Monday, November 30, 2009
Mark's photo shoot with Adam
On Saturday, Andy and I played golf with our brothers-in-law, John and Shawn, and so while we were on the links, Adam was hanging out at my parent's house. While there, my brother took lots of pictures to commemorate the last VT regular season game against our rivals, UVA. With a cutie pie fan like Adam is it no wonder we CRUSHED the Cavs!? :)
Adam's first Thanksgiving...
Andy and I have hosted many pre-Thanksgivings, but we've never been in charge of the real deal, until this year! We decided with it being Adam's first Thanksgiving that we'd have everyone to our house to celebrate.
We had Andy's parents, my parents, Andy's sister Heidi and her husband Shawn and their son Garrett, my brother Mark and my aunt Anne. It was a great sized crowd and made for a very lively and fun holiday.
We started our cooking on Wednesday with Andy making his mom's stuffing and I made the sweet potatoes and breads for everyone. Adam and Liddy were great spectators!
We then woke up bright and early (thanks to our personal alarm clock, Adam) on Thanksgiving and got right back into the kitchen. We even re-arranged our furniture so that we could eat in our living room (which is actually a dining room as well, but we've never used it for that). I was really looking forward to the change of scenery as I hate eating dinner staring at all the pots and pans that need to be cleaned!
We also had a mid-morning visit from Greg and Erica which was very nice. We enjoyed some mimosas with them and they got some good "Adam Time" in.
After lunch it was time to get the turkey cooking, and as a change, I actually took care of preparing the turkey. I was a little nervous, but ended up loving it! I felt so grown-up! I then let Andy take care of cooking the turkey as we decided to use the grill again, and that's definitely his specialty!
Family started arriving around 4:30 and we actually got close to our targeted dinner time, only 30 minutes behind, which wasn't too bad! Dinner turned out great (even if I do say so myself) and everyone seemed pleasantly full!
For dessert we had an apple crisp that Andy's dad made and a pumpkin cheesecake that Mark made. Both were equally delicious and a perfect ending to a great meal. And as if the food at dinner wasn't enough, I couldn't resist sending everyone home with some pumpkin bread and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
We are so thankful to have such great families and we are especially thankful for the newest addition to ours!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
We had Andy's parents, my parents, Andy's sister Heidi and her husband Shawn and their son Garrett, my brother Mark and my aunt Anne. It was a great sized crowd and made for a very lively and fun holiday.
We started our cooking on Wednesday with Andy making his mom's stuffing and I made the sweet potatoes and breads for everyone. Adam and Liddy were great spectators!
We then woke up bright and early (thanks to our personal alarm clock, Adam) on Thanksgiving and got right back into the kitchen. We even re-arranged our furniture so that we could eat in our living room (which is actually a dining room as well, but we've never used it for that). I was really looking forward to the change of scenery as I hate eating dinner staring at all the pots and pans that need to be cleaned!
By 9:00 we had a good jump start on the day's preparations and were ready for Adam to enjoy his very first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Those who know me well, know that one of my favorite things all year is to watch the parade so I was very excited to share the experience with my son! :)
We also had a mid-morning visit from Greg and Erica which was very nice. We enjoyed some mimosas with them and they got some good "Adam Time" in.
After lunch it was time to get the turkey cooking, and as a change, I actually took care of preparing the turkey. I was a little nervous, but ended up loving it! I felt so grown-up! I then let Andy take care of cooking the turkey as we decided to use the grill again, and that's definitely his specialty!
Family started arriving around 4:30 and we actually got close to our targeted dinner time, only 30 minutes behind, which wasn't too bad! Dinner turned out great (even if I do say so myself) and everyone seemed pleasantly full!
For dessert we had an apple crisp that Andy's dad made and a pumpkin cheesecake that Mark made. Both were equally delicious and a perfect ending to a great meal. And as if the food at dinner wasn't enough, I couldn't resist sending everyone home with some pumpkin bread and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
We are so thankful to have such great families and we are especially thankful for the newest addition to ours!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy 4th Birthday Liddy!
Our little Liddy turned 4 on Saturday and it gave us the perfect excuse to spoil her. She has been such a good girl considering the BIG changes that have taken place in her life. This past year she's watched my belly grow and thus lost her "comfort" place on my lap, then all of a sudden my belly shrunk, but now there's this little character taking up the majority of our attention. All that being said, she's been a real trooper and very deserving of a special birthday!
