Easter Sunday!

It all started with church. I didn't have a lot of experience with churches around here (sadly) so I thought we'd try the catholic church I pass on my way to Wilmington. It's only 15 minutes away and seemed like a good option. It was packed, holy cow. We kind of lost the experience because we were so far back...but that's ok we tried! Here are pictures from after mass with Drew...
and with Momma! You have to admit for a women almost in here 70's she is looking fine. 

After Church we got into our "comfs" (what were were calling comfy clothes and got all the food ready) My mom was such a HUGE help! She always keeps me from becoming distracted and on-track when I am trying to do things like this!

Emily came over and brought these flowers for us...aren't they perfect??? Plus my mom's favorite flower is the spider mum! 

Here is our set table...with each persons basket (huge hit)! The table cloth is just a shower curtain (mom's idea) the whole setting cost 15 dollars!

       Silly girls acting goofy in our "comfs" before preparing the dinner. Emily helped make the caesar salad which was hysterical. When she went to add the pepper she mistook the pepper shaker for a pepper mill and was able to spill 2 cups of pepper everywhere...but damn, she makes a good salad! The second picture is before we got more comfortable!

 The set up baskets for the furry kids- we had three cats (Chloe, Finn, Fatty) and three dogs (Wyatt, Maya, and Boomer!)

I decided to do a wine pairing on the new cutting board the Drew bought me in Southport yesterday. Oddly everyone really loved the cheese (which normally goes untouched) and of course the wine was gone!

                    Everyone but Drew and me at the table getting ready to eat! It was beyond a nice day!

                           Afterwards Dad and Chloe played with the new chick toy from Emily!

They're here! After a 12 hour drive, my family has finally arrived! I am beyond excited, frankly I lack a word that would properly describe how nice it is. I do wish Dana, Jen, Shawn, Sammy, and Nannie could be here, but hey I'll take what I got! When they arrived yesterday we started off their visit by food shopping. I wanted to make sure I had whatever they like in the house and I needed their help to get the stuff for Easter dinner. My dad is making Prime Rib and I know nothing about buying that! After food shopping we went to the italian restaurant Osteria Cicchati in Wilmington where we had meatless dinners (good friday) and lots of fun! Finishing the night with The Hobbit, which I loved (NEVER thought that would happen!) Today we were going to go to the Rigley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach but  opted to go to Southport, NC instead. So nice! It was a perfect day for strolling outside and looking at all the nicknacks. 

I insisted Emmy come with us, as did my family who asked about her roughly a million times! She always makes everything wayyyy more fun! Plus I knew she wanted to explore NC just like we did. 

My momma decided to fix my scale (which I honestly preferred broken but I guess I have to accept reality now...boo hoo)

These two get a real kick out of each other...which I adore. Its beyond important that they get along!!!

We arrived in Southport. They had a beautiful Spring Festival with lots of crafts and food. It was so fun. And they filmed Safe Haven here so there were lots of sights to see!
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Easter Stuff is coming together! We have acquired quite the collection of chocolate and candy....even though Drew and my father have hit it hard.  

 These are the flowers I bought at Whole Foods and Harris Teeter. I love Hydrangeas and couldn't say no when I saw them! The sunflowers made me happy and will be an awesome  centerpiece!

Here are the baskets, finally complete! I think they turned out great. Baskets are from Garnish, candy from target, cookies are homemade, and all the rest is a little bit of everything. 

"Christmastime is Easter time all the way back home" Dana, age 3.

Lastly, I opened by door today to find birthday gifts from my second family! I watch Samantha from the age of 1 to almost three. I just adore her and her wonderful family who treat me like gold! 

My family comesss soon!

3-25-2013

I am so beyond excited because my family is coming soon. They leave Buffalo on Thursday around ten then plan to spend the night in Fredericksburg VA and finishing the trip Friday ( I didn't expect them to make it in one day, these are the same people who made us get a hotel ONE hour way from our destination). But anyways they arrive on Friday at around 2. I work, but it's just a teacher workday and I plan on spending it with Rachel, getting stuff done. I have lots of work to catch up on (such is the life of a school psychologist). It will be so nice to have something to do this weekend. Last weekend, Drew and I tried to keep busy, because otherwise we just stare at each other. Friday we watched movies and cuddled with Chloe (I love my little family) and I also assembled my easter baskets (partially). I did some of the candy and fillers, just missing the wine, and the frosted sugar cookies. For sugar cookies I used 

The recipe found on this blog- http://www.foodiecrush.com/. It's completely fantastic and super easy. I found the cookie cutters in the $1 section in Target. I froze those along with cupcakes for my Sunday party. 

