Our Udell Christmas vacation started off with visiting with friends before we all left Dallas for the holidays.

We started by having brunch with my good friend Julie, who is now working in the Dallas area. We ate at Eric & I's fave restaurant here in Plano called Whiskey Cake. If you haven't been, then you need to stop what you are doing and go now. Greatest food ever.
Julie is one of Eric & I's great friends, who just so happened to be one of my bridesmaids, college roommates, and sorority sister.

Typical running pose.

Brunch at Whiskey Cake.

Next up...the Allens.
My best friend, Liz & her hubby, Brooks, are leaving Texas to go to San Diego so Brooks can attend law school there. I am so incredibly sad to see them leave, but I know they are going to have SO much fun in Cali. Eric & I met up with them the night before we left for San Antonio. We had dinner at Fireside Pies in Grapevine, and it was wonderful. It was also half price wine bottle night, so it was just our luck ;)

Loved having them a part of our big day.

I didn't get a group picture, and I'm kicking myself for that now. Now they are in California, and I miss them like crazy!

Our heads/hair makes a heart...true love!

Love her so much.

We miss you guys and are so glad you made time out of your busy moving schedule to have dinner with us! Can't wait to go visit them in San Diego :)

The night of dinner with the Allens, we got ready to go to San Antonio, and this little girl was in everyone's business.

She was digging through the presents and causing trouble.

The next morning, we began our 5 hour trek to visit the family.

Our packed car with 2 canine passengers.

We stopped in Dripping Springs first to have dinner with our aunt and uncle, Gus & Mary Ellen.
We always love visiting with them.

That night we drove to Eric's parents house to settle down for the holidays.
The Fernandez family went to College Station for the holidays, because our cousin, Becky is 2 weeks from her due date with sweet Evelyn. So, Cindy had Christmas at her house with that side of the family on Saturday night.
I didn't take many pictures, but these are the ones I did get.

We also passed out early Christmas presents, which included sugared pecans that Yours Truly made (a Christmas tradition), and a hard apple cider that Eric made. He is newly into the hobby of brewing beer and ciders, so he couldn't wait for everyone to taste his product. And it was a success!

And guess who made the label?! ME! And it's strange because I usually don't have a creative bone in my body, but I guess one decided to make an appearance. And yes, it does say, "Naughty List Hard Cider". Tagline: "First it's nice. Then it's naughty." (My dad obviously helped :))

That weekend, I completed an 18-mile long run that begins my tapering for the Houston Marathon in January. (This weekend was only 13 miles! That means it's getting closer!)
The weekend also consisted of going to the SA Riverwalk to see the lights & play human Frogger in the middle of huge crowds of people. It was insane! Never going to the Riverwalk over the holidays again. We did find a Pat O'Briens and get some yummy hurricanes to pass the night away.

For Christmas Eve, we had family over at Cindy's house to play Bunko and eat lots of great food. I have never played Bunko before this, and it was so much fun! I think we should make it a tradition.
Cindy had prizes for the winners and biggest loser, which I won neither of. The Ward family dominated.

I am so mad at myself because I have been slacking at taking pictures lately. I usually am on top of things, but not so much these days. I just get too wrapped up in everything and it totally slips my mind.

I did get pictures on Christmas morning though.
We went to Adam & Melissa's house on Tuesday morning to watch our adorable niece, Abigail, open her presents. Just to rewind, here are a couple pictures of her on Santa's lap...

She asked him for a choo-choo train book.
And she got it! She was so happy! That's literally all she wanted. Oh kids.

Anyways,
She had a great time opening presents. She would rip off small pieces of wrapping paper to open her gifts. And she loved all her presents. Eric & I got her an Ariel mermaid doll that was so cute. She sat with it the whole time.

So cute!

Ripping it off, piece by little piece.

Christmas night we spent at Wita's house just visiting, opening gifts, and once again, eating too much great food.
I always love visiting with the Ward family when they are in town, because we don't get to see them that often, seeing as that they live in Arkansas.
So it was so nice to just hang out with them and relax.
I don't do much relaxing in my everyday life, and that was the theme of this week, minus all the get togethers. When we were home, we were home just hanging out. It was wonderful!

Here is proof...

