Game Day in Aggieland

It was Game Day in College Station and all through the land

 Thousands gathered from near and far to see the Corps Marching Band

Out in the distance stood the mighty Kyle Field

A place to watch the Aggies win, but  never to yield

Two cute little Aggies took a walk under the Century Tree

And then they saw horses from Parsons Mounted Calvary

Of course you can't walk by Rudder Fountain without dipping your feet

Because coming to campus on Game Day is such always a treat!

Aggieland is a special place where we all bleed maroon

Please, Mommy, please, can we go again soon?!?!

The Dog Days of Summer are Almost Gone

With Labor Day behind us and the fall equinox here, it is just a matter of time until the dog days of summer are officially gone.  We are doing everything we can to soak up the sun while we still can.

We've set up a backyard water park, complete with bubbles, a water table, and sprinkler ball.

We have gone to the pool to celebrate Rad's birthday and to hold on to that Aruba tan.

No summer day would be complete without a trip to JJ's Snow Cones.

Summer, we will miss you when you are gone!  As much as we are ready for the summer to be over, I know we will long for these long, sunny days where we could play and splash all day with Jilly Bear.

Bye bye Summer!

Silly Jilly: Hooray!

One of Jillian's favorite things to say these days is "Hooray!"

Examples:

Daddy goes to get her milk/gets her ready in the morning/gets home from work

Jillian: "Hooray Daddy!"

Mommy does her hair in the morning/makes her dinner/gives her a bath

Jillian: "Hooray Mommy!"

Each night before bed

Jillian: "Hooray Mommy! Hooray Daddy! Hooray Papi! Hooray Wow-wow! Hooray Abby! Hooray (insert name of ever person she knows/stuffed animal she owns)!"

Thanks Silly Jilly...your "Hooray!" is just the encouragement and thanks we need to keep us going everyday!

Happy Grandparents Day!

When I am with you, I always have fun!

 You make me feel like I'm your special little one!

 Though you live so far away,

I think about you everyday!

 If I need a cookie or a hug (or two),

 I know I can always count on you!

 Giving love is what grandparents do best,

 And you do it better than all the rest!

 Here's a secret you know is true...

My heart will always belong to you!

Happy Grandparents Day to the best grandparents in the world!

Love, Jilly Bear

Surprise!!!

I have spent 30 years on this earth, but I finally got my first Surprise Party!!!  I cannot believe that my amazing husband pulled this one off!  I have always wanted a surprise party (because let's be honest, I love a surprise and I love being the center of attention).  But I had no idea how much work and planning and scheming Julian (and everyone) had to do in order to throw this surprise for me.   

On Saturday, my family did everything they could to get me out of the house.  They told me to schedule a haircut, they told me we were going shopping, they took me out to get a pedicure.  And when I came back home, I thought I was coming home to a quiet evening at home with our families.

Boy was I wrong!!!  I walked in the door and was greeted by family and my closest friends!  And can you believe that Julian got people from every part of my life together to celebrate the big 3-0?!

I had some of my Fish Camp students there...

...and my SAAHE Sisters/Significant Others/Babies from grad school...

...and my co-worker/friends (and cute kids too)...

...and college friends, in from San Antonio, who we had not seen in far too long...

...and my former students/friends too...

...and even our neighbors!

It was a great party with some of my favorite people in the world, eating some great Fuego catering and chocolate cake, and lots of presents too!   

Jillian loved the presents part because lots of people brought her gifts, too!

I had a great time at my 30th Surprise Party!  I am so grateful for all the people who came from near and far to celebrate this occasion.  But mostly, I am grateful for the man who made this all happen...my best friend, my rock, my husband, Julian!  Thanks so much, babe...hope you enjoy being married to a cougar! ;)

Jillian was not a fan of the loud and spirited "Surprise" that everyone yelled when I walked in the door.  But it didn't stop me from thanking Julian with a kiss.

Amber is Fun, Flirty, and Thirty!

Friday was my 30th Birthday!  I have been half dreading/half looking forward to this day since I turned 29.  The closer it got, the more I started making plans to have a grand celebration.  But my plans were quickly thwarted when I asked my family if they would be able to make it to College Station for my birthday, and they all said no.

So with no one coming, I started to refocus on just having a low-key birthday with Julian and Jillian.  I had mentally prepared myself for a casual day with our College Station family only.  

Well, other people had other plans...

On my birthday, at about 4 AM, I got a call from my Mom.  4. A. M.

I thought to myself, "Silly woman, doesn't she know that I was born at 3:30 PM, not 4 AM?!?!" followed by "Wait a minute...she would only call if something was wrong.  Oh my gosh! What a terrible day this is going to be if something is wrong..." (Yes, I really thought all of this at 4 AM, half asleep).

I answered the call and was met with the best news of all..."Come to your door, Amber.  A special package was delivered!"  And that special package was my Mom, brother Joseph, and sister Michelle standing on my doorstep!  Of course, I cried...

After getting them settled in for the night, I fell back asleep for a few hours, and woke up to go to work half day.  My friends at work and students made it a special day while I was there.  My office was decorated, there were gifts on my desk, and everyone in the office sang happy birthday to me and ate cake (thanks, Katy)!  It was also College Colors Day so we took an office photo.  And even though I wore my UTEP colors and not my Aggie Maroon, they let me stay in the picture (probably because it was my birthday).

I got off work as soon as I could though because I knew my family was at home waiting for me.  But I had no idea that another surprise would be waiting for me when I walked in the door...

Not only had my family came into town, but my in-laws came too!  I was shocked to see them and oh-so-pleasantly-surprised to get to spend the weekend with them too!  (Yes, I actually Love my in-laws) :)

With all my family in town, it looked as if it was shaping up to be the grand birthday celebration I was planning for.  We went to my favorite restaurant for dinner and I enjoyed my favorite food surrounded by my favorite people...

...Especially this little person!

And what girl doesn't like to unwrap a jewelry store box on her birthday?!  Thanks, Mom, for the Pandora bracelet!

After we put Jillian down for bed, I asked my parents if they would be willing to go out to a bar.  There is this amazing, charming little bar in downtown Bryan called "The Proudest Monkey."  (For all you Dave Matthews Band fans, isn't that the coolest name for a bar EVER?!?!)  

At 21, you go to a bar with all your friends as a rite of passage.  But at 30, I would much rather go to the bar with my parents. Guess I really am turning into an adult!

What an amazing birthday my 30th turned out to be!  It was completely different than what I expected when I fell asleep on Thursday night, but it was perfect in every way...thanks all in part to this man, who worked to create these special memories for me!

Little did I know what Julian had in store for me next...

:)