Friday Night Lights!!!

Last weekend Eric and I were invited by Eric's colleague to a high school football game.  I know many of you reading from NY think, what's the big deal!?  Well, in TX, high school football is a HUGE deal.  Such a big deal that the school district where we watched the game had seating for 11,000.  Seriously.  Not only was this a high school game, what they call "Friday Night Lights" but it was also the Homecoming Football game of the team of Eric's colleague's son.   In TX, at the Homecoming game, (and I was told all week at school),  the girls and guys wear these corsages.  I can't even do them justice by explaining it to you so please, just look at the photos below. 

 They've got season seats on the 50 yard-line

 Yes, this is a jumbo-tron, for a HS football game!!!!

 The very large booklet they handed out

 The Marching Band of the other team

 Very impressive show

 Crowning of the Homecoming Queen and King

 Start of the 3rd quarter.....what an entrance!!

And the beginning of the "mum" corsages

 The boys wear an arm garter and the girls wear corsages

 Showcasing the students...again, this is HS football

 Huge mum corsage....must've cost a lot!

 Another huge corsage

Eric and I enjoyed the experience.  We loved how there were so many spectators and everyone was really into the entire thing.  It was a fun community.  We will definitely be back for more again soon!

A walk not to be forgotten...

Yesterday, Eric and I proudly participated in the Houston Alzheimer's Association Walk in honor of "Pop" Pickett, Eric's Grandfather who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and in memory of my Great-Aunt "Auntie" Cole.   Thank you to all of you who donated to support our cause, we are so grateful for your support.   

We formed a team of 9 and walked a 3-mile loop around downtown.  There were over 4,000 participants marching proudly.    We are able to accept donations until December 1.  Please message me if you would like to contribute.

Afterwards we hit the farmer's market with our team and then Backstreet Cafe for brunch, clad in our purple participant shirts and let me say, we had so many people asking us when the walk was, how they could be a part of it and their story of a family member's struggle with this devastating disease.   For more information on Alzheimer's Disease and how you can help visit alz.org

Eric and Pop this summer

 Team Yankees...Pop's favorite!

Our team

 Jen & Mark, me and Eric, Thuyvi and Andy, Shannon, Jessie and Brielle...thank you so much everyone!

Our team posing as the 1st place team :)

Thanks again Team Yankees for walking with us!  Until next year!

Fall fun in Houston

I really do love the fall (well, I like Indian summers)...it can be an amazing time of year.  I've found that I especially love the fall here in Houston because it's more like summer in NY, love!  It's not that I don't enjoy the fall in NY, because, believe me, I do..and I'd love to be there experiencing the fall foliage this year (and every year), but it's really what comes after the fall that I don't like.  Sure, the snow is pretty but after months of the cold, well, it's just too much for me.  Enough of that, back to the fall in Houston...80s, sunny and a bit of a breeze each day = a very happy Jennie!    

We've got our house decorated a bit with pumpkins and "fall" smells and it's just a fun time and comforting feeling.  I made a yummy apple crisp last night (it was so yummy, I forgot to take a pic, sorry!) and soon come in the pumpkin carving and pumpkin pie...yummy!!

amazing smelling candles and fall potpourri

 Two weeks ago we went to the Greek Festival with our friends Jen and Greg.  Let me tell you, this was one of the most awesome Greek Festivals I've attended.  There was a huge crowd, a variety of delicious Greek food (one of my faves), Greek music, warm evening temps and all around a good time.  

The next week we found out there was an Italian festival that weekend...booo yah!  I was pumped!  Italian and Greek festivals in one week?!  I was in heaven.  Well, we ended up at the Italian festival with our Doha friends Jackie and Mark only to be supremely disappointed by basically everything.  I'm sorry Italians in Houston, this event was not very, well, Italian.  The food was mediocre, there was a band (always a plus) but big no-no, it was playing American music, and it just didn't have an "Italian" vibe..sorry, but it was a big disappointment. 

Football season is also officially upon us as well so Eric is very happy now that we're back in the US and have access to the NFL channel each and every Sunday.   J-E-T-S!!! J-E-T-S!!! J-E-T-S!!!

Here's to more fall fun!

Xindi + Arturo Get Married

This weekend we had the pleasure of going to the wedding of two friends Eric met through work.  

Eric met Xindi and Arturo in 2008 while they were all in Houston for a 3-month long training...which is how Xindi and Arturo met.  After the training, Eric moved back to NY for work and Danny (Eric's brother) ended up becoming Arturo's roommate.   We were so honored to receive an invite for this wedding.  Xindi is originally from China and Arturo is originally from Peru.  It was such an international event with their respective families from China and Peru,  including a wedding and reception-long skype call with Xindi's grandparents in China, friends from all over the US and world, complete with a special drink from Peru and traditional tea ceremony (dress and all).  

It couldn't have been a more perfect day up at Lake Conroe.  There was a slight breeze and the temperature was perfect for the evening ceremony. 

Views..

 Flower girl all the way from Peru

 Loved, loved, loved her dress!!  The back was gorgeous!!!

 It was really so sweet the way the bride and groom looked at eachother...so heartfelt.

 Gli sposi!  Mr. & Mrs!

 Brothers

Danny had the honor of being an usher as well as the MC announcing the wedding party as well as explaining the tea ceremony.  He's got a great voice....a side-career for the future perhaps?

 Meg & Dan

 The four of us

 First dance

 Danny MCing, nice job, Dan!

 Arturo's parents were the cutest.  They handed out such great favors, shot glasses from Peru with their names on it.  His parents were distributing them to everyone so proudly.

 Danny caught the garter!

 Something very funny

 Great shot

The grand exit!  

Congratulations on your wedding Xindi and Arturo!  We are so happy to have been a part of such a joyous occasion!!  Here's to many years of happiness!!!