Happy Birthday to the Best Mom Ever! and other misc.

Celebrating Mom's Birthday at Alamo Cafe!

So this past week I suprised my mom for her birthday--it was such a blast, even if it was a short trip. I flew to San Antonio Wenesday afternoon. My dad picked me up from the airport and told my mom to meet him at Whataburger. So, when my mom and dad were at the counter ready to order I walked up and asked if they would buy my dinner too! My mom was so shocked! But we had a great time--we woke up Thursday and my very patient dad drove us and Mrs. Fisher to Fredricksburg for the day. We shopped all day and then met Mr. Fisher for dinner at Alamo Cafe that night. Unfortunatly, I have a big trial on Monday so we had to cut the trip short but can I just say how much I love going home! Even if it is only for a day! I like to sleep in my bed, in the bedroom I grew up in and look around and think back to when I was little and would wonder what I would become, if anyone would ever want to marry me or usually something more simple like, what the heck am I going to wear tomorrow?!!!

So, for Easter we headed over to Aunt Lu and Uncle David's for lunch. Here is Ladybug making herself right at home in their pond:


This is one happy dog:


The men:

So a couple of weeks ago we went to San Antonio for the Kiwanis golf tournament (notice Jason's Kiwanis hat). Although we tied for last place we had a great time--and we looked like serious golfers which is what is important...

SUPER FUN WEEKEND TAKE II

THE ART FESTIVAL AND MORE FUN....

So, at the end of the last few weekends I have been super depressed. I think to myself, man that was such an awesome weekend and it's over. I will never have a weekend as fun as this weekend was--but lately as soon as I think that the next weekend rolls around and I am totally wrong! This weekend would be exhibit 1!

Friday night Jason and I enjoyed an amazing meal and a bottle of wine at one of our favorite places to celebrate--Taste of Texas. The only thing we were celebrating was date night! Jason then took me to FireHouse Saloon where he bought me a pink koozie and we two stepped to Jason Bolin--so fun!

Saturday Ashley came over--she is one of my most talented friends. She has agreed to help me implement some of my grand ideas for our house--she gave me a ton of great ideas and now I am so excited to get started--Jason and I have made a list and now we are going to start budgeting for some changes around the house-so stay tuned for some major and some minor changes in the Knecht Household!

Saturday night we went with a fun couple from our Sunday School class to the Rockets game--they had great seats. They are a great couple and we have a lot in common with them! Katie loves to read, travel, drink wine and spend time with family. Her husband and Jason really get a long well too! We ate at Azuma before the game where we all enjoyed yummy Sushi (or Tempura in my case).

Sunday we went to Sunday School, Big Church and then out to lunch with our Sunday School class. Then we went with another couple from our class, Carrie and Shawn and their daughter Caroline to the art festival. You will have to stop by our house soon to see the artwork we purchased!

So--God taught me a valuable lesson (again)--that I should find JOY in everyday and just because one day was full of it does not mean he won't bless me with another one! Which, ironically, the preacher talked on yesterday--his message is something I am going to remind myself of all week--DONT WORRY, IT ROBS THE JOY FROM TODAY....

Super Fun Weekend!

Lady and Dixie Enjoyed the Festivities!
Lady was so worn out after a day of partying, swimming in the pond and hanging out with her friend Dixie!


Jason and I

The Grad and proud Parents

The crowd

Beth looking so happy!

We had such a great weekend! On Saturday we celebrated cousin Beth's graduation from college. Now granted Beth graduated almost two years ago but what is important was that we finally had a graduation ceremony--including the National Anthem, Awards and a convocation. And if you ask me, it is by far the best family graduation I have been to--I think we should cancel all future formal ceremonies in lieu of celebrating in Aunt Lu and Uncle David's backyard. Lady had more fun than anyone--she swam in the "spool" and in the pond, ran on the golf course and chased a live crawfish--she was so tired that night that she was snoring!! Jason and I had so much fun and feel so blessed to have a family that we really enjoy hanging out with!

Last weekend Mom and Dad Peden came in town--it was also a fun weekend! It was a perfect weekend because it was cold and rainy all weekend-so we had a great excuse to do nothing! We hung out at the house and enjoyed cooking from Jason and my Mom and watched basketball and movies. I always love it when my parents come to H-town.

