Chihuly Nights...

Tonight we went to the Dallas Arboretum for their Thursday night concert - with the added bonus of getting to see the Chihuly pieces lit up! Tonight's concert was Professor D - and I must say, I was impressed. Big Al from "a nationally syndicated radio station" (his words) introduced the band - and his "standup" was sub-par. Pretty inappropriate for a family concert night - but what can you do!

We went with Laura & Wes and Chase & Hallie....and oh yeah...adorable Molly! For awhile I thought she might actually fall asleep in my arms. Heart. Melting!

It was really nice to be outside (even with the heat) and I am thankful the mosquitos left me alone!

So the six of us tag-teamed dinner - mini sandwiches, guac, cheese and crackers, fruit skewers, cookies, etc. We didn't get the memo that everyone else would be bringing Central Market or Whole Foods!!!

She was so close to falling asleep in my arms. 

Molly definitely appreciated the artistry!

Such a fun night with Matt and friends!

Can't wait to go back again!

Can Women Have it All?

I read an article today (well, half of the article because it was more like a novel, but printed the rest of it to read tonight) titled: "Why Women Still Can't Have It All". Obviously as a career-driven woman/individual the title caught my eye, and as I started to read the first section I was captivated (although only enough to read the first half). The story is written by a very successful woman who gave up a great government position in DC for her family and the myth of a work-life balance. I think about my future as a mom and working individual a lot and usually the concept causes me stress. I watched the movie "How Does She Do it" and thought - yep, that is exactly how I am imagining it! Yikes!

But at the end of the day, I think the issue is bigger than mothers in the working world. Yes, that is its own issue - but in reality you can never "have it all" - so why would this situation be any different. I have strong opinions on the matter, but those are my own private opinions. The article is an interesting read with strong, differring, opinionated comments that follow. Worth posting - and reading if you have 15 minutes!

Year 3

Today is year three of "Malex!" Well technically we are on year 6 - but legally wed, this is year three. I am so lucky to get to spend every day with my best friend. Matt - you are an incredible human being that loves me and all of my faults! For that I thank you!

A few weeks ago I sent Matt an email entitled "76 reasons I love you" - some too personal to blog about :) After giving him a hard time for not writing me back, I came home to all of the reasons he loves me written with a dry erase board on my bathroom mirror. I have yet to erase it!

Some of my favorite pics from our special day!

Matt seeing me walk down the aisle - waterworks!

Prayers for us!

Our immediate family...all together!

My Man of Honor!

Hilarious speeches

Journey!

Happily ever after...

Well Done Chihuly, Well Done!

The last time mom was in town she noticed that the Arboretum was going to feature a Chihuly exhibit - so naturally when she was in town this weekend we went! Worth. it. It was so fun to see all of the amazing pieces displayed out among the flowers and plants. Really well done! This week we are headed to one of the concerts with some friends and will get to see the pieces lit up!

Happy Birthday Joe!

Last night we celebrated Joe's 24th birthday! I can't believe he and Kelly have been here 2 years already....and have done so much! As usual, they are constantly introducing me to places in Dallas that I have never been before (awesome and irritating at the same time). For dinner we met at Cane Rosso (red dog) off of Commerce street. Well I knew I would love it immediately as I walked into the exposed brick and retro-sheek decor....only to find out they get their food from JIMMYS! As much as it hurts me to say this, I think I have found my new favorite pizza place. Sorry Campanias!

For Joe's birthday present we thought outside the box and bought 4, 2-hour passes to "Jump Around" - i.e. two hours of jumping on huge trampolines and playing dogdeball. Who wouldn't love that!

Love you Joe! And love that we wore the same colored shorts to your party!

Happy Father's Day

I am definitely my daddy's little princess - and such a lucky girl for having a great dad who loves me just the way I am! My dad is monumental in my life - and has sacrificed so much to give me incredible experiences, a loving home and unconditional support! At this stage in life, one of the things I value most is his advice for my career and sharing his own experiences. We "talk shop" almost everytime I call him. My dad is one of the most humble, C-suite executives you will ever meet - and I know I will strive to always stay as grounded as he is! Love you dad!

What a handsome guy!

And just like with Mother's Day - getting married gives you an immediately bigger family and I love the heck out of my Father-in-law! He too is an incredible dad, and raised three really amazing kids!!!

Bikram Yoga: Hot as...

I have been all over Groupon lately. My most recent purchase was a $24 trial month of Bikram Yoga at Bikram Yoga Dallas. I have done Bikram classes a few times in the past with my brother in Colorado - and felt like it was overall a positive experience, so when this one came up I decided to give it a go! That being said, I wasn't sure this was an activity I wanted to embark on alone so I recruited Hallie. You know you are friends when you can sweat for 90 minutes with someone!

Instructions for the class included: HYDRATE (so naturally I had two cups of coffee and a coke), no pants (who would ever wear pants in a hot room), and come back within 24 hours after your first class (not happening!). So Hallie and I went for it this past Wednesday. A friend of hers went a few days prior and HATED IT - making us both a little nervous. I would say out of the three times I have done it - I liked it twice and the third time I got a bit too dehydrated. Given the feedback on the class we felt it intimidated and decided it was necessary to go in with a "safe word"...banana! And I can tell you that at about minute 87 I was ready to scream banana! (FML was floating around in my head for about 2/3 of the class!) But we both survived and I might add - did all the positions, not quitting once!

So what is it like to sweat so much? Well less gross than watching other people sweat I can tell you that! When we first walked into the studio another class was just getting out. I looked at Hallie and said "60% of me wants to leave right now!" It is hard to get over feeling grossed out by all the sweaty people around you - until you are that person and you don't even care anymore! Another interesting fact about Bikram - I would compare it to a European beach - less it more to most people! So you see a lot of skin - whether you want to or not!

After class, feeling both elated and completely defeated - we grabbed a gatorade from Tom Thumb and discussed how rather than electrolytes - a glass of wine sounded equally as rewarding! My goal is twice a week - we shall see how that goes! Hopefully much easier with a friend than on your own!

Before class - and yes I did go shopping for yoga outfits!

After class! Gross!

All in all - it does feel really good after you survive the 90 minutes! But twice a week is probably all I'm interested in committing at this point!

"Monkeying" Around

Since Steph took my post title idea of "Lions, Tigers and Bears...Oh My!" - I had to think of another "catchy" title for today's blog post. So "Monkeying Around" seems appropriate for several reasons - but my favorite is that we got to spend time at the Dallas Zoo with our favorite little monkey!!!

We have been trying to coordinate with our besties for awhile and FINALLY the four of us were in town, on the same day, at the same time! So it took Steph and I all of 4 seconds to determine yesterday would be a Lundemacher day! A few ideas were thrown out - but we settled on a visit to the Dallas Zoo. Neither Matt nor I had been to the Dallas Zoo, but both of us have fond memories of going OFTEN with our families. We would have enjoyed exploring on our own, but I have to say - going with a two year old is so much fun!!! 

Steph, your new camera makes magic! Good work!

Aunt Alex and Sam hoping to feed the giraffes!

Uncle Matt

Not sure what my favorite part of the day was...but getting to ride the tram around with this one asleep in my arms would be in the top 5!

Thanks for being a great tour guide Sam!!!!!

Remembering Lemmon

Lemmon was our first baby - and about this time last year is when we had to say goodbye. Today I am particularly missing our sweet pup!

It was special to see her memorial plant come back and bloom again this Spring!