Here are a few pics....sorry not actual

I know this is not a actual picture of my hand, but I will get those pictures up when I return home to Virginia. Chris took me to DC and he proposed on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Because we met in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia (aka Thomas Jefferson's University) he wanted to incorporate TJ into the proposal. It was amazing, I cried, I said yes, and we started making phone calls.

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=266&rn=1110&action=show_detail

ENGAGED!!!

Chris and I are ENGAGED!!
Friday night, December 21st at the Jefferson Memorial in DC. Pictures to come soon... promise.

Countdown

I am currently on my last shift of the two 4 day meets. That means I have worked way to much lately. At 2:30 today I can do whatever I want for two and a half weeks... I still have to stop in at work and "do" things for one more week, but I think I am going to take at least two days off. Other than that... pretty boring and no pictures... haven't had time to do anything at the house.
Boooooo!

What home improvements did we do this weekend?

All we did was paint the hallway.. one coat done, one coat to go. I put pictures of my decorations up... for mom. Today starts the two weeks of hell at GMU. We have two 4 day swim both starting on Thursdays and going all weekend long. I am glad I finished my shopping early.

Christmas Decorations

more house updates

Lots of pictures... check out the latest and greatest updates to the house...

More House updates

Thanksgiving take 2

Thanksgiving Part 2

I survived my first Thanksgiving with Chris' family.  We had a wonderful day in Ashland, Virginia at Chris' great aunt and uncles home.  It included, shooting, golfing, a pinata, football, and lots of food!  I made my impact when I sat in a chair and busted through it.  Ok, let me set it up... it was a director's chair with a rip in it, and it was my turn to shoot, so I stood up and then they yelled "you're next", so in mid stand up and I sat back down and poof... right through the seat.  I guess they won't forget me for awhile.  Oops.  

I made my way out on Black Friday, but not until 5 in the evening.  I had to decorate for Christmas first.  I was able to snag some gifts for Chris at Kohl's and then I made the mistake and went to Wal Mart... never again.   We bought some fabric for new pillows and some paint to match for the staircase hallway.  We started painting, and it looks great!!  

I wish we had this much time off every week... it is wonderful.  Chase has enjoyed two outings to the dog park in the last two days.   Pictures are coming... and don't be alarmed, we are shooting at a target, NOT an animal!

Working on the Weekends is no fun!

GMU has a three day swim meet this weekend, so I am stuck at the pool for eight hours a day. Let me tell you how fun it is.... ok, were you able to hear me scream! Anyway, I forgot my camera for the Pacers/Wizards game, but the Pacers got beat anyway.
Chris and I are off to his family's Thanksgiving on Thursday morning. I hear I get to shoot a gun, I will definitely take the camera.

HAVE a WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!

Leftovers

Another weekend gone?

Hmmm.....
Friday night marked the opening of GMU basketball. Chris, Becca and I enjoyed dinner and beers before the game in the Patriot Club (something special for donors at the arena).... no, not like $5,000, more like a lot less than that because I work for the athletic department, we get the hook up with a smaller donation. They won...
Saturday I shopped while Chris watched his cousin play some football and then we came home and cleaned up because we had company coming. Alli (Chris' sister) and her friend Taylor came into town from UVa and we went to dinner with them in Old Towne.... it was really really good!! We started watching UVa football, but it was a blowout so we rented Ratatouille.
Sunday was our one year mark for living together. Chris surprised me with flowers and then took me to Brunch in Old Towne. It was fantastic. We came home and watched the Colts... I wish I hadn't watched... it was rather embarrassing. Other than that, pretty uneventful weekend.

I won tickets to see the Wizards play the Pacers Wednesday night, so I will take some pictures and get them posted!

Pictures pictures

I have updated the site with lots of pictures! This week included a trip to the vet.. chase wasn't feeling well, but after a week of antibiotics, she is back up and ready to go!!! Chris and I had a quiet, nice, relaxing weekend at home. I had to work on Saturday, but was back home before I knew it. Chris put up the new Roman shades in our bedroom, I organized the back yard and watched the COLTS lose... how disappointing. This weekend will mark the ONE YEAR of Chris and I moving to the apartment... wow, time flies.

