Thanksgiving with Family

Thanksgiving was a little different for me this year! Frank had a long weekend off so we took advantage and went to New Jersey to visit his family for the holidays.

We left EARLY!! Thursday morning and got to his mom's house around lunch time. We had a few hours to relax before we went to his father's house for dinner... YUMMY!! Then we went back to his mom;s for dessert with his Grandmom, sister and the four neices, as well as his Unncle and his girlfriend. It was a great day... but exhausting to say the least!

While we were in town, Frank had the opportunity to go hunting with a long time buddy of his! (SHH! Don't tell anyone... he wasn't allowed by the state!) He did shoot a decent size deer, so I think that made his day!

We met up with the "Jersey Crew"... that's what I refer to the friends to help me distinguish who I am referring to! :-) We took on Atlantic City... enough said!!

On Sunday, my "soon-to-be" Mother-In-Law (and I'm sure with a little help from others) surprised me with a Bridal Shower with the family and friends in Jersey! It was definitely a wonderful blessing! Everyone shared some of their favorite recipes with me and gave Frank and I some wonderful gifts for the house! I can't express how special that day made me feel! THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!

Below is the "sample" cake that "soon-to-be" Mother-In-Law made for the Bridal Shower... it definitely was more beautiful in person and YUMMY!! I can;t wait to enjoy more of this in 155 DAYS!! :-)

THE BIG 3 - 4!!

Just a few weeks late :-)

Frank celebrated his 34th birthday on November 7 (and McGraw turned 5!) It was a great night with friends... following are some photos!













MCGRAW's BIRTHDAY PHOTOS!!

WHAT'S GOING ON...

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Happy Halloween! Speaking of...

Frank and I were able to visit some of his friend in New Jersey for a party the weekend prior to Halloween! We had such a great time visiting with them all!







Frank and I got to spend some time with his mom, sister and his neices! It was a great time catching up and visiting with them!



A couple of our friends went to Jersey with us and Frank was able to show them around Philadelphia one day and they got to meet some more of his friends and family. They even got to experience the "WAWA"!

KAYLA... is now a little over 8 months! She definitely is a ham and has her way with her daddy! Her and McGraw continue to play all the time and are the best siblings!







FRANK... has had the opportunity to change his team location at work. He moved up the chain a little bit... which is a good thing! Because if this change, his schedule changed! The good thing... his 4-day weekend fall on Thanksgiving so we will be able to go to Jersey to do somethings at his uncle's house. The bad thing... this will be my FIRST Thanksgiving away from my family in NC since I moved to Charlotte! I'm up for the fun times and new memories, but it will be a bittersweet day!

P.S. HIS 34TH BIRTHDAY IS TOMORROW (NOV. 7) ;-)

WEDDING... Things are definitely at a stand-still for now! If you know me, I am always planning and organizing. (It doesn't help that I do this as a job!) So as some of you may know, I have all of the vendors selected, deposits paid and plans arranged for the next thing to do! BUT... the only thing to do on my list... ordering a few items for decorations and make the invitations! I feel like I should be doing more... UGH! BUT.. on the bright side... ONLY 181 DAYS TO GO!! (Tomorrow is officially 6 months)

Sorry it's been so long...

Well I have to apologize... it has been over a month since our last blog. Things have been terribly crazy with friends and family visiting to wedding planning (yes... it never ends!)

So since August... Frank's buddies from Jersey (Lou and Brian) came to visit for a long weekend. They played golf and we all went out on the town! Definitely fun times... the guys are great... and you can tell when Frank's buddies are in town! He starts sounding like those "northern" people!

The following weekend was Labor Day... I had a night with a couple of the girls, dinner and a movie. I love those nights! Definitely needed every couple of months! Frank and I went with some friends to see a local minor league baseball game and got to enjoy some fireworks at the end. I'm going to miss going to those games...

The weekend after... my Mom came to visit Frank and I! A MUCH NEEDED VISIT... I must say. It was awesome... I got to show her around Charlotte and she even meet our friends! Mom helped me upgrade our flower bed... it was infested with vines. It has great fall colors now! We took her to a great upscale-chinese restaurant for dinner one evening... we had to treat her good at least one night! Frank and I had a "family" cookout so everyone could catch up on her visit... it was great to have my parents together!

Now we are into mid-September... another busy weekend! Frank's buddy, Brian, came to visit again so he could go to a Phillies vs Braves game with us and a group of our friends. I also had my "mini" 10-year High School Reunion! Long story... but about 15 of my friends (and their significant others) got together at a local restaurant/bar for some drinks and catching up! It was definitely a fun evening, but not a long enough night! Sunday was the big game for the Phillies! The rain was a hit or miss with game in a rain delay at the top of the 5th inning. After 2 HOURS of waiting, we decided to go home due to travel time... and of course they started the game! We were able to listen in the car... Phillies won!!

