now we just need to find texas star to top it off

We have the best neighbors ever. Thanks to them my feet are no longer cold, Nate can have his socks back, aaaaaaaand we have a beautiful new tree! :) Complete with texas rope garland and everything! I'll take a picture once we put it up tonight. I know it's only 3 days before we leave...but it's time we get our decorations up. 

That baby in her tummy is going to be pretty darn cute. :)

Our future children on the other hand...born in sweatpants. Give us a break, this isn't our Christmas picture.

Brooke's photography debut. 

Wrapping presents underneath the tree.

Wil and Nate with the tree. Thanks again guys! :)

yay! this will be our christmas gift to each other!

SUPER exciting news this morning! Nate and I won homemakerhero's Gifty Box giveaway (see entry below) and we couldn't be happier!!!! :) Thank you, thank you, thank you!

It's off to the Texas Hill Country for a winery tour for the two of us...

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssss! I'm excited.

Dachshund pics of the week

As if you haven't seen enough of these girls. :) Pretty cute though. They're pretty excited to see the whole family next week.

my christmas wish for you

Now, some of you can probably skip this entry all together. And good for you. I'm very proud.

But for MOST everyone else like us out there that has some debt...be it student loans, credit cards, or house mortgages, whatever...you should really do yourself, and your family, a favor this holiday season and make it your new year's resolution to get debt free. 

Yes. Not exactly the most fun thing to think about right at the holiday season but we highly recommend it. 

As most of you probably already know, we think Dave Ramsey is the man. And therefore we recommend you borrow, buy, check out from the library, buy from itunes, etc. The Total Money Makeover and read it. And then follow it. If you plan on buying it's only $10 right now...

So if you're looking for that last minute Christmas present for me...do this for yourself. That's what I want. I want you to get on track. :) And if you're one of the several people I've already given the book to, and you haven't read it, READ IT. That's why I gave it to you duh. Coal in your stocking if you haven't...

And if you're sick of hearing me talk about this, too bad! I do it because I love you. So deal.

Top 10 reasons to get debt free:

10: You can call in to Dave and scream "we're debt free!" on air.

9: No more beans and rice, rice and beans.

8: Makes for a happier marriage and a happier family. (I think we're all aware of the #1 cause of divorces...) 

7: If you have kids, it teaches them good financial skills and the benefits of hard work first hand.

6: You don't have to worry as much about "the economy" because you know you're ok.

5: It's really fun...I promise.

4: Money to do the things you want to do without the stress of getting your credit card bill.

3: No more worrying about where the next bill payment is coming from.

2: A huge dose of self-satisfaction.

1: You don't owe anyone any money...duh.

Oh, and it'll make me happy...and who wouldn't want to do that!? :)

it's official. we're spoiled.

Ok ok, I know I said I was having a hard time getting into the "Christmas spirit" when it's still between 70 and 80 degrees outside everyday...but I didn't mean I wanted it to get cold! 

It snowed in Austin last night. SNOWED. That's only a mere three hours North of here.

Yesterday I was walking around downtown in my flip flops and skirt, and today we woke up to a frigid 39 degree morning. I had to dig through my closet to find something, anything, resembling a jacket. And the socks I'm wearing...they're Nate's. I'm pretty sure I don't even own a pair anymore.

So yes, it's official. I'm totally, rottenly, spoiled. And Texas has turned me into a winter wimp extraordinaire. 

since we don't send christmas letters

Nicki, our fabulous photography friend that I mentioned earlier, took some family pictures for Nate and I this weekend. She's pretty spectacular. She got some really cute ones of the pups too. You can view them here. We're currently working on her blog, so it's kind of under construction...but still functional. :) Enjoy! And check out her photography site too (click here)! Thanks Nicki!

Our little family. 

Look how handsome he is. :)

thanksgiving was good, but tomorrow...pizza

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Nate's family drove down to spend the holiday with us (thanks!). We whipped up a tasty meal and spent some time together soaking in the warm weather and watching the dogs try to tear each other apart. Izzy and Bean are already missing them. 

It was the first Thanksgiving meal I had a hand in making. Pretty proud of myself. I made my mom's cheesey potatos...yes Rachel, you should've been here. Yum. We're thankful for their visit, and hope they have a safe drive back!

Nate and I also made it through our first month back on our budget (thanks Dave Ramsey). Very proud. Hopefully we learn our lesson and don't blow our whole food budget in the first two weeks this time. Those last couple of weeks were getting pretty pathetic. Tomorrow though, pizza....and then grocery shopping. I think we'll start the budget over a day early. Thanks to Nate's family for getting us through those last few days...and for the new tupperware. :)

Things we're thankful for this year (in no particular order, ha):
- Each other
- Izzy and Bean
- Our wonderful and super supportive families
- The friends we've met in CC this year
- The best jobs two graphic designers could ask for
- Our health, and the health of our families
- Our continued success on the side
- BSF bible study
- Ike and Dolly not hitting Corpus
- Dave Ramsey, and Cara for lending me his book
- Obama winning the election
- Rice and beans, beans and rice :)
- Our new apartment, and the ability to have it
- Rachel moving to Austin so she can be closer. yay!
- our families and friends coming to visit

And lots more things, but 2008's not over...at least that's a start. :)

Nate with his food. We all huddled around the TV and ate on the couch. :)

The cornbake and stuffing. mmmm.

Yay! My first cheesey potatoes!

Yep, I took way too much food.

The cutest dog you've ever seen.

Dachshunds photo of the week: See Izzy in there? Pretty ridiculous.

Izzy's new best friend. Grandpa Byron.

the kraken

Last week we had the cover shoot for the next issue of The One Bride Guide. One of the yacht club members let us borrow his sail boat to shoot on. And it was gorgeous. I didn't shoot the cover shots, but I did take some behind the scenes photos again...so here they are...your sneak peak at the next issue. :)

Erika getting situated on the boat. So pretty.

Jimmy and Erica. They actually did get married a couple of months ago.

Moving around to get another shot.

Jonathan and the couple figuring their way around the boat. Isn't it lovely.

All the rest of us watching Jonathan shoot.

don't grieve, admiral

Well thanks a lot Las Vegas. Thanks for ruining Nate and my plans for a very fun, entertaining, and mainly...nerdy 5 year anniversary vow renewal. I had heard the rumors that the Star Trek Experience was closing, but I had refused to actually look it up because I reeeeally didn't want it to be true. 

So guess what. It's true.

It's a sad day for Nate and I. Let's just say they better come up with a Star Wars version in the next 2 1/2 years to make up for this

.

Nate and me on our honeymoon. This is where we would've gotten remarried. :( It would've been awwwwesome.

dachshund pic of the week

Well I finally snagged a treasury on Etsy and put together some of my favorite pieces. To no surprise they all resemble Izzy and Bean. 

So, if you're looking for something cute for me for Christmas... :)