needed and very relaxing getaway in Cancun this past week. We had so much fun and couldn't have asked for a more perfect vacay. You have to get out of Dallas every once in a while. We stayed at the Westin Royal Beach Club which was amazing. We had amazing seafood, beautiful weather and finally took our scuba diving trip in Isla Mujeres, which was fabulous.


Austin picking out his lagosta "lobster"


This was the view from our room


Dinner at the Crab House our first night

After trying several fruity cocktails one night, we decided to take a stroll on the beach. We were walking back to our room when all of a sudden we see animal-like movement by the side of the hotel. I of course start to panic and Austin has horrible eye sight so I squinted my eyes to get a closer look and thought I was Bella in the New Moon movie. We ran inside and called the front desk to tell them we saw coyotes! Being from Texas, this was not a farfetched idea. The manager laughed at us and told us those belong to El Jefe.


This picture does not do it justice. This was taken 100+ yards away. We still laugh about it.


Austin getting ready for his scuba lesson


Eating in a hut on the lagoon at Thai


Isla Mujeres


Dinner at Sea & Stones

Hot Havana Nights

After moving to Dallas in 2005, I joined a women's service/social organization called Slipper Club. I have made some great friends and had the opportunity to be on the Slipper Club Board and work with a great group of ladies to give back to the city of Dallas.

Every year The Slipper Club raises money for a nonprofit organization in Dallas that supports the development/protection of women and childern. This year we selected the Dallas Childrens Advocacy Center and hosted our annual Gala Auction and Casino Party "Hot Havana Nights". We were able to raise a lot of money for DCAC and had a great time in the process. I put in some extra hours this year as the gala decorations chair. It was well worth it!


The Gala was held at Palladium, which was a great space to be creative with the decorations


We had a wonderful time with Lauren and Colby!


Cheers to another successful SC Gala!