YaY!

Surprise!

2013-02-21T12:30:00.000-05:00

Oh hi.

It's been a while. . . .

Here's a recap of what's happened since I've posted last:

We went to Kauai, Hawaii (most beautiful place we've ever seen):

Spent lots of time with family & friends:

Welcomed our newest nephew (Chase) into the world (how cute is he?!):

And now we are getting ready to have our own little bundle of boy:

SURPRISE! :)

Germany & Paris!

2012-03-09T12:30:00.001-05:00

We went to Germany & Paris over Thanksgiving and had an amazing time! Here are some pics from our trip:

We felt special because we got to get on the plane outside.

Layover until we head to Germany!

We made it!

We passed out when we got there and that night we went to the local Christmas market in Wiesbaden.

I really wish we had these in Erie. So amazing.

EVERY DAY after work people would gather around outside and drink hot chocolate (often spiked with bailey's) or hot wine and just relax & have a good time listening to Christmas music, shopping, and mingling!

Bright and early the next morning we headed to the train station for Paris! This is what I love about Europe. So easy to walk everywhere or take public transit!

First thing we did when we got there (after we dropped off our luggage at our hotel), was go on a free tour of Paris!

We walked all over and saw & heard a lot of very cool things! This was my favorite. The "Love Lock" bridge. I wish I would have known so Shaney & I could've got a lock. You put the lock on and throw the key in the river! They do have to cut some off sometimes though so the bridge doesn't get too heavy!

The Louvre!

Birdies!

Paris is one crazy, busy city!

We did not look like tourists at all either . . .

We definitely took a break when we could. The first day we walked over 15 miles around the city!

We couldn't find the Pantheon, so every building we were like "it's the Pantheon!" . . but THIS is the Pantheon. I think.

Eiffel Tower pictures!

The next day we took the metro to Sacre Couer. This is the more "Parisian" part of Paris. Artists, music, etc.Can't believe we forgot to walk by the Moulin Rouge!

Europeans don't seem to eat much. This was the "general" breakfast you could get. Hot chocolate, little glass of OJ, and a croissant. But the croissant was to die for!!! Seriously. If you just go to Paris to get a croissant, it's worth the trip.

They had some awesome artwork there. I really wanted to buy a couple pieces, but I'm cheap.

They also had a lot of cool graffiti everywhere!

Best hot chocolate EVER here. It was pretty much just melted pure chocolate, but oh so good!

City of love! Caught them smooching!

Beautiful night skies!

We went up in a big black building to get this view!

It was windy and cold but an amazing view well worth the money & weather!

The next morning, Shane and I walked to the Eiffel tower from our hotel and went up on it.

It was so high up you could almost start to see the world curving in it's globe shape!

Later on, we took the train to Versailles!

We were told it would take all day to tour the palace, but it only took us a couple hours.

We did end up going out to a local bar which was a lot of fun! We talked with Parisians and had a blast and I may or may not have danced the whole way back to the hotel. . . .Check out Dan & Marissa's blog for more info on our trip!

After we got back from Paris, we got to recoop! Paris was an amazing trip but it was exhausting! So the next couple of days we just hung around Wiesbaden and relaxed.

But have I mentioned how awesome the Christmas markets are?!?!

Yummy potato and cheese bread!

Dan & Marissa took us to Belgium to see lots of chocolate & beer! We got sick off all the free samples we got from the Neuhaus chocolate shop!

After Belgium, we headed to Cologne to check out their Christmas Market.

It was awesome. I really loved Cologne and next time we go to Germany (yeah right), we might have to go for the entire day!

The last day, Shane & I tried to take the train by ourselves to the nearest town, Mainz!

We made it! Yay! It was cute. Not as cute as Wiesbaden.

Took another stroll around Wiesbaden on our last night and had to stop at the Backerbrunnen! Dan & Marissa got us a small replica of this landmark that we have in our living room!

