Coast to Coast

Update

2009-12-11T16:24:00.003-05:00

Things have been so busy this last month! I desperately need to catch up on the blogging but in the meantime here is a pic of little girl with her Uncle at Thanksgiving. We went up to Boston again this year as my brother hosted the holiday. We had a lovely time! I will do the official Thanksgiving post shortly but in the meantime here is a pic of my little obsession for your viewing pleasure! Isn't she getting so big? I just can't believe it, I swear she doubles in size every night when I go to get her in the morning she looks so big! The poor little girl was so sick while we were there, but yet she still manages to ham it up for the camera...wonder where she got that from????

Happy Birthday Husband!

2009-11-17T06:48:00.001-05:00

I just love this picture and I had to share it! It is one of my favorite pictures of him when he was little. Look at those cheeks, that bib and that blond hair! Oh I just love him, so cute!

Hope you had a wonderful day, I know we did! Love you!

Just in case...

2009-11-09T10:31:00.004-05:00

anyone is looking to cross me off their Christmas gift list early go ahead and put me down for one of these cupcake cars!

I saw them in the Neiman's catalogue and thought I had died and gone to heaven! Now if only they made them with edible frosting so you could eat while you cruise...I'll take mine with white cake & white buttercream frosting please!

An Egyptian Murder Mystery!

2009-11-02T20:27:00.004-05:00

On Halloween one of our good friends, Lord Witherspoon (aka Brian) turned 30 so his cute wife, Lady Witherspoon (aka Christine) threw him a murder mystery birthday bash! It was a ball!

The party was set in the 1920s and everyone had a part and a secret. Jewels and mummies were stolen along with a gruesome murder committed and we spent the night trying to figure out who was being blackmailed, smuggling Opium (ya that turned out to be my husband) and who done it. The best part was that Lady Witherspoon had rented out a spooky cabin in the woods to have the party. Seriously, I went to the bathroom and I totally could have been bumped off and no one would have been the wiser. It was the perfect location!

Here is Captain Andrean and myself all decked out in our Egyptian gear. We ran a Cruise ship that sailed the Nile...all the more fitting to be an Egyptian Princess and Pharaoh!

I totally got my craft on and sewed these costumes...it really was fun! I must say the husband was such a good sport to wear my creation. I can just hear Heidi Klum saying in her little German accent: "this looks a little home sewn"

Here are the jewels and part of explorer Lord Witherspoon's archaeological find!

Here I am with our host and hostess. Thank you again for a lovely evening, we had a blast! Happy Birthday Brian!

Oh and for anyone wondering, aside from the Opium thing...we were innocent!

Hapbeeeee Halloween!

2009-10-29T09:30:00.001-04:00

Little girl loved dressing up in her bumble bee costume, but as the photo shoot went on...well you can see the digression in the photos!

I love flying around the room like a bee!

Still having fun but getting a little sweaty in all this tutu...

Ok, Mom, I think I am ready to be unstrapped from these wings...

So happy to be out of my costume! (is it just me or does she totally have guns in this photo?!)

Hope you all have honey of a Halloween!

2,555 Days of Wedded Bliss

2009-10-26T07:02:00.001-04:00

So today is our 7 year anniversary, WOW, I can't believe it. For some reason 7 just sounds big to me. Or maybe it is all that we have been through together up until this point, 7 jobs between the two of us, living in 4 different cities from coast to coast which by default included 4 moves (yuck), 2 houses one of which took us 1 1/2 years to sell, trips all over the world including MANY to Disney of course, law school, IVF and finally our sweet little Gwyn...and that is just the reader's digest version. I can only imagine what is to come next and I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else in the world. E you are my best friend in the whole world and my perfect match. In the words of the Beach Boys....God only knows what I'd be without you! I love you the most!

Apple Festival

2009-10-14T08:43:00.014-04:00

Despite what you may think there are definite perks to living in Central Pennsylvania and a quaint hometown apple festival is one of them. Sister was in town two weekends ago (little behind on the posting since sister had all the pics, thanks again since my camera died!) on her way back to Boston from visiting the hubby in Indy...yes they are living apart for a year while she finishes her residency in Beantown. We feel so sad for her but are so happy to see her as she passes through from time to time!

