Happy New Year!!

This NYE was as about as low-key as they get! We had a quiet dinner with J+J and the kiddos (my in-laws swung by around 11:30pm), drank yummy wine, played board games and rang in the New Year with lots to look forward to. While 2010 was a good year, I know 2011 will be even better! Each year I come up with at least one ridiculous resolution that never comes to fruition. So, this year, my resolution is really not to have one.  I just want to live my life better, period. I think many of us strive for those unrealistic goals come January 1st... Why not do what you know you're capable of and concentrate on that? When I say, "live life better," I don't have one particular thing in mind. But, I think it all starts with your attitude. Looking at things with a positive attitude and letting the cards fall as they may is definitely something that I look forward to this year! So, here's to a kick ass 2011 filled with endless hopes, dreams and memories to be made!

Lucas, 6.5 months!!

Kev and Eliza

:)

Winter Storm 2010!!

Well, I've been lazy.... I haven't picked up my camera in over a month and it's just so sad, isn't it?! The Holidays come and I feel like you're in a time warp. They always creep up on us and then in an instant, they're over! This year was no different... We've had a great Holiday season and to top it off, a HUGE snowstorm/ blizzard last night! Mother Nature dropped 16 inches on us and up to 2 feet on other parts of MA! Craziness I tell you! Here are a few pictures I took this morning. I hope to be better about posting. I wonder if there are any followers still out there ;)

Palm Springs!

The weekend of 11/11 was one for the memory books! Four days of relaxing by the pool with five of your best friends, laughing, drinking and reminiscing is just what the doctor ordered!!  When everyone gets caught up in their busy lives, you forget how important it is to get away and relax.  How better to do that than with girls weekend with the girls to sunny Palm Springs?

Living in Boston will never stop me from spending time with some of my favorite people on earth. Girls I've known since junior high, high school and college. Girls who will always be by my side, no matter what. I wish we were back there, sipping our 10am Bloody Mary's and laughing about some random college memory and the good ol' days! I miss you all already.... Until Spring 2012, ladies..... XOXO

Picture by Shelby and her self timer :)

Happy Halloween!

Yesterday, we walked with our nieces and nephews in the Halloween parade that wanders around the neighborhood then makes its way to the park. There were a ton of kids playing on the swings, doing sack races, eating cupcakes and having a ton of fun! It was fun to see all of them dressed up! Enjoy the pictures!!

Eliza the little bee

Ryan the fireman

BFF's

Brady, the Magic Treehouse (Children's Book Series) - he won a best costume award at another party :)

Holly, American Girl Doll, Eliza, Brady and Ryan

Holly and Eliza

Eliza, Jason, Julie and Luke, the peapod :)

Eliza

Nantucket!

Wow, I'm in LOVE!!! Nantucket is seriously THE cutest place I've been to since living in MA. The downtown area is lined with cobblestone roads, local shops and watering holes and best of all, not a Dunkin's or Starbuck's in sight. I loved the unfamiliarity that the island offered. The anonymity it provided, we felt like "real" tourists!

We jetted over there Saturday morning to celebrate Kev's friend Jim's wedding  on Sunday, 10-10-10.  We took the ferry over with good friends Tara, Keith and Phil, walked around town and had lunch before heading to the welcome BBQ hosted by the bride, Kim's family friends. The weather was absolutely perfect; sunny and not a cloud in the sky!

Their house was quintessential "Nantucket," very warm, inviting, rustic and beachy all at the same time.  The outdoor fireplace was a huge hit once the sun went down. Later on, we hit up two or three local bars before calling it a night. (Note: I reccommend flats when navigating the streets of Nantucket at night, those cobblestones are brutal in heels!)

Sunday was another gorgeous day and we continued to walk around the cute little town before heading to the church. After the ceremony, we headed to Cisco Brewery, the site of the reception. Now, Cisco isn't just home to beer, but also to Nantucket Vineyards and Triple 8 Vodka. You could say everyone had a reallllllly good time! :)

I'm already planning my trip back to Nantucket, now I just have to convice Kev! Thanks to Jim and Kim for an amazing wedding, we were happy to be a part of it!

Lisa's take the East Coast!

This weekend, Kev and I had the Lisa's visit us from LA and Seattle. We had a great weekend with lots of laughs, food and PLENTY of beer!! :) I love these girls to pieces and am so thankful they made the trip out to visit us.  We traveled to Mystic, CT for the day on Friday to check out the town and of course, try Mysic Pizza. Then Saturday headed to Portsmouth, NH to the  New Hampshire Brew Fest where they had 30+ brewers and 90+ beers! What a beautiful, sunny day it was!  Miss you girls, thanks for the fun, fun weekend!

PS, Our weekends have been jammed packed the past month with visits from my mom, dad and the Rinabarger's.  Sadly, my camera didn't make it out until this weekend!


Spry and Margie in Mysic, CT

We loooved Mystic!



Oktoberfest in Portsmouth, NH

3 years....

Three years ago today, I married the best guy in the whole entire world. I still look at his adorable face and piercingly gorgeous blue eyes and ask myself, "How did I get so lucky? Why on earth did he choose me?"

On the back page of our wedding program, we thanked our friends and family for all the support and love they have given us throughout the years; for helping shape us into the people we had become. We included a "special thanks" to my grandmother, who introduced us at age four and brought us back together twenty years later.

Whether it was fate, timing, or a little of both - I am forever grateful to have found someone so caring, genuine and funny. Someone who will always take care of me and who will always have my back.

Happy Anniversary to you, Kev. Here's to many, many, many more. I love you!

Photo taken by Erin Rinabarger, July 15, 2010 in Seattle