Labor Day Weekend Recap

Well folks, I am finally back from my last trip of the year.  That is right.  Being 5.5 months pregnant, I won't take the risk to fly anymore, even though there are many events I want to go to.  It just isn't worth it.

I went out East, and spent time with friends and family.  My first stop was visiting one of my bffs and her husband and son.  My first time meeting the little dude.  He is a dead ringer for his dad, and just too cute.  We all went out on a grown up night, and got to catch up and she def talked to me about a lot of baby stuff.  So grateful, as I feel clueless and unprepared most days. We ate dinner at Bazins, which was excellent.  Then we found a tiny boutique that was moving, and I bought a bunch of stuff for the tiny human.  Made out like a bandit.  50% off everything. Woohoo!  We also went to Sweet City Desserts for a treat to go.  Such a wonderful day.  I left their house and went 30 mins west to my oldest brother's house.

Friday we went to Ford's Fish Shack for lunch.  So good.  I was in heaven.  We then went to Ritas for some ice, and then back home so we could get ready for some Friday Night Lights.  High School Football!  My niece, aka, mini-me's school was beating some serious butt until lightening made us evacuate the field.  Bummer.  We left after they called the game for weather.

Saturday I went to Alexandria to have brunch with my ILLINI ladies. I love and miss my college friends so much.  And it never ceases to amaze me that even 15 years after we have all met, we are close, and will drop anything/everything to help each other out.  We had brunch at Warehouse, which was incredible.  I will def come back whenever I am in VA.  It was that good.  We grabbed some cupcakes at Lavender Moon Cupcakery.  Highly recommend it.  I have had many a cupcake in my day, but this place was just wonderful.  After brunch I relaxed as the baby was wearing me out all day, and then had dinner and played Apples to Apples with the crazy family!

Post Cupcakes! And over 50 years of military experience.  Awesome ladies!

Sunday I drove to Annapolis for my friend's wedding.  What a whirlwind.  Brunch with my Navy gals, wedding ceremony, and reception.  Thank goodness I wore flats:)  I just can't get over how beautiful of a day it was.  I am so happy for my friend, and just find it amusing that our whole group found our "loves" so much later than most people.  Our husbands were worth the wait!

Alie, Me, Katie

Can't even describe how beautiful this is!!!

Love these ladies!

Me and Katie.  I met her 15 years ago, and we always pick up right where we left off!!

I flew back to Chicago Monday, and am glad to be home with the pups and my guy.  Now I just have to get my butt in gear and prep two more rooms in the house before baby comes!

Fourth Of July

So folks, I had the chance to go to Virginia to visit my oldest brother for the weekend.  It was such a great trip!

Quick Recap:

• Hot Dog Stand.  Yep.  Chicago Dogs in VA.  So good.
• Pool time.  My left foot is burnt.  That is it?!
• BBQ.  Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon.  Yes. 
• I made two recipes: fruit pizzas and texas caviar. 
• Hung out with my Matron of Honor.  We went to Casanel and to the Cajun Experience
• Watched Identity Thief.  Omg.  Funny.
• Listened to a few random comedians: Kathleen Madigan, Bob Marley, and Gabriel Iglesias

Pizza Puffs! 

Pool Side.  Chirish.

Texas Caviar

Patriotic Fruit Pizzas.  Yummm. 

Wine Tasting!

Washington DC

Another part of my East Coast Living and Travels!

I have been visiting the District ever since I was 16.  My brother worked in DC, so I always loved our visits.  He taught me a lot, and since he has a great memory like I do, he always remembers where he took me, and the best place to get amazing food.  I have been to Old Ebbitts about 4 times in the past two months, mostly because we went there.  It is also the go to place for my good friend E and I to go visit our former boss. 

I went to these restaurants with one of my good friends.  Loved them.  Great Italian at Il Canale, and Union Pub is like home..on the East Coast!

Il Canale.  Amazing food!

Union Pub.  Bears Mecca in DC. 

Union Pub

Go Hawks!

Oh Corey Crawford...

I am not sure when my next trip to DC will be since I am in Newport now, but I love it there, and have some amazing friends there. 

Ferris' Day Off.... No School!

So Hurricane Irene caused some damage near us, mostly in terms of downed trees.  Thus, we had no power.  The only thing to do when you have no class, is to make the most of it.  Some classmates and I decided to head to DC for the day.  Unlike Cameron in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, we saw "something good today"

We parked at the Navy Yard, and went to the following places:

Lolas Barracks Bar and Grill
Washington Monument
WWII Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Old Ebbitts
Navy Memorial
The Gibson
Bens Chili Bowl

Pretty awesome day if you ask me.  Click on the links above if you want to check out where I went!

The Capitol

Washington Monument..  Closed because of Earthquake damage.

WWII Memorial

WWII

Korean War Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Our Happy Group and the White House

DC Trip Good Eats

I had some amazing food in DC...makes me look forward to going back soon!

I went to the Logan Tavern Thursday night, and had some of the most amazing food ever.  Seriously.  I had fried green tomatoes for the first time, and had some Raspberry Lambic.  I love lambic, but it is something you can only have one bottle of.  It is so sweet, and is amazing!

The next great restaurant I went to was Old Ebbitt Grill.  Last time I was there was when I was in high school.  My oldest brother worked at the White House, and took my middle brother and I there.  Just as amazing as I remembered!  I had the Eggs Chesapeake, which is like Eggs Benedict, just with crab meat.  Yum!

The final place I went was Matchbox.  Good place to just sit down and chill after the Shamrock Fest.  I would definitely go back here!

DC Trip

I went to DC for a weekend to attend a good friend's retirement ceremony.  What an awesome trip!  I love my little weekends away every couple of months, and I needed this break. 

I got to DC Thursday and just relaxed and got some good food (I will do a separate food post).  Friday morning I went to the Navy Memorial, to set up and practice for Ken's retirement.  22 years of Naval Service, and a wonderful reunion of good friends!  I went to his house later on in the day to spend time with him, his family, and our friends.  Loved having two low-key nights!  Saturday I went to breakfast with a former CO and his wife, one of the best mentors I could ask for!  After that, Colleen and I went out and about, and attended the Shamrock Fest in DC.  Holy cow was that an interesting time!  After the fest, we grabbed some food and a brew and I headed to my hotel to get some shut eye.  An exhausting and fun weekend!!!

Inside the Entrance of the Navy Memorial

Iwo Jima Reunion

Me with the Retiree!

Me with the Lone Sailor.

White House!

Capitol!

Shamrock Fest.  Love this girl!