Thanksgiving

Marty, me, Heather, Billie and Freddie on the Riverwalk

Things have been so crazy that I haven't even had time to blog all that's happening! We had a great Thanksgiving with Marty's family. We had a huge dinner at my sister in law Debbie's house and everyone ate way too much food. After dinner Marty, Heather and I were joined by my inlaws Freddie and Billie and we headed to the Riverwalk. The Christmas lights weren't lit yet but it was still a nice night!

Marty and me on a terrace over the San Antonio Riverwalk







Billie and Freddie








Flowers planted in heart-shaped flower beds near the wedding island on the Riverwalk.







The beautiful San Antonio Riverwalk. See the transformation with Christmas lights coming up in a couple of days!

Elizabeth

Although we only live 5 hours apart, it's been 2, if not 3 years since we've seen one another! Elizabeth and I became best friends quickly after we met during our senior year in high school (1988-1989), and we were INSEPERABLE! We were together constantly: during school, after school, at work, on weekends...she was just another member of my family. Although Dad always made her nervous, my parents just welcomed her as one of their own. My youngest brother and sister Levi and Lacey were pretty small that year, and adored her as well, especially Lacey. When I called Lacey this morning I told her "Guess who I'm going to see tonight?" She was almost as excited as me when I told her I'd get to see Elizabeth. One of my favorite photos was taken the night Elizabeth and I graduated high school. It's of both of us in our red caps and gowns and Levi and Lacey are in the photo with us. I'd post it if I could find it!









When I moved to Arizona after graduation it was Elizabeth I missed as much as I missed my family. Elizabeth was the friend who made sure I had a calling card so I could call her as often as I needed to while I was away. She's the one who made sure I got home that first Christmas away. She and a friend drove all the way to Phoenix to pick up my roommate and me and drive us all the way back to Missouri. Elizabeth is the one whose house I could go, any time day or night and always be welcomed no matter what. There were even nights when as a teenager I knew my heart was just breaking in two and I could knock on her window and she'd get up, come let me in and we'd talk all night.









Gosh Elizabeth, who knew we could pack so many memories into that one year?! The first auto accident I was ever in was with her in her mom's car. The first time I had my car airborn, Elizabeth was with me. Elizabeth do you remember that? I'd almost forgotten that one until my latest trip back to Missouri and Marty and I drove that same road and I remembered and shared with him. She was almost always with me any time I cruised through town. Oh the miles we must have skated round and round at Skateland, the miles we cruised Porter Wagoner Blvd, the hours we've spent talking , crying and laughing together, the nights we spent talking all night sitting on the pavement in front of KFC or on the hood of my car in front of Hardee's. Remember McDonaldland Cookies and Grape Soda???









Elizabeth was in San Antonio this week for a conference for work. Marty and I drove over tonight to meet her at the RiverWalk to hang out for the evening. The time went by much too quickly! What fun I had catching up, if even for a short while. Can you believe our girls are almost the age we were when we met? I don't think I have a single senior year memory that you aren't in! :0) I thank God for you and what you've meant to me the past 20 years!

Elizabeth and me waiting for our dinner at Joe's Crab Shack.

Our waiter put a bib on Marty before his dinner arrived!

Elizabeth in front of the Alamo doors.

the Alamo

Elizabeth and me along the RiverWalk

Just outside the RiverCenter Mall, after enjoying our Starbucks Coffee break!

Elizabeth, I'm so glad we got to spend the evening together. Hope to see you in Fredericksburg at the end of March!!! Love ya bunches!!!

Christmas Lights on the RiverWalk...Part 2

I discovered when looking back through the photos I took of the RiverWalk last night, there are some photos I didn't get posted. One section of the river was absolutely stunning. The pictures I took from within the moving boat just didn't suit me. After the boat ride was over I convinced Marty, Mike and Debbie that I NEEDED to walk back down to that section of the river. At that point Marty looked at his watch (he had to be at work at 6:00 this morning!) and said "do you know what time it is?" None of us had even paid attention to the time we were having so much fun. He told us it was "almost tomorrow." My comment was, "it still FEELS like today!" Despite the late hour everyone was game for walking back to the area I wanted to photograph.

After taking these photos it was time to head home. I took pity on Marty and drove home and let him sleep on the way. We got home at 2 am and I was too tired to post the pictures last night so I waited until this morning. My sister in law, Debbie called me today, surprised I had the pictures posted. Her question to me: "Don't you ever sleep???"

Christmas on the RiverWalk

Last night we decided since Heather was babysitting, Marty and I would go out. He worked all day so we had to leave late but we decided to call his brother Mike and Mike's wife Debbie and meet them at the RiverWalk in San Antonio. I love going there this time of year. It's beautiful with all the Christmas lights!



I've never found parking to be the problem it was last night! Apparently all the Oklahoma Sooners and Missouri Tigers fans had bombarded the city. We drove round and round the Alamo until parking spaces finally opened up in the RiverCenter parking garage. We met up with Mike and Debbie inside the RiverCenter Mall and walked along the RiverWalk in search of food. We decided Case Rio sounded good and we even got a table outside beside the water. It was the perfect evening for such an outing! The weather was wonderful (Are you SURE it's December??? 'Cause it was 75 degrees today!!!) The evening was warm, the food delicious, and the Christmas lights added the perfect ambience.

Upon arrival on the RiverWalk.

Mike, Debbie, me, Marty

Debbie and Mike

You guys are so fun to hang out with. We laughed until the wee hours of the morning!

me and Debbie

me and Marty. Thanks for a great date night!

After dinner we decided to just stroll. We passed one of the boat ride stations and Debbie said she'd never taken a boat ride on the River Walk. The line was very short and it was time for the night's final boat tour, so we got our tickets and hopped on.
While we were on the boat ride it became apparent the big football game was over (sorry Mizzou, the Sooners won the game.) There were even Mizzou fans on our boat!!! I've never felt so at home in San Antonio as I did last night with Mizzou t-shirts and jerseys EVERYWHERE!!!! At the end of the evening, on our way to the parking garage we entered an elevator full of young men, all wearing Mizzou shirts and one even wearing a football helmet. Turns out they are all from Missouri, living in Texas. Small world!

All of us on the boat ride.

(Mike, Marty, me, Debbie)

A beautiful Christmas tree right outside the RiverCenter Mall.

There's nothing like a stroll along the RiverWalk at Christmas!