Extreme Temperatures

Sean and I have lived in Virginia for a little over 2 1/2 years. During this time I only remember seeing snow one time, and that lasted about an hour or two until it melted.

This past Sunday night we looked outside to see the first "major" snow accumulation. By major I just mean that it was covering the ground. We woke up Monday morning to see probably 1-2 inches covering the ground. The temperature was well below freezing and our cars were solid ice cubes. I thought when I decided to move to the south that I was done with needing an ice scraper, and having to shovel my car out. Luckily, I have a wonderful fiance and he not only warmed my car up, but also scraped the ice off and got me ready to go to work.

All of the school districts were closed, along with the government, military and basically every company in the area, except for mine, and Sean's. The roads hadn't been plowed, and although there wasn't much snow, it was cold and there was ice on the roads.

All schools in the area were closed at least two days, and Wednesday was either another day off or a 2 hour delay. I seriously picked the wrong career. I wish I could have enjoyed a snow day!

A night photo of our house Monday evening

Thursday the snow started to melt and by Friday morning the temperatures were already in the 60's. By the time 5:00 rolled around it was in the low 70's and it definitely felt like a warm spring day.

Yesterday and today we had possible record breaking temperatures in the low 80's and it made up for the cold unpleasant weather we had to deal with earlier this week. The 80's are supposed to last at least one more day and than I believe it's back to 50's and 60's.

Talk about extreme temperatures!

Bridal Shower in NY

Last Thursday Sean and I flew up to NYC. We had a busy weekend. Friday we met with Father John, both Sean's uncle and the priest that will be facilitating our ceremony. We had a nice visit, and then went into the city to meet up with some of Sean's cousins for dinner. It was so cold, and we were once again reminded why we don't live in the north.

Saturday Sean's mom and sisters threw me a bridal shower. It was nice to see all the family and friends, and I was glad that Maria made the drive to come to the shower so I was able to have one of my bridesmaids represented. I've included some photos below.

Trying to help teach the youngest of my future nieces to walk.

Sean and Lucy

It was a bit overwhelming being the center of attention

Future Sister-in-law Tara and I...She read the questions I had to answer about Sean between opening each gift.

I got some helpers that were more than eager to help open presents.

I was excited to get stuff for our Monkey themed guest bathroom!

The girls wanted to open everything. They loved it!

Sean's mom embarrassed me with her gift.

I love this shot of me with two of my helpers, Ella and Anna.

Maria and I pose with the headless bride. Funny story. When Celeste bought this the lady asked if she was going to use it as a cake topper. She was like...umm no I'm going to put it on a table. Can you imagine having this on top of our wedding cake?

Giving the bride a head.

Maria and I. I was so excited to see her. I hadn't seen her since last May!

Celeste and I. She did such a great job organizing this party.

Sean and the rest of the guys came back at the end of the party to visit.

This is what happens when we forget to watch the kids. We found them playing in the bathtub.

Double Digits

I can't believe that here we are 99 days until the wedding.  Double digits seemed like it would take forever to get to, but here we are.  I was excited to hear that some plane tickets have been bought, and I may actually have some extended family at the wedding.  I know it's a lot to ask of someone, to fly out to your wedding, but I have wonderful family and I'm so glad that at least some of them are able to share Sean and my wedding with us.

Speaking of flying, Sean and I fly up to NY tonight for a nice weekend with his family.  We're meeting with his uncle Father John tomorrow to discuss our FOCCUS questionairre and also go over different aspects of the ceremony.  Then the rest of the day will be spent hanging out in the city and then dinner with some of Sean's cousins.  Should be a fun time.  

On Saturday Celeste, Sean's mom, is hosting a wedding shower for us which will be nice.  It'll be great to see everyone and catch up.

I'm trying to stay focussed and get some work done, but really I just want to be done.  It's so hard when you know you don't have to work a full day.

