where have we been?

Sorry we have not posted in almost a week! We had a wonderful weekend with Matt, Shelby, and Morgan Trusty and Russell's mom, "C." We took some great pictures of baby Morgan. Unfortunately, I can't post them until I get some more batteries. I will get some batteries ASAP! Have a great week!

Congrats John and Kelly!

My cousin John and his wife Kelly are expecting a baby to be born in early December - right around my birthday. Today, they got some great news . . . it's a girl! Some of you know, they already have a son, Lucas. Congrats guys. We can't wait to meet her!

Finally . . . a relaxing weekend

This weekend we actually got to relax . . . somewhat. We stayed busy but our "to-do" list was not nearly as long as the previous weekends. Friday night we had an amazing dinner to celebrate last weeks accomplishments. Saturday, Maggie got a haircut, I went to the pool, Russell bought a tv to complete his "man room," and we finished off the day at our neighborhood ice cream party. On Sunday, we went to church, had lunch, ran a few errands, and Russell cooked his yummy BBQ shrimp for dinner. The upcoming week will be busy - but hopefully not as busy as last week! Have a great one!




Doesn't the Mags look cute with her new haircut. Along with moving, we had to find a new doggie groomer. We tried out the Red Dog Paw Spa and they did a great job.

A week to celebrate

Sorry I have not been able to post all week. Things have been very busy.

Russell and I have several things to celebrate! On Monday, Russell found out that he was getting a raise. We are very excited and we are so proud of him! On Monday night, we completed the finishing touches on our upstairs bathroom project. Tuesday, I got a guilty verdict in a DWI trial. And, today, I got a guilty verdict in a case involving filing a fraudulent lien. It sounds insignificant but was actually very important. We had someone from our appellate section, felony section, chief of misdemeanor department, an outside paid attorney, and other ADAs helping and watching us throughout the trial. EXCITING!

Russell has been out-of-town since Tuesday so we haven't gotten to celebrate our accomplishments. So, I made reservations for us to celebrate tomorrow night at our favorite local restaurant, Rick's Chophouse. It is where we had dinner the first night we were house hunting in McKinney!

Is the weekend over already?

It turned out to be another busy weekend. Russell and I did a few chores around the house, we cooked out, got in the hot tub, and we went to the neighborhood pool. We also went to a nursery down the street and bought some flowers to plant. Here is picture of Maggie supervising Russell's progress!

Russell and I found a church a few weeks ago. But, this morning we checked out a new church. My mom and I found this church when my parents were visiting a few weekends ago. Russell and I went this morning and we really liked it. After church, we checked out a Cajun restaurant close to the house. When we walked in there was a huge LSU flag. As it turns out the owner is an LSU alum. The food was really good. So I am glad it will be one of our new favorites! I can't wait until football season. Have a great week. Our's will be busy as usual! How many days until the next weekend!?!?

A week of trials!

This week has been a crazy work week for Russ and I! Russell flew to Iowa on Monday. He has been working on presentations for work and it was finally time to present to a group - several groups actually. He had three presentations on Tuesday and four on Wednesday. He was supposed to fly home today but surprised me and flew in last night. I am so proud of him!

As for me, I literally had a week of trials. I had two DWI trials and a BMV (burglary of a motor vehicle). The first did not go our way but fortunately things picked up the rest of the week! It was actually one of the most fun work weeks I have ever had! The first trial (the loser), I actually was helping out another court that had only one prosecutor. The second two trials were in my court, Court 3. One great thing about Collin County is that we try cases with two prosecutors instead of one. That always makes trials more fun.

I had such a great week that I decided to commit myself to Court 2 for a trial next Monday. Then my chief and I have a big trial set for next Wednesday that will probably take us through the week. As for now, I am exhausted and I can't wait to have a relaxing weekend. Ya'll do the same!

Snoozers!

We hope everyone is having a relaxing week! Here are a few pics I have taken of Maggie and Russell. They have obviously claimed their spots on the couch!

