Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

 

Hope you're all wearing green!  And finding your own pot of gold today!

Andrea :)

Flashback Friday: NYTM Style

Over the holidays, I discovered that an old subway car made certain stops along the F line as a way to garner interest in learning more about the NYC transit system at their Brooklyn based museum.  Chris had shown interest in visiting the museum for several months so I took this random sighting as an opportunity to gift him with not only a chance to ride the special holiday train, but also tickets to the museum!

We waited on the platform where the train was set to arrive with a number of other excited passengers in Queens one Sunday morning.  We intended to ride it from one end to the other while checking out all the cool old advertisements lining each car.  It surprised us to discover how much more quickly it felt like this train ran than the current ones in our system now.  These older cars were also equipped with ceiling fans rather than air conditioning - an interesting feature that would make for a very sticky and smelly summer!  As the crowd thinned from stop to stop, we moved from car to car exploring each before we departed at the final stop - 2nd Ave.  At this last stop, there were several actors dressed in period clothing that socialized and took photos on the train - quite an interesting way to end the adventure!

A few weeks later, we made our way over to the transit museum to spend some time learning about the history of the subway system.  We both really enjoyed discovering more about the process involved in physically building the system as well as the politics behind implementing the system(s) - there was more than one subway line company in the early days!  My favorite part of the museum was exploring the various cars from different time periods.  Chris enjoyed checking out the different forms of fare payment over the years...and how the system worked to prevent fake coins before it moved to an electronic swipe method.  We were surprised to see how popular the museum was for families until we came upon a whole section of interactive games and videos set up for kids.  There was also a really neat area set up to detail how the subway system handled various times of disaster and devastation chronicling the 9/11 attacks, major blackouts, and various hurricanes.  Definitely a museum worth checking out if you have spare time on your next trip to NYC!

Andrea :)

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year, friends!!  We had a relaxing night of watching movies and some Netflix before we flipped over to watch the ball drop at midnight!  We also managed to run up to the rooftop and catch the fireworks just after midnight - so fun!!  Today, I'm excited to start another year by announcing my 2016 goals!

1 - Read (and listen) to the Bible!  I will get this accomplished in 2016.  It has been on my goal list for FAR too long.  Additionally, I'd like for us to get involved in a Couple's Bible Study.

2 - Complete all outstanding scrapbooks either by hand or online.  I have SO much scrapbook stuff.  It is imperative that I tackle this project!

3 - Clean out the apartment!  If we haven't used it for a year, we probably won't miss it!  Especially in the clothing department!

4 - Read (or listen) to 40 books this year!  I plan to complete the ABC Reads Challenge that Mia and I are hosting this year!  We would LOVE to have you join us!  Completing that challenge will put me at 26 books - one beginning with each letter of the alphabet.  I also plan to keep up with the three book clubs that I enjoyed last year.  Ideally, a number of the books will overlap - I'm excited to get started!

5 - Maintain at least two dedicated date nights per month with Christopher!  Our plan is that we will each plan at least one date night per month!

6 - Act on what's best for ME!  I spent a majority of this past year reflecting on my interests and searching for my passion.  This year - whether with work, in regard to health & fitness, or with my free time - I want to take action toward a better life for me.

What are your goals for 2016?

Andrea :)

Looking Back on our 1st Married Year!

I really can't believe how quickly this year flew past me!!  We sure did have a blast enjoying our first full married year together though - lots of fun date nights and exciting adventures!!  Here's a recap full of links to some of my favorite posts that reflect on the wonderful year of 2015...

In January, we watched lots of movies in preparation for the Oscars and saw Bradley Cooper on Broadway.

In February, we enjoyed Super Bowl XLIX and celebrated Chris' birthday WWE style.

In March, we made our way to Dallas to celebrate the nuptials of friends, enjoyed a NYC Cider Festival, and I started a book club!

In April, we celebrated the anniversary of our 1st date five years earlier and I announced my Saturday States series!

