Family Vacation: Maine Part 2

Day 10: More Fun!

Nana and Grampy came to visit on Wednesday. We spent all the day on the beach having fun...they even came in their party shirts!

Kaleb went knee boarding, he's such a pro...he got up on the first try! Cornhole was played, the doggies sunbathed, Kaleb went on a kayak ride with his crush. I'd say it was a great day! Everyone was exhausted super early!

Day 11: The Puppies
After a morning of golf (the guys,) and breakfast (the girls plus Kaleb) we spent the rest of the day on the beach. The weather was perfect but spending all day everyday on the beach made the puppies super tired. Miley spent most of the day hiding under a chair!

Day 12: Friday!
Even on vacation I still look forward to Fridays! The day was spent on the beach (of course!) with a new toy...Dad's new jetski! And for the for time all week...the puppies went swimming!

   Friday night Chelsey came over to watch Kaleb and the dogs...while us older kids went to the casino! We were all so excited, we were looking forward to it all week! I guess we would have had more fun if someone actually won, instead...we all left with our heads hanging...and I came home with a 17 cent voucher. Bummer!

Day 13: Sandbar!
Even though we were in Maine all week this was the first time that everyone went out on the boat! We anchored out at the sandbar and hungout in the water for hours. It was such a fun day!

Day 14: Almost the End...
Thanks to Kaleb, everyone's weekend ended with a good laugh!

Then, we packed up the cars and made our way back to Massachusetts for one last night. Danny and Dad went golfing, Mom hungout with Kaleb, and I had dinner with my college roommates. After a few hours of hanging out it was time to hit the hay for one last night of vacation!

Day 15: The Roadtrip Home
We left Massachusetts at 3AM, which I still think is the best time to leave! We didn't even hit traffic going over the GW at 7AM...we totally lucked out! When we finally made it home we had a huge pile of mail waiting for us...thank goodness most of it was free samples and giveaways!

 I'm so happy to be home, but I always hate leaving my parents and sister. I swear it gets harder every single time. I usually can't talk about my favorite part of vacation for a while without tearing up because it makes me miss them more. I'm crossing my fingers that they get to visit soon!!

 

Weekend Getaway

Early Thursday morning I packed a small carry on and jumped on an airplane headed to Massachusetts. I know, it seems like I'm always there. But there is always some kind of event that I don't want to miss out on. This weekend it was a baby shower! Thank goodness for cheap, fast commuter flights!

From the second I got off the plane I was busy. I had a two hour coffee date with Veronica. I miss marathon coffee dates with a good friend. Catching up on anything and everything and not having to give back stories...because they already know the back stories! After that me, Mom and Michelle got mani and pedis...followed by dinner with Dad. We decided on Chinese food....not because I was craving it, but because I haven't had a scorpion bowl in ages! And of course, Thursday night ended watching Grey's Anatomy with Mom. Seriously...what kind of season finale was that?!?

Friday I had lunch with June and my uncle, Rick. Again it was another two hour catch up session. When food and/or coffee are involved...time flies by! After lunch I went into Boston with my friend Jen. We went to my favorite bar, Hennessys, for overpriced beer and a great cover band. Since I moved three years ago, Happy Hour has changed...but change isn't always a bad thing. This band was actually pretty good! We grabbed a brick oven pizza and then, because we're old, called it a night. I used to be able to stay out until 2AM. I was home by 10!

Saturday was such a good day. Me and Mom spent the whole day in and out of stores searching for decorations for our house. She helped me decide on themes for our room and Kaleb's room and one of the bathrooms. We got so much stuff I had to send myself a giant box! Saturday night Mom made delicious lamb chops, we drank some wine and watched The Vow. I miss these nights with my Mom.

Sunday was the baby shower. June is due at the end of June with a baby boy. This will be there (combined) 6th kid...but the first together. They got a ton of great stuff. I liked catching up with family and enjoying an awesome brunch. With mimosa. Mmmmm....

Sunday night my Roomie came over, we had dinner with Mom and Dad and then sat at the dinner table for what seemed like forever just talking. That is my favorite kind of night. I have great friends in North Carolina but nothing compares to a night in with Mom and Ashley.

