Do You Have a Husband??

My 4 year-old nephew Aiden and 6 year-old niece Gabby spent the night last night.

Actually I had them for 24 hours – 1pm Sunday through 1pm today… and I survived… barely.

I love them to death, but they sure can try my patience. Its been a while since I spent that much alone time with them and it really was a fun time. And somehow I shelled out $65 at CVS to buy crayons and other arts and crafts supplies… I didn’t have time to run to Target to get this stuff – but it was a life saver. Nothing like crayons, brown paperbags, glue and scissors to keep kids entertained to make puppets.

I also tired them out with time at the park, running around the apartment, a quick jaunt to the library and a Disney movie on television. Oh… how to be a kid again!

My sisters (their mothers) as well as my parents while on the phone with them last night as the kids were getting ready for bed all said I was spoiling them… maybe? But isn’t that my job? I spoil them and then take them home!

But as I was getting ready to take them home and I was buckling them into their car seats I was asked:

Gabby: Auntie, do you have a husband?

Me: No!

Gabby: Why?

Aiden: Do you have a boyfriend?

Me: No! Do you want me to have a husband or boyfriend?

Gabby: Yes – so we have another person to play with. <— seems like they have their priorities in order.

Me: Hahaha

Gabby: Oh, I know why you don’t have a husband!

Me: Why?

Gabby: Because you’re ONLY 16!

Me: Why, yes, you’re right. I’m only 16. Way too young to get married.

I think my mom has brainwashed my niece and nephew and has ordered to ask about my relationship status. She’ll be sorely disappointed to hear the answer I’m sure.

Oh well… I am only 16… (In my dreams anyway) and don’t really need a husband at my age.

You’re Big…

I went ice skating yesterday with my family – my sister, her husband, my niece and two nephews. It was cold, it was windy, we were ice skating outside… but it was a lot of fun.

More fun was the fact that my 4 year old nephew and 6 year old niece were skating for the first time. They did a great job and it was just a blast.

Overall, it was a great day. Later that day at dinner, as I sat across the table from my niece and nephew – I asked a question…

Happy New Year!!! 2010 In Review!

Wow! It’s 2011! Can you believe it??? How crazy is that! 2010 has gone by incredibly fast – and I’m sure 2011 will too.

But 2010 was a fantastic year and I’m just amazed at all that I’ve done this year. I’ll try not to make this too crazy of a long post but so much has happened this past year and I want to try and include all the fun that’s happened!

Before I get started however, to all my family and friends who read this – I want to sincerely thank you for everything you’ve done for me this year. For all the love, support and kindness that has been bestowed upon me this year. Without my amazing family and friends… and also just all the awesome blessings I’ve received, this year would not have been the same.  I wish I could write about all my amazing adventures this year and about all the friendships, but I’ll just have to save that for other posts.

So, let’s get started!!!

January

The start of the busy year – with a ton of birthday celebrations. My oldest nephew turned 10, my oldest niece turned 5 – with a huge birthday party that included a magician, my best friend Jamie had an old fashioned sleepover, and then I think there were some other celebrations in there – but it was a fun and busy month to start of the new year. I guess I have that to look forward to this month too!

Yummm... Chocolate Covered Wine Glasses to go with delicious wine for Jamie's Birthday

February

Looking at the busy calendar – it looks like I had a lot of dinners during the month of February. But one thing that stood out was the day at the Washington DC Roller Derby. I had never seen the roller derby before – and it was really so much fun seeing girls being tough. I also had an awesome Valentine’s Dinner with my roommates – where we had some delicious steak, cupcakes and champagne. Who needs a guy when you have your best gals at your side?

February Blizzard

Roller Derby

March

March was a bit slow – however, the most fun thing that month was the trapeze class I took. I learned how to jump off the scary platform, swing back and forth, hang from my knees on the bar and then somersault off the bar into the net below. Wow – so much fun and pretty scary. But I know I’d love to do it again.

Trapeze Act

April

Gosh – April was an extremely busy month – but what is definitely the highlight of the month and maybe even of the year – was my solo backpacking trip through Guatemala. I love Guatemala now and can’t wait to go back again. But it was just an amazing trip. I learned so much about myself and realized that I am so much stronger than I realize and that I really really love traveling by myself. And I can’t complain over the fact that I saw amazing sites, which included Mayan Pyramids, Volcanoes, the World Heritage site of Antigua and many more things. I also connected with amazing people that I will carry in my heart forever. April also included fun picnics with family and friends and the start of Spring. It was also my birthday in April – and that was a fun time too.