Anyways, just over 3 months until the wedding, only 99 days....I better start getting some things checked off my list!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day started early for Sean and I. We woke up at 4 am so we could drive down to Virginia Beach for my first race of 2009, The Virginia is for Lovers 14K. We picked Jami up on the way, since she was racing with me as well. Jami and I made sure to look cute in our pink outfits and even made jewel hearts on our cheeks.

After the race we hung out in the warm tent and enjoyed the band and free drinks. Nothing like a cold beer after running for an hour. Unfortunately the sponsor for the food was Moe's and they had taco's and burritos. I hate Mexican food, so Sean got my food instead.

After the awards, Jami got 3rd in our age group and I got 11th, we left and enjoyed a nice nap in the car while Sean drove. After dropping Jami off, Sean and I had about an hour, just long enough for a quick nap, before we needed to meet with our Facilitator of our FOCCUS questionnaire to go over the final results of the test.

Now we're sitting back at the house relaxing for a little while before we go bowling at 7 and then dinner at 8:30. Definitely a fun filled Valentine's Day!

25 things about me

I spent the time to post this on Facebook, since everyone else seemed to be doing it.  I figured I'd post it on here, for anyone reading this that doesn't have me as a Facebook friend.  

1. I'm not a private person. If it weren't for Sean stopping me everyone would know all the details about our wedding.

2. I like to talk, and it’s usually difficult to get me to shut up. My brain is constantly thinking and I always feel the need to share all of my thoughts.

3. I enjoy listening to people's conversation. I frequently get caught when I'm too busy listening to someone else and not listening to the person I should be listening too.

4. I'm a middle child and I sometimes think that the Brady Bunch is the story of my life.

5. I'm excited to be a wife. I’m getting married in 4 months and 1 day, but who's counting.

6. I love to run, and I especially love to race. I get a thrill out of beating other people.

7. I love shopping for gym clothes. I can’t walk into Target without at least trying a couple things on.

8. I hate condiments, although I don't think I've ever tasted ketchup or mayo before. The look of them all gross me out.

9. I hate beets. My parents used to make us eat them as kids and all I remember is purple milk.

10. I love watching TV and could watch TV all day. Especially the Disney channel, reality TV, old episodes of Law and Order and of course my regular shows, like Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, 24, Prison Break and Biggest Loser.

11. I'm not a reader, except when it comes to books like the Twilight Series or Harry Potter. I'm ashamed to admit that I only read 3 or 4 books a year at the most.

12. I never know what's going on in the world. Seriously, I'm clueless. Sean helps me out though.

13. I love Shrimp, I could eat it every day.

14. I enjoyed being a James City County Housewife for the 2 months I was unemployed, although the house looked messier than when I worked full time.

15. I love to snuggle, and I love giving hugs to my friends.

16. I’ve been in at least one accident in every car I’ve ever owned (5 cars) and have even been hit by a dump truck which ironically was the only accident which was my fault.

17. I have no portion control, I’m never full unless I eat Chinese food

18. I sometimes invite friends over on the weekend so it forces me to clean the house

19. I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world. I’ve stopped baking because I will eat 4 dozen cookies in 2 days.

20. I hate to be scared. Sean convinced me to go on a roller coaster about a year or so ago. It was 10 times scarier than I ever thought it would be. Never again.

21. I keep my e-mail logged in all day and check it constantly. When I’m without e-mail access for a day or two I go crazy.

22. I talk to my sister Amie on the phone at least 6 days a week.

23. I was the son my father never had and I’m still very "Tom Boyish" today.

24. I’ve been hunting once when I was a teenager but I couldn’t stay quiet and I got bored just sitting and waiting. I do have my orange card if I ever wanted to go again, and my license for bow hunting as well. I don't anticipate every using either of them.

25. I can pick up people who are double my weight, and have been able to do so since I was probably about 8.

World's Toughest Cowboy/Getting Stuff Done

It's been awhile and although I've been busy and have lots to talk about I haven't had the desire to sit down and type. So I'll summarize real brief what I've been up to.