We embarked on our adventure into no man's land (really and truly) and attended the annual Apple Festival in the middle of a privately owned orchard. What a ball! It was filled with delicious homemade apple treats and delightful little treasures from the locals. We loved every minute of it. Here are some pics from our trip!

A local Bluegrass band played and it was lovely! Notice all the "old folk" sitting in for the entertainment.

Pennsylvania is famous for their railroads, here is one of the antique trains for display.

Wild Bills was an old fashioned soda bar. If you look closely you can see barrels of homemade old fashioned soda that you just buy a mug for and fill up all day. Too cute!

Ok, we were totally out of the festival and noticed the cut outs that we missed...needless to say we HAD to go back to take some photos. We are such SUCKERS for the cut outs!

Here is little one peeking through the apple, I just want to smooch her face off!!

Sister as the scarecrow

Yes, I had to have my picture taken too!

Had to make a pit stop for little one....still getting used to that :) Although I would say I have mastered the quick diapee change. I think I could win in a race

Here are the orchards, not a very good pic but you get the idea. They covered the rolling hills of PA and the festival was just on the other side of that hill. Very picturesque.

Here is sister with the little one just chilling in the beamer before we took off to the pumpkin patch. It actually turned out to be such a nice sunny day she was a little sweatball in that outfit.

From the festival we took off to one of the local farms to pick up some lovely home grown mums, fresh veggies and homemade peach preserves. I made a peach crisp with mine the next morning and it was to die for! So yummy.

Just outside the country store.

Me and G in the field of mums. They are EVERYWHERE in PA. All from local farms and so thick and full. Sister bought one to take back to Boston since they don't grow them up there like they do here...not to mention you get them for the local price, such a steal!

This is about as far as we got in the corn maze...with G we didn't think getting lost in all the corn would be the best idea :)

Attempting to get her first picture at the pumpkin patch. She is wearing her cute Halloween outfit from Gigi...love it! She was obsessed with something on the ground so she wouldn't look up.

Finally that cute face and *sigh* that double chin...I just love it!

We had a wonderful weekend with sister! Come visit soon we love and miss you!

4 months!

2009-10-09T09:58:00.002-04:00

So E took Gwyn to the doctor on Wednesday for her 4 month appointment and of course that means shots! Part of me was relieved that he had to take her this time and not me. She really is such a good girl and only cries for about a minute after they give them to her but nonetheless, it is heartbreaking! But as sister the doctor says, she has to have them!

Sorry no pics this time but I just thought I would make note of her stats: she is in the 60% percentile for weight, 90% percentile for height and 95% percentile for her head! She is long and lean and according to these stats an orange on a toothpick, but it doesn't look that way since she still has plenty of biteable rolls, thank goodness for mom since I just want to eat her up everyday!

No wonder her onesies barely button and the neck comes down to a smiley face, time to buy some extenders!

3 Months

2009-09-25T16:21:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago I took Gwyn to have her three month pictures taken. Here are a few of my favorites.

Tres joli bebe!
I had some pictures taken of her in her blessing dress. I just love this picture because you can see the hand crocheted booties that she wore with the dress. They had little pearls on the tops of them, so cute. Love the Amish handy work around here! Thanks again Gigi, she looked beautiful!

Baby Einstein

2009-09-15T16:32:00.008-04:00

Ok, first I have to say I am sorry that every post now is Gwyn, but I can't help it...I am OBSESSED with her!

So Eli and I don't let her watch tv (BabyWise says...for those that don't know BabyWise is my other obsession and what I credit to Gwyn sleeping through the night at 6 weeks...that tv for little ones before a certain age is too stimulating for their little nervous systems and can affect their sleep, etc.) but since she turned 3 months we thought it might be ok to let her watch Baby Einstein every once and while.

So this is a pic of Gwyn kicking back and watching her first Baby Einstein, which by the way she kept looking at Eli like "um, I know this isn't what you watch, cut the crap, this is for little babies and I am a big girl!"

Anyway, this is from his phone so it is kind of grainy but you get the idea...she is HYSTERICAL! Plus this really gives you a good side shot of her Mohawk and no I don't comb it like that and no it won't go down, it is out of control!