Andy made her some blueberry banana muffins with peanut butter frosting which had her licking her chomps for days!! :) She also got to enjoy a few pieces of cheese which is the only thing we've ever caught her stealing from the table (she must be my girl!)
Andy made her some blueberry banana muffins with peanut butter frosting which had her licking her chomps for days!! :) She also got to enjoy a few pieces of cheese which is the only thing we've ever caught her stealing from the table (she must be my girl!)
For gifts she got a few types of new treats, including turkey and sweet potato chews, very appropriate for this time of year! She also got a new stuffed animal, Max (we named him after the dog from the Grinch, they look alike, no?) whom she loves already!
Happy birthday little poppins, we love you!!!
Happy birthday little poppins, we love you!!!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
An evening at Ommy and Poppy's
On Friday night, we headed out to Ommy and Poppy's house for a family feast! Auntie Heidi and Uncle Shawn were there with cousin Garrett and Auntie Bebe and Uncle Mark were there with cousins Davey and Kurt. It was great to see everyone and for Adam to really "see" all his family (I don't think he was paying much attention the first time he was introduced---nor could he see very well) :)
Garrett was so sweet and made for a great playmate for Liddy as well as a great big cousin to Adam. We threw the tennis ball non-stop for Lid (which she loves and boy does that kid have an arm on him!) and always made sure that Adam had his binkie and even offered up his teddy bear to him--so sweet. Garrett is going to be a big brother in February and I think he'll be perfect for the job!
Davey and Kurt were also so loving with Adam. Davey did such a good job cuddling him before bed and Kurt kept telling me all the things he plans to teach Adam one day. Can't ask for more than that!
Aside from all the family bonding time with Adam, we also enjoyed a great dinner that Poppy spent all evening preparing. We also enjoyed looking through old photo albums trying to figure out which Gribble traits Adam has aquired. And while we brought it out to entertain the kids, the adults ended up hogging the game, "Guess Who" for the better part of the night. It really is a classic and just might have to find it's way under our Christmas tree this year. ;)
Garrett was so sweet and made for a great playmate for Liddy as well as a great big cousin to Adam. We threw the tennis ball non-stop for Lid (which she loves and boy does that kid have an arm on him!) and always made sure that Adam had his binkie and even offered up his teddy bear to him--so sweet. Garrett is going to be a big brother in February and I think he'll be perfect for the job!
Davey and Kurt were also so loving with Adam. Davey did such a good job cuddling him before bed and Kurt kept telling me all the things he plans to teach Adam one day. Can't ask for more than that!
Aside from all the family bonding time with Adam, we also enjoyed a great dinner that Poppy spent all evening preparing. We also enjoyed looking through old photo albums trying to figure out which Gribble traits Adam has aquired. And while we brought it out to entertain the kids, the adults ended up hogging the game, "Guess Who" for the better part of the night. It really is a classic and just might have to find it's way under our Christmas tree this year. ;)
Thanks Ommy and Poppy for hosting such a fun filled night!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Adam's friend Lillian
On Wednesday night, our doggie happy hour friends, Logan and Amanda, came over with their 9 month old daughter, Lillian, for dinner. Adam and Lillian have met several times now, but this was the first time that I really noticed Adam noticing her. It was too cute!!
I know they'll be great friends and will be able to brag about their dogs to one another!
I know they'll be great friends and will be able to brag about their dogs to one another!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
What a cutie pie!
I just couldn't resist sharing this photo of Adam. It melts my heart everytime I look at it! I love this little guy and can't wait until the work day is over so I can kiss that little smiling face! :)
Scott and Catherine's Wedding
This past Saturday we attended the wedding reception (they were actually married back in May) of our friends Scott and Catherine. I used to work with both of them and we couldn't be happier for them.
The reception took place at Veritas Vineyard & Winery near Wintergreen. This is the second wedding we've attended there this year (see Megan and Chuck's wedding) but we didn't mind. We brought my folks along to stay up at Wintergreen with Adam while we went to the wedding, so it worked out perfectly!
