Where have we been...

Seriously right..where have we been. Well we are obviously out of Omaha and not that we completely hated the cold..but I do have to say we do not miss the -11 temp we were having. Our last week there was one we will never forget. All of our water froze..yes every faucet meaning zero cooking and showering at the gym. You really do use water more than you think! We had a major malfunction with the truck..while I was driving. FYI a Diesel does not break down often..but when it does oh mama its pricey. That day was completed with a migraine, 6 inches of snow, and Daniel coming to my rescue at the dealership!


We went snowboarding our last full day in Omaha and it was a blast. Daniel showed me some new moves. I could tell he was in heaven on the mountain. The next morning we got up early and started packing. It was only supposed to flurry but after 5 inches of heavy snow we decided to continue packing and hit the road. I spent over an hour on the roof scraping and shoveling snow and ice in 5 degree weather. It was so cold plugs on the truck were constricted making it almost impossible to leave that day. We did leave but had a heck of a drive as it was snow all the way to Kansas City. I had to miss seeing the girls in Fayetteville..sorry ladies. I did get to see Kerryanne..loves! I also have to say Congrats to Cassie and Adam who got engaged before the holidays!


We were in Ozark a few days and then headed to Dallas for Christmas. It was so nice to spend time with family. We followed with our traditions dinner then Ben and I exchange what we refer to as our "fun gift" on Christmas eve. My family exchanges on Christmas morning follow by Eggs Benedict..yummy! The rest of the day was spent relaxing and watching football. Santa was very good to us! Thank you family! Saturday Daniel took is exam and then we headed to Austin.




We got to see several friends but time always seems to fly by and we never have enough time. We had Christmas as with Daniel's family on Monday and spent the day catching up with them. It is quite different compared to mine considering there are 5 little ones when we go to his side. So many toys I always get a little overwhelmed, but its fun to see them get excited. We had a nice time visiting with the family and it was nice to see Aunt Martha as well!! Again thank you guys!!!



We always have a great time with Ben and Ann and Mama and Daddy. They are a lot of fun and it was exciting for us to all be in Austin. We had good food (even Chuy's) great laughs, and made wonderful memories.

We had fun plans for New Years with C and C, R and R all meeting for dinner and bowling. We were having great time until around 10 we found out our truck was broken into and our GPS stolen. Boo C and C also received the same treatment. We are very happy that R and R were spared. Ben and Ann arrived shortly after our discovery and we are so fortunate they didn't walk up on it happening. In total 3 cards were hit so these were some serious thieves.



We headed back to AR after New Years ready to possibly leave for Macon on the next day. After recognizing that we were not going to hear anything about Daniel's licensee and not being able to get anywhere with his company. We waited a few days and then made the decision to make something happen. Long story short we switched companies and are in Livingston for 3 months. The weather so far is a lot like Austin. Daniel is enjoying his job and we are able to spend time outside every evening. We love being on the water. This past weekend we explored the area a little and went to the town Trade Days. It is a market of what the area has to offer. We both enjoyed seeing it on our first weekend here. What a way to learn quickly about what an area has to offer! We also realized this is snow bird area...we love it! ;)


Enjoy the pics and can't wait to hear from each of you!
Love Daniel and Melissa

Please think about this family!

Please click on the button and think about this family.

Total Change of Plans- We are in Texas

I just wanted to update you on our location! After the adventures the holidays brought us..truck issues, completely frozen pipes in Omaha, a broken window and stolen GPS in Austin, and waiting, waiting, waiting on Daniel's GA license (still waiting + 6 weeks)..we are in Livingston, TX!

Long story short..we arrived here on Monday and from what we have seen so far...its going to be fun. Daniel and I have dubbed this city "The Snowbird Capitol of Texas!" We are about 4 min from the lake ;)

We are having some internet issues so I am going to do a long post with pictures soon! We miss everyone and hope you all had great holidays!
Love Daniel and Melissa

Merry Christmas and life truly on the road...

Merry Christmas everyone! We hope you have all been truly blessed today with the company of family and friends. We are out of Omaha, have been in Ozark for a few short packed full days, and are now in Dallas at my grandparents house.

Christmas this morning was so warming and nice to be with family and friends. It amazing how quickly you can become comfortable with surroundings you have not seen in several months.



We hope you continue to have a great holiday and many more great days to come! Love all of you and hope to see you soon!! Pictures of snowboarding to come in a few days as well as our last days in Omaha!

One more special shout out..HAPPY BIRTHDAY JILLSIE!!!

Oh The Weather Outside is Frighful...but Let It Snow, Let it Snow. Let is Snow!

Its official..its our last week in Omaha and we are headed to Macon, GA! Its just south of Atlanta. We are really excited about another adventure and are ready for all a new city has to offer.