Monday me and Michelle went up to New Hampshire for something I have been craving: fried clams. Seriously, North Carolina claims to have good seafood but I haven't found anything I crave. But oh-em-gee. My fried clams from Browns were amaaaaaaaazing. I'm already counting down the days until my next trip up there! Seriously - DELICIOUS.

I came home yesterday to a pile of bills and a leaking roof. Nothing like coming home.....

Sidenote: My lack of pictures is weird. My camera is coming out of retirement this week. I promise!

It's Fair Season

You already know this - but autumn is my favorite.

One of the reasons is...fairs!

I love walking around in the cool crisp air,

enjoying beer tents and fair food with friends.

Then there are parades, carnivals...

the whole fair atmosphere is fun!

This weekend I went to the Big E (Eastern States Exposition.)

The Big E is the 6th largest fair in the country and represents 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

One of the biggest draws of the fair is the Avenue of States....which features small scale replicas of the original statehouses of each New England state. 

And each state house displays heritage, food, drink and traditions.

 Other fun stuff is the Sam Adams beer tent. The carnival. And tons and tons of food options!

And my favorite?

Hanging out with my college roommates!

Other fall fairs and events I'm looking forward to?

Oktoberfest

North Carolina Seafood Festival

Onslow County Fair

Wilmington River Fest

MUMfest

Pleasure Island Seafood, Blues and Jazz Festival

Swansboro Mullet Festival

Autumn with Topsail

Taste of Durham Festival

Chili Festival & Big Boy Toy Show

I'm excited just thinking about it!

Fabulous Day!

Even at 25 I still like a good sleepover. Thursday night Ashley slept over, only to get up at the crack of dawn to watch the Royal Wedding. I know a lot of people weren't hyped up about the wedding...but I don't really get that. Two people in love, getting married, starting new traditions....not to mention the history. There's been a lot of crazy stuff going on in the world and for a few hours it was nice to just see happy people.

Anyway, we woke up at 4 and had our own little tea party. I think the mugs were super appropriate!

I thought the wedding was beautiful. I loved that she did her own makeup, her dress was gorgeous, and I love that they drove away themselves. Everyone thinks of them as "royal" but I'm sure they are just like every other couple.

When all the royal festivities were over me and Ashley got in the car for a little roadtrip to see our other college roommates! The four of us used to do everything together at school, its always tough for the four of us to get together so it's always a lot of fun when just us girls get together! We headed to our favorite spot, Olive Garden! It was so good to have some girl time and to catch up with everyone.

 

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

The Happiest Time of Year: CHRISMUKKAH!

This year marks the seventh year I have celebrated Chrismukkah. What started as a college joke has turned into a tradition. Me and my Roomie, Ashley, used to tell people she was half Jewish (when in reality, there's no such thing as being half Jewish...it's passed on your mom's side of the family. You either are Jewish or not. Many religion classes taught me that.) Anyway, people started to believe us...and that's how Chrismukkah was born!

Chrismukkah has changed over the years...in college it was a drunk-fest with our college friends. Since we've graduated it's been celebrated at Chinese restaurants with friends we've met along the way. This year even my parents made an appearance at Chrismukkah!

It was so great getting everyone together! I had some college friends, high school friends, even some friends who recently moved back here from Jacksonville. We had such a great time, my cheeks hurt from laughing so hard!

The best part of Chrismukkah was my Dad and sister winning $1300 playing Keno! I wish I had that kind of luck....but that means I would actually have to play the game to win!

Chrismukkah is one of my favorite holiday traditions and I have a feeling it's going to continue for many more years! What's your favorite made-up holiday tradition?

Bachelorette Party!

 Come to one of my parties early and you get to eat a penis cookie!

Last night was the "last night of freedom" according to the girls. According to me it was just an opportunity to get dressed up, drink and have a good time!

Remember in 40 Year Old Virgin the girls had the wigging out party? We decided to go with that theme and had so much fun with it! My maid of honor and sister, Michelle, was responsible for the lovely penis name tags. We all chose dirty/stripper names...we had a Sindi (get it?), Trixie, Roxi, Vixen, Kitty, Jail Bait (this is probably the reason why the bouncers kept checking our IDs...), Lola and Bambi. I stuck with the way original Beatles tune Sexy Sadie. I think I'll just keep that as my nickname after we get married! My bridesmaid, Ashley, took care of swag bags complete with socks (we went bowling), penis cookies and candy, candy rings, and candles! I love my friends so much, I seriously think they are the most amazing people!

