Cameron & Chelsea

post - gobble gobble in georgia

2012-11-29T15:20:00.000-08:00

The last few days we spent in Georgia was spent making my mom's cookie dough so we can bring it back to Texas for us to enjoy, loving on Myers, and enjoying some down time before we made the 13 hr drive back on Sunday. Yes, two hours longer due to Thanksgiving traffic. Not fun. We were so over the car by the time we made it home.

two of my favorites

the only 20 month old I know that doesn't use a sippy cup - a cup and a straw is the only way this kid will drink.

"uncle cam - like this!"

good old Waffle House for breakfast

Cameron was the only one that could mix all the goodness in the cookie dough. And Myers wanted to help taste test it.

One of the sweetest and thoughtful gifts I have ever been given. Charity made it for my for Christmas. It's 42 inches by 42 inches. It - is - huge. I was shocked that Cameron was able to fit it in the Corolla and it made it home untouched. It's navy, my wedding color, and the edges are coral which was Charity's wedding color - and a meaningful word for inside the heart. I find myself staring at it several times during the day. It makes a huge statement in the living room. I am one blessed girl to have a sister like I do in my life. Sisters are the best.

Thanksgiving Day

2012-11-29T15:07:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving morning Charity, Derek, Myers, Cameron & I all went and hiked Kennesaw Mountain before we stuffed our faces full of food later that day. A little tradition we started a few years ago after Charity and Derek moved to Marietta for a bit. The house was full of people. My aunt, uncle and his family, and my Mimi all came over to join on the delicious feast that my mom prepared.

our sorority joke picture

everybody gathered before we ate and gained another notch in our belts.

literally right after we ate, Dad already started falling asleep at the table

pre-gobble gobble in georgia

2012-11-29T14:59:00.002-08:00

Cameron and I spent Thanksgiving in Georgia this year with my parents and my sister and her little family. We made the 11 hr drive on Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Cam and I are road trip experts by now. Best part about driving out for the holidays?! Bringing back a cooler full of your moms sweet potato souffle, stuffing, and lots of cookie dough (sorry Charity & Derek...kinda but not really). We were finally able to give Myers some spoiling and loving. Funniest little boy and he loves his Uncle Cameron. Watching the two of them interact was one of my favorite parts of the trip, oh and hearing Myers say "Che-sea" for the first and only time so far. Stinker.

anytime the broom comes out, he runs to grab the dust pan to help.

he's been saying "Oreo" for a while now - but he made me wait till the last day for him to say my name...

visiting my dad at his shop

we were at home depot since the day before Thanksgiving we decided to build a new pantry ;) Myers loved watching the big saw. I think this was the same expression for a good ten minutes or so.

Camping

2012-11-21T11:41:00.001-08:00

Friday we went to Lake Lavon with Cameron's parents, Jon & Wendy and their kids. The weather was cool & crisp and perfect for camping. It was great being able to see the stars at nighttime. The kids loved it and I'm pretty sure the adults loved it too.

October

2012-11-07T16:47:00.000-08:00

October recap:

We spent lots of time loving on some of our nephews...

took them to watch airplanes land...

did some karaoke. obviously cameron has some mad skill.

went to the Texas State fair...

saw some awesome halloween decorations...

carved our first pumpkin since we've been married...

lunch dates...

got mario, luigi, and a zombie ready to go to the trunk or treat...

and had our 4th Halloween together. best first date ever where we stayed up talking late and Cameron told me all about his family and his nieces and nephews. Little did I know that those nieces and nephews would be mine too one day. I am one lucky girl.

My & Bubs

2012-08-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

**This post is dedicated to Charity & Kristen - since they have both asked for it.

After my trip to NYC to visit Cam, I headed to Atlanta/Athens to visit my family to keep me occupied while he was away. This post may be picture over load, mainly because these two boys are too sweet for words. The first half of my visit I stayed with my sister is Athens since both my parents work during the day, and spent a long weekend in Woodstock before heading back to Dallas. Charity has some of the best neighbors, and we joke that she lives in Pleasantville. One of her neighbors, Kristen, has a little boy, Myles, that is 6 weeks younger than Myers and they are the funniest little boys together. I loved spending every second with these boys.

sorry Bubs, I really don't know why you're so blurry in the picture

NYC - 3

2012-08-23T14:54:00.001-07:00

Friday night we decided to go to Times Square and see the lights at night time. So many people and so many lights. One thing we can check off our list of places we've seen.

apparently we aren't as hard to find as I thought we were - both our moms found us right off the bat.

eh - I have a thing for lego Hulks.

