Monday, November 19, 2012

What a weekend!

This weekend it finally hit me that I would probably want to remember the wedding planning process at some point in the future. I haven't been the best (at all) about blogging about it, and I've had friends tell me they would be interested to read it -- so I guess this is the best time as any to start up again.

Yesterday (Sunday) we took our engagement photos in Fort Worth! I didn't actually take any photos of them taking photos of us... but you'll have to take my word for it -- it was fun! We started at our reception venue (The Ashton Depot) in Downtown, and took lots of photographs near the building, and also by a warehouse next door. After that, we changed locales, and took photos at the old post office building in Downtown Fort Worth. That was followed by a change in scenery to Trinity Park. They took lots of photographs of us in the park, and we stumbled upon this great creek and bridge, with a curvy path. For some reason, I think bridges always looks good in photographs. There were a lot of leaves on the ground, and the trees were actually changing colors! The outfit I chose to wear was a coral top, with skinny jeans, and my riding boots. I thought it looked cute! And Patrick wore a black sweater, with a plaid purple button down underneath. I thought he looked quite handsome if I do say so myself. I thought it was a good combo -- I realize our wedding is in the summer, but it just would have felt strange to be in a spring/summery dress in the midst of falling leaves. So, we went with fall attire instead. I didn't do an outfit change, although I had brought a dress. I was just feeling really comfortable and confident in my outfit I had on, and went with it.

I really really enjoyed meeting my photographers for the first time (live and in person -- I interviewed them initially on Skype). They are a married couple, and I really liked they way they worked together. He took most of the far away shots, and she did most of the up close. They didn't make us do anything too awkward, lots of hand holding, etc, but not too bad. I did have a problem with the poses where they asked us to look at each other -- for some reason every time I did it, I would crack up laughing. Those pictures will be interesting! They said it'll take about 2 weeks to get the photos, and I cannot wait!! We are going to use one or two or several for our save the dates, and so hopefully those will go out towards the end of this year (which is crazy that its almost 2013). As of December 1 -- it'll be 6 months to our wedding!!

I really enjoyed the photograph shoot yesterday. I feel like I've just been doing lots and lots of planning the last 4 months, and this was actually a fun part where I got to realize the planning. It made me really excited for the upcoming months, and re-invigorated my wedding planning spirit (which had been lacking the last month after a whirlwind two months of initial planning). I "plan" to do a lot of "planning" over Thanksgiving break, and will hopefully have a chance to meet with my day-of coordinator!


Well... as the months progress, there should be a lot more fun things to blog about my wedding planning and festivities! Can't wait to marry P!












Tuesday, July 24, 2012

...And then there were two...Thompson's

Saturday, July 14, 2012, started out like any other Saturday.... it certainly did not end like that ...


But ... let's take it back to the beginning of the story. 4.8 years ago.. PT and I started dating...


Five years ago, at the young age of 24, ah those were the days...sorry the pic is so tiny ;)


We were here right when we became "exclusive"... it'll look familiar towards the end of the post...(this was also taken 5 years ago)

Okay, Okay, I won't take it back quite that far. How about to the Friday before?

That Friday night, Patrick asked me if I'd like to go with him on Saturday to pick up a motorcycle he found in Arlington... but first, we would need to go to Boerne (see pic above) to get his dad's truck, and then drive to Arlington. But, we would need to be back in Houston that night because he had "something planned" for Sunday. So, reluctantly I agreed to accompany him on a 12 hour drive, in one day.

Saturday morning we left for our one day road trip. I woke up that morning a little hesitant about the long drive, but thought, hey, at least I'll get to spend some good time reading... er.. hanging out with Patrick. He picked me up at 9 am, and we were off, right after we stopped at a local taco place for breakfast tacos.

We arrived in Boerne around 1 pm, and were greeted by his dad. Patrick disappeared with his dad to go look at something, and I headed into the house to say hi to his stepmom and niece (who was in town visiting the grandparents). When I sat on the couch, and said hello to his stepmom and niece, I was informed that both were hungry for lunch, and were ready to go. Patrick and his dad returned to the house, and asked if I wanted to go look at his dad's new motorcycle in the barn. I walked out of the house with Patrick, and informed him that we should probably go get some lunch first because we were all hungry. He said, everyone can wait till after we look at the motorcycle. So, we walked down to the barn, and looked at the motorcylce.

This is where it gets good... on the way back up from the barn, his dad veered off to go "lock the barn." Patrick and I continued walking past the pool area, and he took my hand, and said - Hey, let's go look at the pool, my dad's been doing some work. So, we walked over to the railing by the pool that looks out over the view from the house.

That's the railing...
So, we are standing there. And, he comments on how beautiful the view is. I comment on the rotten watermelon on the ground below the railing. Still hadn't sunk in. Clearly. He re-directs my view to the actual surroundings, and then he started talking about when we first came there 5 years ago, and when I decided that I wanted to be a relationship with him. (That's paraphrasing of course - he said it much more eloquently). And, that's when my heart started to beat...because... why were we recapping our history? And he said a few more things, and then I look over, and there, in his hand, was a ring box, opened, with the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. And that's when he said - And this is where I want to make you mine. At that point, he got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him, and I said YES!

He stands up, we hug, and kiss, and he said - we aren't going to Arlington. I responded with, what? He said - that was just a ruse to get you here without suspecting anything. (clearly it worked!). He told me that we had a reservation at a hotel on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, and dinner reservations as well, and since I didn't pack an overnight bag, he was going to take me to the mall to get a dress for dinner. I. was. amazed. happy. teary. excited.



