Spring Break 2011

Shane and I were blessed to have the same Spring Break again this year, and actually ended up getting 12 whole days together!  We almost didn't know what to do with ourselves, then it hit.....wedding planning, yikes.  My post are a little mixed up, so the last two post were things we did during Spring Break.  We started out the break by heading up to Odessa for an Engagement party, with a lot of close family and friends from West Texas.  My parents also made the trip, which really meant a lot to us.  It was great to finally meet so many of the people that have been a big part of Shane's life.  We relaxed in Odessa for a few days, and then headed back to College Station to start on the dreaded....wedding planning.  I have to say though, we hit it hard, and got a ton accomplished.  Shane has to be the most understanding and caring fiance alive because he took it all in stride and helped out tremendously, even when I was told I was being a bridezilla (oops!).  We got to see a few Aggie baseball games together, and enjoyed a lot of running, walking and just being outside in the beautiful spring weather.  On Saturday we made a quick trip to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to see Brad Paisley.  Shane had never been to a "real" rodeo before so it was exciting to show him what I'd grown up going to.  This break only reassured us that we cannot wait to get married.  Unfortunately, it also opened my eyes to how much more we need to get done in the next 69 days, to prepare for the big day!

Shane and I at our Engagement Party in Odessa

Wedding work at its finest

Rodeo time!

We sat with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece at the Rodeo.  It was so loud, Emma wore ear protection, but loved every minute of watching all the cows!

Country Life

My parents recently bought 121 acres just outside of town.  While Shane was in town we spent one beautiful Sunday afternoon out on the land playing, exploring, shooting, and just having fun with my family.  We can't wait for many more years of fun memories coming home to this place.
 

 

Gig'em Aggies

On our way home from Odessa we stopped at the A&M barn outside of Waco.  I've driven by it a lot, but never stopped. Luckily this time we had another couple to trade off taking pictures.  It was fun, and we got some great pictures!

Cake Balls

This post is rather late, but better late than never, right?  For Valentines Day this year I made Shane (and myself) cake balls for the first time.  I have been wanting to make these for years honestly, and just never have.  Well let me tell you, they were the quite possibly the best thing I have ever tasted.  I started with Bakerella's basic cake pop recipe, but adjusted it because I didn't want pop's, I just wanted little cake balls.  I also didn't coat the entire ball in candy coating like they suggested, and I think I preferred them this way.  Ultimately, you can adjust the recipe to fit your hearts desire.  They were so easy, and delicious!

Half-Marathon

This morning I ran my first half-marathon with a friend of mine from my bible study.  Ever since Shane started running marathons I have always wanted to run a half-marathon.  Finally, I put my words into actions, and made it happen today!  My friend Chase and I have been running together, and stuck together through the whole race.  I can't say it didn't hurt, and I definitely had my doubts, but my entire family came out to support, encourage and cheer me on.  We finished 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 39 minutes, which I was pleasantly happy with!

Chase and I before the race about 6:30am, cold but ready to run!

After the race, excited we finished, but starving!

100th Night Weekend

This past weekend I flew to New York for 100th night weekend at West Point.  Shane and I had a really good time together, and had fun at all of the festivities for 100th night.  Friday night we went through NYC on our way to Princeton. My sweet fiance walked 20 blocks with me through the cold to try to find some good pizza and Serendipity's.  When we finally got there, the wait was 1 1/2 hours, and we decided it wasn't worth that.  I guess graduation week will be our last opportunity to try to go there, from what I've heard their frozen peanut butter frozen hot chocolate is delicious!  We settled for Starbucks and just enjoyed walking through the city together.  100th night was different because all the cadets wore suites, but it was neat to finally see Shane in something besides a uniform!  There was snow everywhere, and it even snowed a little Friday night when I got there, but overall the weather was beautiful and we had sunny blue skies the entire weekend, just semi cold.  It was a really quick weekend, but well worth it, and one of the best class weekends we've had so far.  

 All of the Ft. Riley, Mechanical Engineer guys.  Kevin, Joe & Shane

Ft. Riley, Kansas

Thursday night was Post night at West Point, a night we have been anticipating for a long long long time.  On February 3, 2011, Shane would attend a large, loud, and crazy meeting for all soon-to-be Infantry officers where they would choose their post, unit, and BOLC dates, while Whitney anxiously clung to her phone at home.  What does all this mean, you ask, and why is it important?  It means we'll be living in KANSAS for a few years after Shane's training in Georgia.  Ft. Riley, Kansas to be exact, which is just outside of Manhattan, Kansas.  We are both very excited about this opportunity to experience a new place, and just looking forward to being there already.

In honor of the cold weather and snow we've had in College Station, I thought this picture would be appropriate.

  On a side note this week it has been extremely cold in College Station (New York also, but isn't it always cold there?)  One morning it was 18 degrees with 20 mph winds making it feel like 7 degrees.  Yes, that kind of cold.  Last night is snowed so my roommates and I went exploring this morning. 

I'm ready for you Kansas!