Funday Friday Funtivities Post: Houston, Dallas, & Florida!

Hello Weekend. I will have to say that I am very excited it is the last day of the work week and even more excited that this weekend is finally here! For this Friday Funtivities Post... I wanted to give you guys a few more updates of this weekend's funtivities as I may stray away from blogging just for a few days.... I know is that possible?!?! I guess we'll see...

Anywho... today is a very special day because I am meeting with a good friend from high school for lunch. Jennifer has moved back from Arizona several months ago, but sadly I have been unable to catch up with her due to very busy schedules. Today we are taking the plunge and meeting for lunch at Houstons in Dallas! I love that. It will surely be a great catch up time with a great friend and super yummy lunch. I am so very excited! Here is a picture of our last hang out time together in Dallas for her birthday.

Meeee, Jennifer, and Michelle at Kona Grill at North Park

On Saturday after hopefully sleeping in a bit ;) Ray and I will be running a few errands, doing mid-day P90X, and spending a fun day at home relaxing with the pups. That night we will be meeting up with many sweet couples from our ABF to play The Newly Wed Game at the church.

On Sunday, I will be attending Engage Sunday through our church. To view more about this community wide service project view here.

On Sunday, Ray and several of his best friends will be attending Warrior Dash in Forney, TX. As the website states, "The Warrior Dash is the ultimate event for thrill-seeking athletes. This running series is held on some of the nation's most demanding and unique terrain. Participants will conquer extreme obstacles and celebrate their feat with music, beer, warrior helmets and muddy shorts." To view more details about the race view here.

Only a few more weeks until Panama City Beach... visiting our family loves and relaxing on the sand. I borrowed these sweet pictures from my sister-in-law! These are the moments that I absolutely can't wait to share in... I LOVE MY ZELLNER Family.

My sweet niece on the shores of PCB!

I guess that is it for now. Have a wonderful weekend and I do look forward to catching up with you real soon.

Love,
Alicia

Katy Trail Day...?!?!

For the last several weeks, Jessica, Whitney, and I have been walking/running the Katy Trail between 2-3 times per week (M, W, Th). The weather has honestly been gorgeous and has allowed us to finish between 3-4 miles per trip.... plus it helps us cut down on traffic. What can be better than that?!?! Again we are following the Couch to 5K plan which has definitely been a great way to train. For the first few weeks you run/walk intervals of 60/90 seconds. Of course as the weeks go on... you increase your running amount until you are easily able to run for 30 minutes straight. It has been a great little addition to my work outs each week. When we've finished the program the three of us are looking into a fun 5K run! I'll keep you posted!

Here is a picture of our Checkpast Running Team!
(Jessica, Whitney, and meee!)

Love,
Alicia

Ray's Monthly 1/2 Marathons

For his New Year's Resolution, my husband decided that he would run a monthly half marathon for an entire year... and to my amazement he has kept that promise. This morning, he woke up at 4AM and met up with Michael and Johnathon (Michael's friend) to run 13.1 miles before he even started his day. This picture is of Ray and Michael at the Cow Town Half Marathon in Fort Worth for his February half.

Ray I am so proud of you for keeping up with your goal. You truly are so amazing to me! Congrats on another 13.1 miles!!!

Love,
Your wifey

Scoop Up the Good Will!

On April 28th 2010, Ray and I met up with two sweet couples from our ABF (The Goodings and Parks) for a fun Modern Family Wednesday. After a yummy dinner and excellent episode, we decided that we all wanted something sweet and knew the perfect place to go.

This past Wednesday, Baskin Robbins was offering a 31 cent Scoop Night to support America's firefighters.

What a fun night with friends, a great cause... and pretty amazing ice cream!!!

Love,
Alicia

Over the Hump: Wednesday Updates!

Happy Wednesday everybody! Ok so this is not my exact sentiment, but I thought this picture was super funny and a bit indicative of me last night... Yesterday was Day 2 of our P90X workout and shall I say... this is exactly how I felt... completely worn down, in pain, and beyond tired. I know and we've only just started...I guess we might rethink the 5:45AM wake up time! I think our neighbors might also appreciate us more if we weren't jumping around before the sun even came up. Ha!

Well we're already half way through the week...

This Monday was a fun girls night with Kaylan and filled with shoe shopping, dinner, and fun wedding errands;) We ended the night at Sherlocks and met the boys for a drink before returning home. I love our Jaylan crew!

