Merry Christmas!

May God grant you the light in Christmas which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice; the belief in Christmas, which is truth and the all of Christmas, which is Christ.


Merry Christmas Everyone! 
With love, The Hine Fam, Tim and Jess

28.

This past weekend was SO much fun, I can't even begin to tell you all! :)

Friday night, Tim and I drove back to Southbury in our new car for the first time (it is finally fixed, still can't believe Tim replaced the clutch on his own with help from Peter!), and picked up Nora and Joe to head to Flatbread in Canton. If you haven't been there yet, GO. Awesome atmosphere, this old warehouse meets cozy country cabin (weird, yes. awesome, yes.) with a huge clay oven pizza oven, delicious salad with goat cheese, organic/natural pizza options, and gingerbread dessert. They also have a good beer selection (which is saying a lot, since Tim and I became beer snobs out in CO). We had a delicious dinner & dessert (complete with a candle for my birthday), and the best company. It was so wonderful to hang out with the Perreaults, I missed them a ton, and it was great to finally catch up!

On Saturday, we woke up early and went to Ayla's, our fav local bagel shop, and had breakfast. We then took a beautiful drive through the countryside of Litchfield county, which is always a treat. Later on, it was time to head to Victoria and Jeff's wedding. They got married in a HUGE church in Naugatuck, where I am pretty sure her parents got married. The ceremony was beautiful, and they looked so darn happy :) The reception was lovely, and the food and drinks were delicious! They had an ice cream bar which made me happy! Congrats you two, on starting your married lives together!

On Sunday, we went for a hike with Li and Rocky, at Whittemore. It was a beautiful afternoon, and it felt so good to get outside. That night, we had dinner at my parent's house for my birthday. I wanted to order pizza, so we got Vinnie's (YUM), and I got some delicious birthday cupcakes. It was a fun, relaxing evening and I was very happy!

Monday, which was my actual birthday, I had to go to school. Which, actually, is the best place to work if it is your birthday - all the kids get really excited about it, and make you cards and everywhere I went I heard "Happy Birthday Mrs. Hine!". I also got some microbrews from my GA (guardian angel) at work, which was much appreciated. Monday night, Tim brought me home some gorgeous flowers, wine, bread and olive oil, and made me a fantastic dinner of steak, roasted beets and goat cheese, and roasted asparagus...am I a lucky lady or what? We finished off the evening by looking at Sarah and John's wedding pics :)

Finally, on Tuesday night, we got to go to my new favorite restaurant - this amazing, teeny tiny Italian place in Norwalk. It is real Italian, not the Americanized version that is in most places (don't get my wrong, I like that too, but this is better). We lingered over a fantastic meal of bread and EVOO, salad, wine, pasta, cappuchinos, and tiramisu. It was one of the best nights I've had in a long time. I love QT with Tim :)

This weekend, we have Tim's Christmas party, another Christmas party Saturday night, and brunch on Sunday - busy busy!

A few photos - for the rest of the wedding, and more, check out my facebook album :)

Tim & I ready to go to the wedding

Mom and Dad at cocktail hour

Emily & I with the bride and groom

My beautiful birthday flowers from Tim

Excited!

This weekend is going to rock :)

*Dinner with my bestest, Nora, and her hubby Joe tonight!
*Celebrating Victoria & Jeff's wedding tomorrow (so happy for my"big sis"!)
*Celebrating my birthday (eek, I'm getting old...turning 28 on Monday).

Look forward to lots of pictures coming soon!

Tis the Season Q&A

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? 

Hot chocolate w/ whipped cream and sprinkle of cinnamon is my favorite...although I have to say in December I enjoy eggnog in my coffee!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? 

Well, in my house growing up Santa always left wrapped presents, except the big ones!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Definitely white lights!

If I had to choose a color though, I like blue lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? 

Nope.

5. When do you put your decorations up? 

Havn't had a place to do our own yet, but we got a tree and put up stockings at our friend's house this past weekend.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? 

Mom's beef wellington w/ tarragon butter sauce

Momma Hine's English Muffin bread

Poppy's Italian Wedding Soup
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?