Overall, we had a great Christmas!
And we plan on having a happy new year!

Oh and by the way, I got a Samsung Galaxy S3 for Christmas, so I am selling my iPhone 4.
If you or anyone you know is interested, here is the ebay listing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/170967469098?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

I hope everyone has a great new years! Here is to a great & exciting 2013 :)

Yesterday marked the 6 year anniversary of losing my Nana. She was such a blessing to this world, and I am truly grateful to have known and loved her.

My Nana [Ellen] was 61 years old when she died, and personally, I just don't think that is very old. She passed away from a rare disease, called pseudomonis aeruginosa, that was slowly killing her. She also contracted an E. Coli infection that went into her lungs. It was heartbreaking. I remember when my mom came to me and told me what was going to happen. I think I was 16 around that time, just a senior in high school. It was a lot to comprehend at the time. I had just lost a close aunt of mine to cardiac arrest and now I was more than likely going to lose my Nana. It was so hard to wrap my head around. To be completely honest, I was pretty mad at God for awhile. It took some time for me to see that fact that He does everything for a reason & for everything there is a purpose. I'm still not quite sure what that purpose it, but it definitely made me realize that I shouldn't take anything for granted. I thank God everyday for who I have in my life, hoping that they stay in my life.
Nana would have wanted us to rejoice that she was no longer suffering and was now with her Maker in heaven. And I just know she is looking down on us now 6 years later, smiling from ear to ear.

Nana was such a beautiful person, both inside and out. She had this huge bubbly personality that just radiated happiness. She could put a smile on anyone's face. Nana was always putting others first, way before herself and she was just the most selfless person I have ever met.

And talk about a Godly woman. She is the prime example of one. Always putting her trust in God without missing a beat, never faltering, and constantly showing God's love to those around her.

She was also a fantastic wife, mother, and grandmother.

 She was everything a mother/grandmother should be. Loving, tender, caring, supportive. She never raised her voice and she never ran out of patience. She was perfect in every way.

Nana & Papa (and I'm in my Papa's arms)

I don't have too many memories of family vacations without Nana in them. She was always tagging along on the majority of our trips, and I loved her for it. She always wanted to be such a big part of my life, and I am so glad, especially since we lost her so early. I have such wonderful memories that I will hold on to and treasure forever.

Tearyn was only 4 or 5 when she died, so she doesn't remember too much, but Nana sure did love her grand-daughters. She doted on us like no one has ever doted on someone before.
She called me her Angel from day 1 of my newborn life. And she called T her Princess.
Nana was always buying me little Angel trinkets and anything that reminded me that I was HER angel.
Even to this day, anytime I see an angel something or other, I usually have to stop and look at it. It's a little bit of an obsession I think. Especially at Christmas time. I want to buy EVERY angel I see.

Nana and her sisters with me. (Nana is on the far right)

Awkward stage alert.

Another thing that reminds me of my nana is Sonic. When I was in middle school and junior high, she would always bring me Sonic drinks [usually a cherry limeade with extra cherries and extra cherry juice] after she got off work, which was usually after my volleyball or track practice. Perfect treat to the end of the afternoon. She would give me Sonic cards for special events and tell me to buy cherry limeades with them. Funny how these little things make you miss a person the most sometimes.

Another awkward stage alert...obviously a major tomboy.

My Nana didn't get to see me walk across the stage for my high school graduation, and that made me so sad.
She and I were so close, and she was a huge supporter of me in so many areas, especially academically. I would give anything to have her here today, for many reasons, but one of them being to see what I'm accomplishing in my education.
She would also have LOVED Eric. I mean, LOVED. They would have been best friends. I definitely know she has approved of my choice :)

Nana was always up for anything. She had such a great sense of humor and loved a little adventure every now and then. Her laugh was the most wonderful sound. I can still remember it. Her laugh came from deep within and it just made everyone smile. Her smile lit up a room and she was loved by so many. Especially me. I adored her.

