There's another man in my life...

and he goes by the name of "Busy Season."  Who would name their kid that, right?  Okay, so I jest but if you were to pay attention closely, several tell tale signs of adultry have crept back into my life.  Leaving for work before it's light out.  Returning from work late into the night.  A rapid decline in the number of texts/emails to my significant other.  No time for family, friends or social interests.  Multiple meals purchased for me.  Alas, for those of you who know me you recognize that it's just the way life goes between January and May for an auditor. 

While, we're on the topic... what is this "auditing" that I speak of, you ask?  It sounds incredibly sexy.  (haaaaa.) Allow me to enlighten you.  It has nothing to do with taxes.  I do not even enjoy my own taxes.  I give up my life for a large chunk of the year so that my filing companies may include a 1 page "Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting firm" document evidencing our opinon on their financials.  I won't go into the specifics- (because you are likely at work and I've learned that the business world does not take kindly to sleeping under your desk) but essentially we help provide comfort over the numbers the investing world uses to decide what to do with their money.  Sexy is an understatement now that I think about it. 

You know how I don't really believe in posts without pictures, but I work with what I've got at the moment... and I feel confident no one is interested in what my cube and/or portion of the conference table looks like.  So, I will share with everyone the things that I am thankful for during this time of the year.

1. Starbucks.  It is no secret I am a fan of the bux.  However, during busy season it takes on a new meaning.  It becomes (to use a friend's wise words) "a shining beacon of hope."  There is nothing like a grande hazelnut OR caramel OR raspberry latte to cure the ills of an account that just won't reconcile.  (sidenote:  the skinny caramel macchiatos are delish)  
2. Godzilla.  Anyone who works with me knows the story of how Godzilla came to be.  He is my spaceheater.  Really "space" is a modest term... he will heat a whole freaking room, as most of my teams can attest to.  We have been through a lot together.  I would be dressed up in a puffy coat, earmuffs and gloves 24/7 without his love.  Not everyone is as fond of him as yours truly, but no one can deny that he is GOOD at his job.
3. The Superficial.  Another thing that I love year round, but that puts a little more pep in my step during these times.  I get celeb news, pics and a laugh.  Best 3.5 mins of my 5 min lunch break every day.  Just when I think that my world will crumble because the "sum of" function has disappeared from my computer for the 7th time that day, I read about Amy Winehouse... and suddenly, my life doesn't seem so rough.
4. The people who get to work even earlier than me.  They make the coffee.  Sometimes badly, but hey... you are my heroes nonetheless.
5. Seasons on DVD.  DVR is just not enough.  It fills up far before I get around to getting caught up.  Don't worry though- in October I would love to discuss how amazing Modern Family is.  (I heart you, Phil Dunphy.)  And the latest guidette on Jersey Shore.
6. Wrinkle Release.  The iron and I do not see eye to eye.  We have a long history of not getting along.  I have a scar on my right hand from our first nasty encounter and things really haven't improved much since.  Wrinkle release is kind of like my Prince Charming.  There are very few wrinkles that some wrinkle release and 10 minutes in the dryer can't overcome.
7. Jello Mousse Cups (Chocolate or Mint).  They are delicious.  They are low calorie (to make room for all of the Take Out taxi).  They are breakfast. 

Alright love muffins.  That concludes today's window into my life.  I would like to thank all of you who are understanding and who love and support me during this time of the year... I am so very blessed.

New Mama Juana, New Baby, New Year

In case you missed the memo- it is 2011.  With the New Year came a new... busy season.  Hence the reason I am just now getting around to posting about how I rung in 2011.  I am sure that everyone has been waiting with baited breath.

After our late night arrival back home from South Bend and our day of lighting up our lives... Ryan and I headed up to Lake Livingston to celebrate the New Year with: (1) Yanny, Mel & Jakey (pronounced YAWK-y by his papa), (2) Jendan and (3) Shaustin (I don't mash their names nearly enough on this blog- I apologize, readers) at Jonathan's mom's lake house. 