Last week the weather was cold to say the least..it was below freezing all week beginning in the teens and today below zero. Saturday was a super nice day and we spent it taking in the 5th wheel, enjoying the weather outside, and going to the Old Market to see the twinkling Christmas lights!

I spent the week packing the split level, Christmas shopping, and designing websites. The puppies love the cold weather but more importantly love laying on my electric blanket. Saturday I built a huge fire outside and played with the dogs until they were sleepy. That night we went downtown for dinner and to see all the Christmas festivities. It was a winter festivities explosion: outdoor ice rink, caroling, twinkle lights galore, and Christmas music everywhere! It is a nice change to be in a cold place around Christmas.

It snowed several inches here on Tuesday and the forecast is for snow again today! I can't wait to build a snowman!! The ski slope opens today so we are hitting it up before leaving town sometime this weekend!! Daniel is so excited to snowboard and be surrounded by the sport. I can't wait!!! More to come..its almost time to see family and friends for the Holiday Season!!

Thanksgiving and Its Beginning To Look Like Christmas...

Thanksgiving this year..one word awesome! We got home around 3 am and mama loves to chat it up when we get there so I didn't go to bed until 5. We got up on Thursday to watch the parade and made sweet potatoes, a family Bing Cherry salad, and my dad's famous (after this year) relish tray. Daddy was in charge of going to the store and we all know he doesn't do that well. He bought every kind of pickle, relish, olives, cranberries, and antipasta they had. He gave us so many options..it became a joke at the house. I only took half of what he bought the Shawn's house and it was at least 30 containers! Everything was super yummy and we had such a good time. We had not had the chance to see most of the family since our wedding last Nov and even then we didn't get to chat much. It was so nice to catch up. laugh, and just hang out with everyone! I totally forgot to take pictures as we were so busy visiting. boo

Friday we did a little low key shopping and then headed to dinner with Kylie and Brett and Andrea and Marshall at Weiderkehrs. It was the first time for us to be back since our wedding and it was so nice. We had a great time hearing all about their daily happenings and holidays. We really miss getting together with you guys!! It was so much fun!!!

Kylie, Brett, Andrea, Marshall, Me and Daniel


Saturday Daniel and daddy went quail and pheasant hunting. They got up super early and were out all day. I know they had a great time and we heard all about how the dogs hunted! Daniel had a great time hunting Daddy - he still talks about it. While they were hunting Mama and I went antique shopping..I had some very specific items I was searching for and I found them!! We were super low key that night watching SNL as all of us were exhausted. We all relaxed Sunday morning and Daniel and I hit the road early as the weather was predicting snow for our entire drive back. The weather was right but we didn't have any problems thank goodness. We had a great time mama and daddy thank you so much for letting us come in and relax. We always have a blast and enjoy all the room!!

We wanted to wait until this past weekend to put up our tree but on Thursday it happened. This is the first year in my life I have not had a real tree and it is the earliest I have ever put one up. I know it doesn't make sense in our 400 square feet to really decorate so I made it special. We have sunflowers from the rehearsal dinner and silver balls from our reception. Daniel added a few Family Guy characters and we found some funny RV ornaments and they fit our tree nicely. A tree does make it feel more like Christmas.

We had a great weekend of shopping, relaxing, and spending time with Daniels work friends. Friday was date night with dinner and a movie! We never go to the movies and were both very excited! We saw 4 Christmases and both thought it was super funny. Saturday we shopped for winter clothes for Daniel..that is not an easy task. The lines at Kohl's were so long!! We ended the day meeting up with Daniels co-workers and then out to the Old Market. He works with some of the nicest people and we had a great time with them. We spent the rest of the weekend relaxing trying to stay warm.


It snowed 2 times this week and has been so so so cold. I do have to say the weather man is scaring me by the "snow storm/blizzard conditions" they are predicting for Monday night. I am excited but not ready for a blizzard!! Daniel is on his way to work!
We are still having a great time and making memories but miss everyone! Hope you are all great! Christmas is coming fast!

Now this would make your week...You know you wanna look...

How would you like a $500 Wal-Mart gift card?





Don't fib! Go here and enter.

Share your money saving ideas for Christmas..

Here is mine from the site...

I love, love, love to recycle at Christmas (ok all year). I have never understood why people throw away bows and bags that they receive throughout the year. Last year I got married and saved the bows and bags. If they were not too wedding related I would use them again. If they were I would cut out a piece of the bag and glue it on another to make a new bag design using several bags. I always use bows from all year and re-make them into new by adding or taking away from them. I also like to use stickers and stamps to decorate bags. I have been known to make wrapping paper out of brown grocery bags or newspaper and made stamps out of potatoes for Christmas designs using different paint colors or food coloring. It is green and saves money! Its also super cute and you can be totally creative in how you make the gift look.

Now go register for a chance at that $500 gift card!

