The Emerald City....

I had the opportunity to escape from work last weekend to fly to Seattle and see The Westbury Family. I had such a wonderful time and needed the time away.  My work schedule has been so hectic since November and I really needed the getaway.  Plus it was so much fun to spend 4 days with my best friend and a 1 year old.

When I arrived in Seattle on Thursday, the weather was a little rainy, so we headed to grab lunch at a great spot called "Oddfellows" up on Capitol Hill.  

Estelle had a chocolate chip cookie for lunch at Oddfellows....she was loving all the people watching

Seattle is a beautiful city and Bri and I decided next time we are going to spend a day or so just in Seattle.  Once we finished lunch we headed north to Bellingham where Bri and Josh live.  It is the cutest college town and from it you can see water and mountains.  So beautiful.

My cousin Alicia and her husband Ben are in seminary right now and happen to be doing an internship in Seattle for a year.  So Friday they drove up to Bellingham to see us and spend the day catching up.  We walked all over Bellingham and played a little Skipbo, which is much slower and less exciting than any of us remembered.

I was able to be a party of Bri and Estelle's daily routine.  She must have had a GREAT nap, because she woke up with some wicked bed-head.  Josh compared it to the photo of Nick Nolte when he was arrested.  :)

Saturday Bri and I went international.  We took the LONG drive of 15 miles to the Canadian border and headed to Vancouver for the day.  I told Josh to take this picture before we left so if we disappeared, he could show them what we were wearing when we left.

Vancouver was BEAUTIFUL.  I really hope next time we can spend a couple days there.  There was this part of town called Gastown that had cobblestone streets and cute shops and restaurants.  

 It also had a great view of the bay and the mountains!!  Even in the haze it was gorgeous!

We drove through the "yuppie" part of town called Yaletown. It was very happening and we couldn't find parking so we continued on.

Then we ended up on Davie Street -- which reminded me a lot of the Montrose area of Houston.  We spent like 2 hours walking around through the area and found this cool building....

We tried to get in there to see who got to enjoy the tree on the roof -- but it was locked.

Most of Vancouver is surrounded with beaches and views like the picture above. 

A chinese sculptor made these statues around his different faces of histeria.

Of course, we also spent a lot of time around with this cuddle bug!

Such a great visit and a much needed getaway!  Can't wait to take Alex to Seattle!

A Very Important Day....

At the office and about to get some work done, but wanted to give a shout out to two VERY important people in my life that we are celebrating today...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!!

Finishing the Race for the Cure -- Celebrating 10 years cancer free!!!

The best day of my life -- it wouldn't happened without Mom and Dad

Scott can get my Mom to do ANYTHING!!

There is NO person in this world more beautiful inside and out than my wonderful mother.  She has a heart that gives unconditionally and always has sound advice and unlike her daughter, knows when to be silent and when to speak up.  :)  I love you Mom.  No words are good enough to fully appreciate the amazing creation of God that you are.  So thankful for you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TEEKS!!

Whoopin It Up at an A&M Game

Yes Baby Waters -- that is your Mom and Dad :)

Can't See Me

I miss Horseshoe Bay

Sisters in Christ

Sometimes God blesses you with a friend that you would call a fast friend, meaning you haven't known each other long but feel like you have known each other forever.  Then sometimes, he blesses you with a friend who HAS known you forever -- has seen you long before boobs and boys and will see you long after grandkids and denture cream.  Erika is one of those friends.  We have been friends since 5th grade and were able to go through college together, meet our husbands together and now we get to start families together (Erika is expecting in June and hopefully Alex and I will be following shortly).  I can't imagine life without Erika because she has been a part of life - forever.  She prays for me all the time and encourages and challenges me in  my faith.  Her and her husband are so important to Alex and I.  I love that I get to be friends with Erika.  Happy birthday sweet friend.  Its our last one in the twenties!

OK, now I am going to get to WORK!

Photo A DAY

I am still alive....in case anyone was concerned.  :)

My work schedule has been INSANE the last 60 days and won't let up for at least another month or so.  I am going to attempt to do a Photo A Day on the blog to keep me posting.  Not necc going to post every day, but will try and post twice a week.  (plus this way you won't hear -- "Today I worked 10 hours for the next 30 days."  Your welcome)

I will post soon to catch up on the first couple days of February.

