Busy, busy weekend!!

This weekend was soooo busy !!! In fact, it was one of those weekends that made me realize we are definitely gonna have to schedule some down time asap!! Ha!

Friday night I kicked off the weekend with an fabulous, delicious & hilarious (great combo, huh?!?) Girls Night Out! We met up at Omaha's Classy Gourmet for an Italian cooking class. It was such a blast!! I arrived at 7pm and seriously I laughed the entire time!!!

Love, love these ladies!!!

Katie, me & Laura...picture taken my the talented & fabulous Katie Jo

Of course, Katie Jo took a-mazing pics all night!!

Laughing and cooking...doesn't get much better!!!

Cookin' in my little black apron

Laura making the sauce (our group's assigned project) - she was a rock star with this sauce!!!

Enjoying our wine....and yeah, kinda blurry....this picture was from my camera - notice the difference between my camera and Katie Jo's?!?! Yeah....

When I went home, I spent the rest of the night laughing at my wonderful husband and my adorable dog!!! It was a beyond perfect day!! ;)

Saturday morning we ran lots and lots of errands....and I do mean lots! Lol!! We spent the majority of the day here....

We went back and forth from the Mart to our house....measuring, re-measuring, back to the Mart to look at more couches...and then, the cycle started all over. It was a pretty cr-azy afternoon that turned into evening that turned into 10pm. Isn't it funny how time can just absolutely FLY sometimes!! I'm happy to report that we have found a great couch that we think will be perfect for our little house!! Yay!!

Here are some recent pics of the house

Soooo...I know it's kinda hard to tell what this is - it's our Master Bathroom. Our tub and shower were delivered and installed!!!! Yay, yay, yay!!!! The shower/tubs were installed in the other bathrooms too but, I won't bore you with more random bath pics... ;)

Ok, probably a SUPER boring pic BUT, it's our siding!!!!! I never, ever thought I'm be excited to see siding but I am!!!! Ha ha!!!! ;-) .....This is totally one of those, "you know your old when...." moments!!

Ok, probably the most excited part about this house visit - our FIREPLACE!!!!!!!!

EEEeeeekkkkk!!!!! I was jumping up and down shouting when I saw this bad boy!!! Ha!!! I think Molly thought I was going crazy - lol!!! And since Kevin already knows I'm nuts....it was no big deal - ha!!!

On Sunday, we headed to meet Ellie, a young & oooooo so sweet Lab!! Since it was our first time meeting her I didn't want to stress her out any more than necessary sooooo....I thought no pics would be best. She is just a doll!! We think she will make a great addition to our family and I'm really, really hoping things work out! Since we are in a very small apartment now, the family said they'd hold on to her until we move - but if someone else comes along that can take her sooner then of course (and understandably) they will give her to them. I know it's in God's hands and that He will bless us with the "perfect for us" dog - just as He did with our little Molly.

Yup, so that was our weekend! Pretty busy!

This week has been pretty busy as well and next weekend I'm heading to Kansas City to meet my Aunt for a weekend of fun! I *heart* KC!!!

Oh no! I think I might be *that* girl!

…..Oh yeah, I’m sooo turning in to *that* girl! You know the one, she dresses up her little dog and thinks it’s just the cutest thing ever – YUP, that’s me!! I should probably stop right here to mention that I do not, in any way, feel (nor have I ever felt) it's weird/wrong to dress up you dog (or whatever animal you choose) I just never thought I'd being doing it - doing so much of it....and loving it!!! Hello, my name is Christy and I love dressing up my dog!! …Admitting you have a problem is the first step, right? Ha! Plus...I’m pretty sure my husband is just mortified that I dress up our little Molly.

Here are a few other random thoughts I’d like to share…..

~ During a recent trip to Ulta (ahhh…love that place) I discovered 2 new OPI colors that I LOVE --- “Pink me, I’m good” and “Mad as a Hatter”. I’m wearing the “Pink me, I’m good” now because it’s such a fun pink color that was just perfect for Valentine’s Day!! And the “Mad as a Hatter” I can’t wait to find the perfect occasion wear that one!!

~ I love the snow….it’s so pretty, fun to play in BUT I think I might be done with it for the season….unfortunately; we are set to get a few more inches this weekend.

