Bloggy BFF Meet-Up!

I didn't really mention it before, but AJ and I are on a little road-trip of sorts. Its the same one we make about every six months or so, we drive from our house to my Aunt and Uncle's house, stay a few days, see all my grandparents and relatives and then drive the rest of the way on to my parent's house. We're going to be in Hometown, USA for about a week before we head back to our house to welcome the man home from the field.

Well, last time I was here I took AJ out for Skyline Chili and ice cream at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams as a Mama-baby date. This time we had an extra person on our date with us. My bloggy BFF, Moe, is back in town and she met up with us for a late lunch and ice cream yesterday! We had tons of fun, we chatted, we laughed, we wrangled AJ, we shared food!

We were both laughing because we told our significant others that we were going to meet a relative stranger and neither of them really seemed all that concerned for our safety. ;) We both said we were glad that we aren't axe murderers or something!

The three of us at Jeni's.

It was so much fun to finally meet Moe in real life, and I hope that I get another chance to come through town again so we can expand past Skyline Chili!

After eating ice cream (in the dead of winter, mind you) I realized that we were close to the neighborhood and house I lived in as a little girl (from ages 3-5) so I drove past it and took a picture of it for my parents to see. I was lucky that there was a For Sale sign in the front yard, otherwise I would have felt like a huge creep!

My old house. I promise there is a "For Sale" sign just to the left of the picture. ;)

I also have AbbyDog with me on this trip, and she has been making herself feel right at home at my Aunt and Uncle's house. So much so, that my Uncle had her doing tricks last night for a little snack before dinner.

AbbyDog doing tricks.

Abby, right at home. Jumped up and sat at the kitchen table before dinner.

We have another day here before we hit the road again. Tomorrow we are going to see my mom's parents and a cousin of mine who still lives in this area. It should be interesting.

The Post-Christmas Travel-Fest

I've mentioned a few times that we went out of town right after Christmas and were gone through New Year's Day. We went to visit my in-laws for a few days in Hometown, USA and then we make the trek across a few states to attend a wedding of some of our best friends (D was the best man). This was one of the first weddings that we have ever taken AJ to (the first was my cousin's wedding in September) and she was fairly well-behaved.

We knew that this wedding would be a fun one, not only because it took place on New Year's Eve, but also because we have a lot of mutual friends with the bride and groom, and both of our families were invited to the wedding as well. We saw old friends from when we were all stationed at Ft. Hood together. The Ft. Hood group was a crazy, fun group. We were all around the same age, none of us had kids yet and the guys were all freshly back from Iraq. We did lots of drinking and eating out, BBQing and nights at the comedy club in Austin. It was great to see everyone again and get to meet the kiddos! ;)

As for the wedding itself, AJ didn't last very long since the ceremony started at her usual dinner time. AJ and I, along with my friend Nickie's son (who just turned 2) and her hubby Mike spent the ceremony in the back room and then headed over to the reception site. AJ enjoyed "looking" at the sparkly ornaments on the HUGE Christmas tree during the cocktail hour. She also enjoyed walking around the reception hall carrying her purse. She basically thought the crowd was there to see her and she was loving it. It was hilarious.

Walking around with "Mimi" (my mom) and her purse.

The centerpieces that looked just like the ball in Times Square!

My brother and his girlfriend.

Looking at the sparkly ornaments with Grandpa (my FIL).

My sister and her boyfriend.

One of the highlights from the night was when we were sitting at the table eating our salads and we looked over at AJ, sitting quietly in her chair, spoon-feeding herself ranch dressing.

Me and my girl at dinner.

AJ with the bride and groom.

Somewhere between the salad course and the main course AJ completely lost her cool and I decided that it was time to head back to the hotel with my Aunt-In-Law (? D's Aunt) and put Miss AJ to bed. We hopped on the shuttle and I put AJ right to bed when we got back. I dropped off the monitor and room key with D's Aunt and caught the shuttle bus back to the reception with Nickie.

It was about that time that things got out of control, in a good way. It was a long night, so to shorten this post up a bit, the evening included lots of vodka tonics, red velvet cake, cigars, party hats, noise makers, vodka shots with new friends, silly pictures, inappropriate dance moves and so much more.