Friday night, we all arrived... some of us bearing gifts including (but not limited to): break and bake cookies from the finest HEB in northeastern Houston's outskirts, homemade mama juana and homemade hand grenades.  If that's not a recipe for a good time, I don't know what is. 

For those of you who are wondering how you've lived a life you previously considered full without knowing what mama juana is- allow me to enlighten you.  It is a beverage native to the Dominican Republic.  It is made of red wine, either whiskey or rum (sort of a choose your own adventure, if you will) and a variety of native barks.  It is every bit as disgusting as you are imagining.  And then some.  However, given that the audience involved was the Punta Cana crew, Austin took it upon himself to make his own in order to try to relive the magic. 

Como se dice!

There is a story here that involves Jonathan being a subpar Rock-Paper-Scissors player and him nearly sharing a lake with some flamingos.  We'll save that one for when Jake is older and can appreciate it.

Jen and Brendan took a trip to NOLA over the holidays and brought back some hand grenade mix which they kindly shared with the crew.  In case you were worried we may not get the full experience- they did indeed drink think ahead and returned with enough authentic glasses for all parties involved.

Hand Grenade Champs

New Years Eve was spent much like our entire vacation in the Dominican Republic - with the girls hanging out and chatting completely unaware of what the boys were doing.  They were later found to be sitting around a fire in the yard errantly yelling.  Luckily this time there was no inflatable blob within a half mile radius.

The men made fire.  The ladies made glowstick hats.  Just another Friday night.

We celebrated the actual New Year like every other red-blooded American by watching the Times Square ball drop and exclaiming - "Wait, I thought Snooki was going to be in there?!"  After paying hommage to the JS kiddos by hottubing, we wrapped up the night playing a game called Smart @ss.  (Do I need to censor it if it's the acutal name of the game?)  Other than the fact that the boys were a lot better than us...it was a lot of fun.

One added bonus to NYE 2k11 is that it fell on a Friday which meant a whole extra 2 days of lounging and relaxing.  Jonathan and Melanie were generous enough to host us all for the whole weekend.  Everyone spent the remainder of the weekend ignoring our New Years resolutions, stuffing our faces with fajitas, hotdogs, hamburgers, playing with adorable baby Jake and watching enough football for the next year. 

Already a good man: dominating a recliner, taking a snooze and watching football all at the same time.

Happy, happy new year, dollfaces.

Nuptial News: Installment Seven

So, December was not as productive as I'd hoped.  Ryan on the other hand deserves some major kudos because he's contributed much more this month to the festivities than I have.  I resolve to do better in the coming month.  Hopefully busy season doesn't force me to eat my words.  :c) 

Things Accomplished:

• I THINK we settled on a florist/decor company... I'm not linking here so that I don't jinx anything though. :c)

Things in the Pipeline:

• Still make up person (thanks for your suggestions!)
• Invitations

Ryan's Contributions:

• Reserved our Rehearsal Dinner location
• Ordered our Save the Dates

Six months left.  CRAZY!

(NSFJ) Let There Be BLINGY Light

As I've stated multiple times in the past, I have a special place in my heart for HGTV.  For the better part of highschool I wanted to be an interior decorator.  Given these facts and my selectively impatient nature, it is driving me nuts that Ryan and I can't completely paint, furnish and decorate our new house like... YESTERDAY.  However, given the following statistics: 1 mortgage, 1 lease and 0 millionaires between the 2 of us- my impatience is just going to have to take a backseat.  I promise to post some before/after shots of rooms as we finish them but that won't be until (way) after we've tied the knot... unless we win the lottery.  In the meantime, I'll post pictures of pieces of the puzzle that I'm particularly excited about. 

You may be wondering what the "NSFJ" in the post is all about.  My beloved BFF, Jen, has informed me that posts about my house decorations are not her fav.  Therefore, to save her time, and any of you who may be of  similar persuasions, I'll designate any house decor-related posts "NSFJ" (not suitable for Jen) so you know to head straight to Perez and not to waste your time here.  What?  You think that's the kindest thing anyone's ever done for you?  Oh stop, you're making me blush.

