In case you want to watch our trip and not read...here is the Go Pro footage from the weekend! While these videos were primarily used for scrapbooking purposes, if you would like to see the places we got to go, you can check out the youtube playlist for this trip below!
So as explained last week, Jared and I went on a camping trip to Brenham where we also attended a Geocaching Mega Event. This was our first ever event of this type and we were very excited!
First of, we ended up camping at Nails Creek State Park. It's not my favorite State Park ever, but it does has a very long trail that goes all the way around the west side of the lake. It's almost 30 miles long if I can remember. Jared and I walked four miles of it the last time we were here. It was pretty, but nothing too memorable.
What was interesting is that they had many of the camping spots closed down because of flooding. So all the available spots were equestrian locations. We picked one in the back corner where there was a little bit of privacy. Good thing too. While we were alone on Thursday night, Friday and Saturday we had almost a whole suburb of people join us. They were blasting music and talking really loud. I honestly don't understand why people do that. It's so inconsiderate and personally against everything I believe camping is about.
Anyhow.
The Geocaching event taking place was hosted by the Texas Geocaching Association. It is an Amazing Race style competition where they hide around 100 geocaches in the area. There are regional teams (think North Texas, Central Texas, East Texas, etc) and those team race to see how many geocaches they can find over the course of three or four hours. There's special points awarded for teams that find geocaches first and things like that. It was a very cool concept.
Geocachers celebrate milestones with coins. Here's our coin from the event!
While we understand that Jared and I are abnormalities for work schedules, we were a little surprised at the demographics of the group. There were hardly any 20-somethings there and mostly older, retirees at the festival. Also, there seemed to be a ton of people that were more interested in drinking than doing geocaching. So much for making new friends that we would want to hang out with.
First event of the weekend.
One thing that was very awesome though is that Brenham and Washington County have a geotour, where they have a list of geocaches at interesting or historical places that you should visit. Theirs included the place where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed, the cute little town of Chappell Hill, the original location of Baylor University up in Independence and the church where Sam Houston was baptized. We also got to see the location of Sam Houston's house. While it put several miles on the Jeep, the tour itself was incredible. The weather was impeccable and we loved driving through the country side with all the bluebonnets starting to bloom. We got a really cool geocoin for completing the tour (you get clues in each geocache that you then have to write on a "passport") and we loved seeing all the cool historical spots and shops in town.
Bluebonnets in bloom at Washington on the Brazos
On the porch of a store in Chappell Hill where we had to
walk up and down Main Street to solve a lab cache.
Antique carrousel in Brenham
Location where they signed the Texas Declaration of Independence
Example of a clue in the geocache!
Up in Independence at the site of Sam Houston's house (it's actually across the street from us)
Speaking of cool shops in town, we of course had to stop at Blue Bell while we were there. There was a cool pottery place as well and of course, the airport!
Blue Bell!
Our crew grabbing a cache at a winery!
The other thing that was very cool at the event was the introduction of Lab Caches. These are geocaches that are only available for a certain amount of time (in this case, the weekend of the event) and were field puzzles you had to complete. They ended up coinciding with many of the geotour spots so we were able to complete them in a reasonable amount of time. However, it was sad to see that on the leaderboard, there was a ton of cheating. Someone completed the puzzle in 0h0m. Hmmmmmm.....
Our congrats message for completing the lab caches!
However disappointing our fellow humans can be sometimes, we loved the lab caches and the tour. These were actually the highlights for us as the event seemed a little disorganized with a lack of information and communication to those wanting to come see what it was all about.
Next on the blog, I really want to share our new obsession, hammocks! So look for that in the next week or so!
Jared's birthday was just a few days before we left for Disney! So I planned a whole day for us to explore Disney outside the normal park stuff just for us to have fun and spend some time together!
First on the scavenger hunt...Mini Golf!
Jared's lining up...
We did the Fantasia Gardens Mini Golf course and had a blast! Then we went over to Tri-Circle-D ranch to check out the Disney horses!
They were huge!
In the barn!
Pictures of the horses at Disney over the years.
That was a really special place to go and visit!
We then made our way back to the monorail loop and checked out the five legged goat at the Contemporary before making our way to the Polynesian!
