We were told not to take pictures or video and it made me mad when other people did, but we are rule followers at our house so we waited and took a picture at home with the program!
Friday, January 2, 2009
S-P-E-C-T-A-C-U-L-A-R
Truly Magical.........I think I had more fun than the kids sitting next to us!!!
We were told not to take pictures or video and it made me mad when other people did, but we are rule followers at our house so we waited and took a picture at home with the program!
We were told not to take pictures or video and it made me mad when other people did, but we are rule followers at our house so we waited and took a picture at home with the program!
Out with the old, in with the New
Jeff and I got back yesterday afternoon from 2 1/2 fabulous days in San Antonio celebrating the New Year! This has become a tradition for us and I look forward to it all year. This was our third year to go. We left Houston on 12/30/08 and told the cat we'd see her next year. We stopped at my fav' Buccees and still made it to San Antonio just in time for Six Flags to open for Holiday in the Park. We walked, enjoyed the scenery, a few rides, and some shows. Wednesday morning we slept in and enjoyed our hotel before going to the Tower of the Americas. We had New Year's Eve lunch at the Chart House restaurant located in the Tower of the Americas. It is similar to the ball in Dallas because it rotates and you get to see a 360 degree aerial view of San Antonio. I like this picture because you can see our hotel in the window behind us. We stayed in a brand new hotel called the Grand Hyatt. It was really pretty and a short walk from the tower and festival. It also was the hotel where all the activities were occurring for the upcoming US Army bowl game this weekend
Jeff actually wanted his picture taken in front of the tower
San Antonio has a really neat New Year's tradition of placing the date of the outgoing year on the tower on New Year's Eve and turning it to the incoming year date at the strike of midnight. You can also see the elevator on the side of the tower go up and when it arrives at the top the countdown is over and the fireworks begin. 
After lunch we walked around the park surrounding the tower and the little shops before going back to the hotel to rest up for the festival. The festival that occurs in San Antonio in honor of New Year's Eve is always packed so I can't imagine what NYC time square is like. This is me trying to capture the feel of the festival. You can almost smell the corn dogs and funnel cakes!
Just before midnight
Fireworks signal the beginning of 2009!
On New Year's Day we walked on the river walk, and ate lunch before heading home. I enjoyed taking pictures of the river walk with my new camera
We ate New Year's Day lunch at Michelangio's on the River walk. I recommend it for yummy Italian food. Jeff boycotted having his picture taken AGAIN, but agreed to snap this one of me solo.
The drive home is always kind of sad because the "holiday season" is officially over, but this time we had more fun to look forward to. We are going to see this tonight, SO exciting
Jeff actually wanted his picture taken in front of the tower
San Antonio has a really neat New Year's tradition of placing the date of the outgoing year on the tower on New Year's Eve and turning it to the incoming year date at the strike of midnight. You can also see the elevator on the side of the tower go up and when it arrives at the top the countdown is over and the fireworks begin. 
After lunch we walked around the park surrounding the tower and the little shops before going back to the hotel to rest up for the festival. The festival that occurs in San Antonio in honor of New Year's Eve is always packed so I can't imagine what NYC time square is like. This is me trying to capture the feel of the festival. You can almost smell the corn dogs and funnel cakes!
Just before midnight
Fireworks signal the beginning of 2009!
On New Year's Day we walked on the river walk, and ate lunch before heading home. I enjoyed taking pictures of the river walk with my new camera
We ate New Year's Day lunch at Michelangio's on the River walk. I recommend it for yummy Italian food. Jeff boycotted having his picture taken AGAIN, but agreed to snap this one of me solo.
The drive home is always kind of sad because the "holiday season" is officially over, but this time we had more fun to look forward to. We are going to see this tonight, SO exciting
Monday, December 29, 2008
A 2 Saturn Family
Jeff got a NEW vehicle today!! We said goodbye to the car that he drove for 9 1/2 years (221,000 miles) and he got a 2006 Saturn Vue with 13,000 miles on it. What a deal! A car that's basically new for half the price!! The guy who appraised the old car for a trade in said it deserved a purple heart for surviving all those miles! Ha, funny Mr. Saturn man! 
