In loving memory

Virgil C. Simon

Sadly, Paul's Grandad passed away December 10 from congestive heart failure. Paul and several family members flew from different parts of the country to be with his Grandmother in Portland for the service. Virg was a very loving, compassionate and caring man with a great sense of humor :-) He loved his family very much and will be missed by all of us.

Enjoying our new gifts

Last night Paul and I went head-to-head on guitar hero. Of course, I could use a little work. But I must say, I'm getting better. Paul says, "80% is not bad" -- (of notes hit, if you're not a guitar heros fanatic :-) ) I think he's just trying to be nice and encourage me along so I'll play with him more. Nonetheless, it's good we have an activity we can do together. Lets face it, sailing and golf just weren't working out. Haha ha ha. I'm just kidding! :-)

Here's Paulie rockin out!

Milo is my #1 fan!

Here's Milo sporting his new Coach collar from Megan. Soooo cute!

I think Milo is eyeing up my wine...definitely our son!

Bye, bye, bye...

Of course we had tough travels again coming home but at least we got back the same day...(almost, just 1am the next day!) It was rough getting up for work the next day but I managed. Back to reality now! But at least we get to see our little baby Milo again! He sure was missed!

As you can see I wasn't sad to leave the snow behind. Dallas sure feels like home now! Although, I must say, it was nice to have a white Christmas :-)

I sure leave a big footprint wherever I go :-) Ha ha

Yes, Paul carried his new guitar through the aiport. He looked like a "true gamer"

Christmas Eve at the Simon's

On Christmas Eve morning we visited with Martha, Jason and Jacob DeWitt. What a cute little baby boy -- its a good thing we only see the little guy once in awhile otherwise he would give us baby fever! Martha thanks for having us over -- it was so great catching up... even if it was only for a little while!

Soon after leaving the DeWitts we got a phone call that Steve Simon was just rushed to the emergency room. He had fallen on the ice and possibly broke his arm! Luckily, after a few hours in the ER we found out that it was just "dis-located" and he was able to come home in time for our Christmas Eve celebration. Carol made yummy cinnamon rolls as we opened stockings and watched holiday movies the rest of the afternoon. In the evening we had our Simon Christmas Eve Traditions -- rice pudding with the hidden almond, (carol won this year!) open faced sandwiches and cookies, the Christmas story read aloud, presents brought under the tree by candle light after dinner. It was another wonderful year!

After all the presents were opened we played "what?" -- it sure was hilarious! I highly reccommend it.

Here are a few pics from the day...

Christmas at The Karger's :-)

On Sunday we celebrated Christmas at Mom & Dad Kargers -- Santa made an early appearance so we started the day by opening gifts and stockings. We drew names between the kids and Jeff had me -- I got a lovely clutch and shirt from Ann Taylor. Kori had Paul and she was a big hit with GUITAR HEROS! Paul and I are playing like crazy already...I guess we're hooked! Thanks Kor! Great idea :-)

In the afternoon we had lunch catered by Crazy Horse, (mom & dad's fav) and had Steve and Carol and Matt & Julie Simon over and also my aunt Steph and uncle Randy and their girls, Jess & Allie. After eating and snacking for hours we all sang (or hummed) along to Christmas carols while Jess, Allie and Randy played for us. They are such amazing muscians!

It was wonderful catching up with family -- we love you all so very much!

Here are a few pics from the day...

Tough Travels

Paul and I left our house at 11:30 am to arrive at the DFW airport to find out that our 1:30 flight to Chicago O'hare was delayed...and delayed... and delayed! Therefore, our connecting flight to Kalamazoo was going to be impossible to make.
Smart Paul was able to get us on "stand-by" for the last Chicago to Kalamazoo flight before we even left Dallas. Which was a darn good thing because once we got to O'hare we were number 3&4 on standby to Kalamazoo on the last flight home -- whoo hoo! Whereas, the people who were stuck in Chicago all day, (the O'hare airport was shut down for a couple hours because of fog) were behind us on the stand-by list. Luckily, we made it home...well, to Kalamazoo. A big thanks to Omo's for picking us up at the airport and having us over night!

Newlywed Christmas!

The night before we flew to Michigan we celebrated Christmas in Dallas. Paul cooked a delicious chicken dinner and we opend a few presents and did stockings. Milo was definitely a spoiled little puppy -- I guess he was good this year :-) So, were mom and dad because santa was good to us too! We both got new designer jeans and I got a new purse (whoo hoo!) and Paul got a Duke sweatshirt and a J. Crew sweater to name a few gifts...

Here is little Milo with a few of his stocking stuffers. I don't think he'll need new toys for a long time now. Although, we might need to get a larger toy basket to fit all the new toys! (yes, he did get a basketball...)

Here is Milo enjoying his "kong" -- he was so busy the rest of the night he didn't even get into the used wrapping paper while we opened our gifts!


Here I am opening my new True Religion jeans... Oh happy day!

Here's Paulie opening his stocking stuffers...new cologne, boxers, & candy!

We'll be home for Christmas...

Christmas is almost here! Paul and I leave tomorrow for the Michigan winter weather to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends. I just hope Santa knows where to bring all our gifts... but somehow I think he'll find us :-)

Milo Baby!

