Ashley's Baby Shower

Last weekend, I had the privelege of helping host my good friend Ashley's baby shower! Baby Girl Sahl (as she is being called for the time being) will make her debut mid-February! I am hoping she lands in this world on Feb. 17th - my 30th bday to be exact!!! We had a fun time getting together w/Ashley's family and friends to shower her w/many fun gifts so that she and Daniel can prepare for their little girl!

My sister-in-law's rockin' diaper cake - she was proud!!!

A personalized banner made by yours truly!
Two beautiful flower arrangments made by a true master,
Addie, who also opened her home for the shower!

Just a little shower keepsake for baby and mama...

The hostesses and baby mama:

Addie, Maianne, Ashley, Katie, and me

New Mexico

The week after Christmas, Scott and I both had the WHOLE WEEK off work - together!!!! We were first planning a motorcycle ride somewhere different and fun, then we thought the lake might be a cheaper (and somewhat warmer) plan for us, until...I received a sweet call from my dear friend Bridget, right before Christmas, asking if we wanted to join her, her husband Brad, stepson Bryce, and in-laws, in New Mexico for a few days -- on a fabulous 30,000+ acre ranch, nonetheless, w/free lodging! We just had to get there! ROAD TRIP! We didn't have any other specific plans but to arrive when everyone else did and just relax and have fun! And that is exaclty what we did! We explored the ranch by riding around in the Jeeps and Rhinos (looking for wildlife), chatted for hours (it was SO FUN to catch up w/the newlyweds), ate such yummy food, watched several movies by the fire, visited Raton, NM and Trinidad, CO, and above all - had some R&R!

After about 5 days on the ranch, it was time to say our good-byes. I have also always wanted to visit Santa Fe, so before Scott and I trekked back to Texas, we decided to detour in Santa Fe for two nights to ring in the New Year! We had a blast in that precious little town! I was in tourist heaven w/all the shops, eateries, and TURQUOISE everywhere!!! We walked around the square both days and went into the San Miguel Mission, Loretto Chapel, and the St. Francis Cathedral! We also visited two breweries - a fave pasttime for sure! Everything was so beautiful in Santa Fe - esp since all the buildings and streets were dusted w/snow! Even though our week long trip meant many miles spent in the truck barreling down the highway, Scott and I would not trade that vacation for anything! It allowed us to get away from our reality and enjoy God's beauty of friendship and nature! I loved welcoming 2010 that way!

P.S. A special THANK YOU to Brad and Bridget for the invite and The Moorhouse's for allowing us to invade your space (and family time)! We missed the other Walker's - Jess, Seth, and Charlie!

Tongue River Ranch

Antelope -- everywhere!
Elk, seriously! They were so magnificent to watch!

A view from our Jeep ride up into the mountains

Our very beautiful and relaxing accomodations

The view from our kitchen window

Standing on the front porch

Beginning our Rhino ride into the mountains - it was so COLD!

Brad and Bridget Walker - they are so adorable!

Me and my "Bridge"

A quick, and cold, pic on the side of the road b/c the moon

looked so amazing! This picture doesn't do it justice!

Santa Fe, NM

The square/market area

and, at night w/all the Christmas lights still lit up!

Loretto Chapel - known for its miraculous staircase!

The famous staircase

San Miguel Mission

Scott and I lit candles, in prayer, at the Mission

(and to ring in the New Year!)

Our fave spot...

CHEERS to a super fun trip packed w/great memories!

Happy 2010 Ya'll!

What a whirlwind the past 2 months have been for the Chessher's! Nov. and Dec. have come and gone and, *POOF*, now it's a brand new year!!!! I hope all of your holidays were fun and spent with the ones you love! I also pray that each of you is looking forward to God's blessings in this new year!

November and December provided Scott and I many opportunities to go, go, go and hang out with the people we love the dearest! Between friends and family coming into town, a yummy Thanksgiving, camping in Lost Maples State Park, Christmas parties galore, and a blessed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there is no wonder I have so many pictures to share and just not enough time, or space, to post them all! In an effort of trying to allow you a glimpse into what we've been up to lately, I just decided to select some of my faves to share...(they are a little out of order and kind of backwards; from Dec. to Nov.)!

A family pic, on Christmas Day, in San Antonio with Scott's Mom, Meemaw,

and the rest of the crew!

My Christmas work party -- we just had to give

each of our colleges a shout-out!

Our "Chesahl" Quarterly Couples' Dinner Party at Daniel and Ashley's house!

I love this Santa, for sure! Scott made the perfect

Jolly St. Nick for the Dinner Party!

Hiking with our good friends Looney and Katie at Lost Maples State Park!

It was gorgeous!

Leaving Lost Maples with our sweet friends Danny and Kelly!

My family came to our house for an early Christmas celebration! Mom is always so good about stuffing stockings, even if we aren't celebrating at their house in the Falls! I love this pic!

With everyone in town, we decided to take some family pictures! I think this one is cute b/c we all look like we are trying not to giggle! :)
Mid-November, my dear friend Lauri and her daughter Payton came for a visit! We loaded up the kids and had a fabo day of shopping in Fredericksburg! Max and Payton didn't quite make the pic - they were in their strollers!

Scott and I on Thanksgiving Day in San Antone! My parents drove in from WF and joined us at Scott's Mom's house!
This final pic will always hold a special place in my heart because on this day, Scott and I shared a very special little secret! The day before Thanksgiving we were delighted to take two POSITIVE pregnancey tests! We decided to keep things quiet since it was so early on, but you can imagine our excitement and utter joy of the secret we were sharing that day - in front of many of our loved ones! Unfortunately, the day after Thanksgiving, I had a miscarriage. I can honestly say that it was one of the saddest days of my life. I was heartbroken, and still am. We have prayed hard and have faith in our Lord that He will, NO DOUBT, provide us with a baby when it is HIS time and the most perfect timing it will be! Knowing this comforts both Scott and I, but the emotions are still there and we battle through them quite often. We are excited to know we can actually have babies and this gives us hope! Please lift us up in prayer if you think about it! All my love, Tina

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

...at "Casa de Chessher"! We decorated our house, inside and out, the weekend of Thanksgiving to prepare for my family's early Christmas celebration! Mom, Dad, Tim, and Amber drove in, this past weekend, so we could celebrate our Distel Family Christmas!

More pics and posts to follow, it's just been so busy these past several weeks! However, we are LOVIN' this time of year and hope you are too!

Wurstfest & a Wedding

Ever since I moved to the Austin area, I've been wanting to go to Wurstfest in New Braunfels! This past weekend Scott and I decided to take a little weekend getaway, starting first at Wurstfest on Friday night! Oh.my.gosh -- what a blast it was!!! I mean who doesn't like German food, all the beer you can drink, and doing the chicken dance to polka music?!? Awesome!
On Saturday, we were honored to be able to go to a friend's wedding in Campbellton! Philip (the Seth James Band bassist) and his lovely lady, Jessica, got married in a small, precious Cathloic Church and had their reception out on his family's ranch! Scott and I two-stepped the night away under the stars! Unfortunately there are no pics of the reception b/c our camera died - darn it!
And to complete our trip, we passed through San Antonio, on Sunday afternoon, to visit with Scott's mom and Meemaw! It was such a fun weekend!

Happy Birthday, Macee!

On Nov. 2nd, a special little gal turned 2! Chris and Katie had several friends over for a fish fry and party to celebrate Macee Jane's birthday! We all had a fun time and the food was soooo yummy! Happy Birthday to MJ - Ott & TT love you so much!