Happily Ever After: The Primeaux Edition

On August 25th, we had the honor of being invited to Stacee & Thomas' wedding in Austin.  An opportunity to celebrate with 1 of the most fun couples I can think of PLUS the added bonus of getting to show my alma mater some love?  Sign me up.

My better 1/3rd and I haven't gotten to spend very much time together as of late due to his demanding work/fantasy football schedule.  So we opted not to go up on Friday night to shake our groove things on 6th with Jen, Brendan, Julie & David.  Instead we had a nice little quiet* evening of meeting up with people to buy a console table from Etsy (more on that in the next post) & a dinner at Texas Roadhouse.  Aren't we just the most romantic couple you can think of?!

So Saturday morning we woke up bright and early to drop the Lolers off with Ryan's parents who kindly volunteered to watch her for the weekend - thank you Melanie & Mike!  After telling her to be on our best behavior and running as fast as we could out of there, we hightailed it to Austin.  By the time we arrived, Ryan had consumed 2 breakfasts (1 at McDonald's and then another kolache at Hruskas) and we were ready to party.

We met up with Jen, Brendan, Julie, David, Nush & his girlfriend Irina who were in need of some nourishment after the previous night's jello shot-laden debauchery.  We decided to head to South Congress to amend the situation.  After discovering that most of Austin had the same bright idea we did, we settled on brunch at the Woodlands primarily because there was no wait.  The food was delicious and our waiter reminded us of Justin Bobby but cooler, so it wound up being a win-win.

Cheers to holy matrimony.  And tater tots.

 After lunch we decided that we desperately needed to check out what the food trucks on South Congress had to offer us.  Hey- when on SoCo, right?  Jen & I capped off our lunch with some scrumptious cupcakes from Hey Cupcake, Brendan & David capped off their lunches with a snow cone and Ryan consumed meal #3 of the day courtesy of the truck that will put anything in a tortilla shaped cone.  For those of you worried about our cholesterol levels - to somewhat neutralize the effect of our schmorgasboard we made the terrible decision to walk back to the hotel.  Pretty sure I sweated off at least half of that cupcake, thankyouverymuch.

 Hello, cupcake indeed.

 Jen's cupcake was called the Michael Jackson.  Chocolate cake with white icing.  Ohhhh, Austin.

Between the man-mosa in the first picture and this one Ryan really seemed to be channeling his inner-female.

Following walkapalooza we all crashed for a bit before getting glammed up to head to the wedding.  Both the ceremony and the reception were held at the UT Alumni center, which is beautiful in my highly unbiased** opinion.  Of course, everything went off without a hitch and everyone had an incredible time dancing, feasting and revelling by the bar.  My favorite point in the evening was when P requested that the DJ play "Stacy's Mom".  Do you see what he did there?  Because Stacee was the one who got married.  Luckily I don't think she listened to closely to the words or she may have asked P to be escorted out immediately.

These Ags were super excited about the shape of the water bottles provided.  Hook 'em!

 Be-a-utiful I do's.

 This little guy had Jen & I in tears from laughing.  He was very good at being quiet but his facial expressions were so hilarious.

 Mr. & Mrs. Primeaux.

Perfect 10.  Coincidence?  I think not.

 The Schambles in their Sunday best.

Jules & David.

Jules, Jen & I with the blushing bride & her adorable flower girl.

Women in Black.  Coming soon to a theater near you.

 The eyes of Texas require shades.

What's the best way to end an evening if not by de-filing Bevo?

 With excitement like that, you'd be hard pressed to guess which 2 were true longhorns.

Calling a cab while getting groped by a bronze statue can be a very confusing situation for a girl.

After the party it was not the hotel lobby but the Ranch on 6th.  We decided that our age was really showing when we found ourselves gravitating towards chairs in the corner complaining about our heels and yawning around 1:15 am.  What?  That was just me?  Who can remember, really.  Overall, it was a wonderful trip and we were so honored to be a part of Stacee and Thomas' day.  Congratulations guys!

* quiet when you strip out Ryan cursing at the other patrons of 45 at rush hour on a Friday afternoon. 
** sarcasm font

Girls Just Wanna Have Roadtrips...

Two of my Mom's close friends were also smiled upon by the childbirth gods and blessed with multiple daughters.*  The 3 of them meet up regularly for dinner and it recently occurred to them that they could amplify the amount of gossip, wine and laughs shared at such gatherings if we all joined forces.  Obviously a Mother/Daughter outting was in order.  On January 28th, Julie, Mom & I hit the road to make this dream a reality.  Destination: where other than beautiful Austin, TX?

We arrived in the afternoon and got right down to business - wine, crackers and cheese in our hotel room.  It was great to get to catch up with everyone as I hadn't seen my Mom's friends since the wedding and I hadn't seen 3 of the 4 other daughter participants since I babysat them when I was in junior high.  They turned out to be pretty awesome young ladies... which is no doubt attributable to my excellent care**.  (Which I owe wholly to a voracious appetite for reading the Babysitters Club.  Kristy, why were you always so bossy?!)

After a solid gab session we headed downtown to grab dinner.  We wound up eating at a new bar on 6th called Old School.  It won me over, which was a feat considering I was a little skeptical given it's location next to the Aquarium.  Post dinner we headed over to Esther's Follies - a Boarman family favorite.  It's a topical comedy show that I highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Austin with no plans for the evening.  Per usual, Caddy laughed the entire show as if Owen Wilson himself was performing.  It was excellent.