We went in to look at the Vue we saw on the Internet but it had been sold. The one we bought had not been put on the lot yet so we got it for $1000 less than if it had been on the lot, plus the car we thought we wanted had three times the miles and was only $1500 less. SO, God is so sweet to give us exactly what we need, not what we thought we wanted! Now we have two safe, reliable vehicles and I don't have to worry about my hubby getting stranded on the freeway! Of course, we had to get Sonic drinks to celebrate! 
Now, that's one satisfied customer!
We went in to look at the Vue we saw on the Internet but it had been sold. The one we bought had not been put on the lot yet so we got it for $1000 less than if it had been on the lot, plus the car we thought we wanted had three times the miles and was only $1500 less. SO, God is so sweet to give us exactly what we need, not what we thought we wanted! Now we have two safe, reliable vehicles and I don't have to worry about my hubby getting stranded on the freeway! Of course, we had to get Sonic drinks to celebrate! 
Now, that's one satisfied customer!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
An Albus Christmas
We spent Christmas Eve through Friday at Jeff's parents. We had a great time and enjoyed MANY sweets! I think their house is the dessert capitol of the world during the holidays...no complaints here from me or my sweet tooth! YUM! Jeff's brother, Matt got married in May and he and his new wife, Courtney are expecting a child at the beginning of May 2009. They brought Austin over and Lisa and Jamie were in town from Colorado. Jeff and I were lucky though because we were the only ones that went to the movies with Nick and Sharon on Christmas Day. Let's hear it for double dates! We all went to see "Yes Man" after "Marley and Me" was sold out. We laughed the whole time! I love going to the movies in a small town! It only cost $5 per person!! Please enjoy the following pics of all of us opening presents.
Jeff and I after exchanging gifts...check out his "cheese" smile. Jeff got me tickets to the Christmas Spectacular show and I got him my traditional annual ornament.
Sharon proving diamonds really ARE a girls best friend!
Austin got the legendary Red Rider BB gun!
Jeff and I opening presents.
Matt and my newest sister-in-law, Courtney
Jamie and Lisa, all the way from Colorado
Austin loved the Sorry game we got him!
The traditional tree photo
We hope your Christmas celebrations were just as Merry! Watch for the following posts to come: our annual New Years trip to San Antonio and before and after photos of our guest bedroom which we are in the midst of painting!
Jeff and I after exchanging gifts...check out his "cheese" smile. Jeff got me tickets to the Christmas Spectacular show and I got him my traditional annual ornament.
Sharon proving diamonds really ARE a girls best friend!
Austin got the legendary Red Rider BB gun!
Jeff and I opening presents.
Matt and my newest sister-in-law, Courtney
Jamie and Lisa, all the way from Colorado
Austin loved the Sorry game we got him!
The traditional tree photo
We hope your Christmas celebrations were just as Merry! Watch for the following posts to come: our annual New Years trip to San Antonio and before and after photos of our guest bedroom which we are in the midst of painting!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas at the Hendricksons'
We celebrated Christmas a little early when we went to my parents' this past weekend. The Carpenter Crew came in town and we had a wonderful traditional Hendrickson Christmas complete with Christmas PJs. It is Drew's first Christmas so we had to spoil him a bit, and we had to spoil Clayton because he's just so special and fun! I LOVE those two lil' guys.
Drew and I shared many sweet snuggles!
He is a very good baby and I love seeing him smile and giggle.
Jeff got to met him for the first time, and he stole his heart as well.
Yummy traditional turkey dinner with my favorites: cornbread dressing and sweet potatoes!
Jeff and I with our stockings filled with Christmas candy!
We are headed to Jeff's parents' house today for round two with his side. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Drew and I shared many sweet snuggles!
He is a very good baby and I love seeing him smile and giggle.
Jeff got to met him for the first time, and he stole his heart as well.
Yummy traditional turkey dinner with my favorites: cornbread dressing and sweet potatoes!
