48 hours in New England

This past weekend my friend Tara and I traveled to New Hampshire to see one of our dear friends get married.

It was a lot of traveling but a whole lot of fun and worth the 8 hours on a plan and 4 hours in a very small rental.

Jared and Maggie got married in the small town of New London NH. the reception was in the even smaller town of Andover at the Bluewater Lodge. The lodge is where we stayed and it was great! Upstairs there were bunk rooms with some bunks 3 high!

We got in LATE Friday night and stayed up even later playing games and catching up. Saturday we went Apple Picking! It may have been raining and overcast, but I was not leaving NH without getting some apples. Even some of my Florida friends tagged along for their first time. They were impressed. (the apples we get in Florida are a joke)

The wedding ceremony heartfelt. Both Tara and myself had to choke back tears.

Back at the lodge we were served hors’de ouves and spiked cider while we mingled about the lodge. Dinner was great and dessert was the best I’ve ever had at a wedding.  We danced so hard the floor shook and when the dj said good night we all kept going. A fire was lit or I should say tried to be lit outside and I sat with some of my best friends from grad school and discussed our lives and the direction they have gone in the last 8 years.  It was a perfect day.

The view from my bunk:

Sunday after cleaning up we made the 30 min drive to see Jared and Maggie's house before we hit up the local pancake house for a much needed greasy breakfast. With full bellies Tara and I headed back to Boston to catch our flight. we were exhausted, hung over and ready to go home to our sweet girls (and boys).

This was the first time in a long time I had taken a trip by myself. While I missed both Adam and Charlie it was nice to be only responsible for myself. Luckily Erin had a 10 month old boy I was able to snuggle. 

It was also nice to take a trip with my best friend. We haven’t done that in a long time. We may be older and married, but we proved we are still a whole lot of fun and can still hang with the guys!!

February…Fly By

So it’s March.

Both of us felt like February Dragged on…but I think that’s because we were SO busy!  Here’s a quick, mostly photographic recap!

My Aunt Sandy & Uncle Don returned from their Cancun Trip and stayed with us the 1st weekend in February.

Then the following Wednesday my Parents & Aunt Annette Arrived. My dad had a work meeting so he stayed at the hotel until Friday while my mom and aunt stayed with us.

Also that week this guy…turned 40.

Our good friend Jimmy.

And we all went out to the beach (brrr) to celebrate on Saturday.

Then is was valentines day…Adam made me a card-cause I guess the day after V-day they clear Target of all the cards.

We went our for a nice dinner at a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try since I moved here; J. Alexander’s. It was pricey-but very worth the money and very very good.

The next weekend my friend Richy was supposed to come down, but due to a broken foot that didn’t happen and our trip to Orlando went from a party of 4 to a party of 2.

Kristi and I had a fun day at Universal studios.  Their new roller coaster, Rock Roll N’ Ride was so much fun! You got to pick your own music to be played while you rode! Then when you get off you find out they video taped your whole ride! Kristi and I were dying laughing at ourselves!

But the main reason for the trip was this girl.

I love me some Kelly Clarkson and she was performing as part of Universals Mardi Gras event.  Free Concert! She was AWESOME and it was a fun fun weekend.

The next wee was pretty normal. We had church on Wednesday and a Transformers Dark of the Moon Viewing with a couple friends Thursday night. Then something weird happened. Adam had the weekend off!! His first in I can’t remember.  So Saturday we both went and got our hair done! That night we went out on a double date with Krista and her then BF Skylar. We had sushi then found a fun bar with a live band, Golden Tee, Darts and Bowling.  It felt so good to get out and I know Adam was happy to be able to have fun as well. Sunday my husband surprised me with his skills once again and changed his breaks on his car.  It was a  much needed chill weekend.

February ended with Adam working 3 nights in a row and my book club meeting on Leap Day. Phew! I’m tired just re-typing all of that!But you want to hear something else, he’s got this weekend off as well! Whoop whoop! I love me some husband time. We’ve got fun plans…hopefully I’ll be better with updates in March.

