The Move... Slowly but Surely:)

Again have I said I'm not too much of a fan of moving. I guess it's really not the moving part even though I tend to have little to do with that... it is all the packing and unpacking. Here are a few pictures of the previous Richardson home with "some" of our stuff. Again I put that in quotes as this was simply a small small portion of what we actually moved.

Do notice the small section left right in front of the television with the chair... We left this place available so we could attempt to watch many of the taped shows on our DVR before we did the unthinkable... give up cable for one year.

Enjoy pictures at our new home!
Welcome Zellners to McKinney

View from our balcony. That's right we have a perfect view to our pool!

Our new... previously empty... kitchen. (it is now filled) Gosh what I would give for more storage. I guess that's another reason for us to purchase a home! ha. One more year:)

Our bathroom... yes it does look almost exactly like our previous... but I love the green/brown look!

The kitchen bar at the entrance

Our living Room

Decor above the television

Our Dining area

...

More pictures are sure to come! I cannot wait to have some visitors!!!

...

Love,

Alicia

Celebrate Good Times: Sped Style

This afternoon, the kids left by noon due to early release. What a perfect day to get some planning done as well as celebrate the monthly birthdays. The theme was a centered around sports and honestly super cute. I simply wish I had the chance to take a picture of the great decorations.

My birthday of course was one of the three that were celebrated. The special ed team brought in Tin Star for lunch including some very delicious homemade desserts. Each member also signed sweet messages in a card.

To such a wonderful team and a great September Celebration!

Love,

Alicia

I Like to Move it Move it?!?!

Well honestly in regards to the song... yes I do like to Move it Move it... however, if you've been reading my current posts as well as the post last year in regards to moving... I am not the biggest fan about the packing portion. Both my husband and I have been in complete denial about the whole concept of packing and of course put it on the backburner until the very last minute. So this week was our last week in our Richardson apartment (well technically we have a few more days but this is the final weekend before the big evacuation of our 2nd floor home) before heading north to McKinney. We are both extremely excited... but if there was a way I could just skip this part and have everything conveniently moved and perfectly in its place in our new home... that would be ideal. Ha. But again that's only in my "perfect" world. So this past week has been filled with stuff... and really it has never occurred to me how much stuff a 600 square foot apartment can hold... but let me tell you it is A LOT more than I had bargained for. But the good news is it is slowly but surely coming along. Both Monday and Tuesday my husband and I have spent from the moment we got home to the second we hit the pillow working on packing. The only challenge for me was that I was well asleep by 9:30-10PM most of those nights. Oops. Wednesday I had my second to last class for my alternative teaching certificate... and I couldn't be more excited. I have one more class on October 16th... so a nice little break will do me good. But then I do have about 18 more online lessons and a content test to study for and pass of course... so all in good time. Ha!

I couldn't be more excited about this new chapter in our lives (again minus the packing and actual moving part... we are hiring movers tho... we got a cheap price... plus I know that I have started to gain some muscle in these guns but come on even I couldn't help my husband carry our couches and bed down and up a flight of stairs... wow that just made me think of the Friend's episode where Ross and the crew are helping move a couch up/down the stairwell and he's like "PIVOT! PIVOT!" ha. sorry kind of random train of thought there.... anyway) I'm super excited. I'm excited about living in a new city (suburbia) and a new home (even if it is another apartment). Of course we are doing our best to save for our first home next year... so we're definitely keeping our fingers crossed on that one!!! It's just really been a great year in our lives. Almost our first full year of marriage (in a few months of course) but all good. Anyway wish us luck on this fun adventure... really I just need motivation to pack and not to fall alseep early. So you'll have to come visit our new home in McKinney... looking forward to seeing you there:)

Love,
Alicia

Considering Retiring Grey Ghosty!

Several years ago, Ray bought "Grey Ghosty." At the time it had been absolutely wonderful and had offered us a more convenient way of life as we now had two working vehicles... well when mine chose to do so.... but after today both the hubs and I might be considering retiring the grey ghost. It is a sad time in the Zellner home but again with todays activities... I'm definitely getting over this idea rather quickly. But before I go into today's details let me tell you some of Grey Ghosty's sad stories. Currently we are missing one side mirror (no seriously it was stolen at our rehearsal dinner almost a year ago) and a front license plate. It's also been in a few minor wrecks and misfortunes including hail damage from a freak storm last year (no rain had been involved) and at this time needs 3 lights including the back two tail lights and one in the front. So sad. Then this morning happened which totally is making me rethink our current car situation.

This morning on the way to church out of no where the hood pops open and smashes against the front windshield. Cracks now stand in the windshield and we were left with a hood that was bent backwards and is now having difficulty closing. Basically Ray advised me that his hood latch that had been messed up during a routine maintenance visit last year had bent the hood latch. After a year, I guess it was just about that time for the latch to bend/break (not sure of the exact state).... but of course this was not something that we ever imagined would happen as we were entering the freeway. So with almost no visibility, my husband stopped the car in between the entrance ramp and the freeway to find an alternative to get the car back to the apartment.... basically attempting to lock the hood without a latch. So like I said... it's definitely been an eye opening experience and hoping that any bad luck with vehicles will end with the retirment of the grey ghosty. I'm keeping my fingers crossed but not exactly holding my breath.... ha!

