Apr 27, 2010

Jon Bon Jovi

FINALLYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have been waiting years.....yes YEARS to go to see Bon Jovi live.  Top of my Bucket List...Check!    Just ignore how faaarrrr away our seats were and know that we could still see him and it looks further than it really was.  This is really the best concert I have been too and hope to go again and get a little closer...I mean who wouldn't want to see this gorgeous man up close????????????  
I took loads of pictures and videos, but you can hear some chick me his biggest fan singing at the top of her lungs (how embarrassing) in most of them, but did find one that will give you a taste of our experience.  Sorry it cuts off at the best part, but Ryan stopped videoing so he could rock out to the last song/encore!

Apr 15, 2010

Russ's Wedding

This past weekend we went to Charlotte to see friends and attend one of Ryan's college friends weddings.  First, Saturday we enjoyed fish tacos at The Deck with John, Jennifer and Caroline.  Love spending time with these girls:) 
The wedding was outside and beautiful.  I have to say I have been to lots of outdoor weddings and Erin really lucked out with the weather!!!  Some of my favorite things were that they had a sushi bar and provided cigars for the guests (which Ryan loved).  When we were in college we took for granted being able to see these people all the time so weddings are a great way to get everyone together again!
This hansom fellow is Russ, aka The Groom!  One funny prank was that the groomsmen wrote "help" on one shoe and "me" on the other so when Russ got on his knees to pray during the ceremony, those in the audience could see.  Well when I say it was funny... funny to us....not to Erin.  I didn't get a good picture of Erin, for some reason they were all blurry on my camera.  She looked amazing and we could not be happier for the Bride and Groom, just a little jealous that they got to spend a week in Paris!!

Apr 13, 2010

Just for a Day

We are going to try to take advantage of only living 2 hours from the beach while we can!  Since we are trying to not take big vacations this year, we are making the most of small get aways or day trips.  Last week we went to Wilmington to enjoy the first day of temperatures in the 80's.  We packed up some sandwiches and snacks.

We played bocce ball, read Coastal Living Magazines, took naps and went for a long walk. Overall great weather and very relaxing...
Before heading home we shared shrimp and oysters on the water.
Doesn't get much better than this.  Hope we find the time to take another day trip soon:)

Apr 8, 2010

Soccer Game

Even though my brothers and I all have 5-7 years between us (that's right 5 kids with 5-7 years between us...my dad is never going to retire loves children) we try to stay close and be as involved in each others lives as possible.   Since we will be moving to Charlotte after Ryan finishes school, we are trying to soak up all the time we have, while we still live so close to my family!  Jake (age 9) had his first soccer game of the season the other night and Ryan and I got to go.  Jake also just recently got an email account and can now read our blog....hey Jake! Jake played great and after a win-less season last time he played, they won the opener 6-0 and Jake got an assist!!
Zach bossed Jake around from the sidelines and we all took turns chasing him around and keeping him entertained:)  Look at that sweet face...
Great game Jake!!!   Hopefully we will be able to make it to a lot of your games this season:)

Apr 5, 2010

Happy Easter

We spent Easter this year with my side of the family.  We went to our church in Cary and then off to Wilson, NC to my Bonus Mom's parents (Fred and Linda) house.  These are honestly some of the nicest people I have ever met.  My brothers Jake, Mark and Zach have the BEST grandparents who love and spoil them to death.  Here is a picture of us all before we changed into comfy clothes.
There is a lot to do out in the country...tractors, 4-wheelers, basketball, sand boxes and lots of land to run around.
After playing we ate a delicious meal....with lots of options and sides...my kind of spread!
Of course Jake and Zach also enjoyed an Easter Egg Hunt with a special Golden egg that had $5 (a lot of money to them:)  Once Zach figured out there was candy in the egg he wasn't interested in hunting for more, but wanted to eat the candy!
I am helping Zack get an egg out of the tree...I think it was intended for Jake to find, but he was on a mission to find the Golden egg.

Which he found with some hints and help!
What a great way to spend time with family and celebrate the ressurection of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Hope you all had a great Easter weekend!
John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

Apr 3, 2010

Birthday with a French twist

Happy Birthday Jared!  Although today is his birthday, we celebrated last weekend in Charlotte.  We spent Saturday at the farmers market, shopping, lunch at Dean and Deluca, bocce ball outside and of course a French feast for dinner.  Here is Ryan, his dad and brother (Jared) having a birthday cigar.
The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed spending time on the screened in porch while Jared made dinner...yep he is a better cook than most of us and made most of his own birthday dinner.
Ryan and his dad played cribbage...
I tried to give Riley a little attention so she would stop winning!!!
Before the festivities began Ryan made a green juice and said it was a "pretox detox".  Basically something healthy before the booze:)  Ryan's dad made amazing Raspberry margaritas.  We had white bean dip and an antipasto platter for appetizers.
Jared chose a French theme for the dinner which included French Onion Soup and Coq au Vin.  Both were amazing!!!  I watched, took notes, and photographed the whole process for the soup and will be posting that recipe later.
For dessert I made a Triple Chocolate Fat Pants Cake from this cookbook.  Miriam gave me the cookbook for Christmas and once you have most of the gluten free items it is really easy and sooo good for you(it is gluten free, vegan free and sugar free).  There were three layers of this brownie cake goodness, with icing and broken up chocolate chip cookies in between each layer and on top.  It was one of the best cakes I have EVER made...I think Jared really enjoyed it too!


Don't you love the candle...can you tell we couldn't find any real candles haha!
Hope you had a great Birthday week Jared!!!