Tuesday, Ray and Michael went to a Mav's playoff game against the San Antonio Spurs! I was informed... "We romped them!" Tuesday night was a fun night in with the pups. I caught up on Biggest Loser and some Law & Order (SVU) as well as some much needed cleaning and apartment pick up... have you not read the post about wild animals living at our place and our apartment looking like a zoo?!?! Ha! It definitely looks much better now. But we have yet to go to the store as of yet... so we are getting down to the mere basics at our place... Thursday shall read a fun trip to Kroger... Ha!

Wednesday, Tonight Ray and I will be visiting with two couples from our ABF for a fun Modern Family Wednesday. It has been a few weeks, so I am looking forward to some fun games, shows, and sweet friends.

... so I guess that's it for now...

I will leave you with this. I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week... and like the cute kitten says, "Just remember to breath! The Weekend is not too far away!"

Love,
Alicia

Wednesday Wedding Shout Out!

Meet Daniela & Robert!
I absolutely love this girl. She is such a fun friend and I am just so excited for her upcoming nuptials this September! After seeing their adorable engagement pics, I had to give a shout out to such a cute couple! To Daniela and Robert! We are so excited for the both of you and wish you so much love and happiness for the upcoming wedding!

Love,
Alicia

Footprints in the Sand!

In less than 30 days... my husband and I will be leaving for Panama City Beach, Florida to spend some much needed time with our loved ones on a Zellner Family Vacation. This vacation although much needed will be a very special treat. Ray and I will be taking our longest road trip together... just the two of us... and driving for 12 1/2 hours to meet up with the fam for almost a week of fun in the sun and total relaxation!

Another interesting factoid is that this has turned out to be a "kids vacation" ... another good reason to still end up at the kiddie table during Thanksgiving :).... and while we will absolutely miss the other members of our family, I feel so very excited and honored to have all three of my wonderful sister-in-laws, their boyfriends, my brother-in-law, my beautiful niece, 2 strapping young boys (Farrah's brother and friend) as well as my amazing hubby to share this wonderful experience with!

And boy... am I ready for a vacation?!?!?! Again this is more rhetoric than anything... It is just amazing that we'll be able to enjoy a summer vacation:) Speaking of summer and enjoying some fun in the sun... I might want to start working on that. Having a full time job and staying indoors all day has kind of hindered the whole concept of getting a little color before our big trip. What am I saying... I am pale all the time. So Tan Towel it is... yay for spray tans! Yes I've told my secret. I did absolutely no tanning before the wedding/honeymoon. All fake but still I had a very healthy glow so I have a little room to brag. Ha!

The truth of the matter is... I am just beside myself counting down these days. For months I've been dreaming of the moment that Ray and I would be able to head down to Florida for an amazing vacation and such a wonderful time to catch up with my family. I really do value every moment I have with these ladies and gents! I cannot express to you just how much I love them and how lucky and honored I am to have so many wonderful people in my life that I wouldn't have had before meeting my husband. So do expect a great deal of posts... a ton of pictures... and lots of updates! To my family... I can't wait to see you... less than 30 days and we'll be together again... drink in hand and feet in the sand! Love you all! Until then... I will leave you with this last image...

Panama City Beach...
here we come!!!!

Love,
Alicia

Weekday Wrap Up! End of April 2010!

Well its about to be that time again... with the end of this week will bring another month to 2010. We will be saying good-bye to our April Showers and welcoming those May Flowers... even though we've actually had minimal rain these previous weeks.

So as the saying goes... out with the old and in with the new... In with all the new Spring Activities and upcoming events.

I will have to say Ray and I have been absolutely blessed with all that we have been provided in our lives. We have had some amazing opportunities to share in truly special moments these past few months including fun moments with friends, birthdays, and even some weddings. We've been able to travel home as I'm sure you've read about last week and see both families and those we love. This week will also be an exciting week filled with many exciting activities including...

1. Shoe shopping with Kaylan for her wedding.
2. Modern Fam night with the Parks and Goodings- sweet friends from our ABF!
3. Hang out time with Daniela... her wedding will be coming up in mid September!
4. Lunch date with Jennifer!!!
5. Warrior Dash- Ray and many of our good friends will be participating in the Warrior Dash in Forney, TX. To learn more about this exciting race... view here!
6. Engage Sunday- a community wide service project through the Heights Baptist Church.

I am so excited for these opportunities. I am excited for those moments to share, to serve, and honestly grow with all those I love.

