Dallas Broadway: Chicago

We always love trying and seeing new things...so when Travelzoo came out with 75% off Chicago tickets at the AT&T Performing Arts Center / Windspear Opera House we. were. in. And even better, so were Mark and Julie!!! We went to the Sunday afternoon show a few weekends ago and had a blast. The theatre is absolutely fabulous! I have never seen Chicago on Broadway - and I thought they did a pretty good job. I would say the dancing was excellent - and the singing was pretty good. After the show we grabbed dinner at Twisted Root and called it a night!

This chandelier can be pulled up for the performances.

Great picture Julie!

81 degrees

UNBELIEVABLE weather today! After weeks of 100+ degrees, today, out of the blue was gorgeous! Matt stopped at the grocery store on the way home to pick up the ingredients to make burgers and we sat outside, relaxing, enjoying the weather and each other!

It's "All Good"

A few Sundays ago Kelly and Joe introduced Matt, Brian and I to "All Good Cafe" in Deep Ellum. The best part is we were able to walk from their apartment. As I understand it, Deep Ellum's status as an area has been like a rollar coaster - currently on the down, but headed back up! It is fun to explore the area and visit all the random shops and amazing restaurants! Next up on our list of places to visit down there is some Cajun cafe that has live Jazz music in the evenings! Will keep you posted!

Walking to breakfast

I love that Matt's coffee came in the most random mug with the definition of the name "Joan" on it!

And here it is - a breakfast of champions. Apparently this place was on Diners, Dives and Drive Ins and are known for their Peppered Bacon. Yes, it is to die for!!!!

Post breakfast!

International Beerfest

I LOVE a good party theme and last night Kelly, Joe and Carissa rocked it by hosting "International Beer Fest." I believe this is their second Olympic-inspired beerfest, and, as they were four years ago, they continued their tradition of being the host country - England. Everyone brought a six pack of beer from a country and then dressed up as that country. Matt and I brought RedStripe (plus some "Jamaican" non-beer options for those of us that don't like beer - aka ME) and dressed up - the best we could - as some beach lovin' Jamaicans! I didn't get very many pictures - mainly because I didn't know very many people there and I thought they might think I was being creepy asking them to pose for my pic - but countries represented included: Germany, Ireland, England, Jamaica, Canada, Mexico, USA - New Orleans & France. It was just as the invite said..."Good Times & and Good Beers."

Our Jamaica Options: Iced Coffee, Energy Drink & Beer

First Country sampling

Host Country: England

Jamaica man!

USA

Once college suitemates...still rockin' it!

Lunchtime

During the week I rarely take a lunch break. Mainly because 1.) I hate eating a huge meal out - only to feel the strong need for a siesta afterwards, and 2.) I am too lazy to prepare a lunch from home and bring it with me! I know it is horribly unhealthy - but more often than not I find those rare moments when I leave the office for a break headed to a coffee shop. This particular work break was at the Pearl Cup, catching up on the newspaper and listening to my French music! What a day!

Love the Look

Ann Taylor Loft is doing 40% Off Everything today! I love their clothes - especially for work! I am all over orange right now...especially paired with black & white!

Here are some of my favs...

Newest iTunes Download: Dark Side

I rarely hear the words of songs I like - I just listen to the beat. But driving to work yesterday I heard Kelly Clarkson's new song Dark Side and for some reason found myself actually listening to the lyrics. I really, REALLY liked the lyrics. So much so that I looked them up and then watched the music video. I cannot remember the last time I have seen a music video...probably years. The video was just as great - it shows the silent heartache and pain that people go through in some form or another and reminds us that no one is perfect and life can be difficult sometimes. That is why we are lucky when we find people that love us just the way we are! 

Check out the video

Lyrics are...

There's a place that i knowit's not pretty there and few have ever goneif i show it to you nowwill it make you run away
or will you stayeven if it hurtseven if i try to push you outwill you return?and remind me who i really amplease remind me who i really am
everybody's got a dark sidedo you love me?can you love mine?nobody's a picture perfectbut we're worth ityou know that we're worth itwill you love me?even with my dark side?
like a diamondfrom black dustit's hard to knowwhat can becomeIf you give upso don't give up on meplease remind me who i really am
everybody's got a dark sidedo you love me?can you love mine?nobody's a picture perfectbut we're worth ityou know that we're worth itwill you love me?even with my dark side?
don't run awaydon't run awayjust tell me that you will staypromise me you will staydon't run awaydon't run awayjust promise me you will staypromise me you will stay
will you love me? ohh
everybody's got a dark sidedo you love me?can you love mine?nobody's a picture perfectbut we're worth ityou know that we're worth itwill you love me?even with my dark side?

