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Wishing You a Very Merry Perry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 02:04:00 +0000

We had serious issues trying to pick our holiday card picture this year. We finally decided to use one from our West Coast trip, which maybe wasn't the best idea because the one we ended up using was just about the only good photo of the both of us we took during our entire 2.5 week vacation and you can't even tell where we are. We got it printed the first time with this picture from Seattle to Bainbridge but the printing was way too dark.

Take two... we used the next best picture we could find. This should say something about the pictures we took while we were out there. Let's just say we (intentionally) missed the boat on the generational "MySpace" self-portraits and we haven't mastered the art of taking our self-portraits quite yet. I have faith that someday we will get there...

Of course you couldn't see the background after it was cropped for the card we used. If you could have seen it in the picture, here's what it would have looked like. SO PRETTY. Take me back!

Just for kicks... here are the failure outtakes from the same location.

[1. zoom fail 2. KT wonk-eye fail 3. cut out the pretty background + cut off JB ear fail]

By the time we were supposed to send the cards out, I was out of steam for the annual letter I usually write. Sorry to those who missed it. I wish I could use the excuse of, "but we have a blog so you should know what we've done all year and you shouldn't need an overview of our year" but I know I've been falling behind on the blog-writing front so I don't even think I can say that!

I really wanted to write "Merry Perry Christmas" on our card. Jason even helped me come up with "A Very Merry Perry Christmas from Candyfornia" since the picture we ultimately used was taken in California. Instead I used a tacky peppermint layout that I loved only because it had peppermints on it. It was subtly Candyfornialicious and thus, less outwardly crazy. Also, I prefer to make our cards all-encompassing (holidays, not just Christmas). But I hope you all know we were wishing you a Very Merry Perry Christmas anyway because that's the kind of year we had. If you don't even know what I'm referring to, it's probably best to just carry on...

Happy Holidays to all!

yppaH Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:30:00 +0000

I flew out to LA to celebrate Thanksgiving (morning) with one of my very best friends. We had fun decorating the table. The writing in the middle? It's mine. I don't even know where I was going with that...

yappH Thanksgiving!

Second Anniversary Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Better late than never right? Here's second anniversary picture (here's the first one - the start of the tradition).

It wasn't exactly our anniversary - it was October 29 (Snowtober) instead of the 25th, but I was sick on our anniversary. And my hair is kinda wet here because by the time we took a photo with a nice background, the snow stopped and it was raining. And Jason wanted to kill me because we were taking a lot of pictures to make sure we got a good one and Rufus got the chihuahua shakes... and... well... this is the best that we got.

Jackson Hole

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:05:00 +0000

In September, Grandma and Grandpa decided they wanted to take one more "last hurrah" trip and picked Jackson Hole as the place. First of all, of course I want to see my family, and second, the Grand Tetons are one of the most incredible sights, making it one of my favorite places in the world to visit.

Dad and I flew in to meet them and two of his siblings - Carolyn and Steve - where we stayed at the Jackson Lake Lodge in cottages for three nights. First we saw the most stunning sunset from the plane. Then, driving to the lodge, the most magnificent display of stars. Dad and I were mesmorized while Steve and Carolyn laughed at us "big city folk." I can't get enough of the sky when I finally get out of the city. But in a place as remote and small as Jackson I am not sure I've ever seen such an incredible display in my life. I made sure I stood outside to take it all in each night. Seeing the Milky Way blows my big city-girl mind.

As soon as we got there it was clear Grandma was not okay. The next morning, after having breakfast with us, she went to the doctor who sent her to the hospital and that's where she stayed for the rest of the trip. My heart hurt for her. How unfair to spend your "last hurrah" trip, in one of the most beautiful places, in the hospital. And she was quite sick. Such a bummer.

We did one small hike. Here's a good view from nearly the top of one of them.

From Dad's camera: Me and Dad

Carolyn, Grandpa, Me (Steve's shot)

Wildlife? Oh yes. Bear, moose, beaver, loons, eagle, elk, deer (a doe and fawn). The encounter with the bear was a little too close for my comfort. He was across the street from the crowd but then decided he wanted to cross it... right in front of me. Between me and the bear was a park ranger with mace. That's it. Check it out (along with my "oh my gods"):

I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Until next time, Jackson...

P.S. My uncle Steve is the pro photographer in the family... see his awesome photos here and here.

