Merry Christmas

        Locke and I arrived in Richardson on Wednesday evening after a long twelve hour drive from Nashville. Poor Locke had to drive the whole way with a carsick dog and sick Vicky along for the ride. I went to bed early shortly after arriving and woke up Thursday morning feeling much better... just a 24 hour bug! Thursday was a day of grocery shopping with Mom. Then we went to dinner at Silver Fox with my family to celebrate my mom's belated birthday (December 13). After dinner, Locke and I met up with Melanie and her boyfriend, Bill, at Sherlock's in Dallas and enjoyed chatting and catching up.

        Friday was a day filled with baking and napping. Then we had family over for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of yummy tamales, queso dip, homemade guacamole, tortillas, rice and beans. After dinner we went to church and then to bed with visions of sugar plums... except for my mom who stayed up till 1:30 a.m. still baking.  

         Christmas morning my grandparents came over and we enjoyed coffee and apple turnovers before the gift extravaganza began. For two hours we took turns opening gifts from Santa and family. Then we took our traditional family photo amongst the Christmas wrapping and boxes.

          Now everyone is relaxing (except for mom who is still baking and cooking!). Later today we will have around 20 people over for a big Christmas dinner.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

 

Giving Thanks

Locke and I have enjoyed visiting with his family in Albany, GA this Thanksgiving holiday. We arrived in Albany Wednesday evening after a long drive from Nashville with stops at an antique shop or two (at my husband's request...really!). Thanksgiving Day we enjoyed a delicious feast prepared by my mother in law. The Hunters, Ronnie and Barbara, Phillip, Jeff and Jenny with Macy and Madison joined Locke and I, Laura and Bobby, BF and Marilyn. We ate outside; it was a beautiful day! So much for which to be thankful!!!

In following tradition....Friday morning began with 4 am shopping for me (I got some great deals!) and then I met the rest of the gang at Pearly's for breakfast. After a delicious breakfast, we went over to BF and Marilyn's and then enjoyed a trip to Old Mill Furniture where we found a possible dining room table and a piece of furniture for the foyer. Friday ended with another delicious meal prepared by Laura.

Today Laura and I went shopping (yes, I was braving the mall again... and again found some good bargains!) while Locke and Bobby went to see a family friend's new hunting cabin and his bird dogs. Then we went back to the furniture store to take some measurements, but I still can't make a final decision on the table or the piece for the foyer. Hmmmm....

We spent the rest of the day relaxing, bike riding, playing cards, and visiting (oh and of course eating another yummy meal made by my mother in law :) ).

Tomorrow morning we'll head out early so I can get back and get some work done to get prepared for Monday.

All in all it has been a wonderful, relaxing vacation. The only thing missing was my family. I love you Mom, Dad, and Michael and missed seeing you and the rest of the family this Thanksgiving.

I have so much for which to be thankful! God is so good. I am overwhelmed.

San Antonio

Last weekend I flew to San Antonio to visit my grandparents. I stayed at Grandma and Grandpa's house (my Dad's parents), but also spent some time with Nana and Popo (my mom's parents). My dad also flew down for the weekend so I got to visit with him as well. We had such a good, relaxing time... maybe too relaxing because I did a lot of sleeping. We also ate A LOT... it was delicious. We had yummy Tex-Mex, went to a family style home-cookin' restaurant in Welfare TX, and at sweet pies at Marie Calendars. Here's a couple of pics from lunch with Grandma and Grandpa.

April Updates

So since I'm not that great at staying up to date on my blog... here's a list of McKinney happenings:


1. Locke and I spent Easter in San Antonio and had a wonderful time visiting with family.

2. We've been packing up our house and de-cluttering. We've moved a ton of boxes and furniture into a mobile attic. We FINALLY got a second quote on the work that needs to be done (i.e. new roof, new carpets, finish out a closet, redo bathroom etc) and I think they will begin the work on the roof this week and the inside stuff next week. So now we'll be looking for a landscaper. Hopefully we can list the house by the end of the month. I'll post pics when it's finished :)

3. I am getting my hair chopped off tomorrow. I plan to donate it...I think it should be about 10-12 inches. Here's a couple of pics of what I want it to look like. I'll post pics of what it looks like afterwards and you can be the judge as to whether the stylist did a good job :)

4. Locke and I went to a Catfish Dinner last Thursday. It's a fundraiser done once a year that raises money for Nashville Inner City Ministry. We sat at a table hosted by Locke's cousin, Jeff. His wife, Jenny, and twins were there. His other cousin, Julie, and her family were also there; as well as his aunt and uncle. It was good to visit with his family. And good food!



5. Sunday, Carlee and I hosted a baby shower for my best gal pal, Holland!!! :) We had such a fun time celebrating the mommy-to-be.
Well I think that's all for now. I am going to LAS VEGAS this weekend and going to the ACM awards and the Brooks and Dunn tribute concert with my Mom and her friend, Patti. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited and will definitely post pics and stories afterwards :)

Visitors

Locke and I welcomed my mom and brother for a visit last Wednesday through Saturday. Locke was out of town or working most of the time, but Mom, Michael and I ate at The Pfunky Griddle, where you make your own pancakes, shopped at McKay, a HUGE used book store, saw Shutter Island, hung out at the Big Bang, a dueling piano bar, and went bowling. Then Locke's parents came in town Friday afternoon and we had dinner with them at Cinco de Mayo before going to my opening performance of How I Learned to Drive. The show went really well and they all seemed to enjoy it. Saturday we met with the realtor (more to come on that later) and then went to lunch at a nearby 'meat & three', Southern Bred. Then I had to take my mom and brother to the airport :( I was sad to see them go. Saturday night Locke went to dinner at his Aunt Barbara's with his parents and cousins and I performed and then went out for Mexican and margaritas after the show. I love my cast! Today, Sunday, we went to church with Locke's parents and then had lunch at Panera Bread Co. before his parents went back to GA and I performed in the Sunday matinee. Now Spring Break has come to an end and it is time to return to work. (But only 2 weeks until Good Friday and Easter!)

A special thanks to everyone who has come to see the show so far: Sally, Shannon, Mom, Michael, Laura, Bobby, Ronnie, Barbara, Charity and friends, PJ, Heather, Carlee, Holland, Kevin, and of course, Locke! Your support is so encouraging! :)