Party for Wild Animals

What? It's only Tuesday? Looks like I'm slacking on updating the blog... This whole house remodel project is Wearing. Me. Out. and I'm not even the one doing the actual work. Pathetic? I don't know... I'm just tired of having to make so many darn decisions. I know, I know... I shouldn't complain. Yes, we are blessed to be able to remodel a home and it's great and yadda, yadda, yadda, but come on people, you have to admit it's exhausting. I'd love to pack a bag and catch a flight to a beach where some cabana boys could bring me lots and lots of frozen fruity drinks. Maybe Brent and I will take a relaxing trip once we get moved into this house. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but I won't hold my breath... this house is turning into a money pit. Or maybe I'll take a girls trip -- anyone interested?

You know, just when you feel like "whew, glad that decision is over with" another item quickly appears on the "to-do" list that the builder wanted an answer to yesterday. It would be oh-so-helpful if the builder could give us a list of priorities so I know where to focus my attention and not waste my spare time looking for moving announcements when I need to find faucets for our master bathroom and decide on the stain for our kitchen cabinets. Priority, I know, is not placed on the moving announcements but I find that they function as a great distraction. I'm absolutely in love with some Kate Spade cards, but if I even begin to mention the price to Brent, I'm sure I'll receive the "do you know how much tile we could buy with that amount of money?" He's already dropped that line a time or two... the first time was when we saw a woman wearing a dress that one of the American Idol contestants wore on TV and I asked him to buy it for me because it's on sale. The second time was when I mentioned I need a new handbag.. no such luck... yet.

All this remodel stuff and "house discussions" with Brent are taking their toll on my waist line. Ugh... I feel gross which means I'm way overdue for some boot camp. I should of signed up last session, but I talked myself out of it. The next four-week session starts on Monday, June 16th. Say a prayer that I'm able to drag myself out of bed next Monday morning at 4:30 AM and survive the experience. I'm embarrassed to admit that I haven't done much exercising in, hmm, now that I think about it, I'm way too embarrassed to say how long. I leave for California for work on Tuesday, June 17th, so hopefully I won't use that as an excuse to miss the work out.




I'm BEYOND excited about this coming weekend!!!! My niece, Claire, turns one on Friday and her birthday party is on Saturday afternoon! I originally planned to fly down there on Thursday in order to maximize all the time I can with her and Lacey, BUT our builder needs to meet with us on Friday about some tile, so... I can't fly out until Friday evening. I'm so disappointed. I haven't been to San Antonio in way too long and I'm missing my sister and her little chunky monkey. Speaking of, did I mention Claire's birthday party is a monkey theme? Here's the invitation... how cute is that?!? It says, "Our Little Monkey is turning one! Bring your wild animal and join us for some fun... Come celebrate Miss Claire Olivia" :) so precious. Can't wait to post pictures from the party!




Also this weekend, we'll be celebrating Vanessa's birthday on Saturday night! Wahoo! Shoot... I just realized I haven't gotten her a gift. Let me add that to my ever growing to do list...

I'll try to post updated pictures of the house this week. We close on the sale of our house on Thursday, June 18th!

hugs,
kk and db

Is it Friday yet?

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! We spent a great deal of time relaxing and hanging out with friends. On Thursday night, we attended a birthday celebration for our friend Marty, who turned the big 35. His wife, Corey, did a great job at organizing the party.

On Friday, we met with the builder at the new house to discuss lighting and the kitchen layout. I had to leave early to meet my friend, Annie, at a bridal store. She's getting married on Friday, November 7th in Austin and is on a quest for a gown. Hopefully she'll find "the one" soon because she's running out of time! Brent and I didn't do much that evening except watch the movie, Juno. Have you seen it? If not, I recommend it. :)

Saturday was an interesting day... A couple, Trent and Katherine, were in town from New Mexico --- Brent knows the husband well and I'm getting to know the wife --- and hosted a "Come meet the baby" get together. They had Baby Hudson about 5 or 6 weeks ago. We stopped by a boutique on the way and I picked up the cutest burp cloths with brown chenille and cowboy print. We walk into the house and I immediately scan the room for Hudson and notice that Baby Hudson is dressed in PINK. I had assumed Hudson was a boy, but apparently I had assumed wrong. I look at Brent and he says, "I thought you knew it was a girl." Um... no and why didn't you say something when you saw the cowboy print burp cloths? Anyway. We got a good laugh out of it and I ended up telling Katherine about the mishap and she thought it was funny. I always like to give gifts that people will remember and I doubt she'll forget who gave her the cute baby boy burp cloths! :) ha

