Crazy July

July was fun month but it was packed to the brim with activities.We already had softball Monday and Friday's and since this was probably the nicest summer we've had in 3 years we made sure the other days were not wasted away at home.
For the fourth of July weekend we drove to Ann Arbor to visit James's Air Force roommate Stan (who's real name is Tristan) and his fiance Brooke.  It was confusing and the boys ended up just saying either "yours" or "mine" to identify which one of us they were talking to.  We also brought along Tank Monster to play with their dog Finley.  I thought he was going to be an absolute ass in the car but he turned out to be very pleasant, especially on the way home since he was exhausted from playing/fighting with Finley.  Also, Stan and Brooke were nice enough to get us tickets to the Tigers game.  James and Stan spent most of the weekend trying to be men and beat each other in bocce ball.

The next Friday we drove down to Pittsburgh to meet up with James's parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephew.  They all met down there for a weekend since they figured it was in the middle of Buffalo and Charlotte.  We only stayed Friday night and left Saturday night and got home about 1am since I volunteered at the Taste of Buffalo the next day.  It is the 2nd largest food festival in the country and boy was it delicious.  I had my two wine slushies, some mac & cheese, a pulled pork sandwich, some sushi, some shrimp, chinese noodles, a caramel explosion and some fondue.  Needless to say, I did not have to eat dinner that night.

The whole fam

Paul & Linda

EJ, Rachel & Eron

"Get me out mom!"

"Come here deer!"

Beaver, hehe

The next Thursday was the start of the Italian Festival, another amazing eating fest, as well as a fantastic place to people watch.  I had a stuffed banana pepper in a sausage roll topped with a mozz stick, meatballs, clams casino, fried lasagna and took home a cannoli.  I also took home some horrific memories of the people at the festival that will forever be singed in my head. That Friday the girls celebrated Corinne's birthday, Saturday we had an awesome time at Cougar's (Jeremy's) graduation party, and Sunday we hung out with the Weiner Dog Club of Buffalo at the Bisons game.  Tank was in a race on the field but went for someone elses treats and ended up coming in last.  We look at it as a win since he did not run off into the dug out.

Kristin and I celebrated like it was our own birthday...

Thursday we ventured down to the Square to hear the sweet sound of G Love and The Special Sauce.  Friday was Stevie and Peter's rehearsal dinner and Saturday was a debacle of a wedding.  There was a monsoon, we partied with Paul Gaustad of the Buffalo Sabres, ate delicious food, danced the night away, tried to start a few fights with the Boston kids on the shuttle back to the hotel, went out on the town afterwards, and ended the night with some street meat (James did, I did not).

Some were enjoying the music more than others...

Sniffing pixie sticks from the candy bar...

It doesn't turn out well.  Don't do this at home kids!

Sunday we headed up the Blvd to Ellicott Creek Park and played Kan Jam, catch and had a homerun derby.  We were joined by Tim, Kelly, Carter, Rick and his friend (I forget her name.. woops)

Soooo tired.  He's just hanging out in the back seat in Rick's suit coat.

This last Wednesday was Wines in the Wild at the zoo.  All of the ticket sales went to the zoo and we got to enjoy some wine from the local wineries and food from local restaurants.  It was delightful.

Fun in June

June was tons of fun. We started softball.  We were on two teams, one for work was on Monday and one with our friends was on Fridays.  Let's just say we won't be playing with the work team again... This month we had 2 bachelorettes, a trip to Boston, a baby shower, a day at Coca Cola Field to watch Steven Strausburg's last game in the minors, Race for the Cure, Ride For Roswell (I rode 8 miles!), and our good friends Travis & Meganne's wedding.  Here are some pictures of our adventures...

Strausburg.  Notice how full the stands are?  This would be about 4 times what they normally are...

A close up of my man.  He would be angry if he knew I took this.

Stevie's shower in Boston.  Stevie the bride and Kristin the maid of honor.

Opening gifts.

The awesome cake!  They are going to Hawaii on their honeymoon so it was a tropical themed shower.

Bachelorette in downtown Boston

We bought her flowers on the street to embarrass her!

