Tour de Texas

Happy New Year! I'm a little late on this post, but whatever, better late than never. The holidays were quite busy for us - since we didn't get to spend any time with family for Thanksgiving, we decided to make the trek across Texas to see everyone in the few short days we had for Christmas.  I had just given my big Suit School presentation at work, so I was ready for a little rest and relaxation - thank GOD that stupid thing is over.  I was feeling totally under the weather with some sort of sinus upper respiratory situation going on, so I literally got up at 4am that morning, gave my presentation at 8am, and then went home and went to bed for the rest of the day.  I just wanted to get that presentation over with.  By time the week was over, I had started feeling better, but then Tyler was getting the sickness, right before the holidays.  Nice.

We left first thing Saturday morning to go to Austin.  We arrived around 12:30pm and went straight to lunch at this cute little sandwich shop, Dough and Thyme, I think it was called.  Then we went driving around the Hill Country and went to an olive oil tasting place.  They had lots of different olive oils and balsamic vinegars to try, which was super yummy, and then also some wine.  We then went to Westcave Winery for some more wine tasting.  Ashton taught me some of her cheers, and even Tyler got in on the cheerleading (I think the wine had encouraged him.)  Then the owner came out with a bucket of cow food, and we fed a bunch of cows!  Ashton loved it.  I thought the cows kind of smelled, but it was neat, nonetheless.

The next morning, Tyler was on his death bed, so me and the rest of the ladies went to church.  When we got back to the house, finally got Tyler up and started making our big Christmas lunch of venison, mashed potatoes, salad, and rolls.  After lunch I went to meet Lisa for some cupcakes and hot chocolate - I love her so much!  She's got a little baby belly, SO cute.  We chatted for a couple of hours, then it was time for me to head back so we could go look at Christmas lights.  So good to see her. :)

That evening we drove down to Wimberly to check out this big Christmas light display - have I mentioned that I do not like Austin roads?  Holy cow - I was confined to riding shotgun for the entire trip because I felt like we were in St. Lucia with how windy and hilly the roads were.  Sheesh.  Anyways, back to the lights.  A bunch of vendors get together and put this big light display together every year.  Tyler was sick as a dog, so we didn't stay THAT long, but we got some good photo ops.

The next morning we left first thing to make the drive to my parents.  We stopped in Houston on the way over so we could finally meet little Lyla Dawn.  Oh my goodness, Lyla is such a doll.  We all know how I feel about babies, but Lyla is pretty cool.  She's super cuddley and doesn't cry or slobber (or at least she didn't when I was there!)  Love Lyla - I can't wait to see her again!  It was so nice catching up with Lauren and Wyatt too.  I miss them so much!

We finally made it to my parents house, and poor Tyler I think was probably nearing death with the amount of Kleenexes he had used, so he went straight to bed.  I hung out with my parents for a while until dinner - we had tamales which were super yummy.  We then went to candlelight service and it was super packed!  We went to 9:30pm instead of 11pm since Tyler was so sick, so I'm guessing that's why it was so crowded.

The next morning we woke up and had breakfast, and opened stocking gifts.  My mom made Tyler his very own stocking to match mine - so cute. :)  We then gathered round the tree to open gifts.  Tyler got a hand carved duck call from my parents among a bunch of other things.  I got a ZGallerie gift card that I'm real excited about, and another place setting of our wedding china, as well as some other things.  Tyler got me some sweater Uggs I'd been wanting too. Overall, a pretty successful Christmas morning.  The Braislins came over that afternoon for dinner.  It was fun having Jonathan join us this year!  We had ham, corn, rolls, macaroni and cheese, and lots of champagne with raspberry liqueor.  Then Ms. Janice made this super yummy chocolate dessert - nomnomnomnom.  And then we finished the night off with a movie.  The end.

We left first thing the next morning so Tyler could get back for work - we made a stop at Bucees and Tyler got me the biggest Dr. Pepper Icee they sell.  Score!  We rolled into Dallas just in time to see the light dusting of snow before it all melted.  All in all, a pretty successful Tour de Texas!