A packed and fabulous Weekend!!!

This weekend was amazing and L-o-n-g!!  On our trip yesterday Eric and I were talking and I was saying how much I loved weekends with a child because they seem so much longer!!

Friday night was great, you know one of those impromptu "parties" where we had a few people over for burgers on the grill and then being it was a beautiful night out other people just trickled through throughout the night!!  So great to see so many fun people :)

 

 

Saturday, we got up, got a ton done around the house then it was off to Riley's 1st Birthday at the Leesburg Petting Zoo!!  Such a great idea for anyone who's kids will have summer bdays!  A great time at the zoo followed by Crabs and Cinco De Mayo celebrations for Sean's bday, for some reason I didn't bring the camera out for that :(  Guess my fingers were too crabby!

Sunday we got to see everything and everyone haha.  We headed down to Richmond early to make Sarah's graduation brunch...Sarah left before the brunch but we all still had a great time ha!

 

 

 

 

 

On to the next thing...little Mack's soccer game!!!

 

A quick swing by dad's house, although he was out of town...

 

 

Last stop Nona's to celebrate Mother's day!!  Lots of cousin LOVE!!

 

 

 

PHEW!!  What a great and LOVE filled weekend!!!  Really was awesome seeing EVERYONE!!!

Of course I have even MORE pictures on Ryan's online baby book: http://ryanchristopherking.blogspot.com/?zx=546e47e1032ae7cb

Happy Birthday DEBS!!!!

Awwww I just love my mom so much, she is the best!!!  Today is her bday, so of course she deserves a special post!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMA!!!!  Isn't she just so cute?!?!  I wish you the best day every and many many many many more to come!!!

We celebrated on Sunday and went to dinner at Coastal Flats!  It was a great night with the fam, we don't get all together often enough!!!

Some Thoughts....Hysterical and SOOOOOO TRUE!!!!

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blu-ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Bud or Miller Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at  the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever..  
22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

24. People who forward e- mail without deleting the tons of previous recipients should be shot and then tarred and feathered.

25. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.  That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important. Ladies quit Laughing!

Feeling Kinda Country

While in the shower this am, I heard the big announcement!!  Tim and Kenny- two of my very faves are teaming up for a Brother's of the Sun tour and guess what?!?!   Will be at Fed Ex August 12, 2012!!!  I love a good country concert in the summer!!  This in my humble opinion is a just can't miss :)

No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem!!!

Aren't they just soooo cute!!!!

Rain rain go away!!!!

I don't know about you, but I am OVER IT!!!  It has been raining for what seems like forever and all on the tails of the earthquake and hurricane we have experienced over the past 2 weeks, any other natural disasters coming our way?!?!  We have so much freakin rain that schools are even shut down for floods, I mean really enough all ready!

Yesterday was a disaster in the DC Metro area.  At about 4:00 I made it back to my desk after being in meetings for what seemed like all day to be inundated with "OMG you need to see the pics on facebook," "it took my friend 2 hours to get home," etc etc so immediately I started looking at my facebook and talking to people on gchat and aim to see what was going on out there.  Soon after I let some of my team leave so they could get a head start on the traffic.  As I browsed the FB I came across pics like this:

I knew immediately where that was, on Wiehle right off the Toll Road which I take to get home, not even a mile from the road I was going to be on when I decided to leave.  Rumors of the toll road not moving, rte 7 being completely shut down in 2 places, and people in my office freaking out led me to sit at my desk a little longer and wait for traffic to hopefully die down.  No one wants a preggo lady in the middle of a flood with a bladder about to explode, no I could not afford to sit in 2 hours of traffic without using the potty, not to mention road rage is an understatement.  Anywho, about 45 minutes later I was beginning to feel claustrophobic like I was never going to get out of here, so I packed some cups and some toilet paper, a few snacks and a water bottle, used the potty twice and decided to give it a whirl.  Well lucky me, maybe it's my timing or my insane impatience but I made it home in 35 minutes perfect, sorry if I cut you off in the process!!!