In May, we checked out an art exhibit in Brooklyn Bridge Park and I talked about my sorority girl days as a Phi Mu.

In June, we had fun with Brinley and Landon in the Big Apple and I ran my personal best in a 10k race to honor the memory of a special GC Tiger - Coach Mullins!

In July, we were moved on our trip to Mother Emanuel AME church in Charleston, had fun in Chicago at the Sakon-Cox wedding, and celebrated my birthday Finger Lakes style!

In August, we had a fun date night at Paint Along NYC and I had an exciting weekend at a Vegas bachelorette party!

In September, we showed my parents around Long Island City and spent some time reflecting on the past at the 9/11 Memorial and explored all over California to celebrate our upcoming wedding anniversary.

In October, we ventured to Madison Square Garden to watch some boxing, celebrated our 1st anniversary, and attended the final Old Girlfriends' Wedding in Dallas.

In November, I ran my 2nd (and final!) NYC Marathon and discovered audible in the process.

In December, we finally made it to the official NYC Bengals bar, saw our first show - Invisible Thread - as Second Stage Theater season ticket holders, and traveled to Annapolis to watch Chris' alma mater play in the Military Bowl!

What was your favorite part of 2015?

Andrea :)

Christmas in Kentucky!

We had the most wonderful few days celebrating Christmas in Kentucky this year.  We were able to catch up with friends, visit with family and other loved ones, and enjoy time with our awesome niece and nephew!!

I started the trip early last week with a fun overnight stay with the Heil's! The next day, Michelle and I met my parents in Bowling Green where we tried out a delicious farm-to-table spot called Home.  It was so great getting to catch up!  And the Kentuckyaki Cheesesteak was super tasty, too!!

I was back in Livermore with mom and dad for a day before Chris joined us.  My biggest Christmas surprise was a cake from The Rolling Pin in Owensboro - my absolute favorite!!  Mom and I spent some time visiting with Jean while Chris drove through torrential rain caused by random December tornado warnings in the area.  He arrived just in time for a little extended family time at Cracker Barrel!  Chris was able to spend some time with his buddy, Aunt Mary Ruth, before we made our way to Lexington the next day!

The kids were already in the cookie making zone when we arrived on Christmas Eve.  We iced the cookies they worked so hard to roll and cut after dinner that night.  It was fun for all even if it did get a little competitive toward the end of the night.

Christmas morning brought lots of joy as the kids finally got to unwrap all those presents under the tree.  It was SO much fun to see their faces light up each time it was their turn to open something.  And there was even more excitement when we started putting everything together for them!  Needless to say, we spent the whole day just relaxing together and playing games.

Our big family Christmas event this year was participating in a breakout game together.  Jen's mom watched the little ones while we ventured out for The Derby Heist.  There were lots of nerves and anxious energy before we entered the room, but once our clock started counting down from 60 minutes, it was all hands on deck.  We worked great together figuring out codes to locks and all sorts of other puzzles!  Despite the mere 30% breakout rate, we escaped with over 15 minutes to spare!  Our room monitor indicated it was the fastest he'd ever seen a group escape!  Hooray!!

Before we hit the road to head back to Nashville for our flight, we were able to meet up with Ashley and Parker for a cookie monster at Cheddar's - yum!  Great to spend some time with them!

As I reflect back on our time in the Bluegrass, it makes me realize how fortunate I am to have such an incredible family and wonderful friends.  No matter the length of time between visits (I was astonished by the fact that I hadn't seen my baby brother in person since last Christmas) or the distance between us in the meantime, everything just seems to fall into place when we are together!

Andrea :)

Merry Christmas!

Huge thanks to my friend, Jennifer, for taking such awesome photos of us around Long Island City in October. We had such a blast! These are our favorites from the shoot we did with her on our 1st anniversary in mid-October - ironically, it might have been the coldest day of the year so far!! I haven't been able to wear that sweater again until this past week! Anyway, Merry Christmas to you all!!