Home Improvements

Thanksgiving

New improvements...

Not that anyone reads this, but if you do....
My parents have come and gone. New improvements include: new counter top, sink, faucet, new floor in laundry room along with baseboard, new mirror installed.... hmmm, is that it? Pictures coming soon, promise.
Saturday night the Andresens met the Barbers for the first time over dinner. It was a wonderful and we all had a great time.
My parents were able to spend an extra night thanks to a security false alarm at Dulles. They ended up leaving Monday morning at 6:30 am from National.
Not much else happening...

Where did the weekend go?

Not much to say... the swim season is off and running with a double loss by GMU. Sunday was project GET STUFF DONE BEFORE MY PARENTS GET HERE SO THEY DON'T THINK WE DON'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY ARE HERE. We sanded all the top cabinets and applied two coats of stain on them. Tonight we will finish them off with new handles..woo hoo! Chris got handy over the weekend and changed out all the handles in the house to silver instead of gold. It does make a huge difference.
Count Down THREE DAYS till the parents come!

Thanksgiving in October?

Chris and I flew into Indianapolis last Thursday night and enjoyed a tour at Caterpillar on Friday. Friday evening, we drove down to New Castle and met the entire Armstrong family at Pizza Hut for dinner. Saturday morning we enjoyed Jack's Donuts and then headed to Grandma's to enjoy Thanksgiving in October. There were 44 people in attendance, every year it gets bigger and bigger, and we all ate ourselves into a turkey coma. Sunday, you would think we were all full, but 22 of us decided to go to breakfast at a local Stack's in NC. We flew home Sunday to find Chase very very happy to see us.... stay tuned, pictures coming.

Saturday- Oktoberfest in Shirlington

Saturday- Oktoberfest in Shirlington

12:00pm... After finding parking finally, we strolled up to Oktoberfest in Shirlington. It was HOT!! We had a lot of friends come and join us, but they all showed up at completely different times, so by 5pm, we were still there, still drinking... ugh! Anyway, the night ended around six with dinner at Guapo's with Jane and Dead Fish Jeff (long story). We headed home to find Chase very happy to see us, and me falling asleep around 8:30pm.

Sunday morning went went to the dog park, and then hit up Target to get a new TV stand... pictures included!

Mt. Vernon Wine Festival with GW

The weekend started with a night with George Washington at his wonderful home in Mount Vernon. Chris, Becca, her parents, and I arrived at Mount Vernon around 6:30 and started sipping wine. It was a beautiful night next to the Potomac and after many tastings, we bought a bottle and sat on a blanket and enjoyed the music and scenary. We left after buying another five bottles of wine...oops.

It has been a tough week already... Chris and I "thought" we wanted another dog in the family. We thought that maybe Chase missed Falkor and she needed a buddy. We met Shooter McGee last night, 3-5yrs old, white and beige beautiful cocker spaniel. He was a stray and he had been living with a foster family for the last couple weeks, unfortunately before that he was living his life in a kennel. Of course I fell in love with him immediately, but soon my rational side took over and I realized that bringing in a dog that is set in his ways, was not what we needed, and definitely not what Chase wanted... she didn't like that he was taking HER toys. I think for now, we will stay a one dog family and maybe in the future we will adopt from a shelter and let Chase raise the dog. Chase is so sweet, gentle and well behaved, we would be extremely happy to have another dog just like her.

This weekend will be a lot of fun. Friday night, Chris and I are joining Becca and her parents at a wine festival at Mount Vernon. On Saturday we are going to Oktoberfest in Shirlington to try beer. Beer before wine, you're fine? ut oh... anyway, we will definitely take some pictures and share our weekend!!

Chris and I went to Connecticut to visit family over Labor Day. We had a great time hanging by the pool and teaching Chase to surf. She didn't enjoy herself very much! But, we got a good laugh and some great pictures!





Chase surfing!























Ground ZERO




















Pretty ring we found near central park, I can dream, right?

I am NEW (york) to this

I am new to the whole blogging thing, so I will give it a try.......