I'm in love....

I have the pleasure of being Aunt Tonya to a lot of precious little ones.  Davis is very special to me and Alex and I feel so blessed to be adopted by The Knechts.  Samantha's sent this to me today....Davis misses me.  :)

Going to have to make a stop to see Davis on my way to bible study tomorrow.

Home Renovation: The Bowling Alley

Our Master Bedroom is SUPER long, so we have named it the bowling alley.  Its so funny because EVERYONE that enters first comment is "Whoa!" because its abnormally long.  One of the owners prior to us felt the need to extend this space.  That is the fun part about purchasing an old home, trying to figure out why they did what they did and how it looked originally.

Master facing the bathroom
(please take notice of the TWO doors)

Master facing the bathroom after
(now there are three doors - we moved the closet access out of the bathroom and into the bedroom)

Master from the hallway door
(this is why we call it the bowling alley -- so long)

After Pic of the back end of the master

Sitting area

Full view from this angle

Master Bath Sinks Before

Master Sinks After

Shower Area before

Shower Area After

Master Vanity After

Master Vanity Before

Home Renovations - Entry Way Before and After

 Here it is finally!!  Before and After of the home renovations.  I am going to do this in parts, so here is Part 1.

Overall the renovation was so smooth.  We used Metropolitan Construction & Design to do the whole renovation and were very pleased.  If you need a General Contractor, let me know and I will pass you along their contact information.

Leiva Home Renovation - Part 1

Entry Way 

Original Front Door

New Entry Way

Entryway - View from Front Door

New Entryway

Beautiful Stair Way

Old Stairway

New Stairway

Ok, it took a while to get the pics uploaded so that is it for part 1.  I will work on Part 2 soon.  :)

...So They Can Get Something 5K

You Get Nothing, So They Can Get Something
5K Family Fun Run/Walk

The idea is simple, let’s gather together during this season of abundance and help someone else. Someone whose life will forever change from a simple gift.

WHAT: A 5K Fun Run
WHEN: Saturday December 24th
· Check In by 7:45am
· Run/Walk will begin at 8 AM
WHERE: Memorial Park 6501 Memorial Drive Houston TX
*see below for directions and parking instructions

HOW TO REGISTER: Registration is $10.00 per person. ALL donations will go towards the ministry done by Living Water International. LWI exists to demonstrate the love of God by helping communities acquire desperately needed clean water, and to experience “living water”-the gospel of Jesus Christ. Please visit their website to learn more about the work they do: www.water.cc.

Please click here to be taken to our Living Water International Fundraising page and donate $10. Donations through this page go directly to Living Water International to provide clean water for those without any. Upon donating, you will receive a tax receipt as Living Water International is an IRS recognized non-profit.

In the ‘COMMENTS’ section of the donation page, please include which type of donor you are:
(1) Donating and will be at Memorial Park ready to run it out
(2) Donating and sleeping in for this great cause
(3) Donating and will be run/walking on my own
This will allow us to know how many people to expect at Memorial Park.

WHAT TO WEAR: Please wear a blue shirt to the Fun Run.

WHAT WILL BE PROVIDED: A starting point and end point, a mapped out route (look for the blue balloons), a motivation to get fit, a sense of community. Other than that, nothing. Please bring water or refreshments you may require.

WHAT TO DO: Spread the word!!! We encourage you to make this a family event! Get some fresh air and start your Christmas off right!

We look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve Morning!! If you need anything, do not hesitate to contact Tonya Leiva at 832.492.1962 or email tonya.leiva@gmail.com.

*Directions and Parking:
We will be starting and ending the 5K across the parking lot from the Memorial Fitness Center, near the softball field. (click here to see a map).

Directions from 610:
-Exit Memorial, heading east (towards downtown).
-Turn left onto E. Memorial Loop Drive – this will be the third light after getting on Memorial from 610.
-Turn right onto Arnot Street. Parking lot is immediately on your left. Look for tent with blue balloons.