Gwyn Tour 2009

2009-09-09T13:03:00.012-04:00

Three weeks ago we went to Utah to show our little bundle of joy off to all of our friends and family. From the second we touched down we were here, there and everywhere on our "Gwyn Tour." She was the star of the show...as she should be.

While we were there we blessed Gwyn and Eli gave the most beautiful blessing. Many of you know my husband is a very "non emotional" kind of guy so when he gave Gwyn her blessing we were all touched to hear him get a little emotional about his sweet little girl. After all we have been through I think it was an emotional day for us both to be holding our little one in her perfect little white dress and know that she will be ours forever! Thank you Eli for a beautiful blessing.

In the words of my mom, "Beautiful blessing, beautiful baby, beautiful day!"

The Veenendaal Family

Brothers & Babies...yes that is Eli's brother and yes they look nothing alike! Gwyn and her cute little cousin Avery

Great Grandma Aleen & Gwyn

The 4 Dawns...from the left:

Gayla Dawn, Gwyneth Dawn, Jennifer Dawn and the original Hazel Dawn

Gwyn with her Gigi

Nan & Gwyn

Great Grandpa Glenn & Gwyn

Great Grandpa Jim & Gwyn. Just before a little meltdown :)

Great Grandpa Emery & Gwyn

Great Grandma Doreen & Gwyn

Of course I had my hair done while I was there and of course I had to have Gwyn's picture with Ramez since he is pretty much a member of our family. Gwyn's hair is almost long enough for him to style...can't wait for that!

All tuckered out after a very very busy trip, gotta love the drool! I must say though she was perfect on the plane out and back, in fact most people didn't even know there was a baby on the plane, phew! She is a fantastic little traveler and the life of the party. I am so glad we were able to make it out to see our family and friends. Thank you all for making it such a wonderful trip. See you at Christmas!

Her future is looking so bright...

2009-09-02T13:29:00.000-04:00

1st Day of Church!

2009-08-02T21:02:00.007-04:00

So Gwyn is officially 8 weeks and I decided it was safe, I mean time for her to make her debut at church. Can you tell we are first time parents or what?

Here is baby with her proud papa.

This is what happened when I told Gwyn church is 3 hours and she has to go every Sunday for the rest of her life.

2 Nieces & A Little Chickie

2009-07-28T20:43:00.001-04:00

This past weekend my brother & sister-in-law came down with their two girls to meet baby Gwyn or as Carson calls her, "little Chickie." They are the sweetest girls I just love them SOOOO much and it was so good to see them. Of course we had to go to Hershey and to Chocolate World where they could ride the chocolate ride and get their piece of candy. We ended up riding the ride twice and the candy after each ride plus the cupcake we had for a treat made for a very lively afternoon with these two!

They were so sweet with Gwyn and loved to help me and hold her. One afternoon while Gwyn was napping I suddenly heard a little voice over the monitor making sounds. Taryn went up to Gwyn's room and there was Kendall in there making noises and faces at her and Gwyn was totally lying in her crib laughing and smiling at her. It was the CUTEST!

It was so nice to see James & Taryn and have a great weekend with the girls. We can't wait for their little one to arrive at Christmas!

Here are some pics from their visit.

Gwyn just loves her cousins! I love how she is just staring at Carson in this picture.

Thanks for coming guys, we love you and come visit again soon!

One Month

2009-07-21T10:49:00.005-04:00

I took Gwyn to get her one month pictures taken and I just thought I would share since they are too cute! Yes, I realize I am her mother but come on...what baby in a diaper isn't the cutest?

She is changing so fast, I feel like I am going to blink my eyes and she will be off at college!

It doesn't get any cuter than this...

2009-06-13T12:22:00.000-04:00

My Labor Day

2009-06-12T11:46:00.001-04:00

Everyone has their story and I am pleased to say that mine started out frustrating and ended up being FANTASTIC! We were supposed to go in at 7am on the 2nd to be induced. I woke up at 5am and called the hospital to make sure they could still get me in...sure enough there must have been a full moon or something and they were full. After killing time shopping and hanging out with family fir the day, they finally called late in the afternoon and said to be there at 5pm for induction...how exciting...and nerve racking!

