its been a long week....and a fabulous weekend...

This week was just a long week. We are getting ready for close and trying to get stuff "fixed" to make this close go much smoother....and lets just say everyone's a little stressed out preparing for next week. Then we had a Lippe family blow....two people in the family were laid off this week -- and lets just say it was a not what we expected. Not one bit. I think most of us have been shielded from the "bad economy" and it was definitely a wake up call for all of us. Of course, everything will be fine and in some cases it is a blessing in disguise, and we know that God has an amazing plan ahead in their lives.

This weekend we went to Seguin to lay low and do lots of shopping....I needed to buy some new clothes -- I am down now two sizes and I am officially to that place where I can barely wear my old clothes. They might fit when I put them on, but in about 2 hours I am holding my pants up. Its great, but also really annoying! I do have one pair of jeans and a couple of pairs of work pants that I can get away with, but new clothes were definitely in order. And when new clothes are necessary - well a trip to the outlet mall is necessary! My friends, the O's, wanted to go play too - so off we went....even better that R and I both have 9/80s and got to take the day off -- and we made her hubby leave early too so we could get out of town.

We went to town and immediately went to the outlet mall and met up with my sister and my parents -- we wandered around Pottery Barn...well, the girls did, the boys found a great little set of couches and sat down and hung out. Awesome. Then we went off to a little mexican place and met up with our friend KV and some of his (and P's) friends from high school at this great little mexican food place in Cibolo -- La Tortillita. Let's just say the food is really good, the service is very slow and it was a great time to get to hang out and be silly. And people watch. that was awesome.

Then we went off to the UT game -- lets just say I was a great sport -- and my sister came and hung out with us and we got to enjoy the great weather! Then we went back to the outlet malls...let's just say we actually went three times during the weekend...and then it was time to go home and have a little play time at the Lippe house. It was so fun to get to spend some time with my parents, and the O's and KV and their friends J and S. It was just what the doctor ordered....

Then we got back to town and I had some time to lay outside in the sun, take a little nap and then go out to dinner to celebrate SM's and KC's birthday....I absolutely ADORE these girls. We always have a great time and this time was no exception. We went to Benjy's - one of my favorites. The best was I ordered a bottle of champagne -- they didn't have it. So I ordered another drink. he comes back with another bottle of champagne that was 3 times more expensive for the price of the original bottle and a free mojitos. Let's just say I pretty much didn't need to drink that much on a  Sunday night but it was AWESOME. Here we are....

 LG, PR, SM, me and KC. 

I heart them. 

last weekend....

last weekend I invited my old engagement team from KPMG over to come and play. we hadn't seen each other in FOREVER and we had two new babies on the engagement team. Two of the girls weren't able to come, which was so sad, but that just means we will have to do it again!

We used to spend SO much time together....which is in some weird way the reason I loved my old job. We got to know each other so well, and knew everyones likes and dislikes and were so involved in each others lives. And so it is sad we don't see each other as often, but it makes getting together SO much more fun -- especially with new babies!

Here are the L's -- that C worked with me almost her whole career -- her first daughter V is one of my favorite little girls ever. Sadly, she isn't so little anymore! We used to go to her school programs as an engagement team as it was literally 1/2 a mile down the street....now look how old she is!! We used to call her mini-me of C. You can just see how much they look alike! Now there is baby L and of course V is such a FABULOUS older sister!!! 

Then we have L's baby....how stinking cute is she:

She wanted to sleep almost the whole time so we caught her sleeping and smiling in her sleep. It was a great day to catch up with old friends and see the sweet baby girls!!! 

A comparison...

I haven't posted for a while about how my "weight loss" is going. Its been good, but I've kinda plateaued. My fault...I think I just got stressed at work, didn't make the best choices -- was eating what  I should, just not in the quantities I should have...but still working out 7 days a week. So I took the past few days off of working out, and slept and did what I needed to do. And next week I get back on the wagon. And even better, I have to see my nutritionist and I'm sure she will help me get back where I need to be. And no, I didn't gain weight, just wasn't losing like I should have been. 