Georgia

2012-08-20T13:40:00.001-07:00

After New York City, I flew to Georgia to spend a week with my family. Plus I got to give lots of loving to my sweet little MyMy.

NYC - 2

2012-08-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

Cameron luckily has weekends free from training so we were able to spend all of Saturday exploring the city. We started the day off with walking to the South Street Seaport, and got tickets to go see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway for that evening. The streets around the area was flooded with street vendors, small markets, and tons and tons of people. We spent a good portion of the morning just walking the streets and seeing some sites. It is so hot in New York walking in between all the buildings so we went back to our room to cool off and rest up before we went to see the show.

For dinner we had a delicious hamburger from the Shake Shack - seriously so yummy. Their special custard of the day was Salted Caramel - one of mine and Cameron's favorite flavors. I highly recommend this place if you're ever in the area. The Shake Shack was literally right across the street from the Majestic Theatre where we went to see Phantom of the Opera. This was my second time seeing this show on Broadway, but Cameron's first. And it was even better than I remembered. Incredible. Beautiful. Fantastic. Ah - not enough adjectives to describe it really, it's definitely something to experience if you ever get the chance. After the show ended we decided to head up to Times Square and see the lights at night time. It's unreal how bright that area is at 11 at night. Wow. We then headed to see a comedy show not far from Times Square. Overall it was a pretty good show, minus the last two comedians and the two Jersey girls next to us. The accents here are just awful. Nails on the chalkboard. We left the show midway through the last comedian, and spent an hour on the subway, and finally got back around 2:30 in the morning. Totally unlike us.

A few things I've noticed about this city:

The accents - Jersey, Brooklyn, New York - awful. They're driving me nuts.
People don't serve ice in their drinks like they do in the south. The drinks aren't nearly as cold here as they're served in the south. Cam & I both LOVE our drinks cold cold cold.
Also, they air conditioning in the shops aren't as well as they are in the south. This city is way too hot with all the concrete for the A/C's not to be crankin' on high.
I am such a southern girl and I love the south, the manners, accents, and the service. I already knew this, but coming to the north always reaffirms this for me.
This city really is a fun place to experience and to visit. There are a ton of things to do and to see. But I am thankful I don't live here full time.

NYC - Day 1

2012-08-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

Cameron has a 3 week training program in New York City for his new job. He will be working with RBC (Royal Bank of Canada) Capital Markets in their Dallas office. So now I have the opportunity to visit him for a few days and explore the city with him this weekend. Next week I'll be off to Georgia to visit my family for a week. I gotta do something while he's gone so I don't go stir crazy - no better way to spend it than traveling.

I arrived in NYC yesterday after 12 hours of traveling. I left the apartment at 4:20 am with a short 10 minute taxi ride to Dallas Love Field. I flew to Baltimore with a nice long 3 hour layover before my final hour long flight to the city. I had the opportunity to sit next to a sailor who was escorting one of his men home after giving his life for our country's freedom. It was one of the hardest and powerful conversations that I have ever had with a perfect stranger. My heart was aching hearing about the fallen sailor's life - he was only 24 years old. His mother died a few years ago from cancer so his father is his only living family left. As we landed, the first thing I saw from the window was several police cars, a hearse, and several men and women dressed in their sailor white uniforms. The flight attendant asked everyone to remain in their seats as the sailor next to me and the pilot walked off the plane to escort the casket. It was truly moving and a beautiful experience to witness. Truly put things into perspective.

After unloading and getting my luggage I then took a taxi ride to the hotel that Cameron is staying. Our view from our room is over looking Ground Zero. The site is unbelievable. They are building two new towers that are a site to see. Just beautiful. And the memorial is incredible. We can see the site from our room, and seeing people flooding in all day long to see for themselves. Cameron and I were talking last night as we were walking the streets around the site about 9/11 and just trying to imagine what it would have been like to be here on that day. In one of his training sessions yesterday somebody told him that on 9/11 part of the plane's wings hit the RBC building.

We spent last night walking through the financial district, and walking down Wall Street which Cameron loved being able to see. He is so thrilled to be working with RBC and is so excited for this next step in his career.

