Fun Times

John and I got up early on Saturday and drove down to Margate at the Jersey shore so that we could attend their annual Fun Festival. Well actually, John gambled and I spent the day with his two aunts, grandmother, mom, cousin and cousin's daughters! A fun bunch we were. It was a beautiful day in the sun. We did a lot of walking and a lot of shopping so all in all a great end of the summer day.

Here are my two favorite little ladies, Christine and Amanda with their grandmother, John's Aunt Marie. Amanda is the one on the right and our flower girl for the wedding.



The two of them always keep me laughing!

Duke Hearts Weights

Yesterday I picked up some small 2 lb. weights from Target so that I can work out my arms while catching up on my favorite programs, i.e. The Office (the new episode did not disappoint). One problem though...Duke was going nuts over them! He kept barking at me like I had two of his new toys and was keeping them from him. I swear he stared at me for an hour straight until John finally had to tell him to stop. It was too funny! I guess I'll be working out in a locked room instead.

A Night Out

I have been a bit out of sorts lately. Just kind of scatter brained and not on top of it like normal. So, it was nice to hit up the Phillies game last night with John and his mom. She got us tickets through her work. They were great seats and it was an incredibly lovely night. Unfortunately, the Phils lost to the Braves, but I enjoyed sitting outside and relaxing. Not to mention the fact that we got to chow down on cheesesteaks, cheese fries and yes, funnel cake. At least I drank plenty of water!

E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!

John and I were fortunate enough to be given Eagles tickets by my boss/uncle Frank so that is how we spent our Sunday afternoon. We brought along my cousin Lauren and her husband Bill and had such a good time. The Eagles killed Detroit 56-21! I have never sung the Eagles fight song so many times in my life. I wish the team wasn't wearing their horrible throwback jerseys but so grateful for a win and a high scoring one at that.

Here is a pic of the awesome view from our seats...

And of John and I taking a breather from the warm sun at halftime...

I'm optimistic our Eagles can keep the momentum going into the must win game Sunday agains the Giants.

Go Explorers!

Friday night we all went down to LaSalle University (John's alma mater) for my cousin John's (lots in our family) football game. He has been on the varsity team since starting college and is nearing the end there so it was exciting to get to see him play in another game.

Here is a pic of me, Livy, John, Lauren and Carolyn after the game (we are all cousins)...



And here we are in the bleachers with Lauren's husband Bill, my John, our cousin Kevin and Carolyn's boyfriend Ryan (end)...

Good Finds

Last night I finished a really interesting memoir on a polygamist family called "Daughter of the Saints" by Dorothy Allred Soloman. She spoke about her families long and very fascinating history and her decision to not practice polygamy in her own life, while still having close ties to her upbringing.

I also met my cousin Livy for dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen in the King of Prussia Mall and we did a little shopping after. While stumbling into Nordstrom, we discovered a trunk show by a talented jewelry designer named Jessica Elliot. There were so many adorable necklaces that we spent a good half hour just trying to decide. Ms. Elliot was also on hand to help which didn't make things any easier! Ultimately, both Liv and I decided on the mini drop necklaces that you can layer with other pieces you might have at home. I picked up the one below but in white gold. I have always had a thing for stars and John's always had a thing for anchors so it seemed like a good choice, though I must say, the dog paw print pendant and flying heart charm were hard to pass up. Check them out on her site at http://www.jessicaelliot.com/

Hi...I Mean Ahoy!

Arrr Maties!

Today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Read more on how something like this even began here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070918/od_nm/pirates1_dc

While I can't say I get the whole Pirate phenomenon thing, I do think they talk kinda cool.

Good Cause, Cute Bag

As you all know, I eat Lean Cuisine's for lunch almost every day. Today while dining on mac & cheese, I happened to notice on the box this adorable lunch bag that you can order through their website http://www.leancuisine.com/. They have two other options to choose from, and for only $9.95 (includes shipping) you can bring your lunch in style and support breast cancer research. Half the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation. Can't wait to get mine!

Feelin' Lucky?

On Saturday afternoon around 5 pm, John and I were on our way back from running errands when he looks at me and goes, 'do you want to drive down to Atlantic City?' I said sure as we actually enjoy a little gambling and haven't been all summer. So, we went home, got changed and made the 1.5 hour drive. We ended up at the Trump Marina first where I played the slots and John roulette. I was up by $40 but then proceeded to lose it all when we trotted over to Caesars. John said he didn't have the 'gut feeling' on the numbers that he normally does so it was short lived. We did however get to meet up with his Aunt Diane and Uncle Frank (casino regulars) for dinner at Trinity, an Irish pub in the Caesars casino. Then it was back in the car by 11:30 for the drive home. Thank heavens for Sirius satellite radio which makes all car rides now, not so bad.

Sunday we went to church and out for our favorite Sunday breakfast, Manhattan Bagel, and then took Duke to Tyler State Park in Newtown. John rode his bike and Duke and I walked, or rather he walked me as he is constantly sniffing and peeing and dragging me every which way. I'm a bit of an embarrassed mother when I watch all the other people with dogs who actually listen to their owners but then he looks up at me so excited to be out in the park that I can't help but smile.

We had dinner with John's Dad and stepmom in Doylestown and drove around looking at all our dream houses. Finished that up with football for John and People magazine for me. It was a nice weekend.

Interesting Find

While cleaning this breezy Saturday morning, I came across these in my old hat box where I keep sentimental cards and ticket stubs.



