There has
been so much that has happened this past summer that I don’t really know where
to begin. I’ve been putting off posting for so long because I’ve been
overwhelmed at the thought of having to play catch up. I know, I know, if I had
been better about updating my blog, I wouldn’t be in this position BUT I am so
WOULDA. COULDA. SHOULDA.
So that I
don’t completely bore my total of probably 10 readers (including my parents) I’m
going to do most of this via pictures. Because lets be honest, we all prefer
picture books anyways – and what’s the point of all the pictures I take on my iPhone
if I don’t show them to somebody!
Because the
world revolves around me, I consider the start of summer May 25th,
the best day in the world and otherwise known as my birthday. Thankfully, it is
also almost always Memorial Day weekend - - as it was this year - - so most
other people consider it the start of summer as well. This year to celebrate my
magnificent 27 years, my best girlfriends and I took a trip to Rehoboth Beach,
DE to celebrate both me and the start of summer. We had a great few days filled
with lots of laughing, too much sun, (ok maybe that was just me) good beverages
and great company. We even had our $300 plus dinner anonymously paid for.
However, I sill believe that Alex was responsible for that one but she still
refuses to take the credit!
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| Leigh, Alex, Me, Kerri, Erin before our anonymously paid for crab dinner! |
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I may have gotten a tiny bit burnt...
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The wonderful
month of May is also when my parents moved out of my childhood home and into
their new house. In an effort to not completely unravel my brother and me, they
thankfully just moved a town over into a much smaller house. The house
is absolutely perfect for them - - it’s beautiful, open, still has a pool, a
larger back yard than our old house, (which I didn’t think was possible) and
most importantly it’s filled with love
and family pictures. I’m so happy for both of them and look forward to the
weekends I get to spend with them there.
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| Bye bye to my childhood home! |
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| A backyard full of memories |
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| Hello new house! - Includes 3 bedrooms, full basement and finished attic! |
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| New pool |
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| HUGE backyard! The dogs are VERY happy! |
In June my
best friend Carrie took me to a Yankee game for my birthday, (obviously she
knows me pretty well) which we of course won, and we celebrated my friend
Michelle’s bridal shower and bachelorette weekend. I can’t wait for her wedding
in Colorado in September!
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| Decked out in our Yankee gear.. duhh! |
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| We got to see Andy Pettitte pitch! Mom was way jealous |
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| Carrie and me in our fancy hats at Michelle's Shower |
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| Girls at the shower! |
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| The Bride Michelle, Carrie and I at dinner |
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| Group shot at one of the bars! |
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| Followed by a little bit of dancing! |
July started off with a bang watching the NYC
fireworks over the Hudson from the rooftop of a friend’s apartment. Haha get it…
bang…no, not funny?
Next one of
my bff’s from Virginia, Kendayl, came to visit with two of the girls I used to
babysit for. Kendayl nannies for them in the summer so she took them on a “field
trip” to the Big Apple. It was so much fun seeing the city from a kid’s point
of view. We decorated our own cupcakes at Carlos Bakery thanks to Carrie, saw the Statue of Liberty, played at many a toy store, ate lots of
candy and even jumped around on the famous BIG piano at FAO Schwarz.
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| Reily, Kendayl and Emily on the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty |
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| Lady Liberty in all her glory |
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Emily and Reily with the cake they got after Carrie
gave them a tour of Carlos Bakery in Hoboken |
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| Tattoos at Toys R Us |
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World Largest Hershey Bar at the Hershey store... don't worry, we didn't buy them!
(we're not crazy!) |
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| The BIG Piano |
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| Posing in front of the bakery! |
The rest of
July was spent celebrating both of my parent’s birthdays, especially my dad’s
BIG 6-0! Somehow, my mom and I managed to throw my dad a surprise party that
included tons of family and guests he hadn’t seen in over 10 years! The best
part of the surprise was that my brother Zachary flew up from Austin, TX to
surprise him as well. Zach and I got to spend lots of time together as he hid
out at my apartment for a few days before the party. After all the hard work
and planning for the party, it was all worth it when my dad laid his eyes on
Zachary and began to cry! At that point, there weren’t many dry eyes in the
house! We also got to spend a lot of time with my mom's best friend/man of honor in her wedding Tommy, and his family! We have spent many a summer's with them and it was so much fun to catch up!
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| Annual Watson and Buley family picture |
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| Dad's birthday Chelsea themed birthday cake, of course made by Carrie! |
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Aren't they too cute?
The Watson's with their best friends - Carrie/Sam, Betsy/Tommy, Larry/Mich
Zach/Ryan |
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| Cousin love |
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Zachary and his pups!
The Watson's, all together! |
Before I knew
it we were already in August. Now it was time for the long trek up north to
Newport, VT (and when I say long, I mean long, it’s about 7 miles from the
Canadian Border!) to celebrate my cousin Derek’s wedding. My mom was born in Newport,
and since we hadn’t been back up that way for quite a few years, it was really
great to get reacquainted with my mom’s old town and to hear all her stories
about growing up. We had such a great
weekend with family and did quite a bit of laughing, lots of dancing and tons
of catching up. This summer we got lucky and were all able to get together
twice, as most came down for my dad’s party as well. I think we’ve learned that
after all these years we really DO like each other and hopefully won’t wait so
long to see each other next time.
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| Lake Memphremagog were my mom grew up and where the wedding was |
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| Mom, me and dad at the wedding - we missed you Zachy! |
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| Catherine and Derek exchanging vows |
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| Me and the groom! |
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| Cousins! |
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| Always a daddy's girl |
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| With the newlyweds - such an amazing wedding! |
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| Enjoying the festivities! |
August ended
celebrating one of my best friend Sally’s Bridal shower. I have been honored to
be chosen to stand up next to her as one of her bridesmaids as she marries the
man she loves! All the bridesmaids spent the last few months planning for her
shower and if I do say so myself, it was quite the success. Sally was showered
with TONS of gifts and many well wishes for a happy marriage. Now we have her
bachelorette weekend to look forward to in September and then her wedding in
October!
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| Sally and her bridesmaids! |
And now we’re
at Labor Day. I must say, that my summers have changed quite a bit from
spending my days at Shongum Lake on the swim team, or “protecting” the beaches as
a lifeguard with all my best friends, but I guess I can’t complain too much. I mean
it obviously must have been fun or I would have had much more time to blog!!!! :)
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| Boo summer's over! :( |
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