H5D...

High Five Drew.

It's a phrase we use so often since losing our sweet boy. My Aunt Hazel coined this phrase during her tribute to him at his funeral in 2007. Drew was amazing at everything he did; whether it be playing golf , playing washers or breaking hearts...hence the term "high five Drew."

My family hosts a "Drew Memorial Washer Tournament" every Memorial Day weekend. Playing washers was one of his favorite things to do, and of course, he usually won with ease.

This year was the first time I was able to attend, and I'm so thankful I made it. Not only did my partner and I win (he totally carried our team...most of my washers ended up in the grass), I got to spend special moments with those I love most. Some weren't able to make it, and they were truly missed. Hope you all can make it next year. I'll be there, defending our championship trophy!

Here's some pictures of this weekend...and a few extra that help tell the story...

Here's a few of us as little ones. We were adorable. This was a family reunion in 1988.

Drew is in the light blue shirt in the back. I don't know why we're giving the 'thumbs up' sign...and that shirt I'm wearing is hideous, but whatever...

Here he is...living in Los Angeles and breaking hearts I'm sure.

Me and Drew's younger brother, Dave, posing with the trophy.
Too bad his team lost. Ha!

A balloon release is a tradition my family carries on for Drew. I believe he started this on his UT graduation day. And since we lost him, when we get together to celebrate his life, we each write him a note and send a bouquet of balloons into heaven...

Right before we let them go...

Annnnnd, they're off!

I started out with Drew's name written across my hand for good luck. Lord knows that me and throwing washers don't mix, so I needed it. Later in the day, I wrote my oldest brother's name down as a good luck charm. He's off being GI Joe and protecting this amazing country of ours...I wanted to include him somehow, and my creativity came out in permanent black marker :)

My partner and me. WINNING :)

Not only did we get to take the trophy home, we won some cash too...perfect ending to an already perfect day.

Much Love...and...H5D :)

Friday Favorites Part Dos

I am beginning to love Friday afternoons. Work may drag on for what seems like an eternity, but I've enjoyed coming up with my list of favorites this week. So, here we go. And no laughing.

Favorite Song to Work Out To:

Britney Spears...Til The World Ends.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with Brit. I can call her that because we're besties. Seriously. I've been a fan since junior high and knew she'd bounce back after

The Head Shaving Incident. She's Britney and she kills it. Put it on repeat and you'll burn that lunch right off.

Favorite LA Designer:

Lauren Conrad. I adore this girl. She made The Hills watchable and has a fabulous new line. Her designs are so California-esque and easy to wear.

Check out her new line, Paper Crown, and buy something:

www.laurenconrad.com

Favorite View:

Makapu'u Point- Honolulu, Hawaii.
This is a cell phone picture. No joke. This was from the peak of the hike and unless you experience it firsthand, a picture can't do it justice.


Favorite Summer Cocktail:

Raspberry Lemon Sorbet...courtesy of InStyle Magazine. If Gwen Stefani endorses it, then you really can't go wrong. Have at it:

- 1/2 oz. simple syrup

- 1 oz. fresh lemon juice

-1 oz. fresh raspberry puree

- 1/2 oz. Toschi Lemoncello

- 1/2 oz. Pallini Raspicello

- 1 oz. Belvedere Black Raspberry Vodka

- 1 oz. Belvedere Cytrus Vodka

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled glass.

Top with fresh blueberries and vanilla lemon foam.

Vanilla Lemon Foam Ingredients:

- 10 oz. egg whites

- 8 oz. Trader Vic rock candy syrup

- 3 oz. Licor 43

- 3 oz. Toschi Lemoncello

Add all ingredients into a dessert whipper, shake and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Shake again before serving.

Expensive drink, but wellllll worth it.


Favorite Kardashian:

Khloe. Hands down. She makes no apologies for who she is and encourages women to

love themselves, no matter what shape God created you as. She's also hysterical..just watch her show on E!


Favorite Lip Gloss (of the moment):

Dior Lip Polish. It's to die for. I bought mine at Sephora, but any high-end beauty

retailer should carry it. It plumps and shines, but doesn't sting. Praise God.


Favorite City:

Austin. By far. Definitely a favorite place to visit, but I'd get into way too much trouble

if I lived there. You want live music? It's here. You want fabulous and trendy bars? They're here. You want endless outdoor activities? Here. I recommend Barton Springs. Killer spas? Also here. Head over to Barton Creek Resort & Spa and you won't be sorry. Also in Austin? My beloved Texas Longhorns. Hook 'em.

Favorite Inspirational Person:

My oldest brother. He sacrifices so much to fight for this country and doesn't get near enough credit. I cherish our friendship more than anything and am so proud to call him mine. I can go to him with anything and he'll give me the best advice he can, even if he has to put me in my place while in the process. He's an amazing husband and father...and somehow maintains his graceful demeanor through it all. Oh, and he goes skydiving with his favorite sister. :)

The above picture was taken about 6 years ago and it's still one of my favorites.

