a preview of our future...and our trip

So Disney is a pretty fantastic place. They've made a lot of updates since I was here last...one of my personal favorites has been the upgrades to Spaceship Earth a.k.a the big golf ball in Epcot. I've only got a second to write, so obviously I'll write more later, but here's a short preview of Nate and I in the future (click). It looks pretty perfect to me.

unload the questions, then cross the border

Well, as you can tell from my lack of blogging lately, not a whole lot has been going on down here...and maily I just haven't taken any pictures...which is pretty much my favorite part of this whole blog thing. But we did get ourselves a new little point and shoot camera, so I should be able to take more pictures now. Not that the SLR isn't an excellent camera, but let's just say it doesn't fit in my pocket while I'm dancing it up on the dance floor. Yeah, that's right, I dance it up. 

Annnnnnd, that means I can take lots and lots of pictures during our upcoming vacation to Disney with my family. Yay! 

Nate went down to Mexico with his Gma a couple of weeks ago. I, unfortunately, was feeling less than ideal and decided walking around Mexico for the day probably wasn't in my best interest. Nate however, had a pretty good time, bought some new dress shoes, and enjoyed an adult beverage in a bar/pharmacy (no that's not a joke) all before noon. See, this is why I needed the point and shoot camera. No pictures. Bummer.

The following weekend Nate headed up to the Dallas area for his first official work trip (aww, all growed up). It was for the TPRA conference (TX Public Relations Association). He had an excellent time, met lots of people, and has a newly found interest in studying social media. I got to spend a lot of time at Brooke and Wil's watching the game show network. They kept me entertained, and I even found a church I think we'll be happy to be a part of. All in all it was a productive weekend.

This weekend we took Izzy and Bean to the park down on the bay (also sad that I have no pics of this because it was awesome). They had a puppy play date with their new bestest friends, Bella and Rook. Rook, by the way, looks almost exactly like Bean...only with normal length legs. They had a pretty excellent time, and slept for the entire rest of the weekend. Which was great because that's exactly what I did too...

...except for the intense game playing we did later at Ashley and Lupe's place. Loaded Questions is pretty much the best game ever.

Nate trying to figure out how to outsmart me. Unsuccessful...

Ashley and Lupe. Happy birthday Lupe!!

Bella. Post park cocklebur haircut. Poor pup.

No, this is not Bean...it's Rook. See, they totally look alike. They were meant for each other.

the addys: an update

And took some pretty awesome photobooth pictures courtesy of Image Cinema. Probably the highlight of the night.

The gold Addy we won for the McLeod Creative Elevator wrap. Yay! Photo taken by Monica on her super awesome red diner booth. I need to find one of these somewhere.

do dogs kiss and hug in x's and o's?

Sending you some puppy love today. After all...Valentine's is kind of lame...but puppies are not.

Ok, so really crappy photoshop brush hearts are lame too...buuuuut, it just felt right.

our valentines

Beanie lovey. :)

dachshund photo of the week: beanie ween

It's been a little while...but don't worry, they're still super cute. :) Bean get's the spotlight this week. She was a little more camera friendly.

holy cow, he answered!!

Yep. It's true. We were on the Dave Ramsey show today. And it was AWESOME. You can listen to us scream HERE!

We didn't get a whole lot of time, so again, thank you to our family and friends who helped us out with this. We didn't get time to mention you, but we wouldn't have been able to do it without your help!


Yay! That's us! :)

dave, you better answer my call

Thus far, the new year has brought numerous reasons for us to celebrate down here in Corpus Christi. We hope it has found the same for you.

In the social scope: Nate and I went to what was the most fun dinner party I think I've ever been to. Seven courses of conversation, food, and every wine under the sun. The food was fabulous, but honestly the company was even better. I really think it's something we should put into regular practice. We also celebrated Karina's birthday this week. Happy birthday Karina!! I think I truly became a Texan at her unofficial party...line dancing, country music lyric learning, and something called "the cotton eye Joe" maybe? All I know for sure is that it was a heck of a lot of fun, and we're pretty lucky to have met such wonderful friends down here. Now, if I only had a picture of me line dancing in my dress pants and black turtleneck...

On to the business news: The latest issue of The One is out. And it's pretty lovely if I do say so myself. Even though my pictures of it are taken with my phone, and are not by any means classy, ha. We had a sneak preview of it at the bridal fair, but it technically hits stands tomorrow. Also, McLeod Creative has won 9 Addys this year! I'm pretty excited about it. These are my first professional awards. We're not entirely sure what projects have won what awards, but the dinner is in the middle of February so I'll post the results after that. :)

And the BIG news of the month: No, we're not having a baby if that was the first thing that came to your mind, ha. But we are officially DEBT FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE! As of noon yesterday we made our final payment and kicked student loans out of our lives forever! Wooooo! Yay!!!! Pretty exciting stuff for us. Don't worry, I documented it (I know you were worried). Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to our family and friends who have helped us do it, and put up with us during our days of "rice and beans." Although, it doesn't stop here. So I guess you get to continue being annoyed by it. :) Next step, our fully funded emergency fund. Then I'd like to become a Dave Ramsey certified counselor. Don't worry Grandma, we aren't REALLY only eating beans and rice.

Dave Ramsey, I'm calling you tomorrow. Get ready.

This is what Nate looks like Debt free! Yay!

So excited. But seriously, we're excited.

Our first debt free picture together!

Nate and Justin (who helped us get out of debt by totally helping us out in a freelance programming bind) enjoying some celebration martinis. Mmmm, strawberry.

Some pictures Karina took...not actually birthday shots, but celebratory non-the-less!

Terrell and Chase.

Pretty lady. She always makes me look so freaking pale. 

The new issue of The One...sorry for the crappy picture.

One of my favorite spreads. :)

make sure to take some dramamine

Well I did it. I finally found what all of Corpus Christi SHOULD be. It should be people, sitting on balconies, watching sailboats float by as the sun goes down. Oh, while enjoying some sort of beach appropriate beverage of course. 

Wednesday nights are the sailboat races here in the bay. Usually I just head home after work, but Nate had to work late so I decided to head over and meet up with Karina and Chase for some chit chat. I'm not sure where they race to, but it was pretty to watch in any case. 

There really need to be more restaurants right on the water like this... 

Karina and Chase. :)

I'd be sea sick right about here.

And definitely by here...but if I was going to have a sail boat I'm pretty sure I'd want a giant pink sail like this. They're totally dominating. 

the white house's new occupants

I think we're all pretty aware of what today is...

AWESOME.

Ok, so even if you don't feel like it's that awesome (which, it in fact is), you still have to admit that an event that brings together "the largest gathering of people in the history of the world" is pretty impressive.

Hugest crowd ever. Lilterally. CNN had this pretty nifty streaming program that was linked to Facebook. Nothing like watching the inauguration with a friend from 5th grade, a college professor, and a couple of old co-workers. I love technology.

Billary. :)

Well...he's on his way back to Texas. 

Most of the new first family. :) 

Keep praying. He's going to need all the help he can get with the mess he's got to clean up.

The new VP.

Yay! Pretty exciting.

...the new president.

pretty sure God doesn't want us to be 20 hrs apart

So he's freezing you out. Therefore, if any of you friends and family want to re-evaluate your "northerner" status feel free to take a look out your window, at all of that snow, and remember...it doesn't have to be like that. Haha. There are places in the world that are warm year round. And green. And sunny. And not depressing.

Oh, and we can go outside for more than 6 seconds.

But seriously. Consider this an invitation.

Hope you all stay safe and warm. Negative 40 degree windchill is just ridiculous. Be careful. And definitely don't go outside.