Mayan Ruins

May

May was an extremely busy month. Not only did I get to celebrate both of my sisters’ birthdays – one turned 27 the other the big 30, as well as my roommate Amanda’s birthday – but I saw myself going to New York City for a quick weekend and then a fun trip to Costa Rica with Jess and Linda. In New York City – there was biking in Central Park and eating at a delicious Greek Restaurant in Chelsea. And in Costa Rica there was zip lining, surfing, private coves, laying out in the beach, monkeys and delicious, fresh seafood every day. May also was the completion of my second triathlon the Kinectic Triathlon, which I did in 2009 – and I cut my time by 10 minutes.

Getting Ready to Zip line!

Costa Rica Beaches

June

June, compared to May and April was “slow” but other than the fun start of summer – I also did the MS Beltway Bike Ride in Middleburg, VA – where my sister, brother-in-law and I biked 60 miles of hilly country road. It was a lot of fun and I’m looking forward to it again next year. I also was able to attend the baby shower of one of my childhood friend’s Meriam – who had her daughter Summar in August. It’s so interesting how time goes so fast – and it seems like only yesterday that Meriam and I were in the woods of our neighborhood coming up with rules for our own Unicorn Club (Sweet Valley Twins reference) – and now Meriam has her own beautiful daughter of her own.

Reunited with my best childhood friends!

An Officer and a Lady

My brother got married in the beginning of October. And it was a lovely wedding. My brother Neil (my step-brother actually) is a Marine – has been deployed a few times got married – to Jeanne – a wonderful girl. They’ve known each other since high school and were friends for the longest time. It was only just about a year or two ago that they started to date – and from there, love blossomed.

It has made my brother a better man and I’m excited to have Jeanne as part of the family.

During the wedding I took some of m own personal photos – because as you all know I’m a picture freak. They had their own photographer who did an amazing job with the photos. I just like to have fun taking my own photos… so enjoy some photos from my brother Neil’s wedding.

 

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Welcome Baby Chloe!

Just one month ago (11-1-2010) – my new niece Chloe Emma was born.

And I’m in love. I love my nephews (Austin and Aiden) by my sister Margaret and my niece Gabby by my sister Emmilie. New baby Chloe was born to Emmilie just one ago – and who knew it could be possible that the love in my heart would become even bigger with this new addition to the family.

We’ve been waiting for her for 9 months (duh) and it was well worth the wait. It’s been so wonderful to have her in this world. And I can’t wait to see her grow up and to just be a part of her life. She’s just an amazing little girl already.

And she looks just like my sister. Eyes and all. I just want to squeeze her like crazy and hold her all the time. Of course I can’t, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting too.

I can’t wait until she starts being more aware of her surroundings, or when she smiles and laughs, or when she says her first word, and when she crawls and then walks. I love the fact that I will be able to see her grow up. And I can’t wait when her personality comes out. Will she be like Gabby? Will she be like her Mom? Her Dad? Or have her own personality? I just can’t wait to see. All I know for sure is that there is no shortage of love for Chloe. With 4 sets of grandparents, 2 aunts, 3 uncles, and countless of other close friends – there is an abundance of love. During Thanksgiving – there was not one moment that Chloe was put down – she was constantly in the arms of some loving relative. It was pretty funny because my sister (her Mom) did not once hold her during Thanksgiving because as soon as she entered the door, Chloe was taken out of her arms by my mother (Lola) and then from there passed around from relative to relative.

You’ll be hearing more about Chloe in the next few months for sure. I know I can’t stop talking about her.

For now – here are some pictures of Chloe Emma – who now owns a piece of my heart.

Mom (Lola) with Chloe

Me and Chloe (sorry for the out of focus, I didn't take the picture - obviously)

Auntie MM and Chloe

Dad (Pop-pop) and Chloe

Why hello there Chloe!

My new sister-in-law Jeanne and Chloe

I love her.

Tita Tess (Lola) with Chloe