Here’s a picture of Rangers Ballpark in Arlington from our seats on the first row of the 3rd deck. Chris Kellerman had planned on coming to a get together at Katie and I’s on Saturday and had completely forgotten. His way of making it up to me was treating me to a Rangers game in the cheap seats (which I think are great, you can see everything). This picture was taken right after Hunter gave up a home run on the second pitch of the night. After that he proceeded to redeem himself and give up that one run in 7 innings pitched as the Rangers went on to thump the Tigers 5-2 and break their losing streak against Detroit this season.

Here is a picture of the new Cowboys Stadium that can been seen from the West facing roof of the Ballpark. I can’t wait until I can go to a game, concert, ANYTHING at this place, it’s so awesome.

This past weekend it was great to see all our friends and “family” again after having been away for about four months. Abby and Katie planned a very tasty dinner for Saturday night for 200+ and we had arguably the largest alumni staff show up to help serve current student staff and retreaters. It was great. Grilling on Big Blue all day Saturday. Filling the house with burnt bean smoke Friday. Baby mustaches. Mama Juana. Old friends. These were all good memories from the weekend and Katie and I look forward to next time.

This is a sneak preview of the inside of our house. Please pardon the blue tarp and painters tape as we still have a tiny bit of work to do but we just got our carpets cleaned cleaner than I’ve ever seen. So far services that had to be performed on our carpet:

1. Deep Clean
2. 3 Different Areas Stretched
3. 2 Areas Patched so far (Katie’s still at the house with them)
4. Dyed to treat bleach spots

It is completely worth it though as the house used to be a former rental property since it was built in 2005.

We begin moving in tomorrow and can’t wait to show it off to everyone this weekend.

Weekdays of June 1 – 4: The master bedroom was painted “Weathered Sandstone” whatever that means.

Weekend of June 5 – 7: Tons of painting. We painted both the dining and family rooms “Glazed Pear” which is a very clean cream color on Friday night while we were up at the house until almost midnight.

Saturday we went and saw the early matinee of The Hangover (hilariously vulgar) and then painted the guest bedroom a light blue.

Sunday we had a Rudy’s picnic at the new house courtesy of my parents and painted the spare bedroom (#4) a nice tannish color and began painting the kitchen in a deep/dark red that is turning out great.

Weekdays of June 8 – 11: Monday I’ll begin painting the first coat in the kitchen and finish the second coat on Tuesday night. Tuesday we have the carpet cleaners coming by to do their worst on foreclosure quality carpet. Wed/Thurs I’ll rent a U-Haul truck and appliance/furniture dolly and begin moving us in to our new house.

Weekend of June 12 – 14: Relax and have a great weekend with poker and grilling out on Saturday with great friends Andy and Abby coming into town to stay with us.

Busy. Busy. Busy!

Katie and I spent the weekend driving to and from Houston (Katy) for a friend’s wedding reception and a Mother’s Day celebration for her Mom’s side of the family.

After the reception on Saturday one of Katie’s close high school friends, Becky, and her husband Nathan came over to her parent’s house to hang out and we threw down a few games of Scrabble. I would have to say the highlight of the night was my 84 point turn for playing “*FFECTED” with the second “E” being the letter I played off of and the “*” being an “A”. Those were the first 7 letters I drew to begin the game and passed three times before I could play it and jump out to a ginormous lead. It was only a 17 point word, but I added in a Double Word Score for good measure. Kevin and Joseph would be proud.

Mother’s Day was nice and relaxing with a brunch after early Mass where Katie got to receive her first Mother’s Day blessing. Her Mom and Grandma enjoyed their gifts and we hit the road. We had dinner with my parents to help my Mom celebrate and she danced to the musical card that I got her that played the theme for Charlie Brown.

I hope all the Mothers and Mothers-to-be enjoyed their day.

The first was from me. Rob had a healthy raise pre flop and I had KK. I didn’t want to just call and have him draw out on me cuz I felt he at least had one A, so I go all-in. Well, he’s in the tank for about 2 minutes going over his options and calls. He has AA. Flop is nothing, turn nothing, river K. Disgusting since it was the case K because Anthony had already folded one.

The second was Katie. Rob does his standard 2x or 3x big blind raise pre flop as he is prone to. Katie calls. Flop comes 10, A, 10. Another raise by Rob, another call by Katie. Check, Check on the Turn (if I remember correctly, I only remember the winner with absolute clarity because of the cards Katie had). Rob goes all-in on River, Katie calls. Katie throws down AA and I swear they hit the table with the weight of an atomic bomb. She had flopped the boat, A’s over 10’s. The look on Rob’s face was priceless. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so angry. Then Anthony took me out, Katie took Anthony out, and it was head’s up Katie and Dave and Dave won. That was probably the best slow play of AA I have ever seen. Devastating.

Of the six Katie and I were the only ones without a re-buy I think. Nevermind, Jeff also didn’t re-buy.

My Dad got Katie and I tickets to a Stars game and I wanted to thank him again for that. Regardless if the Stars win or lose when I go to a game it’s always a great time. I got three birthday cards from Katie’s side of the family on Friday when I got home from work and immediately called them all to say thank you. I wanted to start off on the right foot and not give them the impression that their little Katie married a schlub although I’m sure plenty of you think she did!

Katie waited up ’til midnight with me so I could open my presents. She got me an Iron Gym and the book Boys Will Be Boys. I had been wanting that book for a while but hadn’t been able to find it. If you can see that picture of the book close enough and look at the hat that Troy Aikman is wearing in the celebratory Super Bowl shot then you will see one of my cherished pieces of clothing when I was a kid. I thought it was SO COOL to have a hat that my Cowboys wore after winning one of their three Super Bowls in the 90’s.

I’m looking forward to my birthday dinner and movie date with Katie later today and then a joint birthday family dinner for my mom and I later in the week. I also wanted to say thank you to every one else who sent cards and well wishes through Facebook, I really appreciate it.