After the proposal, his dad wandered over, and shook Patrick's hand, and hugged me. I called a bajillion people, and then we headed to lunch at "Boo-dawgs" with Patrick's dad, step-mom and niece. I could hardly eat I was so stinkin happy/excited.

After lunch, we headed down to San Antonio, and checked into the Omni La Mansion on the Riverwalk. We were on the top floor, and had a view of the Riverwalk. We headed to the room... and this is what I walked in on ...





We immediately popped open the champagne, and cheered to the future Mr. and Mrs. Thompson (cheesy, yes, but it was that kind of day). We headed to the River Center Mall, and I picked out a dress and necklace at Macy's.

We had dinner reservations at Biga on the Banks. A fantastic restaurant in downton, on the Riverwalk, but not in the touristy area. The Chef at the restaurant is a James Beard nominated chef. Patrick had no idea what that meant, and I only know because I watch Food Network and Top Chef. The food was excellent, and we sat outside on the balcony. I didn't take any pictures of the food, but you'll have to trust me that it was awesome. Patrick had quail and axis deer, and I had a filet with corn pudding. Of course, I had to tell the waiter that we were just engaged, and he brought out complimentary champagne... and this dessert:


It was supposed to be sorbet, but he thought we said "creme brulee." Which isn't a big deal, except I'm allergic to the entire dessert. But, it didn't matter because we were so happy!



4.8 years later and engaged!

July 14, 2012 was by far one of the best days in my entire life, Patrick took me completely by surprise. I'm truly happy, excited, and lucky to be marrying Patrick, my best friend, and the best guy I've ever known (besides my dad of course). I cannot wait for the coming months... and no.. we have not yet set a date ... too busy enjoying being engaged!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Showering the Perkins Pack

Lauren, one of my best friends from college - the L to SnL - recently gave birth to 6 tiny miracles. It was an honor to throw her a baby shower (with Emma) at the beginning of June. I am so proud of Lauren and the momma that she has become. I cannot wait to see these little ones grow up, and I cannot wait to one day see one of my kids (future kids - god willing) marry one of hers. The plans are already in the works ;-). I didn't take very many pictures, too busy hostessing, but here are the ones that I took of this fab shower. The theme was "Popped."

Adorable cake donated by - Cakes by Gina



Decorations



The spread - Emma did a fabulous job with all the food ideas - we had strawberry pops, fruit pops, popcorn, marshmallow pops, and so on and so forth.

The cake was a hit!

The Momma and Me :-)




Friday, June 29, 2012

Maddie's Wedding Weekend in ATX

About a month ago, PT and I attended the wedding of a dear friend of mine from Junior League. Maddie and Stephen were hitched in ATX at the UT Golf Club. And, I do have to say, it was one of THE nicest weddings that I have ever been to in my life. The wedding and reception were very nice, but Maddie really really went over the top with the details. She thought of everything - from the fans and tissues, water and lemonade, for the outdoor ceremony, to the party favors of brisket tacos and boston baked beans (Maddie and Stephen moved to Boston shortly after the wedding for Stephen's residency). I had a great time with my JL girls, and a fabulous time celebrating the long awaited marriage of Maddie and Stephen!

Maddie arranged to have charter buses carry us from the hotel to the UT Golf Club - definitely a good idea, especially at the end of the night.

Shannon and Barry on the way to the wedding

Me and PT on the way to the wedding - my fave part of this pic is Chelsea and Jason in the background - hilarious.

Chels and Jason on the way to the wedding
 The ceremony was outside under a covered patio area. It was really beautiful.
Pre wedding photo shoot.

Sarah and Josh waiting for the ceremony to start

 Maddie provided fans and tissues, plus lemonade and water for the ceremony.

And I promise I am wearing a dress.

Allie and Adrienne!

View of the reception area...sort of.
 The reception was at the same place - but in the clubhouse area. It was half inside, half out. The band played outside, and the dance floor was under twinkly lights. The band played a lot of oldies, and it was perfect weather to dance outside!
JL girls - so thankful for them!

Too cool for school.

Reception area

Maddie and Stephen
 The food served at the wedding was delish - Beef Tenderloin, salad, horseradish mashed potatoes, chicken fried steak in a martini glass with gravy and mashed potatoes, shrimp and grits, crab cake corn dogs... the list goes on!
One of the many beauitful centerpieces

Maddie and Stephen

Maddie and I met when we were waitresses at the JL for every saturday for six months. Last year, we did our volunteer placement together at the Memorial Hermann Puppetry (puppet shows every wednesday for the kids hospital). She will be severely missed, but now I have a fun friend to visit in Boston!








Tuesday, May 29, 2012

If you like pina coladas...

Memorial Day Weekend came and went. Amazing how fast three days can go by! PT and I went to visit his brother and family. It was a nice, relaxing weekend. However, right now, I am in hot and steamy Texas, but, this time next week, I will be at a place resembling this:


Most likely reading this:



Drinking this:



With this person:















And, I cannot wait! 7 days and 6 nights in paradise. Sounds all right to me.

But before that - I will be celebrating the marriage of Maddie and Stephen, and throwing by BFF and mom extroardinaire - Lauren - a baby shower for her new babes!

Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Return of the Sara.

Where in the world is Sara? Here I am! Yes, it has been a 7 month sojourn, but I have returned to blogger land.

Do not dismay my friends, there is nothing really new to report. I am still a working woman. However, I am now 1 year away from turning the big 3-0. The boyfriend and I are still happily dating. And, my niece is still just as cute as ever:




I will try to start posting more often in the coming days/months. I cannot guarantee daily or even weekly posts, but hopefully more often than 2 x a year.

I am excited about one thing at the moment - a tropical and romantical vacay with the boyfriend in a few short weeks. I look forward to spending a week with this fellow:




Until then my readers, much love.