The Chicago Tribune had list of the top 10 new theme park rides debuting in 2011.  The Dare Devil at Six Flags Over Georgia made the list at number 5.  I am a lover of amusement parks and roller coasters but this drop might be pushing my fear limits right here....

Giving Thanks

I'm thankful for....

my family even though I'm not there with them today.

Darren's family who's welcomed me with open arms into their holiday.

someone who loves me for who I am.

my DVR.

prayers both answered and those that have gone unanswered.

finally getting to see Garth Brooks next month after 20 years of being a fan!

the housing marketing recovering... at least somewhat.

college basketball.

seeing ALL of my best friends in one calendar year!  Can't remember when it last happened!

I have the best family and friends and I hope they have a wonderful day!

More Eye Candy

This time seen in Dallas.

Nasher Sculpture Garden

In Dallas a couple weekends ago, Elizabeth, Steve and I went to the Nasher Sculpture Garden.  They had quite a few neat pieces but by far this was our favorite.  From the front this piece was very unimpressive but can't tell what it is supposed to look like until you are inside the building.  Once there it was so clear and really neat.

Imitating art.

This one was called "My Curves are Not Mad."

They had this room with all solid white walls and a hole in the ceiling.  There was a little debate as to if the ceiling was the sky or actually painted. It was a really clear blue day with amazing weather!

Elizabeth and I acting like the goof balls we are.

Couple other neat pieces we saw.

 

 

A German Halloween

For Halloween this year, Darren and I decided to go as a German Beer Garden Girl and her German Man. Poor Darren, the first people we see as we are getting to the bar are a couple actual Germans who made fun of him...

But we had a good time with his residency friends.

 

Old Faithful - in Dallas

While I was in Dallas we were headed out for a bottle of wine in Elizabeth and Steve's neighborhood.  On our walk we passed over these water and cable access holes.

Not sure which one I stepped on but next thing I know my foot is going into a hole about a foot deep.  I then end up falling on my butt and quickly realize something is amiss....

Old Faithful started spouting water at me.  It was at least 30 feet high!  We were soaked and disgusting. At least our jeans came clean, but I'm not sure if my boots survived the night though!!

Pre-Halloween spooky moon.

Winner, Winner

Chicken dinner!!!

Holy cow, I actually won a giveaway.  Imagine my surprise when I got an email last night from Missy at the It's Almost Naptime blog about the necklace that I had won!  The necklace is from Noonday Collections. I can't wait for it to arrive in my mailbox!

Vanderbilt's Homecoming

It always amazes me who ends up showing up in Nashville for homecoming weekend.  This year Jenny, Jane, Lauren and Josh all came to town and I someone was able to see them all at the same time!  The game was a lot closer than I thought it would be and we kept it close well into the third quarter but ultimately lost 21-7.

With Mr. Commodore.

Great view from our FREE seats!

These crazy guys in their black unitards!

Memories

When Lauren and I were making plans for homecoming weekend she mentioned going through her college pictures and this one being one of her all time favorites.  This was a typical Saturday night in Hemingway for us!

Baton Twirlers

The Iowa game was Michigan's homecoming game.  Like most school, Michigan has their alumni come back and play in the band or in this case twirl batons.  I come from the land of Vanderbilt where they baton twirlers are not very good.  These two impressed me and what even shocked me even more is that they were men and one was of the grandfatherly age! The younger one even did the splits!

Don't Call it a Comeback

Because it wasn't.  Darren wanted to go to one more Michigan football game before he left Ann Arbor next spring.  The only game we were in town for was the Iowa game.  We've been really fortunate and got another good set of tickets.

A few minutes into the 4th quarter, Iowa scored again, making Michigan down by 21.  We were about ready to leave if Michigan didn't score on their next drive.  They did, in just over a minute on the clock.  They went on to score one more touchdown before their rally ended.  A valiant failed attempt. 

I tried out the panorama feature on my camera.  I'm pleased with it. 

I took at least a half dozen pictures of us and this was the best one... sad, but true...

Signs of a Good Party

Funny pictures from the reception after a few libations.

And there was an afterparty!

O'Leary Wedding Reception

Following the wedding, we attended the reception at the Blackstone Hotel on south Michigan Ave.  The hotel has a neat history and is where parts of the Untouchables and the Color of Money were filmed.

The details of the wedding were beautiful.  The cake.

Beautiful flowers.

First dance.

Kevin & Beth.

With my cute usher in a good looking tux!

Darren and Kelly.  Not sure what Kevin is doing behind them though.

O'Leary Wedding

About six weeks ago now we went to Chicago for Brian and Kelly's wedding. Following the amazing rehearsal dinner at Lawry's we knew the wedding was going great.

The ceremony was held at the Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary which before it became a Seminary, was the high school that Brian and his brothers attended.  The stained glass from the church was modeled after Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.  The windows were beautiful just not as vast as the ones in Paris.

And pictures from the ceremony.  Kelly looked so beautiful and couldn't keep the huge smile off her face. Walking down the aisle with her dad.

Father Sheehan performed the ceremony. He also performed Kevin & Beth's, Jamie & Nadia's and will be performing Dan & Pantilla's in January.  He was the dean of Loyola Medical when Darren was there.

The vows.

With this ring...

The kiss!

Husband and wife!