301 North

A few Saturdays ago we decided to hop in the car and head north on US-301.  We had intentions of stopping off at Hillsborough River state park so that Adam could work on his photography.  As we drove along…just see what there was…I began to realize a need for a cup of coffee.  So after going through Zephyrhills (yikes) I found a coffee shop on the map in Dade City. 

We figured this would be a good place to get some lunch and then turn around and hit up the state park.  Looking on the map there wasn’t much north and we had driven for about 30 minuets. So as we drove on all of a sudden Adam goes-“HILLS!” and sure enough we were driving on a rarity in Florida-honest to goodness real hills lined with Orange groves.

As we entered Dade City (a place neither of us had been) we realized there was an antique car show going on and the downtown area was peppered with shops.  We were pleasantly surprised.  We parked and headed to the coffee shop, grabbed some lunch, then decided to explore this little town.

We spent the next 4 hours in and out of antique shops (Adam loves old things & I love to shop-so it’s win win).  We had so much fun walking hand in hand down the street, pointing out interesting finds and even purchasing a few things! 

The first was something I spotted I thought my mother might like; a mink stole. I have one and she always says how much she wants one. So I called her and got the ok and even got the lady to lower the price $25.  Best part is it comes with a cute pill box hat. 

The next item we bought we actually had walked away from, but I knew Adam was intrigued since he was researching the piece on the internet (via phone). Finally after sitting on a park bench and discussing the “we don’t NEED it, save money…ect.” I called my dad and had him do an eBay search.  It was a 45 piece silver plate flatware set from the 20’s (we think).  And no we don’t NEED silverware in the least bit, but for some reason we were both drawn to it. Adam the history and value and me the homemaker aspects and passing it down to our grandchildren.  We finally went back in and Adam offered the lady $20 less than the asking price and we got it. I spent that evening polishing every piece-and it looks great now!

After we finished up at our 10th antique store we headed back on the road for home as the sun was making it’s decent and the moon was already mid sky.  Luckily there was still plenty of light to stop off at the groves and grab a few pictures. 

And of course, smell the orange blossoms! (one of my favorite scents. The others, Coppertone sunscreen and fresh cut wood )

We really couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day.  It was fun driving around and seeing what there is within 30 minutes of our house, discovering new spots and mostly spending time together.  Quality, uninterrupted/distracted, fun time. 

If you’re ever visiting and want a fun day trip-go to Dade City. 1st Saturday of every month is the car show and the last weekend in January is the Kumquat festival. We highly recommend it.

The Super Long Post

Ok, Here it is…our super duper up-to-date what we’ve been up to post.

Where did we leave off?

My birthday…Adam made me my favorite cake. It wasn’t as good as moms, but it was pretty good…especially for breakfast.

Ok, on to the rest of December:

After much contemplation I did something that I’ve never done before.

Put up a fake tree.

GASP!!

After my birthday (which is the ok date to put up a tree) Adam had to work a few nights…making our tree time limited. But I decided that 1. we must have a tree 2. it was silly to go out and buy a tree to put up for a week only to leave it to die.  So on a Tuesday night he pulled his fake tree out of the attic and I plugged in a pine scented air freshener thing. We played Christmas music and drank eggnog while we had fun unpacking our ornaments.  The joke of  the night: Look a ballerina ornament…ya, I said that at least 7 times.  We probably only have 20 different ornaments…so it’s a pretty big ratio.  Scooby Do was #2 with 4 and the Smurfs followed with 2.

When we finally finished christmafying the house we sat back and enjoyed the view…and it began to feel a little more like Christmas.

