I don't know about you guys, but I am all about the Olympics these days. Eric & I literally sit in front of the TV from 7 pm-11 pm every night just watching the competitions. He likes the swimming, we both like the gymnastics, and I LOVE the track & field. I even got up at 5 am to watch the women's marathon last Sunday. I am obsessed. And you bet I am getting up at 5 am to watch the men's marathon race this coming Sunday too! Love it all!

This week, my cousin, Tearyn, came to visit me in Dallas (she was forced to watch a lot of Olympics haha) and we got to go out and about in Dallas and do some kid-friendly/air-conditioned stuff.

First stop, the Dallas Museum of Nature & Science. I am a sucker for science museums, and so I actually really enjoyed myself too! Tearyn wanted to see a prehistoric dinosaur Imax, which was pretty cool, minus the massive headache and dizziness post-movie. We both weren't feeling too hot after that. I can't do 3D because it gives me an immediate headache (thanks genetics ;)) and I forgot that I don't do Imax either, thanks to the dome shaped screen that is all around you. Woah. We saw a ton of exhibits, but my favorite was probably the human body exhibit. And I think Tearyn's was the Magic School Bus exhibit.

In the Shark Exhibit

In the nature part of the museum...sic em bears!

The next day, we went to the Dallas Zoo. Talk about a HOT day. We tried to go earlier in the morning, but the zoo didn't even open until 9, so we got there about 9:15 and it was already VERY HOT. Which meant not all the animals wanted to brave the heat :( But that's ok, we still had a lot of fun. T got to ride a camel, feed a giraffe who wanted glamour shots, and see a lion who acted like my dogs. Good times.

The lion exhibit was connected by a glass panel to a restaurant and it was so hot that the lions were laying right up next to the glass because the place was air conditioned. The glass felt so cool to them I bet. It was just so funny because this is exactly how Eric & I's dogs sleep. Hilarious.

T wanted a pic with it

This giraffe was hilarious! Everytime I put the camera by it, it would turn its head to the side so I could get a good glimpse of it's profile. It seriously was like it knew that pictures were being taken. So funny!

T feeding the giraffe 

She got to ride a camel!

On Wednesday, we went to get our nails done (love me some Shellac), shopped at the mall in Frisco, and saw Ice Age: Continental Drift. It was hysterical. I have always loved those movies and this was probably one of my favorites. We were cracking up the whole time.
Wednesday night we all went to Rainforest Cafe since it was T's last night with us. Eric had never been (what?!) and Tearyn & I love the atmosphere.

There was a lady there making balloon animals & T wanted a parrot. Too cute.

On Thursday, we had to sit at Firestone to get my car inspected & the oil changed (so annoying) and then we decided to go play putt-putt and a game of bowling.
Afterwards, we were lazy and just watched movies at home until we had to go drop her off.

We had so much fun together this week, and Eric & I loved having her visit. Love you T!

On another note...Eric & I got one-year anniversary pictures taken by the lovely VICTORIA CUMMINGS a couple weekends ago. She did a fantastic job. Here is a preview:

Colbie & Biggio were hams the entire time.

Thanks Vicki! You did so great! I would highly recommend this woman to anyone :)

This weekend, my best friend is coming to visit me and we are going to a Jason Mraz concert here in Dallas (yay!). And then in 3 weeks, I start grad school! YIKES! I absolutely cannot wait.

Have a wonderful week everyone.

Eric & I's niece, Abigail's, birthday was this past week on Thursday, and this weekend was her birthday party. We weren't able to be there for her ACTUAL birthday, but we go these pictures from our fam via iPhone.

Blowing out the candles on her cake!

Riding around in one of her birthday gifts

Her party was on Saturday in San Antonio at our brother/sister-in-law's house. It was cupcake themed, so there were cupcakes everywhere and lots of great food. We got to visit with lots of family that we don't normally get to see, and we got to spend time with this precious baby girl.

She got to eat so many cookies, cupcakes, and dessert. I think she is finally getting the hang of blowing out candles!

