Sister meets Spain

My sister Erica and I have an interesting, but overall healthy and relatively normal relationship.     

 I was the {typical?} older sister that always knew when she went into my room because something had moved or was different.

 The older sister that would be secretly flattered, 

 but mostly mad, when I saw my little sister wearing my clothes or jewelry.

 The older sister who voluntarily gives advice without being asked.

 The older sister who will always be supportive, 

 but will give my honest opinion even if you don't want to hear it.

The older sister who loves and cares about her little sister

even if I don't always act like it.

Who worries about her little sister because it's only natural,

but trusts her and knows deep down that she's a 'big girl' and can take care of herself

It's times like these, when your sister takes off to a different country for the summer that you realize how much you take her for granted

Because distance makes the heart grow fonder, right?

Well, clearly I already miss you and you've only been gone six days.  Hopefully your heart is growing fonder for me as well while you're off loving life in Spain.  Enjoy the food, the language, the people, the sites, and the overall culture.  I am beyond jealous, but mostly excited for you.  This is what you've always wanted to do girl, make the most of it.  Love you tons.  Don't forget to bring me back a present or three.

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-Ever been to Europe?
We are making plans for it, but haven't been yet...
-Are you a typical older sibling?
Probably

Every single one of us

The whole familia was together for a fabulous 24 hours before a few of them had to catch a flight home to Texas.  As the kids grow up and go to college and get married and graduate and have kids and get 'real' jobs in separate states...it only gets harder to meet up.  The last time we were all together was November 2011, and before that was December 2010.

Meet the newest granddog of the family--Sammy, the german shepherd mix.  What a good looking pup, I wonder how big you'll get.

And meet the girl in the jammies who gives me the title of 'aunt'.  She embraced Easter in all of its egg and candy-eating glory.

My mom was excited for these mini Easter cupcakes

Behind that red rose {thank you Jacob&Ashley} is the white rose I got from graduation.  The smaller bag of cadbury eggs is the bag I bought for myself a couple weeks ago to be sure I got some in case Z forgot to get them for me... The ginormous sized bag on the right is the one Z bought me lots of weeks ago to make up for forgetting to buy them last year...  I shouldn't have doubted you babe.

The calorie-loaded french toast, mostly thanks to its syrup.  I actually didn't have any, my stomach wasn't in the mood after my run that morning.  My loss.

Remember this post where I told you fun facts about Zuriel, including how he has sewing skills?  Well, we borrowed a sewing machine for a fews hours last weekend and Z took full advantage by patching up about seven pair of work pants.

And Monday morning, after the rest of my siblings and mom left, Tina curled into a ball and was out until the next morning.  

 I was looking for pictures of our egg toss we had in that 'dog park' area in our complex...can't find them.  But let me tell you, it was hilarious.  We also ate things besides sweets and eggs, I just forgot to take pictures for evidence.  

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-What's your favorite Easter tradition?  Do you eat food besides sweets?

I'm not sure on the first question...maybe a tie between the egg toss and the egg-coloring.  But this year I got eliminated in the first round of the egg toss, I forgot to take off my wedding ring before catching the egg.  

And some family members try to get away with sugary foods only, but my stomach is too weak-sauce for that.

Last Friday Night

cue Katy Perry...  

It was everything I thought it would be and maybe more--I was so excited to strut my stuff in that cap and gown and was also so nervous to trip or something similarly dramatic while walking.

Lining up for commencement and super excited about it

 I'm not the blonde girl next to the stairs, I'm behind her, getting my coveted diploma cover

So happy for 1) finally walking and 2) not tripping 

Proud mama, excited daughter

My little sister was there, but somehow disappeared for the group pic.

We ended the night by joining the rest of the town in finding a place to eat out.  At almost 9pm we found ourselves at a pizza, salad, and pasta buffet.  Good way to end the night before a 9-miler the next morning, we definitely fueled our bodies.

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-Did you walk when you received your bachelors/masters?  I'm happy to join the graduated gang.  For those dreaming of being apart of the gang, don't worry, it all goes by faster than you think--enjoy it!

-Anyone else a fan of pizza/salad/pasta buffets?  Don't lie.

I'm serious, it was good fueling for my morning run the next day.

What actually happened was

My anticipated, non-eventful, and homebody-type Monday evolved into almost the opposite. 

 Turned out there were errands to do, things to clean, and food to cook and bake.  It was enjoyable and the day was even better when my sister and brother&wife came over for dinner and cake to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday.  Happy Birthday to a sweet sister, who is a soon-to-be sweet mama.

just ignore the awkward candles  :)

Time in Texas

When people asked Z why he was flying to Texas for a weekend, he would tell them it was "to see the Houston Rodeo of course".  Then as a side note he would mention that he and I were running road races with my parents.

He's a city boy.  But to say he embraces the country boy life and culture is an understatement.  So as you might have guessed, he was ecstatic to see the Houston Rodeo.  

The arena -- in the Reliant stadium {I think they said it seats 80,000 people}.

Sure we didn't have the closest seats, but we loved it.

If you look closely in the next three photos, you can see the cowboy riding the bucking horse and eventually being bucked off...

Then they setup for the concert that followed, which was Luke Bryan.  We didn't think we knew who he was, but turns out we knew almost every song!  

 Spending some time outside Sunday afternoon

Once Zuriel flew home on Monday, I got to go on a couple lunch dates with mi madre since I stuck around Houston for a few extra days.  The first day was to the delicious Cheesecake Factory, it's one of my favorite restaurants.  The salad may not look as appetizing in the picture, but goodness it is delicious.  I also can never get enough of that bread...yum.

The second day we went to Pei Wei for lunch.  If you like PF Changs, you like Pei Wei.  It's practically the same thing, but a fraction of the price and in a more casual atmosphere, which is perfect for lunch dates.  Love me some curry...

My loving younger brother also took me to lunch one day to Le Madeline.  It is a cute, little french bakery place that has yummy comfort food type items...it was delicious.

Can you tell I got pampered by my family?  Well I did.  They made it a tiny bit less miserable for me to be away from Z by feeding me yummy food and spending other quality time with me.  Gracias!