Our "Staycation"

The last week of August, my office was closed and Scott got off, too, so we could take a little mini vacation! We headed for the lake - the perfect spot to get away and not spend too much money!!!
From Friday to Friday, we went to our friend's ranch; fished; swam; ate; drank; drove into Burnet, Marble Falls, Llano, & Fall Creek Vineyards; napped; chatted w/neighbors; and had a sunset dinner date where our rehearsal dinner took place!

We packed in quite a bit for seven days, but the ease of knowing we didn't have things we had to do, but all the things we wanted to do made it so enjoyable! We have both said it was one of the BEST vacations we have ever taken! And, to think we were just an hour away from our front door! It's rare for it to be just us two at the lake, because it is our family's memory-makin' getaway, but it felt too perfect to step away from our real worlds -- just Tina and Scott -- and really enjoy one another's company at one of the places we hold most dear! We needed this trip and are so thankful we made it happen!

Scott, his friend and co-worker Kit, and Kit's brother setting up

a deer stand on the ranch.

On top of a sort of mountain, or HUGE hill of rocks, that

we hiked up to - what a view!

I'm smiling becasue I didn't see a rattlesnake on the way up! If I had, I would NOT have been this happy of a hiker!!!
Scott and Kit taking a siesta on the banks of the Llano River. Our view for the week!
We caught fish morning, noon, and night -- this particular night we stayed out until about 2am!!!

A quick trip to Fall Creek Vineyards and a cool & crisp sip of white wine on a very HOT day! More fish caught later in the week - it was amazing how they were schooling everywhere!

Scott taking a dip and cooling off! At times, the water didn't even seem to give us the comfort we needed to get away from the heat!
"Flag Island"
Our homemade ceviche & white wine from Fall Creek! Scott had this waiting on me one evening after I came in from chatting w/a neighbor! Such a lovely dinner date!

Scott and his best buddy - our sweet, precious, and

always faithful companion - Dog!

More fishing...

Our last night -- a sunset dinner date at Canyon of the Eagles!

Our Summer, in Pictures...

May 2010...

The start to our summer was a great one! Right after our motorcycle ride, we learned we were pregnant again! Sadly, we endured another miscarriage in June. More on that later in this post.

We celebrated Mother's Day in San Antonio! It was fun to share our pregnancy news w/everyone! A little early to tell folks, some people may say, but we've learned it's nice to have a support group if something were to go wrong.

Here is Scott's Mom (Grammy) with 3 of her 4 grandbabies!!!

On Weds., May 12, 2010 two wonderful things took place...Scott celebrated his 31st birthday and Chris graduated from Nursing School!

WAY TO GO CHRIS!!!

Congratulations, Chris & Happy Birthday, Scott!
We are proud of our guys!
Scott making a wish...

Later on that night, Chris and Katie threw a party for the Nursing School graduates at their home! It was the "Sumo Smackdown" complete w/sumo wrestling, a bounce house, BBQ, keg beer, a DJ, and burning of the students' scrubs!!!

This party was too much fun!!!!!!

We spent Memorial Day at the lake like we always do!

This weekend was all about family!

Here's one cute family...Lisa, Haylie, & Chad!

And, another good-looking family...Katie, Chris, Macee, & Max!

June 2010...

June was a month of laying-low! At the beginning of the month, I had to have another D&C because of the miscarriage. So, the first week we didn't do too much of anything. Exactly two weeks, to the day, of me going in for my D&C, Scott had to rush me to the E.R. because I was experiencing flu-like symptoms that did not subside for about 4 days. After several tests, we were told that I had meningitis! What?!? Needless to say, I was admitted to the hospital for two days so that they could monitor me. It took me two l-o-n-g weeks to fully recover - I have never felt so miserable!

Because most of the month of June was spent in a surgery center, the E.R., a sterile hospital room, and days/nights sleeping on the couch and in our bed, we don't have ANY pictures to display! It's really rather pitiful! However, we are thankful for the bumps in the road and firmly believe our precious Lord was, yet again, teaching us patience and reminding us where our focus must be -- on HIM! I'm glad to now say I have found peace in all of this and that life does go on! It's amazing, and a gift, to just be alive and HEALTHY!!!

July 2010...