Snowtober

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:30:00 +0000

I spent all weekend sick with a bug, taking it easy by mostly laying on the couch and watching the first season of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix (I loved the early seasons but had only watched them once - when they were on TV originally). I woke up early on Saturday, knowing that snow was in the forecast for the morning, but was disappointed by a whole lotta nothin outside and went back to bed. Later in the afternoon we got some slush and sleet and tons of rain. I figured that was all we were going to get. But then as Jason cooked our meatball dinner, he came into the living room and said, "Honey, look!" I turned around to look out the window and what did I see? Giant beautiful snow flakes. We hopped outside and took our first family snow picture!

It was funny to take a snow picture with green bushes behind us because it feels like fall has hardly started around here. There are a few red trees around, and more and more turn everyday, but it seems like most everything is still green! So, while it was fun to have that little bit of snow and cold, I'd like to enjoy fall a little bit more before we get into the true snowy winter season.

[Two of our four pumpkins and our pumpkin tree]

To enjoy fall we lit some candles next to our little pumpkins and watched them glow. We enjoyed some acorn squash and then cooked its seeds (with olive oil, salt, paprika, and crushed red chili powder). They were delicious.

I was just going back through posts from last winter...

I cannot WAIT for it to truly feel like the holidays.

There is no better time of year.

But for now... Happy Halloween!
We'll be hanging out with our baby cousins and watch them in their neighborhood's Halloween parade.
Can't wait!
How are you (or did you) celebrate?

Anniversary Numero Dos

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:11:00 +0000

Happy 2nd Anniversary to this guy.

Damn, you're cute.

I think I'll keep you forever.

What a magical and beautiful day (freezing, but picture-perfect) it was.

One of the best days of my life.

Not many people get to say they married the one they fell in love with when they were 14.

I got lucky.

Love you, Jason!

Playing the Real Estate Game in the DC Area

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:06:00 +0000

It's been a five (blissful) months since we've gone out to look at houses. We were burned so badly in our search. Countless contracts, three inspections, three realtors. All for nothing. We were searching in vain for over a year by the time we decided to take a break for a while. We needed that break very badly, and the changes we made really did make a difference in our attitudes and life. In that time off, I tried to convince myself that buying a house wasn't the right choice for as many reasons as I could come up, including (but not limited to):

I should enjoying being young and carefree without a mortgage.
Spending money on concert tickets, going out to eat, etc is way more fun than spending it on a mortgage.
We've always wanted to live in another state doing it now before we have kids and want to be near our family makes sense.
The majority of our future kids' grandparents will probably move out of town in the next 10 years anyway.
Grad school would be the perfect opportunity to live somewhere else for a while.
My tools for yard work right now include kitchen scissors and a serving spoon. And I like it that way.
Similarly, if something breaks, our sweet land-lady arranges to get it fixed. And pays for it.
I love our neighbors and our neighborhood.

Then I devised an alternative five-year plan that did not include homeownership that enabled me to think of those reasons listed above. I did a really good job of convincing myself. It really was a great plan - it was valid and smart.

So I'm still not sure I want to be back in the real estate game, but for every con I came up with there is also a pro to buying right now.

Still, I don't know how I feel about it. If it says anything about our experience, we couldn't even remember our realtor's name when we wanted to contact her yesterday. Which might be understandable except that her name? It's my middle name (the one I had 'til I got married, anyway)... and I still had to look it up to remember. (It should be said that this memory black-out had nothing to do with her as a person because she's sweet as can be.)

So all this to say, we're going to start looking again. So... wish us luck? I guess? We'll see how long this lasts. Because honestly? I can see myself walking into one house and then being done again.

P.S. I'm still catching up on posting. I posted two entries (concerts, Baltimore) this weekend to start my catch-up process and plan to do more in the next week or so. And yes, I skipped over the last half of our West Coast vacation. Someday I'll get back to it. Maybe in the dead of winter to remind me of summer again.

Baltimore

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:34:00 +0000

We have taken to visiting Baltimore recently after realizing that it's the halfway point between us and some good friends, Christine and Kyle, who live in Delaware. The first time we went we met Christine and we walked around the harbor for the afternoon. I actually really enjoy walking around the harbor. It's quite lovely. The top corner pic is Christine and Jason on a cool lighthouse along the harbor.

The second time? Well, I'll let Christine explain that one because she took the better pictures.

But I'll give you a hint: mmmeat.

Concerts. Twice is Nice!