Yes, that's a five legged goat and it wasn't on accident!
Got my first Dole Whip ever!
We then got to go into Trader Sams! We loved how interactive the space was and the waiters were a hoot!
We sat right under the goddess "Uh-Oha!"
So much fun!
We then grabbed a quick nap back at the hotel before heading out to Disney Springs!
Beautiful view of the lake behind the hotel!
Disney Springs has so many new things! Since Jared is a pilot, we of course had to check out the adventure and aviation themed Jock Lindsay Hanger!
Sat on the lake and could see the amphicars taking off at the Boathouse!
Story of how Jock Linsday found Disney Springs!
The pilot...the hanger. *Swoon*
We then checked out a bunch of stuff in the shops!
Yay sugar scrubs!
Love the candied apple designs!
Jared's looking for hidden Mickey's in the paintings!
Because Mickey's on it, we need it!
This day was so much fun and definitely a memorable one for us. Jared achieved equal status with Indi...worthy of his own stunt show!
The next morning we had to head home from the magic. It was one of the best weekends and I can't wait to go back!
After the late night/early morning the night before, we slept WAY in the morning after! In fact, it was afternoon before we were really up and at 'em.
I could get used to this view!
After lunch next to the bay, we headed to the Magic Kingdom, via monorail of course!
It was all decked out for Christmas!
Upon arrival, we promptly started riding some rides! What was really fun was Buzz Lightyear!
Spinning around on Buzz!
Jared achieved Galactic Hero status!
After Buzz, we went to all the mountains. Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and the new "mountain" Seven Dwarves. Fast Passes are so much fun and we love these rides!
In line for the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!
It finally got dark and the official "party" started. We rode Haunted Mansion followed by Pirates and for the first time, the Jingle Cruise!
We loved the Christmas overlay on the Jungle Cruise! Best time we have ever rode this attraction!
After riding all the favorite rides, we got ourselves some hot cocoa and cookies and settled in to the sea of people to watch the Christmas Parade!
Of course, Anna and Elsa showed up!
The lights on the castle were magical!
So many people!
Post Christmas parade and fireworks Mom and Dad went back to the hotel and Jared and I stayed to go on more rides. We hit our favorites again including Buzz Lightyear, the Peoplemover, Seven Dwarves, Thunder Mountain and we finished out the night with Spash Mountain!
Jared got his Galactic Hero button!
The actual que for the Seven Dwarves...we had never seen it before!
Plummeting into the briar patch!!
This was one of the most magical days for me with my family. Even in early November, I felt the Christmas spirit and had so much fun riding all my favorite rides with the people I love.
You actually want to get a taste of what it was like being there? Well, Christmas wish granted!
This last week was a big day in history for our family.
Seven years ago on the weekend after Thanksgiving, Jared and I started dating.
Four years ago, I had life changing eye surgery.
Last year, we closed on our first house.
I've been very reflective this week on where I have been. I didn't have dating or marriage high on the list of things to do in college. Would it be nice to date? Sure. Were there guys interested in dating me? Yes. But I shrugged off one by one, more determined to focus on school and being the strong willed independent woman I wanted to be. Thank goodness God gave Jared the patience to wait my stubbornness out. He has helped me change into a better person. One that is more patient, more forgiving and less judgmental. I feel I still have a long way to go but I'm definitely better off with him!
Right before we got married I had eye surgery. I was legally blind and didn't have enough tissue on my eye to correct it via Lasik. However, I had the right doctor who knew the best surgeon who was able to do ICL surgery. It cost a fortune and I know how much my parents sacrificed for me to have this surgery. It has been one of the single life changing moments of my life. I remember growing up and getting my prescription adjusted every year. When we would go home I would marvel at the leaves on the trees and notice that we had our address number above our garage. But this was that on a whole different scale. I didn't know the world could be seen in HD after viewing it on a fuzzy box my whole life. I don't think I would appreciate the beauty of the world like I do today if I had not had the opportunity to have this surgery.