The 4th of July Weekend was also spent at the lake! We can't be at the lake w/o taking a sunset picture! The sunsets are always beautiful and they astound me each time I get to witness one right outside the back door!

Scott working the waves on the wakeboard!

We celebrated Grammy's 60th birthday at the lake!

All the grandbabies wanted in on the cake!!!

The birthday girl, her children, and their children!

And look who else we get to hang out w/at the lake?!? Tim and Amber! Amber's parents bought a house on Lake LBJ, which is about 15 mins up the road from our lakehouse! We stopped by their place a couple times that weekend to say hi! I can't wait to see my soon-to-be nephew playing around this place soon!

One weekend while Scott was away at the coast fishing, I headed to Dallas for a girls (and baby) weekend! I was able to meet Traci's new little man,

Patrick James Redding...

...play around w/this little guy, Mr. Parker Bills!

And, yes, his expressions are stinkin' priceless!...

...and finally, meet Parker Trimble Brown! Proud parents Kristen and Benton, unfortunately, did not make any of the pictures (sorry guys)! My heart melted when I walked in their front door, was handed my new little buddy, and he went fast asleep on my shoulder! Awwww!

August 2010...

The first weekend of August, I flew to Lubbock for Amber's baby shower! Here I am w/the HOT mama-to-be before we left for the shower!!!

My sweet mom (soon-to-be "Mama Jo") and her best bud, Linda!

One of the many wonderful gifts Amber received at her shower!

This one was one of the coolest! A firetruck just like Daddy drives!

Seriously, how cute are they?!? I can't believe they'll be parents in less than a month! And, Scott and I can't wait to meet Bryson Thomas Distel!!!!!!!!!!!

After my flight back to Austin, Scott and I decided against our Sunday chores and, instead, drove to a winery that is about 40 mins from our house!

It was such a laid back and super fun afternoon!

One Friday evening in mid-August, we gathered the Chessher and Sahl families together at the Salt Lick! Who could pass up cold beer, yummy BBQ, and this fantastic group of family and friends?!? We were gathering together to send this handsome man back to Iraq...The guys: Daniel, Scott, Joe, Chris, & Dave

The gals: Maianne, Katie, Tina, Kathy, & Ashley

The next day, we drove to Victoria to celebrate

our niece, Sydnee's, 1st birthday!

The birthday girl, her sweet parents and one extra-large cupcake!

Scott's dad, Don and stepmom, Bonnie (otherwise known as Grandpa & Grandma)!

I love this pic -- such a precious family!

COMING SOON: Our week-long vacation at the lake!

That post will have to wait for another time! Until then...

10th Annual Randy Ride

Last weekend was the 10th Annual Randy Ride! Each spring, a group of us get together to honor the memory of Scott's late Uncle Randy Chessher. He loved riding his Harley, so what better way to remember him than with annual motorcycle rides during one of the prettiest times of year here in Texas!

We headed to the Hillcountry this year and it never fails to provide us with a fabulous backdrop of narrow, winding roads, plenty of wildflowers, refreshing rivers, and the warm sun! We stayed in cabins on the Frio River, in Leakey, and even braved the cold water on Friday after a hot ride! We always enjoy the scenery and riding, but the company is even better! Some people come from as far as Florida, Illinois, and Wisconsin to ride, so it is always a blast catching up where we left off the year before! Until next year...!

p.s. Some "Thank You's" must go out to my brother Tim, sister in law Amber, Mom and Dad for understanding that Scott & I needed a "getaway" weekend! We missed being at Tim and Amber's wedding shower in WF, but thoroughly enjoyed getting away for some R&R!!!

Our group

The ladies!

Scott and I by the Sabinal River (I think?)
Katie and Chris

Cooling off in the Frio!

Katie, Chris, Danny, Don, Scott, and I

HOT Harley mama's! :)

We rode to Bandera! Cute little town! So glad to say we've been!

We even "wet our whistles" at the Sliver Dollar Saloon!

Last stop was Luckenbach (on our way back to Austin)

Max sportin' his do-rag!!! Look at that precious grin!

My maiden name written on the door of the dancehall...had to

check and make sure it was still there, even after 7 years!!!

Thumbs up to such a fun Randy Ride this year!