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 19:01:00 +0000

Remember a little note I wrote back in July at the bottom of a post? It went like this: "I swear I haven't been listening to [Katy Perry's] music non-stop since then or trying to convince Jason to get pit tickets to see her live again while we're on vacation so we can be THIS CLOSE to her..."

Well, I'll admit that I've listened to nothing other than Katy Perry in the car since the show in June. And that includes the entire drive from Seattle to Los Angeles. And no, Jason's not sick of her yet either.

I have to fess up to something else as well:

I convinced him.

It wasn't hard to do.

Clearly he likes her music if he's not sick of it yet.

Not to mention he thinks she's a knockout.

(Who doesn't?)

We got tickets to see her while we were in Seattle. We were in the pit, right in front, and it was totally worth it. It was so much fun being right there up in the action rather than watching her when she's as big as an ant like last time. She's my first true pop love and I'm having fun with it. It kind of makes me feel like I'm in middle school again.

We saw Guster live again too when we got back home. We saw them with Jack's Mannequin who were okay (once upon a time we liked Something Corporate and it's the same singer), but we won't see them again because we didn't think they were that great and I wasn't digging the music anymore. I guess I've outgrown it. Guster, on the other hand, is one of those bands that is even better live than they are on albums. In fact, I really only listen to their one live album. I'd love it if they would release another!

And the venue? Wolf Trap. I love seeing shows there because it's so beautiful and it just so happens that the first time I saw Guster in 2004 it was there (along with Ben Folds and Rufus Wainwright - now THAT was an incredible show).

Seattle, Part 3: Maitha and Andreas' Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 22:58:00 +0000

Maitha and I have been the best of friends since we were 11 years old. We grew up together until we headed off to college in different states and from then on out we've lived far apart (*sniff, sniff*) but have never grown apart. She's one of my oldest friends and one of my very best friends. Neither of us grew up with sisters, so I'd say we're the closest thing either of us has to a sister. We shared and experienced all the fun and silly things you do as girls growing up: clothes, make-up, hair, school, our love of Hanson, our terrible clarinet skills, boys, dances, birthday parties, travels, summer camps, school, learning to drive... the list goes on and on. We had so much fun growing up together. She was also by my side at some of the saddest times in my life like my mom's death but also my happiest times like my little brother's birth and my wedding - all monumental moments - and she was there for all of them.

I had only met Andreas once before their wedding (way back when I was first engaged and flew out to LA), but when I met him I knew there wasn't a better match for Maitha. I was so happy she found a guy that appreciates her for who she is, treats her right, and loves her unconditionally. To top it off, he has an amazing and loving family that she can now call her own, and because I love this girl like a sister, that means the world to me. I've never been so happy to see two people get married. There were some very touching speeches given, one given by Maitha herself, and I know that at times there were no dry eyes around. It was an absolutely beautiful and touching wedding.

I was so happy to get to stand up there by her side. My heart swelled with pride as I watched someone so special to me, so dear to me, get married to the love of her life. To my "sister," my friend for life: I couldn't be more thankful to have you in my life. I love you!

Could it have been any more picture-perfect?

So in love.
P.S. Jason helped build the arbor... and got verrrrry sunburned in the process. What a good man.

The whole wedding!

And I'll leave you with this lovely shot that Jason captured.

Now that's true love. We love you both and wish you the very best!

All photos but the last one are © Melanie Duerkopp 2011 and posted with permission.

Seattle, Part 2: Friends and "Fam"

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:40:00 +0000

It took me a week and a half (thanks to Mother Nature's one-two punch to the East Coast), but here is part two of our Seattle trip!

We went to Seattle because one of my very best childhood friends, Maitha, got married (more on the beautiful wedding later)! It was so cool to have a group of our middle and high school friends all together again after moving different places (well, okay, I didn't move away... but most of the rest of them have). The wedding was held in the groom's hometown so we got to meet a bunch of Andreas' friends and a lot of his family as well. We spent an entire week in Seattle and when we left we felt like we had a new family and some great new great friends. We all had so much fun together that it was hard to say goodbye!

Part three, the beautiful wedding, is coming!

Irene, You Crazy.

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:47:00 +0000

Hey, Mother Nature. You got some beef with the East Coast?

Well, I kinda love you but you made it hard to do this week.

First an earthquake and then a hurricane?

I shouldn't complain. We didn't get hurt and our families are safe.

