Ah...Memorial Day...

This time last year, Josh and I (along with our families) were rummaging through the remains of our belongings following the Memorial Day Fire of '08. Lighting may have struck our house and burnt her to the ground, but we would be defeated so easily. Josh and I spent the next 6 months stressing ourselves to the max! We had to document everything and rebuild our house (while living in a rental home) while trying to stay focused at our jobs. This proved to be extremely difficult but is all behind us now! Thank the Lord!

I began a blog with updates on the Hixey House last year, but upon moving in to our house in December, I kind of just stopped writing. I plan to post before and after pics on that blog:

http://hixeyhouse.blogspot.com/

over the next few days, but in the meantime, please enjoy a little sample of before and afters here!


Okay, so this is more of a during than a "before"...


And this is how she stands now...the yard still needs some help.


Post-fire photo of built-ins and fireplace.


Dog's-eye view of the fireplace as it is today.

I promise to post real before and afters on The Hixey House Chronicles.

Arthur Bryant's

Thursday, Josh and I left St. Louis around 4pm on our way to Kansas City for a night of Margaritas, friends and fun! We met up with Bailey and her son, Jake, Sara and her fiance Jeff, Marcus and Jason Boone (who unfortunately was in town for a funeral). The drinks were salty and sour, but the chips, salsa, guacamole and tacos were de-lish!

Following dinner and drinks, Jason, Marcus, Josh and I went over to the Peanut for a few beers before calling it a night.


Jason and I at the Peanut - "Cheerleader face!"

Friday morning Josh and I woke up bright and early to continue driving on to Council Bluffs, Iowa, for Rosey and Jeremy's wedding; but that's a whole other post!

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon...Josh and I stopped at Arthur Bryant's for our usual Kansas City lunch. Everytime we're in KC, we stop at Arthur Bryant's before heading back to St. Louis.


Josh just before stuffing himself silly!

While we're eating, Josh says, "Look who's outside." I turn around to have a look (mind you, at any given time there is a line of people out the door waiting to order some bbq). I'm expecting to see Danny, Jason or the Palans, but instead I see the spikey-blonde-do of who else but Richard Blais! Richard was one of my favorite chefs on Bravo's Top Chef (Season 4).

I'm not the usual celebrity groupie type, but I did ask him for a photo after a bit of coaxing by Josh. Richard was extremely humble and quite appreciative of our compliments. What a stud!


Richard Blais and I at Arthur Bryant's on Brooklyn.

Trivia Gone Wild at the St. Louis Zoo

This past Saturday, Josh and I were privileged to attend the annual Trivia Gone Wild charity event at the St. Louis Zoo. The zoo has been one of PGAV's loyal clients for many years, and we have been patron's of their trivia night benefit for a little while too.

This year's theme, "Go Ape in Vegas," prompted many clever costumes. Christina, dressed as a slot machine, took my vote for best outift!


Christina and Jeremy (newly engaged)

The questions were less "trivia" and more "How many hours are volunteered per year at the St. Louis Zoo?" - I mean, who knows this? Regardless, people had fun; maybe too much fun.


Angela and Josh


The apes are Emily and Angela.


Steve with the nugget ring.


Rosey goin' after that cash!


Kartono and Angela