I loved her table decorations. Half of the tables had flower arrangements and the other half had these huge branches with crystal ornaments dangling down from them--gorgeous! Their guest book was actually a coffee table book all about Virginia, I thought that was very clever. They also did things a little differently, having s'mores and a truffle cake (boxes of truffles stacked up) rather than a traditional wedding cake. The s'mores were a fun activity, though I think my fingers are still sticky! :)
It was so great to catch up with a lot of my old colleagues whom I miss very much! We sure did have good times back in the days and we were able to relive some of those moments on Saturday night. Good times!
Congratulations Scott and Catherine--here's to a wonderful life!
The reception took place at Veritas Vineyard & Winery near Wintergreen. This is the second wedding we've attended there this year (see Megan and Chuck's wedding) but we didn't mind. We brought my folks along to stay up at Wintergreen with Adam while we went to the wedding, so it worked out perfectly!
I loved her table decorations. Half of the tables had flower arrangements and the other half had these huge branches with crystal ornaments dangling down from them--gorgeous! Their guest book was actually a coffee table book all about Virginia, I thought that was very clever. They also did things a little differently, having s'mores and a truffle cake (boxes of truffles stacked up) rather than a traditional wedding cake. The s'mores were a fun activity, though I think my fingers are still sticky! :)
It was so great to catch up with a lot of my old colleagues whom I miss very much! We sure did have good times back in the days and we were able to relive some of those moments on Saturday night. Good times!
Congratulations Scott and Catherine--here's to a wonderful life!
Friday, November 13, 2009
6th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving
Of all of our traditions, I think Pre-Thanksgiving has got to be one of my favorite! This year marked the 6th time that we've brought our friends together for a pre-turkey day feast!
We had some of our "regulars" there, Jenn and Ben and their now 1 year old, Owen, and Dave and Alysia. Greg and Erica were also there, we're happy to consider them "regulars" at least until they have to head back over seas (sniff). We also had some newcomers, Andy's co-worker Eric and our good friend Allison. Of course the greatest newcomer of all (sorry Allison and Eric) was Adam! :) We're happy to have him join in the tradition...perhaps he'll carry it on when he is an adult.
Andy did a great job with the turkey and actually used the grill to cook it this year. This was a great solution as it left our oven open for all the sides. Greg also did a phenomenal job at carving the turkey--not since my Granddad, the orthopedic surgeon, carved the turkey have I seen such a perfectly plated platter of turkey meat! Nicely done Greggers!
In true Pre-Thanksgiving fashion, everyone arrived with fantastic dishes to share. Erica's spinach dip appetizer and Eric's cocktail wieners (Andy asked him to bring a "man's appetizer") were a great way to start the evening, Jenn's sweet potato casserole was as good as ever, Alysia's broccoli and Allison's green beans were all gone (boo for no leftovers!), and Ben's pumpkin cheesecake was the perfect ending to yet another fantastic feast!
As favors, I sent everyone home with a box of our pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, just another way to show our thanks for the fabulous friends that we have in our lives.
Happy Pre-Thanksgiving everyone!
We had some of our "regulars" there, Jenn and Ben and their now 1 year old, Owen, and Dave and Alysia. Greg and Erica were also there, we're happy to consider them "regulars" at least until they have to head back over seas (sniff). We also had some newcomers, Andy's co-worker Eric and our good friend Allison. Of course the greatest newcomer of all (sorry Allison and Eric) was Adam! :) We're happy to have him join in the tradition...perhaps he'll carry it on when he is an adult.
Andy did a great job with the turkey and actually used the grill to cook it this year. This was a great solution as it left our oven open for all the sides. Greg also did a phenomenal job at carving the turkey--not since my Granddad, the orthopedic surgeon, carved the turkey have I seen such a perfectly plated platter of turkey meat! Nicely done Greggers!
In true Pre-Thanksgiving fashion, everyone arrived with fantastic dishes to share. Erica's spinach dip appetizer and Eric's cocktail wieners (Andy asked him to bring a "man's appetizer") were a great way to start the evening, Jenn's sweet potato casserole was as good as ever, Alysia's broccoli and Allison's green beans were all gone (boo for no leftovers!), and Ben's pumpkin cheesecake was the perfect ending to yet another fantastic feast!
As favors, I sent everyone home with a box of our pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, just another way to show our thanks for the fabulous friends that we have in our lives.
Happy Pre-Thanksgiving everyone!
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