We wrote a big THANK YOU to Dan & Marissa for letting us stay with them and taking us around! It has a lot of the big highlights of our trip.

At the airport so blessed we were able to go on this amazing trip,

but sad we had to head back to reality . . and to work.

Love flying in care bear land!

These crack me up. I'm not sure what was going on and why they are so blurry, but I love them!

Such a great trip!

Two 1 Way Tickets to Hawaii!

2012-03-03T14:24:00.001-05:00

We did not get two 1 way tickets to Kauai, but we did get 2 roundtrip tickets to Kauai, Hawaii!

Can't wait! :)

Christmas in February?

2012-02-25T12:34:00.000-05:00

No Christmas is not in February, but here are some pictures of when we celebrated it in December:

Remember Me?!

2012-02-09T12:30:00.001-05:00

Oh hi. Remember me?!

It's been a while . . . it's been a busy while. Lots of things went on. Super busy at work. DIY remodel of our living room. Trip to Germany & Paris. Lots of family get-togethers.

Here are some fun pics of my nieces & nephew from Thanksgiving (yeah, I know that was 3 months ago) . . . .

What is This Made Of?!

2011-10-17T12:39:00.002-04:00

We are currently in the process of remodeling our living room . . . .

I LOVE this style fireplace, but feel like it would get rather dirty since we still have a wood stove and not a gas fireplace.

Anybody know what material the white mantel is made of?

Also, would love to hear about any websites to go to for design inspiration!! :)

Bryce & Bowen's Birthday Party!

2011-10-02T19:48:00.000-04:00

My niece, Bryce, and my nephew, Bowen, celebrated their 3rd and 1st birthdays (respectively) in August.

I really can't believe they are that old already! Time sure flies when you are having fun!

Bryce was a princess!

And Bowen was a prince!

These two have made my life better in so many ways! Bryce is starting to interact so much more and say the cutest, most funny things! And Bowen is starting to interact more too and actually ran to give me a hug! Melted my heart! I really don't know how they can get any cuter, but it always seems to happen! I can't wait to watch them grow and learn even more!

Sky High Adventure Park!

2011-09-25T21:41:00.000-04:00

For our 4th anniversary, Shaney & I went to Sky High Adventure Park at Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, NY!

It was an outdoor adventure with an aerial park and a mountain coaster!

Our trip to Germany started our love for these kinds of zip line parks!

Let me tell you the difference though . . . in Germany it was $15 cheaper per person and you got to stay in the park all day, where as at Holiday Valley you only had a 3 hour pass.

It was definitely a lot more "idiot-proof" here in the US. The way the mechanisms work, you always had to be on a safety line so you never felt like you were going to fall. (It was still scary sometimes though!) The obstacle Shane is on in the above picture, those pegs you put your feet on would roll if you didn't have your weight distributed correctly.

Shane thinks the obstacles at Sky High were a lot easier than the ones in Germany, but I felt like it was pretty similar. There might have been 1 or 2 harder obstacles in Germany.

After the ropes course we got to ride a mountain coaster!

We were going to go to Hocking Hills instead, but Sky High was a lot closer! We definitely had a blast and are so glad we went! :)

Germany & Paris . . Here We Come!

2011-09-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

It's official!!

Shaney and I booked our flights to Germany last night! :)

We are going to visit Shane's brother Dan, and his wife, Marissa!

We are also going to visit Paris, France!

EXCITED!!!!

Any suggestions of where to go, where to stay, what to do in Paris?!
*(keep in mind that we will be going over when it's cold outside)*

Webcam 101 for Seniors

2011-09-15T22:19:00.001-04:00

Lady A Concert @ The Crawford County Fair!

2011-08-29T12:00:00.005-04:00

Last weekend Shaney and I went to the Crawford County Fair with his brother (Bry) and Bry's wife (Sommer)! I was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited to see my favorite band, Lady Antebellum.

Below, Stealing Angels, opened for them.

They were ok. Cute girls. Good voices. Nothing I'd write to home about.