Her birthday outfit was this dress with a tutu attached and it was so adorable! She is SUCH a cutie.

Not sure what to make of all these people staring at her.

After the party ended, Eric & I stayed after to visit with Adam & Melissa and of course, play with Abby. She wanted to open ALL her presents and play with everything all at once...it was so funny. She  is such a ham and always turning on her charm when people are around, so she was having the time of her life all day long. Eric & I got her a Cabbage Patch Kid (remember when those were popular?!) and she would put it in her stroller and take the "baby" everywhere with her. She loved it :)

On Sunday, before Eric & I left SA, Adam, Melissa, & Abigail came over to spend some time with us. Sometimes I wish we lived in SA, just so we could see our niece more...I miss her so much! We love her to pieces!

Playing with some on her birthday presents!

We love you Abigail, and you are growing up WAY too fast! Happy 2nd Birthday sweet girl!

Sorry for this overwhelming amount of blog posts all at once. I'm trying to catch up! After this one, I promise I am all caught up, until after this weekend. :)

So, once we finally got home from the coast and Eric went back to work on Tuesday, I realized that we were about to have to leave again.
And this is how our that convo went...

Me: "Oh my gosh, babe, we have to leave on Wednesday to go to Memphis for my cousin's wedding"
Eric: silence
Me: "Eric??"
Eric: silence
Me: "umm, ok, so are you going to be able to get off work?
Eric: "What are you talking about? When did this happen?"
Me: "I have been talking about it for weeks...the invite is on the fridge!"
Eric: "Oh."

Needless to say, Eric was not able to accompany me, because SOMEONE forgot to take off work. But it's ok, no hard feelings.

So, because Eric wasn't able to go, my mom wasn't able to go (she is gallivanting in Alaska right now), and my dad wasn't able to go (he had to work too), it was just me and my Mimi & Pops. We had such a good time! I drove to Tyler (where my g-parents live) on Wednesday night, and then we drove to Memphis on Thursday when my Pops got off work.

Important road trip munchies :)

Once we got to Memphis, it was almost time for my cousin, Jason, and his fiancé Shannon's, rehearsal dinner to begin. It just so happened to be my birthday the next day (Friday) and I was kinda bummed that Eric wasn't going to be there to celebrate with me, but my Aunt Madolyn definitely made up for it! She got me this cake and brought it to the rehearsal dinner! Coolest cake EVER!

The next day, which was my cousin's wedding day, some of the family went to lunch for my bday at Newk's Cafe. We decided to dig into my cake after lunch :)

HOORAY

After lunch, we did some sightseeing around Memphis and then headed to the hotel to relax until the wedding.

Downtown Memphis

Shortly after I got back to my room, there was a knock at my door. Room service was there with a special delivery from my parents! They got me this spectacular set-up for my birthday! Greatest parents in the world. It made me really wish they were there and that they could spend the day with me. It also really made me miss my husband (notice the TWO glasses for wine). But my Mimi decided to enjoy a glass with me instead...greatest Mimi ever :)

After we enjoyed some wine and cheese & crackers, we headed to the wedding.

It was such a beautiful & simple ceremony...very Jason. I was so happy to be able to share in their special day with them. Jason and I grew up together and loved getting to spend time together when we were little.  But because he lived in TN, it was hard to us to get together very often. So getting to see him get married was so special. Shannon was such a beautiful bride...she is perfect for Jason in so many ways.

Saying their vows

Praying together before being pronounced "husband & wife"

The Charnes!!

After the ceremony, we headed to the reception. We didn't stay too long, but just enough time to get a picture together!

Mimi couldn't work my phone...

...but she finally got it! Congrats Jason!

The next day, we visited with my aunt & uncle, Jason's sis Rhonda & her husband and baby girl, and some friends from out of town. We went to a catfish joint by their house, which was AWESOME! Some of the best food.

YUMMY!

We then went back to the hotel to get lots of sleep so we could get up at 5 am to head back home. I loved getting to visit family out of town, but I was also very happy to get back home to my husband. I missed him so much!
When I got back home, he surprised me with a sports massage for my bday....can't wait to use that next week!