Below is the very first purchase I made after I found out we got the house.  It sat in my apartment on the floor for a solid month.  Ryan may or may not have caught me on 2.5 separate occasions trying to take it out of the box to look at it despite his warnings that I would "ruin the packaging" and "make it hard to transport."  Pish posh.

Woohoo!  No, the paint color is not staying.

With light

On New Years Eve, Ryan's dad, my dad and my brother were kind enough to come over and help us hang this bad boy and 2 ceiling fans.  Minimal blood was shed, minimal directions were read and the maximum pizza was ordered.  Thank you all for your help!

Bonus photo of the boys' handiwork.  No, that paint color isn't staying either.

Decking our Halls (and the kitchen and the backyard...)

This Christmas was Ryan and I's first officially integrated Christmas.  We each got overly spoiled by one another's families and each got a stocking at the other's house.  Had I known how fabulous having Christmases with 2 families would be, I might have paid off someone to marry me earlier.  Over the course of the holidays, we completed the Boarman-Martin trifecta by hitting up Conroe, the Dirty Branch and South Bend, Indiana.  First off- this will be a long post, I apologize.  Second- I apologize for the lack of pictures.  I really slacked off over the holidays.

Ryan and I each took off December 23rd with the intent to become the best homeowners ever.  We planned a full day for ourselves of cleaning, changing our locks, installing 2 ceiling fans and installing 1 chandelier.  As seems to be the running theme in our lives, we accomplished none of these tasks fully.  Our day was comprised of a brushed nickel versus gold snafu and about 51 calls and iPhone pictures to our fathers about our breaker box and detailed pictures of the wires hanging from our ceiling.  After all of that we decided that kick plates are a problem for future Amy and future Ryan and that hanging ceiling fans is best accomplished utilizing a barter system of multiple beers for the use of a parent's knowledge and drill.  More on that to come in a future post.

The Conroe Leg
Following our foray into home projects we headed up to Conroe and spent the night with my family for Boarman Christmas.  We kicked off the night by introducing Ryan to Pizza Shack.  After a straw wrapper throwing battle, an attempt to get shrimp tails in a to go box and a stowaway napkin incident, I think he's well versed both in the Pizza Shack and in the vibe of a family outting.  On Christmas Eve morning we woke up and played presents.  Ryan and I got spoiled.  My parents got us a bunch of things off of our registry, including some of my place settings, some flatware and Ryan's golf bag organizer.  For those of you familiar with Ryan's former travel companion, the plaid mesh beach bag, you'll be happy to know my sister got him a duffle bag to replace it.  Julie also got some prints of our engagement pictures framed.  We got tons of fabulous stuff- like I said- totally spoiled. 

Boarman tree

Julie and Ryan only refer to each other in terms of Words with Friends

Yes, that is a Whataburger gift card. 

Place settings.

Our sad looking mantle.  The point of this photograph is that you can see the pictures Julie got framed for us in it.  And the C&B ninja star that Tiffany & Ryan E got me.

The Spring Branch Leg
After a home cooked meal we packed in our loot and headed to Spring Branch (the Dirty Branch) for Martin Christmas.  We were treated to playing with Kylie, watching The Holiday (the boys in particular enjoyed this) and some delicious beef stew.  Ryan and I attempted to go look at Christmas lights and were dismayed at the lack of Christmas spirit in the big hoods around his area who shall remain nameless.  Christmas morning we woke up to Kylie cooing and Grandpa asking if the fire was burning the TV.  We stuffed ourselves silly with biscuits and chocolate gravy and then opened even more presents.  Ryan and I got an awesome grill and a ninja.  Ryan got some sweet loot including some tools (look out ceiling fans!).  I got some awesome jewelry, my Crate and Barrel star and some fun house decorating items.  After our two part Christmas we more or less looked like price is right Showcase Showdown winners.  I can't waaaaait to get to the casa to find homes for everything.

Martin tree

Kylie looking less enthused about American Pickers than Ryan is

How many Ryans does it take to put together a Jeep walker for a 6 month old?

The future home of some juicy Lucys

Kylie got a new car.  No biggie.