And now we have pre-made water bottles thanks to me filling every single one we own.

And cookies from my mother-in-law.

And chile verde from my pop.

Some were not so lucky though.

My heart goes out to those who Irene hit hard.

Photo of Irene vacating the area and leaving a gorgeous day in her wake on Sunday.

Earthquake in VA

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 23:57:00 +0000

We're fine, home safe, and only my shampoo and our waffle iron suffered from the quake.

As earthquakes go, this didn't cause major damage. I've seen a lot of humor, joking, and mocking - which I understand and have laughed at - but I've also seen some fear. Some people had flashbacks to 9/11 today. I know it's true in D.C. and I'm sure it's true of NYC as well. Most people around here aren't accustomed to earthquakes but we do know that we're in our nation's capital and it's always a potential target for terrorism. When things shake around here, most people's first reaction isn't "earthquake" but rather "bomb." I think not knowing initially what was shaking the ground made people extra freaked out. At first I was offended by people mocking us East Coasters - between the uncertainty and not being able to get in touch with family for over an hour I felt like I was going a little crazy. In the end, I think the humor helped me get over it. RIP waffle iron.

One scary bit of info about the earthquake still remains though: After the disaster in Japan a few months ago, Jason and I did a little research about Lake Anna's nuclear power plant since we spend a lot of time down there each year. We learned that it's the 7th most at-risk nuclear power plant for earthquake damage in the US (out of 100+ plants) and was only built to withstand a magnitude of 5.9 – 6.1. Today's earthquake was a 5.8 and the epicenter was a mere few miles from the plant. That's a little too close for comfort if you ask me. Maybe we should work on fixing the plants so they're a little more earthquake-ready? Yeah?

Seattle, Part 1: The Touristy Bits

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 10:56:00 +0000

First thing's first: Seattle was COLD. It was our first time in Seattle and while we expected rain and gray skies we didn't expect it to be so cold in mid-July! Secretly, we loved it (we can't wait for fall/winter). And we can't complain because it was hot as heck in DC while we were gone.

Our trip started with an overbooked motel nightmare, but luckily it was all uphill from there. The next morning we started fresh (possibly with bags under our eyes) and picked up our swanky Chevy Aveo (we missed our Subaru so. freaking. much. on this trip) before making our way to my dad's suggestion of Top Pot Doughnuts. Since I got my sweet tooth and my belly fat genes from my father, we of course made a stop there and got four doughnuts to share. Let me tell you: four doughnuts at Dunkin' does not equal four doughnuts at Top Pop. We didn't even get close to finishing them, but they were hands down the best doughnuts either of us had ever eaten.

Then we were off to the ferry to get over to Bainbridge Island to see the bride and groom, Maitha and Andreas! The ferry gave us great views of the Seattle skyline.

From then on, there was never a dull moment. We were always on the move. On the ferry to Seattle for errands, food, bars, fun. Riding the monorail, seeing the Space Needle, meeting up with old high school friends, hitting the Pike Place Market, walking around the city. And finally, back on Bainbridge for wedding festivities. Here are the semi-touristy stops we made along the way...

Pretty sunset along the harbor

Riding the monorail to get to a food festival (that's the bride looking crazy in the back)

Pike Place Market

Mr. Needle

The original Starbucks and a delicious sandwich joint called Salumi

The locks

Back to the market to get some crab and goodies for the road on our way out of town

And that's all she wrote for touristy bits of Seattle we saw.

Two more posts to come from Seattle:

hanging out with friends and the lovely wedding.
...but of course that's still only the beginning of our trip!

A Giant Trip!

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 22:42:00 +0000

There has been reason for our radio silence and it was because we took a 2.5 week vacation! And the other two weeks we've been missing? Well, we were home but I was intimidated by the amount of photos I want to share!

Two of my very best friends got married two weeks apart - the first in Seattle and the second in LA. Jason and I decided it would be more fun to spend the time in between on vacation on the west coast rather than fly out there and back twice. Boy are we glad we made that choice. By the time we finished our trip we had driven nearly the entire west coast, almost all of which we took the Pacific Coast Highway. And going from North to South? That was an accidental convenience because it meant that we drove on the correct side of the road - the one closest to the water - so that it was easier to pull over and see things while driving.

In the next few days (or weeks, more likely) I'll chronicle our trip which included visits to Seattle, Bainbridge Island, Portland, Redwood National Parks, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, LA, and lots of little towns in between. We even had our very first camping experience (it was fun!).

