Aloha, Maui!!

It's finally here, a much awaited and needed sunny vacation to Hawaii! Goodbye freezing Boston weather!! We fly out to Seattle tonight and are spending Sunday with family and friends before leaving for Maui Monday morning. What's better than a relaxing week of playing on the sandy beaches, warm turquoise waters, being with your best friends, and of course, the wedding!?!

Our friends Erin and Steve are getting hitched on Thursday, February 26th in beautiful Lahaina at the Olowalu Plantation. Erin is marrying the man of her dreams and he couldn't be a luckier guy. She has always been such an amazing friend to me and seeing her so happy and in love solidifies the fact that these two are just perfect together. Steve, you'll be an amazing husband as you're one of the most caring, generous and loving people I know. Congratulations to the "almost" Rinabarger's, we can't wait to get there and celebrate you!

The proposal at the top of Mt. Haleakala, Maui - March 2008

Newly engaged!

Erin, takin' it all in....

All photos by Erin and Steve

Congratulations!!!

I'm a few days late in posting this but wanted to wish my friends Devin and Erin a big "Congrats" on their engagement!! Devin proposed to her after a scavenger hunt sent her around Kirkland ending at Waverly Beach, on Valentine's Day. You two couldn't be more of a perfect match; I'm so very happy for the soon-to-be Easterlin's!! XO

Photo taken by our friend Zach at our wedding

"How Well Do I Know My Husband?..."

Shelby posted this fun "How well do you know him" quiz... I ROCK! I challenge you all to do it too even if you just have a bf, or fi fi...

16.5 !! There's no #8, FYI :)
I get half credit for #10...

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
ME: Depends on what night, right now: The Office, SportsCenter or Brotherhood
HIM: The Office

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
ME: He'll order a Caesar
HIM: Caesar

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
ME: A lot... I think he'll say sushi or salmon
HIM: salmon

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order?
ME: A beer or a 7 and soda
HIM: beer

5. Where did he go to high school?
ME: Waltham High School
HIM: Waltham High School

6. What size shoe does he wear?
ME: 12
HIM: 12

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
ME: Electronics/gadgets?
HIM: computers

9. What would this person eat every day if he could?
ME: PB, steak or ice cream
HIM: PB

10. What is his favorite cereal?
ME: He doesn’t eat cereal and if he does he doesn't eat it with milk (weirdo!) I'd say cheerios?
HIM: Waffles? "I don't really eat cereal?"

11. What would he never wear?
ME: Seersucker?
HIM: pink shirt (damn, almost said that...)

12. What is his favorite sports team?
ME: Patriots
HIM: Patriots

13. Who did he vote for?
ME: McCain
HIM: McCain

14. Who is his best friend?
ME: Mike McCarthy AKA Kato Kaelin
HIM: Mike

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
ME: nag him to do things...
HIM: nag me! ( I swear he said that!)

16. What is his favorite color?
ME: Blue
HIM: Blue

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
ME: Chocolate
HIM: Chocolate

18. Did he play sports in high school?
ME: Yes, soccer
HIM: Yes, soccer, basketball, track

19. What could he spend hours doing?
ME: Researching the latest and greatest gadgets...
HIM: Watching TV

20. What is one unique talent he has?
ME: Tuning me out :)
HIM: Good with gadgets

Countdown.....3 days!!!

Could this "short" week get any longer???? We leave Saturday night for Seattle and Monday morning for Maui, - I couldn't be more excited! We have been looking forward to this 10-day vacation for months and now it's finally almost here! In 5 days, we'll be relaxing on a beach much like this one. I can't wait to dip my feet into the warm water and pink sand!

New Pictures...

Tonight we had dinner at the in-laws to celebrate Julie and Kristen's birthdays. As usual, it was crazy and fun with all of the kids running around being wild. Here are a few pictures:

Holly

Ryan

Eliza

Brady

Happy Birthday!

To my wonderful sister-in-law Julie! I hope you have a great day and enjoy brunch with your hubby! Love you lots and lots! XO

Be Mine?

Since we're leaving in one week for Maui we're going to make a nice dinner at home and enjoy a bottle of wine and relax. We'll start off the day hitting the gym and grabbing coffee and perhaps receive a visit from Eliza, who made us a special Valentine, so I hear :) Lots of organizing for our trip and perhaps painting the entryway of our house (pictures to come!) and just enjoying the day together. I hope you all have a wonderful day, whatever you do!

Happy Birthday!

...to my sis-in-law Kristen and my friend Zach!! There are SO many February birthdays, I can hardly keep track! Okay, that's a lie - I have a freakish memory for dates so it's pretty rare I forget :) Kristen, I'm so happy that you ate double chocolate cake for breakfast on your 35th birthday, it would've been a shame to have to wait all day until dessert! I hope you had a fabulous day!! Z, I hope you're celebrating wherever you are! Vegas?! Happy Birthday!

Happy Belated Birthday!

To my friends Lyndsy, Sheri and Lauren! I hope you girls had a fabulous birthday on Feb 3rd! Love you!!!

Lyndsy, me and Lindsay

Sheri with the boys, Kev, Jason and RandyLauren and me

Happy Birthday!!

To my wonderful friend Lisa, I hope you have a fabulous day!! XOXO

16

That's how cold it is in Boston today, seriously??... It's also how many days I have left until I leave for Seattle before heading to Maui for Erin and Steve's wedding! I'm dreaming of sipping pina coladas out of hollowed coconuts, spending time with my closest friends, the wedding, taking my first surf lesson, and getting in some serious R&R while laying

in the shade of gorgeous palm trees like these....

Ahhhh, paradise!

Photo by Erin -

View from Olowalu Plantation House, Maui where she will be married 3 weeks from today! :)

Night out on the town!

My college friend Carrie was in town for a tradeshow this weekend so we met up last night for a night on the town! What's great about having great friends is that you pick up right where you left off. It was so fun seeing the new Mrs. Thomason - she's just the best!! We met up at her hotel and headed over to Cheers, ya know, the place where everybody knows your name? :) Of course we had to have some local beers, Tuckerman's Pale Ale from NH and Magic Hat #9 from VT. For dinner, we went to a quaint little restaurant in Beacon Hill called 75 Chestnut and gabbed for hours. We topped off the night with martinis at the "Top of the Hub", the 52nd floor of the Prudential Bldg, the view was incredible!! It was a great night of reminiscing and laughing our asses off. Come back soon Cares! XO

*Cheers*

Isabel and Payton

Here are a few pics of my adorable pseudo niece and nephew, Isabel and Payton. I borrowed a point and shoot from my stepdad but was having serious technically difficulties while using it (Argh!) They are the sweetest babes ever, I wish I got to see them more; hopefully in a few months I will!

Payton observing all the ladies :)

He LOOOVES his mommy, Katie :)
Izzy and me

Izzy with mom and Auntie Ann
Sleepy Bean!