Milo was a good couch pal this weekend while I was down and out -- I had a bad migraine on Friday which left me wiped the rest of the weekend. So, Milo and I spent the weekend together watching movies and cuddling. What a great little pup!

Brum Visits!

This weekend Brum got into town for his annual IT conference which luckily was in Dallas this year (wink, wink!) So, the they hit up downtown on Saturday night where they attended a party at an attorney's condo at The W (where they were convinced no one actually knew the attorney!!) and then headed to uptown where they met up with some of Paul's sailing friends for an all you can drink beer and jell-o shot bar night. I knew they had a great night when they stumbled through the door around 3am with bags (and bags) of taco bell!

Here's Paul and Brum on Sunday watching the Cowboys game at the Gaylord Texan Sports Bar. Yes, these are the lounge chairs in front of a wrap-around flat screen tv...they were in heaven!

Also, at the Gaylord was a REAL Reindeer! Kids were lined up waiting to see Santa and his one tiny reindeer ;-)

Yes, Jules finally made it off the couch on Sunday and made the trip to the Gaylord, (migraine kicked my a** all weekend) Here's me and my hubby enjoying the beautifully decorated Gaylord Texan hotel!

Kate and Amanda Do Dallas

This past weekend my best friends from High School, Kate and Amanda, came to visit Paul and I in Dallas. They were able to check out our digs, see the city a little and take part in the dallas night life! Well, and lets not forget shopping! We checked out the Galleria and Northpark Center. We actually can't afford much at Northpark -- but its still fun to look :-)

I absolutely love these girls! They know me so well and have been such a big part of my life since the first grade! I was so excited to have them see the next stage of my life down here in Texas.

On Friday night we took them out to Uncle Julios for some good old fashion tex mex! The margarittas are to die for, (actually with the amount of tequila they use they probably could kill you!) and the fajitas are awesome!

Then we headed to Greenville area (near SMU - Southern Methodist University) to M Street Bar where we sat outside and had a few beers before we danced the night away. It was also a nice treat to have the VIP treatment (literally!) with bottle service at a table. Sure helps to know people -- a big thanks to Derek!

After shopping on Saturday we got ready for a night in "Uptown" -- we had dinner at "Pete's Hamburgers" and shared Jungle Juice! Yes, we did graudate college :-) Then we headed to Uptown's Bar and Grille for Karaoke and ended up staying there the entire night! As you can imagine, Amanda tore it up. But Kate did a great job on her number, "I touch myself!"

Here we are at Uncle Julio's!

Here we are at M Street Bar enjoying a few beers outside on the deck. Gotta love the warm dallas breeze in the evening, (in December!)

Here we are at M Street Bar...

Here's Paul and I after we did our only song for the night at Karaoke..."sweet caroline" As you can probably imagine -- we slaughtered it!

Below is a glimpse of our weekend...

The mornings with Milo :-)

Lately each morning I wake up with my husband already off to work, my alarm going off at 7am (yes, I get to watch the TODAY show while I am getting ready in Texas -- gotta love Central time) and little Milo laying where Paul use to be looking at me confused? "Why isn't she up yet?" He wonders? I slowly make it out of bed while Milo jumps and licks me till I can't rest any longer and I immediatly think, "Our room is a mess and we only have one pet!" As I clean after our little puppy, (and husband) I finally get ready and make it off to work...

Yes, we have a "safety" blanket on our bed just in case little Milo has any accidents. After having the duvet cover dry-cleaned 4 times in two months we finally got smart!

Okay, we finally made it out the door and we're on the way to doggie day care, (and work)! Milo loves to play with all the little, or should I say BIG dogs all day long!

Christmas is Beer -- Pub Crawl 2007

Saturday marked the 3rd annual Addison Circle Pub Crawl -- being Dallas residents Paul and I took part in the festivities! I must admit we made it through only 6 of the 7 bars before we cabbed it home but you can probably tell from the pictures we still had a great time!

Here's Paul and I on the party bus...getting ready for the next stop!

Pub Crawl Rules:

1. This trip guarantees a great time. If you’re not in the mood, stay the hell home with your pet. If you want to be shocked or mocked, slapped or tapped, risk being kissed or dissed, grooved over or smoothed upon, grabbed, touched, spanked or wanked, then the back of the bus is for you.


2. Eat enough of something or someone, there will be lot’s of alcohol to consume


3. There is no baby-sitter on the bus, you break you pay. Your are responsible


4. One beer, one bar. Not only a motto but it’s smart. Unless you’re like Saunders, Travis and Oscar, then you are exempt


5. Spiked heels are really hot but not mandatory. Be sensible about what you wear…Personal possessions can get ruined. This goes for the women as well.


6. Cash only. Plastic NOT accepted.


7. Don’t be a jerk…No fighting and no P.I’s. Stay out of jail!


8. Bring Cameras just in case you forget the great time you will have. Physical and visual evidence speaks for itself


9. Purchase drinks in groups or rounds of 3 or 4 to avoid crowding the bar


10. No drinking in Public - $250 fine for open container


11. Do not bring your cheap ass 3oz alcohol bottles to the bar for mixers.


12. If you get lost, see itinerary and catch up. Don’t call me!


13. If you get sick, cab it home. Don’t call me!


14. Don’t f**k with the balloons


15. Kiss someone