Last weekend was a relaxing weekend... I went to a seminar all-day Saturday while Frank did some things around the house. The weather was rainy and cold... miserable! We thoroughly enjoyed our "own" time together... we missed each other.

It's amazing how fast time goes by when you are busy keeping up the everyday and when you relax to breathe... you realize what you miss the most!

Planning... Planning... and more Planning

Over the past few months Frank and I have been putting together our ideas and finalzing what we would like and not like for our BIG DAY in May 2010!

We are definitely having fun with it... it's just a big party for everyone anyways!

So this past weekend we were able to visit Emerald Isle again and meet a few new vendors that we talked with via email. We also meet with our Events Coordinator to layout the "plans"!

At this point... we have all of the vendors needed, all designing ideas ready for purchase, craft ideas planned for the bridal party, and so much love and fun to share with our family and friends!

DID I MENTION HOW EXCITED WE ARE!!

Month of July... and August 1

Well needless to say... Frank and I are staying busy this summer. And it's sad to think that it is almost over... only a few weeks until classes begin.

That's right... I am taking a class this semester. It turns out I only have about four classes left before I reach the position to receive a "Certificate". This will simply state that I have taken the required classes to know what I am talking about! If it takes me 20 years to get the diploma... so be it!


So in the past month or so, Frank and I went a local minor league baseball game, Gastonia Grizzlies. It was fun, but it felt more like a college baseball game!

At the end of July, we both went with my girls to the Nickelback concert. It was fun, but it rained most of the night!


The next evening, Frank stayed home and I went to another concert... Rascal Flatts!! Next to Tim McGraw... they are my FAVORITE COUNTRY BAND!! There was a large group of us that tailgated and sang song after song together! It was the best serenading night for all of us!




ON A DIFFERENT NOTE...

Kayla is now 5 months old. It was time to get her spayed before it was too late. Her surgery was successful, with a minor fever the next day. She is still in the healing process, but she is doing great!

(Kayla and Daddy)

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MCGRAW!!!

CATCHING UP...

Everyone says the holidays are a busy time of year, but not for me! The summertime is always my busy time... I like to make sure that I have my time outside in the sun as well as with my family and friends... and don't forget about work!

In late June, Frank and I went to Myrtle Beach, SC for my companies annual event. Frank got the chance to play golf for two days and I worked and played in the sand. We were able to get some time together and had fun seeing some friends.




(Frank with Sharon and Matt; friends in Durham, NC)

On Independence Day we had the opportunity to join some friend on a boat at Lake Wylie, SC. It was a full day out, literally! We swam in the lake... played a few games... and chatted! We all decided that we are going to put our funds together, buy a lake house and live together... now we have to figure out who is going to cash in on the boat purchase!!

Visit to New Jersey

Frank's best man decided to take the plunge! He asked for Frank and me to go visit him and his girlfriend for an annoucement/celebration event with all of his friends. We couldn't pass this up...

We got to Frank's fathers house EARLY Friday morning... took a nap before starting our visit!

Saturday evening was the "BIG" night for Lou and Michelle...


(Newly engaged... Lou & Michelle)





On Sunday, Frank and I spent the day with his grandmom, mom, sister and three of the nieces! We had such a great time... I love those girls!

Jumped too soon...

So within the past month, Frank and I started putting down our major deposits for the wedding as well as making final decisions about certain ideas and such.

One of the biggest things was of course... LOCATION... WHICH HOUSE?? In March, I posted that we had picked our Final 3 house choices and made the ASSUMPTION that the number 1 pick for us... would be ours! Well... it wasn't! The owners already planned to use the house for their nieces wedding.

So off to pick number 2! The house wasn't everything we wanted, but it has great space and a decent layout... and it's on the beach! After about a week of waiting, we finally got approval for house! YEAH!! So below are few pictures of where the wedding ceremony/reception will be held on Friday, May 7, 2010!

CATCHING UP...

I have been meaning to get on here and do an update for the last week or so, unfortunately my time has been taken by either work, gym, little league or just plain relaxing!

MEMORIAL WEEKEND:

Two of our friends got married on May 23rd... the ceremony was beautiful and the reception was fun! It was a great time with all of our friends... so of course we got a few photos!




(Girls only)







Frank was able to get two FREE tickets to the Coca Cola 600 race in Concord, NC. Frank has not had the "redneck" experience of attending a NASCAR race! Unfortunately... I have! In reality... yes they are going circles... the cars are loud... the fans are almost always drunks... BUT IT IS FUN WHEN IT IS FREE!!





KAYLA... is approaching 13 weeks and is really beginning her growth spurt! Over the past week I was able to take the time to get some photos of McGraw and Kayla playing together. They are fun to watch!


(Kayla earning her puppy chow!)






(McGraw at 4 yrs, Kayla at 12 weeks)