I grew up with a small family. So, when I moved 3 hours away from home and went to Baylor for college, somehow my friends and I formed our own family. We literally acted like a family. Ate meals together, hung out with each other 24/7, called on each other when we were in trouble, shared ups and downs together, and laughed WITH & AT each other like we were related...they were my home away from home.

Honestly, I'm not sure how it happened. We all shared something in common, we bonded, and that was that. We just became our own family.
We joke a lot that we are like the Friend's characters. In college, we would just walk into each other's apartments without warning; we didn't really care about privacy. We all knew each others little secrets, quirks, & what made each other tick. A couple of us dated, aka Eric & I, and we just had the personalities of some of the characters. It was so much fun. I miss those days.

Tom, me, Eric, Caitlin, Chris, & we never really had a Phoebe (until last year...KIMBER)

I love that when Eric & I were picking bridesmaids and groomsmen for our wedding, it just came so easily to us. We knew exactly who we wanted, thanks to the friendships we had formed in college. It makes me happy knowing that it was just Eric's friends that were groomsmen, and it wasn't just my friends that were bridesmaids. They were all our friends. It's an uplifting thought.

It's weird because we are all connected somehow by someone in the group. Cooley and Jake went to high school with me and college as well (obviously). Cooley was on the baseball team with Eric...he was the one who introduced us. Jake's roommate, Shipper, was Eric's engineering study buddy and friend. Chris was Eric's roommate, who just lucked into the living situation via a former roommate. Tom, was Eric's roommate, but we had a ton of classes together. Paul was also on the baseball team with Eric, but I knew his then-girlfriend because of classes and sorority stuff.

Tom, my "brother", couldn't come this year...missed you Partane!

Oh boys.

Cooley, me, Jake

Caitlin, Shipper, me, Eric

Chris, Caitlin, Jake, me, Eric

Jake, Caitlin, me, Eric

Chris, me, Shipper, Jake

Jake & I...my freshman AXO formal. Seems like forever ago!

C's up!

Eric, Tom, & Chris the morning of our wedding!

Are y'all following?! Keep up! ;)

Kourt went to HS with me and then went to A&M, but we talked regularly through college, and she just kind of became one of us. Kimber, my AXO little, bonded with all the guys too, thanks to lots of sorority functions that required dates. So of course, we brought the boys.

Me & Kimber at one of our many AXO functions

I was either the only girl in the group a lot of times, or my roomie, Caitlin, and I were the only girls, so I always had body guards, and I knew all of those guys had my back for anything. And same goes for today. We are all here for each other.

This is where the river trip comes into play. We decided a few years ago, that in order to keep in touch and have a little fun, we would start an annual river trip. Who knows, maybe it will be a beach trip this coming year?! Anyways, it all started with Eric's bachelor party. It was all the guys plus a few more and they of course had a blast.
The next year, we rented the same exact house, but invited a few of the chicas to tag along. And it all began.

This past weekend, we went to the same location, but a different house. And we loved it! The location was perfect and the house was made for entertaining. Needless to say, if we go to the Guadalupe again this next year, we will most definitely be renting the same house. It was perfect.

Doggies waiting for their friends

We went to the Gristmill Friday night for dinner once everyone got there. We didn't have as big of a group as last year, but no worries, we still made it work :)

After the Gristmill, we just went back to the house and hung out. We enjoy just letting loose for a couple of days, since we never get to do that anymore. Welcome to being a grown-up I guess?

The usual C-town picture. We obviously all went to HS together.

Saturday morning, we got up early late and made breakfast for everyone. We waiting for Kimber to get there since she was driving in that morning and then we headed to get tubes to float the river.

[Side note--I am picking up the waterproof camera pictures next week. I can't wait to see how those turned out. They are always the best. Be sure to check Facebook to get a good laugh.]

We did the 4-hour float this year instead of the 3-hour float, and I think we had even more fun than last year!!

When we got back, we all crashed and then we Eric grilled fajitas, and then just hung out/got crazy the rest of the night.

Don't ask.

Also, don't ask.

