What We've Been Up To

There's no news to report here

but thought I would recap what we've been up to the last 1.5 weeks.

Blake is in the full swing of school

and actually has his first exam tonight...

fingers crossed for an A!

I was busy last week

getting into shape!!

I found a great new workout place in town

through a JL friend

and I am really enjoying it.

There are a bunch of different classes

offered all day everyday

so the monotony of the same class isn't an issue,

thank goodness.

They actually have a Boot Camp

coming up February 27 that I am going to do.

It's for 6 weeks, 3 times a week

and is sure to kick me back into shape, pronto,

just in time for all of these spring weddings!

Friday night I headed to La Diosa with the girls

for a "Whine Night".

It was fun to just sit around

and catch up with no kids and no agenda!

The waitress had to kick us out at midnight

because they were closing!

It was a lot of fun

and much needed for most in attendance.

On Saturday night,

we hung out with some of Blake's school buddies

for Josh Sperry's 31st birthday.

It was a fun time seeing everyone

after Christmas break.

We were home in bed by 10:30

and it was fantastic!

So told ya,

not much to tell about around here.

The weather is absolutely nuts

and is currently 69 degrees

and the ice cream truck is driving around the neighborhood!!!

Madness,

considering this time last year when we moved here

it was -17 degrees (real feel)

and they were warning people to not go outside

with exposed skin for fear of frostbite!!

Silly weather.

But we will take it.

RHETT is sure enjoying his long walks

and george henry loves stalking the birds all day.

Hope everyone has a good week!

cmg

And He's Back.......

in school.......

By the looks of this picture

one would think that this was Blake's first day

of the fall semester in August.

But oh no,

it's January 19th

(and the first day of Spring semester)

and was 74 degrees today!!

Not going to complain

because it gets stupid cold out here.

But 74 in January,

really!?!?!?

Happy Spring semester babe!!

cmg

South Lake Tahoe

Blake and I headed out Monday evening for our annual ski trip

and just like always,

we did not make it to our destination as scheduled.

Hanging out in the Lubbock airport

After an hour and a half delay we finally left for Dallas

only to realize upon arrival in Dallas

that our Reno flight had already departed,

leaving us in Dallas until Tuesday morning.

The only upside to the missed flight,

was being able to watch the

National Championship slaughter;

Roll Tide!

On our way....finally!

We like to go somewhere different every year

and this year we chose South Lake Tahoe.

The beauty of the place did not disappoint.

Absolutely breathtaking view from the Gondola.

Unfortuantley,

there was no natural snow in Tahoe this year

but instead all man made.

Last year they had a record breaking 800 inches

and this year was the driest on record with 0 inches!

Typical.

We were a bit concerned at first

but it ended up not being so bad.

Their snow making capabilities are pretty impressive!

We skiied for 2 full days,

which was plenty,

considering we were able to ski the entire mountain

since only half the runs were open.

Blake getting crazy!

Since we still had Friday open

we decided to do a few random things around town.

First on the schedule,

a sales pitch for a time share where we received $100 just for listening for 90 mins.

Not a bad deal!

It really wasn't so bad.

We made it very clear from the beginning

that the only reason we were there was for the free $100.

So after 90 minutes when we told them our time was up

sure they were aggrevated they couldn't persuade us

but they knew going in we were a no go.

After the free $100

we belined to catch the shuttle to the M.S. Dixie II.

The M.S. Dixie II

is a ferry that takes you across Lake Tahoe to the beautiful

Emerald Bay.

Emerald Bay

The view from Emerald Bay....

breathtaking!

I would reccomend the ferry

for anyone in the Lake Tahoe area.

For the entire 2 hours they told you the facts of the lake,

showed a video on sunken treasures,

pointed out all the areas along the entire lake,

etc.

After the M.S. Dixie II

we headed back to the condo to get all of our loot to mail home.

We have found it eaiser (and cheaper)

to ship our skis/snowboard, boots and bulky ski clothes

rather than check them.

Plus they are already in our room when we arrive

and they show up on our doorstep a couple days after returning home!

After UPS,

we headed up the mountain to

The Chalk House.

A man in the hot tub the night before reccomended this place

to watch the sunset and everything is 1/2 off from 4:30-6:30,

and we love a good deal!

Blake even had 4 margaritas, ha!!

a beautiful Lake Tahoe sunset

Walker Jr. happened to be intown for a work trip

so he and his friend Rebecca met us there.

It was so fun to catch up with friends unexpectadly!

We had a wonderful time,

as always,

and only wish we could have stayed longer.

Blake starts school back this Thursday :(

We have had the most wonderful (and long) break

enjoying each others company,

seeing family,

and traveling.

But back to life,

back to reality.

CMG

New Years Day

So New Years Day found the Garrett's

undecorating,

(my least favorite time of year)

doing loads and loads of laundry,

cooking our NYD meal,

roasting s'mores,

and lounging.

Hope your 2012

is off to as good of a start as ours is!

cmg

New Years Resolution

We are not making any ridiculous goals

such as

eating less,

working out more,

spending less,

drinking less coke,

etc.

in our house this year.

Instead we decided to keep it simple.

Our new years resolution for 2012 is to

"listen".

Listening for us means

to each other,

ourselves,

our bodies,

those around us,

and

the holy spirit.

We feel by focusing on

listening

we will gain so much.

So here's to a

healthy, happy and prosperous

2012.

cmg

New Years Eve

Our friends Ryan and Ashley

hosted a Great Gatsby themed

New Years Eve party

and it was a ball!

We didn't know if we were going to make it back

but we did

and are so glad we did.

We were staring at the clock waiting for it to struck 12

so we could go to bed, ha.

After 9 days of travel,

we were exhausted.

The Higleys did not miss a beat.

The food was delicious,

they had a photo booth with props included,

moved the living room furniture out and replaced it with a dance floor

(which was well used),

had a tent with propane heaters outside,

lots of champagne

and lots of friends and laughter.

I couldn't think of any other people I would

have rather ring in the new year with in LBK!

Hoping 2012 brings the Garretts

a little less travel

and living in hotels (ha!)

good health,

happiness and

lots and lots of love and laughter.

Wishing you all the best!

Happy New Year.

cmg

Christmas Vacation

9 days,

2 states,

1500 miles,

lots of family, laughter and gifts

we are HOME!

On our way to Shreveport,

Day 1

We managed to squeeze in

some shopping,

a dentist visit,

a family portrait,

eating at our favorite restaurants

and spending lots of time with family and friends.

It was a wonderful Christmas in Shreveport.

Wednesday we left Shreveport

headed west.

We got to Abilene that night

and opened our presents

and caught up with Jill, Mikey and Lou Lou.

We played some golf,

ate at the Bee Hive

and enjoyed being with family.

We didn't take in to account the fact

that our belongings would multiply

being that it is Christmas afterall.

We were so tight for space on the way home from Abilene

we had to send 4 bags with the Greers

who were headed to Lubbock for NYE.

We had a ball playing with Murphy

while we were in Shreveport.

RHETT enjoyed his peanut butter bone

from Gilbo and Milly.

Although we enjoyed seeing our family and friends

this Christmas,

I can not begin to tell you how glad we are to be home!

Hoping everyone had a magical Christmas

with those they love;

we sure did.

cmg