They played some party songs after Stealing Angels, before Lady A to get people pumped, and this older lady was getting jiggy with it! We (entire row in front and behind us) were all snickering about her, but really . . . I hope I can still enjoy myself that much when I'm her age, because she was having a blast! You go girl!

Eeek!! There they are!

Such. An. AMAZZZZING. Concert.

I feel bad for the people in front of me because I was singing along to every song they played (being in chorus in grade school and high school did me no help)!

I was LOVING every single minute of this concert. I got so lost in their music and the performance!

I mean seriously . . . aren't they awesome?!

Here is where they wanted us to sing!

Have you heard of the song A Little Bit Stronger that Sara Evans sings? Did you know that Hillary Scott from Lady A wrote that song?!

She did! And here she is singing it! I just love how Charles Kelley is looking at her all proud! So cute! Makes me think this band will last a long time, which makes me super happy considering every song on their first 2 albums (only 2 so far) are amazing!!

Living it up!

You know the routine . . "Thanks for coming! We love you guys! See you later!" . . .

"Oh ok. I guess we'll do an encore since you stayed and cheered for us!" I mean. . do they really even have to pretend anymore?! But still. . . glad they came back out and performed one of their songs off their new album, Just A Kiss!

I can't wait until their new album comes out September 13th!!! Thanks for an amazing concert Lady A & the Crawford County Fair! It made the 45 minute wait just to get out of the parking lot worth it!! :)

Lakehouse : The Crew!

2011-08-16T22:18:00.001-04:00

A couple weekends ago Shane and I got to take KC, Mase, Josh, Nikkie, Matt, KT, & Mike to the lakehouse! It was a blast!

We had buffalo chicken tacos for lunch when we got there:

And then headed out on the boat . . .

Did some tubing:

Had break time with some snackies and drinkies:

Then Mase & I were trying to work up enough courage to jump in (it was cold) . . .

(Doesn't it really look like KT & KC's hands were on our bums?!)

1, 2, . . . . . . 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SKANK fun on the tube:

Nikkie, Matt, & The Chautauqua Belle

Some paddleboating:

Then that night we headed to Bemus Point's Village Casino

KT & Mike got splashed on the way . . .

We played catchphrase while we waited for our food . . on the boat . . . awesome.

Then we headed back to the lake house:

We had some smores, played pigged out or something like that where you roll pigs, then celebrated KT's birthday with a yummy cake Mase made.

The next morning we had eggs and toast and fruit and juice and donuts! Yum!

Then we headed out back on the lake!

And did some tubing!

Mase got lakeweed on her:

And we did some more tubing:

(I don't know how we didn't fall off here . . . )
*photo credit : Mase

Such an amazing weekend! Great food! Great weather! Great place to stay (Thanks Don & Rita!)! Great friends! Great times!

Sky High!

2011-08-13T09:29:00.002-04:00

Part of Shane & I's anniversary celebration is going to Sky High Adventure Park . . . I CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Sky High Adventure Park Grand Opening from Holiday Valley on Vimeo.

Beach 1 Concert Series! The End.

2011-08-01T12:00:00.002-04:00

July 20th was the last Beach 1 Concert Series for the season. I think everyone in Erie was there.

We had to park waaaay past Beach 1.

Here are Don, Majr, Shane, Bria, & Rita enjoying the music!

It was HOT! The dogs went swimming. And so did I. It was AMAZING. So refreshing. So fun! . . . . . Until next year!

Baby, You're A Firework!

2011-07-29T12:00:00.002-04:00

July 4th was kinda low key for us. I had to work that day and my cat was dying, so I really wasn't feeling up to lots of partying and such, but we had my parents come over to hang out with us and watch the fireworks in our back yard!

Fire!

I apparently can't draw hearts. . . .

S for Superawesome!

Fireworks!

This display lasted 30 minutes just like last year!

It really is a shame that we don't invite more people over to our house since we get this in our back yard.

