Keeping it in the Family!

When Preston's grandmother passed away, his granddad moved into an assisted living home.  It was at this time that we were given their dining room table set.  It is a large beautiful solid wood piece with 2 leaves and 6 chairs.  We have gotten to use it for several holidays including me hosting Thanksgiving one year.  It didn't match any of our other furniture, but we didn't care as it has sentimental value.  At our old house, it didn't really matter either as it wasn't an open floor plan so the kitchen/dining room was separate from everything else.  However, our new house is all open and it stood out like a sore thumb.  Or you could say it stood out like a light wood table in a house of dark wood.

After making sure Preston's parents were ok with it, we found a place that would refurnish and reupholster the whole thing.  We were so excited!  I picked out the fabric from a website and the fabric gods were shining down on me.  It was a perfect match to our throw pillows in our living room.  So a month ago, Andrews Refinishing came and picked up our pieces.

Here are the before pictures: 

When they delivered them back on Monday I couldn't stop saying, "Oh My Gosh! I can't believe it's the same furniture." With every piece they brought in the house I was in shock.  So amazing.  I can't wait to get years and years of holidays out of this table, just like Preston and his cousins did growing up.  This means so much to us. 

Here are the after pictures:

Not pictured are the other chairs and the 2 leaves.  The leaves are very important as underneath them in crayon are the childhood drawings of all the kids, including the adorable handwritten names of Haley and Kelsey.  We specifically made sure that those were not touched during the process. 

 

If you ever need anything reupholstered or refinished, you can either do it yourself based on something you found on Pinterest, or you can call Andrews Refinishing.  We know we never could have done such a fantastic job ourselves.  Huge thank you to Simon, Nancy and the rest of the staff.  Your work is well done and greatly appreciated.  

Edgefest with a side of Mac-n-Cheese!

Several weeks ago while driving around, we heard that the band The Offspring was playing at Edgefest this year.  Man did we both want to go seem them.  But Edgefest is a all day music festival.  Just saying it out loud sounded exhausting to us.  The closer and closer it got to the date, the more and more we wanted to go.  So a week before the concert, we asked our friends if they could watch Dexter for the night.  They were free and willing so we bought tickets.  Yeah!

The Saturday in general was going to be a super busy day.  First off, we headed to the Binnings for their annual crawfish boil.  Last year I went alone as Preston was doing something, can't remember.  I do remember though that I was about 3 months pregnant and hadn't told anyone.  Avoiding the crawfish, hotdogs and alcohol without a wingman was interesting. This year was way more fun!  Plus we had Dexter with us!

It was getting close to Dexter's nap time.  The best thing to do when this happens is to hand him to our friend Kristin.  She can just look at a baby and it falls asleep.

After the boil, we headed home to get ready for the concert.  The Crowes came over and it was quickly time for us to go!  I wish I would have gotten a picture of them.  This is the only one I have and I stole it from Kacie's FB page.

 

Kacie is 7 months pregnant with Dexter's soon to be best buddy. They are going to have so much fun together growing up! 

 

While Dexter and the Crowes were having a party, we were just starting our party.  I've never been to Edgefest so I wasn't sure what to expect.  It didn't take long for me to figure out that the average age was around 23 and apparently they were all taking it upon themselves to try to make this a Dallas Cochella.  The people watching was at its prime.  The bohemian look was on every girl and thigh tattoos are really in style.  I had no idea!  We purchased seats by the main stage.  The thought of standing for hours down on the field sounded horrible.  All we had to eat that day was whatever we ate at the crawfish boil so we quickly made our way to the concession stand where we dined on some burgers and beers.  We made our way to our seats. 

 

 

The girls in front of us were entertaining to watch.  Not only was the girl on the right channeling her inner Winona Ryder from Beetlejuice, they both had on clothes that I swear I wore in the '90s.  

 

 In between Death Cab for Cutie and Modest Mouse we walked around a bit.  Going to the top edge of the stadium gave a good visual of how many people were in attendance. 

 

The sun was directly on us so we bought what I like to call "waste of money margaritas" to cool ourselves down.  Not only are they stupid expensive, they are very sugary and sticky if you spill any of it.  I miiiiiiiiight have split some on my foot.  Dang it. Sticky Toes!

They put down plastic flooring over the soccer field, which is totally smart.  People were lounging around, passing out and playing games.  We quickly noticed that anyone could just walk on down there.  People were jumping the fence and security didn't seem to care.