But I took a picture this weekend, and when I changed my profile pict on facebook and was looking at some of my past pictures, I thought you could really tell it in these two. Just a note -- in both pictures my makeup was done by my favorite makeup man Isaac, so I thought that was fair -- it wasn't like I was trying to compare one I was all dolled up and one I was looking like crap. 

Here is the one from Saturday:

Here is one from the last KPMG Christmas Party about a year ago:

Can you tell a difference? 

Reckless Kelly

First of all, let me say I LOVE THESE GIRLS. I do. We just have so much fun together. Every single time that we get together. And the best thing is, that we have picked about a million concerts over the next few months to go to and so we will get to spend a lot of fun times together! I just can't wait!

The first of the concerts was this past weekend at Reckless Kelly at House of Blues. We met up at a great mexican restaurant around the corner to hang out before the concert...and drink margaritas! And we did just that. (Just look at the big ol margarita in front of CC below....and he had 4. Let's just say he was a lot of fun!) 

And what I loved even more was that there were these other glasses that they were serving the girls in that we loved -- but LC's husband T told the waiter, I want that  margarita but not in that "SISSY" glass. And of course, what did they end up serving him in? That glass. Awesome. Here is a picture of him with the glass....

After dinner we ran off to the HOB around the corner and went upstairs....we've learned that having seats and a bar upstairs to cater to us is AWESOME...and the way to go. So we grabbed a bear (which is technically around 2 beers...I mean 24 oz...awesome.)

Here is the view from our seats...the best was the lady dancing -- you can see her arm in the far right. She was totally dancing and LC said that was going to be her in about 20 years....that made us laugh so freaking hard!! (especially if you would have seen this lady's moves!)

Here are the girls after the concert....we were missing JK. Pretty sure she was stalking Reckless Kelly. She wanted something....

...and yes, she got exactly what she wanted. 

The Groupies with their band!

wade bowen

My friend KV has gotten me hooked on a bunch of "texas country" bands in the past few months...and one night when I was perusing through itunes, buying some of those guys, like Josh Abbott and Brandon Rhyder, I came across Wade Bowen. I found a couple of songs that are now at the top of my play list...I HEART HIM. And the best thing is -- that my staff at work love them too. So one of the guys at work sent an email saying Josh Abbott and Wade Bowen were going to be playing together. I literally thought - BEST CONCERT EVER. We were so excited....then found out they lied about Josh Abbott -- but thought, well, we love Wade, so we will still go! 

So after work we all went and grabbed dinner and headed to the concert. Above, SS, me, LR, and CD. 

Here is CD and his SWEET fiancee....they are just the cutest couple EVER. They just got engaged too and I am so excited for them! This was the first chance I had to see the ring and he did a great job!

Here is Wade...he played my FAVORITE song right before we left....Who I Am.  Here are the lyrics....

I love to watch the sunset as it fades behind the trees
Love to talk with God and you down upon my knees
I love the times I spend with my family and friends
Love to dream about all the places I’ve never been
And I love to watch you laugh and smile, I love to watch you dream
Love it when you take my hand just to let me know you believe in me
And I love it that you’re my girl, I love that I’m your man
Now that you’re in my life Baby I know exactly who I am
I know I love the ladies, I love to go out at night
I love it how we make up each and every time that we fight
I love you oh so very much, love you more than words can say
And I don’t know how or why but I love you more every day 

And here is my staff LR and his sweet wife. They were SO funny....I mean, we have hung out before, but tonight L was in rare form and freaking hilarious. He kept on saying, Lippe, we're gonna find you a man tonight and then would point out boys he thought I was like. It was really cute, but I kept telling him, you gotta pick someone older -- those boys are for SURE in high school and I can't get arrested!

It was such a fun night! love hanging out with these guys and even more loving that we got to hang out and listen to Wade!

Happy Birthday LM!

This weekend we celebrated LM's birthday...which just happens to be on Valentines day....with brunch at Shade and then off to the Movies to see Valentines Day. I absolutely love brunch at shade....the food, especially the quiche, is absolutely amazing, and the pastries that are made in house only on the weekends is amazing....

Above, the girls...me, the birthday girl, LW and JK.

