The Leaning Tower of Martin

As new homeowners right before Christmas, naturally the first priority once we got the house was to discuss seasonal decor. One of us had visions of twinkling lights, gorgeous wreaths and perfectly hung stockings dancing in their head while one of us had visions of burnt out bulbs, broken ornaments and entirely too many trips to Target dancing in their head.  As a means of compromise, Ryan suggested that decorating a tree would be a good start for our first year.  We don't have couches, beds or furniture in the house yet mind you so perhaps the life-sized replica of Santa and Rudolph I envisioned on our lawn might have been a little excessive. 

My parents generously donated an old artificial tree to our cause. I willingly donated the better half of a Sunday afternoon to making the most of the Trim the Tree sale at C&B and it was game on.  Ryan and I's time is in short supply these days between my being in quarter at work, exciting holiday festivities and wedding related events for our dear friends, so we decided that in order to get the tree up we'd have to go out to Katy after work this past Thursday (December 9th). 

After a pit stop at storage and a pit stop at Sonic (our first meal together in our new home- we are nothing if not classy) we arrived at the house optimistic and full of cheer.  Then we encountered problem #1:  we can not figure out how to turn on the heat in our house.  Not to be dissuaded from the task at hand, we overlooked problem #1. 

We brought the tree in and started to put it together.  There are 3 pieces- can't be that hard, right?  Wrong.  This brings us to problem #2.  The top level of the tree has a tapered bottom that should lock securely into a square shaped peg within the tube on the top part of the second level.  Well, somewhere along the way that square shaped peg fell way too far down that tube.  So the "locking securely" thing didn't really pan out.

Leaning like a cholo.

Once again, I was determined to persevere.  I decided we would ignore problem #2 and just try to plug the tree in.  Then we could decorate the tree and mess with the top over the weekend when Ryan moves his stuff in.  We went to plug the tree in and learned that the cord is VERY SHORT.  As in... so short that we moved the tree as close as we could to the wall which garnered smooshed branches and me having a new appreciation for the term between a wire branch rock and a hard place.  We could not get the plug close enough to the wall to get that bad boy in.  Problem #3, my friends.  Recognizing I was near tears (about 45% from laughter and 55% from tragedy and a wire to the cheek), Ryan volunteered to run to Walmart to get an extension cord.  It's approximately 10:00 at this time.

He triumphantly returned with the extension cord.  It was more or less like the battle scene in Braveheart.  So we plug the tree in and are greeted with- a spotty (at best) showing of lights.  Some portions are out, some portions are not.  At this point problem #4 is just funny.  We decided to ignore it, put the ornaments on the tree and call it a night as soon as possible.  Clearly enough damage had been done.

Ryan sat down on the ground and mostly just watched with interimittent laughter as I put our newly purchased ornaments on the tree.  Behold:

I like bling.

This was the first time he had seen them and he had some thoughts on some of my choices.  I, for instance, was very excited about some clip on birds from West Elm.  After about 50 rounds of Ryan singing "Tweedily diddly deet, tweedily diddly deet, Rocking Robbin"- I am less enthused.

I also purchased some silver ornament frames which obviously come with stock pictures.  As I mentioned above, I have not had much time these days.  Therefore, I have not replaced the stock photos with those near and dear to us as I would have liked to.  Ryan found this hilarious and has taken to making up names and stories for the stock photographs.  For instance, meet our new dog Scruffy:

Scruffy looks kind of old.

Finally, after the last ornament was hung Ryan serenaded me with a self- composed version of O'Christmas Tree which was mainly a lot of verses about things that are crooked, birds and our new dog.  Okay, so our first tree was not at all the Martha Stewart-worthy production that I envisioned, but it definitely achieved the goal- which was for it to be a memory.  Here's to next year being a greater success (or at the very least less crooked)...

Me & the tree playing some "I'm a little teapot."

Ryan looooooves Christmas trees.

Even from outside it's pretty evident that something is not right here.

The Gang Throws a Bridal Shower

On December 5th, Shawna, Dena & I threw a bridal shower for our sweet friend Jenn.  Jenn is making Taylor the luckiest man alive on December 18th and I'm fortunate enough to be a bridesmaid.  The 3 of us decided to throw a small shower for our dear bride friend because no one deserves a little doting more than she does.  Jenn is truly one of the most selfless, thoughtful, warm-hearted people I know - and on the planet for that matter.  She does so much for all of us, and it was nice to be able to do something for her.

We decided that given the implementation of brunch season this year, what more appropriate setting than brunch to throw Jenn a shower?  Shawna suggested the Cyclone Anaya's in the new City Centre.  One part flowers, two parts balloons, one part Dena drinking out of the wrong glass, five parts inappropriate conversing, three parts bottomless mimosas and voila- a perfect Sunday afternoon shower with friends!

This is the only picture I took of the balloons.  Sorry Caitlin- smooches.

The loot (wrestling photos not included)

The Future Mrs. Gartz

Caitlin & Dena

Shawna, me & Jen

Jamie, Caitlin & Dena

Hahahahahahaha.

Presents.

Congrats Jenn!  We heart you.

Princess Tales

After the baby shower on December 4th, Jen and I headed out to Katy so that she could try on wedding dresses.  I don't have many pictures and I don't have much to tell, but since this blog is my scrapbook and this is a day I want to always remember- it's getting posted.

