Getting Away...

...From It All. Otherwise known as GAFIA.  Our yearly college girl get together.  I'm kind of like a broken record when it comes to my time with these girls, but I just could not be more thankful for them.  I knew that these girls were a huge blessing in my life during college, but I had no idea what it would look like for us to walk through life together all these years later.  Through weddings, kids, people living in different states and different countries.  Through hard times, and struggles, and disappointments in life.  These girls have become a constant source of encouragement in my life. 

I am so thankful for the way God placed each of us together through our time at Baylor.  I'm thankful for a weekend where we are all together.  I'm thankful for time set aside to look back at the year before and share with friends what God has done and where I've struggled.  I'm thankful for people who know me.  People with whom there are no pretenses.  I love you girls and I wish we could go back to the lake house!!!

 We started out our time at the lake house with some exercise.  Yes, we did Tae Bo.  It was like 108 degrees outside.  You do what you've gotta do!

 Loaded Questions has become a staple of our weekend.  It's really fun to play with people you know well!

 Michelle was the winner!

 It was stinking hot!

 The lake was low, so we spent a lot of time in the pool and playing games in the backyard.

 We played Bocce Ball - we were clearly the winners!

 Sad, sad losers!

 And there was ladder ball.  We one that too.

I should probably note that the other team did actually win our final game of Bocce ball.

Love you girls so much!!!

Sarah (F) turns 30!

So, apparently my blog is going to be in the world of 30th birthdays.  But I love it...all these people turning 30 before me. :)  I kid, I kid.  My dear friend Sarah turned 30 back at the beginning on August.  Sarah loves all things Paris and French, so we went to Toulouse, a wonderful French restaurant in Dallas to celebrate her.  Happy Birthday Sarah!

Me & the birthday girl!

 Cake!  It's blurry, but I still kinda love it!

 Leanne & Jen

 Sarah & Stacy

Our whole group!

Mike Turns 30...

...and the Masowiches move to Texas! I mean, they've been here for months.  And I can't believe I never blogged about our welcome to Texas party.  We celebrated the fact that Mike & Elisa moved back way back in May. 

But to the subject at hand, back in July we drove to Fort Worth to celebrate Mike's 30th birthday, and to surprise him, none the less.  Let's just say, surprises might not be Mike's favorite, but I had a blast hanging out with friends and getting to celebrate.

Mike & Elisa

Michelle, me, Natalie & Elisa

Natalie & Elisa - our Ft. Worth friends

Showering Erin

I realize that might sound a little funny, but really, I went to a shower.  For Erin.  Thrown by her wonderful bridesmaids.  She's already blogged about this blessed event.  I am a little behind - seeing as this happened in the middle of July.  Oh well.  It was a fun shower.  They had it at Mattito's, so there was mexican food and margaritas.  Such fun. 

My homemade part of my gift.  The P is for Pendarvis!

 Me & the Bride!

 Erin's sweet friend Dana flew in from D.C.  Dana and I go way back.  It was good to see her again.

 Molly & Allison - A couple of the many PwC friends I got to see!

 Carolyn, Kami, & Diana - sweet bridesmaids!

Erin likes presents. :)

Family Vacation - St. George Island

It's time to get caught up on the month of July!  Over the week of 4th of July my family and the Sauer's, some of our good friends, headed to St. George Island, Florida.  The parents rented a house on the beach and we all got to spend the week together.  It was a great time to get away.  We sat on the beach, the guys went on a fishing trip, we played lots of games of Nerts, watched the crabs come out of the sand at dark, and basically just relaxed.  Thank you mom and dad for such a great vacation - it was a blast!

Sunrises from our deck.

Welch girls.

 The guys...and their beer and cigars.

 The girls went to brunch while the guys fished.

Donelle, Angela, Deborah, Rebekah, Valerie, me.

 Welch girls.

 The parents - Eddy, Tina, mom & dad

 We really enjoyed our quality time...

 My dad rekindled his tennis skills.

 Tina & Mom

Group picture - love these people!