As Eli and I walked into the Hershey Med Center I couldn't help but feel the emotions! How many times I had made that same walk into that same hospital wondering if I would ever have a baby of my own and now here I was walking into the hospital with my best friend in the whole world about to meet the new addition to our family, it was both a surreal and an exciting moment.

They checked me in and told me that I had made no progress since my last doctors visit a week ago. Apparently Gwyn was very comfortable in there and had no plans of leaving anytime soon. Without going into too much detail they began with a few treatments to get me going without using pitocin right away since I really wanted to avoid it as much as possible. I labored naturally through the night with back labor...which SUCKED! I actually didn't know it was back labor until one of the Docs asked me where the pain was, I just thought that was part of labor! Finally by about 1am I was dilated to a 3 and they broke my water.

Anyway, the funny part of the story is what happened from about 3 am to 6 am. Many of you know I was considering a natural child birth. Natural in my mind went something like this, me waking up in the middle of the night telling Eli my water broke, going to the hospital and labor taking its natural course. Once I realized I was going to have to be induced and pitosin was more than likely going to be part of the process I started to rethink the situation since pitosin isn't really a "natural" experience anymore. So keeping that in mind, Eli and I were laying there talking when at about 3am we could hear the woman in the next room screaming for her life. These are thick hospital walls too, I couldn't believe it! After 3 hours of blood curdling screaming we hear the baby cry and think, phew we don't have to listen to that anymore! Then suddenly we hear one final ear splitting scream from the woman next door....it was the "repair" shot!!!! The one I had dreaded above labor and delivery and everything else. I took one look at Eli and hit the nurse call button. Epidural please!!! At this point going through labor for 12 hours, experiencing what pitosin does to your body and enduring back labor for that long with no sleep was enough for me. The thought of trying to push after being so exhausted sounded crazy. I got the epidural, at this point I was dilated to a 5 and slept for a couple of hours and than sister and her husband came by to say goodbye since they had to leave to go back to Boston. So sad they would miss the birth.

They left and I was eating a popsicle, chatting with Eli and all the sudden the door flies open, the entire nursing staff and doctors come in since the baby's heart beat had dropped suddenly and disappeared. They put me on all fours, gave me oxygen and realized I was at a 10...time to push! What a shock, no one would have thought it would go that fast! Eli quickly called my mom and said to come NOW! I pushed for 2 hours and Gwyn made her appearance.

It was really sweet, she cried a little until Eli went and held her hand and talked to her and she was quiet right away. Such a sweet baby who is already a daddy's girl.

Sister and her husband turned right around and came back to see Gwyn then officially left for Boston and my mom made it to the hospital just in time. I was so glad they got to see her.

Moral of the story, a great husband, screaming lady in the next room, epidural and pleasant company make for a fantastic birthing experience!!! I had such a high!

Happy Birthday Gwyneth Dawn!

2009-06-04T11:34:00.001-04:00

After being induced at 5pm on June 2nd, Gwyn made her appearance rather suddenly at 12:13 pm on June 3rd surprising not only the entire staff of the hospital but her mother and father too! I guess she is just like her mom in that respect since that is how I entered the world!

Some of you have asked about the name, we chose the name Gwyneth because it is another from of Guinevere which is where the name Jennifer comes from. Dawn is a family name from my side, the first born daughter has the middle name Dawn making her the 4th generation to carry on the tradition.

She was 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 inches long! Big girl! Here are some pictures of her right after delivery.

We couldn't be happier!

41 Weeks & Ready!

2009-06-01T22:20:00.003-04:00

The last pregnant day! I spent it with my mom and sister getting pedicures and then we all went down to Amish Country for some good ol' shoo fly pie! Hopefully all the walking and yummy food will put me into labor tonight! If not, I will just have to make due with the induction!

Hopefully I will have some good news tomorrow and finally know if my little one is a boy or a girl! Wish me luck!

Update!

2009-05-30T10:37:00.003-04:00

So as of now I am 4 days overdue and I am scheduled to be induced on Tuesday at 7am!

My mom has been here for 10 days waiting for little one to make an appearance and sister and her husband are getting here tonight so I sure hope baby decides to join the world before they leave next Wednesday.