I loved everything and anything about Christmas, and still do :) I loved getting my American Girl dolls when I was a kid, and loved when the whole fam came over for Christmas dinner.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? 

I was in 5th grade (I know, I believed for a LONG time), and I broke an American Girl watch that Santa had given me and felt horrible because I had heard a rumor that he wasn't real, and I felt bad for breaking something that my parents had given me. I made them tell me the truth. It was a bad day haha.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? 

Usually the presents from my Aunt and Uncle when I was a kid. Now I don't.10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? 

My parents have lights and an angel and ornaments. I don't have my own tree yet!

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? 

I love it, except for if it is really really cold.
12. Can you ice skate? 

Not well, but I think it is fun!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

 My favorite gift as an older person was my kitchenaid mixer :)

And spending time with family/friends!
14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

 Spending time with our families and friends.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

Anginette cookies. Delish.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

We have Christmas Eve with Tim's family, and go caroling at the Gazebo in Woodbury.

Christmas Day we have with my family and everyone comes over for a huge feast! I love them both, but I think Christmas Day will always be my favorite.

17. What tops your tree? 

Angel
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? 

Either :)
19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? 

Yum
20. Favorite Christmas show?

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer claymation!

21. Saddest Christmas Song? 

I'll Be Home for Christmas
22. What is your favorite Christmas song? 

I love Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas, Christina Aguilera's whole Christmas CD, and pretty much any other Christmas song...I'm obsessed!

Thanksgiving Weekend

First of all, I am terrible and took NO pictures of Thanksgiving this year...boo.

We spent Thanksgiving Eve at the Dunbars. It was so wonderful to hang out with their whole fam, meet a new friend, and bake and cook with them!
Thanksgiving day, we spent the morning helping Momma Hine get ready for their guests, and then headed our for our Thanksgiving dinner with my parents. We went out with Mom and Dad Santopietro, my Aunt and Uncle Wojdyl, Dave, and Marie. It was a fun dinner, and so good to spend time with everyone! We then hung out for a bit at M&Ds before heading back to the Hines to see the whole fam. We spent the rest of the evening having dinner #2, rock climbing in Hubbs room, and hanging out.
Friday, Tim went back to work on our car, and I hung out for the day with my mom and dad. I was so tired I had to nap! Then Nora and I got to have a coffee date at Starbucks - it had been far to long and I am so thankful we live close enough that we can do that every once and a while! We shopped for a bit at Loft too, even though I swore I wouldn't shop on Black Friday! That evening we went to Cadillac Ranch with a bunch of friends and I had a blast learning some line dances :)
Saturday I was beyond lazy, and didn't do anything until late afternoon when I got to meet up with one of the little guys I nannied for in CO in Greenwich! His fam was in town for the holiday, so Tim and I got to meet up with them for a drink. It was SO great to see them, I missed C so much! I'm lucky that both of the little guys I nannied for have family nearby to where we are, so as they grow up I will probably get to see them still! We watched a movie later on (I pretty much slept through it), and were asleep by 9. We are such old farts.
Today, we are doing some household stuff - laundry and working on the car. A very chill day to end the holiday weekend!

Getting ready for Turkey Day...

It is simply pouring outside as I write this - which will probably make the worst travel day of the year even MORE crazy. Hopefully, Tim won't be stuck in traffic for too long coming back from NY today! As for me, I got up early and started the crazy amount of laundry we have so that we can get back to Southbury either tonight or tomorrow morning - just have to make it through one more short day of school first!

This week has already been pretty crazy - so many teachers/kids are sick, and we even had to split a class because there weren't enough subs to go around! Seems like there is a nasty stomach bug going around, I am praying to NOT get that and I am SO ready for a 4 day weekend!

We are spending Thanksgiving with my parents, aunt and uncle, and cousin...I am so excited because I havn't seen them since last Christmas! Then we will see Tim's fam later on :)

SO excited to spend time with the Perreaults, Dunbars, and Hersels as well...oh Thanksgiving, I love you...and have so much to be thankful for!

Last year we were doing this:

skiing at Breck

How life changes in a year!

Go Katie!