This may be a little too personal for your liking, but I will go ahead and tell you anyways. The night my Nana died, I was actually in her ICU room. It was me, my Papa, my mom, and my uncle Phil. I stood there at the foot of her bed when she took her last breath. And I remember looking around at everyone crying [including me] and the first person I reached for was my Papa. I needed him to know that he had people to lean on. So we stood there with our arms around each other for awhile and everything else was such a blur. I don't remember much more, not even walking out of the hospital. I just remember my Papa & I in an embrace, the bond that we shared, and the look on everyone's faces once my Nana left the earthly world. I know now that she is in a better place and that she is probably putting smiles on everyones faces up in heaven. She sure was good at that.

Nana was truly an amazing woman. She was perfect. So many things remind me of her. And sometimes I long to talk to her and tell her about my day. But I know she wouldn't want me to be sad about her leaving. She would want to me be happy that I got to spend the time with her that I did, and happy that she is no longer in pain.

I love and miss you so much Nana!
Love,
Your angel :)

This is almost 2 weeks late, but better late than never.

Happy birthday to my amazing mother & my friend.

This woman is the epitome of a genuine person. She is so down-to-earth, compassionate, and caring. She doesn't put on a front with anyone she meets...she is herself no matter who she is talking to.

My mom has such a kind heart. Like, an unbelievably kind heart. She loves with every ounce of her being and I swear her heart is made of gold. She is always putting others first, even when she needs something right away. She doesn't have a selfish bone in her body. Too bad I didn't get that trait.

My mom is my personal cheerleader. I don't think she ever missed a volleyball game, a track meet, a recital or performance, or anything school/athletic-related throughout junior high and high school. She has been to every Baylor SING performance and every race I have run. I don't know how she does it all. She is so committed to being there for me every step of the way, and for that I am very grateful.

I remember many times, when I forgot something at home and she would leave work in the middle of the day just to drive 20 minutes home and then 20 minutes to school just to drop it off and go back to work. She also has been known to leave work early just for a volleyball game, so she can be there for the very beginning of it. She came on almost every single one of my field trips and she was a parent supervisor for so many activities in school.

My mom is one of the first people I go to when I need to vent or just need to talk. She always listens without saying anything, knowing that I just have to get it out. She is such a phenomenal listener & a wonderful advice-giver. She knows me inside and out, so she always knows what to say and what specific advice to give.

My mom is the perfect wife for my dad. They are complete opposites, but they fit so well together. She knows him so well and takes care of him like he is the only person in the world. Always willing to help and assist, always excited to see him, and always keeping him grounded. She is a perfect role model of what a wife should be like.

She is also a perfect mother-in-law. She loves Eric like a biological son. My dad & I have always teamed up against her and now Eric usually takes her side either to a) spite me, or b) because he loves her. I think it a good mixture of both.

My mom would do anything for Eric...and obviously for me, but she has always loved Eric ever since she met him and she wanted me to marry him before we were even thinking about marriage. ;)

In the past few years, my mom has taken up 2 things: running & getting a college education.

She took up running to stay fit (because she looks like a million bucks) and just something to do. She loves to call me for running advice and then use it in her weekly runs. 

I'm extremely proud of her for doing it, and for finishing all the races she has competed in. She is awesome.

She also decided to finish her college education a few years ago. She took classes at a community college and then transferred to Sam Houston U to finish off her degree. She is truly a rock star.

She studies all the time and of course makes straight A's. I am so proud of her!

PS-She also loves Kourt like her own daughter.

My mom absolutely LOVES children. When she sees a baby, she just automatically gravitates towards them. I loved watching her with Abigail and Sawyer at a recent bridal shower. She just can't get enough. I can't wait to see her with Eric & I's kids. I know she is going to be a fantastic gma (definitely doesn't fit my mom...she needs something more hip). She is probably going to love her grandkids more than me ;) jk ma.

Can we just go ahead and acknowledge the big elephant in the room? My mother does NOT age. I swear she defies age. And she looks like she did in her 20's. It's totally unfair.

Just look at this picture of her when she was prego with me...

Umm, can you say beautiful?

What a knockout.

And what a beautiful smile. I hope I look like 20 for the rest of my life. :)

I know I give you a hard time mama, but you really are one of the most influential and special people in my life. Thanks for putting up with dad & I making your life miserable sometimes. You are so tolerable and sweet-natured. And thank you for showing me what a wife should be like, and what a mother should be like. You really are the best. Love you so so much.