Today I wake up, head out the door, and what do you know it is raining again...I am over it!!  I also have a wedding this weekend, STOP RAINING!!!

In the News

Part of my reason for starting and keeping up with my blog is to have a diary.  I used to love writing in my diary when I was little, just think it is so cool to look back and see what was happening at a certain time, how I was feeling, and whatever other details stood out.  Well when I look back, this week is definitely one I will want to remember as WHOA we lived through that!!!

an Earthquake...On Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011 I was sitting at my desk just like any other day.  Our building is old, very old, and we have maintenance workers walking through and on top of at all times.  All of the sudden it sounded like people on the roof,then a heard of cattle on the roof, then the floor was thumping and the windows were shaking, and holy crap we were experiencing an earth quake.  I did exactly what you are not supposed to do and bolted for the door which is conveniently located in a stairs case with floor to ceiling windows.  Made it out safely and joined the rest of my co-workers as far away from the building as possible.  The quake ended.  Our phones didn't work, but facebook did, go figure.  That is where we learned of the 5.8 earth quake originating in Mineral Virginia, and shaking pretty much the entire east coast.  Below is a picture in DC where everyone is outside, the same happened in Tysons, the streets were filled with everyone wondering what the heck just happened...

a Hurricane...Hurricane Irene was on the news for days warning/scarring/building up what was supposed to be a huge storm because of the path it was taking.  Yes we survived, but it's definitely worth remembering.  New York City was evacuated, hasn't happened since 9-11, never once before that.  29 million people were affected by the Hurricane Watch, it was just crazy.  A huge huge storm that dumped a ton of rain and heavy winds but wasn't quite what they had called for...still worth remembering.

And while we are talking about the news, I couldn't go without mentioning this article.  Dogs are the greatest, most loyal, and most lovable creatures on earth.  This brought tears to me eyes.  You can read the whole article here,but the picture tells the story.

What a crazy week this was of natural disaster events, can't wait to see what next week brings.  Have a great last week of August everyone, can you believe we are at the end of August?!?!

Count your Blessings

Within 12 hours from Sunday night to Monday morning there were two house fires, one within a few miles, and one within a few hundred yards.  Both stories are just so sad and really make me realize how lucky I am everyday.  In an instant a fire sweeps through and takes out anything that stands in it's way.

First off the one down the street.  This fire began around 5:30am, one of our neighbors was out walking his dog (thank god) and saw smoke coming from Christi's house, he began banging on everyone's doors in the row, to in reality save their life.  Everyone got out okay.  Fire Trucks flew by our house, of course we didn't hear anything and our awesome watch dog Rocco didn't move a muscle or bark at all.  We woke up and saw postings on facebook from some of the neighbors, Eric and Rocco walked down there immediately to find the entire neighborhood outside.  The fire has left two homes inhabitable, thank god everyone (including the 4-legged friends) are all safe.  Here is the article that made the news:

Two-Alarm Fire In Ashburn

 

 

Some other pictures taken by neighbors during the fire, it's just so sad:

 

 

  

The Second fire was in Stone Ridge which is right down the street.   I don't know the Brann Family personally but after reading their story you can't help but to feel absolutely terrible for this family.   They had a propane tank explode on their deck and in minutes their house was nothing but ashes.  All of the memories of the Father/Husband (who passed away less than 2 years ago) have been taken away from the family.  If you are inclined to help information on where to send donations etc can be found on the facebook page put together by neighbors.

 Help the Brann Family here!!

Wow what a couple of days.  What is amazing is the support that people in this area give to victims of disasters.  Last night we walked down to our neighbors and everyone was outside showing their support and being there for the victims and each other.  This really does go to show how quickly your life can be wiped out from underneath you.  Prayers to all of the victims of both tragedy's.

We're into...SAVINGS!!!