Congrats Jason & Shannon...enjoy your honeymoon in Niagara Falls!
This coming weekend, Eric & I are traveling to San Antonio for our niece, Abigail's, 2nd birthday party! She is growing up WAY TOO fast. Hopefully I will remember to take lots of pictures and share them with you next week :)

So, this post is about 2 weeks late, but better late than never!

Every summer, Eric's family has a big family reunion down at the coast the weekend after July 4th. It is always SO much fun...visiting with family, seeing family that you don't get to see too often, and celebrating being a family. We always celebrate the July birthdays in the family that weekend too, so that is always a good time!

I am SO mad at myself because I only took about 2 pictures the whole weekend. :(

On July 4th (which was a Wednesday), Eric & I flew to Corpus where his parents picked us up and we all drove to Port Aransas.
I don't know why this picture below won't rotate, but oh well.

Eric got to be Eric Jose for the flight...his Mexican roots were definitely coming out!

Usually, we don't get to go until Friday because Eric has always had baseball and I have always had sorority stuff going on, so we both took off work and decided to go early this year! We had a big Fourth of July celebration on the beach with the whole family, which was a blast. The rest of the week consisted of being lazy on the beach, sun bathing, wine tastings, playing with all the precious babies in the family, slumber parties, celebrating birthdays, & oh, did I mention getting stuck in an elevator with 18 people and 2 ice chests?! (More about that in a minute.)

The July birthdays this year consisted of our niece Abigail (turning 2 tomorrow), our cousin Brooke (turned 18 on the 8th), our cousin Holly (turning 13 on the 21st), & my bday (turned 23 on the 13th). The whole Fernandez clan got together for cake and ice-cream.

Eric & I with our beautiful niece, Abigail, who turns 2 this week!

 One particular night, after spending some time on the beach, then at the condo's pool, we got the bright idea to pile 18 of our family members + 2 coolers into an elevator (might I add the occupancy was 16 people)...what were we thinking?! As we started going up, the elevator lurched and completely stopped in-between floors. It was SO hot & scary, but also SO funny. Eric was standing right by the doors and decided to try to pry the doors open. They got about halfway open and wouldn't go anymore.

Poor Holly was squished!

Drinking beer in a stuck elevator...classy ;)

We ended up calling the condo peeps & telling them we were stuck. Eric had to yell down to someone who was waiting for the elevator to ask what floor we were on. This person also happened to be a member of our family and quickly got the word out that 18 of us were stuck on an elevator. So when we finally go out, EVERYONE knew what happened & were freaking out. So funny. When the guy got there to open the doors for us and let us out, this is what happened...

Haha...SO many people exiting the elevator!

Eric being the gentleman he is and helping everyone out

 Overall, it was a WONDERFUL weekend, and we had a blast with all of our family. Unfortunately, Eric & I's flight out of Corpus got delayed until 1:30 am Monday morning, so when we finally got home at 3:30 am on Monday, we crashed! Eric took off work and we SLEPT ALL DAY! We were exhausted. We already can't wait until next year! :)

Man, I am so late on getting these posts done! Whoops :)

Just recently, Eric & I went to our first couples baby shower for one of my college/sorority friends, Tracie. I feel OLD!
We had such a blast though! We got to see so many of our friends that we haven't seen in awhile. Lots of my sorority girlfriends were there and it is always a good time when we are all together.
Tracie & Adam are naming their sweet baby girl Kinsey Grace. I just know she is going to be ADORABLE! She is so spoiled already :)

Here are the pictures I took from that weekend...

Handmade presents from Caitlin!

Under Armour "Girls always win" romper from Eric & I ;)

Tracie & hostesses, Ashley & Megan

Such pretty amazing women!

Alpha Chi Omegas LOVE Kinsey Grace!

Some of the greatest women I know!

Congratulations Tracie & Adam! So happy for you guys...can't wait to meet Miss Kinsey!