Gonna have to find a new job if that is gonna happen though.

Or Shane will just have to prepare/set everything up.

The finale was CRAZY! Too bright for our settings! They said next year is going to be even better! Can't wait!

Beach 1 Concert Series!

2011-07-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Last week my parents, Shane, and I took the pups with us to the Beach 1 Concert Series @ Presque Isle!

It was a beautiful night!

We kept our distance because we weren't really sure if dogs were allowed there or not. We thought it was busy when we went last week, but wait until I show you and tell you about our trip there this past Wednesday!

Bria LOVED it. Both her and Behren went swimming.

Behren dug in the sand too.

Just chillin.

Me & Shaney!

Dad wasn't cooperating with the picture taking so after I put him in a choke hold, he agreed to smile for one.

Me & Bria!

Mommy, Me, & Bria!

And of course, you can't go to beach without taking a jumping picture!

Mommy & Me QUAD : 12 Mile Bike

2011-07-21T12:30:00.000-04:00

July 9, 2011, my Mommy & I did our 2nd annual QUAD 12 Mile Bike Ride on the beautiful country roads of Edinboro! We were lucky and got to start in the morning before it got too hot outside!

Mom got to start 4 minutes before I did, and it took me about 6 miles to catch her! I was completely drenched in sweat and so exhausted trying to catch up - aka - I'm so out of shape. I could have sworn there were people with motors on their bikes, because I don't think it is physically possible to go as fast as they were!

But we finished together and we beat our time from last year by 4 minutes!

We only rode our bikes once before that race, so I'm happy we beat our time!

Next up is the 5 mile run! We went "running" together last Sunday at the beach . . it was CRAAZZZY there. People everywhere. Cars everywhere. And it was a million degrees out. But I loved every minute of it. Can't wait until September! More exercise and quality time with my mommy! :-)

Erie Zoo Trip with Our Niece & Nephew!

2011-07-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

July 4th weekend, we also took our niece, Bryce, and our nephew, Bowen, to the Erie Zoo! My parents had a zoo membership (and came with us), but did you know that the zoo is only $8 for adults (I think it's funny they say "adults 13 and over" though . . really? 13 is an adult. Come on.) and only $5 for children 2-12?! And free for 2 and under! I really thought it was going to be more expensive than that though! They have made so many awesome improvements over the year to the zoo and if you haven't gone in a while, you definitely need to make a trip to the zoo!

We saw just about every animal there!

Brycee would say "what else is there to see?!"

Waiting in line for the carousel!

Shane is having so much fun!

Bowie! Both of the kids were so good the entire time!

Baby kangaroos! They have 3 of them! This was one of the bigger ones! The other 2 were still in the mommy's pouches!

Kid zone!

This picture cracks me up because she looks so serious! I think she was bummed we weren't allowed to go in the play gym with her.

But we all got to go on the train!! The kids were getting pretty tired towards the end of the zoo trip. We were there for about 2 1/2 hours and just made it to the car in time for the kids to fall asleep! So glad we have such a fun place to go to in Erie to take our niece and nephew and teach them all about animals!

More Lake House!

2011-07-16T11:37:00.004-04:00

Over July 4th weekend, we headed out to the lake house again! First stop . . . flea market!

A couple toys were bought, but nothing big.

Next stop . . . boat! Aly loves the boat almost as much as I do!

Ooops! Brian & Bibi fell off and we didn't realize for a while . . .

Livin the life! Paddle boating in the canal!

Brian & Bibi

I just LOVE how little kids interact with each other! Aly & Bryce are so stinkin cute!

Captain Bowen & Captain Don!

Amazzzzzing place in Bemus Point called Village Casino! Super yummy food and you can order it, eat it, and pay all right from your boat! Definitely recommend this place!

After dinner and some playground fun, we headed over to listen to the cover band singing Billy Joel & Elton John songs!

So awesome. It was like we were on vacation all weekend. I loved it.

Family Picnics & Lakehouse!