Following the Follies, the daughters hit the town and the mamacitas headed back to the hotel.  We spent most of the evening at Kung Fu essentially playing the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon Cy Springs.  Eventually Julie and I headed to Speakeasy to meet up with Julie's good friend Morgan. 

The next morning we all had brunch together at the hotel and then parted ways.  Overall it was a great time and I look forward to doing it again.  Thank you mucho to the organizers and brain children of this operation - our wonderful Mothers.  We love you!

Christine and her mama, Mrs. Lucht.  We missed her sister, Patty, who was busy playing baby shower hostess.

Lindsay, Aimee, Mrs. Howarth & Kristen.  Can't you tell they had excellent babysitters as children?

JuJuBee, Me & Mamacita.

Typical.  Rachel, we missed you!

Partners in chair-thieving crime. 

My favorite giants.

* I feel confident making this dig because I do not believe that my extensive readership (I believe there are 3 of you) includes any males.
** Definitely JKing here.

Melissa + Blake = Melake... ohhh, and a wedding

This past weekend, my dear friend Melissa got engaged to the love of her life, Blake.  I was priviledged enough to get to take part in the festivities.  On July 23rd Blake gchatted me and told me that I shouldn't get excited but that he was going to propose to Melissa.  Why do I remember the exact day that happened?  Because I was sitting under the dryer at the hair salon.  Dear Boys of the World, if you are going to tell a female that one of her closest friends is getting engaged, make sure that she is not in a location where an excited movement in her seat will send her head right into a heating device.  So, obviously -1 for me because I got WAY excited.  We discussed plans, rings, etc and Blake told me he'd keep me updated. 

Over the next few months Blake would periodically check in.  He would give encouraging updates, such as "I picked the ring.  What do you think of this?"

Not that there is anything wrong with the aforementioned gem- I just don't quiiiiiiite think it was what Melissa had in mind.  And after this year's football season, I dont think Mack Brown himself would even be an advocate.  I digress...

In late October Blake told me that the ring was being made as we spoke and that he planned to pop the question when Melissa's family from Pennsylvania was in town for their annual UT game.  This past Sunday, November 14th, Blake made Melissa the happiest girl in the world by proposing in front of the tower.  Blake did such a fantastic job planning the whole thing and pulling it off without a hitch.  Not to mention the ring: GOR.GEOUS.  That always helps to ensure a yes.

Ryan and I drove up to Austin for the day and got to share in the celebration by meeting up with the happy couple, their families and friends at Blake's parents' home.  On the way we stopped at Ryan's new favorite hang out: Hruskas.  Melissa and Blake, I found SEVERAL potential registry items.  Just saying.

All in all, it was an incredible day and my heart is overflowing with excitement for the Future Covingtons.  Thank you both so very much for letting me share in your joy and this moment.  CONGRATULATIONS!

Mr. & Mrs. Covington

Melissa hugging Aunt Sue.  It's difficult to say whether Aunt Sue realized that Melissa was engaged at this point despite my mysteriously arriving with bridal magazines in tow.  Love this lady!

Melissa & her proud Papa

Mr. Poorman giving a heart-wrenching toast.

Melissa, Blake, Mrs. Covington's parents and Mrs. Covington

Blake's Grandparents, Melissa & Blake

Telling the story.

Looking at the pictures.

Flashing the bling.

And who wouldn't be?  So pretty.

The spread.

Bubbly

Mopes & I

Blake, Melissa, Destiny Smiles & Ryan

Happily Ever After: The Stewart Edition

This past weekend I had the honor of attending my adorably chic friend, Ashley's, nuptials to Travis in good ol' ATX at Green Pastures.  The venue was absolutely stunning.  It is an adorably charming mansion set amidst towering, old, begging-you-to-climb-them trees.  Ashley and Travis got married in the sprawling backyard underneath a chandelier.  Talk about speaking to my heart.  I dream of every room in my house having a chandelier.  (Shh, Ryan.  It's what Candice Olsen would want).

After their touching ceremony we headed up towards the back of the house to have a cocktail hour on the lawn.  As Kathryn put it - it looked like a perfect painting of a garden party.  After that we had a fabulous meal inside in quaint little rooms throughout the house.  I liked my meal so much that I suspect it had cheese and I ate it anyway!  (Mom - this must be that "maturing" you were talking about).  We finished up the night with way too much dancing.  Badly of course on my part. 

It was so much fun to get to see old friends and to catch up.  As usual, I took way too many pictures.  Thanks to the fabulous-ness of the wine selection, some of them are not so suitable for posting.  Enjoy the ones that I think pass muster.

Thank you to the Stewarts for letting us share in your day... we had way too much fun.  The evening was the embodiment of Ashley - goregous, one of a kind, and timeless.  :c)  I'm so happy for you both!

Green Pastures... I was walking fast and Ryan was yelling at me to stop taking pictures.  (No elbows were sacrificed in the making of this photo)

Show me your peacock (I pray you don't know the song this references)

Pretty chandelier

Ryan's fan.  Which happens to double as a wedding program.

Studly groom & co

The beautiful bride

They were both absolutely glowing

Mr. & Mrs. Stewart

Place setting table.

Beautiful Brides Cake

Groom's Cake.  Good ol' H-Town throwback... gotta love it.

Fantastic centerpiece

Ashley & I

Royale, Me, Kerry, Michelle & Ashlie

Seriously- glowing.

Mr. Bondy & Ashley

Kathryn & I

That's a wrap.