Katie (our lovely house hostess) is going to be a dancer (1 of 4!) in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airing on CBS, Tuesday November 29th at 10 here on the east coast! Make sure you tune in, she is going to be the P in PINK! :) Congrats Katie, you are amazing!

ABC's of me

Saw this on another blog I read, and since I'm bored, I thought I'd take a crack at it!


Age: 27

Bed size: Queen

Chores that you hate: Laundry, cleaning (mostly b/c I get obsessed and must make everything perfect all in one day or I'm not happy)

Dogs: Love 'em. Tim and I can't wait to have our own. We love our Rocky Roo, and are living with a beautiful golden named Ronin, who makes the best faces ever!

Essential to start your day:Snuggles from Tim. Coffee. And something to eat, lately loving homemade cinnamon apple oatmeal w/ maple syrup. 

Favorite color: Blue, Green, Pink

Gold or silver: Either, I wear both everyday

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Instruments you play: None. Tried the flute, didn't like it. Would like to know how to play the piano, but don't really want to learn!

Job title: Building Substitute

Kids: Would love to eventually have 3ish.

Live: I live for my God, husband, family, friends, eating, cooking, baking, and doing all adventurous things with all the ones I love!

Mothers name: Jane Wanda Santopietro

Nicknames: Gerbs, JLaur, Jess, CBO (Cry Baby Onions)

Overnight hospital stays: When I was born?

Pet peeves: Being cold. Rude people - specifically when people are rude to their waitresses for no reason. Traffic. Probably a lot more :)

Quote from a movie or TV show: "Yesterday it might have been a ball, tomorrow it might be a ball, but today it is a strike." - A League of Their Own

Right or lefty: Lefty :)

Siblings: Brother Alex (I'm 6 years older), Sisters in law Sarah and Lisa. Brother in law John.

Time you wake up: During the week, usually between 6:15-6:45, weekends between 8 and 9:30.

Underwear: Lots, anything comfy :)

Vegetable you hate: Boiled carrots.

What makes you run late: When I forget to do something, do it, and then run out of time. Or if I get lost. Or traffic.

X-rays you've had: Teeth. Think that might be it.

Yummy food you make: Lots of things, not to brag :) I just love cooking. I am currently waiting to eat some delicious homemade sauce and meatballs!

Zoo animal: Tiger

Snowy Halloween 2011

On Saturday, I watched the snow fall from the freezing indoors while wearing my coat, headband, and blankets and drinking multiple cups of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
On Sunday, I attempted to buy the makings of meatballs and sauce, but the grocery stores weren't selling perishables. So I caught up on ironing, as the cable was out. Thankfully, Peter made the heat work and made it so we were able to take hot showers WOOHOO! Went to church, which was running by generators. Got home right before my hubby (who worked all day Sunday), and came back to working cable, and the news that school was cancelled for Monday.
Today, so far I am relaxing in the heated house. I'll probably have more hot cocoa and try another grocery store. And I'll do some laundry. But I'm excited that I was able to sleep until 9!
Oh New England, you have some crazy weather!

Fall is...

Fall is...
Leaves changing to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red (my fav)
Apples
Baking
Pumpkin anything (my favorites this season - pumpkin coffee, beer, waffles, creme brulee, and hopefully this weekend, pancakes!)
Pumpkin and regular candy corn
Getting chillier
Acorn squash
Halloween

I'm enjoying this New England fall sooo much...except for the damp/mold that has decided to give me a killer cold/cough and makes me feel like sleeping all day everyday!

Sarah and John 10/10/11

This past weekend was Sarah & John's wedding. It was a fun-filled weekend of wedding stuff, and it was amazing! They truly could not have asked for better weather, it was a beautiful 70+ degree weekend, blue skies, and amazing light.

On Friday evening, we had a Hine/Spear dinner in Southbury. We got to meet John's brother Grant, his wife Kelly, and their two little girls Kendal and Cami. It was so much fun to see everyone, and get to know them a little better. Then Tim and I had a drink with my parents, and then Sarah and I went "shopping" for jewelry in my mom's jewelry boxes!