~ I soooo soooo want to find a yoga class that meets early – and by early, I mean 5:30-ish – eeeEEKKK! If you are in the Omaha area and know of one….or if you know of a good dvd, please let me know! ;)

Well, I think those area all the random thoughts I have for now - lol!! ;) Hope you are having a fabulous week!!

It's that time again....

....for HGTV's Dream Home giveaway!! Yay!!! In case you haven't entered yet - you still have a few days and can enter here - good luck!!

This year HGTV built their Dream Home near the beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico - this gorgeous home has a really open single story floor plan......

....this is the home & car you can enter to win! And, of course....I have more pics!!

Front of the home. The house was designed to fit into the New Mexico landscape...and I think they did a pretty good job! ;)

Entry Way - very light and airy

1st glance into the home

Cozy Fireplace Nook....the only thing that's missing is a big cup of coffee and a great book

Daybed nook - perfect place for a nap!! ....I'm sure my little Molly would agree - ha!!

Dinning room - look at that a-mazing view!! Love those windows!!

How fabulous is that accent wall?!?! Love, LOVE it!!!

....I can totally picture myself make a mean pancake breakfast in there!!

I just LOVE this open floor plan!!

Ok...I'll admit, I'm not really feeling the green....it's just not the right shade for me

Master bath - simple yet luxurious....I see many bubble baths in that tubs future! ;)

Sunrise room - this room is just past the master bedroom and is the perfect place to watch the sunrise over the New Mexico desert....this room would SOOOO be the PERFECT place for some morning quiet time.....Yup, that view + coffee + Bible = perfect way to start your day!!

I like this space - like the idea of a media room BUT....where are you suppose to cuddle?!? I love cuddling up next to my (super hot) husband while watching tv/movies....don't you?!? Lol!! ;)

The house looks so pretty at night...I'd sure love to have a glass of wine on the back patio!!

View from the backyard - love the view of those mountains!!

Perfect outdoor entertaining area - if I win I'm inviting all of you over for a party! ;)

Good luck!!! And....if you win - you'll have invite me over for a glass of wine on your back patio!!! ;)

Speaking of houses.....after work, Kevin and I headed off to our house floor plans' model home (did that make sense??? - hope so! lol!!)

We have a few design dilemmas - particularly in the sitting room/dinning room area. When you walk into our house there is a large space that doesn't really have much definition....here's how the model home is set-up

I have a feeling we will probably do something similar...what do you think???

Here's the other (much more minor though) design challenge - the room is a good size but....it seems that you are pretty limited on furniture location. We will also probably end up doing something pretty similar to this furniture set-up.

Our biggest "concern" (if you can even call it a concern) is what kind of couch to get....and does anyone else find it odd that the couch is so far from the wall??? The more I look at it the more odd it becomes....hmmm.... Any thoughts/comments/feelings???

Ok....last picture - promise!! ;) With the permission of the guy in charge (of course!!) of these model homes {yes, that was for you Katie & Katie - wink, wink - lol!!} we were able to take our little Molly in with us! She was SUCH a good girl - she was at our feet the WHOLE time! She is getting soooo good at staying - even when she can't see us!! Pretty BIG milestone!!! Plus, our little Molly just LOVES stairs {which....fyi, she discovered at Katie's house} so she had a great time!!

Here she is, in the Master, sitting & staying - lol!! So adorable!! ;)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I just love Valentine's Day!! I think it's such a sweet holiday - perfect opportunity to celebrate love and life!

I feel so blessed to have had such a fantastic Valentine’s celebrations – my husband really went above and beyond this year – everything was just really amazing and very romantic! I have loved every minute of this weekend.

Friday evening Kevin and I headed out to our favorite little vineyard for our official Valentine’s Date – how cute is this place?!?

Just so adorable!! If you are ever in the area I highly recommend SVE Vineyards

And….it doesn’t hurt that their daughter is in culinary school – she and a few of her friends made this delicious 4 course meal……

Menu

Lobster Bisque

Main Course

Dessert

On Saturday, we took a quick trip to our house and hung out for a bit

And, of course, we brought our little Molly!!

