Holy Crap! Is it really 2011??

Well hello there!  It's been a while...so ya might as well get comfy!

To start off, Happy 2011!  Wow, that still sounds CrAzY!!  I hope everyone has a very very blessed 2011 and that everything goes smoothly!  The past few months have been a whirlwind for the Taylors.  From our anniversary, to a death in the family, to a wedding on New Years, we've been going NON STOP!

November 21st marked our very FIRST anniversary!  We celebrated by spending a few days at my family's cabin in Ruidoso, NM.  I just LOVE it up there!  Most people go to Ruidoso for the gambling.  Well, I could just go up there and do absolutely nothing for a whole week!  It's so peaceful and relaxing...and the scenery is pretty amazing, too!  For our anniversary, I gave Justin a set of custom seat covers for his pickup.  That doesn't sound like much to others, but trust me, they weren't cheap!  AND, he really wanted them, since his seats are pretty worn out!  Justin gave me another band to go on the other side of my engagement ring!  I must say, it's quite gorgeous!

Two days before we left for Ruidoso, my grandpa (P.J.), mom's dad, took a pretty good fall at home.  He broke 3 ribs, resulting in a punctured lung.  After P.J. being in the hospital a few days, we got a phone call on November 23.  He had passed away.  I knew he wasn't doing well, but in NO WAY was I ever prepared to hear those words from my mom.  I just know that he will forever be catching all the fish in all the lakes in heaven!  Love you, P.J. and see ya again!

December was even more busy for the Taylors!  Justin was finishing up the semester and I was busy trying to get everything done for Christmas.  Mom came down one weekend and she, Gail (my mil) and I went to Austin to see the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.  I've never seen anything like it before in my life!  Those girls can kick, dance, and stay perfectly synchronized all at the same time!  Thanks, Mom, for taking me!!

The week before Christmas, Justin's family from Georgia came down for a visit.  We LOVE when they come to Texas!  The guys all went to Cotulla to the Taylor Ranch for almost a week, while the girls had a SPA DAY, went shopping, and did other fun things!  Justin's Aunt Robyn treated me to a massage at our Spa Day & it was WONDERFUL!  She's just too sweet! 

Christmas Eve, we headed up to Midland to my grandmother's house.  LOVE spending time there!  We ate a huge delicious turkey dinner, opened presents, and then played our family favorite, Tripoly.  Christmas morning, when everyone FINALLY woke up (the wine fairy showed up and definitely WORE OUT her welcome), we all got to see what Santa had brought us!  Sure do love Santa! :)  That evening, we stopped to visit my other grandpa and his wife.  We enjoyed seeing them, as we just don't get to see them often enough.

The day before New Year's Eve, we headed over to Houston for our friend, Lucas's wedding.  The rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, and after party were all on the 30th.  The wedding was at a gorgeous venue, Agave Road, in Katy.  After the rehearsal, we headed to Los Cucos for a delicious fajita dinner and drinks.  The night was capped off at one of Lucas's favorite bars, Mo's Place.  Everyone danced, visited, and drank the night away.  On Friday, (NYE) the guys all met Lucas for lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.  I opted to do a little shopping, so I went over to Harwin Street.  If you've never been there, you just don't know what you're missing!  I bought some new beads to make necklaces, a "Louis" purse, and even found some jewelry to wear to the wedding!  LOVE Harwin Street!

The wedding was just beautiful.  It was an outdoor ceremony in front of a huge fireplace.  There were dozens of candles lit, and it was just perfect!  The reception was inside at Agave Road.  The colors were black and white, and fit the bride & groom's personalities to a T!  We had a spectacular dinner and dessert, followed by dancing into the New Year!  It was such a blast to ring in the New Year with such a beautiful couple!  We wish them the best!!

Oh!!  Speaking of weddings...guess what else I accomplished in December?!

Are you ready for this?

Here it comes.....

I ORDERED OUR WEDDING PICTURES!!!!!!

That's right, folks!  Brandi Taylor has FINALLY done it!  :)

Since most of you have probably not seen the photos of our special day, here's the link!

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/thumbpage.aspx?e=6043117

Well, I think I'll have more free time on my hands to blog in the coming months, as StOcK sHoW season is upon us!  We kick off the year with Atascosa County next week, followed by Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Houston, San Angelo, and finally Austin!  Please pray for me as I once again become a "Stock Show Widow!"

Hope everyone has a safe and happy 2011.

Until we meet again...........