This weekend was exactly what I needed. 2012 has been rough, and although I have some pretty thick skin, I was at my tipping point. The getaway could not have been more perfect timing! Truly.
Bright & early, Friday morning Zack & I were off to visit my dad’s new home in New Braunfels, Texas. They’ve been building the house for awhile so I was really excited to see the finished product. I had simply no idea what it was going to look like.
The flight from Tampa to San Antonio was smelly. Luckily I passed out pretty early into the 2 hour flight 
Even though I have seen the property multiple times… To see the new house sitting on top of what was before just land, and to stand in the back yard and loook out over the hills of Canyon Lake. Unreal. So beautiful. I can not begin to describe the jealousy I feel that they get to have that view every single day for the rest of their lives. Ufff. Seriously gives me “OMG LETS MOVE BACK TO TEXAS” pangs. Austin or San Antonio… I’d move there in a heart beat.
Oh, the beautiful Hill Country of Texas <;3
That night, before my sister and niece’s flight got in we went to one of my favorite spots!!! GRUENE HALL!! The oldest dance hall in Texas. You simply can not pay justice to the place. It has old wooden floors, live country music every day, strings of lights outside, rustic Texas charm like no other. It is the greatest. I’m not even a country fan, but this place brings the Texas out of me EVERY time. All of the country greats have played there.
Wear your cowboy boots and get ready to Texas 2 step.
Gruene, Texas Y’all.
After we returned home little baby girl (my niece) Haylie Lynne arrived. I know I’m biased but I also truly believe I have the cutest niece in the entire universe. Seriously.
Little princess
Excuse me while I overdose you in cute baby
Can you BELIEVE she just had a baby 7 weeks ago? DANG!
Anyways – Onward to Saturday… We decided almost immediately we were going to tube the Guadalupe River. Something I hadn’t done in YEARS but has always been a favorite childhood past time. I was excited to do it the “right” way with booze this time It was truly the perfect weather. We had an absolute blast. Drinking sangria and mikes hard lemonade, which eventually became a mixture of Sangria and Mike’s hard that was absolutely TO DIE FOR in that hot Texas sun. Delicious. The time flew by with the rapids.
This sign was in the shuttle bus that took you from where the river lets you off, back to the Rock n R Parking lot. Basically the best sign ever, right? (it was a weekend for good signs) we also saw someone with car window paint that said “honk if you love pooping” us all being slightly immature when it comes to our humor laughed and honked. Too bad I couldn’t snag a picture of it
Texas brings out my natural spirals. LOVE my TX hair. (probably the only person who says that)
As you can see I am white as a ghost. I glowed, I was so pasty… I burnt up like a lobster, despite the sunblock I used.
ouch.
Saturday evening consisted of many adult beverages, Texas Rangers, grilling out, and loving on the sweetest baby girl.
Be still my Heart. He is going to make the best father (SOMEDAY)
The sun completely drained all of us, and we were all in bed by 9 o’clock. For the first time in MONTHS, I completely slept through the night. I didn’t wake up one single time until Haylie started crying around 6am. Even she was exhausted. (Rough life, being loved by 6 different adults 24/7 )
The next morning, was a morning I have been looking forward to for AGES. As a lot of you know, I found my wedding dress a month or two ago. But, I was waiting to purchase it until this trip. I wanted opinions and since my dad was so generously paying for it, I wanted him to see it.
Well, I found the dress I was considering getting for a bit cheaper at Nordstrom. So we went there. My consultant also decided to pull a few others she was dying to see me in after I sent her a picture of myself.
SPOILER ALERT: I ditched my original dress. Almost immediately. The woman is a genius. Randi of Nordstrom La Cantara, is great at her job – THAT is for sure. Which is amazing since when she was asking me what I was looking for I was all “um well, uhhh” I knew I wanted a drop waist or a sheath. Nothing poofy or as she says “cupcakey”
This is the dress I was previously planning on purchasing; from when I tried it on at DB in Bowie.
The dress was simple. But had a little bit of flare to it on the one shoulder thing goin on. I really liked it. I should have known that it wasn’t the one though. Like, is not the feeling you want for your wedding gown.
Then I tried this dress on…. This is the dress that made me realize I was NOT getting that other dress. I had fallen in love. It was my number 1 choice until I did find THE one.
is this not breath taking?! — NOT MY DRESS THOUGH
I might be hiding something behind those flowers I mean I can’t SHOW you my dress.
Note to all bride to be’s… Do not go dress shopping with hideous sun burn lines. Multiple of them. Please note the bikini line. The tank top line. and the T shirt line. (Runner Probz?)
I really couldn’t imagine finding a more beautiful or perfect dress. I was dead set on this. But then I locked eyes on THE one. I saw it, and knew it was going to be it. I tried it on and NEVER wanted to take it off. We bought it!!! When I go down in November for RnR San Antonio, I’ll have my first fitting!!!!! I can not believe it. I truly truly can not believe I bought my wedding dress. The dress I will be getting married in. 
Now if the next 12 months could just zoom by, thank you. (Which, I’m sure they will)
After dress shopping we were all famished. We wandered on down to the Yardhouse for cocktails and lunch. DELICIOUS. They have something like 90 beers on tap. Then we spent our last night in town by the pool, grilling steaks, and having MANY many adult beverages.
It was the perfect end to a perfect weekend.
I could easily call this home
I am so thankful. Thankful for everything. I am 100% refreshed today, and can not describe my gratitude. So much about the weekend was just what I needed. Time with family, playing with my baby niece, buying the dress that will mark the next chapter in our lives…
I nearly cried when we pulled up to SAT this morning. I just did not want to come home. Back to reality.. With a whole new attitude 
How was your Memorial Day weekend?
Did you make sure to thank those who have and are serving to protect our freedom?