Last year was a life changing moment as well. Jared and I didn't just buy a house...we bought a HOME. It's a place I have been able to finally feel comfortable in. I wasn't just a passerby waiting for the next best thing. I was finally able to see and feel and decorate this space because it's my home. It's where we are going to raise our kids. It's where we are going to entertain our friends and family. It's where Jared and I will spend our good days and our bad days together. My PTSD has significantly reduced the frequency of rearing it's ugly head since moving in a year ago. Again, life changing.
As I reflect on these things, I can't help but remember Paul writing in 1 Corinthians that when we are younger in life, whether that be in our Christian walk or our physical life span, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know it part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." I remember having so many questions after graduating college...even more than after graduating high school. Most of my questions can be summarized by "Now what?" It's so incredible that just a few years later I can look back and go, "Wow God. I had a big vision of what you wanted me to do. But the path that you took me down to get here is something only you could have dreamed up."
And it can all be summarized as grace.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.
Grace from God is what brought me to Jared. Grace from my parents is what allowed me to literally see. Grace is what allowed me to see metaphorically what God wanted me to do. Grace is what brought us to this home and this job and this amazing group of friends and family. I am truly thankful this Christmas season. It's the most content I have ever been in my life, and I am truly thankful.
Today is a pretty special day...it's my mom's birthday!!!
My mom is a pretty special lady. ;) Not only is she absolutely beautiful, but she is an amazing woman! I am completely blessed to have her as a role model!
Here's what I love about Mom:
1. She introduced me to Disney and chocolate. What else does a girl need???
2. She's a hard worker. She has tirelessly worked her whole life to be the best at what she does and she never gives up. I hope I can be the best at what I do just like her.
3. She is the most loyal person I know. If I'm into something or my brother is into something, she jumps in 100% and learns about that thing with you. From my days working at the winery to our new runDisney obsession, she loves sharing what you love. And to boot? She sticks with you no matter what.
4. She loves to travel! I have had the opportunity to travel to so many places because of her love for travel! I am so blessed to have had all the experiences I have had and I know my love for travel comes from her and Dad. Thank you for schlepping me all over the world so that I could experience so many things!
5. She is the best teacher. Yes, yes she teaches at Rice. But she's also a great teacher for life. If she doesn't know how to do it, she finds someone who does (hello Spanish and music!). But she's taught me so many things. Like how to make a cheesecake (and cook in general). She taught me about history, how to read and write, how to do a resume, how to make friends. She builds fences, can do-it-yourself on many things around the house, and knows how to shop sales!!!! I have the best person to learn alongside with.
6. She is super compassionate. But what's awesome about her compassion is that she doesn't just look at your plight and go "poor baby" and bring you some milk. But she tells you the things you need to hear to give you that extra push to move past it. I think this is super rare. I'm able to talk to her whenever I'm having a meltdown and be able to move on with her encouragement.
7. She's my best friend. We get together and we can just talk! From Disney to running to clothes she and I just can go on for hours! It's a problem when we are on a trip and we need to get up early in the morning, but it's one of the most cherished things about her that I love!
To thank you Mom for being so awesome. Today we celebrate you!
So I am going to take a little time to brag on my amazingly brilliant husband. People have asked me if I knew he could do what he does before we got married and my honest answer was, "no." He built a bed with his dad for college once. He's pretty good at engineering things for sure. But in no way did I know he had the talent to channel his creativity into power tools and create new life out of old wood.
In case you don't know, he has started his own little business called Love Life Design Co. I give the man a garage and some power tools and a new creature was born! He has been making the most stunning Texas' over the past few months and I am amazed every single time with what he can make!
One of his first designs, which has inspired so many others.
He stained the wood on this one to look like the state flag colors
Love the little heart on this one.
And of course, everything is bigger in Texas. Jared was commissioned to make a 5 ft tall Texas. It was as big as me!
It was huge!!!
But it didn't take long for us to start branching out to other states as family members saw what he was doing!
Our first "other" state, Tennessee!
Of course, in our family, we tend to challenge one another. Thankfully, Jared helped me make some of my designs come to life!
A super cute medal hanger with some bling!
Custom quote sign
And I couldn't resist the Disney flair!
Made this for our guest room!
Never thought I would start a small business. But I am super excited about it and love what we have been able to create so far! If you are interested in our shop, you can check it out at https://www.etsy.com/shop/LoveLifeDesignCo
