I HEART ROADTRIPS!

Let me set the scene...

It was about 9 o'clock on a Saturday night in College Station, TX. We were all hanging out at the guys house trying to find something to do... of course so many people with so many different ideas. Then it hit me...

ROAD TRIP!

The room got quiet and no one really answered at first. I think people really weren't sure where I was going with this. But within a few moments we had some takers who would join us... our amazing friends Michael and Kristin! So within a 5 minute period we gathered up what we thought we would need and left. (OK you have to know that this was about 4-5 years ago... so of course this is just how I remember it today... please forgive me if the details have been scrambled up over the years!) So we were off...

What began as a random road trip lead to many monthly occurrences of leaving for a random destination without thought or a complete plan. This spontaneous activity lead to some pretty interesting situations and realizations along the way including:

1. Random trips to the local Wal-Mart for bedding and additional supplies
2. Sleeping outside on the concrete with a single blanket for four. Michael can sleep anywhere!
3. Realizing the importance of TP. Poor Ray:)
4. Considering weather conditions... Rain!
5. Going camping in a forest that had just burned down or was partially on fire
6. The concept of running out of gas in the middle of a forest... Girl I was right with ya on this one. No way would I want to push your Honda to the next gas station. Boys...
7. The importance of bringing all kitchen utensils when trying to make spaghetti
8. Flash lights are a must!
9. Kristin has everything one needs in her purse... she can build a shopping mall out of cu-tips and batteries:) We are thankful for you!
10. Learning to laugh at yourself, love those around you, and living each moment to the fullest is what life is all about!

So because of the up and coming road trip to Oklahoma City for this 4th of July, I have decided to bring up the past. Here is an ode to past random road trips. I am of course missing pictures from some of the best ones but will include them at a later date.

First Road Trip: Conroe!
A cold, rainy trip... but it was AMAZING!


Camping Trip in Huntsville 2006
Hiking in the "great outdoors"


Girls finding firewood...
(Wow I do not remember those dance pants EVER being that loose)


Spring Break Trip to Alabama 2006... 13 hours and counting!
Thanks Ryan for driving:)
BIG RIG DRIVING...


Visit at Auburn!
Oh I am in Love... my second favorite campus to date.


Georgia Aquarium... one of many of Ray's fav emo pics!


Coca Cola Factory in Atlanta!
Seriously the Cokes around the world are amazing... I would not recommend drinking them all tho...


Cheaha!!!: The Largest Mountain in Alabama
Ray and Ryan 2006


Road Trip to Denton 2006: Cool Beans


Ray is letting the world know... that this street vendor has
"All American Hot Dogs"


Trip to Plano, TX: July 2006
"I found the bunny!"


Spring Break 2007: Camping Trip
STRANGE FACIES?!?! I love you girlies!


Boys will be boys! Spring Break 2007


Our future Fants and Dukes!


April 14, 2007: Ray's Gangsta Party in San Antonio after the Langford Wedding.


Happy Birthday... Birthday Boy!


Alamo Bowl 2008!
New Years Trip to San Antonio with the Fants!


WHOOP! GO AGGIES!


Michael and Kristin put'n up their dukes!


Ray & I at the Alamo in San Antonio, TX 2008


THE MIRROR MAZE! The coolest place ever! Especially after Pat O'Briens:)

Group Mirror Maze Picture 2008

April 2009: Birmingham, Alabama: Comedy Club


The boys at the Comedy Club 2009


Alabama Trip 2009: Baby Olivia... almost 2 years old
How can you not love this little face!

I hope you've enjoyed a trip down memory lane. More road trip pictures will definitely follow.
UNTIL THEN...

Love,
Alicia

TID BITS!

I've always found the little things that make people tick interesting. These "tid bits" help to define one's character or personality. Well I thought today I would include some of these little tid bits or fun facts about me that many may not know...

IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER:
1. I am addicted to Chapstick! (for those of you who know me... this is an easy one)
2. I am the baby of the family.
3. I absolutely love traveling... but would rather spend the time driving because (a) I'm actually afraid of flying and (b) I think that you get a better experience traveling by car which leads me to my next fun fact...
4. I love road trips with friends.
5. I love being organized but spontaneous.
6. I do consider my two puppies my "children" for now.
7. I would love to live in a different state but would hate to be that much further away from my family.
8. I love scary movies... but have a huge love for Lifetime Movie Network and anything that will make me cry. Basically this is anything that has Will Smith in it... who would have thought Fresh Prince could have that effect on me.
9. Every Sunday I like watching Bridezillas b/c I never believed there were ppl out there that are this crazy.
10. I would do anything for my friends and family!
11. Ray (of course) is the love of my life and makes me a better person. Plus I always told my mom that I would marry someone who could move both eyebrows up and down... He had me from the beginning:)
12. I love photography and scrapbooking.
13. I could talk to my mom every day of my life... and then some.
14. I love to dance... but sadly Ray can out dance me ;(
15. One day I would love to own my own business.
16. When I was younger the first car I wanted when I could drive was a teal pick up truck... not the case anymore. I have my eye set on a Nissan Murano... wishful thinking I know!
17. My favorite color is blue... but I have this amazing love for maroon, burgundy, and bordeaux.
18. I used to drink 5 Dr. Peppers a day in college until I started working for Texas ENT.
19. I love the smell of coffee but do not like the taste.
20. The one place I've always wanted to travel was Australia... mainly b/c of the accent. I love the accent... but now I would absolutely love to take an Alaskan cruise.
21. My favorite sport is dancing (which many might say is not a sport) b/c I lack many necessary hand/eye coordination skills to play other sports. Volleyball is a close second...again not too hot tho.
22. I still have a huge love for Taco Bell even though I know how bad it is for me.
23. I seriously would love to open up a chain restaurant of Fazoli's in Dallas because of their amazing bread sticks. Any investors?!?!
24. I would love to be a stay at home mommy (when that time comes)... still waiting on the lottery winings.
25. My favorite food is anything that is sadly considered a carb.
26. My favorite number is 7... before that whole I love the number "7" came out.
27. I will die a happy person if I know I've changed the life of just one person and helped bring Jesus Christ into their life.

Love,
Alicia

Time with the Fam and a Night on the Town!

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Sugar Land.

I am so thankful for my loves:)
Saturday night: A Night on the Town... Loggia's here we come! Sunday: Birthday Celebration for Nana and Owen: Happy Birthday!

My brother Chris & I at Loggias


Ray and Chris



Ray, Rachel, and Becky


Show'n our gangsta side!


Chris, Ray, and I show'n the love!


Girly Pic: I love you ladies!


Do a little Dance... Get down tonight!


Group pic at Loggias!


Birthday Celebration with the Zellners
Toby was running circles... could not get him still for a picture:(


Happy Birthday Nana (80) and Owen (66)


Todd, Becky, and Gixer (GXR)
(the cutest bulldog puppy ever!)


How can you not love this face?

Love,
Alicia

Rain Rain Go Away! Scare it Away Mattie Mae!

Shouldn't "April Showers" have ended by now?

Rain... rain... and more rain! The weather channel calls for severe thunderstorms, flooding, hail, and the possibility of tornadoes. The power outage at my work lasted for a good 45 minutes, but did not compare to the text one of my co-workers received from a friend explaining she saw a car float by her office window around 10:30AM. Last night, I watched the construction barrels hit the windshields of cars and continue to roll into the parking lot of the apartment complex. The puppies were not too thrilled by the loud crashes of thunder and lighting as well as the power flickering. Toby had to sound off with the tornado alarms. Poor puppy! He was so confused. Mattie is our little "huffer." She tells that bad thunder to go away. Sadly she does not do too well with bad weather. She is up and down. She hides under the covers then lays on top of the covers. She wants to be held and then hold you. Her favorite spot is on my pillow underneath my hair. She's definitely our little watch dog.

I love how the two puppies grow to love each other more and more each day. Toby her bigger yet younger brother likes to pick on her but she can definitely hold her own. She is from the streets:) I couldn't imagine our family without either of them...
Anyway here are a few pictures of our "babies!"

Mattie & Toby resting!


Toby at 6 weeks old!


Mattie all dressed up for Christmas!


First time at the park!



Toby and Daddy!
(Always with the tongue out.
That's his signature move!)

Love,
Alicia

Welcome to the Land of Sugar!

This weekend (June 12-14), Ray, Toby, Mattie, and I will be making our way back to Sugar Land to visit the family. It's been about three months since our last visit, and I think it's about that time to make the journey back. There are multiple reasons for our trip including Nana's 80th birthday celebrated on June 6, Owen's Birthday on June 16, Father's Day as well as just a time to catch up. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone and having a relaxing time with those I love.

Meet the Families!
 

The Zellner Kids

My Big bro and I

Nana and Sally

The Zellner Family in Texas

Farrah and Baby Olivia

Mom and Dad with Aggie and Toby

Alternative to Facebook

As many of you who know me may be familiar with the current Facebook addiction that has over taken me for the past few years:) As a means to wean myself from this type of exhausting activity, I've been shown an alternative method for communicating and posting pictures- two of my absolute favorite activities.

So welcome to my thoughts, dreams, and prayers. May they keep you updated on all the current happenings in my life.

Love,
Alicia