SUNS OUT GUNS OUT

I feel so lucky to have been blessed with such amazing friendships. I'm so glad I met these people, and that we have remained close even after college. I love that we do this trip every year, just to catch up and have a good time. It was definitely much needed this year. And I'm sure we will have just as much fun, if not more next year.
Until 2014 friends, that is a wrap on the 2013 annual reunion trip.

Also on this trip, before we went to New Braunfels, we made a side trip to San Antonio to go meet my sweet niece Avery, who was born at the end of May. She is one of the most precious things I have ever laid eyes on, other than my niece Abigail, who will be 3 years old this year! Can't. even. believe. it.
We also got to have family time with the Udell side of the family, and I can't get enough of spending time with the beautiful and adorable Abigail. She is so smart for an almost-3-year-old, and she can talk and talk for days on end. I love to have quality time with just the 2 of us. It makes me feel so special. I got to play with her for almost an hour just by ourselves, and I think that was my favorite part of the trip. This little girl is amazing, and I'm sure Avery will be just the same.

I love you so much Avery Nicole!

Faceplant.

Playtime

Precious baby girl.

One of my favorite pictures of the trip...Abigail & Uncle Eric

Until next time!

For Father's Day this year, Eric & I drove down to Conroe to visit my parents--we celebrated my Dad's bday (a little late), Father's Day, and my dad's induction as president of Conroe Noon Lions Club.

The weekend started off with the Conroe Noon Lions Club Banquet for my dad's induction.
It was beach-themed, and we got to visit with some of my parent's friends and of course, eat, drink, and be merry. I don't think people realize how much of a big deal this is, but my dad is now president of Conroe Noon, which is like, the 2nd largest lions club in the country. He is such a role model and inspiration. He manages his own business, he is a police officer, and he is now a president of lions club.  Woah. He is a big deal. And I think so highly of him. Love ya, dad.

Love this guy so much.

We started Saturday off right by going to church with my parents and doing a little relaxing. Next up was an Astro's game for my dad's bday/father's day. I pretty much grew up watching the 'stros. I used to know every players name and their stats, and I had specific players that I just thoroughly enjoyed watching. Hence, my dog's name.

Biggio wants to say "thanks for the jersey, Cooley!"

I love going to Minute Maid and I get really excited when I step into the ballpark. I love the sights and sounds and rooting for my home team. It's hard to me to get super excited about Rangers games, now that I live in Dallas, just because part of me will always belong to the Astros, no matter how much they suck, or how often they win. It's my home....I love the team & I love the game.

On Sunday, my mom scheduled family pictures (for bright and early in the morning, might I add), since we haven't done family pics in a few years. It was already so stinkin' hot by 10 am, and the heat/humidity was brutal...so now I am thankful that we got up early. Thanks Houston weather...definitely didn't miss you at all.
Our good friend, Vicki, who is probably the cutest prego lady I have ever seen, is a photographer for the area, so my mom asked her to do the pictures. She got some amazing shots and the pictures turned out so good! She is very talented!

Behind-the-scenes. 

Pretty girl. 

Cousins!

Eric, me, Uncle Phil, Tearyn, Papa, Dad, & Mom

Behind-the-scenes.

Sadly, our weekend had to come to an end. Eric got to do lots of fishing, I enjoyed some running in the blazing heat, and we got to have some wonderful family time. My parents are leaving for Europe this coming month, and I won't see them until they get back. So, this was much needed!

I'm playing catch up, so next up...the Annual River Trip Reunion and my take on juicing. Real exciting stuff people.

First off, Eric & I went to Arkansas recently for our cousin, Brooke's, high school graduation. She is going to be headed to college in the fall and we could not be happier for her!

Congrats Brookie!!

This is the best picture I could get...my iphone was all the way zoomed in!

Eric & I have a thing for visiting unique coffee shops anytime we travel to a new place, so of course, we had to hit one up while in AR.

Right before we took this trip, I had finals, and this is what happened....

Oh yes, that would be my infamous lion's mane.

I'm pretty sure I was delusional. But hey, it paid off! 4 A's and 1 B babyyyy!

I will take it :)

On to the God thing that has recently happened in our lives...