Thanks for all your calls, emails and texts, I will keep you all posted!

Make your guess!

2009-05-20T21:59:00.001-04:00

With 5 days to go until my due date I decided to update the blog and add a poll! Humor me a little while I wait out the last days and vote! :)

I finally finished the nursery and my sweet mom is here so I am ready to have this baby! I will post pics of the nursery soon!

Evolution of a pregnant lady

2009-04-30T21:40:00.001-04:00

Buckle up folks...

Week 21: such a big smile, and I thought I was soooo big...just wait!

Week 28

Week 31

Week 32

Fat girl in a little coat at week 33

Week 35...smile fading a little :)

Large and in charge in polka dots at week 36!

And the best one's are yet to come so stay tuned!

Showers!

2009-03-18T21:07:00.004-04:00

I flew out to UT over the weekend where my friends and family helped me celebrate the arrival of our little one!

My sister, Morgan, Julie and my mom threw a lovely shower for me at The Beehive Tea Room downtown. I was so nice to see so many family members and friends that I have grown up with. I love them so much and just wish I was closer to see them all more often.

My mom, Jess, Morgan and I getting ready to dive into our afternoon tea!

Thank you again for all the love and well wishes! Next time I see you all I will have little one with me! Can't wait!

Friends Shower!

My sweet friends Rochelle and Randi had a baby shower for me, I LOVED it! Thanks again girls, I really appreciated it! It was so fun to see all of my friends and all of their babies together. I can't believe how much we have all grown up!

Thanks for spoiling me ladies and for all the wonderful advice...I know I will be calling many of you for more down the road!

Valentine's Day in Bean Town

2009-02-19T20:32:00.001-05:00

We spent the long holiday weekend in Boston. Eli is the President of one of the Law Societies and he had a conference in Boston for the weekend which was perfect to go see Jess & Jared and James, Taryn and the girls.

While we were up there Jess scheduled high tea (shout out to Becky & the Brown Palace) at the cutest place! Jess, Taryn and I enjoyed some girl bonding while downing delicious tea sandwiches, scrumptious pastries and mouth watering turtles...seriously they were TO DIE FOR! Yet another reference to food for the pregnant lady...just had to mention that for anyone who is counting!

The entire place was decked out in this zebra theme...loved it.

Sisters!

Jess & Taryn

notice the empty tray...ya we ate everything

I made cookies with my nieces while I was there, they are so cute in the kitchen helping me roll out he dough and cut everything out! I think they ended up eating more than they made. These sour cream sugar cookies are AMAZING and so simple to make. If anyone wants the recipe just ask.

Jayce came out for the weekend also, so good to have him back in the states! My mom sent the girls these socks for Valentine's Day, they are too cute! She always finds the cutest stuff.

Thanks for a great weekend guys! Love you!

The BIG 3-0!

2009-02-08T20:14:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was my 30th birthday and my sweet husband made me whatever my little heart desired...mostly because it was my birthday but especially because when you are pregnant it is all about the food! Check out this cake that he made all by himself...too cute. Love you E!

We ate it all up!

He also made me french toast with fresh strawberries which I had been craving for weeks! Who would have known when I married him that he would be quite the chef, ummmm bonus!

We spent the day in D.C. shopping (at all of my favorite stores and he happily accompanied me without looking bored once although I am sure he was) and he took me to one of my favorite restaurants. I topped off the day opening presents because he does spoil me :) What a perfect day with the perfect guy!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T11:51:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! May all your days of 2009 be merry and bright!

Apparently pigs CAN fly!

2008-12-15T20:33:00.008-05:00

I'm pregnant!!!!!

I am due May 29th! Now it becomes obvious why I have been such a blogging slacker. I am almost 17 weeks and beginning to feel much better then a few weeks ago. I have so much to post with what we have been up to lately so I will be back soon with some more updates, just wanted to get the word out before my body gives me away completely!

We couldn't be happier!

A CT Wedding & A KD Reunion

2008-09-28T21:53:00.006-04:00

Last weekend Eli & I went up to CT for the wedding of one of my best friends from high school. She actually married another friend of ours from HS so it was quite the reunion wedding!