On Saturday, we went to Crossfit, and I did my first WOD (workout of the day). It went pretty well, I even carried Tim for almost 200 meters, but I dropped him when we were almost there...oops! Afterwards, the ladies (Sarah, Lisa, Lauren and I) went to the salon to get our hair done for pictures. We had the dress rehearsal at the sailing center, then headed over to Platt's Farm to take photos. I am so excited to see the professional pictures, they are going to be fantastic! Sarah's friend Desirae was the photographer, and she is amazing! That night we had a wonderful rehearsal dinner hosted by John's parents, complete with a video of Sarah and John. It was lovely. We finished off the evening by having a drink with Nora and Joe :)

On Sunday, my dad and I went shopping - he was nice enough to chauffeur me around to get pie ingredients. Then I made 6 pumpkin pies with the help of Nora. In all, I made 12 pies for the wedding...it was a lot of work, but so much fun to make the pies for Sarah and John! Tim went golfing and out to dinner for John's bachelor party. That night I was pretty exhausted, but hung out with some fun ladies and helped Momma Hine at the sailing center. She, by the way, did the most amazing job on the reception decorations, with the help of Mrs. D and a few others. They completely transformed the place!

On Monday, it was finally WEDDING DAY!  We got up early to get ready, and headed to Hamden to hike Sleeping Giant! The hike up was beautiful, and then we started the ceremony. It was a beautiful ceremony, and it was such a joy to see them get married! We hiked back down, and headed for the reception - it was so much fun, with amazing food (sushi station anyone?), drink, dancing, and speeches. John's niece Cami was the hit of the dance floor - she isn't even two yet and was out there more than anyone else!

It was so wonderful to see the intense, beautiful love that John and Sarah have for each other - I can't wait to hang out with them in their new home in St. Louis. They are in Hawaii for their honeymoon right now, and I'm a little jealous :)

We love you both so much. Sarah, you were a beautiful princess bride. We are so happy that you found such a wonderful man to spend your life with. John, we are so happy to have you as a part of our crazy family :)

Photos totally out of order and courtesy of me, Kelly Spear, and the amazingly talented Lauren Volo - her website is http://www.laurenvolo.com/ and you should absolutely check her out!

The getaway car

Photo courtesy Lauren Volo

The Castle Ceremony

Photo courtesy Kelly Spear

The dancing Hineys 

Photo courtesy Lauren Volo

The amazing flowers by Dina Daddario

Beautiful Maid of Honor Lisa

Photo courtesy Lauren Volo

My beautiful mother in law

Photo courtesy Lauren Volo

My pumpkin pie!

Beautiful reception

Hubby and Me

Photo courtesy Lauren Volo

The sweetheart table at the rehearsal dinner

Peter & Katie 10/1/11

A few weekends ago, our dear friends Peter and Katie were married in an intimate ceremony in Manchester,Vermont. It was an emotional, beautiful, amazing wedding. We were so blessed to be a part of it.

It started on Friday night, after arriving at the house Katie's parents were staying in at the rehearsal BBQ. We arrived late because driving anywhere from Southern CT on a Friday night takes forever! We got to spend time with the bride and groom, and other friends and ended the evening with apples from a tree in the yard and sitting on the porch. It was lovely. After, Tim and I had *some* difficulties in finding the house we were staying in, and had to return to the house that Katie's parents were in- we were thankful for a place to stay :)

On Saturday, we spent the day resting up for the wedding. It was rainy and cold, so staying warm inside was the best thing to do. We got ready for the wedding, and arrived just in time. Katie was absolutely stunning, and the love in the room was palpable. They said the most beautiful, touching vows I have ever heard. I bawled. The speeches were wonderful, the dinner was delicious, and the dancing was a blast.

Thank you Peter and Katie, for letting us share in this special day with you!

Cupcakes!

Beautiful Table Setting

The Happy Couple and Us

Beautiful :)

Hine Siblings

Catching up...