Trying on your own wedding dress is obviously a day you look forward to your whole life, followed closely by watching your best friends do the same.  After having experienced both, I think it's a lot more fun to watch the BFF do it.  So I recommend you start looking forward to that instead!

Jen was accompanied by an entourage of her Mother, her future Mother-in-Law, Ms. Lori (one of the BMs) and moi.  She had done some research online beforehand and found a couple of dresses she adored.  She tried on about 7 dresses and it was apparent that she absolutely fell in LOVE with the very first one she tried on.  The dress fell in love with her too because she was absolutely gorgeous.  I can't wait to see Brendan's face on August 20th- he will be floored.

I feel so fortunate to have been included - thank you, Gary.  :c)

Mrs. Schamble & Lori

Mrs. Coleman & I

Baby Sleeping Beauty

This past weekend, on December 4th, our dear friend Erin's friends and family threw her a baby shower.  The shower was at her parents' house which was absolutely beautiful.  Prior to the shower, I decided that in order to circumvent the crisis situation I always find myself in at Babies 'R Us, ("Jen, are you sure that is the right SKU #?  They're having a boy and  this is pink with ladybugs...") I decided to order online from Pottery Barn Kids.  Erin has great taste and the present I selected was adorable.  I ordered about 3 weeks in advance.  Gift wrapping?  Yes please.  I hit the "confirm order" button with confidence and pride. 

Fast forward a week when I receive this in the mail:

Why hello, Christmas!

So apparently "gift wrap" means Christmas gift wrap.  Doh! 

At the shower, we spent the afternoon exclaiming over Erin's precious baby photos, hearing funny stories and watching her open lots of adorable loot (my gift wrap not withstanding). 

Erin's younger sister set up a trivia game that revolved around all kinds of questions about Erin's experiences/thoughts/concerns during her pregnancy.  Thanks to this game I am now aware that while Baby S (who is a boy) does not have a parent-given name, he does have a family-given name.  Erin's precious niece has suggested the classic name of "Sleeping Beauty."  I really hope that they wind up choosing that.

I had a fantastic time and I can't wait until little Baby S's arrival in February!

Okay, so I ate first (priorities) and took pictures after.  Obviously the food was delish, and the decor was precious.

Blessing tree

Haha - I love it.

It was just as tasty as it was adorable.

The loot.

Adorable mama

Jen, Melanie & Jill

Jen, Erin & I

Fifty and Fabulous

Recently (on November 28th) my absolutely wonderful future Mother in Law hit the big 5-0. 

(Authors Disclaimer: I know that as of late I've been devoting a lot of blog real estate to gushing, but trust me when I tell you that it is all warranted.  Keep in mind while reading my flowery language that each of these people deals with me on a regular basis.  Need I say more?) 

So, now that you've been warned, I just want to tell you all how fabulous my future Mother in Law is.    For starters, she raised Ryan.  If you've ever been in the vicinity after a Taco Bell visit or if you've ever walked into a kitchen (or closet) that he's set foot in, you understand what a testament to someone's character this is.  (Love you, Ryan!)  Secondly, she has always treated me like I'm a member of the family which means the world to me.  She introduced me to HGTV and laughs at my jokes when no one else will.  I feel very blessed to get to officially be a part of her family in a few months.

That's enough sap... on to the fiesta.  In order to properly ring in her 51st year on the planet, Tiffany set up a surprise party for Mrs. Martin at the Cellar (best bar ever, btw). 

Decor.  Courtesy of Tiffany Productions.  Oh, and Crave.  :c)

A bunch of people near and dear to her made it out to celebrate including work friends, longtime friends and family.  Those in attendance were treated to a variety of things including (but not limited to): a sibling duet of "Baby Got Back", a Herndon/Martin rendition of "I'm on a Boat," and several ladies (who shall remain nameless) more or less yelling "Sweet Caroline."   It was certainly a memorable night for all parties involved- including the poor karaoke man who we may or may not have promised our firstborn to in order to be able to sing "Living on a Prayer."

An obvious choice for any brother/sister combo

Sweet Caroline... or sweet cranberry/vodkas?  I'll let you decide.

Not the first, or last, time we'll see these 2 like this.

Girls just want to have fun.  And to sing badly.

I can't recall what was being sung here but it was probably fantastic.

Happy Birthday to you, my dear Future MIL.  We love you and look forward to many, many more years of jars of endless almonds, crate and barrel discussions and "WHAAAAAAAAAT"s!  You're the best.

Brendan, Jen, Caddy & Jimmy James

Ryan, Tiffany & a photobombing Brendan

Me, Jules & Jen

Tiffy & the Birthday Girl

Jimmer & Austin.  I am thankful that Chris Hanson never saw Austin with his stache.

Matt.  Chilling like a villain.

Denise, Mrs. Martin & Tiffany

Sistaaaaaas.  And David.

David, Ryan, Brendan, Jimmer & Austin

Mrs. Martin, Mr. Martin, Denise & Donnie

Matt, Tiffany, Me, Julie & Jen

Guarding cupcakes is a surprisingly difficult job.

As is beverage taste testing

The Martins

Cupcake toasting

Mmmmhmmm.

Two thumbs up for the evening.