I forgot to mention this in an earlier post ... after leaving my mom's from the ski trip and before heading back to Rochester, we had the wonderful opportunity to spend some time with my dad. We had breakfast at our usual Rt.9 diner in Clifton Park and during that conversation, he mentioned that he was thinking of getting an mp3 player!
GO DAD! "Supreme commander of the universe!" (an inside phrase..it was on a coffee mug I gave him a while back)

So, Bob and I wanted to help him pick out a good one so off we went to Target and we found a really cool one...nice big screen on the back, cool features and easy to use. We helped him set up the software back home and taught him how to "rip" songs from his CD's to turn them into media files...he's been "rippin" so I hear ever since.

I also wanted to share a little trivia that he solved for me when I rambled on in an earlier blog post wondering where "hem and haw" came from .... so for all those who might be wondering too, here's the answer from the best source of little known facts i.e. Cliff Claven that I know
:) LOVE you dad!

Dad's comment:
"You should know better than to write something like that (where does hem and haw come from?) where your dad can see it and get started. I called Cliff Claven to check my facts and we both agreed, it's a little known fact...

There are a couple of theories but the one I like is that in Old English hem and haw were commands to go left and right - they used it for teams of horses or oxen. So somebody hemming and hawing is one who can't decide to go left or right - just back and forth. In America it got changed to Yee- haw. No clue why.
Aren't you glad you asked?"

Oh My Gosh! Bob's sister, Ariana's mom put Ariana's face into the dress that we've chosen for her for the Wedding!
I LOVE this dress for her because it doesn't have any flowers or bows and it comes in BLUE which is her favorite color and mine too ... AND we can add the espresso sash which will match the bridesmaids!!
Isn't she SO cute !!! I LOVE you Ariana!
Her brother Dan Dan the ring bearer, and the groomsmen will be wearing blue vests too so everyone will match!
I honestly don't know how I'm going to hold it together on the big day !
:)

My mom and Peter invited myself and Bob on a ski vacation to New Hampshire the last weekend of March. It was a last hoorah to winter and it was incredible ! We dropped our Buddy off at Sue's before we left where he could play with his friend Baxter and Sue's baby Nolan for the week. He loves it there; THANK YOU Sue and Kevin! We packed up and headed to Albany where we then moved all our stuff to mom's SUV, packed their stuff in too, made some lunches to go, and then all squeezed into the car and left first for Vermont where some of you know they have a 2nd home on the mountain;
Sugarbush

We all settled in, relaxed, enjoyed a fire in the fireplace, went into town to look around a bit, stopped at a pub for a cocktail and were greeted by the Jagermeister girls! We got free hats too!

The next day we packed up and headed through the mountains where Attitash was waiting for us. New Hampshire. I learned a new phrase that the mountainers are very familiar with. Along the way we hit an area that had "frost heave" warnings...basically, as the snow starts to melt, it flows down the mountains to the roads below and causes the pavement to rise...we drove over a long section of this...bump after bump...we had some laughs as Bob and I almost hit the ceiling on a few of them!
:)
Finally ~ we made it !


Here's where we stayed~ we had a lot of space; behind me to the left was their room and to the left of mom was a staircase that led up to a loft room...so fun!



We settled in, had some cocktails and started getting ready for our Easter dinner. Of course mom was all prepared with holiday plates and napkins...she made a ham with scalloped potatoes ...mmmm thanks mom!

Here's mom and peter at the table:



The next morning we were up and at 'em to hit the slopes...it was Perfect skiing...incredible FUN mountain!
I've discovered pigtails again...I decided to do two tails on each side because when I just do one pony tail and tuck it into the back of my jacket, by the end of the day it's all knotted and bunched up. The pigtails are free flowing and never get knotted...clever and fun !
:)











Bob had a hard time with his board that day ...it seemed like he was working harder with his ankles than he should have been. We went into town and took his equipment to a boarding expert. Turns out, Bob's board is considered to be an antique!! Like wooden skiis !! We got Bob all suited up with new stuff and were all excited for his next day of boarding !