Life has officially gotten super crazy for us Happy Hineys...thought I would write a quick update for those of you that read along :)

*I've been working for about 2 1/2 weeks, and am really enjoying being back in an elementary school setting. It has been fun waking up with Tim most days, making coffee, reading the Bible, and having breakfast before heading off to work - and spending the day with some awesome teachers, kids, and staff. Highlights so far - one child told me "I wish you were my mom", catching up with people I knew three years ago, and teaching again! We have tomorrow off for Rosh Hashanah, and I will be spending the day clearing out our storage unit.
*We have decided to stay with Peter and Katie for awhile - therefore the storage unit items will be moved into the storage unit known as my old bedroom at my parent's house.
*I went to NYC for Katie's bachelorette - we shopped, ate delicious food, drank champagne, took a limo, and danced...it was fun :)
*I made 6 Apple Pies for Sarah's wedding next weekend...and I still have 6 Pumpkin Pies to make.
*Peter and Katie are getting married Saturday! We are heading up to Vermont, and we are going to dance the night away!
*Tim's job is going well, and he gets to be on the next project with Peter as well...they get to build another hospital - cool right? I'm so proud of him :)
*We are slowly thinking about buying a house.
*Sarah and John are getting married Columbus Day...so excited for a new brother-in-law!

Think that about sums it up...pictures from the weddings to come!

Back to School, Back to School

Tomorrow I start my new job!
I am going to be working as a permanent building substitute at Riverfield Elementary in Fairfield. It is the same school I interned in, so I already know some people there. I can't wait to get back to work, and back to working in a school again!
This job is a great opportunity for me to get back in a classroom again, and I am so looking forward to it.
I'll update soon on how it goes!

Sarah's Bachelorette

For my sis in law, Sarah, we decided to skip the crazy club scene typical of Bachelorette parties, and took a ride up to the beautiful Berkshire mountains in Massachusetts. Six of us ladies took in the sights at Jacob's Pillow, a dance theatre place in MA. We saw an interesting modern dance show at the Inside/Out theatre which had such an amazing view, while sipping red wine and snacking on delicious homemade guac! We then explored the grounds of Jacob's Pillow, and even had our photo snapped for their website (Sarah was dressed up in a sash and tiara!).
After the performance, we headed to a cabin we had rented on a lake and chowed down on a delicious homemade Paleo-friendly dinner, courtesy of Lisa and I. After dinner, we had some present opening, dessert eating, and girl talk. It was such a fun evening to just hang out with some fun ladies!
In the morning, we had a yummy breakfast and took a beautiful long walk around the lake.
We returned home to go to Peter's surprise construction-themed birthday party, and stay indoors to prepare for the hurricane.
Happy days, Ms. Sarah Hine, can't wait to celebrate you and John on Oct. 10th! :)

Four out of the six ladies :)

Sunset over the dance stage

Dinner

Princess Sarah blowing bubbles and drinking coffee :)

Peter and Katie

Hurricane Irene

On Saturday night/Sunday morning, Hurricane Irene came through Connecticut - and left lots of destruction in its wake. Thankfully, everyone we know is safe and their houses are safe.

We lost power at the house we are staying at, and still don't have it back, although our friends bought a generator, so we now do have lights & water. It is amazing what you take for granted. We can now see at night, shower, and cook again, yay! (Although, the last few candlelit nights were romantical haha) We saw lots of downed trees and power lines...and even drove under a huge tree, and saw boiled pavement...our friend saw people kayaking down the street by the beach!

Still no cable, which means no internet or tv...I'm sitting at Starbucks to get some things done :)

There was a TON of damage in Quechee,VT where we got married and where my parent's condo is. Thankfully the condo is ok (we think), but Simon Pierce got flooded (the glass blowing room was destroyed), and the bridge was half washed out...it is so sad to think of that beautiful place ruined.

Well, that is it for now...hope you all have power and are doing well!

Ocean Views

I've been so fortunate to have been able to go to not one but THREE different beach houses since we got back to Connecticut.