Coming soon.... Seattle and Maitha's Wedding!

Moo Thru

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:19:00 +0000

The Moo Thru is a cute little ice cream place that we pass when we come home from the lake but until last week had never stopped to try. After seeing that it was up against our favorite local place, The Dairy Godmother, in a Northern VA "frozen treats" competition we decided it was about time we try it. Let me start by saying the Moo Thru has their own cows. They sell their own milk. And of course, their ice cream is homemade from the milk of those dairy cows. We noticed that people were eating in their cars rather than on the benches and soon figured out that it is because you can SMELL those cows when the wind blows. Ah, well, small price to pay for what turned out to be AMAZING ice cream! It'll definitely be our new stop on the way home from the lake!

Own the Night like the Fourth of July

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:42:00 +0000

My parents and brother were never huge into fireworks and then I married a man who felt just as underwhelmed. But I'm still spoiled. When my dad lived in DC, we sat on his roof deck to watch the fireworks. When we moved to VA, we walked down to the Iwo Jima memorial and picnicked. Once, when my family didn't want to do our normal walk down there, I huffed and puffed about the fact the fact that they were going to sit and watch the fireworks on TV when we have some of the best fireworks in the country and could go out and see them in person. My dad kindly drove a little ways and stopped in the middle of the road to see them (all traffic that can actually see the show comes to a stand-still and people get out of their cars). Another time when I couldn't convince them to go with me, I walked about five minutes from the house until I got a good view and stood there with some neighbors who had the same idea.

This year was similar. I convinced Jason at the last second to drive until we could see them. Slowly more and more people showed up at our spot - they had the same idea. Just keep driving until you get a good view! It only took us five minutes to find this view. I'm thankful to be so close to the city so that I can convince my less-than-excited family to go with me at the very last second. We were at the lake last year so great to see them in DC this year too. These were COOL fireworks - it's always a great show on the mall, but I was pretty impressed this year!

Someday I WILL go down to the mall.
Neither of us are huge crowd people and most say once is enough, but...

it's ridiculous that both of us have grown up here and have never done it.

Maybe next year?

*Yes, I continued with the Katy Perry themed titling. I have no shame.

Baby, You're a Firework

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:05:00 +0000

Well, our adorable little niece is definitely the star of the show.

She's a little firework in our lives and we love having her and her mom & papa around.
There was a big crowd down at the lake this weekend and we all had so much fun
floating in the lake, playing games, eating lots of food, watching fireworks...

Happy 4th of July!

*Title courtesy of my new obsession with Katy Perry seeing her in concert. I swear I haven't been listening to her music non-stop since then or trying to convince Jason to get pit tickets to see her live again while we're on vacation so we can be THIS CLOSE to her... That certainly doesn't sound like something I'd do... No way...
You just gotta igniiiite the liiiight and leeeet it shiiiine, just ooown the niiiight like the fourth of July!

Corn Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:04:00 +0000

Puppy is corn dog.

He even ate it across the cob like a human.

It was almost as fun as watching him eat watermelon down to the rind.

Almost.
Hoping we see some of the watermelon-eating pup this weekend at the LAKE!

Dry DC Days

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 11:15:00 +0000

We have been SO LUCKY because the weather in DC has not been very DC-like at all. We have had a few yucky humid days, but also quite a few gorgeous dry(ish) days. Yesterday was one of them, so we took advantage. We started our day early with a belated Father's Day breakfast with my dad and little bro who are back in town after a trek to Seattle and Utah to visit family and friends. Jason and I headed downtown afterward to visit the Crime and Punishment museum and then took a nice long walk to Founding Farmers for a late lunch. My favorite thing about this restaurant is their homemade ginger ale (you know how much I love my ginger drinks) which is spicy and refreshing. Jason tried their orange soda which was pretty tasty too. If I didn't love the ginger ale so much I would try all of their yummy drinks, but I think I'm stuck on it for life. After tweeting about it, a friend linked me to this homemade ginger ale recipe which I must try!

I wish DC had more beautiful summer days like yesterday... We'll keep on wishin'...

P.S. Dear future children, it's okay with me if you don't get my hazel eyes and get your daddy's gorgeous blue eyes instead.

California Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:39:00 +0000

On Wednesday night we went to our first true pop concert ever.
Katy Perry!