 

 It was getting closer to The Offspring to take the stage.  I turned to Preston and asked if he wanted to go to the floor.  He said nah.  About 5 mins later he turned to me and asked if I wanted to go to the floor. I said not any more.  Then about 5 mins after THAT we both turned to each other and said, "Let's Go For It!"  We grabbed our drinks and just walked on down there.  Yeah! I was so glad we did.  I didn't want to get to close though.  People were crowd surfing and starting mosh pits all around us.  More than once Preston pulled me out of the way of something or someone.  It was exciting! Yet scary.

 

They put on a great show! My throat hurts this morning from screaming and singing along.  My body is sore from all the walking and mosh pit avoiding.  Throw in the sun and drinks, we were feeling kind of sluggish this morning.  After The Offspring finished, we made our way to our car.  I stopped and took a picture of the crowd enjoying the last band of the festival.

 

This morning when Dexter realized that the Crowes were gone, he was pretty sad. I think its safe to say he had a good time with them.

 

To help myself feel better, I thought I would cook.  I have never made homemade mac and cheese before.  Something about it just sounded good! I looked up the richest, easiest, classic based recipe I could find.  Paula Dean's.  Here are the ingredients.  

 

It was pretty simple! Boil the pasta.

 

Melt the cheese and butter.

 

Combine the melted cheese with the cooked pasta and everything else in the Crock Pot.

 

Set it on low for 2 1/2 hours.

 

There you go! Homemade mac and cheese.  I also made a brisket in the oven.  But I didn't take any photos.  So for dinner tonight we are having Brisket Mac and Cheese.  Then we will have leftovers for the rest of the week.  I've been trying to do more food preps on Sunday.  A brisket is a good start.  Now I'm going to go back to recovering from our late night. More....water......

 



Pictures Pictures Pictures!

Once again, I've gotten so behind on my blogging.  I was thinking about it the other day and had made up my mind to just stop.  Then as I was unpacking my books, finally, I found my blog entries that I had made into books the past 6 years.  It was so much fun flipping through them and reading everything.  I must continue.  This is a great way for me to remember all of the things we do and I know it will be fun for Dexter to read someday.

 

 

So, to get caught up, here is a fast track of what has happened the past month.  The pictures aren't in order, but it's the best I can do.  Nap time is only so long people!

 

We got standing desk at work! I really like it.  It makes me feel more productive.  Plus, if I get tired of it or need to sit for any reason, it collapses back down easily.

I had note cards made with the letter D on them for little Dexter.  He's gotta be able to correspond with his buddies! (Shout out to Needle in a Haystack)

 I think I already posted these pictures of the soccer game.  Can't remember and don't really care enough to go back and look.  I'm super lazy today.

Dexter watching the Mexico soccer team warm-up

Watching Germany warm up

Someone's excited for the game to start!

Telemundo was there interviewing people in the crowd!

 The Ft. Worth Wine and Food festival was a couple of weeks ago.  We went to an event called Rise and Dine.  It was a brunch style event downtown Ft. Worth.  Basically all the food/wine you could partake in from 11am - 2pm.

Just having a little fun!

 

 Easter Time!  I left my camera at home, so I didn't get as many pictures as I wished I had.  It didn't help that it rained the night before Easter Sunday so fun pictures outside wasn't an option. 

Take me out to the Ball Game!  It's the Texas Rangers opening day!!  Preston and I took off work that Friday to enjoy some baseball tailgating.  Lots of fun!

1. No, we are not drinking and driving.
2. This was us tailgating as we didn't have lawn chairs for the parking lot.
3. This is my first tall boy since having Dexter so I was being excited for the camera

Still working on my tall boy.  Weather was great!

We were in a suite that had some games for us to play.  Prior to the game we played a few rounds. 

Our view from the suite.  Wish we could have stayed for the whole game, but regardless.....it was worth it.

Last Sunday we went to Manny's in uptown for lunch.  Dexter was sleeping the majority of the time.  I looked over and he was awake.  With this face.  What?!  I have never seen this face before.  "What did I do Dexter? Why do you hate me so!!"

We went over to our friend Kacie's house while our husbands were out having poker night.  We got there before Kacie got home so we played in their front yard.  Dexter loved their big flag!

Master's Time!  Last Sunday was the final day of the Master's.  We made ice tea and pimento cheese sandwich's to enjoy while watching. 

Dexter in his golf outfit

Watching golf with Daddy!

 Yesterday was our 1st crawfish boil of the season.  We went to an event hosted by one of the companies that the company I work for owns.  It was held at The Rustic in uptown.  Love that place.  We miss living down there, but only when we go down there.   Otherwise, we like were we are.

 

Today is Papa's birthday!  So we went out to dinner with Preston's parents last night.  Dexter got some great loving time.  He loves them so much!

And finally.....this morning after running errands and watching some more golf (RBC Heritage) Mr. Dexter is exhausted.  Nap time for everyone in this household!