In other news, Ray and I were able to get a copy of P90X from a good friend and have begun our crazy work out journey. Please understand I am completely naive about what I'm getting myself into and am aware that this will be a little too hard core for me; however, I would love to attempt the work outs. I have a very motivational husband that I know will drag me out of bed at 6AM, so I figure I'll get some type of work out in as a start to my day:) But again I'll have to keep you updated on our progress. Plus we still have to order the bands/weights/system... etc. It should also be noted that we will NOT be following the nutritional guide for now as we've heard some negative things... but again this is all trial and error. Wish us luck:) In about 30 days... we will be on the beach of Panama City Beach Florida... and I would love for some of our success to be evident by then... :)

Love,
Alicia

Wedding Love & Family Grub

This past weekend, Ray and I had such an amazing opportunity to go back to Sugar Land for a sweet friend's wedding. Colleen and Jason Leblanc were married at St. Lawrence Catholic Church on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 2PM with the reception to follow at Sweet Water Country Club.

It was an absolutely beautiful wedding! I have basically grown up with Curls... We attended middle school, high school, dance team, and college together.... and definitely have shared in countless memories. I am so thankful and excited we were able to share in this absolutely amazing moment as we wish the bride a groom all the love in the world. Congratulations to such a beautiful couple. May the honeymoon truly last forever:)

The wedding was absolutely beautiful. It was filled with so much love, laughs, great tunes, and of course... an amazing celebration!


Ray and I at the Leblanc Wedding in Sugar Land!


Two of my absolute favorite Dance team ladies...
Curls & Alex!

It was so amazing to see these beautiful ladies! Congrats to the new bride and to the new mama:) Alex, Annabell and Caroline are the sweetest little girls. It was so amazing to see both you and Mark. We wish you so much luck and love on your new adventure!

What would be a get together if we didn't
have a photo opt?!?!

Here are a few of the photographer's favorites!

After the ceremony, Ray and I stopped by our old alma mater... Wow. I can't believe it's been 7-8 years since graduation. It is absolutely amazing how quickly time flies. These special moments just remind me to truly capture all moments possible... especially spending it with those I love:)




Early Sunday, we met with our families at Corelli's Italian Restaurant in Sugar Land for a brunch and belated birthday celebration for Ray.

Meet the families: Nana, Joyce, Will, Sally, Stephen, Becky, Todd, Kathy, me, Ray, MJ, and Owen:)

Happy Birthday Ray... a surprise slice of delicious cheesecake... (behind the coke:)

The birthday boy and his wife:)

My beautiful mom and I at Corelli's

What an amazing time to celebrate family, enjoy yummy food, and wonderful conversation. I absolutely look forward to our next visit:) Love you all for making this surprise birthday brunch such a great experience.

To an amazing weekend... a weekend of love, pure happiness, family celebration, and future plans;)

Love,
Alicia

I Am......

As you know... I LOVE BLOGGING! I absolutely love catching up with people that I love and also with those that may not know who I am. I think it is such a wonderful way to connect with so many different types of people and in so many various ways. So this post is going to do just that. One of my favorite things to do... which I might have left off the last post is that when I was younger I loved asking TONS OF QUESTIONS. I felt it was the best way to get to know people and keep them on their toes. I think a lot of times we don't stop to think. Oh that is really what I think of this or what is my favorite ___? Now sometimes this little question seeking tool has kind of annoyed people in the past so if this does... please excuse yourself from reading this post... b/c as I am random at heart... so might many of these questions. Also... feel free to tag along... add your own questions or answer some of mine. This could be fun... so feel free to join me! (oh and my answers will be provided in red...:)

1. What is your favorite hobby?
Blogging (of course) and house hunting online:)

2. What is your favorite food... a food or type that you can't live without?
I love cheese (queso) and all things Mexican food!

3. What is your favorite color?
I claim my favorite color is blue but I do absolutely love maroon and burgundy

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?
In 5 years... I would love to have bought a house and started our family of 4 (six with the pups:)
In 10 years... I would love my family to be established in a wonderful home, church, school, and career. I would love to be comfortable in our lives, being able to travel, and just enjoying our time together. Again this is all in God's hands and not my own. I honestly wish for a happy and healthy life with those I love:)

5. What is something you are afraid of?
I am kind of a scardy cat... I am honestly afraid of tons of things. My two greatest fears are heights/falling and the fear of the unknown.... murky ocean water, dark streets, things I am unfamiliar with.