Beach House # 1 in Milford,CT - M&D Hine got a beach house in an auction, so the Happy Hineys had a wonderful long weekend on the CT coast. On Friday evening, we relaxed on the porch with food and drinks, and Tim went kayaking with his dad. We stayed up late with the siblings chatting, and just hanging out. Saturday we read, swam, kayaked, and had dinner with Aunt Pam, Uncle Kevin, and Uncle Lyle. On Sunday, it was raining, so I read for about 5 hours (finishing The Help, AMAZING), and kayaked with Tim in the rain. M&D Santopietro came for a visit, as well as cousins Shannon and Ryan and Sarah's coworker Stefanie. On Monday, I drove back up to the beach house to hang out with Li and Momma Hine. It was a relaxing and amazing family getaway!

Happy Hineys

Happy Hiney's Hineys

Me and Tim

Beach House # 2 in Westbrook, CT - Nora's family rents a place every year at Water's Edge, and their huge family was all there when I went to visit. They are such an amazing family, and take me in like one of their own. I love them! :) We swam, relaxed on the beach, had tropicoladas, dinner, and made it in the nick of time for ice cream! In the morning, we had a delicious breakfast and hung out on the beach more. I not only got to spend time with my bestest friend and her hubby, but I also got to see Patrick who I babysat when he was a little guy - can't believe how big and chatty he has gotten! Thank you to the whole Burke clan for letting me crash your vacation!

Bestest Friends

Nora and Joe

The Burke clan singing happy birthday to the absent Garrett!

Patrick!

Beach House # 3 in Charlestown, RI - My cousins Jim and Wendy, along with their neighbors rent a house in RI every summer. I went up the other night to babysit my little cousin Gabrielle and her friend. It was so fun hanging out with them all, I am just crazy about them :) We spent the next day at the beach and it was so beautiful out...I also stopped and got some clamcakes on the way home, yum! Unfortunatly, they were out of Dell's :( total bummer!

Zoe and Gabrielle (can NOT believe G is 7 already)

Beautiful RI Sunset

 This weekend in Sarah's Bachelorette party, so stay tuned for some fun photos from that! Also, I had an interview today at a local preschool, and it sounds like a great fit for me, so praying about that! :)

What's been going on.

Well, we have officially been back in Connecticut for two weeks (well, I suppose I would have to wait until tonight to say that, but whatev) so I thought I would write a little update as to what has been going on in our lives.

Our first week back was spent catching up with family - a lot of hanging around the Hine house, and dinner at Carlitos with my fam. We also walked around Hidden Pond with Rocky (Tim's fam dog), hiked at Platts, climbed at Orenaug, Tim mountain biked, I kayaked with Nora, and I biked to the sailing club and back...by the way, biking in CT is far different than CO, no bike lanes, no bike paths, and lots of hills = one scared and tired girl. Getting used to the humidity has been interesting too.

We have been staying with our friends Peter and Katie at their awesome new house in New Canaan,CT. It's been so great of them to invite us into their home for as long as we need, and even better since Tim can commute to Long Island with Peter. So far, we have had some dinners, hung out, Katie and I went dress shopping with her mom and sis (they are getting married in October!), and had a BBQ.

Tim has been working for almost a week, and it is going well. I've learned from Momma Hine how to properly iron and starch a shirt, so I've been practicing - going to do some laundry and iron lots today in fact. He looks so handsome every morning all dressed up in his shirt and tie...he will probably kill me for writing that, but I can't help it if I'm head over heels for the guy ;)

I've just been getting situated here - getting errands done, heading back to Southbury now and then to see family and hang out with Nora (which has been the best, so happy to be so close to my bestest again!) This weekend my in laws have a beach house in Milford, and I couldn't be more excited to go to the beach for the first time in a LONG time! Then Nora's fam has a place on the shore next week, so I get to see Colleen and Rod who will be there from Boulder. And then I get to go to Rhode Island to hang with my cousins at their beach house. I totally have the life these days - don't worry though, once September hits I will be in full job mode once again!

Last Sunday was my sis in laws bridal shower, which was a victorian tea. It was so lovely and fun to see all the amazing women in her life. My favorite part was that we all went around and said how we knew her and to give words of wisdom for marriage - it was so powerful, all these amazing Christian women in one place giving awesome advice. I loved it, and I know Sarah did too. In preparation for the shower, Sarah's future mother in law was in town for a week, and it was fun to get to know John's mom, Betty.

Ok, I think that about sums it up. Our first 2 weeks back on the east coast.