So, thanks to some unfortunate circumstances on the subject of grad school, Eric & I had chosen to possibly make a move either here in DFW or to a different city, and go on with the next phase of our lives. I was making plans, he was making plans, our dogs were making plans...

And everything was set into motion.

Let's backtrack a little bit...for the past few months now, I have been praying and begging God to open a door or even just crack a window for me, and of course, nothing happened. Looking back, I think he was just trying to teach me the art of patience, which we all know, I definitely don't have. I waited and waited and waited as long as I could, until Eric and I finally gave in and chose to figure out where we needed to go next.

I should have put more faith in God, and I am kicking myself for it now. But about a week ago, the day  after we got back from our Arkansas trip, I got a call. And not just any call, but a call from the director of the UNT Speech Pathology Masters program. And she was actually asking me if I wanted a spot in the program. I was so shocked, that I couldn't speak and you could practically hear the crickets chirping in the background. I finally muttered, "oh my gosh".

Long story short, I talked to Eric that night and I prayed...hard. I finally felt that God had just opened that door for me and was nudging me to walk through it. Needless to say, Eric felt the same way and I called the director back the next day and told her I wanted the spot.

So, I guess I should say, go eagles, because I am officially starting grad school at UNT in the fall!!

I'm so excited and I can't wait to start this new adventure that is planned for Eric & I. And I am ready to see where this will take me.

I appreciate all the advice and prayers from everyone, and I am now looking forward to a relaxing summer before 2 years of grad school classes start!

Have a wonderful week everyone :)

Fun fact - I'm an only child. So growing up, my parents were my best friends. We did EVERYTHING together. Road trips, business trips, vacations, you name it. They never missed any of my volleyball games, track meets, academic banquets, AXO activities, or races. They were always the ones cheering the loudest and always there to meet me at the finish line.

Since we did everything together growing up, we knew each other pretty well. They were always the ones I told my secrets to, and the ones I went to when I had a problem that needed fixed. They were my confidants. My parents know who I am as a person and they have embraced that. When I wanted to make my own mistakes, they let me. When I wanted to make my own decisions, they let me. They trusted me and they never asked questions. They have never judged me or faulted me for just being me. They know what makes me tick, and they know what makes me happy. They know how to talk to me and cheer me up when I'm sad and they always have the best advice for anything going on in my life.

Basically, I just want to say thanks, mom & dad. Thanks, for raising me to be the best ME I can be. Thanks for never giving up on me and always letting me use my wings to fly wherever I wanted to, even if you didn't agree with the destination. Thanks for never judging me for the decisions I have made and for never saying "I told you so" when that decision was a complete mistake.
You have embraced my character, my personality, and my lifestyle, with open minds, words of encouragement, and a willingness to learn more about who I am and who I am becoming.

What I won't thank you for is the stubbornness that you have given me, from each of you. Which means double the stubborn. Which means double the hard-headedness. So I guess, thanks for putting up with that?

Thanks for teaching me to be strong and to have steadfast strength in times of trouble. And to never give up, even when obstacles block my path. Dad, thanks for teaching me to not be afraid of anything, to ignore the world and be myself, and to be a leader, not a follower ("baa baa"). Mom, thanks for passing on the enormous size of your heart and for teaching me how to use it by being compassionate and giving.

Thanks to both of you for your unfailing love and kindness; for always saying "I love you", no matter the situation (lots of stubborness = high tension sometimes). Thanks for teaching me about the Lord and always being examples of Him.

Thanks for accepting Eric whole-heartedly into your home and for loving him like the son you never had.
[Funny story- I used to have a bowl hair cut, super stylish back in the day, and my dad got asked multiple times if I was a boy. He sometimes wished. ;)]
You have treated Eric exactly like you treated me growing up...embracing him for who he is and always being supportive of our life together.

I love you both more than you know. And I am blessed to have the honor of being your daughter & I thank God everyday for both of you. I honestly don't know what I would do without you...you are my supporters, encouragers, and you always have my back - no matter what. Thanks for being such wonderful parents. I will be happy just being half the parent each of you are, because that means that I will still be great.

Love you momma & daddy! :)