Girls' Day!

On the Wednesday before the wedding, Riley, Claire, Alli, Mom, and I enjoyed a wonderful Girls' Day Out. We started off the day perfectly, with breakfast at Panera.

Then, Mom held a sleeping Riley while Alli, Claire, and I had spa pedicures done. Claire and I opted for a bright green to fit the wedding colors. Alli opted for a shade to complement her dress. All of our toes looked fantastic and our feet felt great! Thanks, Mom!
In the afternoon, Mom and I went to have our hair done before we joined Alli and Claire for afternoon tea. Going to tea is one of our favorite things to do! The meal and tea was simply lovely, and the company could not have been better. It was so nice to relax and spend time with with the girls before guests started coming into town.

What a great day! Riley, Claire, Mom, and Alli - thanks for making it so special!

The Week Before the Wedding...

The week before Allison's wedding was a flurry of activity. On Sunday, after the bachelorette party, we attended our Grandma Toni's Surprise Seventy-Fifth Birthday Party. Then, on Monday we headed back to Virginia. Along the way, we stopped at Roadside America. Alli, Claire, Dad, and I had a blast stopping to explore the mini-world.

On Monday night, Riley got a chance to meet Uncle Rob, Aunt Judy, and Paul. They journeyed down from PA for vacation the week before the wedding, and we all enjoyed a relaxing dinner together at home.

Sunrise pictures taken by Dad during the week.

Alli's amazing updo trial run.

Alli's Last Night of Freedom!

Two Saturdays ago, we celebrated Allison's Bachelorette Party in the Big Apple. What a party! The night was filled with games, food (in fun, appropriate shapes...), drinking, dancing, and more. After starting the festivities in Alli's Park Avenue Penthouse Apartment, we journeyed down to Alphabet Lounge for some hard-core eighties music and dancing. It was a great night thanks to everyone who came to share in the special night out on the town!

Here are some pictures from the evening...

Sword of Truth hits Television...

CE (Allison's fiance) just forwarded me the link to the television adaptation of the Sword of Truth series. As excited as I am, I am a little skeptical at this point. I already had images of Richard and Kahlan in my mind. It will be hard for these two actors to live up to the descriptions Goodkind portrays in his books and the mental pictures I have as a result.

Still, very exciting stuff...

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1681694241/bctid1685994697

Riley Travels to Texas and Meets More Family...

After a crazy car trip from Sewanee, TN to Grapevine, TX, Riley met her Grandpa David, Grandma Jean, and three Uncles: Jason, Kenny, and AJ. Shawn, Riley, and I enjoyed a relaxing long weekend in Texas enjoying the company, showing off Riley, and eating very well! Egg rolls, strawberry cake, fajitas, and taco salad...Yum!! We are already looking forward to heading back over to the Longhorn State for Thanksgiving! Thanks for a great time!

Grandpa holding Riley and waving for the camera...

Grandma Jean and Riley!

It's a bird, it's a plane...no, it's Riley!

One of Riley's favorite activities: sleeping!

Into the Woods...

With my amazing brother, Shawn , Riley, and I hiked part of the Fiery Gizzard trail. Brendan was eager to climb and jump and swim in the woods, and I am always up for strapping on Riley and hitting the trail. Shawn and Brendan got to be little dare-devils while Riley and I hung out and took pictures. It was great being able to spend some quality time with just Brendan, as I miss him so much when we are apart. He is a terrific brother, and I am so blessed and fortunate to have him in my life. You rock, Brendino!

Brendan getting ready to jump...no, not really...:)

Brendan and Shawn out on a limb...literally!

Brendan in the plunge pool waving hi!

The splash Brendan made when jumping off the falls, twelve feet up!

Happy Birthday, Riley!

Our little angel is three months old!! We celebrated up here in Sewanee while my family was visiting. Riley received some awesome gifts, including her very own basketball, a Pooh stuffed animal, a Mets t-shirt, and a UVA outfit. So sweet and thoughtful.

Here are some recent shots of the birthday girl...