The South Bend Leg
Mid-afternoon Ryan and I left casa Martin and were generously chaffeured to the airport by Ryan's Dad.  We set off for our flight to Chicago, which thankfully made it on time and with zero delays- a Christmas miracle!  We were greeted with 29 degree weather and snow on the ground.  In true Boarman fashion, we set off on a road trip adventure in 2 sporty rentals (Caddy & JJ in one and Matt, Julie, Ryan & I in the other).  For those of you who may be considering it in the future, I do not recommend leaving O'Hare at 10 pm on Christmas night and attempting to find food within a 50 mile radius.  I particularly do not recommend it when you are travelling in 2 separate vehicles regardless of the number of iPhones per capita.  One marginally successful meal at the only Denny's I believe was open in the state of Illinois, and one rousing game of "Would you Rather" that left me with a vivid mental image involving tails later, we finally arrived at my Grandpa's. 

The remainder of the week was filled with lots of family time, several rounds of Euchre, and lots of good eating.  We drove around Notre Dame's campus, ate at a bar/pub near campus and tried to get into 2 sold out games in one evening (both hockey AND basketball).  We took a tour of my cousins' houses.  We hung out at Aunt Jan and Uncle Tom's farmhouse... where one of us (who shall remain nameless) enjoyed way too much wine and incurred endless teasing the remainder of the week.  We hit up Bruno's pizza and had a rowdy dinner, complete with Ava-performed Beyonce concert on a chair, in their back room.  We got to meet my new little cousins (I think they are actually second cousins), Shiloh and Tripp.  Ryan's life was changed through his introduction to hamloaf.  All in all, it was an absolutely wonderful trip.  I am so excited about all of the exciting things that await the Brady clan in 2011- Ryan & I getting married, Ashleigh & Kyle getting married and Travis & Miranda getting married.

Grandpa's House

This actually happened.

Notre Dame's Cedar Grove cemetery

Touchdown Jesus

Overall, we had an amazing Christmas vacation and I am pretty heartbroken that it's over.  I hope that each of you had an equally amazing holiday season with those near and dear to you!

Happily Ever After: The Gartz Edition

Just before Christmas, on December 18th, my sweet, sweet friend Jenn got the gift of a lifetime- a new last name.  Oh and a hubby.  She married her best friend, Taylor, in an absolutely gorgeous ceremony at Ashelynn Manor in Magnolia.  Ashelynn Manor is a beautiful, old plantation-style mansion with an adorable chapel and an awesome vintage barn-style reception area on the grounds.  As I mentioned previously, I was honored to be a bridesmaid and thrilled to get to take part in all of the behind-the-scenes action.

The night before the wedding, Taylor's parents hosted an incredible rehearsal dinner at Americas in the Woodlands.  Just typing this makes my mouth water for a lobster corndog or some ceviche.  If you haven't checked out America's, you should stop reading this and get on it.  I'll go ahead and put that advice on your tab.  I can't imagine more suitable wedding prep than an evening of laughter, inappropriate baseball conversation and bartering with the waiters for extra passed appetizers.  Thank you to the Gartz family for their generosity.

Stories of deliciousness

Shaustin

Caitlin & JKL

Maggard- gotta love him

Matt & Dena

Ryan & Erin

Ryan thought this pose might garner more empanadas.

Belles & booze

Ladykillers

We heart you, Mrs. Gartz

The day of the wedding Shawna, Caitlin, Dena and I set out on an adventure of the hair variety.  We got our hair done in the Woodlands and then, like the classy foursome that we are, promptly set out for Walmart and Chick-fil-a.  After our morning of elegance, we headed to Ashelynn Manor to help get the beautiful bride ready.  Jenn was just stunning.  There are no other words.

Primping

Blushing Bride, beautiful flower girl & precious ring bearer

Thanks Shalonda!

Sarah, Sarah, Allison, Britni, Jessica, Sammie, Caitlin, Me, Dena, Jenn, Natalie & Catcher

Watching all the action

The ceremony was perfect and the reception that followed was so much fun.  It was obvious throughout the course of the day how very blessed all of us are to have Jenn and Taylor in our lives.  They are such sweet, thoughtful and incredibly loving people.  I can't imagine anyone more deserving of the happiness they bring out in eachother.  Thank you again for including me in your day, and thank you to the Welch Family who put on one heck of a party.