Right after the New Year Sean and I drove to Raleigh to visit Amie for a rodeo, The World's Toughest Cowboy. This is a realty show that is going to be premiering shortly on Spike TV. Look for us on TV on February 5th, which is when the Raleigh show will be aired. Basically a bunch of cowboys compete in a rodeo and each week some one is voted off. At the end the cowboy who wins gets a ranch, that Amie's company is providing. Here are some photos from the weekend together.

I had to buy a cowboy shirt since I was at the rodeo

Introducing the cowboys

Enjoying a beer while watching the rodeo

Matching sisters at the after party

We stole the cowboys hats, you can see one of the cowboys poking through our hair

Amie and I with one of the Cowboys

Amie and Brett

Last weekend Sean and I got a lot of stuff done. Most importantly we bought our wedding bands, which was pretty exciting. We're about 4 1/2 months away, time is going quickly. We then drove up to Sean's sister Amy's house and visited with her family. We also got to see Alana and Celeste since they were visiting for the weekend. Alana got engaged on Christmas eve, so we got a chance to check out her rock!

Anna's new shirt that my sister Amie made for her.

Sean reading to Anna

Lucy coming to get me

Sunday I drove to Maryland alone to do my hair and makeup trial for the wedding. I also went and looked at the place I'm going to be getting ready with my girls and having for Sean and I for the wedding night. It's pretty nice, so we got that checked off the list.

I've been really active with my spinning classes lately, spinning probably 3-4 days a week. I've been doing a lot of double workouts too, spinning in the morning and running at night. I figure if I'm not working I should take advantage and work out as much as possible. However, I start a new job on Friday, and considering I've been laid off since before Thanksgiving, it will probably take a little adjusting getting the grove of things again. It will be nice to start getting a paycheck though.

I'm going to try and keep up with this a little more often so I don't have to blog a months worth at a time.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

It is my families tradition to read The Polar Express on Christmas Eve. Up until we stopped coming home for Christmas mom would still read us the book. A few years ago (2005) Stacy bought Amie and I our own copies of the book, and of course the DVD that had come out that year as well. Seeing that I haven't been home for Christmas in quite some time, I still like to keep the tradition alive.

Last night I pulled the book out, and asked Sean if he would please read me the story. Being that he's so completely wonderful he said yes, and we curled up under the covers and he read me the book. He even changed his voice and read it the way mom used to read it. It was perfect!


This morning we both woke up at 6:30 am, so we could go to 8 am mass. It was nice dressing up and not freezing our butts off. Kind of crazy, but our Christmas morning was about 57 degrees and sunny. I was not complaining at all. We even saw one of Santa's reindeer that got left behind. He was really confused, didn't have anywhere to run to. So we just sat and watched him for awhile. You can't see him real well, but we eventually left him alone.


After mass we came back home, tidied up the kitchen and fulfilled yet another tradition, Orange Sweet Rolls! Every Christmas morning we would make these, and Sean is more than willing to continue my tradition, I think he loves them more than I do. Once the Orange Sweet Rolls were done, we brought them into the living room, with our Mimosa's and decided to open our presents.


Before opening presents, we both posed in front of our little Charlie Brown Christmas Tree.


Obviously all 8 sweet rolls were gone before lunch. You can see just how delicious they are in my beautiful photo below.


I got Sean a Wii for Christmas so we've spent the better part of the day playing the sports games that come with it along with the Mario Kart game that Amers got us. Thanks Amie Leigh!

We had a late lunch with a delicious turkey, mashed potatoes and asparagus. It was so yummy and juicy and I forgot to take a picture, but it looked as good as it tasted. We'll have plenty of leftovers for the week as well.

We're going to hang out at the house a little longer, and probably catch a movie later on. I think we're going to try and see Marley and Me. It looks like it's supposed to be a good one!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone had as wonderful of a holiday as we've had.