Rachel's Visit & WHO DAT!?!?!

I was so excited to hear that Rachel was going to come visit for the MLK holiday! Her flight got in around 11:30 on Saturday, just in time to make it downtown to watch the Saints first play off game! We had a blast at the Yard House along with Danny eating, drinking and singing sad songs to the Arizona fans! The days following were so rainy (record setting since 2005). Touring around was wet, and trying to get into good lunch places was a little on the easy side! We were able to do all the fun sightseeing things in Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice. An amazing time to say the least. I was so sad to see her go on Wednesday. It was great having one of my best friends around.


The following weekend was second biggest game in Saints history (next week being the biggest). I stayed home where I could be relaxed and watch our victory over the Vikings! I like to think the Saints are trying to put the oldies into retirement; one down, one to go (although he could retire and then come back again...)! It was also awesome to see Deuce as an honorary captain! Next week will be a blast to watch I'm sure! GEAUX SAINTS!!!!

Birthday Surprises

I was lucky enough to celebrate my birthday twice! Once on the actual day, Jan 5, and the other that following Saturday. On the day of, Danny surprised me with a MacBook! I almost died and didn't want to go out to dinner! We did make it out to Primitivo for tappas and sangrias. My absolute favorite! It was a wonderful nice evening with my sweet Danny.


That Saturday we made it out to Shangri-La to the posh rooftop bar that overlooks the ocean. I was able to spend the evening with all my good friends who all had a blast. Not to mention the bar tender didn't charge people for half their drinks so it turned out very inexpensive :) The coolest part was the next week on the Bachelor, they had gone out to that hotel for one of the group dates! Luckily my friend Lauren, the avid Bachelor fan was on top of that one and let me know it was on. All and all I had an amazing birthday!


http://www.shangrila-hotel.com/

Christmas/New Years Vacation

"An Oxford Sunset"


"Neely's BBQ"


"Happy New Years"


"The Family"


"Christmas Day"



I was lucky enough to take a long trip back to Mississippi! I managed to sneak in trips to Brookhaven, Memphis and Oxford while I was back. Not to mention plenty of couch time in Crystal Springs. Danny traveled back with me and had a blast. He fits in so well with my brothers, lethargic on the couch while watching countless hours of football and Sports Center while flipping on his laptop to check out various message boards. Needless to say, we had a relaxing trip.
Christmas was spent with my all my brothers, Matt, Andrew, and Jon and my sister in law Fran. My Aunt Avis and Uncle David also drove up for the day from the Gulf Coast and of course my parents were there. We had a good time eating and opening presents and showing Danny a Southern Christmas. We ate till we popped.
Come the 30th, we headed up to Memphis for Danny's first trip there. We packed ourselves Pimento and Cheese sandwiches and sweet tea for the long drive up. We stayed with Marianne and made our way out on the town after we got there. For New Year's Eve we went to Majestic Grille for a midnight dinner and welcomed in 2010. Our thin skin made it hard for us to continue the party out (not to mention cover charges and places to party were more than we cared to pay). It was around 32 degrees! YIKES!
We did some fun Memphis things the next day. We watched football at Hooters, attempted at Diver at Silky's on Beale St, ate Soul Burgers and Ernestine and Hazels (which was a brothel back in the day), and tuckered out. On the way out of Memphis, we stopped at the Neely's BBQ and stuffed our little faces. With a quick detour to Oxford, MS, Danny then began to realize I was in love with that town. He was able to capture a beautiful sunset and the water tower. He'd never seen one of those tall tower things with a big ball on the top.
Leaving is never easy, but I know I'll be home soon for Semmes' birth. If you couldn't tell by the picture, Fran is due in about 6 weeks, so we'll have to come back to welcome in the newest Strehlow. Reflecting back, It is very clear that I am very blessed with a wonderful life.