To catch you up... again

So... way back in August one of my besties, Sarah Hobbs, had her wedding reception in Kokomo. Sarah and Tony got married in Mexico in June, but waited until the Labor Day weekend to have the big party! Sarah suprised the bridesmaids by having the Hacienda Taxi and we had pictures taken in front of it!

Here is Tony and Sarah during their first dance.

Unfortunately, Brian couldn't attend the reception with me because he was in bed. He had septoplasty and a turbinate reduction the day before (notice the contraption on his nose). Poor guy! Although, I kinda did enjoy getting to take care of him for a couple days.

Skip to the middle of October. Brian and I, Liz and Eric, Brooke and Ryan, Kristin and Zack went camping at Vally Branch Retreat in Brown County. It was so much fun!

This is a dog that kept coming to our site. We named it Cookie.

All the girls!

Zack playing the guitar.

A beautiful scenery shot.

Then, the next weekend, we drove to Purdue for homecoming. It was so cold! Brian was excited to see Mark, one of his best friends from college and a fraternity brother.

Here's Eric eating some steak that he cooked on a tiny grill!

Brooke and Ryan

Brian and I

Liz, me, and Brooke

If you look closely, you can see Brooke... she went in her car to take a nap!

So, later in the evening, we went to Jakes, a really fun bar. We were lucky because the guys stayed in a hotel and Liz and I stayed at her old Sorority so we got to have a little fun!.

Then, the following weekend was Halloween. We dressed Righteous up like a king!


Liz and Eric had a party at their house. Here is Eric (Ace from the Ambiguously Gay Duo) and Liz's brother Tom (Mega-Man).

Ryan (wizard), Zack (zombie), Brian (70s surgeon), and a friend of Brooke and Ryans

A friend of Brookes, me, Brooke (Waldo), and Liz (vampire).

Brian and I

Skip to Christmas time... putting up the tree.

A pretty picture of Elmo!

Family Pictures in Highland Park

Me, Danna, Brian and Rusty

The Gilbert Family

Then we had Liz and Eric and Brooke and Ryan over for a holiday dinner. We made the turkey and everyone brought stuff. Ryan was laying on the floor and he let me put the bean bag on him then I took a jump and landed on him... it was pretty fun!

All the food.

All of us getting ready to eat.

Bob, Tom, Chick and Kristi (from Q-95) came to the Sams on 96th street to do a signing. I went to get their new cd signed for my teacher as a present and then they gave me one for free and got it signed for me!

On the left is Rupert, Bob is standing with the red and white scarf, and Chick, Kristi and Tom are looking away.

Me between Bob and Chick

Until next time.... Merry Christmas!

One week ago today...

So I'm taking a break from the 'catch-up' blogs to fill everyone in on our recent loss.

One week ago today, 10-21-08, we had to lay my beloved Sabbyth to rest. It was by far one of the hardest things I've had to experience. Without getting into details, I will just say that he was in pain and he had lived a good, long, 13 years as the best dog I've ever had.

Sometimes I still can't believe he's gone, and I know that my other dog, Sayble, feels the same way. I'm not sure she realizes yet that he's not coming back and that breaks my heart.

I miss him so much, but I don't want to focus on the sadness. I want to celebrate the time I had with him and let all of you know just how awesome he was.

These are pics of him as a baby. (I scanned these, that's why the color is funny)

I was a freshman when I got him. My parents and I went to the pound and I knew right away that he was the dog I wanted. But, my dad made me wait 1 week and if he was still there, we could get him. Well, he was there and the rest is history. I remember taking him on a walk shortly after we got him. He was so small that he couldn't walk all the way around our neighborhood... I had to carry him halfway around!

He had the biggest paws I've ever seen on a puppy. He liked to lay on his back alot and the way his cheeks and ears would fall, he kinda looked like a bat. My mom always called him BatBoy.

As silly as it is to say, Sabbyth was with me through all my hard times. He would look at me with those sad eyes and I would just melt. Unconditional love is the best love, and he was always there to give it.

