Flashback Friday...Favorite Pics

I have slacked the past couple of Fridays. But, I am back today with two of the cutest babies I have ever seen (yes- this momma is as biased as they come.) ;)

These are my two of my favorite pictures of the boys when they were little...

Landry


Gavin (just check out those cheeks!)

Flashback Friday

I don't really have time for a long post tonight...but I didn't want to mess up my Flashback Friday streak. So- I'll leave you with something random....





Steph + College + 3am = RANDOM!

Valentines Day

We had a great Valentine's Day here in the Warner house. Landry had a little pizza party at his school. He was very excited to take all the cards and candy he worked so hard on the day before. I love watching him learn and grow. He wrote his name on every one of the cards, and even tried writing his friends names on some of them. My oldest baby is growing up!

I had to work at the gym on Tuesday night. I had a great surprise when I got to the car. Kyle had left a note saying come straight home (he had already picked the boys up from the sitter.) :) As soon as I walked in, this was on the table..........



That my friends is a lovely dinner consisting of bacon wrapped filet mignons, grilled shrimp, steamed lobster tails, crab cakes, deluxe mac and cheese, and cheesy garlic bread! Yum-yum!!! I can still taste it....it was SOOOO good. The boys picked out the flowers for me (funny little combo, but I love it all the same), and Kyle popped a bottle of bubbly for us. And, you can't forget about the box of chocolates. The Massage Envy gift card was actually my present to Kyle. So, we threw it in the picture. ;) Kyle works so hard and deserves to have his back rubbed (I will gladly pay somebody else to do that....my hands get tired after 5 minutes!)

Hope you all had a great Valentine's day, and your sweetie treated you right! :)

Flashback Friday....Las Vegas!

I have been jonesing to go to Las Vegas lately (who am I kidding...I have just been jonesing to go ANYWHERE {vacation} lately. I even looked up on Forbes the "most boring cities" out there, and yes- I'm wanting/needing a vacation so bad I would say, "book the flight...we are headed to Aurora, Colo.) :)

{side note....I know you are now curious.... so here ya go! The people say 1) Aurora, Colorado 2) Henderson, Nevada 3) Bakersfield, California 4) Chandler, Arizona 5) North Las Vegas, Nevada 6) Chula Vista, California 7) Hialeah, Florida. Don't get mad at me if one of these places is familiar or dear to heart for you....all information collected from Forbes!} ha!

Moving on....I have been to Las Vegas twice. It is definitely one of my favorite places. It's kind of like New York (also a FAVORITE of mine.) No matter how many times you have been, you never get everything done that you set out for. Kyle and I are really not big gamblers. He will do the occasional "sit down at a blackjack table" as will I at a slot machine. Truly, I just like getting the drinks for "free" {ha}. Mostly, I love Vegas for the lights, the shows, and the food. There are so many cool places to eat, and entertaining shows to discover out there.

My first trip to Vegas was with my brother, his wife Rachel, and Kyle. We went to San Diego first to visit Rachel's brother and wife.....but detoured for a 3 day trip to Vegas. It was a blast. We stayed at New York, New York and the Belliagio. (yes- we switched hotels while we were there...on purpose.) We had a great time with them. The next trip was several months later. We were living in Houston, and long story short...Kyle was told if he closed a certain deal he was working on, we would get an all expensive paid trip to Vegas. You don't tempt Kyle with that type of reward. We were headed to Sin City a week later. :) And by all expense paid trip that is exactly what they meant. EVERYTHING was paid for, even down to Starbucks coffee. Well, except any gambling...but once again, we didn't do much of that anyway. We had a great time. We even brought souvenirs home. And his name was Landry Allen Warner (if you know what I mean.) So, everything that happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas. Sometimes you get surprises you were never expecting! :)

I REALLY would love to head back to Vegas sometime. I would also love to head to New York, Tahoe, Florida, Hawaii, Jamaica, North Carolina, the grocery store WITHOUT kids, Boston, San Francisco, Washington DC, Yellowstone, Maui, the bathroom WITHOUT a person under 3 feet tall following, Bora Bora, Chicago, Yosemite, Orlando, Seattle, department store to try on clothes WITHOUT kids, Los Angeles, Nashville, Puerto Rico, Austin, Nicaragua, the kitchen to cook WITHOUT being asked 5 times "is it ready yet", Branson, Tanzania, Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, the bank to put $ in instead of taking $ out to pay bills, Switzerland, Hot Springs, Fort Myers, Greece.......OH SORRY- got wrapped up in la la land. :)

FIRST TRIP:

at dinner with my brother Jeff, sis-in-law Rachel, and Kyle


our view from the Belliagio room:


one of the prettiest hotels (in my opinion)


heading out for a night on the town:


in the casino:


my crazy husband rode all 3 rides at the top of the Stratosphere. I HATE heights....in fact it was hard for me to take pictures. (excuse me while I go get some Pepto as I look at them now.) That is Kyle in the front seat dangling God only knows how many feet over Las Vegas......PUKE!


one more of this insanity. He is in the white shirt swinging over the city....BLAH!



