Spring Recap

Houston is starting to feel like home.  Between road trips and house hunting, we have been trying new local restaurants, catching up with new and old friends, visiting more with family, waking up before sunrise to run before the heat sets in, and enjoying our patio on mild evenings.  We do experience those moments when we miss DC, but the transition into a non-military life has been much welcomed.  While my intent was to document our lives in more detail {and I hope to get to the point one day!}, all I have to offer now is a glimpse into some of the last few months. 

We went to the Houston Rodeo three times in one week. We saw Miranda Lambert with Cody and Sarah Beth on Tuesday, then Brad Paisley {and the rodeo championship} with Sander and Marielle on Saturday, and finished up the week on Sunday at Alan Jackson with my family.  

 

We celebrated Easter in Bedford with Chris' family.  On Saturday we hung out in Fort Worth, reminiscing our early dating days, before joining his family for dinner.  Chris' sister then hosted us for Easter lunch after the service on Sunday. 

I turned THIRTY!  My sneaky {but very thoughtful} husband planned a surprise party for me to celebrate.  Although I do not consider myself as someone easily surprised, I was beyond surprised when I walked onto the patio of the restaurant and sixteen of my friends were there!  My birthday fell on Wednesday, so we went for a causal dinner of pizza with Cody and Sarah Beth that evening.  Chris assured me that he had dinner plans for Saturday night to continue the celebration and would give me a gift then.   These "plans" and "gift" turned out to be hosting a surprise party at The Tasting Room in City Centre with my friends, good food {and wine}, and delicious cupcakes! 

Lately {November and December}

{November}
The first weekend of November we flew to Austin for Chris to attend an interview conference (think speeding dating but with potential employers). From that, he received several follow-up interviews that keep him busy throughout November and December. The Sages came up for Thanksgiving weekend, and Garrett hosted lunch (and provided the turkey!) at his casa. On Friday we headed back down to Alexandria - with a detour to the outlet malls - and spent the remainder of the long weekend exploring more of DC. Our outings included the Christmas Tree lighting at the National Harbour, a tour at the Newseum, German food on Capitol Hill and a stop at the Manassas battlefields.

{dad, mom, Lauren and Garrett ready to eat Thanksgiving lunch}

{after Thanksgiving feast walk}

{National Gaylord lobby decorated for Christmas}

{view of the Capitol from the Newseum}

{December}
Chris accepted a job offer in Houston! In the span of three weeks, we flew down to lease an apartment, our household items were moved, my car was shipped cross-country, Christmas came and went, and good-byes were said. Since we were living an empty apartment over Christmas, we splurged for a hotel in DC on Christmas Eve and spent most of our Christmas walking around the National Mall. Chris literally picked me up from work on the 28th, and we started our roadtrip (via Roanoke, Nashville, Longview and Bedford) to Houston. While we are excited for the adventures to come, we will always be fond of DC. It was the first home that we made as a married couple, we formed many strong friendships, and it was a beautiful city (minus the never-ending road construction and congested highways) that had so much to offer.

{Christmas Eve dinner at Cuba Libre}

{National Mall on Christmas Day}
{The Capitol Christmas Tree}

{Capitol on Christmas Day}
{us - Christmas 2011}

{roadtrip}

{out in Nashville}

{Country Music Hall of Fame}

{traditional stop at the Loveless Cafe}

{late Christmas celebration in Longview}

National Mall {December 2011}