That night Bob and I went to check out the heated pool...wow! You just walk down the steps into the pool while you're still inside...then you get in the water and go through a plastic curtain to the outside ... so you're warm in the water while still feeling the chill of the mountain air with the night sky above you. Amazing. And the hot tub was REALLY hot with lots of jets...we didn't want to get out!

The next day we headed toBretton Woods, another ski resort in NH and only 1/2 hour away.



It was so beautiful. Mt. Washington can be seen no matter where you are on the mountain, and the Mt. Washington Hotel too. Mt. Washington is the snow capped mountain behind us here, and we are blocking the hotel which can be seen behnind and below us. It's really something to see. The famous COG railway is there which goes UP the mountain!





After skiing, and before heading back to Attitash, mom took us into the Mt. Washington Hotel Amazing! Thanks for taking the time to show us this mom!
(you can see Bob's wearing his new Jagermeister hat in this picture...the name is on the hat in the top right corner)

:)



We had another fun evening once we got back...we played Jenga by the huge fireplace in the hotel and took a dip in the pool again. We were totally relaxed all week...I felt really good for Bob because he's been working SO hard lately; long hours and I think he was finally able to let go of it by the 2nd day.

The next day we skiied Attitash one more time...it was really warm this time... snow grabbed at the skiis a bit, but it was interesting to experience spring skiing for the first time. It's ok...it's nice not to be frozen, but for me, I like it to be colder. Not frigid...just not warm. I loved it just the same though. You can't beat the views from major mountains like that...just to be out on a mountain; regardless if you're skiing is something not to miss. I savored every moment of the day thinking it would be my last for the season ... We went into town after freshening up that afternoon...and had an amazing dinner at Stonehurst Manor Wow, it was delicious...and such a beautiful place. Great pick Peter!
We settled in to watch Into the Wild which I brought with us from Netflix hoping we'd get a chance to watch it. A must see...you will never forget it.
The next day we packed it up and headed back to Vermont to spend the night there. The next morning, mom said she would take us skiing one more time; this time at Sugarbush!
We were very excited...I have always feared this mountain..it's really really steep and long trails...but I felt comfortable enough from the NH mountains that I was excited to try it again. Thanks mom !!!








We met up with their friends Bob and Sue for cocoas




and then made one last run before calling it an end to the ski season. We made the most of it and truly enjoyed the scenery..I sped this last run up a bit..exhillerating!

We invited Bob and Sue over for dinner to celebrate mom's birthday so we headed home to get ready for that. Of course mom had already made a huge lasagna so we were all set.







After dinner, we brought out a special birthday cake that Peter knew she would love. It was delicious !

Happy Birthday mom!



We enjoyed an amazing fire that night that Peter made too!
He had these cool pine cones that you throw into the fire and when they catch, they make colored flames! Amazing!!





Before we headed to bed, I noticed that the little tree behind their house was lit; the neighbors do it and luckily it was on while we were there. It's such a cute little tree all by itself amidst the tall pines in the marshmallow snow...I was shooting pretty far away with a long lens in the pitch dark so it's not the best shot, but it helps me to remember how beautiful it really is:





The next day mom had to work a lunch at the main restaurant at the resort called the Timbers so Peter took Bob and I to see the Spring Fling event on the mountain called "pond skimming". They do this at all the major mountains...they dig a hole in the snow at the bottom of the mountain, fill it with water, and have contestants ski/board down the hill and try to skim the water making it to the other side of the bank. That was so much fun to watch. Only a few made it, most sank...but the costumes, and excitement was a sight to see. Here's Bob and Sue watching the event; they're such a cute couple! :


I have a bunch of videos of the contestants too that I'll put in here soon.

We all enjoyed more cocoa afterwards...it was the coldest it's been all week this day ... and checked in on mom hostessing...she loves being a part of that. We got one last picture; thanks for stopping Peter...at Sugarbush before heading back to pack up for the trip back to Albany:





What an amazing week...we should do a ski trip every year in the spring...it was great to have all that snow just there...and then come home to almost spring. We can't thank mom and Peter enough for spending time with us, their incredible generosity, and guidance as we continue to learn how to be better skiiers...We are so grateful for this amazing opportunity we were given.
THANK YOU!