First dance

Is Ryan photobombing or was he actually invited here?

Ryan, Me & Tinkerbell, apparently

A few of the participants in the Natalie versus _______ dance off.

The Hannas, special guest: Caitlin P

Party people

Bachelorette-ing

The weekend before this last one, December 10th-12th, we celebrated Jenn's last weekend as a siiiiingle lady (please channel your inner-Beyonce to read that) in Fredericksburg.  Four of her bridesmaids planned a fun-filled weekend for everyone in an adorable river-side cottage.  We were all treated to a hike at Enchanted Rock, wine tasting at Grape Creek, a delish dinner at Crossroads, flip cup, a never ending buffet of snacks, spirited conversation and one life threatening brush with broccoli.

Dena, Shawna & I roadtripped it up to Fredericksburg on Friday night after work.  We arrived pretty late to a perfectly decorated party-in-progress.  We hopped right into a game (yes: singular) of flip cup.  We had to improvise with the tools we were given - which happened to include a frog-shaped lamp, a circular table and some clear cups.  We quickly realized that physics wasn't on our side and filled the remainder of the night with bachelorette party quiz games, trying to keep Dena away from the broccoli and keeping our glasses filled.

Woohoo!

Decor.  Surprisingly, the bagged rum and miller lite were not part of the original scheme.

See?  Wild.

Hot tub o' ladies

Pretty bride.

Flip cup ingredients

This picture if very representative of the evening's events

Down for the count.

Saturday morning started off a little slowly but we eventually all mobilized and set off for Enchanted Rock.  I wore my serious hiking outfit, as you will see below.  Every good rock climber knows that Uggs are a best practice in the field.  After one false summit, one fellow hiker gentleman who hasn't seen the "mouse in the house" Friends episode and zero rock defacings, we can all say we are Enchanted Rock survivors.

Hardcore hikers

Enchanted Rock

Gooooo girls

View from the top.

More view from the top.

Hiking geniuses

After Enchanted Rock, we headed back for a quick shower, lunch and then we headed off to Grape Creek for a wine tour.  At Grape Creek we went on a private wine tour and got to taste the difference that different types of barrels make in the taste of wine.  We were also introduced to a wine thief, which is definitely going on my Christmas list despite my having absolutely no use for it whatsoever.  We came, we agreed new french oak barrels produce the tastiest wine and we headed back to home base. 

In case you didn't believe me.

Shawna, Jenn & Jessica

Scenery shot

Our awesome wheels

Britni, Dena, Sammie, Jenn, Holly, Shawna, Me & Jessica.  BARRELS OF FUN!  (Do you see what I did there?)

Bottling machine

Wine thief action shot.

Seriously - how cool is this?

What a GRAPE day.  (Oh yeah, I'm stilllll going)

Back at the casa we lounged for a bit and got ready for a wild night out on the town.  After some more grazing and primping, we threw the bride a little lingerie shower.  Don't say we don't ever do anything for you, Taylor!  Post-shower we treated ourselves to some cake, typical female photo ops and then we hit the road. 

Oh la la

Absolutely fabulous

Mmmm...

Party people

We ate dinner in town at Crossroads, a cute steakhouse/saloon.

Jenn, Shawna & Dena

Holly, Sammie, Jessica & Stephanie

Britni & I

We continued the party post-dinner inside at the saloon part of the establishment.  The evening's entertainment consisted primarily of a band from Lubbock who were big proponets of the mullet movement, watching Dena carry out the bride dares, a variety of locals which differing views on the awesomeness of bachelorette parties and one man with suspenders.  We called it a night pretty early as the previous evening and our outdoors adventure from that morning had made everyone pretty tired.  We retired back to the casa and rounded out the night with more girly stories and giggling. 

This gentleman was very insistent on being the last cowboy she danced with.

This may or may not have been on the wall prior to this picture.

The next morning we woke up early, cleaned, packed and were on our way.  All in all, it was a fantastic weekend with some great people.  Thank you all for the memories.  :c)