They were married in the church that they both grew up attending in our hometown and then it was off to the Stamford Yacht Club for the reception. The wedding was beautiful...excellent job Alex! The bride & groom arrived in style via boat along with the rest of the wedding party. Here are some of the highlights of the evening:

First Dance

Gettin' crazy with the DJ mic...although it wasn't turned on! :) Probably safer that way

Our "Prom" pics

3 Generations, so sweet

Yummy!

Eli and I stopped in NYC on the way back to PA and had brunch with Angie, Sandi and Nat. It was so good to see them, especially out in my neck of the woods! I wish we could have spent more time together!

Rocky Mountain Runner's High

2008-09-17T20:36:00.003-04:00

So this past weekend I went back to Denver to take care of some things with our house and see my friends....but most importantly run one of my 20 mile runs with my old running group Runner's Edge. Many of you know I am training for the Marine Corp Marathon, which is just 5 short weeks away, but I thought what could be better for my training then doing 20 at 5280! Gotta love the mile high city! It was a blast and I did some of my favorite things I love to do in that city and I didn't even realize that I had missed so much!

The afternoon after our 20 mile run Becky, Rachel and I went to the Brown Palace to have High Tea. I LOVE tea at the Brown Palace! When I lived in Denver this was almost a monthly occurrence and anyone that came to visit it was a must on the list of things to do.

They have so many wonderful little tea sandwiches, fresh scones with devonshire cream, a variety of delicious desserts and an endless tea selection to choose from...my favorites are the herbals of course!

Becky and Rachel being oh so proper...pinkies out ladies!

Here is a view from the upper balcony. As you can see people dress up in their best with their Sunday hats to attend. Tea is served in the hotel lobby so you are surrounded by the beauty of Denver's oldest and most prominent hotel. Eisenhower actually held his election headquarters from this hotel and most recently the Clintons stayed here during the DNC.

The highlight of the trip was finally getting to meet Becky's baby girl Ella. She is the CUTEST thing I have ever seen! So smiley and happy! I was especially excited to see the finished nursery since I helped Becky paint it just before I left and I never got to see it finished with the furniture and of course the best addition, Ella actually in it. It is so cute Beck! I love it but of course I am biased!

My last night in Denver we all went over to Michelle's house and she made us the best dinner! I love going to her house, good food, love the hot tub and definitely great company. Thank you Michelle for a wonderful evening. I really miss you guys!

I was also able to see our dear friends Carl & Camille and their sweet kids Jack & Marianne. Jack and grown so much, I couldn't believe it! What a difference a year makes. Marianne is so sweet, just a few months old she is a little mini me of her mom, so beautiful. Carl was a part in Eli's decision to go to law school and since he just graduated in May it reminded me that my husband won't be in school forever and I will have him back all to myself soon!

I had such a fabulous weekend. It was so good to see so many people that Eli and I love so much and I will always have a special place for Denver in my heart! Thanks for having me Beck, it was just like old times again! Come visit me in Amish land soon!

27 Beachside

2008-09-01T12:17:00.015-04:00

So this past week, after two years of being apart, my family was finally back together! My oldest brother and his family are back from China and my youngest brother is back from Brazil. My parents got a beach house in Rhode Island and for a week we hung out, went to the beach, ate fantastic food and saw old friends. We used to go to Rhode Island when we were growing up in CT so it was really fun to all be together there since it had been a while since we have all have been home one the east coast together.

We were all SO white...I guess that is what happens when you have a real job and never see the sun. My brother, Jayce, who just got home from his mission in Brazil (he had been there for the past 2 years) kept commenting on how white I was and for some of you who knew me well in the past I did have a bit of a tanning addiction, so he was especially surprised to see that I really am Caucasian!

Some of my favorite things about the beach: the smell in the air, the soft warm sand on your toes, the waves, ice cream after a hot day, falling asleep in the sun and of course burying people in the sand.

Jayce and I dug a hole and little Carson climbed right in! Then Carson and Kendall had some fun in the sand with their Uncle Eli...

Kendall is a little water baby! Boogie boarding was the highlight at the beach, little did Eli know that he married the all time best boogie boarder in the world! Really...I am good :)

For those of you who know how much I hate birds after the goose "incident" here is a picture of Carson running around chasing all the seagulls away from her Aunt Jen. She loved to chase them away and I loved her for keeping those disease infested disgusting flying pieces of poop away from me! My brother also found a blue crab on the beach, the coloring was beautiful.