6. What do you like most about yourself? Least or are embarrassed about?
I care about other people... sometimes to my own detriment... but my greatest quality is my love and concern for others. My least... tricky... in regards to the professional world... I am least comfortable with my age. (I know this is obviously something I can't control) I think I hate to be perceived as young and naive or not capable. The other right now... I am honestly embarrassed about my car. I hate that she breaks down on me but I am more upset about the tape on the back windows... oh well:)

7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?
I would honestly pay off all of our debt, give to our church, give some to family/friends, put some in savings/stocks for a rainy day (wow I know I am such a party animal) AND would travel....

8. Who is someone you would like to meet (dead or alive)?
I would honestly love to spend a day with my oma and opa. They passed away when I was 4 and 8. I think it would be so wonderful to learn more about their lives, our family history, and stories of the times.

9. What is your idea of a perfect date?
A perfect date... to be honest. I am a romantic at heart... I know I love slasher and horror movies... but a girl still likes to be romanced. I would love almost anything... a day activity outside... picnics are actually my favorite. It takes so much careful thought and planning

10. What is your favorite memory as a child?
I love all the memories of baking with my mom, watching movies, and just spending some good quality time together:)

11. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My favorite toy was a cabbage patch doll that I took with me everywhere... Her name was Anna Dawn and she has absolutely been loved on for many many years:)

12. What has been your favorite vacation?
I would have to say our Honeymoon! I did love our trip to New York and all of our trips to Alabama as well!

13. Where do you want to visit/vacation to?
I have a rather long list... my top choices are... Chicago, Boston, anywhere in California, Hawaii, any island really, and an Alaskan cruise.

14. What is your dream job?
I would love to own my own event company. Ray would love to be a full time chef!

15. What is your dream car?
Currently it is a Nissan Murano. I am in love with that car right now:)

16. What is your favorite day of the week?
I love Saturdays!!!!! During the work week I would have to say Thursdays only because Friday is the typical option and Thursday has all the best tv shows:) ha!

17. Would you prefer the Ocean or the Mountains?
This one is hard... I would have to say my gut would be the mountains b/c I have always wanted to live in Colorado... but in regards to activities... it would be the beach:)

18. Describe your dream home.
4 bedroom home in McKinney... with a porch or deck for BBQs, large yard for the pups, dark wood floors, tons of windows and natural light, arch ways, garden tubs, NO GOLD trim on the shower, HUGE KITCHEN that is open to the family room, and all within a good price:)

19. What do you want for the future?
I really want to be a mama and have a house:)

20. Who is your favorite super hero?
Can I consider Care Bears as Super Heroes? I also loved Rainbow Bright... not sure if that works either ha!

21. Did you have an imaginary friend as a child?
I did not... but Ray did:) His name was Scooby!

22. Who was your favorite princess?
I loved The Little Mermaid

23. What is your favorite flower?
I will always love roses... but I really love orchids!

24. What is one thing you would love to buy for yourself right now... if you had the money?
I would love to buy a new car!

25. What is your favorite type of movie genre?
I love psychological thrillers. I do still love a chic flic every now and again

26. Did you have any nicknames as a child/school?
Lica (highschool dance team) & Kylie (fake name when we went out in public)

27. What is your favorite Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter activity?
Spring: Picnics, pictures in a field of flowers
Summer: Pool Days & BBQs
Fall: Long walks with the hubs and pups
Winter: Playing in the snow

28. What is your current fav restaurant?
I have been craving Fazolis and Rosas. I think a road trip to College Station is soon in order:)

29. What is your favorite Holiday?
I love Christmas and Halloween

30. What is your favorite TV Show?
I do love the office, survivor, top chef, chuck, biggest loser, modern family, how i met your mother... and right now we're really into PARENTHOOD:)

Again please feel free to answer some of yours...

Love,
Alicia

Favorite Things Friday

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things...

