Happy 30th Drew. We celebrated his birthday last night at El Charro. I put together a surprise dinner party at our favorite restaurant in town. He had no idea and was very surprised when we walked in to the sound of "Surprise, Happy Birthday Drew"!

I gave Drew his gifts early yesterday before our morning walk. Nice bow right, the practice has paid off.

Jon Hart koozie and travel cooler.

Twenty of our closest friends and family surprised Drew at El Charro.

I am so angry at myself for not taking a picture of the cake before it was cut into. I took a deer lease picture of Drew from when he was about six and had it imaged onto a cake. The cake was so yummy, but I still wish I had taken a picture first.

After dinner, we headed downtown to Rick's. There was a great band playing so we sat outside in the cool night to enjoy some drinks and music.

Will and Jon goofing around.

Ashley and I say cheese. We just found out that Ashley and Wade are expecting their first born right around the first of March. Congratulations guys, little Baylor Bear will be here soon.

We had a blast celebrating Drew's birthday with everyone. Thank you all for joining Drew and I to celebrate his big 3-0. Here's to another fantastic,memory filled 30 more.

Last weekend we headed to San Antonio for the wedding of Jill Martinson to Jason Hoelscher. Jason and Drew were college roommates at the University of Houston. Drew was a sneeky little boy. He sent me a travel schedule from expedia that showed we were staying at Travelodge. Ok, all the wedding festivities were being held downtown at the Riverwalk. Why, would he book us twenty minutes from downtown?? Well, he said that he was going to take care of everything, so being the good wife that I am I put my complete trust and faith in him. Well, I went online to print out directions and just happen to find a review of the hotel we were staying in for the weekend. Yep, you guessed it . . . bed bugs. Oh I lost it, but I did not say anything to Drew. Complete faith . . .right? Well, we finally get to San Antonio and all I want to do is rest before our dinner reservations. We pass the hotel and start heading downtown. I am getting irritated at this point and Drew finally cracks. We pull up to . . .

After dinner with the Gambles, we all headed to one of my favorite San Antonio haunts, Howl at the Moon. It is a great piano bar on the riverwalk that I used to go to when I lived here.

Cutting up at Howl at the Moon.

Ok, serious picture now.

Robin Trembly and Glenn Odell met up with Drew, Jill, Chris and I that night. Say cheese Mr. Trembly.

Chris and Glenn at Howl at the Moon.

After a long night out at Howl at the Moon, we slept in on Saturday and ordered breakfast in bed. Yummy.

Before we left for the wedding, we did some more sight seeing and shopping. Here we are at the Rivercenter.

Concierge took a nice picture of Drew and I in the hotel lobby before leaving for the wedding. I think this may be Christmas card worthy.

The wedding was held at Our Lady of the Lake Chapel and was a full Catholic mass. It was beautiful. Jason's father sang all responsorial hymns and a full adult male choir sang the entrance and recessional hymns. It was a gorgeous ceremony. The reception was help at one of the neatest halls we have ever been to. It was called Sunset Station and had the feel of a 1940s subway station (pictured above). It was stunning and had great ambience.

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Hoelscher.

The old gang together again. L to R: Chris Gamble, Glenn Odell, Jason Hoelscher, Jeff Medford, and Drew.

This was a neat shot that I took from the second story during Jason and Jill's first dance.

Hi Jeff.

Drew, Jill and Chris during dinner.

Emily Woody, Jill Gamble, and Kristen Odell waiting to send off the happy couple.

Still waiting to send off the happy couple.

Here they are. Jason and Jill left the reception under a blanket of red rose petals. Have a blast in Hawaii you guys. Two weeks . . . getting up for work on Monday morning is going to be so hard.

We hit Howl at the Moon again Saturday for a night cap after the wedding. We had an absolute blast seeing everyone and witnessing the beautiful wedding. Thank you for including us in such a blessed event Jason and Jill!

We headed down for a brief vacation to Crystal Beach with the Lovoi family. The ferry ride was nice but the wait was not.

Jenny flew in from NYC for the week. It was very nice to see her. We have not been together since Christmas. Welcome home Jenny Lee!

Day 1: Building of the sandcastles. This was Aidan's first trip to the beach so he was not very happy when we first hit the beach, but . . . . .

a little digging and he was right at home. It took him no time to get a handle on using the big shovel.

Look at him go!

Aunt Jenny and Aidan have fun in the sun.

After hanging out at the beach, we played a few games of 42. Drew and I had never played so it took us a while to catch on, but we had tons of fun.

Uncle Drew holding baby girl Emalie.

Day 2: We decided to sleep in. I woke up and found Emalie and Melissa snoozing on the couch. Too cute!

Jenny's good friends from Houston, Amy and Cameron, came down for a visit. Melissa brought a tent for Emalie and Aidan in case the sun got too intense. I think Aidan had more fun paying in the tent while in the house than playing on the beach.

Emaile did not spend too much time down at the beach. Poor little thing was so hot.

Aidan and I spent some time playing in the shallows. Neither one of us are too fond of getting in the water.

Amy, Jenny and Drew were a little more brave.

Building of the sandcastles take two. JW and Aidan had so much fun filling in the moat around our castle.

A little R&R after a long day of digging and building.

Drew playing washers. Meanwhile . . .

back at the cabin baby girl put on her new outfit from Aunt Laurie and Uncle Drew. Pink is definitely her signature color.

Melissa and Mom giving Emalie some medicine.

I gave Emalie a bath that night before bedtime to wash off all the sunscreen.

Day 3: more time in the tent.

Emalie looked too cute in her little suit. She is starting to laugh and smile. Look at her go!

The weather was overcast, so Emalie was able to stay down at the beach a little longer today. This picture is my definition of pure relaxation.

Mommy and me.

Jenny and I stop for a pic.

We played a few games of horseshoes. Jenny and Amy were impossible to beat. Aidan took his turn and did pretty well for a 2 year old.

The weekend was wonderful, but all good things must come to an end. Drew headed back to Tyler on Sunday and I stayed on till Monday morning. Unfortunately we had to pack up and leave a few days early due to the tropical storm that hit the coast. Thank you Mom and Dad for an awesome weekend!! This weekend brought back so many memories of the Annual Lovoi Clan Beach trip we used to take every summer growing up as kids. We are so excited at the thought of bringing back this tradition to share with our generation. Drew and I hope that next year we will be bringing down little Lowerys to share in the fun. We will see . . .