Eli and Kendall after dinner one night, you can faintly see one of the lighthouses in the background that the east is famous for. RI is just a gorgeous place, we love it!

Kendall has a hard time keeping her shirt on while we mini golf :)

On one of our last nights in RI we went to one of our favorite restaurants, The Coast Guard House. It is right on the water and we had some of the most delicious seafood the east has to offer.

I realized this is the only picture I have of everyone!

We had such a fantastic time just getting away from work and school. Now Eli starts his second year of law school and I return to my role as "sugar momma" as Eli likes to put it. Here's to you Mom & Dad thank you for a wonderful vacation! Long live summer!!

FIFTH ROW

2008-08-12T19:42:00.001-04:00

So Eli and I heard that Maroon 5 was coming to Hershey and OF COURSE we HAD to go since they are one of our FAVORITE bands...although I might be slightly more obsessed just because of the Adam Levine default!

The bonus came when we found out that Maroon 5 was touring with Sara Bareilles (love her) and Counting Crows (featuring Side Show Bob from the Simpsons...but we will get to that later). It was an AMAZING concert, of course it didn't hurt that we had 5th row center tickets!

Here are a few of our favorite pics...

The concert opened with Sara

She had a fantastic voice and played the piano while she sang a few songs...keep your eye on this one! She will be around for a while. She also mentioned that she went to college with Maroon 5...I can only imagine what kind of stories she has about those guys!

She is so cute!

Then came Maroon 5...LOVE THEM!!

Adam vs James in dueling guitars

I heart Adam!

Butt shot for all you ladies! (Actually I think Eli took this for me, thanks honey!)

WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Then came Counting Crows, which I must admit I haven't listened to their stuff since high school. They were actually really good live, I think it was due to their "herbal aid" that they were so "relaxed" about the show!

Ok is it just me or is Adam Duritz Sideshow Bob from the Simpsons?

Side Show Bob

Here we are drenched in sweat but having the BEST time. Concerts are some of the best people watching, check out the background peeps! Ok, scary man about ready to go postal on the place and that poor woman picked the total wrong time to lean over!

We had a fabulous time!!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

2008-08-03T21:16:00.005-04:00

You're the Man!

The countdown is on...

2008-08-02T13:02:00.000-04:00

So this week my brother and his family are coming back from China! They have been gone since March so I am so excited to see them and my two favorite little nieces! Here is a little shout out to my girls!

These pics of course are from when we went to Disneyland right before they left. Aren't they so funny? Seriously these girls just kill me! They forced me to put on this Nemo hat (which had been tried on by who knows how many little sweaty kids all day) and they insisted that I hold a pirate sword to protect myself. From what you ask...probably myself, I can get a little carried away in my favorite place on earth!

That is the smile from one satisfied pickle customer!

Also this week, my little brother, who is not so little anymore, is coming back from Brazil! He has been there for two years and I am so excited to see him!

Just a few days and my entire family will finally be on the same continent! Can't wait...

Shower Time!

2008-07-28T19:33:00.002-04:00

I went to NYC this past weekend to attend the bridal shower for one of my best friends from high school. The shower was at Palma in the back carriage house and it was perfect!

Fabulous food and the company was even better. It was so fun to see old friends. We of course stuffed ourselves with yummy food and the mouth watering cake they had.

Of course I gave her lingerie for her present (well really a present for Nazz, her husband) I couldn't resist! Mostly because it is fun to give, but also since Central PA isn't exactly known for its shopping and Victoria's Secret is about all the choice I had. It was quite the spectacle when she held it up for all to see and the waiters gave her a standing ovation for the gift! :)

Me and the bride-to-be! It is so nice being back on the east coast and so close to my girlfriends! Thanks for a wonderful weekend ladies...see you on the big day!

July 4th Weekend

2008-07-12T09:38:00.003-04:00

Eli and I went out to UT for the 4th and it was definitely a needed break. We saw tons of friends & family and basically ate ourselves sick! Love the strawberry cake mom!