Oh, and if you would, could you keep my family in your prayers? Thanks :)

First Day

Tim started his new job today! Hooray for a new chapter in our lives :)

Back in CT

After two VERY long days of driving, we arrived at the Hine House at 10:00 PM with our massive truck/trailer. Tim was a rockstar and drove one 18 hour day, and one 16 hour day to get us back east. My dad and bro switched off in Tim's truck, and we were all exhausted, but happy to have arrived safely and quickly.

The past few days have been spent hanging out with family and friends, as will the week to come.

Today, we rented our storage unit and will be unloading and returning the big yellow truck.

Then a week of fun before Tim starts his new job - complete with lots of outdoor activities, climbing, biking, swimming at the lake, and hanging with fam and friends. Sarah's shower is also next weekend :)

Will update more once our life gets a little more settled!

Last Day in Boulder, CO

On today's schedule:
*Tim is climbing the first Flatiron - someone he has wanted to do ever since we moved here. It is a trad climb, and multiple pitches, but not a hard grade. He is climbing with a friend named Steve, they should have fun on their early morning climb :)
*Moe's bagels & Ozo coffee for breakfast, and I'm going to bike to get those things :)
*Finish packing up the rental truck and cleaning our apartment - only small things left, and 2 1/2 rooms out of 5 to clean.
*Go to bank/post office/change address on mail/other things that need to be done before moving.
*Spend the afternoon wandering around Boulder, driving up Flagstaff, and other fun Boulder things to do.
*Mountain Sun tonight for a final dinner with friends :)
*Off to bed, we have a VERY early start tomorrow!

Farewell Boulder. Adios Colorado. It's been amazing. Best place to live, we will be sad leave it.
Can't wait to see all you East coasters though!

On a sad note, terrible to say goodbye to all the families I work for...but M & A was ridiculously hard :(

13 days...

We leave Boulder in 13 days from today...I'm a bit overwhelmed by that idea, super excited and super sad at the same time.

Maybe we should start packing?

Big News!

This past Friday, Tim got a phone call that is going to change our lives a little (or big!) bit....he is going to be an Assistant Project Manager for a construction management company in NEW YORK!

Yes, you read that right...NEW YORK...oh, and FYI he starts August 1st, therefore, we are moving back to the  North East in three weeks!

It is bittersweet, as we absolutely LOVE living in Boulder (I mean who wouldn't? - hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, and other general activeness, great restaurants, a great church, friends, etc. all in one place!) We are going to miss the easy access to activities that we love to do, and our friends, and I am especially going to miss M and A :( but, we prayed a lot about this job, and it just feels like it is the right next step for us.

Plus, going back to the NY/CT area, we not only have one of us with an actual full-time "real" job, but we have amazing family and friends SO close! We may just have to work a little harder at being active when it isn't in your face like it is in Boulder, but that's ok :)

So, CT/NY/MA people, get ready! We are coming back, we love you, and we are so excited to see you! 

and

Boulder people, we love you, and we will absolutely come back and visit ASAP (I mean, I bought POWDER skis to use for this coming season, and we all know the east is NOT the place to use them!) 

(Flatiron Sunrise from Moe's Bagels - LOVE this view!)

And Boulder, thank you for being an amazing place to spend our first year and a half of marriage, it's been wonderful and we will miss you too!

Love is in the air!

This past Saturday, my lovely sis-in-law Sarah got engaged! Her new fiance, John, flew to CT from Japan (Japan people!) to propose atop Mt. Washington. All I have to say is well done John! We are so excited for this new and exciting chapter in their lives, and are looking forward to the wedding day festivities! (In fact, Li and I are going bridesmaid dress scouting today!)

Surprise! He flew home from Japan for the weekend!

Atop Mt. Washington

(I totally heisted these pictures from Sarah's FB, hopefully she doesn't mind!)

Sar - We are so happy for you, and love you very much! John - We are so excited for you to become an official part of this crazy, fun family! We love you both lots!

