Texas State Aquarium

Mitchell and I also went to the Texas State Aquarium. I think this was my all-time favorite place to go growing up. My dad and I even volunteered here on weekends for a while. I learned a lot about the marine life on display and it was so much fun to see Mitchell's first impressions as we walked through all the exhibits. I think the touch pools were his favorite. :)

 Look at that sexy profile!

 It's always fun to hold hermit crabs!

 Bubble bubble!

 Check out this massive crab!

 Here's me posing with Hans the sand tiger shark. We're old friends.

 Piranhas

 Bird-Eating Spider - it's the size of a dinner plate

 Lion's Mane Jellies

 Moon Jellies (these are my favorite)

 The rescued dolphin exhibit. We watched the dolphin show and then went to the underground observation room. HUGE walls of plexiglass make you feel like you're right there in the tank with the dolphins. The trainers gave the dolphins huge 5 gallon blocks of ice and fish to encourage intellectual stimulation.

 I've always loved playing with the otters through the plexiglass wall. Unfortunately, none of those pictures came out very well, so I'll have to settle for this one. Such fond memories.

At the ray and shark touch tank. This cownose ray was really friendly and kept passing by really close to the edge of the tank. None of the sharks were interested in moving.

USS Lexington

Mitchell and I headed out to visit the USS Lexington - a retired aircraft carrier. :) We had a great time exploring the whole floating museum and watched an IMAX movie about Red Flag - the US Air Force's version of the Navy's Top Gun program. Pretty neat! I grew up climbing all over the Lex so it was awesome to show Mitchell one of my favorite places.

 There's the Lex!

 The long walk up to the bay doors...

 Mitchell couldn't resist this massive anti-aircraft gun. Don't worry, it isn't functional. 

 My best impression of General George S. Patton

Mitchell's more accurate version of Patton... less smiling. :)

 Me sitting in the Captain's Chair!

 "Are you sure I'm doing this right?"

I can't wait to marry this guy!

Frisbee Golf with the Heaths

I love my future in-laws! It's been so fun to get to know them! Apparently, Frisbee Golf is a favorite among the Heaths and I was woefully ignorant of this most awesome game. Thankfully, it's been pretty easy to catch on to. My quirky wrist flick method for launching my frisbees made quite the impression too. It was fun to teach Tammy and Mitchell how to flick a frisbee. 

 We are going to make such cute babies!

 I love this man!

 My frisbee landed smack at the bottom of this massive ditch on my very first flick. CRAP!

 Jeff is explaining the rules for Frisbee Golf... and Colton is hilarious

 Apparently I walk with my hands on my thighs like this a lot. Mitchell thinks it's funny.

Such a pretty park with tons of trees and this pretty little bridge

Utah Bridal Shower!

My awesome friends Megan and Milla threw a bridal shower for me right before we headed back to Texas. It was so much fun! There were presents and a fun game that involved bubble gum... lots and LOTS of bubble gum. Mitchell had been asked a series of get-to-know you questions (favorite color, shoe size, eye color, etc) by Milla and I had to guess what answers he gave. If I guessed wrong, I had to put a piece of double bubble gum in my mouth.

 *Buzzer!!* Wrong Answer!

Taking a break... lettin' it all hang out to give my poor mandibular muscles a break from chewing

 The final count - 8 pieces of gum! What a chew!

From left to right: Me, Megan's friend (can't remember her name), Megan, Metta and Milla