Second Trip:

look who we flew first class with (the ear bitter)


one of my favorites:


partying at The Palms:


going to dinner:


a blue man from the Blue Man Group:


I love Vegas:

Flashback Friday....Wedding Day!

It's that time again....Flashback Friday. Time to recall some major stepping stones in our family....all starting with the wedding!

I will spare you ALL the details about our wedding day. There is not enough time or blog page space for all that. I will just wrap it all up by saying that day was magical and fantastic! Kyle and I still say our wedding was the best we have ever been to (as do most couples {about your own wedding, not ours}....and I hope all YOUR wedding stories are much better than ours...TO YOU! But, to us....we LOVED our day of becoming one!) Was that confusing...yes! I thought so after I read it....but I am too lazy right now to go back and rewrite. ha! :)

We got married on May 21, 2005 @ 2:00pm. It was a gorgeous day. The ceremony took place at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, TX (my childhood church.) Our great friend, Judge David Bridges, was so kind to perform the ceremony for us. I had 5 bridesmaids (Neeley Killough, Michelle Warner, Rachel Justice, Kari Christoph, and Anne Streng {some of these lovely ladies have since had a name change.}) Kyle's "side" consisted of Ryan Warner, Nick Patton, Jared Landin, Tyler Lawless, and Brandon Streng. Ring bearer was our lovely nephew Will Justice, and flower girl was a cousin....Ashleigh Watterson. Ushers were made up of Jeff Justice, Bobby Prikryl, and Jordan Petsch. We had about 200 guest in attendance (I believe.)

After the quick I Do's (and I mean quick....we were in and out of the ceremony in no more than 20 minutes) everybody packed up and we headed out to Grapevine, TX. The reception was held at the fantastic Gaylord Hotel. WOW!!!! I am still in love with that day. We had the Yellow Rose Ballroom reserved thanks to my wonderful daddy (he works at the Gaylord.) It was PERFECT!!! The food was fantastic (as you can probably imagine), the cakes were delicious (courtesy of George's Bakery out of Garland), the DJ was spinning some good tracks. The speeches were right on, the decorations were just my style, the atmosphere was brilliant, and the OPEN bar was flowing (beer, wine, AND liquor (yep...we did it up right.)

We have a beautiful photo album of professional pictures, but obviously I cant put those on here. So- enjoy some of these pictures taken from random guest camera.

I will never forget May 21, 2005....the day I became MRS WARNER!!!!

About to get ready....


Me and my beautiful Momma...


The gorgeous bridesmaids....


Let's do this...


Newlyweds...


reception site......


dancing the night away...


headed upstairs to our room at the end of the night.... ;) ;) ;)

Flashback Friday....Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Itttttttt's Friiiiiday!!!! Normally I would be super excited since this is my favorite day of the week. But, my poor Lan Man is sick. He was up just about every hour last night CRYING and complaining that his left ear hurt. He started running a fever and even threw up. Ugh! It was a long night. Luckily, our pediatrician is great. I called them this morning at 8:30 to try and get an appointment. The wonderful people they are booked him in at 9:15. Verdict = horrible ear infection. First dose of Amoxicillian and ear drops later....he is resting more comfortably now.

Moving on.....it is Flashback Friday. Last week I Flashbacked (pretty sure I just made that word up) all the way to the day Kyle and I got engaged. So- moving on...let's look at the fun events that lead up to the wedding. And what better night to start with than the good ole' bachelorette party! Wow.....fun times! Of course, I feel like it was so long ago (2005) that it is hard to remember everything about that night. We started out at a friends apartment for some drinks, {penis} cake (come on...it was a bachelorette celebration) :), and lingerie shower. Then- we headed out to Pete's Piano Bar. I have always loved that place. Of course, this night it was even more special because I was the guest of honor (at our table anyway.):) I was pulled up on stage and embarrassed....but that is just part of it. Afterwards we headed out to LaBare's. I have only been to that place a few times (my bachelorette party plus a few other "special" occasions as such.) It is funny to me how some of those women REALLY get into it. You know who I am talking about....you have seen it. The older women that sit at the foot of the stage and just die for the attention of these men (who note....probably swing the other way if you know what I mean.) Anyway, my point is....I always have more fun with my girlfriends people watching at that place than anything else.