Here we are back in 1985. Obviously, we had a special bond from the very beginning.

Love you, bro. Give 'em hell.

Happy Weekend ya'll! Relax and enjoy it!

And I Said What About Breakfast At Tiffany's...

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing...kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and...I believe in miracles."

-- Audrey Hepburn

Not only was she beautiful, she was pure genius. This quote describes me perfectly. I don't care what you believe in, but find something that makes your heart flutter and makes you happy. Believe in love when it feels difficult. Believe in fate when it's pushing you in a direction you're scared to go in. Believe in change when you feel stuck. Believe in your friends because the ones you love and cherish the most will be there for you when you don't believe in anything at all.

xoxo.

Pure Coincidence?!

Blogging is the last thing on my mind this week, but I just couldn't resist sharing this.

CANNOT. STOP. LAUGHING.

Headed out for a sweet little getaway for a few days...Happy Weekend!!

Sunshine & Summertime...

"Summer is where the girls go barefoot and their hearts are just as free as their toes."

- unknown

Summer is here. At least for us Texans. The high on Sunday is 100. And it's only the month of May. Reeeally?! That means by July we'll all be bronzed beauties and wishing for some cooler weather. Summer is my favorite time of year...somehow it takes me back in time and reminds me of my childhood. The days when I actually had a summer break...this meant late nights and sleeping in...every. single. day. In keeping up with "Friday Favorites" (thank you Lauren Conrad for this most fabulous idea), here are a few of my favorite summer memories...

- Boating on Lake Travis with family. I was the only girl among 6 boys, so tubing was like an extreme sport. I swear they would all see who could knock me off the tube the fastest.

- Summer camp. Why can't we continue with this tradition as adults?!

- Baseball. Fun Dip. Cherry Coke. --- 'nuff said.

- Summer Blockbusters. Why can't Hollywood recreate some of this hysteria?

- Ice Cream Trucks. I still get a sting of nostalgia when I hear one and subconsciously start searching for change.

- Summer Concerts. I once camped out on the streets of San Angelo (don't ask) to get front row seats to see 98 Degrees in concert. Don't judge.

- Mud fights. This home video is still one for the record books. Having twin brothers at this particular point in time was not fun. Especially when their grubby little hands were full of dirt and mud and God only knows what else. Sick.

- Camping. Now, before you get too impressed, I'm not talking about sleeping in tents out in the wilderness. No thank you. I'm talking about traveling in a plush RV with my grandparents.

- BBQ's. Brisket, smoked sausage, homemade potato salad, baked beans & sweet tea. Your life is truly not complete until you experience this in Texas.

- Swimming until my fingers and toes turned into prunes. These days, the pool is only good for one thing, and that's laying out. You actually want me to get in the water?!

- Schlitterbahn. OMG. If you've never been, I highly encourage you to go. I went every summer until I was about 12. Soda Straws anyone?!

- Six Flags. Fiesta Texas is my absolute favorite. My crazy aunt once stuffed my cousin's shoes with extra socks to make him taller so he could go on The Rattler. Remember this trick, it actually worked and he didn't fall out. :)

- Slumber Parties. Ice Cream. Chick Flicks. Laughing until my stomach hurt.

- Bluebell Homemade Ice Cream with chocolate syrup.

- Washer tournaments in Austin. My cousin Drew would win...every dang time.

- Lock-Ins at church. This was usually a great excuse to stay up all night and play basketball and run around like heathens.

- Lemonade Stands. I think my best friend and I tried it once or twice but quickly realized that playing in the backyard was much more fun.

- Water Wonderland. All you Midlanders know EXACTLY why this is a special memory.

- I think my favorite thing about summer was getting to spend so much time with my family and friends. Regardless of what we were doing, looking back, it doesn't matter. The best moments came from the memories we created that will never be forgotten...

Every Goodbye Makes The Next Hello Closer...

"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again; after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

-Richard Bach

Thought I'd share a few pictures from one of the best going away parties I've ever been to...

Great Friends + Good Food & Tequila = Epic Friday Night.

Yay for group shots :) This isn't everyone...there were a few stragglers, but this will have to do...

Gonna miss this girl to pieces. She's just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

Friends for about 20 years...the older we get, the more fun we have.

Fun times...

Deuces up?? Don't ask...

One of my favorite people in the whole wide world. I can always count on my stepbrother to never take a normal picture. I think this was our 3rd try :)

Blame the pageant days for the foot-popping problem. I don't know why...it just naturally happens when a camera is in front of me. Thanks, Tonya for playing along :)

Mexican food, Coronaritas and a West Texas sunset. Perfect ending...or maybe a

perfect beginning...

Good luck Tonya. You are loved and will certainly be missed!