I had literally just gotten out of the taxi after traveling for 12 hours and thrilled to see Cameron

Walking to go see the Statue of Liberty

there are a ton of random little gardens like this around the city that we've seen

one of the new towers they are building. Cameron is in the building directly to the left and our hotel is the one on the right.

our hotel

Just ignore the lady hanging on the horns - no biggie

chapter 2

2012-07-27T12:59:00.001-07:00

Well, we have officially been moved into our new apartment for a week now. We were so sad to leave Austin. It was such an awesome city and we loved every moment of it. It's where we built our marriage foundation and became us. We know that we were so spoiled with Cameron's plush 40 hour work week when he'd be home everyday by 4:10 and we would have the rest of the evening to have adventures. Even while we were there we knew that we would look back at those days with fondness and wish for them again - so we never took a day for granted. Austin - you were so good to us. I miss you already.

We now live in Dallas - I'm still having a hard time accepting that we live in here. It's so crazy to me. We live just north of downtown. Cameron works in the heart of downtown and his office is only 4 miles away from where we live so he never has to take highway to work which is super nice. He has a nice 10-15 minute commute to work. Now he only has to worry about timing the red lights correctly. Cameron has four brothers and his parents in the area so it's nice that we will have so much family nearby. One thing I am so excited about is being able to see the family and our nieces and nephews so often now which will be so nice for us.

Our first sweet visitors coming to keep me company as I'm learning this new city

happy 4th!!

2012-07-04T21:48:00.002-07:00

happy birthday America - I am glad you were born

home

2012-07-03T11:18:00.003-07:00

Today marks our two year anniversary of living in Austin. So much has happened, and we have grown so much as a couple. Austin has such a special place in our hearts, and we adore everything about this place. We love the area, our ward, and our little apartment we call home. Austin is where we began our married life, and where we built our marriage foundation. We couldn't have been more blessed.

Plain and simple - we love Austin.

our very first day in Austin, and what we started with

and this is what we have built - a home

i couldn't imagine taking this journey with anybody else.

Golfing & the Rangers

2012-06-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

Instead of working on some assignments, I've decided to do a little blog updating of our weekend up in Dallas. Anything is better than writing up a paper, even writing up a blog post ironically enough... So last Thursday we decided to spend the weekend in Dallas so we packed up, and embarked on the 3 hour drive to the parents house. We spent Friday playing golf with Logan in good old Greenville at Wright Park. I loved being able to play golf at the same place Cameron played when he was on his high school golf team and hearing the stories he had to tell about his high school days. It's always so awesome hearing those stories about your husband's teenage days.

would you believe he didn't make that easy putt? ;)

Cam getting ready to drive

I can't believe Logan is that much taller than I am already!

Saturday night the three of us went to my first Texas Rangers game. We had rockin' seats at the very top near the 3rd base line. Probably the highest I've ever sat at a baseball game, but it was nice not having anybody directly behind us and the breeze was awesome. The Rangers played the Astros, and of course the Rangers won. Crazy though - I have now seen the Astros play at Turner Field, Minute Maid Park, and now Arlington - and each time I've been rooting against them and every time they've lost. The game was awesome, besides the loud obnoxious guy two rows in front of us who had at least 20 beers. Annoying.

I sure do love the life we live together.

love

2012-06-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

engagement two year

memorial weekend

2012-06-01T13:26:00.000-07:00

We spent a nice long weekend in Dallas over memorial weekend. Cameron spent Friday playing in a golf tournament with some of his brothers for the high school golf team, and I went over to Allen to see Margo and her twin girls. And it happened to be my first time driving in Dallas alone, which is a small success in my book. Driving in Dallas always overwhelms me. On Saturday, Cameron and Jon spent a good 5-6 hours working on the 4runner - changing the 02 sensor, the oil, ect... (to be honest - I really don't know what all they did, I just know they were covered in grease and oil).

Monday I ran in the Patriot 5k, and Wendy ran the half marathon which she's now trying to convince me to do a half with her. After the race, the boys decided that the breaks needed changing and a few other things that would only take 3-4 hours, and that ended up being a good 9-10 hours due to a few hiccups. But they got done what they needed to, and we were about to make it to Austin with no problem. Thanks again Wendy for letting us steal your husband on Memorial Day. Y'all rock and we love you.

Don't worry - the duct tape is gone. That's the first thing I asked too.

This was photographed by Will - he says it's abstract.

My biggest cheerleaders.

