My Brother's Engaged!

Tonight I received a text from my brother that he proposed to his girlfriend Melissa. That night he had strategically placed hundreds of white Christmas lights on top of the roof to spell out... Will U Marry Me... and of course she said Yes!

Chris and Melissa celebrating their engagement at Cheesecake Factory!

Melissa's son Aiden celebrating with the happy couple

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To the happy couple, I pray that God my truly bless your marriage and the path he has laid out for you. I wish you both luck on this new and exciting adventure.

ABF Christmas Party Preview

Christmas Cold & Starbucks Cheer!

I love that it is really starting to feel like the Christmas season here in North Texas. In school we've already started to decorate for the holiday and start some pretty cute Christmas/Holiday crafts. I cannot believe how quickly this season is flying by. With about 2 school weeks left before the Christmas break and all that is going on this season, it is nice to have a nice relaxing night at home with the husband and furbabies. Tonight I enjoyed a night at home with the family of four. Ray and I rented two Christmas movies, enjoyed some tasty starbucks, and cuddled up on the couch in our pjs. I absolutely love all the wonderful and RELAXING holiday funtivities! Again it's all about the simple things!



What are some of your holiday favorites?

Half for Me; Full for Ray; and ALL for Africa!

Today, December 5, 2010 at 8AM 22,000 plus runners ran the White Rock Marathon/Half/and Relay. Earlier this year our church was presented with an amazing opportunity to partner with Team World Vision in an effort to raise funds for a water project in Uganda. Many individuals from our ABF including both the husband and I joined to support such an amazing cause.

Ray and I were set... well I guess as ready as we ever would be for his Full Marathon which equaled 26.2 miles and my half 13.1. Since we had signed up we both had wonderful intentions of training; however, life happened and shall I say that we (probably only me) have been overwhelmed with this upcoming race. At the beginning of this year, Ray made a New Years Resolution to complete a half marathon each month. 10 half marathons were behind him until he hit a small snag in November where he was forced to take a break due to some major joint pain. It seems the break did him well.... because today we both completed our goal and ran for Team World Vision!

Enjoy pictures from Race Day! Here's a huge congrats to all those that ran as well as to all the fans for their love and support.

4:50 AM... Let's get the party started!
Hello Race Day!

The husband and I

A very cold race day sunrise... as we waited in a very long line for parking:)
Waiting (for an hour) to begin our race! It was COLD!

Our ABF Relay Team

2010 Finishers

The Zoutendams and their first Half Marathon!
Julie and I! Don't let those little legs fool you...
she is a champ!

2nd Full Marathon Completed. I am a very proud wifey!
Zellners for Team World Vision

Michael completed his second marathon with a new PR!

Steph completed her half marathon in under two hours!

Stretching out our sore feet

A beautiful (but chilly) Fair Park Sunday
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Our amazing Honeymooner Supporters

Here are a few of the great moments from today.
- It was a very cold race day. 36 degrees with a wind chill factor of 31. Gotta love cold fronts:)
- Running for Team World Vision and supporting efforts in Uganda
- Beginning my run with some very lovely ABF ladies... I am so proud of ya'll!
- Hearing my name cheered in the crowd. You never realize what a great motivator this is.
- Love that tissues were handed out during the race.
- Poor Ray's ipods (2 of them) stopped working... so he was left without his music.
- I loved watching my husband's face as he crossed the finish line to complete his second marathon
- Getting lost of the way to the car... thank you sweet lady who drove us there!
- Getting shirt burns yet having no blisters?!?! I still can't figure this one out. ha.
- Dinning at Abuelos for a late lunch after the race
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More pictures are sure to come. Now I am enjoying a day of relaxing and blogging of course:)


For more information about Team World Vision and how you can support and change the lives of Africa click here.

Bryson's 1st Birthday Party!

Bryson turns One...

...almost:)

This past Saturday we shared in a special Elmer The Patchwork Elephant themed first birthday party for sweet Bryson. While I absolutely cannot believe how quickly time flies... I am so excited for the next chapters in his life and wish the Fant family so much love on all of their new adventures. Enjoy some pictures from the party.

Our elephant themed card:)

Sweet themed decor


The group celebrating Baby B

Kristin and I with Bryson

Sweet sisters with the birthday boy

Aunt Jenn and B playing with balloons.

The super yummy homemade 5 tier cake and B's first smash cake

Bryson and his smash cake

sweet and sticky fingers

Mama Duckee at 22 weeks with her sweet boy!

The soon-to-be mama and daddy!

Bryson and his new blow up elephant toy from Ray.

B loving his balloons
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His party was an absolute success. It will be so amazing to watch him grow. Congrats to the little man and to celebrating one super special year and all those to come!

Zellner Decorating Party

Well it definitely looks a lot like Christmas in the Zellner home. Thursday night Ray and I enjoyed a festive evening of Christmas themed decorating, music, and a movie. It was a perfect way to start our winter holiday!

Wishing you and your family a very special Christmas holiday this season!

Love,
The Zellners

Thoughtful Thursday... last days of Fall!

Our last days of fall are almost upon us as we are about to embark upon our wintery holiday. For today's Thoughtful Thursday post I wanted to highlight some of our exciting upcoming activities that we will share in this holiday season.

1. I will enjoy two full weeks of time off during this Christmas holiday.

2. Bryson's first birthday and themed party

3. Ray and I will both be participating in the Dallas White Rock Marathon/Half Marathon to help raise money for our church's water project in Uganda. (Please be praying for us as I am extremely nervous about this race as I am not up to my previous standards and Ray has painful joint problems and may be seeking physical therapy soon as recommended)

4. Angel gifts for Three Trees

5. Serving in childcare at the church this holiday season

6. Babysiting one of my co-workers adorable boy

7. I have officially finished with my online courses for the certification program. I will be studying for my content exam and completing that within the next few months. I am well on my way:)

8. Visiting with family this holiday season including my Alabama Zellner family

9. Taking a day trip with my mom to visit my great aunt. Yay for a much needed girls day out.

10. Celebrating the season with friends and family sharing in old traditions and celebrating new adventures

I think that is a great start for now. Have such a wonderful week... any thoughts this excellent Thursday?