#YesToTheTree

Yesterday, I did something for the first time. I cut down a Christmas tree...with the help of my roommates. Caitlin, who has done this before, lead the charge. My other roommate, Julia, came along as well. Neither of us had done this so we were a tad out of our element but it was a lot of fun. Exhausting too. I wanted to bring my water bottle when we went looking for a tree, but knew I'd be helping carry it. Towards the end of the hunt, I was getting dehydrated and tired but finding a tree is no easy feat, I now know. We probably scrutinized at least 6 trees before finding one where we all said, YES! 

We took turns using a hand saw to cut it down. It wasn't huge but it did take some effort before yelling TIMBERRRRRRRRRRR! It was a gorgeous day for a hike/tree cutting. I had no idea this was a thing but glad Caitlin roped us into this adventure. There were quite a few people already hunting in the National Forrest when we arrived around 9am. Cars were coming out in droves with evergreens on the top of their cars or in their truck beds. It was a peaceful and exciting day! 

Thirty and Flirty!

 Well....not with anyone besides my boyfriend haha 

YES! I FINALLY TURNED 30!!!! I don't feel like such a baby! Most of my friends have turned 30 and I am the youngest among most of my friend groups. 

I planned an elaborate bash and I am so thankful that it all came together. Granted, a few people who I really wanted to be there decided not to come for various reasons. That threatened to get me down but I had a blast with those I love. We will cherish these memories forever! 

Friday night, September 3rd, we woke up before the sun 3 AM!!!! I know! But the flight was $99 so.....and it got us to San Antonio around 9 am instead of 2 pm. I also wanted a direct flight. Connecting flights are soooooo stressful! Anyway, Jimmie, Melissa and I passed out! I don't normally sleep on planes but I barely got a wink of sleep the night before. I was so excited! All the months of planning and messaging people and it's finally coming to fruition! 

We arrived in high humidity!!! It was around 95 degrees. We got our luggage fairly quickly to my surprise. I texted the owner of the car we rented and we went to rendezvous with two friends driving from Dallas, Justin and Kloe. We drove to a popular Mexican restaurant, Taco Palenque Broadway. Amazing! Josie had looked it up on Google and mentioned it had many great reviews. Only about a 10 minute drive from the airport. We hung out there for a couple of hours getting to know each other then we drove to the Alamo. Kloe had to leave to go home since she had to work the next day. 😢😢😢😢😢

The rest of us drove down to the beach house!!! It was exactly how it was described on AirBnb! AMAZING! I picked it because of the proximity to the beach, color of the outside (mint green almost teal) my favorite color AND it's Deaf friendly! Wide open space and can see upstairs. 

The next day was BEACH DAY!!!!!

The sand was HOT but the water was the perfect temperature!! Glorious day for some sunning on the beach. We had a great time swimming and enjoying the sunshine. 

On Sunday, we went to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Cristi. Did a little bit of shopping too. Afterwards, we searched for a place to eat dinner downtown. Their downtown is a little weird....even on the way to the aquarium looked like the perfect place for a drug buy. Or maybe I watch too many crime shows... 

The coolest part of the aquarium was when Jimmie and I fed the sting rays! At first I didn't want to, but then he told me that they suck the piece of fish out of your hand. That sounds a lot better than I thought it was going to be. It felt weird but super cool to do! I had never heard of feeding sting rays before. Giraffes and elephants, yes, but not sting rays!

When we got back to the beach house, we had cake (my mom mailed to me) and ice cream!!! So good! Justin couldn't believe how good the cake was! Then my friends surprised me with a dance party!! Oh my goodness! It was so much fun! We had a photo shoot afterwards till about midnight haha The next morning, we had to say good bye! But before heading to the airport, we went to the beach at Corpus Cristi and ate lunch near there. The water was even more gorgeous! 

After most of my friends had gone, Melissa and Jimmie and I headed to our second airbnb. From there, Melissa went home a day later then Jimmie and I explored more of San Antonio. We had a blast going through the mirror maze, dark maze, laser maze, wax museum, Ripley's Believe it or Not, zoo, Japanese Tea Garden, river boat cruise with my friend Amy, Canyon Lake, Tower of the Americas and a horse and buggy ride around San Antonio. It was a special week and am so glad I got to spend it with my awesome people! I look forward to the next time we all get together. 

I'm also looking forward to the day when I move to a beach! Man! I had no idea how much I missed it until I lived in a landlocked state for 7 years! It's time to move on and can feel the ocean waves calling me. Will have to do some research as to where to move to. Colorado has been great but I feel a pull toward another place to call home. As long as I have my family, my friends, God and Jimmie, I will always feel at home.