Andrea :)

Our New York Christmas

Since we are spending the next few days in Kentucky, we celebrated Christmas in New York this past weekend.  We spent time visiting with Chris' family and exchanging a few gifts out on Long Island before a delicious dinner and the trek back to our apartment.

At the last minute this year, I decided we needed a small tree for our apartment.  Our little tree wasn't much, but it sure is cute!  When we exchanged gifts, I was SO excited to find tickets to see Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf in Misery on Broadway as well as a year-long subscription to audible in my package from Chris!!  Definitely two perfect gifts for this girl!!

I got Chris a new board game for our next game night and a ticket package for Red Bulls games this coming season as well as a fun California ornament that highlighted all the exciting places we visited on our anniversary trip this year! 

We had a lot of fun exchanging gifts and spending time with Chris' family, but the most important thing this holiday season is that we are all healthy and ready for the coming year!  I am looking forward to more family fun in Kentucky the next few days - can't wait to see my precious niece and nephew and all the excitement on their little faces when Christmas morning rolls around!

Andrea :)

It's Cookie Swap Time!

The annual cookie swap I attend always has me searching for a fun new cookie recipe!  This year, I found a good one from Martha Stewart's online collection - Coconut Balls.

It only needed five ingredients and seemed like a quick cookie to make from the two basic directions listed.  Basically, I mixed everything up and then rolled it into balls to bake!  The trickiest part was coating the warm cookies in the powdered sugar topping.  What a sticky mess!

In the end, they turned out pretty tasty though!  I even tied for third place cookie at the party in the initial vote!  As always, it was fun to chat with the ladies and try all the goodies before the fellas crashed the event!  The cookie swap party is definitely one of my favorites of the holiday season in NYC.  Thanks to Reba and Amanda for hosting such a fun night!!

Andrea :)

Thankful Thoughts

There is SO much to be thankful for today...and always!!  I love seeing all the posts and facebook statuses to reflect our thankfulness this time of year.  It is a great reminder of all the wonderful aspects of our lives.

I am most thankful for a gracious and loving God.  One who is patient with me on my worst days and who continually guides me even when I don't always want to follow His direction. One who is always there - day and night - waiting and ready for me.  One who I truly don't deserve, but am eternally grateful that I have on my side.

I'm blessed with a wonderful and caring husband that also never gives up on me. Just as he stated in his vows to me a little over a year ago, he is there at 7am (the bad) and 7pm (the good).  He is the best part of my day...and I am so thankful to be his partner in life.

It is difficult not being able to spend this holiday with my family, but technology allows me to feel like I am sorta there.  I can't really fathom who I would be without being shaped by my parents and brothers throughout the years.  These people are my foundation.  I am beyond thankful for each of them and always find myself counting down until the next time we'll be together.  Fortunately, work has me close enough to see some of them later this weekend - thrilled beyond words about that!!

Friends - near and far - make my days brighter on a regular basis.  My closest of pals are mostly scattered all over, but that only makes me extra thankful for the few I have left nearby.  I'm excited for all the upcoming get togethers - book club holiday dinner and the annual cookie swap. And happy to use all my spare time to catch up via phone with others.  As I grow older, I am realizing just how important quality friends are in life.

In a year that saw me crossing my second marathon finish line, I am so thankful for my health.  I know there are areas I need to work on to continue to improve in this category, but I am so glad that I don't have any major concerns.  Health is something that we often take for granted.  You never quite realize how fortunate you are to have good health until a report comes back negative or an examine raises questions for further review.  Thankful God is there to hear our prayers when those times arise!

I could go on and on and on listing so many other things that I am thankful for like all of you, my freedom and responsibility as an American, creative outlets like photography and writing, the ability to read, having fresh water and food to eat each day, and the list goes on endlessly.  Instead of continuing here, I will be heading into our command center at work for the first football game of the day and then spending some time with Christopher's family in Long Island.  I have a Tricia Pie ready for both occasions!  Let the Thanksgiving fun begin....

Andrea :)