Saturday, July 31, 2010: OCNJ

Mom breaking the news that the girls won @ Pier 9 Mini Golf!

Hondo and I went to Ocean City, NJ today.  We had beautiful weather for the beach, and spent a good 3 hours or so laying under the shade of the colorful umbrella lent to us by the Hawkes family.  Hondo was all about the ocean, as usual, and swam a few times.  I, on the other hand, slept!  It was glorious.

In the early evening, we went to see Jen and Dave's new villa in Marmora/Beekman's Point.  It's absolutely breathtaking.  So much artistry and history all in one home.  It's perfect for them.

My parents joined us for the tour of the villa and we drove to the boardwalk.  We hit up Mack and Manco Pizza, and then Jen and Dave joined us for a round of mini-golf.  We kept individual scores and added the "girls team" and the "boys team" scores together, and the girls won!!

It was an awesome day. 

Friday, July 30, 2010: John Mayer Concert

John Mayer.  Pure brillance.

Thursday, July 29, 2010: Asian & Chocolate

Aikou Crispy Sesame Chicken

Aikou is my favorite place to go for lunch by Hondo's work.  The best part of the day today was discovering an awesome chocolate store in Morristown and grabbing some delicious milk chocolate vanilla buttercreams to take home with me.  It was a delightfully tasty day!

Aikou in Morristown, NJ

Wednesday, July 28, 2010: Millburn Deli

The Millburn Deli.  So neat inside...tasty food too!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010: Lady Lucy

Rileigh's new "sister," Lucy

Tracey, Rileigh, and Adam had Jen and I over tonight for dinner and a sleepover.  We had such a great time!  Tracey made a beautiful meal and we ate it in their beautiful dining room.  Then, Adam gave us space we could have a girls' night.  We girls went to Union Lake to watch the sunset, and Ri swam as best she could with swimmer's ear!  She's a sailboat master after sail camp this summer!   Jen and I waded in the water; it was surprisingly warm. We came back to the house and played several rounds of A to Z. 

At the house, there is a little bundle of joy.  Her name is Lucy and she is a nine week old Boston Terrier puppy.  She is a pistol.  Fearless and spunky, she stole my heart, and made me think of the good old days of ella's puppyhood.  

I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends....with cute puppies to boot!

Monday, July 26, 2010: Staying in

Cleaning the toilet.

ella and I stayed in alllllllll day today.  I packed and cleaned, and she slept, ate, walked, and napped.  It's a rough life we have.  

*Please note...I know this isn't the most lovely picture to view, but this truly was the most exciting thing that happened today.  ha! :)

Sunday, July 25, 2010: Added bonous

Shopping with Hondo today...found this added Bonous!

Saturday, July 24, 2010: Movin' on out

U-Haul.

Today was a long, emotional, and arduous day of moving.  It makes me wonder...is there any other kind?  Yet, it was a positive day, and there was good energy around good old K-23 all day.  I had a slew of wonderful, supportive people helping me to move out.  Jim, Dawn, Brian, Keith, Trish, Eli, Kate, and Megan.  It was truly a team effort.

Friday, July 23, 2010: Rack-it

My goofy garment rack

So, I attempted to put this garment rack together last night and it didn't go so well.  My dad came over this afternoon and helped me finish assembling it.  There were pieces that I thought were extra that needed to be added for support.  We're going to assemble the other rack at the house tomorrow.  Big move-out day tomorrow!  Supposed to be 100 degrees!  ACK!

Thursday, July 22, 2010: Box it up

I'm steadily packing....

Wednesday, July 21, 2010: Man Pad

Hondo's new pad!

Yesterday and today, I helped Hondo find and went with him to look at apartments.  Today, we found his new place.  It is SO AWESOMELY PERFECT!  I'm so excited for him!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010: Obey the signs

I'm a good citizen...I obey the signs.  

[Maybe I'm too literal.] :)

Monday, July 19, 2010: Packing begins

The chaos before the organized chaos

Sunday, July 18, 2010: Monmouth Park

The Hernandez, White & Wislocky crews all together! 

Saturday, July 17, 2010: El Vez

Sang at church this afternoon.  That was awesome.  Then went to dinner with the fam, went with Hondo to see Grease at Haddonfield Plays and Players and then went to El Vez for some late night goodies...guac and drinks.  It was a great night.

Friday, July 16, 2010: Como se llama, llama?

Saw this bizarro ad on a van today...

Thursday, July 15, 2010: Drummer Boy

Jim playing with Payton Taylor

Wednesday, July 14, 2010: Cousinly Love

My lovely thank you note from my cousin, Kacie

I "put that photographer to shame!"

Tuesday, July 13, 2010: Staying in the lines

One of my little friends colored in the lines today!

Monday, July 12, 2010: Possessed Phone

Proof that my phone REALLY IS possessed

Sunday, July 11, 2010: Bubble

Mike and Bubble

I dropped off linens to the animal shelter today.  I took Hondo with me.  We gave the puppers some cookies that I'd brought.  We found Bubble, a shy, sweet, white dog.  She was timid in her kennel; clearly scared of her new surroundings.  She had markings, scars and cuts all over her little body.  She had obviously had pups before and her left ear was torn, we assume from a fight.  I coaxed her out of her kennel and when we took her out to the play area, and we got to see her lovely, gentle manner.  We didn't hear her bark once.  She was happy and excited to see other dogs and people.  She was as good as gold.  She really touched us.

Saturday, July 10, 2010: Change of Plans

Me with my mustache in the laundromat

Hondo and I were supposed to go to the beach today, but we didn't go as it rained.  We had breakfast with Sean, which was very nice.   Then, we had some fun at the laundromat (hence the mustache) washing ella's bedding, went to the bank, post office, grocery store, made dinner, and saw I am Love (which was phenomenal).  We didn't do anything TOO exciting, and yet it was a near perfect day.

Friday, July 9, 2010: ella's homecoming

I got ella back today!

She's always so glad to be home.  I'm one lucky Mommy.  

Wednesday, July 8, 2010: Mom & Debbie

Mom and Debbie

I got two of my favorite ladies together for brunch today.  I'm so glad they met and had so much to talk about!  It was a great meal with some great women.  

Wednesday, July 7, 2010: Farewell

Farewell lunch at Noodles

We had such an amazing, action-packed trip.  It was incredible.  Sad to say goodbye, but grateful to have had the time together. 

Tuesday, July 6, 2010: US Courthouse

US Courthouse in Minneapolis

This is where Kyle is working this summer.  :)

Monday, July 5, 2010: Old school bowling

Bryant-Lake Bowl

We went bowling at Bryant-Lake Bowl in Uptown Minneapolis tonight.  We saw it on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  The food was just okay, but the alley was awesome.  It's a really cool, old-fashioned bowling alley.  Mom kept score on paper.  Kyle won both games.  

Independence Day, 2010

View of Old Gold Metal Flour Mill in

Minneapolis from the Guthrie Theater 

We saw A Streetcar Named Desire at the Guthrie tonight.  It was incredible.  We went out for Thai food after.  It was an awesome way to spend the 4th of July.

Saturday, July 3, 2010: Canterbury Park

Canterbury Racetrack

I won $6.40 today on a horse called Haja Boy!

Friday, July 2, 2010: Target!

Carts ride the escalator at Targets in Minnesota

Thursday, July 1, 2010: Target Field

Minneapolis Skyline at sunset from inside Target Field

We flew out to Minneapolis for our family vacation to see Kyle today.  Twins/Rays game at the new Target field tonight.  They lost, but it was a good game and it was really cool to see the new field.