Three Years of Marriage & the Celebration of a New One

What a whirlwind the last three years have been!  It's hard to believe Josh and I have just celebrated three years of marriage. Its incredible how fast time has gone by and I have to say that we have enjoyed ourselves immensely!   We managed to survive the big move and have come to love living in Houston.  We bought our first home together and we are still working on making it our own.  We even took on the responsibility of caring for our furry friend "Mia" and have managed to become completely obsessed parents. I don't think we ever knew we could feel this way about an animal but we wouldn't have it any other way.  We also have managed to do a lot of traveling since our "I Do's ", a promise that Josh and I made to each other after we married.

I look back at the last three years and I feel soo Blessed for being able to have spent it with my best friend by my side.  I see all of the amazing memories and experiences we have already shared together and it blows my mind to know that we have soo many more to make together.  I truly have the most beautiful husband and I love him more than he will ever know.  I am not sure how I ever got soo lucky but I will  continue to count my blessings and just keep being thankful for having him in my life!

Sooo to celebrate three Years Josh and I headed South to celebrate the beginning of a new marriage!   My dear friend Hollie decided to say her "I Do's" in a little place I call paradise.  Ever since high school Hollie has joined us on our family vacations to El Salvador and she always said that one day she would get married there.  So it came to my Father as a huge honor when she asked him if her and Keith could get married at my parents home in El Salvador.  The evening turned out to be just PERFECT and the rain ended up making this wedding the most ROMANTIC one I have ever been to! The rain never once dampened their parade and the pictures I took most definitely prove it.

After the wedding party left Josh and I took advantage of having the house to ourselves and enjoyed the rest of the week in El Salvador.  What a perfect way to celebrate 3 Years!

                                       Hollie & Keith's Wedding
                                             September 25, 2010

Josh and I

Celebrate three years

Mi Sueno

 

My Gorgeous Husband

Lots of Reading

September 29, 2010

A Toast to Many More

At the top of El Salvador's Volcano

The crater of the Volcano

Just a Day at the Beach

The end of the summer is approaching and it frequently crosses my mind how unfortunate it is that we haven't made it out to the Beach yet.  Every year Josh and I say we will try to make it out more often but it seems like we always manage to stick to one trip a year.  It is a bit of a shame knowing the beach is just an hour away. I know Galeveston is NOT the Caribbean but hey it is still the Ocean and its nothing a few chairs, cold beverages, and good company can't fix.  Getting to be entertained by our goldendoodle pup "Mia" is enough of a reason to make the trip. She loves the Beach!!!! So we "The Manards" decide to join "The Kongs" on a day trip to the beach before the summer is over.

It turns out to be  a beautiful day and the perfect time to put my new camera to work.  I manage to get some gorgeous shots of our pup and of our day at the beach. Here are some of the pictures for you to enjoy.........

Rock Star!

So for those of you who don't know, Joshua has always been musically inclined.  Music has always been a huge part of his life and ever since I have known him he has either been playing his Violin or singing with his guitar. I remember when Josh was the lead singer of the band "Kayotik" back in our High School days. I would sit back and wonder how this violinist by day could completely transform himself to jumping around in full costume, screaming his way through the music come night time.  He has always been so diverse when it comes to music and that is one of the things I love about him!  I will say his music has most definitely evolved over the years and now I would have to say with certainty that my parents would enjoy his work.

Since we have moved to Houston, about three years ago, he has become interested in making and recording his own music.  Most of you may not know but this hobby can be very expensive and all I have to say is, it can take up ALOT of room!  We have had our disagreements about what is necessary and how to keep "the man room" organized but the truth is, Music is what makes him happy. So I have come to realize that this is just part of Josh and as compulsive as I am about organizing and decorating I am better off just leaving his "man room" alone!

Recently, Josh has expressed his interest in playing with a Band again.  I can tell that there is a huge part of him that misses the thrill of performing for others.  So, he set out to look for bands in the Houston area that needed a base player (I forgot to mention he plays the base as well).  This summer he dabbled around with different groups but none of them really turned out to fit his style, until recently.   He came home after his first practice and it was pretty obvious he had found what he was looking for.  The band is called the Southern Backtones and I must say they rock!

Since his first practice he has already played a few gigs at some local Houston venues including a cafe that is just walking distance from our house.  I have posted some pictures of him and the band at recent appearances in Houston this August along with pictures of Josh's groupies (myself & our friends).  It's tough being the wife of a "Rock Star"! =)


Performance #1: August 6, 2010

The Ladies toasting to Josh's 1st gig

Rock Star!!!

Southern Backtones

Performance #2: August 21, 2010

His Groupies!