That night we went to dinner with Doug and Kathleen. Afterward, Brent, Doug and Kathleen went to a party for Trent and Katherine and I went to a birthday party for two girls that were in my sorority in college. The birthday party was great and I really enjoyed seeing everyone. Laura Smith (aka Smithers) even made it into town -- I miss you Smithers! The drink of choice was Mexican Martinis in homage to Trudy's in Austin -- yum! We didn't realize how many of us now live in Dallas or are moving to the area; therefore, we decided to start a Dinner Club in which we'll meet once a month for dinner.

Sunday was a lazy day and Monday we went over to the new house. They're moving F A S T. My friend Stacy came over for a look and in the time that she was there (+/- 35 minutes), the wet bar and half of the living room were sheetrocked -- WOW. I'll post the pictures soon! I know the descriptions of the pics can be confusing and hard to follow if you haven't actually been to the house, but it should be easier now that the sheetrock is up.

hugs,
kk and db

House Remodel Pics

New pics posted. Click the link on the right under our picture. They are moving so fast, it's really unbelievable. We can't wait to see the finished product!

hugs,
kk and db

Family Time

This past Wednesday Brent's mom Donna, brother-in-law Jorge, and niece Isabel, stayed with us one night while en route to Austin. During their visit to Dallas, they got to see the house remodel. Here are a couple of pics...














Donna also visited a few weeks back on May 8th and we attended a concert at the Arboretum. It was a lot of fun!




















We enjoyed the music, watched the sunset on White Rock Lake and ate our goodies packed by Brent. :)

SOLD

I haven't mentioned anything on the blog, but it appears we sold our home! Last week, Brent ran into a friend, who is a real estate agent, and she had no idea that we had purchased a house to renovate and planned to put our current home on the market. Turns out, she knew of a single 35-year old male looking for a house. The house we're in now is the ultimate bachelor pad -- projector with large screen, bar, outdoor cooking area, etc. So... she brought the guy over for a "showing" last Monday -- which our house was not in show-ready condition to say the least (since it's not on the market). Therefore, I took off work on Monday to organize and clean and we finished just in time to get out of there before they showed up at 6:15pm. The guy returned on Wednesday to take pictures and then viewed it again yesterday at 11am. By Sunday afternoon, we had ourselves an official offer!!! Brent is meeting with the realtor today to review the paperwork. Cross your fingers and toes that the deal goes through!

On another note, you should see the other house!!! WOW. They are moving so fast. Of course, demo is the easiest part so we'll see how fast they are once they start the actual remodel. The house right now is pretty much down to the studs and the outside no longer has any landscaping. All of the shrubs were removed so it's looking pretty barren. I'll post pictures tonight or tomorrow.

hugs,
kk and db

It's great being an Aunt and Uncle!

We received some photos of our nieces and nephew this week. They're growing so fast!

Brent's sister and brother-in-law sent us school pictures of JAC and Isabel. so cute!

And here is Claire, my sister and brother-in-law's little one. She is such a ham!

It's been a while...

and there's a lot to catch up on.

Brent and I closed on the house last Wednesday! Wahoo!!

Here we are with the keys to our new home!

Last Thursday we went to the Dallas Arboretum for the first night of their "Cool Thursdays" summer concert series. A Hard Day's Night, a local band, performed Beatles songs and they were fantastic! Thanks to Preston and Sloane for inviting us and thanks to Corey and Marty for bringing their camera.

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Then on Saturday we went to a birthday party for one of Preston and Sloane's little ones. I can't believe Davis is 3 years old! We were at the hospital when he was born and haven't missed a birthday. He is so funny! The party was at the University Park Firestation and I think Brent enjoyed it as much as the kids, if not more! If you'd like to view all of the pictures from the birthday party, please visit our smugmug page. (click here)
Davis & baby brother, Hatcher