We'll keep you posted!

Love,

Alicia

P-U-R-P-L-E: spells Grapefest!

Today Ray and I met up with some sweet friends for a little fun in the sun at Grapefest... and for me a little too much sun:) We traveled to Grapevine, TX and by 2:00 we met up with Sally and her husband Paul and soon to be baby Harley. We enjoyed some tasty treats, yummy drinks, great tunes, and fun times with friends. Here are some fun pictures from the festival.

Entering into Main Street and the Grapefest Festival

A grape man on stilts welcoming us to Grapefest?

I love it! Ha!

International Wine Plaza

Champagne Terrace... Ray's fav place:)

Voting for Pro Football Teams... I simply picked the one with the "cutest" logo!

Bring on the games!

Sally, baby Harley, and I... beautiful at almost 7 months preggers

The Ladies at Grapefest!

Sally petting her puppy look-a-like

Statue Fun!

I love my BEAGLE and MUTT

Relaxing in Grapevine with our new statue friend?!?

The Gathings and yummy Funnel Cake

The Zellners

What a fun time with friends and a great day with the hubs. Now... it's time for some rest and relaxation before Monday begins again.

Love,
Alicia

Richardson Corporate Challenge: 5K

This morning Ray participated in a 5k competition for the Richardson Corporate Challenge. PFS placed first in the 5k challege and Ray ran a time of 23.24. This is almost one full minute less than last year. I am so very proud of his accomplishments and look forward to the many more fun competitions to come.

Love,
a very proud wifey

The Cox Wedding!

Tonight Ray and I shared in such a beautiful night of love, fun, and wonderful celebration. What a special wedding! To the beautiful couple, Daniela and Robert, we welcome you to married life and wish you both such a wonderful adventure ahead. Here are a few fun pictures of the evening.

The hubs and I toasting the wonderful couple.

The beautiful bride and I.

The new Mr. and Mrs. with the Hubs and I:)

What a fun night of amazing celebration, fabulous food, and great tunes. I am so thankful and honored we were able to share in such a special occassion. To my old roommate, I cannot believe how quickly time flies, but am so excited for all the days to come. Welcome to your new adventures. May the honeymoon truly last forever!!!

Love,

Alicia

Thoughtful Thursday... On the Go!

Thoughts? Can I honestly call it thoughts when I feel like my brain is not exactly functioning properly? But hey it could be worse so as I've learned I should totally knock on wood immediately. Ha!

On the Go! Well as always time is sure flying by and we of course have been participating in numerous activities and events. We have been consumed (in a good way... or at least most times) with work, school, class, Richardson Corporate Challenge events, and spending amazing time with family and friends... and in the end trying to take time to spend with each other relaxing with the cute fam of four. But for this Thoughtful Thursday post it is pretty essential to catch us back up on all that the Zellners have been up to as well include fun upcoming announcements. (in no exact order)

Previous Weekend: Visit to Sugar Land
Monday: Worked with my kiddos and team; Class from 6-9
Tuesday: Work; 10 month anniversary celebration at Buca di Beppo with the hubs!
Wednesday: Work; officially signed our lease. We are moving to McKinney in less than 2 weeks!
Thursday: Work; Class Lessons, Packing (hopefully:)
Friday: Work; Go & Glo: Plano Balloon Festival
Saturday: Class from 9-4; Cox Wedding at 7PM (congrats to Daniela and Robert!)
Sunday: Ray's 5K; Church; Grapefest with the Gathings!
Next Week: PACKING! Hello McKinney!

I wish you a wonderful "almost" TGIF! Looking forward to catching up soon:)

Update on Toby: Toby is still really sick. I am thinking he may acually be allergic to fleas at this point. His little tummy, legs, and bottom are covered in red bites and his tummy has been sick since we've returned. He woke us up again around 4AM this morning and wanted out again when we woke up around 6AM. I've given the pups Benadryl and he is scheduled for a vet appointment tomorrow. More updates are sure to come. I will say this... he has been such a loving puppy (and is currently laying on my lap). I just want my furbaby to feel better and SOON.

Love,
Alicia

Weather Man & Sick Furbabies!

In our classroom our teacher has a super catchy tune for our kids that tells about the weather. Let me illustrate...

What will the weatherman say today?
What will the weatherman say?
He goes to the window

And he looks outside
What is the weather today?

