Dear Lucas,

'And in the end, it's not
the years in your life that count.
It's the life in your years.'

-Abraham Lincoln

Happy Birthday, Lucas!

We've shared almost two years of our life together now as husband and wife. I can't wait to keep growing old with you (only maybe we can slow down the aging process a little).

You are so patient


and kind,

humble,

wise (beyond your many years),


loyal,

faithful,

honest,

and patient (did I say that already? well he has to be really patient with me).

I am so lucky to have you as my partner.

We are just beginning our life together and there is much more to come.....

hint! hint!
(no ladies not yet but maybe one day soon)

Thank you for being so good to me. You are more than anyone could ever deserve. Really. I love you to the ends of the earth and back and so much more.

Love,

Your Favorite Wife ;)



P.S. Thank you for letting me get my hair done on your special day ;)

P.P.S. ROLL TIDE!!!

2 Down, 2 To Go

So I just finished reading New Moon. The plan was to read it over Thanksgiving break. That didn't happen. We talked and shopped (and watched a good football game) and left no time for reading. I picked it up a little on the ride home and have read bits and pieces here and there to finish it up.

I must say - I did not care for this one as much. I'm afraid to tell you why because I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it yet. I still love the characters and can't wait to dig into the next book and find out what will happen to everyone. BUT - I think I could've done without half the book. I guess you can say I am firmly on 'TEAM EDWARD'.

Lucas has now decided he is on 'TEAM JACOB' even though he hasn't even read it. I just tell him briefly what's going on and he rolls his eyes and disagrees with whatever I say. Haha! Typical Man! So we are a split household! I need one of those license plates like they have for Auburn and Alabama families but ours will be for Jacob and Edward.

(Sometimes I swear I can feel the geekiness oozing out of me! Or maybe that's just the blisters on the bottom of my feet. Gross! I know. Marathon - yes, I'm killing myself running 26 miles - in 9 days!)

Oh, and I forgot......

ROLL TIDE!!!!


Hey Tigers!
Hey Tigers!
We just beat the hell outta you!
Rammer Jammer Yellowhammer
Give 'em hell Alabama!

(Sorry for that.... we've had a six year drought so we have to celebrate a little. Undefeated, baby! Bring it on Tebow! Bring It!!)

A Great Thanksgiving

There was a lot of fun, a lot of food, and a whole lot of shopping! (I may have to show you some of my great deals soon. You really won't believe it. I'll just say - 'Merry Christmas to me!') Lucas and I headed to the beach with my parents and grandparents for a great Thanksgiving tradition. Here we are buying some fresh shrimp and crab cakes! Yumm!

I am thankful for my family.

To All My Blogging Friends

May beautiful moments and happy memories
surround you with joy this Christmas!

~Lucas and Ashley
(and Rafa)


A warm Christmas greeting to Brooke @ Everyday Bailey. She's an old college teammate of mine who inspired me to start my own blog after finding hers through MySpace. She is a military wife who has lived all over but now resides in Texas. The best news - she is expecting a precious baby girl in about 3 months - Baby Rachel. Please go visit Brooke and wish her and her family a very Merry Christmas!

Also, a special Christmas greeting to Heather and Tiffany @ SITS for hosting this wonderful Christmas greetings link fest! Check them out at the 'Merry SITSmas' extravaganza today! There could be a $200 Target gift card and special feature in store for you.



The next Merry SITSmas greeting comes from Mamarazzi @ Dandelion Wishes.

Fa La La La La La, La La La La

I'd like to introduce you to a few of my friends.....

Hello there, little guy. Nice to see you again!

Same ole' stroke, eh?

Hello Skater Dude and Dudette! I always love you!

And my words and barn stars (big and small), too!!!

Wow! How beautiful you are!
(Haha! My parents gave us this ornament last year. They are always giving us little sentimental ornaments.)

Hello, little reindeer! Our good friends Chris and Aida bought us this little gem after I commented on her cute ornament that was very similar. Great gift!

And here is a new addition to our holidays - another tennis Santa. A recent gift from my mom!

And another new ornament from my parents. It's Rafa!

Since this is obviously going to be an annual thing I took a sharpie to the back of each ornament my parents have given to us and added the date so I'll always remember which ones are from them and when they gave it to us. Sweet!

So now that all of these guys are out.. you know what that means. I did put up my Christmas tree. I normally go way overboard but this year I'm just sticking to our fun family Christmas tree in the family room. I normally have an extravagant (what I consider it to be anyway) Santa tree in the living room and another poinsettia tree on the front porch but not this year. At least we have this cute tree to snuggle up by the fire and admire and get in the holiday spirit! So.... without furter ado, I give you the Linares Family Christmas Tree of 2008. (I feel like this is the part where Clark cuts the rope and the branches go flying through the windows and knocking over lamps. Little full! Lotta sap! Okay, sorry, you all are going to have to put up with my Christmas Vacation memoirs!)


But why stop there? After seeing this @ The Nesting Place, I knew I wanted to try to steal borrow this idea as best I could. So I attempted my first lighted and way overstuffed garland!

What do you think?



I can't seem to get a good picture of it.... here are some more angles:

(Remember this beautiful barn star I won from Wendy. I found it a holiday home! I've been saving it for this until I find it a more permanent home.)

And some shots of our family room with the tree and garland.

Is it too early to say Merry Christmas? :)

Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Straight from the turkey's mouth ;)