It's so neat to see it being built - it's really starting to take shape and looking more and more like the home we imagined!! Pretty exciting stuff for us!!

Then we made an even quicker trip to Nebraska Furniture Mart (btw, fabulous place to get furniture) we met up with some of our friends for dinner….they, their 3 kiddos & 2 dogs are preparing for their upcoming move to the Netherlands!! Isn’t that so exciting!!! We can’t wait to visit!! ….What’s that you ask??? Where did we go? ….Um, would you believe me if I said Kona?!?!!! I know!! So….right about now, anyone who isn’t from Omaha is probably thinking that Kona Grill must be the ONLY place to eat in Omaha…since it seems to be the ONLY place I EVER eat!! I can absolutely see why one would assume such. BUT….BUT I PROMISE we have SOOOOO many (many, many, many) other a-mazing restaurants – I promise! Back to my personal Kona ordeal…..I do love Kona but, this is getting mildly embarrassing. And sadly, I didn’t take any pictures…we were wrapped up in “OMG!!! You are moving to the Netherlands ”talk though. ;)

And today….*sigh* has been so relaxing. We started off our day with a delicious French toast & mimosa breakfast – yum! Then I was off for a manicure – woo hoo! It was kinda nice to have some pampering. ;) We did a little more furniture shopping – I think we pretty much have our bedroom stuff picked out!! Yay for small victories!! Ha!! Now, if we can just figure out living room stuff!! Have any ideas??? Send ‘em our way!! Ha!! No, but seriously....

….And we ended everything with a pasta and crab dinner!!!

Lately, Kevin and I have been doing a lot of reflecting on God’s love and how we can best represent that love – not only to each other but, to everyone…..So, I thought I’d share 2 of my favorite verses on Love….

A NEW COMMAND I GIVE YOU: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, SO YOU MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER. PY THIS ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTEHR.

JOHN 13:34-35

THREE THINGS WILL LAST FOREVER: FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE - AND THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:13

Super Bowl!!

What an awesome game!!! And the Saints?!?! Woo Hoo!!! Yay for them!!!

This happens to be the only pic of the night...AND, it was after some of the girls left! :(I don't know why I haven't been taking many pictures lately....definitely not like me! Lol!

This year, I made pico de gallo, chocolate chip cookie dough dip and BLT dip - I think that combined with all the other yummy foods everyone else brought I probably consumed about 2 days worth of calories/fat - ha!! No but seriously....I was pretty glad Kevin and I did a lap around Walnut Creek (3 miles) that morning - makes me feel a little better. ;)

Skiing in Iowa?!?

Yup, that's right! If you ever find yourself smack in the middle of the Great Plains and just must go skiing - there's a place in Iowa for you!! Kevin and I have heard about this place - Mt Crescent, and have been meaning to go....and, this weekend we finally did!!!

After a yummy breakfast (apple pie pancakes - delicious!!) we headed off. As a kid, Kevin grew up near lots of mountains so he had his doubts....but since I grew up in Oklahoma - with no mountains, I was super duper excited to see it!!!

Here's what we saw when we arrived......

Now, if your from somewhere where there are mountains, you are probably laughing and thinking, "That's it?!?!" - like my husband. BUT, if your a Midwesternbelle - like me than you are probably thinking, "Wow!! That place is a-mazing!!! Slopes, here I come!!" Totally what I was thinking! Lol! ;)

Of course we took our little puppy along for the ride - she *loves* running and pouncing about in the snow so we thought it would be the perfect little family outing......Things were going great.....and then, something pretty scary happened... Molly started having these really, really, REALLY weird "episodes" - it seemed as though she had some sort of airway obstruction. Oh yeah, I was soooooo freaked out!!! So, we cut our field trip short and headed straight to the Emergency Vet. They were soooo nice AND as it turns out, Molly's "episodes" were really her reverse sneezing. Yeah, pretty interesting - apparently it's a small breed thing. I'm just glad shes's ok - HUGE sigh of relief! :)

After we knew Molly was safe and sound, we headed off to see our house - we were sooo sooo surprised at how much had neen done!! I mean, it had only been a week since we last visited - here's the latest

Yay! Yay! Yay!!!! We are sooo beyond excited!!