Also, a little over a week ago our awesome friends Emma and Adam got engaged in New Hampshire. They used to live out here in Boulder which is where we got to be very close friends, but I also graduated high school with Emma. They are one of the most amazing couples I know, and we love them to pieces! We are so excited for them and I particularly thought it was fun that they had their celebratory dinner at Simon Pierce in Quechee, VT where my family has a condo and where we took wedding day pictures ourselves! We love you both and are SO excited for your wedding (at least we hope we get to come, I mean you didn't get to come to ours so maybe we will be banished hehehe).

Emma and Adam at Gold Hill last summer on a very fun double date night!

Congrats again to the happy couples! Ladies, if you need any planning help, let me know :)

Tough Mudder 2 - Beaver Creek & The Spider Monkeys

On Saturday, Tim completed his second Tough Mudder, which took place at Beaver Creek, CO. My husband is seriously a tough man, I am so proud of him!
His team was called the Spider Monkeys, and it was Tim and M's dad Rob, and a bunch of his friends. The guys   did awesome, finishing the 10 mile 28 obstacle course in just over 3 hours. This was amazing, since one of the guys sprained his ankle at mile 1.5, and continued on and finished in true Tough Mudder style.
It was so fun watching another TM event, and after we had lunch, and relaxed in the village. Then we had dinner with everyone at a grill your own steak restaurant.
Thank you Spider Monkeys and Spider Monkey wives & kids - it was a fun weekend!

Grilling up dinner 

Getting ready to start Tough Mudder # 2

Team Spider Monkey

Seriously, the signs at TM are crazy

And they are off!

The Mystery Obstacle

The guys after obstacle 13

'lil mudder

Slip n' slide TM style

Monkey bars

At the finish :)

Viva Las Vegas! Celebrating 40 years of LOVE!

A few weekends ago we went to Las Vegas for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. It was so much fun to spend time with my parents and brother, and Tim and I got to experience Vegas for the first time.
After a late night arrival on Friday, we had a drink and some snacks with my parents at our hotel, The Mirage.
On Saturday, we had brunch and spent the day relaxing at the pool. For dinner, we went to Raos at Caesar's Palace. Raos has a Harlem,NY location that has only 10 tables and you can't ever get a table there, so they opened a Vegas location. The restaurant was really authentic feeling, and the waiter was hilarious. The highlight was the food though- we had an amazing antipasti with the best fresh mozzarella I have ever had, and then I followed with an amazing fresh pasta with ham and peas. Delish! After dinner, we headed to Criss Angel's Believe show - we do not recommend it. While it wasn't the worst show, the title was deceptive (it was promoted as a Cirque du Soleil show, which it wasn't) and he just wasn't very entertaining. After the show, we headed over to the Bellagio to see the fountain show and the flower display. It was a fun evening :)
On Sunday, my parent's anniversary and Father's Day, we had breakfast and hung out by the pool again. The afternoon was spent gambling, getting a massage, and having frozen yogurt. We met in my parent's room before dinner to toast with champagne sent up from my Uncle Jim and Auntie Cloi for my parent's anniversary (aren't they they sweetest?!), and then we headed to dinner at B&B at the Venetian hotel. B&B is Mario Batali's restaurant, and since I am obsessed with the Food Network I was pretty excited. We had a fantastic meal, complete with a calamari and pasta course, and then we had our dinners (I had the best pork chop I have ever had in my life!), complete with great wine and a special anniversary dessert. Then we headed to the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show called LOVE. IT WAS AMAZING! We all absolutely loved it, and it was the perfect end to our night!
On Monday, we had breakfast, said goodbye to my family and walked around the strip. Then we found out my family's flight was delayed so we headed to the airport to hang out with them for a few more hours.
Thanks Mom and Dad for a wonderful weekend with you all! We had a great time! :)

Dad and I in front of Beatles sign

Hubby and I chillin in the pool

Getting ready for Dinner # 1

Inside Caesar's Palace

Mom and Dad before dinner at Rao's

My delish dinner

Bellagio fountain

Bro and Dad in the Bellagio gardens

Mom and Dad on anniversary/father's day!

Cheers to 40 years!

Tim and I in the Venetian

Anniversary treats!

Heading into the Beatles Love Cirque Du Soleil

Bro and I