That's what we've been up to on the weekends--we are looking forward to more free weekends now that the rodeo is over! Stay tuned!

Bagel Dawg Friday

I made the mistake of promising my court cordinator bagel dawgs on Tuesday. We all know that I am NOT a morning person SO Tuesday morning came and I slept in :)

So now all week I have heard about how much everyone would like a bagel dawg...so today I show up and this is the sign at her desk. So tomorrow I will have to wake up early to make everyone happy!

LENT

So today begins the first day of LENT! Last night in bible study we were talking about what we would be giving up for LENT. My friend and neighbor Kimberly announced she was giving up shopping--yikes! That is a good one! So, after much thought I have decided to copy Kimberly and give up shopping for LENT. This should be difficult considering my rodeo committee is based on shopping but I think that it will be really good for me to not be able to walk into Target and just buy on a whim! Jason and I have really been working on saving so I think not only will I hopefully get a spirtual benefit but I should also get a financial benefit as well!

On the radio this morning they talked about people choosing a day to fast or a day to give up tv, internet, etc. and spend that time instead with God--I think this is a great idea also so...What are you giving up for LENT?

3rd Annual Valentine's Dinner

Jason and Emily hanging out

The table

The guys setting the table with a little help from Emily

The cake!

We had a fabulous Valentine's Day! Jason and Blake conspired and surprised both Amy and I--the past two years Amy and I have planned a dinner and cooked for the guys. Amy and I were so sad when we realized that because they moved from Houston to Birmingham we would not be able to continue the tradition. But our guys had other ideas! So last Sunday Jason gave me a hint-we would be continuing with tradition! I knew immediately what we were doing!

We arrived in Birmingham Friday night-Amy still had no idea--and was totally surprised when she arrived home to find Jason and I in her home!

We were so excited to get to spend all day Saturday shopping--Amy was even more excited because the guys agreed to watch her kiddos! Birmingham has great home shopping at prices I can't afford! But we got a bunch of great ideas and I found a new bedspread! It was fun to spend a day with a person who loves home shopping as much as I do!

Saturday night Emily and Lily went to bed and the guys made us dinner-it was amazing! I mean, I don't know how Amy and I are going to compete with that next year! We had shrimp appetizer, Cesar salad, lobster bisque, steak, crab cakes, lobster tail, and a piece of that yummy chocolate cake pictured above.

We miss Amy and Blake so much so it was great to spend an entire weekend with those two and their cute kiddos! Now we cannot break with tradition and we will have to return next year for 4 years! I aspire to be like my parents, and their best friends the Fishers, who have kept with tradition for 25 years--yes this year my parents and the Fisher's had their 25th Annual Valentine's Dinner.

Hope everyone had a happy heart day!

Girls Just Wanna Have Tea!

Amy and I earlier this fall


The Tea Room



Our Room (it was actually twin beds)


The Hamilton Turner Inn

I just got back from a wonderful girls weekend to Savannah, Georgia with Amy. It was a well deserved vacation for Amy--with a 3 year old and a 9 month old she was ready to have some quiet time! We had so much fun--Savannah is such a beautiful city. It meant even more to me because it is the city where my grandparents met and began "courting!" Saturday we spent the day shopping and paused for a few hours to have afternoon tea.

I didn't know if I would be a huge fan of tea-but I loved the kind we got-our waitress was very helpful and helped me pick a tea that would be appropriate for a beginner! We also had the best scones, sandwiches and strawberries dipped in my favorite!

Saturday we also managed to go to the Olde Pink House--a place where my grandparents went while they were dating-it was so neat to think that I was standing in the same place where their romance began so many years before!

The best part of the stay was getting to spend some time catching up with my dear friend Amy who lives too far away and because of our busy lives we rarely get to spend time catching up!

I highly recommend staying in a bed and breakfast-this definitely added to the overall experience of the trip. We got to meet so many people who were on their way down to Florida to escape the cold winter up north. It gave me incentive to keep working so that some day I can retire like them and spend a month in Florida!

Thank you Blake for sending Amy and I on a vacation we won't soon forget and Jason for letting me go away for the weekend!