Dancing, costumes, lasers, fire, bubbles, confetti.

We had so much fun!

It was also the most diverse audience I had ever seen at a concert. The show sold out to people of all ages, all races, all walks of life. Guys with gray and white hair, couples in their 50's, couples like us, groups of elementary school girls (and boys!), college kids...
I thought that was so cool.

Between the two of us, if we had a contest to see who crushed on Katy Perry the most, I'm not sure who would win.

Such a fun night!

A Quick Trip to Glorious NYC

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 01:15:00 +0000

Made a very quick trip to the city that never sleeps last weekend.
Ate the NYC must-eats in my book: pizza, bagel, babka.

Saw the girlies: Ali and Ashbo and got some much-needed catch-up time with each of them!
Minus Kerri... I'll catch ya next time, busy worker-bee!

And I saw Ashbo's AMAZING APARTMENT for the first time

oh my goodness it was to die for

with a gorgeous gate outside

two marble fireplaces

with built in bookcases surrounding one of them

the highest ceilings

with gorgeous molding details

the most beautiful parquet floor I've ever seen

nearly floor to ceiling recessed windows (remember the ceilings are TALL)

and indoor shutters that folded out of the recessed walls

to. die. for.

I'll be back sometime this year...

...along with Jason on his VERY FIRST trip there.

It probably won't be in the winter like I was hoping

but nevertheless, I can't wait to show it to him!

Cooking with Bundaberg

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:01:00 +0000

Can you tell what that is I'm loving on and drinking while cooking?

No?

It's a bottle of nostalgia.

I drank Bundaberg's Ginger Beer constantly throughout my months in Australia. I got large bottles of it before long bumpy bus trips across the country to prevent carsickness (along with my trusty Bonine when the ginger just didn't cut it). It is one of the food/drink items I frequently talk about missing because it was the best ginger beer I've ever had.

I want to say I discovered it in the Outback, but I can't quite remember. I can picture the shop I bought my first bottle in, on the side of a dirt road. The shop had a run-down quality to it, but you could tell it was well-loved and cared for just the same. It had creaky, dusty wooden floorboards that let you know it had been around for a while. I remember it was very, very early in the morning and there were only a few of us in there - the few that had just hopped out of a bus that was about to embark on a road trip. I remember a friendly Aussie telling me to, "give it a go" instead of the ginger ale I was reaching for because it had real ginger pieces in it. After that, I drank very large bottles of it at a time.

I miss Australia so damn much it hurts sometimes. I was just talking with my boss this afternoon about how I would move there in a heartbeat if I didn't have family here.

Thank you, World Market, for making me a super happy girl and carrying my bottle of nostalgia.

Favorite Toy

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 22:00:00 +0000

You know how babies seem to love things you wouldn't expect, like the boxes their actual presents come in rather than the present itself?

Forget bones and kongs! Our pup loves water bottles!

Over the weekend while we were at the lake, Rufus grabbed any unattended water bottles he could get his paws on and chewed them up.

We're loving that it's lake weather again!

Belated Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Kait) — Sat, 21 May 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Jason had a birthday last week! We celebrated in style back in April when we spent a day at the Baltimore Harbor. I had him take a day off of work and he had no idea what was in store. After sleeping in and getting brunch at Bob and Edith's, we hit the road to Baltimore!

First stop: The National Aquarium! When Jason figured out that our destination was Baltimore he had to think for a while as to where we might be going. Once he figured it out he got excited and said it brought him back to childhood. Neither of us had been since we were in school. The whole time we were there I didn't even need info signs because I had him around. His knowledge of sea life is extensive.

Second stop: Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse that is now likely our favorite restaurant ever. I made up for lost time not eating red meat, I'll tell ya that much! We also enjoyed caipirinhas, Jason's favorite drink which he has a hard time getting other places to make for lack of know-how. They also brought him a flan on the house!

And last, the grand finale, a Guster show. Before we left, I gave him the hint that I was taking him to something that I've always wanted to take him to. I kept the secret up until we got into the venue and he finally guessed, not because he saw signs, but because he just figured it out. Not too long before we started dating, I lucked out with some free tickets to see Rufus Wainwright, Guster, and Ben Folds (yes, I know, amazing show) and asked Jason if he wanted to go with me because I knew he liked Guster. He wasn't able to go with me, but ever since I told him he had to see them live because they were fantastic.

He loved the show, and the day.

Happy Birthday, Husband!