When I look back at the evening I consider myself lucky that I felt decent enough Sunday morning to successfully navigate a 1.5 hour car ride to the airport for a noon o'clock flight on New Year's Day with an almost 2 year old. What the eff was I thinking? Ha! In all reality, I'm glad I didn't worry about it and let myself have a fun night out with my hubby and friends. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I had felt worse on Sunday, though. Maybe its an omen for how the rest of 2012 will go. That would be nice.

Ummm

So I kind of up and left for a few days. We went out of town for some belated Christmas activities and then New Years fun. I tried to post a video of our Christmas morning before we left, but our Internet sucks, so it wouldn't upload. I didn't take my computer with me on our trip (which was just as well because I wouldn't have had time to post anyway) so that is why I've been MIA.

In the next few days I'll have a few posts coming your way with our recaps from Christmas, the days following that and how we spent our New Years Eve.

I have decided that I want to make myself a little list of "resolutions" or goals for 2012, which I don't normally do. Check back here tomorrow for my complete list. I think I may go through my list each month and do little updates so I can hold myself accountable.

Happy New Year, bloggy friends!

Army-Navy Weekend

We had such a fun time in Washington, D.C. for Army-Navy weekend!

D got off work early so we were able to leave here mid-afternoon. That meant we weren't too late getting in, and the boys (ages 5 & 3) were awake and waiting for Miss AJ to arrive! The three kiddos played until almost 11 when we finally put AJ down and crashed ourselves.

AJ did not nap on Friday and was over-tired from no nap and staying up late so she did not sleep well at all the first night we were there. She and I were sharing a room, so I was VERY tired Saturday from her waking me up over and over!

Saturday morning the kids played after we had breakfast and then we got everyone dressed and ready for the day's events. We took the Metro into the city, where D, his friend, and W, their older boy went to the game while the girls and PJ, the younger boy, went to the Smithsonian Natural History museum! Yep, there were two Mamas and 3 kids at the museum (we had a double stroller and a wheelchair we were pushing around--people were moving out of our way!). We were a little outnumbered, but it was very fun!

I was a terrible blogger and I literally only took 1 picture the entire time we were at the museum. My friend took some pictures of the kids and things, but I haven't gotten them from her yet, so maybe I'll post them when I get them!

AJ was so funny at the museum. She had certain things that she would focus on and she didn't want to move forward to see other exhibits, she just wanted to stay where she was. The first time this happened we were in the room with all the skeletons and bones. She found funny chairs and just wanted to sit there and hang out. Later she got hung up on the actual map of the exhibits that was situated at the beginning of where all the taxidermied animals were. Once we got her moving again she went crazy for the animals, but she really liked the sign! Ha! Kids are so funny sometimes.

As I'm sure you know, Army lost (again--10 years in a row, WOW). Its okay, the guys had tons of fun and it was really just great to be able to spend time with our good friends again! The last time we saw their kids was PJ's baptism in 2009, and they saw AJ when she was about 3 months old, so its been a while! It was also the first time the boys and AJ had met. They had so much fun playing together and AJ was walking around the house yelling out PJ's name Saturday night! So cute!

We got up Sunday morning and drove home. Its not too far, so we were able to get home by mid-afternoon and put AJ down for a nap to try and catch her up on some of the sleep she missed this weekend with all the fun and excitement!

All in all, it was a great weekend and I think we're both hoping that we'll be able to get back up to D.C. again and spend some time actually touring the city, going to the monuments and doing all the touristy stuff! I know I haven't done that in years and would love to go back and see it all again as an adult.

Thanksgiving Weekend in Paradise

We went to Florida for Thanksgiving to spend the long weekend with my family. This wasn't the first time AJ has been there, but considering that the last time she was there, she was 9 months old, she had WAY more fun this time!

AJ giving the camera one of her "looks."

AJ and her Obo taking on some waves.

The whole fam, posing for a pic by the beach (in matching shirts).

The Thanksgiving feast! Yum, yum!

AJ's paparazzi photo!

Gorgeous sunset the last day of the trip.

