Cousins Are The Best!

There are 19 of us, cousins that is, on my mom's side - setting up camp in over 3 countries and 8 states. That kind of geographic spread doesn't lend itself to frequent visits. Moving to Mississippi, most of our friends had grown up in Jackson their entire lives - as had their parents - as had their grandparents. They went to school with their cousins. They lived in the same neighborhood as their aunts and uncles. My brothers and I never lived near family. In fact, quite the opposite...we lived in the deep South, far, far away from anyone else! 

Growing up we had family reunions every summer...but as the years went by, and the 19 of us grew up, the family get-to-gethers have been less and less often. When you go awhile without seeing your extended family, you wonder if things will have "changed" by the time you see them again. But then they come to visit you, you have the best time, and you realize just how strong the family bond can be!

My cousin Matt came in town for a long weekend to hang out - and we had SUCH a great time. It is so much fun to spend time with my cousins as adults and realize that we definitely all come from the same grandparents! 

With my Matt out of town - Joe took over duties of cooking the pizza! Three S cousins in one place...impressive!

It feels like all we did was eat! Luckily I did fit into my pants Monday!

Seriously, how delicious does this look. We did pancakes for breakfast Saturday in between doughnuts Friday and Sunday.

Lucky LOVED Matt. For some reason my iphone camera stinks - but it is still a sweet picture! This was taken during one of probably 6 movies we watched!

Lucky being difficult because Matt is leaving.

You can't come to Dallas without stopping by the JFK site. And yes, those are doughnuts in that paper bag!

Even better than having your cousins visit - is having them come live in your same city! It has been so fun to "continue" to grow up with Kelly and Joe!

Fall at the Arboretum

This past weekend we took Denise and met the W. family for some fun at the arboretum. They have their Pumpkin Village out and it is worth the trip! We go every year! Steph brought her fancy camera, because let's be honest, isn't that why we go...for the pictures!

Love our Lundemacher dates!

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!

Bottle Service at the Burlesque Bar

We are celebrating 29 in style this year! Even though my birthday isn't until next weekend, everyone was able to gather yesterday to say GOODBYE 28! We started the night at one of my favorite locals - Union Bear. They have a fabulous $5 house wine - and delicious pizza with a great atmosphere. And...they take reservations for large parties (16 to be specific). Two and a half hours later we were full, got in some good belly laughs and took our show on the road to Teddy's Room. 

Steph and Ryan's first date night out sans kids since Blake! Thanks for coming out guys!!!

Matt, Brian and I spent a good part of the day at the pool - remembering the food and drinks...forgetting the sunscreen! Sorry Brian!

Steph was so sweet to surprise me with desserts from Anything Bundt Cake!

Lundemachers!

Wolfpack

"most" of the group!

Once again, my cousin Kelly introduced me to Teddy's Room. I, of course, had never heard of it - and she, as usual, had already been. When she told me about it - a burlesque bar set up as a "speakeasy" type place with trained burlesque dancers - I immediately added it to my "things to do in Dallas." So celebrating the final "20-something" birthday in a "twenties-ish" atmosphere felt appropriate! And we lived it up! We decided to get bottle service so that we could secure a nice little table/couches area - and wow, was that the right decision. When we first arrived the place was fairly empty - but within an hour it was PACKED (and hot!). I do not think it would have been much fun to try and make space within the jampacked "dance floor." That and...it was really fun to experience "bottle service" for the first time in my life! I typically shy away from social elite activities such as ordering bottle service - but this time it just felt right!

Even though the dancers didn't start until midnight - Chase went ahead and warmed up the stage for them!

Round 2!

A view of how crowded it got!

Discovering DFW

My mom has been in town the past 10 weeks for work and it has been fabulous. She worked out near Fort Worth and came to stay with us on the weekends. Weekends around here have been crazy - but we managed to fit in some really fun activities - showing my mom areas in Dallas and Fort Worth that she had never been before.  Two of the top picks were the Arboretum and Downtown Fort Worth (and the Stockyards). Downtown Fort Worth is so fun!!!! It is nice to have people come into town to give you an excuse to do the fun things that are right in your backyard!

This is their "test" garden - which looks a million times better than my "real" garden!

Fort Worth

Joe T. Garcia's!