{Frio River 2013 - Part 1}

{if you missed this awesome surprise, go here first}

hash tag unforgettable memories, hash tag god bless texas

I feel like I just stepped off a roller coaster that only had ups and no downs (you remember how well me and roller coasters get along, right?). Well, if we're getting technical, that roller coaster ride ended on Sunday promptly when we were on our way to the airport. But still, you catch my drift.

Let's start with the background, or planning, portion of this trip...How? Why? Who?

It started back last 4th of July when me and Billy were supposed to fly out to Texas to visit Steph and Beau, and go to the Frio River with them, but unfortunately we had a family member pass away so we cancelled our trip. Ever since, Steph has mentioned begged me to come back for it because it's one of their favorite places to go. Beau's aunt Frances has the most gorgeous ranch house and property in Concan, TX right by the Frio River (and I'm not even kidding with that statement-just wait until you see these pictures) that we were lucky enough to stay in. *If you're ever interested in staying in this area, the good news is that you can! She has multiple locations that you can rent out: here! Go take a look and consider it because it's an awesome place to visit!

...Where was I? The "why" part...

Well, because we are best friends and this is what best friends do. We surprise each other and have blogger meetups. These girls are some of my closest friends now, so of course this was something we were all in for!

Now for the "how" and "who" section of this top secret planning...

Shay and Beau were the lead on this one (good job guys!). We decided we must have our favorite little Bostonians, Erica and Kurt join us, since we previously had a blogger meet up here in Ohio with her and love her. They were to be a surprise for Steph as well (why she gets all the surprises I will never know, kidding), specifically the day after I surprised Steph in San Antonio. Some of Beau's other friends and family also joined in on this trip! Sadly, Billy didn't couldn't come since we just flew out to Texas in March and he had prior plans with his family for the holiday. Plane tickets from the OH to the TX aren't cheap, just sayin'.

So once I surprised Steph, I then had to keep my mouth shut even more because she had no idea Erica and Kurt would be meeting us in San Antonio the next day. She thought it was just Shay and Drew who were meeting us. Double the surprise, double the fun! But again, not an easy task for someone such as myself.

My first morning in Houston was spent loving on Oakley (I've absolutely fallen in love with this dog-she is even cuter in person) and hanging out with the cutest little triplets in the whole world. Beau's sister, Julie, just had 3 beautiful babes one month ago and I was lucky enough to get to spend a couple hours with them at their house and meet them. But not before Steph and I got our signature iced coffee's...happy face.

Afterwards, we packed up our stuff and got on the road to head to the ranch. On the way, we decided our plan was to stop in San Antonio to see the Alamo and eat dinner on the Riverwalk, and meet up with everyone else. SO happy we did this. I just loved the Riverwalk and being able to see San Antonio.....

 {dress: target, boots: charlotte russe, necklace: forever21 (old)}

Not to mention, the restaurant was dog friendly so Oakley got to join us and we had some of the best margarita's ever at Charlie Wants A Burger. If you visit here, get the Prickly Pear. Just do it. :)

After dinner, Shay and Drew got there and came up and sat down at the table. A couple minutes later, Kurt (Erica's boyfriend), came up to Steph to surprise her, and see if she would recognize him just from pictures since none of us had met him before. It was PRICELESS. She realized who he was and then BAM...Erica comes walking up! It was fantastic.

 

 you can watch the whole thing here...

 

Now, we were finally all together, the surprises were done so I could breathe a little bit more, and we headed to the ranch after some dinner and drinks....

 Erica // Shay // Ashley // Steph // Me

On our way to the ranch, we made a pitstop at Walmart because we needed to pick up a few more things (adult bev's to be specific) and while we were in there, THIS may or may not have happened....

hint: it did. Honey Buns Harlem Shake....

Sometimes you just gotta shake it, you know?

Once we got to the ranch, it was late at night so we couldn't see much, but I did wake up to this view and about fell in love (I DID!).....

Absolutely stunning. 50 acres of beautiful Texas hill country and a porch that wrapped around the entire house. Can't get much better than that.

Or can it?

and this concludes the longest recap in blogger history. Well, part 1 of it. Come back tomorrow to find out where and how we spent our days and to see some new friends I made....

God Bless Texas.

....and blog friends.

........and surprises.

PS: You can see more pictures not shared on this post on my personal instagram: @katiewkrysh!