"Wendy - why did you convince me to do this again??" ;)

"Aunt Chelsea - Remember how we take pictures on your tomputer?? Yeah it's fun. Let's take pictures."

mush gush

2012-05-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

2 years we have been Mr & Mrs Cameron B Thatcher

2 of my favorite years

2 of the most fun & pure happiness years

2 awesome people to be together for time and all eternity

2 is a good number, and I'm glad we are here. But I am excited to grow old, have a front porch and sit in our rocking chairs and gain some more numbers after that 2.

how long are we called newlyweds? because i'm not sure, and i'm really loving this stage of our lives together.

"where you invest your love, you invest your life"

thanks for the words Mumford & Sons. couldn't have said it better myself.

bunch of randomness to play catch up

2012-05-11T15:29:00.000-07:00

April was a crazy month here in the Thatcher home. We spent Easter up in Dallas and got to love on all of our sweet nieces and nephews, and celebrate Ed's 60th birthday. My spring semester ended this week, and now I can breathe for a few weeks before summer semester starts.

Oh Owen - you are such a funny kid.

Watching all the Thatcher boys play a game of basketball.

Best buds. Their relationship is the sweetest.

um yeah - this guy loves popcorn so naturally we had to get the largest bag possible at the Pecan Street Festival in downtown Austin.

The reason I hate philosophy. This stupid quiz took me 6 - SIX - painful hours for 15 questions....

I really just love this picture of my honey.

30

2012-03-20T20:25:00.001-07:00

My sister turned the big 3-0 in March. I found the idea on pinterest in October to gather letters from thirty people from her life whether from her past or present to write a letter. I started the project in early December to help ensure I'd have all the letters in time, and that it was ready in time for her birthday. I sent out messages to people by e-mail and by facebook. I explained to them what I was doing, and if they would write a memory they have with her. I left the format completely open and had them write it anyway they wished. Some people wrote their favorite memories or expressed their love and appreciate for their friendship with her. Many people e-mailed their responses to me or sent by snail mail. So many people were so sweet and clever with it. Some sent in pictures, and others sent in sweet cards. I gathered letters from her kindergarten teacher, her best friend from 8 - 18 years old, old boyfriends, family and friends who are like family, and friends from every chapter of her life. I loved being able to read the letters, and they all shared a common topic about what a wonderful and loving person she is.

Happy Birthday Charity!

I am so thankful you're stuck with me forever :)

Char & My visit Austin

2012-03-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

Charity and Myers flew in from Atlanta on Sunday afternoon. We were so excited we couldn't even stand it. On the way home from the airport we drove through downtown and grabbed some delicious pizza at Home Slice (definitely one of our favorite pizza places in Austin). We rested some, and found an awesome hiking trail not far from our place so we spent the rest of the afternoon just exploring.

We had the windows down, radio on, and he was just singing away for us.

It has been such a treat having my sister and sweet nephew visit us in Austin. He's been such a trooper sleeping in his little pack n play in the corner of the living room. Cameron took Myers out on the patio tonight before bed and they star gazed and puppy watched. Myers even started walking while he was here within the first 10 minutes of being at our place. It's been so fun watching him stumble and giggle while he's been learning. We're sorry you've had to miss it Derek! Hope we've taken enough video to make up for it, somewhat.

This boy couldn't drink his green smoothie fast enough.

Saturday afternoon

2012-03-03T20:17:00.001-08:00

Today was a glorious 70 degrees. So Cam and I spent the afternoon walking throughout downtown and doing some window shopping mixed with people watching. Austin is such a fun unique town and we grow to love it more and more everyday we live here.

Valentines

2012-02-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!!

love

2012-02-10T20:46:00.001-08:00

round 2

2012-01-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Cameron started this tradition our first Christmas in 2010, and I am absolutely in love with it. He creates a slideshow of our pictures from the year, sets them to music, and lets me reminisce till my hearts content.

View : here!

Happy Sunday!!

2012

2012-01-05T10:31:00.000-08:00

We spent New Years in Dallas with Cameron's side of the family.

Highlights of the weekend:

BYU vs Tulsa bowel game. BYU won in the last five minutes (which was the most exciting point of the entire game...)
Spending the day with Debbie & Summer while the boys were riding horses.
Game nights.
Ringing in the New Year at midnight with Ben & Summer and Jon, Wendy & Will(iam). ;)
Spending New Years Day with tons of food, family, and games.

I like to call this a successful way to say goodbye to 2011 and welcome 2012.

I am really sad this photo is blurry, but I love these kiddos faces.