2011-07-16T11:10:00.005-04:00

Here are some pictures from when Dan & Marissa were home!

Bryce on her swingset!

Bowen playing with Uncle Shaney!

Dan & Marissa @ Grandma's!

Shane, Marissa, Sommer, Bry, & Dan @ Mazza Chautauqua Cellars!

Don walking with his grandkids!

Dan & Bowie! Or Bo-wo as Bryce likes to call him (too cute)!

Beautiful night!

Dan & Marissa excited to be home with us! :-)

Bowie!

Next day! Some kayaking in the canal!

Shaney & his Mommy, Rita!

Brycee had a long day!

Bowen was still ready to eat!

This is the fish bowl @ Guppy's!

Bry was wasted! JK . . maybe.

More tube time! Aly says "let's go!"

Bry, Bryce, & Sommer's turn!

Swim time!

Bye Aly!

Having fun!

Kayaking!

We had so much fun and were so glad to spend some more time with Dan & Marissa before they headed back to Germany! Wish we could be at the lake house every day! Especially with Erie's recent weather!

My Sheena

2011-07-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Rest in peace my beautiful kitty. I cherished all 22 wonderful years I had with you!

I remember the day we got you and Mom and Dad wanted me to get you because you were the laid back, sleepy one. We sure showed them! As I vroomed down the hall on my little red tricycle, close behind you ran and batted the attached ribbon that followed me.

You were my one and only sibling. My baby sister. You let me put you in my baby carriage and push you around the house and even the block.

We made tents together in the living room and cuddled under the sleeping bag with Raggedy Anne and Ocelot.

You loved when we crumpled up paper in a ball and played fetch and pickle in the middle.

The best mornings were when I woke up to you looking right at me. Purring on my chest. Wanting for me to pet you.

I loved that you let me brush you all the time.
I loved that you laid perfectly in my lap.
I love that you licked my tears when I was sad.
I love that I got to enjoy you for 22 years.
I love that mommy and daddy made me pick you as our kitty.
I love that you loved us so unconditionally and for so long.
I love you Sheena Marina and I can't wait to snuggle and pet you again!

One Day You Will . . .

2011-07-04T14:28:00.000-04:00

I was listening to my Lady A CD today on my way to work. That's right. Work on July 4th. After 4 hours of work in the office I spent two more hours petting, brushing, and feeding my dying 22 year old cat with a syringe. So, it's been a great day. On my way home, I got to #11 on the CD. One Day You Will. It really sums up my feelings at this moment in time.

"No matter how vast the darkness, it can never extinguish the light".

Snapping Turtle! It's Baaaack!

2011-06-28T12:30:00.000-04:00

The other day we saw Mrs. Snapping Turtle again in our yard.

I watched her for about 10 minutes and then followed her around for a good 15-20 minutes after that . . . .

Turtles are slow.

With no luck in seeing her laying her eggs (and my patience running out), I decided to call it a day.

Daddy's Day!

2011-06-23T12:30:00.002-04:00

For Father's Day, my mommy & daddy & Behren came over and we headed to Asbury Woods for a fun nature walk with the pups!

Behren & Bria were so excited to go swimming in the creek!

After the fun walk, we headed back to our house for a cook out!

I love grilling!

Here is our spread (after we ate). The kitties should have helped us eat everything (they were too busy sleeping).

We also had cake!

It was such a fun, great, relaxing day with my daddy! I really wish we had more time to do these things! . . . . . . . When do I get to retire?

My Daddy.

2011-06-19T20:34:00.003-04:00

On this Father's Day, I am so lucky and so thankful for my daddy. He is so funny. So caring. So level-headed. So laid back. So smart. So helpful. So generous. So versatile. So supportive. So encouraging. So great. He has helped me throughout my entire life and I love him with all my heart!

In honor of my daddy and all daddy's out there, a daddy day rap:

(played @ our church - sent by mommy-in-law, Rita)

I LOVE YOU DADDY! :-)