Wine tasting for the bachelorette

This was a game we played where we decorated some panties and she had to put them on all at once. 

 

The Ride for Roswell Cancer Institute.  The managing partner at my firm, his daughter actually has lukemia and so we did this ride to support her and the family.  They bought the whole team these awesome UnderArmor shirts with "Team AnnaLynn" on them.   Supposedly next year we are doing the 30 mile route....

Where have I been?

Since the beginning of summer, I have been absent from the blogging world.  Why is this?  Because in Buffalo, summer is only three short months and you have to cram every little bit of outside activity into these days.  And while I'm out enjoying the summer, I have lacked to post anything new. 


We have had an awesome summer so far, minus the 100% humidity and the temps in the mid 90's.  For those of you who have not ventured out to the east coast, 100% on a day where it is above 85 degrees, feels like you are in a sauna and for me, I feel like lying down and dying right there in the street.  You sweat profusely, you feel like your lungs can't get enough oxygen and you want to run and jump into the nearest body of water, even if that is a dirty puddle on the side of the road. 


But enough about the weather....  Some of the activities we have been up to so far this summer have included: playing softball on Monday and Friday nights, trying to eat at every restaurant that has outdoor seating, a weekend trip to Boston for a shower and bachelorette, a jersey shore party, Race for the Cure, the Ride for Roswell Cancer Institute, multiple weddings, a trip to Ann Arbor, a Tigers game, several Bison's games, a trip to Pittsburgh which included a visit to the zoo and aquarium, and the Taste of Buffalo.  I have pictures of all these events and I will try to load them up as soon as I can.  Until then, enjoy your summer, cause I know we will be out doing the same!

Wedding Website

Check out our wedding website.  You can find all the details and information you need for our wedding!

Happy Birthday Shortstack!

It was Jaime's birthday this last Sunday.  I'm a slacker and didn't even mail her present yet, or buy it for that matter.  But I will post some slightly embarrassing, funny, oldie but goodie pictures of her.  Happy 24th Short Stack! (Better late than never!)

Help Save Second Base

I am running walking in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure again this year.  My goal is $100, it is a small goal and I would love to exceed that.  So help save save second base by donating to my Race for the Cure team.  There is a link to my donation page to the right.  Thank you!!

Giveaway

Enter here!

Seven years later....

James and I are finally engaged!!
I know, it's hard to believe. So here's the story:


We were in Las Vegas for a vacation with our 4 other friends.  We all went down to the pool at the MGM for a little sun time.  While down there, Kristin and I found some abandoned tubes to use in the lazy river.  Since there were only two, we said we would share them with James and Jimmy when we were done.  After once around the river, we went back and gave the tubes to the boys.  James kept saying how he didn't want to go in and Jimmy kept trying to convince him to go in.  Then I started in with the "Party pooper, party pooper" and poked him in the chest a few times.  After about three minutes of this, he pulls a box from his pocket and opens it.  In it is a huge, shiny ring.  He says "This is why I can't go into the pool! Do you want to get married?".  I responded with "Is that thing real?".  It was all very confusing and fast.  Once he "popped the question", Kristin started screaming behind me, Corinne was asking if someone got stung by a bee and Danielle was stuttering saying I don't think so.  James kept asking "Do you want this or not?" and I kept asking "Is it real?".  So finally he said "I'm going to give this to someone else if you don't say yes".  I finally agreed to say yes, he put the ring on my finger, which of course didn't fit my man hands.  He then went and swam in the lazy river with Jimmy.
I had to wear the ring on my pinky for the rest of the trip because it didn't fit on my massive, beast like fingers.  On the Tuesday when we returned from Vegas I went to get it sized at the jewelers.  While at the jewelers, the woman helping me commented on how large my fingers actually were.  We had a debate for a good ten minutes on what size my ring should be and if my hands were going to grow to mammoth sizes. Not an awkward conversation at all....
So that's the story.  It's one to remember for ages. As of right now our plans are to get married in Las Vegas in the Fall of 2011.  So watch the mail for your save the date cards!