A laid back weekend

After being in Miami and Mexico the past 2 weekends, we needed a break! This weekend was wonderfully low key. I had a fun girls night on Friday with Hillary and Rachel where we just got take-out and watched "Can't Buy Me Love". Such a classic!
Saturday we "organized" and did our 2008 budget. Such an important task - but it took 5 hours. Ugh. So glad it's over. Church was awesome today. Our pastor gave an inspiring talk about doing more to help serve our community (in Dallas and internationally) with our $$ and our time. I'm feeling so motivated to do... something. Anything really. We've been blessed with so much.
After that our AWESOME small group met to review our budgets and discuss our financial situations. This group really rocks and in addition to building strong friendships, we're keeping each other accountable to spending and investing our money wisely. I love it.
This afternoon we finally took the class necessary to "join" our church. Only took us 3 years to decide to do it! I guess we took the decision seriously. Anyhow, I guess that means we're almost official.
On a different note, for anyone on the South Beach diet I highly recommend the Cauliflower Mashed "Potatoes". They're actually really good! Even if I wasn't on the diet I'd eat them. I'm getting REALLY tired of flavored Ricotta cheese desserts though. Only one more week of Phase 1! I've dropped 4 lbs in a week, but really it was just what I gained in Miami with all of our drinking so I'm not truly down anything. Maybe this week! This week I'm not happy about what I know will be an incredibly busy week at work and my sweet little niece Skylar has pneumonia - but I AM looking forward to Book Club tomorrow night at Haylee's. Fun fun! We read a great book that I couldn't put down called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan".
Lastly, I have to mention that one of my best friends in the whole world is starting up Orphans International in Tanzania. Kristie - I am so proud of you.... And our good friends the Scurlocks are preggo with their 2nd (a girl!). Congrats Laura & Chad : )

Is it the weekend yet?

Day 3 of the Southbeach Diet and things are going fairly well. We've never eaten so many vegetables - which is ironic since I work on vegetable snacks! I'm a little hungry but in general it's great. The grand prize in my work pool is $200 so I'm serious about sticking to it. I really miss wine though... so 5 weeks of this could get challenging : )

On a happier note, some of us at work have decided to start a small group to read through "A Purpose Driven Life" together. Our Marketing group has been talking a lot lately about the importance of bringing your "whole self" to work, so we've decided to bring our faith. I can't wait! Dana and I will meet up with this group (of coworkers at all levels) each Wed morning to dive deep into the book and our lives. Should be awesome!

Back from Puerto Vallerta

Well, we had to come back sometime. But it was such a relaxing weekend that we didn't want to leave! We absolutely loved the Westin in PV and plan to go back someday. It has a really great vibe and a beautiful pool. We had amazing dinners at Trio and Cafe des Artistes - truly 2 of the best meals I've ever had!!
Other than the dolphin swim, we pretty much just laid by the pool and indulged in Pacificos and Miami Vices, worked out at the gym and ate way too much at night due to the fantastic restaurants. We also met up with our Michigan friend Emily and her man Pete at the Red Cabbage. It was great to hang out with them, but it's so weird when life works out that you only see your good friend when you end up in Mexico at the same time!

We Won!

Who would have thought? My band actually won the Rock Band competition. And I mean, seriously kicked butt! As you can see, our costumes were hilarious. The prize was a game of our own, so Thanksgivings with the family are about to get a lot more interesting around here... : )

The competition was tough too!


We're back from Miami today but heading to Mexico in an hour. It's been a whirlwind but a great week. From dancing at the Shore Club on South Beach, singing to dueling pianos and laughing at an awesome Follies show, to swimming with dolphins tomorrow and having time to relax in the sun... there's not much more we could ask for.

Actually, my Dad is undergoing some big tests at the hospital right now and he doesn't think we'll hear good news - so good health for everyone in the family would definitely be the one thing we'd ask for! Please keep him in your prayers and have a great MLK weekend.

We joined Rock Bands!

Tomorrow we head to Miami for a week of fun with our coworkers. As part of our annual Marketing offsite, we have a Rock Band competition! Frito-Lay is totally nuts and I love it. So anyways, I have Rock Band practice today. I think I'm going to play drums (not out of character for me as I used to often jump on stage in my younger days and take over drumsets whenever I heard live music at bars - but that's a whole different story).

After Miami we're heading to Mexico for a weekend of SUN! I can't wait. As an early Valentine's Day present Dana's sending me to swim with dolphins (for the 3rd time)! I'm totally obsessed. Too bad it's too late in life to become a dolphin trainer.... plus I really don't want to wear a wet suit everyday to work : )

Dinners that really are Dreamy

Okay, I LOVE Dream Dinners. This concept is so much fun. It's a great idea for book clubs, girlfriends, date nights.... anyone who wants to have a fun time and gets excited about the idea of cooking without prep or cleanup. I'll definitely be back! We had so much fun at Toria's baby shower - and now she's all set with plenty of food for the busy months ahead.

Revolutions (from Dancing to Afghanistan)

Last night we met Nicole & Stan to have dinner at Dave & Busters. After shooting some hoops and playing Dance Dance Revolution, we watched the movie Charlie Wilson's War about how we got the Russians out of Afghanistan. For a movie about war, it was actually quite funny. Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks were really good and we recommend the movie.
Today we're just lounging around the house enjoying the warmer weather and then tonight I'm going to Toria's baby shower at Dream Dinners. If you've heard of Super Suppers I think it's similar. Can't wait because I've always wanted to try it!

Happy New Year!

Last night we rang in the New Year with our good friends Janelle and Michael. We all cooked a gourmet meal of honeyed goat cheese and crackers, green apple & candied pecan salad, portobella & shrimp risotta and Pomegranate Champagne cocktails. Dana made these amazing molten chocolate cakes for everyone. Between those and the Grand Marnier souffle that his dad made last week, I've been in dessert heaven!
Time to hit the gym : )