Yep, my New Kids on the Block trading cards...

How many of you can say you still have these babies?

Pick Me Up

Well, I'm fading fast today but unfortunately have to run two night appointments. I'm not a huge fan but it's part of the job.

I'm currently reviving myself with a strong Starbucks coffee and their new chocolate & cinnamon bread which I still can't decide if I like or not. Kinda miss good ol' marble loaf.

Jumbled Up

John and I have been playing a ridiculous amount of Scrabble lately. I normally enjoy every minute of it seeing as how I come from a family of talented players, but he has managed to win three straight games in a row, and it's quite unnerving. He's pulled out 30 pointers in the last few crucial rounds. We went months of playing where I was always the victor so this will take some getting used to. Nobody likes to lose at their favorite game!

By the way, does anyone else notice that you always seem to get the letter Q when the game is nearing an end. That is the worst.

Bridal Question

I have to tell you that I really HATE David's Bridal.

I went in there one time looking at dresses in Feb. and the next thing I new I was inundated with phone calls from various vendors trying to schedule me for consultations or 'free' makeovers and honeymoon packages. It was horrible. I literally screamed my head off at every last one of them until I was sure to be rid of their relentless badgering. Now, the tricky thing is, I did see junior bridesmaid and flower girl dress options online during beginning browsing stages and I have yet to find similar dresses for the girls that were as inexpensive. I hate to have families purchase little girl dresses over $150. You definitely can't say they'd wear it again. What should I do? Go with them despite the bad experience or keep looking?

Sad State

Click here to view the Daily News wrap-up in photos of my beloved Philadelphia Eagles suffering a pitiful loss to the lame-ass Green Bay Packers yeterday.

http://pdn.philly.com/photo/slide_shows/sports/eagles0909/index.html

Yes, it is only the first game of the season but I hope it isn't a long road ahead as the season opener suggested.

Mish-Mash

We had a nuts weekend. Sometimes it feels like there is so much to do that we'll never catch up. I have to let go of the feeling that I have to accomplish it all, though.

Friday John made me a delicious dinner of steak on the grill, rice and asparagus. He is really good at barbequing. People tell me CONSTANTLY how lucky I am that my future husband cooks.

Saturday we ran a ridiculous amount of errands, including updating our Crate and Barrel registry. They apparently don't carry the original flatware that I loved anymore so we had to pick something similar. Then it was dinner at Francesca's, a fantastic italian restaurant in Southampton, for John's grandpa's 80th birthday. Here we are with Fred (behind me) and some more of the family.

I must also point out that I had my hair cut and the girl that always does it wasn't there. They scheduled me with someone else by accident. It looks nice above in the photo as she straightened it but curly leaves something to be desired. Thank heavens it grows like a weed.

The Cuteness

Congratulations to Dan and Megan (my friends in Erie, PA) who welcomed their first child yesterday. She is a healthy baby girl named Ali Elizabeth Wells. She was 8 lbs. and 20 inches long! She'll probably be tall just like her Mom :)

Can't wait to meet her!

Available for Parties

Matt's back.

Do you think he had fun?

Morning Music

Every day we wake up to the sounds of WXPN 88.5 FM, the University of Pennsylvania's very cool radio station. I'm not sure that is the best way to get yourself up out of bed, but I manage OK.

They play all the indie goodies including new tracks from Iron & Wine and Spoon (two of my personal favorites). Sometimes at night it can get a little weird with the World Music Cafe programming, but to each their own.

Definitely worth an online listen.

Wedding Weekend Part 3

On Sunday Erin and Daniel had a tasty brunch at their house for all the guests. Then later that afternoon John and I explored the city of ABQ by ourselves before heading to the last wedding activity, tailgating and an Isotopes minor league baseball game that Erin and Daniel put together for the remaining guests and family.

We happened upon this near the hotel. It was like a 'sign' of things to come in my own life!

John waited the whole time to enjoy some delicious and authentic Mexican food

Old Town ABQ

The Isotopes game

Wedding Weekend Part 2

The actual wedding was on Saturday and here are some photos of the ceremony and reception...

Me and my escort, groomsmen Brian

Erin and Daniel up at the altar. Her Dad, a Catholic Deacon and his Dad, a Lutheran Minister, both presided over the wedding. It was a very unique and touching ceremony

Erin, Melissa, Emily and I at the reception (the only maid missing from the pic is Tina, her sister and Matron of Honor)

The bride and groom cutting the cake

Me and my handsome date (Vanessa was kind enough to do my hair for me)

Emily and I danced like we couldn't stop all night long. Here we are with Erin grooving to an old favorite of ours "Mo Money, Mo Problems"

The wedding brought out our romantic side

Wedding Weekend Part 1

Wow! That was such a whirlwind but incredibly fun trip to ABQ, New Mexico for Erin and Daniel's wedding. Everything was just beautiful and I was so glad that we could be apart of their special weekend. I'm hoping to detail our activities in the photos below...

The wedding and reception were both located in the town of Corrales which is just outside ABQ.

Their church was one of the neatest places I have ever seen a wedding at. It was built in the 1700's and was absolutely adorable inside. No air, but we survived!

Outside the church...

John showing off the rehearsal dinner location

Vanessa, Emily, Melissa and me at the rehearsal dinner

John and Vanessa's husband Jared

The happy couple after an adorable slideshow of photos was shown of Erin and Daniel through the years (including some embarassing ones of Er and I during college) that Daniel and his groomsmen put together