Stella & Dot

Hello everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I have become a stylist for Stella & Dot, a boutique style jewelry company that sells through independent stylists like myself through trunk shows, online orders, or individually. I have enjoyed staying at home with Bryson but wanted to make a little extra income at the same time. Selling this beautiful jewelry has helped me achieve both those goals (plus I absolutely love the jewelry for myself!). So if you are interested in some great jewelry or know someone that is (they make great gifts!), please pass my name and info along. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. You can also check out my website for more info. Thank you for your time!

Tiffany Parker
Stella & Dot Stylist, ID: 103292

www.stelladot.com/tiffanyparker

tiffanyparker6@att.net

P.S. If you are interested in hosting a trunk show or you would like to become a stylist also, please let me know! There are great incentives involved!

5th Anniversary: San Antonio

This year I surprised Ryan with a trip to San Antonio. Of all the years we have lived in this area, we both had never really done any of the tourist-y stuff San Antonio has to offer. I was pretty sure Ryan knew we were going to San Antonio, so to confuse him a little (so that there was some element of surprise) we went to Wimberly first.

In Wimberly we did a zipline adventure. It was so much fun and def a new way to see the hill country. We were there in the morning so the heat wasn't too bad either.

Getting ready to go up the trail- we look so spiffy in our gear :)


There goes Tiff


Pretty view- its even prettier as you zip through it all :)

Then we headed to S.A. where we visited the beautiful missions:

Mission Concepcion: thats the name of the mission- not the goal for the weekend, too soon for that!

This mission was not built for people Ryan's size

Mission San Jose

The infamous rose window (if you've never been to S.A. this window is replicated all throughout the city)

Ryan walking around San Jose

Tiffany with the San Jose arches

When I told Ryan that this mission had a grist mill, he was hoping for some ribs and burgers, I had to let him down when I showed him that a grist mill isn't just a restaurant in Gruene.

Mission San Juan- This one was not as pretty as the others and much smaller

Espada Aquaduct

You are looking at what could have been my most embarassing moment. This is the top of the aquaduct which is covered in lime green algae. I had a blonde moment and thought they covered the top in green turf, like at a mini golf course, so that people could walk across it. Luckily as I'm about to jump on to it, Ryan read the sign that said, "do not walk on aquaduct." We threw a rock into it just to make sure, because it did NOT look like water at all. That was some thick algae!

The last mission: Espada (It was nice but very small- I would just go see Concepcion and San Jose if I had to do it again)

We drove to each of the missions (they have a hike and bike trail but it was way too hot for that!) But along the way we saw this field with these hay art sculptures in it. It was so cute I made Ryan pull over so I could take a pic.

Then we finally checked into our hotel room at the Watermark- We had a nice stay here, I would recommend this hotel to anyone that wants a nice relaxing stay downtown S.A.

View of the riverwalk from our balcony

That night we ate on one of the river barges. We had Boudros (they make the best guacamole I have ever had!) and it was so nice getting a tour of the river.

The next day we saw the most famous mission of San Antonio: Remember the Alamo!

Since it was our first time away from Bryson, we were constantly reminded of him. This is mommy taking a picture with "Little Bear"- We thought Bryson would be impressed that Tiff got a hug from the cartoon he likes to watch :)

We took a break in Hemisfair Park and played on a playground there.

We toured all the historical stuff in the downtown area. I won't bore you with all the details but it was neat learning some of the history of S.A. This picture was us taking a break at the main plaza downtown.

At our last stop El Mercado (the market), we ate at Mi Tierra and were serenaded by this mariachi band. We did a little shopping (very little, cause Ryan hates to shop) and then headed back to the hotel.

We drove over to the Japanese Tea Gardens. It was very pretty but because of the extreme heat and drought, not all the plants were flourishing and the coy all stayed in a shady spot away from us.

We had a spa day in the afternoon at the amazing spa at our hotel. There was a sauna, steam room, relaxation rooms, and then we both got a swedish massage- we felt like jello afterwards, it was amazing!

Getting ready to go out for the evening

We ate at Charthouse at the Tower Of Americas. Its a rotating (makes a complete circle every hour) restaurant at the top of this building.



View from our table. When we got back home there was a jewelry box with our names engraved in it that Ryan got me. He is so sweet!

We had a very nice, romantic getaway for our 5th anniversary. But we were ready to get back home to our baby boy! We missed him so much!

I am so very blessed to have these two incredible guys in my life. My husband is amazing and I thank him & God everyday for giving me my beautiful son. I love them both so very much and can't wait to see what the future has in store for us!

Our Anniversary

Ryan and I got married 5 years ago on August 7th, 2004. We started dating 10 years ago on August 22nd, 1999. My love for this man is immeasurable, but I have put together a little slideshow of some of our wonderful memories we have shared up to this point in our lives. Every anniversary I plan a surprise trip of some sort, and we leave tomorrow for our "surprise" destination so I wanted to post this today before we leave. Enjoy!

Nederland, Port Neches, Woodlands... OH MY!

We made a trip to visit some of Ryan's family (most of which live in the Houston area). Our first stop was Nederland to visit Mamaw (one of Bryson's great grandmothers):

Nothing like sitting on a porch swing visiting with family! :)

Then we went to Port Neches to visit Granny & PawPaw Gene (Another one of Bryson's great grandmothers and great grandfather)
Having fun with Granny

Watching Baseball with daddy

Granny's got the magic touch! Bryson is fast asleep :)

Having fun with PawPaw Gene

Then we went to The Woodlands to visit Clint and Gina (Ryan's cousin and wife) and their new 1 month old, Ava (Bryson's new cousin!) Clint and Gina are also first time parents so it was fun trading notes and catching up with them!

Clint and Gina with Bryson

Tiffany & Ryan with Baby Ava! She is absolutely adorable!

And soooo light compared to Bryson :)

Bryson looking up at Ava, wondering when they'll get to play together :)

Bryson is already protective of his lil gal cousin Ava... see his hand holding her arm- so cute!

We had a great trip and can't wait to visit again soon!

My Wild 4 Month Old!

He likes to point and apparently something was funny... maybe it was mommy standing over him on the bed with a camera

Once again attempting to get his feet up to his mouth... poor little guy, he will get it one day :)

Rollin Rollin Rollin

There's no leaving him alone on the bed... He rolls, scoots, plows through pillows, etc

Caught red handed!

This pic is a lot better when its flipped the other way... I dont know why it flips it this way when I put it on here.



And so concludes our 4 month photo shoot! :)

A little bit of 4th of July and a Nature Trail

We spent the 4th of July weekend hanging out with family. We went swimming at Nana & Pop's and then we went to Tiffany's Uncle's house out on the Lake.

Bryson is pictured here hanging out on his blanket trying to chew the American flag.

This is Bryson with Memaw (one of his great grandmothers) and Tiffany's great Aunt Lillian with her granddaughter. Bryson is only 3 months in this picture and Natalee is about 7 Months. YIKES! Bryson is a big boy!


We went on the nature trail at the park thinking Bryson would like looking at all the trees and animals. HA....

This is what he did the whole time.... Chewed/drooled on the front of his carrier

Daddy trying to get Bryson to enjoy nature :)

Well at least mommy and daddy got a good workout!