Me and my siblings!

Mimi, AJ and me, walking along the beach.

My dad and brother hanging around with the gator.

Paddle-boarding in the ocean!

Ma and Pa, toes in the water, a$$ in the sand!

Hanging on the beach!

Z and the hammer-head shark we found on the beach.

Our "good" family photo.

The pet gator.

Hubby and me at dinner.

C'mon! Let's get in the water!

The "bad" family photo. ;)

Building sandcastles.

Walking around by herself.

Surfing with Uncle B (one of my fave pics, and in case you're wondering, I was flipping out while this was going on).

B and M. So cute!

AJ hanging out in the cabana.

Studying her findings.

Swimming with Uncle B.

Posing with Uncle B.

Aunt A was not as lucky!

Beach volleyball.

And there you have it folks, our Thanksgiving weekend in a nutshell! As you can tell, we had a great time and all came back very relaxed and rested after our fun in the sun. I have another trip planned for AJ and I in March to spend some time with my sis while she's on Spring Break, so I'm excited to go back!

The Story of the Abandoned Belt; Or The Most Disgusting Bathroom I've Ever Seen

I'm not sure if its just me or if others have this problem as well, but it seems that every time I travel somewhere by car with AJ we are drawn to the world's most disgusting gas station bathrooms.  Now, I am fully aware that most gas station bathrooms are inherently disgusting, but the ones I end up in seem to go above and beyond the normal expectations you might have for a gas station.

Today for example, we were driving home from an out of town wedding after having enjoyed a few libations last night.  About an hour into the drive we stopped to get lunch and go potty.  While D pumped gas, I took AJ with me to the restroom.  I normally let her play with my purse or I sit her on my lap while I pee.  Afterwards we both get a liberal dose of hand sanitizer.

This particular restroom had already thoroughly grossed me out to the point that I was seriously grossed out.  I was trying to only breath through my mouth while keeping AJ's hands wrangled as far away as possible from any solid surface.  D was standing outside when I walked out and I remarked to him that I would have rather left AJ out in the parking lot 100% alone than taken her into that bathroom again.  D did not respond to this statement at all, and in fact was completely glassy-eyed.*

Thinking that I had met my quota of disgusting gas station bathrooms for the trip, the next time we stopped I walked right into the bathroom with AJ.   Upon entering I was greeted by one of the most disturbing and confusing scenes I've seen in a long time.

The next series of events took place over the course of approximately 12 seconds.

I immediately saw a belt hanging from the stall and was confused.  Who leaves their belt in a gas station bathroom?  It was then that I realized that there was more to it than that.  I looked a the toilet, then to the garbage can and the pieces started to come together. 

Are you ready for it?  In the garbage can there was a pair of (jean) shorts literally covered in poo.  There was poo everywhere.  I turned and walked out, and immediately got in the car to report back to D.  As I was explaining to him the situation, it occurs to me that if someone took their shorts and belt off and left them in the bathroom then they either left the gas station butt-nekkid from the waist down or had to call someone to bring them clothes. 

Can you imagine being on the receiving end of that phone call?

"Hi, Mom?  I'm gonna need  you to bring me some shorts and underpants to the gas station on Rte. 22.  No, just do it!"

HAHAHAHAHA.

So there you have it folks.  What progressively turned into the single worst bathroom day in my life.

*In case you're wondering why I made such a shocking remark about abandoning my 18 month old child and my husband didn't respond, I'll enlighten you.

I didn't find out at the time, but after we got home I told D I was writing this blog post and he informed me as to the reason he didn't respond to my outlandish claim.  He explained that it was because he was experiencing heavy PTSD from what he had just seen in the Men's room.  As he was explaining what he saw in great detail, he had to pause periodically to gag (6 hours later).  Apparently, it was worse than the "shorts in the bathroom incident" that I experienced just a few short hours later.

Finally, Some Randomness....