This picture depicts our own classroom frog that we dress daily depending on the weather... and while sunny is presented on this list... it should read HOT HOT and more HOT...with a side of occasional rain... and since we are in Texas lets not forget the HUMIDITY! Ha! Well this past weekend I can definitively say that Houston has a greater humidity percentage as compared to Dallas... even though we do feel it here every now and again. While Ray and I can pretty much deal with this change... the poor pups have yet to be able to. After a visit (and sadly even a short one at that) the pups are down for the count for what seems like weeks due to the weather, their allergies, fleas... you name it. So needless to say the pups have been feeling awful. They wake up at all hours of the night... but there must be something about 3:30AM. For the past three nights both pups have been scratching, collars jingling, the bed continues to shake, and there is no end in sight. This can't feel good. Plus on top of that poor Toby has been sick for the last two nights... several times... and cannot seem to get comfortable. Again poor puppy. So it may be awhile before we bring the pups back to the Land of Sugar (for now at least). But here are a few sweet pics of the pups from our last weekend. I figure how can I blog about my furbabies without providing a few special ones:)

Toby with a sweet stuffed toy

Mattie Mama relaxing on the couch with a sweet toy

So hopefully the furbabies will start feeling better soon so our cute fam of four can spend some good quality time together... not at 3:30 AM when we are cranky and needing more sleep.


Love,
Alicia

10 Months of Marriage!

Today Ray and I celebrated 10 wonderful months of marriage! And where better to celebrate... BUCA DI BEPPO! I had been given a gift certificate and thought what a fun way to celebrate... at one of our fav places. So here's to my best friend, my husband, my sense of humor and sanity:) ha! Ray I could not be more thankful for you in my life. Here is to many many more celebrations! I love you papa bear!

Love,
Wifey

"Tricks Up His Sleeve" & Birthday Suprises!

My husband definitely has a few tricks left up his sleeve... and I was absolutely clueless! This past weekend we had the opportunity to go home to visit our families in Sugar Land. It had honestly been several months and I was absolutely looking forward to good 'ole family conversation, relaxation, and catch up of course. What I didn't know is that for weeks, my amazing husband had been planning a surprise birthday party for me... but first let me start from the beginning.

On Friday, Ray and I were both able to leave from work around 3:00PM. After a few moments and a quick gathering of a few necessities, we headed out of town for the weekend. The puppies watched out the windows and napped as we made a 4.5 hour trek home.

Mattie was not exactly thrilled that she was forced to sit in the back as compared to the nice warm lap that she was accustomed to laying on in the front. I don't think Toby was exactly excited to have to share his space either... but they were so sweet cuddling in the back of the car as we rode.

Friday night we arrived a little before 9PM. We were able to share some time with my family before heading to bed for the evening. When I woke up my mother was already in the process of making King Ranch Casserole for lunch as well as my usual angel food cake for dessert. YUM! After the food had been completed and we had a tasty breakfast of blueberry muffins, my mom and I went errand running for a few items... including my birthday goodies. I parents got me a blue tooth headset and a case for my new iphone. I was so excited. We then ate a special lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon enjying our time together with great conversation, yummy eats, and games of course.

At 5PM, it was time for us to say good-bye (or so I thought) to my family and head over to the Zellners for our time to visit. I was advised that we were to pick up some wine and then we'd be right over. As we walked into the house... horns and vuvuzelas blew, people screamed SUPRISE... and I was totally in shock. I think the puppies were too as they both quickly ran out the front door as Ray tried to catch them to bring them back inside. Inside the hallway stood Ray's parents, sisters, Todd (becky's boyfriend), Nana, Aunt Sally, his cousins Stephen and Will, Joyce (second mom:), Josh... and my mom:) Our random trip to Kroger was basically to give my mother a chance to head over there. Ray had done it. As he told me... he definitely did have a few tricks left up his sleeves!

To give a few details all I had wanted for my birthday was a BBQ and he had done it... all without my knowledge ha. What a fun party:) We enjoyed great time together, yummy handburgers, hot dogs, my mom's fruit salad, deviled eggs (YUM), salad, and for dessert... Joyce made an extremely delicious carrot cake... one of my absolute favorites! Thank you to my family and friends (and especially my husband) for showing me so much love! I am so thankful for each of you and am so honored that you came to celebrate such a fun event in my life... again 26 has seriously been a great year:) So enjoy some pictures from our evening... My Suprise 26th BBQ Birthday:)

My Birthday Decor

Amazing Family & Friends at the Party

The Mamas... Ray's Mama MJ, my Mama Kathy, and Ray's second Mama Joyce... plus sweet Mattie Mama:)

Zellner Sisters (we miss you Farrah... you were here in spirit:)
Sally and the Boys!

Sally, Becky, and Todd

The Hubster and his Wifey!

Ray and his Vuvuzella (Toby and Mattie were not a fan)
Josh and Mattie!

The Zellner Kids (Todd as an honorary Zellner)
Nana's Yummy Deviled Eggs

Joyce's tasty carrot cake

My new Hello Kitty Lunch Box. I love teacher gifts....:)
Happy 26th: Suprise Party!

What a special birthday! WOOT WOOT with the vuvuzella!

Love,
Alicia