He was so protective of me and he appeared to be a fearless dog. However, he was terrified of storms. He would follow me around, and most of the time I would give in and let him sleep on my bed! But of course, I would feel guilty, and I would have to let Sayble up there too!

He loved to go on walks and would go nuts when he saw me put on tennis shoes. He loved marshmallows too. But, he HATED when his feet were wet. You should have seen him scoot to the back of the bathtub just trying to keep his feet dry!

This pic was taken when Brian was trying to pack for a business trip. Sabbyth obviously didn't want him to go! (or else he wanted to go with him!)

I told you he liked to lay on his back...

These were taken on one of his last days. We stayed home to spend the day with him.





Now that he's gone, I feel like a piece of me is missing. I'm putting all my 'dog energy' into Sayble now and trying to help her adjust. Brian's talking about getting a puppy... we'll see.


This poem was sent to us in a card from our vet... it made me cry...

Just this side of Heaven lies the Rainbow Bridge

When a beloved pet dies, it goes to the Rainbow Bridge.
It makes friends with other animals and frolics over rolling hills and peaceful lush meadows of green. They are as healthy and playful as we remember them in days gone by.

Together the animals chase and play, but the day comes when a pet will suddenly stop and look into the distance... bright eyes intent, eager body quivering. Suddenly recognizing you, your pet bounds quickly across the green fields and into your embrace. You celebrate in joyous reunion. You will never again separate.

Happy tears and kisses are warm and plentiful, your hands caress the face you missed. You look into the loving eyes of your pet and know that you never really parted. You realize that though out of sight, your love had been remembered.

You cross the Rainbow Bridge together.


Until next time... xoxo, Brian and Sabrina

To catch everyone up...

So this first one is going to be kinda long. I'm going to try and catch everyone up on the last year or so without going overboard.

I think I'll just try and do some highlights.

So, as most of you know, Brian and I built a house in Noblesville. Brian got to move in last November... I didn't get to move in until January (after the wedding).

The picture above was a very happy day for us! It was like being in a realty commercial.

After the house was finished, and Brian got to move in... it was time for the wedding!

December 29th was an awesome day!

The whole gang!

Being introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert!

Our first dance: "Wouldn't it be sweet to be loved by you"- Michael Buble

We haven't gone a Honeymoon yet, but we did have fun celebrating New Year's with some friends in Chicago... 115 Bourbon Street!

Now... skip all the way to 4th of July.... our neighbors (Liz and Eric) had a bash.

They are fast become some of our closest friends, tons of fun. This is a picture of Liz and I.

Eric and Brian are starting to let off some fireworks... didn't anyone ever tell them that it's better when it's dark outside?

This is the 'real' Mike Jones. He's our neighbor and he was the DJ at our wedding. He brought all of his equipment down to the Beckner's... it was awesome! Have you ever seen 30 people do the Electic Slide in a driveway? (I have!)

Jump to September... we came to Kokomo to watch Tony (my cousin Dina's fiance) sing at Don Pancho Villa.

The two new faces in the front are our newest neighbors and friends, Ryan and Brooke. They moved from California and they are awesome. So glad they chose our neighborhood.

Snagged a picture with Dina. I'm so glad she moved back to Indiana!

This is Tony... he has an unbelievably good voice!

Brian snatched up Isabella, Rachel's new little baby.

We hosted the first Colt's game at our house. Too bad they lost.

Yes, I realize it's the beginning of September, but that's when I put out my Halloween decorations. Righteous did not know what to think of this witch. You should have seen him when I plugged her in and she started to move!

The guys wouldn't get up and let me take a picture of them... this is the best I could do.

Brian's 27th Birthday Present

So, a while back when we painted out house, we painted our den with the Colt's team colors. One wall is blue and the rest are white. For his birthday, I really wanted to decorate the room for him and finally finish it. I had tossed around the idea of buying giant stickers and things to put on the walls, but it was all to expensive. Then, Liz suggested painting something, using a projector. I finally wrangled one (thanks Mark!) and Liz came over at 10:30pm the night before Brian's party (thank goodness he spent the night in Kokomo) and this is what we did!

The reveal.... he was very surprised!


So that's it for now... I'm sure I'll think of something soon!