• I finally went running this morning. {Cue angels singing}


• I finally booked hubby's flight for my cousin's wedding in September. {Yay}


• The check I wrote for the registration for my car was finally cashed. {I hate when places take forever to cash checks.}


• The lawn finally doesn't look like a jungle anymore. {I mowed yesterday during naptime}


• Hubby and I sat outside on the patio last night and watched the sun set behind some trees. {It was nice to spend time together}


• I'm starting to get excited for the marathon and spending some time with my family. {But first I'll see them at my cousin's wedding next month}


• I'm trying to decided if we should try to make the trip to Hometown, USA for Thanksgiving. {We already decided that we're not traveling for Christmas}


• AJ has pretty much boycotted all food other than ketchup. {This makes for messy and less-than-nutritious meals}


• I've forgotten how tired running in the morning makes me. {I feel like I need a nap by noon}


• I'm finally starting to feel like Summer is coming to an end. {Thank God}


• I'll never be caught up on Laundry. {Who will?}


• We rearranged our bedroom furniture and love the new look. {Pictures to come soon}


• AJ just woke up from her nap, so I'm signing off. {I'll be back soon with a real post}
  

The Wedding

This post will be very picture heavy. I apologize in advance, but you've been warned!

MBD, me and Sirrah (the bride) the night before the wedding.

These two girls were the first friends I made in college. MBD was literally the first person I met. Its kind of fun to look back at the pictures and stuff from the beginning of freshman year of college and see how far we've come!

MBD, me and Bert at the brewery.

A few interesting things you should know about me and my college roommates.

1. There are 7 of us. We can be very overwhelming.

Me and MBD (we apparently love to take pictures together).

2. Yes, all 7 of us lived in the same house, for 2 years! Before that we all (except one) lived on the same floor of the dorms together.

MBD, Pants, and Shel at the brewery.

3. We love each other. A lot. We love taking pictures. We love telling the same stories and inside jokes. We love talking. All at the same time. See overwhelming.

The NASCAR cooler and stone-washed jean shorts. A perfect match!

4. Each time one of us gets married we take it as a personal invitation to leave the other husbands at home and stay all together in a room, sleepover style. We also take it as a personal invitation to drink lots of beer and get offended when there are others invited to the wedding.

Pants, Linus, and Bert hanging out in the hotel on Friday night.

5. We have obnoxious nicknames for each other and only use them when referring to or speaking to each other.

Linus, Bert, MBD, Pants, and Shel hangin'.

6. We have some other friends from college who didn't live with us (boys) and they were ironically at this wedding too (Sirrah's new hubby lived with them in a big house).

MBD and me before the wedding.

7. I'm not sure how we all managed to live together without killing each other.

Shel, Linus, Bert and Me waiting out the rain before the ceremony.

8. We all talk about each other behind everyone's backs, but its okay, because its expected.

Me and Bert waiting for the ceremony to start.

9. We're the type of friends who can always pick up where we left off, no matter how long its been, without any awkwardness whatsoever.

The kiss!

10. We always want separate checks at restaurants, no matter what.

All the roomies!

11. We have a pose that we always do for pictures. Its the one right above this text. ^

Me and Sirrah on her wedding day!

12. Its still crazy to me to think that some people just lived with their roommates, while we created life-long, incredibly close friendships with each other.

The first dance as husband and wife.

13. Our husbands don't get it. True story: Pants once told her hubby (fiance at the time) that she was excited about seeing her roommates and he told her that he was her roommate. For us the term "roommate" is not so much a classification or a position, but a name. The boys just don't understand. I'm not sure they ever will.

Roomies at the reception.

14. We are cray-cray. Obvs. And I love them. The end.

Shel, Jacob, Tony, and honorary roomie Brittney* at wedding after-hours!

You know what the absolute best part of the weekend is? This girl comes today to visit for the week! I'm so excited to see her again and spend some one on one time with my girl!

Shel!!!

Shel and I weren't super close while we were in school, but after graduation, we moved to the big citay and started hanging out a ton. She was one of my bridesmaids and has been my go-to girl ever since our days meeting for cocktails after work and spending our Saturdays watching movies. We've been through a lot together and she is irreplaceable in my life. I can't wait to spend time with her and just hang for a week.

*Honorary Roomie Brittany is not really a roomie, but stayed in the hotel with us because she didn't have her own room.