It was a very fun and special night. Kyle had his bachelor party the same night. I requested it that way so I wouldn't be sitting at home wondering what he was doing. I asked my girls to keep me busy! ;) I have such an amazing group of friends. I thank them all for that fantastic night.

getting started...



some of my girls before walking into Pete's


my best friend for ever and ever (and Maid of Honor) :)....me and Neeley


love my Kari (before we were mommies) :)


Pete's


on stage....

Game Night

Every year around Christmas Kyle and I host a "game night" holiday party. It is always sooooo much fun! We don't just have friends come over to play games...oh no! There is something to be won at these parties...it is competitive. Everyone that attends brings a $20 gift card to any place of their choice. We have everyone post up their cards when they arrive so the rest of the party can see what the prizes are. It is fun to scoop everything out before we start playing. In the past we have just played board games......but we have found that they kind of turn to "bored" games after a while. When you have anywhere from 15-25 guest, board games start taking time and people start to become uninterested. So- this year we changed it up a little.....instead of board games, we added a theme to the annual party. This year's theme was "Minute to Win It!" I can confidently say, THIS WAS THE BEST GAME NIGHT SO FAR!!!!

We had 16 gift cards to hand out, so we got to play several of the games twice. It was great. All the games were 1 minute or so.....just quick, easy, and fun! And, the best part about the night is there is no limit to how many cards you can win. If you DOMINATE...then you deserve to take them home!!! It usually works out though were everyone (or at least every couple) walks away with at least one gift card. But, the ones that walk away with 5 or 6 are the luckiest!!!

The games played this year were:

*Pencil Bounce (whoever bounced a pencil off their eraser into the cup first won. We played this round robin style....4 rounds!)
Winner was Eric Stegal


*Cookie Face....this was a hoot! (guys vs girls and then winner of that group played in final. Players had to get an Oreo cookie from their forehead to their mouth without touching it with their hands.)
Winner was Nick Patton (I was the girl finalist btw.....and I ALMOST beat him...ugh!) :)


*Neck Juice.....HILARIOUS!!! This game probably got the most laughs. (partners must pass as many oranges between their necks and into a bucket within a 1 minute time frame. It looked like couples were just making out everywhere.)
Winner was Kyle and Stephanie Warner (we had hard competition...first 2 rounds tied...we won in the 3rd.)


*Candy Land (players had to eat a combination of 5 candies that did not go well together, the quickest. No hands! Combo of candy included Altoids, Red Hots, Lemonheads, Sour Patch Kids, and Black Licorice....YUCK!!!!!)
Winner was Dan Uhl (props to him too.....he focused and took care of business)


I just love this one....holding the hair back and all.....great support system :)



*Dice Stack (player must balance 6 dice on popsicle stick the fastest)
We played several rounds of this....so I cant remember all the winners!


Some other games I didn't get a picture of were The Newlywed Game, Ping Pong Bounce, Mario Cart, and I'm sure one or two more I can't think of at this time. After the games were finished, the music was turned up loud and the living room became a dance floor. So much fun! Kyle and I walked away that night with 2 gift cards to Starbucks, 1 to Lowes, and 1 to Best Buy!!! Chi-ching!!!

I will give you a whole year's heads up for the next party.....THEME = DOUBLE DARE!!! :)

Flashback Friday

**** I can not take credit for this idea ****

So, my friend, Kerri, started a new thing today on her precious blog called "FLASHBACK FRIDAY!" She posted a pic today of her little guy, Noah, when he was a little little guy!!! :) So cute! I loved the idea so I completely hi-jacked it. I love going through all my old pictures from years ago and seeing how so much has changed in our lifes. I am going to jump on the Flashback Bandwagon (thanks again for the idea Kerri), and try to post something every Friday from the Warners past. So here it goes.....

I thought since this is my first Flashback Friday post....I would take it back old school. I mean REALLY, REALLY old school. Where it all began (The Warner family that is.) Kyle and I started dating in high school. No- we were not high school sweethearts. But, we did start dating with about 4 weeks left in our senior year. Five years later, this happened.............

