I Went to Boston!

Every year around this time,  I go on vacation. One year it was St. Thomas, then Aruba, Jamaica, and Disney two years in a row. So, this is the first time in a long time that I didn't have a vacation planned. But I had the itch, so on a whim Wednesday morning I purchased tickets and left Thursday morning for Boston!

I was in Boston by 10AM on Thursday. My first stop? To visit my sister and her new puppy! I was so excited to meet Maggie! She was crazy when I first met her, eating my hair, biting my fingers, and playing fetch. She's just so damn cute!

I didn't tell my Dad I was coming up, so next up I had to surprise him! And he was SO surprised! That night Mom made dinner and we had some fun just hanging out around the house.

Friday I visited with my great-grandmother and grandparents. Me and Mom did some shopping. Tried to watch Lincoln (yawn) and did some more shopping. That night me and Michelle went out for dinner. Thank goodness the beer flights were good because it's probably the worst meal I've ever had! I had a good time just catching up with my sister though. During dinner she mentioned that her and her boyfriend, Steve, were both working on Saturday....so I offered to puppy sit!

Soooo...I was up bright and early with the puppy on Saturday. She played rough with Roxy for a few hours - I can't wait to see what they are like with Miley this summer! Maggie was so snuggly with me all day...now I have puppy fever!

"Auntie, she's teasing me! I'm too small to go down the stairs!"

I hungout with my friend, Lindsey, for a few hours on Saturday. Went out to lunch...but I'm not sure if we actually ate anything, we were so busy talking! 

Saturday night I went out with the family for dinner - parents, sister, Steve, cousins, aunt and uncle...the whole family! There was a lot of laughing, food, and beer...we had a good time! I love seeing family when I go home, even if it's just for a quick dinner.

I passed out early Saturday - I had another early flight on Sunday. I wanted to make sure I was home for Easter with Danny. Not that it mattered - we tried finding a fantastic place for Easter dinner...but that didn't work out so well. But we did end up with a delicious pizza and Easter baskets from my Mom!

I had such a great trip home...I'm already counting down the days until we go up for our summer vacation!!

New Years...and More!

Happy New Year, friends! I rang in 2013 with some amazing friends and family. But lets start at the beginning....

Saturday morning was like Christmas morning...except better than Santa: Mom and Dad were on their way! It was their first time visiting in a year and the first time seeing our new house. I was so excited! After giving them the tour of the house, we took them around the neighborhood and showed them how close we are to the ocean (shockingly close...and we didn't even visit in 2012!) For lunch we had fresh local seafood, right on the water. After, me and Mom did our favorite thing: grocery shopping!

Sunday I woke up and within minutes a plan had been made: Myrtle Beach bound for the day! My parents have a time share and they are looking into different places to visit with it. It was c-o-l-d at the beach. We showed them around the area, went to Broadway, had lunch, and on the way home we stopped at Bass Pro Shops. I'm not so sure what the hype is, or maybe the Myrtle Beach location just isn't that exciting?

When we got back into town, we dropped Dad and Danny off at the bar to watch some football games and me and Mom came home to relax for a little bit. After we picked the guys up we had dinner and passed out pretty early. Which is a good thing...we had to rest up for New Years Eve!

Monday while the guys went golfing, me and Mom planned for our New Years Eve party. Lets just say....a lot of food was involved! Everyone got to our house around 6:30, we ate a ton and played some games. It started with LRC, went to 99, and then while I did karaoke (.....) everyone else played golf and screw your neighbor. And yes, I did do karaoke....I'll blame it on the White Russians!

I'll also blame my insane hangover on the White Russians. Tuesday was a bad baaaaad day. I don't even want to talk about it, but just know...I had a ton of fun singing and shaking my booty on New Years Eve! I celebrated with all my favorite people and am so happy I got to ring in new year with all of them!

My parents flew out this morning. I already miss them. I wish we lived closer (or they lived here!) BUT since we are further away, it just makes each time I see them that much better!

Homeward Bound!