These are the stickers I had made through an online sticker company.They are going on the mini wine bottles in the easter baskets! They say- Happy Easter! NC style, love Shea and Drew. I'm kind of obsessed with them!

The baskets were ordered from Garnish and are just fruit containers. They were .85 cents each and a cheap way to make sure everyone gets one! Inside will be

Jelly Beans

Chocolate

Easter Card

Wine Bottle

Sugar Cookies

Peeps skewers

They are a work in progress and they are yet to be finished but they will get there

Found these great apothecary jars at Michaels for 5 dollars each! I may have to go get a couple more. Sadly they WERE filled with candy, however, Drew has limited to no self control and takes a piece of candy every time he walks by....which is about 22 times a day. In the other glass jar are the cookie cutters I used- I'll post my final products later

I had to make sure I made the animals easter baskets from Chloe. For Rachel we have- Finn (Cat), Fat Cat, and Boomer(Dog), Emily has Maya(Dog) and Wyatt (Dog) and Emily's new "friend" (as my father would call him) has a cat named Simba. Chloe has been a very busy easter bunny!!

Hopefully it will be nice weather to eat out on the porch...and if not, that's ok. It's better than the 20 degree weather my family is dealing with! 

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Our Saturday out! We decided to actually leave the house this weekend. As with most weekends when we leave the house, the entire night revolves around food. Saturday was no different. I had been CRAVING Carrabba's Chicken Bryan so Drew and I decided thats were we were going. We even saw OZ The Great and Powerful (fantastic- I recommend it!)  

It was sort of a cold night so I went with my old faithful sweater from Forever 21. I'm obsessed with my new mascara! I am also wearing 18 pounds of make-up to overcompensate for my stress acne which I have decided to develop. Does anyone know a good treatment for that? I already drink 16 glasses of water a day, eat healthy, and wash my face! 

Look at my stud! He always drives on the weekends. We figure I drive all week (he works at home) so it's only fair! Wilmington is only 30 minutes away and it's nice to take a drive together. My parents have been together for 35 years and I swear one of their secrets is taking long rides together! 

Drew thinks he looks "unnatural" when he fakes a smile...somehow I don't think this look is better. On our way into the movie! 

 my favorite movie theater snack! I love these 12 dollar balls of chocolate gold (price may have been exaggerated) however two tickets, two snacks, and one water cost 40 dollars...I hate to seem cheap but COME ON!

Jim Gaffagin and St. Patrick's day

Drew and I took a two hour Mecca to Raleigh to enjoy the St Pattys day parade, southern BBQ, and see one of favorite comedians- Jim Gaffagin! It was hysterical and such a blast. These days we don't get out too much so any opportunity to have fun is much appreciated!

Date Night with sweeties!

My honey and I went to dinner on the island at a place called Nikki's! It was outstanding except we're having a little trouble moving still based on how full we are! Tomorrow were heading to Raleigh to see Jim Gaffagin and eat at "The Pit" ( it was on man v food and Drew is obsessed). I'm so excited but a little sad because tomorrow's weather looks great but that's ok... Finally something to do!

weight loss and bathing suit time!

Well...even if I don't want to admit it...it's almost here...BATHING SUIT SEASON (dun dun dun). For many this is a time of turmoil and utter distain for one's self. For the past 25 year it has been my downfall. I mean I am not fat, not overweight, and I wouldn't say I don't have a good body, but I certainly don't have a bathing suit body. So I am working on that. I don't want to weigh 94 pounds...I just want to have a body I am proud of. So I purchased the Julianne Hough dvd. I mean it's worth a shot right? Drew is so into fitness and It has never been my thing...but I love to dance (*didn't say I was good at dancing) so hopefully it will kick start my weight loss..or toning up for that matter! Plus I've put some bathing suits on here as motivation. I need all new suits, I've had some since 6th grade 

Completely impractical! But loveeee

if I don't lose it, I'll just cover it up lol

Some more motivation, I mean look at that bod!