The next week was spent finishing up last minute detail before we took off.  We had a nice evening BBQ-ing at Krista’s house where we ended up staying up till almost 3am playing a board game! (that is rare for me!) The next day, we got to go skating at the Forum for Adam’s Christmas party.  It was a nice way to spend the afternoon. Then later while wasting time before church we drove around the neighborhoods looking at all the lights on the houses (trying to still get in the spirit-it’s hard to do in Florida!) Then right before we headed to the 7pm service, I looked at the bulletin in the car and realized that while we were wasting time before mass…mass was going on. oops. Mental note: Sunday night service is at 6pm!!!

Thursday before Christmas my office had a “party” of sorts. My boss took us out for the afternoon on his boat and we drank champagne and toured downtown via river. 

I had to leave early since we were heading to North Carolina that day, so Adam picked me up and off we went to the Tar Heal State. (Adam hates that name)

Christmas. This was my 1st year not spending Christmas with my family. And you know what…I was ok and I know they were all glad we were there.  We had a great time with Adams family.  We had a lovely dinner Christmas eve-and everyone pitched in. 

Adam and I went to mass at a very very small church in a neighboring town.  I’m talking 3 people to a pew small! Adam actually sat behind me! Welcome to the south where the tea is sweet, the biscuits hot, and the Catholics few.

Christmas morning poor kylie was still sick-but we had fun watching her open her gifts and putting them together so she could play. 

Zoe was a trooper and open up her gifts like a pro ;)

And yes, Aunt Stephanie Made the girls matching outfits.

   Grandpa loves his girls…

We had a nice lunch before everyone had to head to other Christmas's and we stayed on with Russ and had a quiet evening of cards, movies and leftovers. 

On Monday we were able to spend the afternoon back at Alyssa's before heading back to Tampa.

Kylie got her own trampoline for Christmas…and she had a blast jumping.

 

We got home around 1 am and were greeted by happy dogs.  I quickly dumped out my suite case and loaded up what I could.  I was leaving the next morning for Michigan.

Yep. I was busy. 4 states in 24 hours.

Adam dropped me off at 10:30 am the next morning before he went to work. He had to stay behind, as it was a busy event full week at the Forum. We said our goodbyes and I boarded yet another AirTran flight for Grand Rapids.

Felicia picked me up and we headed to Pentwater, arriving just in time for cocktails.  We exchanged gifts and had a fun night playing games. 

The rest of the week was spent relaxing and having an overall good time. Teaching Jen how to be Polish

Quality time with Ms Gretta Lee

The night before Jonathans birthday we took the big 22 year old to the antler and showed him a good time.

WARNING…UNATRACTIVE BAR PICTURES…

Then the next day we had a family get together and it was great seeing some of my cousins…some who I hadn’t seen since my wedding!  Dad took everyone for a ride in his new duck-6-wheeler. all the kids thought they were at Walley World. They packed right in! 

Joseph and Jen left mid day on Thursday, so by the time Friday rolled around it was pretty quiet.  I was able to see my oldest friend, Joelle, and catch up with her an her family. And we even got to tour the old house she used to live in. Talk about flashbacks!

My last night in town we headed to the eagles bowling lanes (an old high school hangout!) it was $1 night-$1 shoes, $1 games AND $1 Beers. Only in Oceana County!

The big Labowski!

Saturday Jonathan and I headed out and and I hopped back on a plane back to Florida.  Adam had left a car at the airport for me (uggg that’s a story in itself)

Quick version: In an effort to save $ on Cab fare, he dropped a car off the day before. But then spent $124 getting back home (a trip to the casino is cause for $100 of it!)

Anyway. I headed into town on New Years Eve where Adam was finishing up work, but by 10:30 I was tired and anxious to get home. so I rang in the new year sitting on the couch, eating mac n cheese watching a lame 90’s movie while bruiser barked at Busch Gardens fireworks display. It was perfect-and just what I needed.  Adam came home around 12:30. We spent the next day with friends and finished it relaxing at home. 

So that’s our holidays in a nut shell…or a really long blog post.

Happy New Year! May 2012 be your best year yet!!