After pulling together our July spending and adding that to our year spending, I have decided we spend entirely too much money on groceries.  We, the two of us, spent over $800 in July at the grocery store, that is too much!  I decided to get into coupons, I looked up a few sights online and we even stopped and got the Sunday Washington Post on the way home from Wintergreen so I could clip all the coupons.  I have of course heard of all those extreme couponers that spend less than a dollar on $1,000.00 worth of groceries.  While I don't think I have reached that commitment level, I am going to try and save save save.  So today I clipped and recorded all of the coupons on an excel spread sheet. 

Alright, here we go August, let's save money!!!!  I have heard the key is looking at where the deals are and then using coupons on top of the deals already being offered.  If anyone has any other ideas, I am obviously open to any and all suggestions.

Guilty Pleasure...13 seasons running!!!

One of the things I look forward to most in the summer time, maybe because there is absolutely nothing else on tv, is Big Brother!!!  The show is amazing!  They trap 13 or whatever people in a house with no access to the outside world.  They have to win competitions and join alliances to survive week to week.  What's not to love?!?!?  It's competitive, dramatic, filled with showmances, always 1 very special character that stirs up trouble, it airs 3 times a week, and is just plain old entertaining!!  Let the fun begin, here's to another season of BIG BROTHER!!!!

A Fabulous 4th of July Weekend!!!!

For the 4th this year we didn't really have any plans.  We spent a lot of time relaxing and doing things around the house but when I look back we actually did a lot on this hot and long weekend!!!

Friday night we went to dinner at the Robins's, the hostess with the mostess miss Julie of course out did herself again with an amazing pasta sauce and a USA birthday cake which was adorable and super tasty!!

Don't worry her Betty Crocker-ness is not over yet...we all piled in the Pilot and went over to the South Riding area and watched the fire works, they were awesome. We even got to particiapate because Julie got us sparklers, a huge hit with us and the kids that walked by!!! What a great night it was!! We love spending time with Julie and Brandon!! 

 

 

Saturday was a super lazy day of movie after movie followed by a cookout at Patty's  We did have a house guest this weekend, Rucca!!  She was sooo cute and cuddly.  She slept with us, like on my head, both nights.  Of course my dad LOVED her when we brought her over to Pattys!!!

Sunday was out to the course for my second round of 18.  We only made it 15 before lightning struck and we had to leave, but a great day with my 3 favorite men!!  It's so nice a peaceful out there and we had a blast, dad is just so funny!!  I did have this one amazing shot, which I chipped from the grass right off the green and it went in, crazinesssss!!!

Following our round of golf Julie and Jessica came over for a cookout, prob the last time I will see Jessica until the holidays, always so great to see her and spend time with her though!!  She is just sooo funny, I can never get enough of her stories and ways of looking at the world hill-a-rious!!

Monday morning we slept until 10am, wooo hooo and then met up with the Mancuso's for lunch at Blue Ridge Grill, of course everything was fantastic including the banana pudding desert.  So nice to catch up with Greer and Mark, it has been ages it feels like!!

And our 4th of July concluded with a mexican fiesta at the Farrells and fireworks on the block.  A lot of illegal ones hahah thought the houses were going to go down at any minute, but they definitely keep ya on your toes!! 

All in all a very awesome 4th of July weekend filled with family and great friends!!!  Happy 4th!!!

Now I get it....

After today I understand the frustration, pure relaxation, and feeling of success that comes with the game of golf!!  We met Chris at 1757 to hit some balls at the driving range...

The driving range surprisingly went pretty well, so we went to Brambleton golf Course and played 9 holes!!  I think 9 holes is plennnnty for me, I found myself going in and out of focus very often just on 9, 18 I can only imagine.  I would have 4, 5, 10 bad hits followed by 2 or 3 that make you feel awesome!!  So I get it, I get the addiction, plus being able to be outside on such a gorgeous day with two of my fave guys, great day!!!

 

And of course one of my favorite parts of the experience was driving the cart!!!