WE ARE ENGAGED!!!! (October 23, 2005)


This is the first photo of Kyle and I after we got engaged. Funny thing is....Kyle did NOT pop the question at this UNT game we were at. It actually happened the night before. I am very sad to say, we actually didn't get any pictures that night. :( Looking back....I am kicking myself for that. But, back then, I don't think we were really thinking about it (plus....phones weren't as cool in 2005 as they are now. I don't think the camera phone was an option....and I don't believe I had my regular camera with us.) Anyway....I will sum up our engagement night as quickly as possible. Kyle and I were supposed to be going out with some great friends of ours, Brandon and Anne Streng, for a fancy dinner at Three Forks. This was a big deal to us, because we were still young and broke (who am I kidding....still are {except for the "young" part.} lol) About a hour before we were supposed to leave, Anne called me and told me they were going to have to back out of going to dinner (reason = I don't remember.) I hadn't talked to Kyle yet, but once Anne cancelled, I figured there was no way Kyle would still want to go just us two (to spend that much $ on a meal...remember right out of college = broke!) So-I was at my apartment with my roommate Neeley just hanging out. Kyle called and asked if I was ready. "For what.....are we still going" was my reply. He said he was already dressed and had been stoked about going all day, so he didn't want to cancel also. That meant I needed to get dressed up.....STAT!!! At this point I still thought nothing about the night. It wasn't until he showed up at our apartment with roses for me that I started to get suspicious. And, it wasn't necessarily the roses for me....it was the flowers he brought over for Neeley also....HUM.....what the heck is going on! :)

Long story short...this is how the rest of the night progressed:
*I really thought he would propose at dinner....he did NOT
*waiter asked if we wanted dessert. After I answered no, Kyle interrupted me and said YES- yes she does!
*dessert got to our table, but nothing in the sweet treat except delicious chocolate, and lots of calories.
*I am frustrated and beside myself (still with a fake smile on though I may add....trying not to show it)
*we head to Addison Improv for some comedy
*realize if Kyle was going to propose it would have been at some place nice like 3 Forks, and probably not at a smokey, comedy club
*I start drinking more and more wine because I am upset (hiding my feelings around him of course)
*we head back to his place (well- he was actually living with his brother and sis-in-law at this time) so their place
*I start to fall asleep in the car (WINE!) :)
*he keeps telling me to stay awake....I ignore him
*he frantically says he needs to call his brother (I had no idea why)
*we get back to the house....I walk in the front door and

BAM

rose pedals are all over the floor leading all the way to his bedroom. We walk into his room that was covered with flowers and candles (hence..."get a hold of his brother"...to light the candles and get out of there) :) And, there it was.....MY ENGAGEMENT RING ON HIS DESK!!!!!! As I turn around to him standing behind me, he was on one knee and so sweetly says, "Will you please become my Mrs Warner?"
(his favorite part about the story is {which I really don't remember much of} supposedly I put my purse on his desk....right next to the ring. He said I completely overlooked it.....lol!)

It ended up being such a sweet and special night (which I later felt bad about pouting deep down all night....sorry Mr Warner!) :) And just so you know....the whole "friends cancelling on us" was a set up....he had that planned the whole time! They were never going out with us in the first place, and I do believe they were the first to know that Kyle was popping the question that night!

The next morning we headed out to tailgate at the UNT game and to meet up with all our friends. The announcement was made.....and the wedding planning began (literally...I think I had the whole wedding day planned out by the end of that weekend.) ha!

And that, is the true beginning of Mr and Mrs Warner!!! :)

Refocusing on Blog: Volume One

I'm officially spoiled!!! We got a laptop the other day after moving into this house. I LOVE it. I am laying in bed updating this.....AWESOME! Why have none of you told me about the goodness of laptops???? :)

I know I have said it before, but I am going to try and do better about updating. I think having this new addition will definitely help with this task. It is so fresh and new....not bogged down with anything yet. Did I mention I love this thing?

I got my camera out and boy, am I behind. I'm just now getting around to sharing pictures from Christmas. The boys had a fantastic time this year, and Kyle and I enjoyed the time together and with family. As always.....Christmas went by way to fast this year. I just love that season!

Landry and his new Leapster




Daddy and Landry lying out the snacks for Santa and the reindeer


When will Santa be here?






Cast Iron Skillets...yay!! :)


kid table


Kyle and our niece, Riley