While I might not be on board with kittens or mittens, there are many things that I absolutely love and can't live without. Here are some of my current favs for this Funday Friday post! (no particular order)

1. The perfect pair of jeans
2. A brand new tube of chapstick
3. Finding extra cash in the laundry (this does not happen often but when it does... :)
4. A few extra hours to sleep in
5. A relaxing night at home with the hub and pups
6. A hand written letter
7. Blog comments... I know I'm a sucker for comments:)
8. Documenting our lives (including friends) on the blog!
9. An unexpected hug
10. Being one of the first ones in line... or no line at all:)
11. Finding the perfect parking spot
12. Sweet tea
13. Snuggling up on the couch to watch a movie with the fam with a comfy blanket and a tub of ice cream... does this say fatty?!?!
14. PowerPoints... I sadly LOVE making power point presentations... and do it for almost anything (this one's for your K)
15. Road Trips (not driving)
16. When my windows stay up for an entire drive home... sad i know:( ha! Poor Pontiac
17. I love my rings (engagement and wedding rings) I know but it's still so new so I find myself making my ring available during conversation... yes I still check out my own ring. Love you Ray!
18. Picnics.... I can't wait to have a weekend where Ray and I can take the pups for a picnic and a long walk
19. Lunch Dates
20. Medium Black Ink Pens... nerdy I know:)
21. Hearing my sweet niece's voice
22. Actually having motivation to work out...
23. Root beer floats from Sonic
24. Pistachios
25. Lazy Weekends!!!!!!!!!!!!

What are some of your favorite things?!?!

Love,
Alicia

Just Because... Photo Shoot!

Sometimes we need to be reminded of what's important to us... and I decided after a fun evening with friends... that we needed a cute family photo shoot. The pups had a different idea... but this is what we got.

...

I absolutely love my cute family of four... I love our imperfections and our crazy ways... b/c it makes us special... it makes us unique... and it just makes us the Zellners! I wouldn't have it any other way:)

Blue Fish Birthday Bash!

April 21, 2010 was Kaylan's 25th Birthday... and to celebrate a group of friends met up at Blue Fish in Addison for dinner.

Kaylan... I hope you had such a wonderful birthday... especially since you gave your work computer a virus so you could leave a little early;) Totally kidding! To our youngest group member... we love you and are so glad you're joining us old fogies in our journey to being "half way to 30!"

Enjoy some pictures of the night!

Group picture at Blue Fish for K's big birthday bash!

Ray's Wasabi Caviar Rolls

... everything's better when it's fried!
Yay for tempura fried ice cream!!!

Love,
Alicia

April 21st Announcements!

So I had to give a few shout outs today in regards to some pretty big milestones!

This little guy turned 4 months old! I just love his sweet face. I had to "borrow" this picture from Kristin's blog as I am just absolutely so in love! Bryson I can't believe how big you've gotten. You already have stolen tons of hearts with that sweet smile and seriously cute dimples! I can't wait to watch you continue to grow and all of your sweet firsts:)

&

... and a very big Happy Birthday to this 25 year old... Kaylan you are such a sweet friend and I owe so many amazing memories to you... the microphone holding, 80s karaoke jamming, dance performing, dinner date having, girl I live vicariously through... all I can say is Have a wonderful day... and as Ray says... "I hope it's built on Rock 'n Roll!" See you tonight for some fun Blue Fish Sushi Night (and yes I'll be having the chicken;)

Love,
Alicia

Tuesday Tidbit: Wild Animals!

I can honestly say that our apartment looks like a zoo... as if some wild animals are kept there on occasion or something... but truthfully it does make sense. Things have been a bit busy as of late... so eventually we'll get things back in order.

To keep you guys updated on all that is going on... I decided to make this Tidbit Tuesday a massive catch up post. So enjoy!

Per my previous blog post, last week was filled with many exciting events and funtivities. My wonderful hubby just celebrated his 26th birthday; we celebrated 5 months of marriage; the bridesmaids hosted a joint bachelorette/lingerie shower for Kaylan as well as a fun bridal weekend in Fort Worth.

This week we do not disappoint as well. Today is Ray and my 8 year date-aversary! Wednesday is one of my best friend's birthdays... Happy early Birthday Kaylan! This weekend we will also be traveling to Sugar Land for a sweet friend's wedding. Colleen and I have basically grown up together... we went to Middle School, High School and dance team, as well as college together. I am just so excited for the two of them! Plus we will be visiting with family for lunch on Sunday as a fun catch up:)

We absolutely have so much to look forward to in May including several family birthdays, The Jaylan (James and Kaylan) Wedding, Engage Sunday at the Heights Baptist Church, Warrior Dash, and our family vaca in Panama City Beach Florida! I couldn't be more excited about a vacation!

So until then many many posts will be made... I absolutely enjoy catching up with you. Also...I will leave you with this small tidbit... here is another picture of some "wild animals!" Love it!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Love,

Alicia