Here is LL, LM, and AP, who is one of LM's college friends -- who we love when she can sneak away from the family and come and play iwth us in H-town! LOVE the new haircut!

Here is me and KF -- one of our old KPMG'ers that LM and I recuited so long ago and also one of our biblestudy girls!

Here is CC and LM -- CC is also another KPMG'er and one of L's staff at work AND in our biblestudy. I am so glad that she and her sister got to come and play with us!

And after the cookie extravanganza and I realized how great they were....I decided we needed something special for the party....so I made these for party favors. The L were for LM and the hearts were for Valentines day. They turned out REALLY cute and everyone seemed to LOVE THEM!

Happy Birthday LM! Hope it was a fabulous day!

oh, the cookies....

This is my new favorite thing to do:

Yes, I made those....some were iced by my friend RO as we had a "Valentines Day Cookie Decorating Extravanganza". It was AWESOME. I found this amazing blog - i am baker - she totally gave us our inspiration. I've always just made regular cream cheese or butter cream icing, but man, I followed her lead (and recipes)and it was amazing. Her cookie recipe is amazing (it will follow) and her icing recipe, well, it was the EASIEST I have ever used. You literally put it in an icing bag and a squeeze bottle (the icing bag is thicker to line with and the squeeze bottle is VERY thin to spread it out) and you just go to town.

Here are some more pictures:

Yes, I will now do them for every holiday....and any other chance I can get to make them!!!

T's 30th birthday....

This past weekend was my College Roommate, KJ's husband's (T) 30th birthday. We were all friends in college so T and I go way back...acutally, we've been friends for about 13 years...that's pretty awesome. I didn't think I could miss out on celebrating his birthday (and hanginng out with KJ for a weekend, of course!) so I packed up on Thursday and headed to Dallas. I will admit, it was the most miserable drive ever -- couple being exhausted and worn out from work, then a storm on the road left the visability almost 0 at times -- and you know it is bad when I am driving 35 mph on I-45. I don't drive that slow....even if it is the speed limit! But it was all worth it when I finally got there. It was SO good to hang out with KJ & T and get to celebrate his birthday. We had an 80's party at the house....that would be why we are dressed like this:

My favorite comment of the night was from KJ's sweet sister in law L -- she said, "If KJ was wearing her round rock cheerleading uniform, this would be the exact way I met her so long ago!" I almost fell over laughing. It was awesome. Although we looked pretty hot, Trav looked the best....

We laughed so hard when he came out with this outfit. We laughed all night that if he drove a van without windows everyone would pull their children indoors away from him. It was almost scary! But we laughed even harder the next day when he had to wear a hat to cover up the lines at a Younglife event....he kept the scary 'stache because Monday's club was Mustache Club for Younglife...which was unfortunate as it is awful! ha!

Here is KJ and T's friends from high school...they looked so awesome.

Here is KJ and L, her sister in law. Looking awesome....and then we have the slackers...but some of my favorite Dallas Boys....

And of course, a birthday wouldn't be complete without a batch of Karen's cupcakes...they were awesome. I admit, I had one. Or 2 1/2. and lots of icing as I "messed" them up. Bad, I know. at least I hit the gym the whole time I was there!!!

And after the birthday party, we had the rest of the weekend to play...and hang out....and be silly.....and laugh a whole lot. I just love being with them and all my other Dallas Friends. Its weekends like this that I wish I lived there all the time. Some of my favorite people in the world live there (including my wombmate) and when I get to spend that much time with them, it makes me miss them even more.

We got to spend some time with my friend CJ -- a marathon 3 hour lunch -- where we laughed so hard at times, the converstion at times was way out of control and I felt sorry for whoever was sitting next to us, and the waiter HATED us for staying so long. Whatever. we had a fantastic time.

and I got to spend a lunch with SM and MG -- two of my other favorite Dallas girls -- and let's not forget baby E...SO MUCH FUN to get to catch up with them. I heart them...a lot.

It was really a perfect weekend...and I was so thankful for all the fun times and laughter....especially coming back into a crappy week of work. I'm not one to say "I hate" -- I hate the word hate -- but this week, that has become a word of choice...along with some other choice words. I can't wait for the weekend.....