You know when you're looking forward to something it makes everything else crawl by? Well, last week went by at a snails pace....because I was so excited for my trip up North! But even though the week went by slow, for some reason I still waited until last minute to pack: which means I forgot my camera. Pictures are limited for this trip....but it was such a great time!

Saturday morning I was up at the crack of dawn for my flight. I was on the ground and with my parents by 10AM. When I originally planned my trip I asked Mom if she could make her stuffing. She took that request and ran with it...she spent the day Saturday preparing a Thanksgiving meal for 20 people. Saturday night my sister, her boyfriend, aunts, uncles and cousins all came over and we celebrated Fakesgiving. It was such a great time! The only thing missing was my Hubby!

Sunday morning I woke up to a surprise...Mom surprised me with a new outfit...ripped straight off of my own blog! She even got me that exact necklace!

After putting on my new outfit me and Mom headed out for the day. Our first stop was the cemetery to visit Pa and put a new flag at his grave. Then we headed off for a day of shopping. And just like real Thanksgiving, we feasted on leftovers! Sunday night I crashed my parents date. They are way too cute together. They are such great role models for me and my sister...30 years married and they still totally in love!

Sunday night me and Mom attempted to watch Magic Mike. She claims the acting was bad, and I was totally uncomfortable...so we turned it off and settled for a nice family movie! I did bring Magic Mike home to view in the privacy of my own home!

I wanted to make sure I got to enjoy my whole long weekend so I scheduled my flight for late Monday night. I spent Monday morning at my great-grandmothers house..who had me and Mom cracking up all morning. 94 and she's still making everyone laugh! After that me and Mom grabbed a quick lunch and just hungout for the rest of the day.

It was such a great trip home! I'm sure some friends are upset with me for not making plans with them...but I really just wanted to see my parents this trip. I've missed them a lot over the past few months! I seriously already miss them...and am counting down to their trip to visit us!

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!

Dear Blog...

I'm sorry I have neglected you!

As you know, the computer broke on Thanksgiving...thanks to a super nasty virus. I tried to fix it, but well, my degree in History doesn't really help in that department. Since then we have been computer free. I blogged from my phone, which resulted in ugly formats and poor blogging. Oh, and to do my 2011 review it took TWO days from the iPhone! Needless to say, blogging has been very frustrating!

The plan was to only use the USO computers. That's where I spent an hour this morning....uploading 30 pictures. Holy smokes that is slow. And, since you know me so well, I am not patient!! I enlisted the help of my uber smart cousin and he helped me and the Hubby pick out a new computer.

I swore up and down we weren't going to buy a computer right away. But I couldn't pass up this deal! So, we are owners of a new laptop. And this time....we will not murder it!

So, dear blog...and blog readers...I'm back! I've missed my religious blogging and reading all of your blogs! I'll be commenting again and, of course, finding new bloggy loves!

To celebrate my return to blogging here are some pictures on events you have missed out on!

Me and Lindsey celebrated Beermas with NC Girls Pint Out!

Kaleb was here for Christmas!

My parents visited us!

Love,
Nicole

Surprise! Happy New Year!

I woke up to the most fabulous surprise on New Years Eve! My Dad called and asked if the mailman delivered a package. I went to the front door to check...and there were Mom and Dad! I was SO surprised, everyone was totally in on it and I had NO idea!

We celebrated the New Year with my family (and wishing my sister could have been there) and new friends. We went to Mike's Farm for a Christmas light display, which wad fabulous! And had a yummy dinner at Marrakesh.

Last year I made 11 Goals for 2011. I failed some and accomplished others (like driving, sleeping more and taking vitamins.)

This year I'm attempting 12 Goals for 2012. That's one goal for every month!

1. Buy a house
2. Get my license
3. Have one month of no eating out
4. Make more time for family
5. Get a job
6. Increase our savings account
7. Keep the house clean, not just acceptable!
8. Try something new
9. Bring Miley for more walks
10. Go to the gym
11. Plant a SUCCESSFUL garden!
12. Go to DC with my Hubby