Wild Wedding Weekend!

We arrived in New Orleans Thursday afternoon for Wes Truett's wedding. We stayed downtown and had a room with a great view.











Thursday night was the rehearsal dinner. As you can tell by the pics, it did not take long for the party to get started. After dinner everyone hit the town. It was so great for Russell to get to hang out with all his Mississippi buddies!











Friday there was a jazz brunch which had amazing food and more guests arrived at the hotel for the wedding. Friday afternoon Russell and I walked around downtown and hit the casino. Friday night we all boarded buses and headed for a beautiful plantation home where the wedding and reception were held. The party continued long after the wedding was over when the buses took us back downtown.











Several people decided to make a full weekend in New Orleans. Russell and I hit the hotel pool Saturday morning and we went to the Aquarium of the Americas in the afternoon. Saturday evening we met up with everyone for dinner, drinks and alot of laughs!


Thanks to the happy couple for a great wedding weekend!

Happy 4th of July!

Russell and I hope that everyone has a safe Fourth of July. We are not celebrating in the traditional manner. We are at Wes Truett's wedding in New Orleans. (Wes is one of Russell's good buddies.) We are having a "jazzy" great time and we hope you have a great holiday as well.

Master "sweet"

Here are some pics of the master bedroom. I picked out the bedding a few weeks ago. I really liked it but I did not know what to do about window treatments and accessories. So, my mom helped me put the room together. I love it. (So does Maggie - see her on the pillow!)

Thank you mom and dad!

I have to say, my parents are the best! They spent another weekend helping us move into our house. I don't even want to calculate how many hours my dad spent in the upstairs bathroom. He tiled the bathroom, which was quite an ordeal, and then had the energy to put up new light fixtures. I will post new house pics soon.

In between projects, I got to take a few pics of the babies - Maggie and Bella. Since we were too busy to play, they had plenty of time for R & R. Aren't they cute!

Love you mom and dad! Thanks again!

A very busy Saturday!

Russell, my mom, my dad, and myself have been VERY busy today. It is another weekend of home decorating. Unfortunately, we have my dad working on a very big project in the upstairs bathroom. He is re-tiling the bathroom! The bathroom had carpet (yuck!) and tile. So, my mom and I have had to do our projects all on our own. One of our finished projects is making the family room feel more "homey." We bought a rug, pictures, a mirror, and some accessories. Assuming all goes well with the reminaining projects, I will post more pics soon!

Sneaky! Sneaky!

Last night I had pizza for dinner. I had part of a piece left on my plate when I put it onto the counter. I went to wash my face and brush my teeth and I was surprised Maggie had not followed me to the bathroom like she normally would. After a few minutes, I went back in the kitchen and found her on the barstool... headed for the countertop. I have no idea how she got to the barstool or how she knew that there was some food left on my plate. She is so observant. She doesn't miss a thing! She knew that I was shocked with her behavior. Can't you tell by the look on her face?

A change of scenery

I felt like the blog needed a facelift. I thought we would go with a Texas theme. Does it remind you of the LoneStar state? I hope everyone is having a great week. Only two days until the weekend!

Crawfish dip - as requested by Rachel!

This dip is great. I can't believe I am sharing it. I was the one who got to make it in Victoria but since we aren't there, I guess I won't deprive ya'll of this fabulous food! Just promise to the of LSU football when you make it!

1 bunch green onions
chopped parsley
1 stick butter
2 tbsp flour
1 tall can of pet milk
1 egg yolk beaten
1 pound crawfish tails
1/3 pound hot mexican cheese (velvetta)
salt and pepper

Rinse crawfish tails. Saute onions and parsley in butter. Sprinkle flour and stir. Add milk and stir until thick. Keep stirring and remove from heat. Add yolk (be sure to temper). Return to heat and add crawfish and cheese. Lower the heat and stir for 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.