Surprising Sam

Our favorite little guy, Sam is turning three Labor Day weekend...I can hardly believe how time flies! I already had his present picked out - until that is - Matt and I were running errands and found the greatest gift of all time for a three year old that has movie night with his family every Friday! I still can't believe we found/bought this....but he loved it and looked soooo cute sitting in his very own recliner with his sippy cup in his cup holder! And yes, we bought the present, called Steph and got approval to give it to him 4 hours later - a month early!!!! Who can wait with a gift like this!?!?! lol!

And we can't forget about Blake. Such a sweetie!!!!!

Happy Early Birthday Sam!!!

Summer Vacation: CB, CO

For years Matt and I have been talking about taking a summer vacation in Crested Butte, Colorado. And each year, some other trip comes up, and we say "we'll go next year." Who knew that "next year" would turn into five. We have been several times in the winter because the Mountain and American Airlines contract for ski season to offer affordable, direct flights from Dallas to Gunnison. (Texans love Crested Butte!) So we would go primarily to see my grandparents - and if there was time fit in a bit of skiing. But this summer with Heather's wedding in Denver we decided to make it happen. The Sunday after the wedding we packed up our rental car and drove up over Monarch pass, stopping in Gunnison to see Oma and finally arriving at Aunt Donna's in Crested Butte. 

Crested Butte is a really special place for me. I'm sure most of you have a place like it - a family ranch, beach that you spent most of your summers at, a friend's lakehouse...or maybe you have lived in the same place your entire life so that is your place. For me, I have moved around a bit so the question "where are you from" always seems more complicated than naming a simple city. But if you ask me "where is your favorite place to be" I would say Crested Butte without hesitation. Well, let me specify, I would say Crested Butte in the summer. CB is beautiful in the winter, but I am not a big winter sport girl, nor do I like being cold - so I could take it or leave it. But in the summer it really is an amazing place that leaves my heart with a calming sense of peacefulness.

Driving into CB

My family has been spending summers in CB since I was born. "Sisson Session" family reunions took place every summer for years! And having two aunts and their families there doesn't hurt either. Several years ago they moved my grandparents to Gunnison and the trips out to CB seemed to increase even more. During my college years my family and I lived in CB for 3 summers and we hiked and biked like champions. On my 21st birthday we woke up at 6:30am and rode one of the most difficult mountain bike passes in the area! We hiked from CB to Aspen, biked from CB to Gunnison, touched the tops of many mountain peaks, rafted, biked trails that now seem impossible, worked and spent time with family.

So who wouldn't be excited to go back!?!? And better yet - get to see their husband experience their favorite place!?!? Matt has seen CB in the winter plenty of times, but it was so fun explore the town in the summer. And as out of shape as I am - I was determined to show him a few of my favorite hikes. We only had two days for hiking - so I choose Long Lake and Scarps Ridge!

Hike #1 - Long Lake: Real name is Meridian Lake. It is an extremely steep, very short hike up to this beautiful lake where, yes, there is some topless sunbathing that may or may not occur. My cousin Diana came with us and for a long time we pretty much had the lake to ourselves. We picniced, read, relaxed and Matt explored!

Matt's initiation - we have all done it! He got lucky because this is a pretty warm lake!

I could have stayed up there and read for HOURS!

In the summers they have outdoor concerts every Monday and Wednesday. We met family and ate our Teocoli Tamali burritos! The weather could not have been more perfect. 

 

 Hike #2 - Lake Erwin: Real name is Scarps Ridge. This is my favorite hike of all of the possible hikes you can do around CB. You probably climb to 12,000+ feet or so. There was NO part of me that was physically prepared to do such a hike with the added obstacle of the high altitude - but nothing was going to stop me from getting to the top. 

Matt making fun of my slow hiking... :(

Always looking so handsome

And this is the view you get...100% WORTH IT!

At the top of Scarps Ridge you can look out and see all of these awesome, untouched, mountain lakes.

I am a survivor....haha

Lake Erwin

After our hike Uncle Jos drove us around to Matt could see some other areas of CB. This is Gothic Mountain - another cool hike.

Emerald Lake - the path on the other side of the lake takes you to Crystal Mill - another fav!

So it was a great trip - but then again, they all are! How do you pick where to go next...