Jeff and I with our stockings filled with Christmas candy!
We are headed to Jeff's parents' house today for round two with his side. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Friday, December 12, 2008
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....
I thought I'd share a little commentary on the Albus home and general happenings as we prepare for Christmas. I have to admit that our tree stood with no decorations on it for about a week. I begged Jeff to get it out of the attic and set it up and then I didn't have/take the time to decorate it. Oh well, here it is after the final preparations:
I need a tree topper. I'm going to look for one at the craft fair I'm going to with Wendy this weekend and if that doesn't work, I'm going to try making a big bow out of the ribbon I bought. I'm intimidated by bows because I really don't know how to make them, but I guess now is as good of time as any to learn!
I celebrated my 27th birthday the other day. I decided it is going to the best year yet because 7 is a perfect number! Jeff bought me beautiful roses and a sweet card. I love the way they look with the Christmas tree in the background!
Jeff wasn't feeling well so I told him all I wanted was a puppy cake from Wal-Mart, but he took me out to dinner at Hasta La Pasta too. Yum! Have you seen these puppy cakes? They are almost too pretty to eat...almost! My favorite part of cake is the icing, especially buttercream, and this cake has a LOT of it. Under all that icing is two cupcakes...perfect for the two of us.
I got another wonderful birthday surprise when it SNOWED!
This is the first time it has ever snowed on my b-day and Kristen said God gave it to me because He loves me and thinks I'm special!
It is difficult to capture this smile on film, but the snow brought it out:
After the short time in the snow (it didn't last long or accumulate at all at our house, but some parts of Houston, had a lot more) we built a fire and snuggled on the couch with Christmas music playing....very romantic! Thanks hubby for making my birthday the best ever!!
Snowflake enjoyed the fire too. I was afraid she was going to jump in!
I need a tree topper. I'm going to look for one at the craft fair I'm going to with Wendy this weekend and if that doesn't work, I'm going to try making a big bow out of the ribbon I bought. I'm intimidated by bows because I really don't know how to make them, but I guess now is as good of time as any to learn!
I celebrated my 27th birthday the other day. I decided it is going to the best year yet because 7 is a perfect number! Jeff bought me beautiful roses and a sweet card. I love the way they look with the Christmas tree in the background!
Jeff wasn't feeling well so I told him all I wanted was a puppy cake from Wal-Mart, but he took me out to dinner at Hasta La Pasta too. Yum! Have you seen these puppy cakes? They are almost too pretty to eat...almost! My favorite part of cake is the icing, especially buttercream, and this cake has a LOT of it. Under all that icing is two cupcakes...perfect for the two of us.
I got another wonderful birthday surprise when it SNOWED!
This is the first time it has ever snowed on my b-day and Kristen said God gave it to me because He loves me and thinks I'm special!
It is difficult to capture this smile on film, but the snow brought it out:
After the short time in the snow (it didn't last long or accumulate at all at our house, but some parts of Houston, had a lot more) we built a fire and snuggled on the couch with Christmas music playing....very romantic! Thanks hubby for making my birthday the best ever!!
Snowflake enjoyed the fire too. I was afraid she was going to jump in!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Catch Up
Well, sorry for the lack of posts, but I am going to try to give you an update on the last several weeks. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are enjoying preparing for Christmas!! A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I was honored to help one of my dearest friends, Jenny register for her first born, expected to arrive in April. I had so much fun picking out lots of pink princess gear for baby girl Matute!
Jeff and I split time between our parents this Thanksgiving. Lisa, Jeff's sister and her husband recently moved to Colorado, but came in to celebrate. Jeff and I enjoyed a lot of yummy food at both houses and took a nature walk to enjoy the fall colors and try out our new camera! I love that my parents, as well as Jeff's live close enough to share the holidays with both sides.
This past Friday night we went to our Sunday School class' Christmas party and had a great time hanging out! I brought my camera and took some pictures of couples in front of the beautiful tree! Thankfully, Bret returned the favor and captured a great pic of Jeff and I!
Pictures of my upcoming birthday and our Christmas decorations to come!
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