 

My Jamaican sister!

 

The Bridal Party!

Veronica, Michelle, me, Ashley and Lindsey

 

"Is that a snake in your pants or are you just happy to see me?"

Gina and Alanna

 

Kisses for Michelle!

(ps. I'm totally against tanning..can you tell!?)

 

Jen was forced to do karaoke by the 2 girls up front

I'll be honest, I thought there was going to be a fight!

 

The Group!!

I'll be honest. Wasn't everything I hoped it would be. I had a great time with my friends, but it came with drama. First, my underage cousin and sister ordered alcohol. Fine, cool, whatever. But have a fake ID. My sister did...cousin did not. I thought we were going to be thrown out. Lucky for me, Lindsey was leaving early anyway  and my cousin went with her. Next dose of drama came when Danny's ex-wife sent me a lengthy (and might I add....grammatically incorrect) Facebook message. Seriously, this girl has NEVER tried to contact me and decides to do it on that night? The girl must be a better stalker than I am if she can get past all my stalker-proofing on social networking sites! And the final dose of drama was at the second bar when drunks were pouring beer on my sister, touching my friends butt, and just being plain obnoxious. God, I love drunks! But just being able to spend time with my friends was great, so I really enjoyed that!

Tonight I bribed Alanna to come over to help me with the seating chart. I'll be paying her in beer, pizza and paper penises leftover from last night.

Home!

And I've already achieved a lot! Went to David's Bridal and bought my jewelery and purse. Then, I made the guest bags for the out of town guests. They have wine, corkscrew, water bottles, special snacks, cool Boston books. All thats left to do is make cookies or something..I'll do that Thursday when everyone starts arriving! I'll post pictures of that after the wedding! I don't want to spoil the secrets for everyone!

Tonight my college roommate, and bridesmaid, Ashley is coming up. We used to have Roomie Wednesdays..of course to watch LOST, but since they changed the day of LOST....we had to change the day of our dates! First we'll get some coffee and work on the seating chart. Then Mom is making a yummy dinner (yayyyy a homecooked meal that doesn't involve breadcrumbs and canned veggies!) and of course...LOST time! I love Tuesdays..and I love my Roomie!

The rest of the week is going to be pretty busy. Tomorrow I have the tasting at the hotel, my Mom and sister (and Maid of Honor) are coming with me. I'm going to bring one of the centerpieces to see how they look. I like them still, but I think they are going to be a little plain...it almost needs a little more bulk. But I really don't feel like spending more money..so I'm going to have to make them look fab (or just deal with it!) Either way, it's just a centerpiece..not too concerned! Thursday I want to (officially) order my cake and get the marriage license.

And Friday! Oh, I love love LOVE Friday's in Boston. Happy Hour at my favorite bar, with my favorite cover band, with my amazing friends. SO excited and LONG overdue!

Fall Always Makes Me Think.

There is something about fall that makes me think a lot. Today I drove out to The Berkshires with Mom to go to the Norman Rockwell museum, and the whole way out I was thinking. This past year has been crazy. I decided to move 800 miles from home, took a crazy trip to Jamaica with my sister, took another amazing roadtrip with the girls to Myrtle Beach,discovered that some people don't deserve my friendship, and (most importantly) fell in love with an amazing man. I found that most of my thoughts revolved around him and our future together. Our relationship is new to me on so many levels. Planning is my strong point and it is driving me nuts that I don't even know where I'll be living come January. What I do know is that I promised him I would go anywhere with him for the next four years.

The museum was great. All forms of art make me cry...opening scenes of musicals always bring a tear to my eye. But this was the first time that paintings have done it. I purchased my favorite print...I can't wait until we have our own place to hang it up!

Today I flipped through a few wedding magazines with Ashley and Lindsey. I want such a basic wedding. I want to marry Danny soon...but I am going to plan for a spring wedding. But my only question is...how the hell do you plans wedding when you don't even know if he can get leave then?!