I have a few more pictures I'd like to add that I retrieved recently from my mom's camera ~ she was here to find herself a dress for the Wedding and we celebrated my birthday too! (There are 2 pictures from a few weeks before when she was here around the same time as Valentines day too ~ the month of mom!)
:)

Here's Valentines day ~ we had breakfast at Simply Crepes; one of my favorite places to take out of towners:




When she was here for my birthday and the dress shopping, we had dinner at her favorite place, Marios; Peter came too to help her decide on the dress

Cheers!


They treated me to dinner, and a celebratory Chocolate Martini ! mmmmm ...


After dinner, we met Bob at home (he was working late all week )
:(

and she asked me to wait in the living room while she fussed around in the kitchen with Bob and Peter... before I knew it, the lights went down and out came these crazy cupcake faces!!! SO awesome. She put together cupcakes in silicone feet stands and decorated the tops with frosting and candy faces...THANK YOU MOM ! That was the best !
:)





It was so nice having my mom and Peter out for a visit and mom found a beautiful dress for the Wedding...we're so excited !

**********************************************************

Before I talk about my birthday, the night before I met up with my friend Erin, and some of her girlfriends for a girls night out. We met up at a new place downtown called
Virtu
Very cool, amazing food, and the perfect company.
me,Colleen,Erin

After dinner, we went to see a play at Geva:
Bad Dates
It was cute but we all agreed it went too far into a story that should have been more light hearted. We met up with some friends of one of the girls too and I really enjoyed getting to know them. Here's all of us:

Two of them headed home, and the rest of us went out to
The Old Toad
We had a blast...and we met up with two more friends of Erin's there too ...I met SO many new people in only a few hours ...I had such a great time...I tend to be a hermit working at home so it was a lot of fun for me to be out and about.
We met two new people too ... two guys and we had fun getting to know them and hanging out. Here's all of us:

After a while I headed home and got excited for my birthday the next day and all the weekend plans ahead.
Thanks Erin for inviting me out with the girls...I had such a great time !
:)

Ok, so now on to the birthday... Yes, I have turned the big 3.5. and it's actually a great time in my life. I am so lucky to be surrounded by incredible friends and lasting friendships, have a great little home and the best dog ever, the love of my life Bob as well as Wedding plans for this October, and a multitude of family relationships from both myself and Bob ... and on top of all this, it SNOWED big time on my Birthday and all weekend long !!! It's melting already, but it was very much appreciated. Bob took me skiing the week before and it was a perfect day for it. We are excited to be going on a ski trip in a week to New Hampshire ; called
Attitash Looks like the conditions are still going strong up there!

So on top of all these great things, my friend and Maid of Honor came to visit for the weekend too ! She arrived safely and thankfully explained that there were no snow issues on her way here; but as soon as she hit the Rochester exit all snow broke loose. :)
We stayed in and had dinner together and caught up. The next day we met up with my friend Sue for breakfast at
simply crepes






After breakfast we headed over to a bridal shop together and the girls tried on some styles...trying to help me narrow down the designer to choose from so that each girl can wear their own style within the same line.
We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory, and then headed back out to another shop. We met up with Susan and her mom too and this was where we made the most headway. I love watching the girls have fun trying stuff on...and seeing everyone have fun being together. I have the best friends. I thought I had decided at that point, but I was short one style within that line, so it was onto the next store... and no luck there either. But it was fun just the same. I ended up researching online and found a great line with 45 choices of styles for them to choose from.
Thanks everyone for trekking out in the snow on Saturday !
Mickie and I headed home, got ready and went back out for a birthday dinner; Bob too!
Mickie found a place for us to go that wasn't too far away and we had a really good dinner there. Thank You Mickie and Carrie too !







After dinner, I hemmed and hawed (where does that phrase come from?) ... trying to decide if we should brave the weather again and go out for the night ... sorry dad...we did go, but we got there safely thanks to Mickie and had a lot of fun. We were celebrating our friend Mike's Birthday too and I didn't want to miss out on that.
I love Lux... I just love it and love that it feels like our place. Here's the gang:




Mickie is such a trooper... I had to get a picture of her and this table...c.r.a.z.y. !
:)


When we got home, I delved into some of my birthday cake !
:)


The next morning, we caught up with Carrie on the phone, had breakfast and then opened my presents from Mickie and Carrie.
NO WAY Carrie ! She got me a t-shirt that says on the front, "Soon to be..." and then you turn around and it says:


SO great ... the best part was when Bob came home from a long day of work on a bummer Sunday ... he walked in to see me wearing that and it gave him the biggest smile after being really stressed out. :)



She also got me an info book about Cancun and Cozumel for our Honeymoon ! Very cool...we're so excited to go!