We were up in Park City at my parents and we got to see the new colt that one of my dad's horses just had a few weeks ago. His name is Chicks Poindexter (yeah the breeding names are so random and funny) but we call him Dex. He is the cutest little guy. So sweet and curious. Horses are so funny, they are these huge powerful creatures but they are just like people. So social and really loving. Mary is a great mom and it was so cute to see the two of them running around together.

What started out as a hobby for my Dad is quickly getting out of control...he is 6 horses now with another on the way! If anyone wants a ride the next time I am in PC just give me a holler!

Sleeping operators & dancing pieces of...

2008-06-09T19:42:00.008-04:00

So as many of you know I love theme parks, well to be clear not just any theme park, but specifically Disneyland and Disney World. I am somewhat of a fanatic. Needless to say my passion for Disney has left my expectations for anything in the amusement park genre to be held to a certain level of expectation and this often leaves me disappointed since no one can do it better then Disney. Nonetheless, we live 30 min from Hershey and I have been begging Eli to go with me to Hershey Park since we moved here because I hadn't been to the park since I was in middle school (good ol' middle school class trip). Well since he was done with finals he had no more excuses so we went this past weekend.

I just want to start out by saying it was 95 degrees and 95% humidity the day we went...what were we thinking, right? We busted right over to the newest ride in the park, Fahrenheit which boasts a 97 degree drop that is the steepest in the country. After waiting in line for 1 1/2 hours (which I haven't done in years thanks to the Disney invention "fastpass") I wanted to hurt myself. Finally we rode the ride and it was well worth it and quite the rush. I almost felt a little queasy after I got off. Which would explain why just outside the ride, in the line to get hot dogs, a kid barfed right in front of me just as Eli was paying. The weird thing is that he just wiped off his mouth and took off to ride another ride. Eww.

We took a little monorail ride around the park where we saw the chocolate factory. The Hershey Outlets are right by the park and many a day I have been shopping over there and come out of my favorite store to smell chocolate filled air. Chocolate and shopping...it couldn't get any better! So if you ever wonder where your chocolate is coming from now you know!

In one of the highlights of the day we decided to take a ride on the "Kissing Tower" which is more of a scenic ride that takes you 330 feet up to see Hershey from above. I don't know what scared me more, the sign I read on the way into the ride (cm'on does it really have to use the word "moisten") or the fact that the ride operator full on fell asleep while we were 330 feet in the air. I'll let you decide...

In our final shining moment at the park Eli and I were just walking out when we passed by a large stage where a band was playing and people were dancing. At this point I had become accustomed to the large candy bars and kisses that were wandering around the park like celebrities, which I still don't get why anything you would eat, digest and release back into the world in a new form would be fun to get your photo with but that is just me. Then we came across this little guy or should I say large "log" shaped guy cutting a rug when Eli suddenly stopped and said, "Is it just me or does that look like a giant piece of..?!"

I have never laughed harder in my life, it looked exactly like... a giant piece of a Nutrageous bar dancing the night away! (what did you think I was going to say?) Yum Yum kids, eat up!

He's finally free!

2008-05-30T20:25:00.002-04:00

A few weekends ago Eli finally finished his first year of law school! I am so proud of him! Since we hadn't really seen each other (aside from wondering what that lump on the other side of the bed was) for what felt like forever, we took a little trip down to my old stomping grounds as a youth. D.C. was the perfect getaway! We went to the temple and then to our favorite restaurant, Old Ebbets Grill...yummy!

I had the lobster and Eli had the jambalaya. I couldn't resist taking this photo of it. I love to eat it but for some reason I just can't look at it. Those little eyes looking at me as I eat his insides...I don't know, it is just a little too much for me.

After I have a small anxiety attack I get over it and enjoy my meal and of course the company. Love you E, here's to your first year! One down, two to go!

The time has come...

2008-05-27T20:43:00.004-04:00

for me to enter into this crazy phenomenon known as blogging. I must admit I feel a little strange about it, no not the writing part, I actually love to write (a little known fact about myself) but the placing it out there for all to see is the weird part. Anyone that knows me well can attest I am probably the most private person they know so this is a big step for me, but with family living on two different continents across the world from me I decided to suck it up and be a little more "out there" so let's see how this goes...