The End of 2012...

What a wonderful holiday season that just left us!  This was my first year to travel to Baton Rouge, LA with my love to spend the Christmas holidays with his family.  It was the beginning of many new traditions for us.  We were lucky enough to have some time off work and were able to travel to "the Rouge" on the Friday before Christmas.  We spent those days spending time with family and friends and we even broke away for an afternoon of shopping (even though we were already finished with our Christmas shopping).

I had previously met about half of Blake's very large Louisiana family but had not yet met a portion of his mom's side of the crew.  And I can now say that I have officially met the whole family-  this does not include extended family of course ;)  I feel so blessed to have found a wonderful man with a wonderful family.  I do not come from a large family, so it's been fun getting to see what it's like to be a part of a large group. 

On Christmas Eve, we headed over to Blake's aunt and uncle's house to celebrate with the Brignac side.  There were people everywhere!  The night included, eating, laughing, sharing, dancing, singing, guitar playing, joking etc.  It was quite the Christmas Eve adventure and I can't wait for many more to come!

Singing with Blake's musical family!  Such fun!

Christmas morning we braved the bad weather and headed back to Houston/ The Woodlands for Christmas day with my family.  We arrived with plenty of time to have an intimate Christmas opening session with my parents and brother and then we freshened up for an afternoon of family time.  There was more food and presents and family togetherness- perfection. 

All in all, Blake and I had 6 'Christmas's'!!!!  We had our Christmas together (just the 2 of us) the week before we left for BR.  That was followed up by Christmas with the DeArmond side of the family once we were in BR and Christmas with Tory/ Brant.  Then it was time for Christmas Eve with the Brignac's topped off with Christmas time with my parents/ Kyle and then my family.  To say the least we were pretty tired after all the holiday fun :)

But our life did not slow down then because we were just in time to finish up the last minute packing before our big move!  And hooray through all the ups and downs and crappy tv people, we officially made it and we are now living in our first place together!!!  <A very small apartment> haha.  But I wouldn't change a thing!  It's perfect because it's our first major life step together.  And with only a few boxes left still to unpack, its looking great.  (We are both so very fortunate to have loving family's who helped with our move.  We could never have done it without them!)

And somewhere in that mix we found time to celebrate the beginning of 2013 with friends!  We joined several other couples over at my old house...aka Mel's house for a great NYE 2013 (Blake and I's 2nd NYE together).  It was complete with great friends, great games and fun and of course CHAMPAGNE....my fav!!

Happy New Year....its going to be a special one :)!!

First Christmas in Baton Rouge with my love! (Christmas Eve 2012)

A little wine break while venturing out in Baton Rouge

Happy New Year 2013!

Yummy Champagne and cheese pairings pre-nye night.  Thanks to my wonderful brother for our new champagne glasses!

The girls on NYE

My first attempt at gumbo after a long holiday season :)  Blake approved!

xo Casey

Thankful

I am thankful for all the meaningful relationships in my life: a loving boyfriend, an amazing and extremely supportive family, and for wonderful friends. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Casey xo 

Moments.

Some moments from life lately.  Life has been busy, a tad hectic, yet so fun at the same time.  I catch myself trying to sit back and enjoy the little things more than ever lately- the good conversations, the smiles and laughter, the early morning cuddles, the rooms that are full of family, the sunsets etc.  It's all the good stuff.  (Looking forward to a semi relaxing, semi packing and purging weekend ahead!)

Celebrating October Birthdays at Gilbert's River House with family!

Family Fun!

My madre :)

The kiddos bowing after their play :)

My wonderful parents

Meir and Aunt Julie hanging out!

Cheese!

Pretty ladies!

My honey and I relaxing with some morning coffee and college game day.

Great house with wonderful views!

The girls out on a boat ride

Not often that we are wearing jackets and sweaters out on the water here in Tejas!

Enjoying a fun night at the Carlton Woods Country Club for Nancy's Surprise Bday Party!  Love me some champagne, and lobster!  Another fun night.

My blue eyed honey!  Love this guy so much

Mom and the birthday girl

My beautiful mother.  She is so gorgeous!

The guys :)  Love this pic

These crazy kids again...

My childhood friend and hostess, Hillary!

A baby shower for Miss Presley Mae...

Can't wait to meet her!

Watching the Texan's beat the Bill's from the Suite!

My family :)

Go Texans!!

Got to hang with Kyle's girlfriend Nicki too!

Happy November...Casey xo

Lots of Lovely

As we transition from summer to fall, I have a bunch of cozy, happy and amazing on my mind!  The best time of year is rolling in and it makes me smile just thinking of all the lovely ordinary and fun times ahead.  The air is turning cooler, football is in full swing and the holidays are just around the corner.  Life is good.

What I have on mind/ am loving lately:

Outdoor fire time in the crisp fall air!

love.

Chunky scarves make me happy (scarves in general make me happy, haha)

Warm coffee on a brisk morning.

Glitter!

Perfect holiday party dress :)

Confetti balloons

Can I live here?

Bardot bun, my signature do.  Love a messy bun...

My inner girly self wants to wear a tutu to a party...
A girl can pretend. 

Country house chic. So pretty.

Love,

Casey xo

10-10

I just finished up my birthday week!  I LOVE birthdays and I am so very thankful to have a loving boyfriend, family and wonderful bestie!  I felt incredibly loved and special this week.  The birthday festivities started on my actual humpday bday.  My handsome boyfriend took me to eat at Liberty Kitchen and Oyster Bar!  This restaurant had been on my must go list for a while and it was so worth the wait!  The seafood was AMAZING and so fresh.  They are known for their smoked salmon....they literally smoke it daily over a hanging cedar plank and just cut chunks off as people order it.  It was fab.  So of course I had to take some pics of the yummy food.

Smoked Salmon appetizer.....a MUST!

Boiled Shrimp

My dinner...the market fish, pan seared red fish!!

Our half eaten raspberry and white choc bread pudding!

At dinner my honey handed over my birthday gift....these gorgeous bracelets!  So pretty!!

Love them!



Birthday flowers...make me smile

On Friday we celebrated with family.  My parents and Blake's mom Tory joined us for a birthday dinner at Max's Wine Dive.  Max's is another of my fav place's here in Houston.  It's great wine paired with comfort food.  I absolutely love their champagne chicken salad...mmmm....paired with a glass (or 2...) of rose!  I am one lucky girl to be so loved.  My parents and Tory were so wonderful to get me great gifts and to be there to celebrate with me.  I love nothing more than family bonding time!  And my sweet honey is such a trooper for making it out that night even though he has been under the weather. 

Love his baby blues.



Tory, Mom and Dad

 After dinner Blake and I met up with my bestie/ roomie and Joe for drinks!  Once again, shout out to my honey who hung out while he sipped on a cola :)  We chatted and laughed over drinks....the perfect birthday outing. 

Mel and Joe!

A little blurry but our only group shot

My love

On Saturday the four of us headed out to watch the Sooners beat the Longhorns!!!!  Victory!  I loved topping my birthday weekend off with a Sooner win, nothing sweeter :) 

An aggie cheering for the sooners!  Yeah for tradition!

Boomer Sooner

All in all 28 has been great so far!  Thanks to my sweet family and lovely friends for making me feel special. 

I love you all.

We finished off the weekend by relaxing and buying our first pumpkin together, haha.  Fall is in the air!  Good things ahead...Casey xo