Both Carrie and Mickie got me a Del Monte Spa
Gift certificate to use before the bridal shower for a little sprucing up. I have been wanting to get a pedicure so I can shine in some new sandals.
:)
Thank You guys !

Mickie got me cupcake baking stuff... SO cute...she knows I love cupcakes...and she got mini ones and a mini pan! I can't wait to make them!

She also created a website for Bob and I for our Wedding! Unbelievable. She is going to be updating it as things happen. That was so incredibly thoughtful and I'm excited to see how things get updated.
Go to bobsuesayido
Thank You Mickie ! We LOVE it !

She also gave us a wooden sign that we can hang at the Wedding site that has "And they lived happily ever after" painted on it ... I LOVE it and it will look great on the grounds at Sweet Briar ~ Thank You !!

I can't thank you enough for making the trip out here Mickie and for all the birthday wishes I received from my family and friends. Look at all the cards from everyone and the balloons from my mom and Peter! :







Everyone is so generous to me and I couldn't be more thankful and I know how lucky I am in my life.

Happy Birthday to me ! Thanks everyone!

After MUCH deliberating, researching and ranking, Bob and I have finally chosen a place for our Honeymoon this Fall!
We're VERY excited to say that we're headed to Cozumel Mexico! Our search initially started with Hawaii until we saw the cost of the just the flights alone ... so from there we tried finding a location that would feel tropical like Hawaii without it being a place we've already been too. We thought about Disney, but we've done that together; we've done a cruise together to the Carribean too...we even considered Key West because we haven't been there... and then Mexico came to mind so we started looking into Cancun. From there we found lots of amazing places south from there and thought with everything so close in that area that we could drive up and down the coast there to see lots of places...we came really close to getting a place not far south in Playa de Carmen ... and then saw that Cozumel ; it's own island ; was right there .. only a 15 minute ferry ride back and forth from the shore. We are incredibly lucky to have been given a timeshare week from my mom (GRACIAS!) so going through the book and looking at all these amazing places made it fun, but difficult to pick. The resorts are amazing!!! We quickly realized that though the timeshare doesn't cost much, the all inclusive part does. The place we were really hoping for was amazing, but a little higher than we wanted to pay since we want to do a LOT of excursions and exploring while we're there too. Plus since everything you could ever want is AT the resort, we worried we would never leave to explore other thigns.

When we found out the All Inclusive costs of the hotel on Cozumel island we knew we had to take that. It's BEAUTIFUL and the beaches there are just like the ones in the Corona ads. Plus there's snorkeling everywhere and lots of water sports too. We can explore the island by jeep and take the ferry across to the mainland for more sightseeing.

Here is the hotel:
Cozumel Palace

It's a little more modern than I like; and I'm not showing the link to the place I really wanted because I just want to forget about it ...
:)

Thanks for your patience with me Bob ... though he would be happy anywhere....literally... he was patient with me in trying to find a good deal while still being luxurious.
I love you Bob.
:)

And it is a 5 star hotel; amazing service...LOTS of awesome reviews and very relaxing lending the extra cash to more fun activities than just walking around a beautiful resort.

We will definitely be making the trip to go to this place; it's called a "ripline" ; you're hooked up to a cable and "fly" through a ravine in the jungle, then bike the rest of the way once you get to the other side and at the end of the bike ride, you're at a cliff where you jump off into the water !!! WOW!
:)
Extreme Adventure

Awesome right ?
And right on the island, 15 minutes from our hotel is this amazing water park ... if you have the time, go into the site and click on EVERYTHING .. they have SO much water stuff to do !!
Playa Mia

There's lots else around and Bob and I just finally decided last night so when I find more things to post I will definitely put them on here.

We're so excited !
Ole !
:)