Boo to the Flu...

Lets see last week we got a little treat..the flu! My little plan of not getting sick this year didn't work when Daniel came home on Thursday not feeling well. Poor thing was super sick and I started feeling bad on Sat night. We must have looked horrible because we made a trip to the pharmacy and the lady looked at us as though to say "oh you guys don't look good." Isn't that nice? Love it! Anyway we are both feeling much better!!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow? Happy Thanksgiving everyone! With that in mind something new and exciting to give thanks for coming soon...


GO HOGS!!


and Daniel says Go Horns!

Very busy...Has it been a year?!? Seriously!!

Whew have we been busy. I didn't mean to take such a long break from blogging (I began this post over a week ago)..it just happened. No Jenny L. I was not busy planning social events...ok well maybe a few impromptu ones. Daniels mom arrived on Thursday the 30th. We met Daniel for lunch and spent the rest of the day shopping. Friday our Halloween adventure was buying a cargo trailer. Not an easy find but we located one in a small town in Iowa and spent the evening at an estate auction. I got to watch Daniel and his mom take it all in. My advice..don't talk with your hands however, we ended up with a few good finds.

Saturday we took the 5th wheel into the dealership to get the leak in the slide fixed and spent the rest of the day watching football and cooking out with Luther and Victoria. On a total side note..its leaking again! Now why did the repair man go through telling us all about his repair again???

Sunday we made it to the Henry Doorly Zoo with Luther and Vitoria. I know I have mentioned it before and it did not disappoint! Its huge and look at those Gorillas!! I was amazed at how the exhibits were staged. They reminded me of the ones I saw in Japan...oh memories. Mary was very excited to see Rosenblatt Stadium as well..the Men's College World Series home. Sunday night we sat by the fire and made smores for some it was their first taste! I know!



Monday was our one year anniversary (I can't believe it) and Daniel and I celebrated with dinner at Main Stream Brewery. I completely forgot to pick up the cake topper I ordered..and remembered around 5 pm. So I frantically ran to the store and improvised with a few one year birthday cakes and icing. It turned out well and only took 30 min to improvise..Its a good thing I am easy going! ;) I came home to a dozen sunflowers and a rose. I am not sure when it started but he calls me his Sunflower so...he always gets me roses with a sunflower in them. We stuck with the tradition first year gifts of paper so I was very excited to see what he came up with! We exchanged gifts and Daniel shocked me with something I thought he would never do..He made me a book of coupons filled with things, like a ski trip, massage, dinners, new purses, etc. I had heard of coupon books before but you never think you are going to get one. Its funny because I was going to make in the money clip I was going to give him..but he bought if for himself instead. I got him a cabin stay in the forest around here and a picture from the last marathon I ran in. Dinner was great, we listened to music on the street, and ended with ice cream from Maggy Moos!! Yummy!



Mary and I were busy shopping most of the week. We also went to the Durham Museum which had miniatures on display and if you know me well..they make me smile! The museum was an old train station and displayed old rail cars, home items from the past, old cars, and Eyewitness an exhibit on actual accounts from the past. We spent the rest of the week, shopping, going to the vet, the dog park, and went to Cabela's, Scheels, and Bass Pro. Saturday Daniel and his mama watched the Longhorn game and Sunday we walked the pedestrian bridge from Nebraska to Iowa and back. It was actually fun and apparently is the only footbridge that connects two states. We ended the weekend with a yummy dinner at Big Cabin and Mary had an Omaha steak. She flew home on Tuesday and it sounds like she hit Austin running. We had a great time with you here Mary and the puppies miss you!!! We hope you come to see us wherever this great journey takes us next!!! See you at Christmas!



I spent rest of the week getting ready for our cabin weekend! It was super cold in the forest this weekend and just as soon as I got a camp fire started it began sleeting and snowing. I thought starting a fire was something Daniel would have learned as much camping as we do. After his pitiful attempt, I knew and have now come to terms with the fact that I will always be starting the fires. I think this is a common problem. ;) We woke up on Sat morning to a dusting of snow and hiked much of Saturday in the fluries. It was great and Daniel said it was the perfect anniversary gift!




On a total side note..daddy Hershey is learning to "whoa" very well!! According to checkcord.com for those of you who don't know "Whoa" simply means, "stop, don't move until I release you." Don't laugh...and yes I taught her..its all those years of watching you!;)


I also can't believe how fast the holidays are approaching! I am in the beginning of Christmas shopping and I think the fact that all the stores around are decorated and the music is early for the season but the weather is seasonal..I am realizing it is that time of year! Hopefully we will know soon where our next adventure is taking. Daniel is really hoping for ski country! Many good JuJu wishes to our friends and family...we miss all of you!!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Daniel! Wow how fast a year can fly and change your life! We have many many more great years to come. Daniel I love you!!!