Happy Thanksgiving ... a day late

Today I am thankful for:

My loving, supportive husband, who is extremely hot and makes me feel like a million bucks.

My dog/daughter Riley, who is just the cutest, most pathetic thing you have ever met.

My amazing family and family-in-law.

My fabulous friends near and far. 

Being able to live in the middle of D.C. and experience the awesomeness that is city living.

Having a job!

 Being able to run a turkey trot in the morning and pig out on delish food at night.

Christmas Trees, lots and lots of Christmas Trees.

God for blessing me every day.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Why it will be a long time until we are home owners ...

I realize D.C. is not NYC, but it is right up there with ridiculous home prices. This buzzfeed article sums up why it will be a LONG time until hubby and I will own a home in D.C. 

6 Castles That Cost Less Than an Apartment in NYC

Congratulations

Back when we were cute little 20-somethings, my friend g-chatted me at work. After some facebook stalking he wanted to let me know that one of my friends that we both went to college with, "was beautiful." A couple weeks later, that beautiful friend and I were waiting in line at midnight to get the last Harry Potter book, and I let that information slip. A couple months later, I invited a bunch of friends to join me at a bar in Adams Morgan to celebrate my 24th birthday, and both friends happened to show up. A couple years later ... they are engaged! A thousand well wishes and hugs to you both :) Congrats!

One Year Later

Zach and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary last weekend. No longer newlyweds ... when did that happen?! It seems like yesterday and yet a million years ago that we got married in that absolutely perfect weekend in November. Our first year of marriage was fantastic, hard, surprising, and wonderful. I am still every day thankful that I have started this family with Zach, my favorite un-seperateable pair to be a part of. 

Our celebration started Saturday night as soon as Zach got out of class. We drove to Old Town, where our wedding reception was held, and checked into the Westin for a little staycation. Fun fact, this Westin has the best hot-tub I have ever been in. Complete perfection, and now I am thinking of ways to sneak in throughout the year - it was that great. After some hot-tub time we started walking down King Street, the main street with plenty of shops and restaurants that ends in Alexandria's waterfront. We found a place to dine and enjoyed steaks and a nice bottle of wine. Dessert was a fried snickers bar ... no complaints here.

Sunday, our actual anniversary we took another stroll along King Street and took a walk UP memory lane by going to the top of the steps of the Masonic Memorial (our reception venue). We had a moment and took in the stunning beauty of fall in VA and DC. I loved being able to return there and reflect on the year we had. After we checked out of the Westin and picked up Riley, I tried to recreate our wedding meal: quesadillas, mash potato martinis, and wedding cake. Yum. We toasted with our one year anniversary bottle of champagne my bridesmaids gave me and opened the wishes that were left to us by our family and friends at my bridal shower last year. It was incredible to read the well wishes from our loved ones and integrate them in to our special day. 

So overall, yes it was a perfect anniversary. Here's to forever more hon!

30 Day Plank Challenge

It is officially 30 days until Zach and I head off to Texas to celebrate Christmas. Woo Hoo!! This is also the start of the 30 Day Plank Challenge (Thank you Pintrest). Will I be able to hold a 5 minute plank by the time I get on that plane ... I don't know. But if it helps even a little bit with all the Christmas cookies I plan on eating this holiday season, I'm all for it. 

Peppermint Mochas

So I have probably had a total of seven coffees in my life. I really have no interest. I have never really been a hot beverage kind of girl. Hot chocolate loaded with marshmellows ... meh, not really for me. Tea? I know I should like you, you are plenty healthy for me, but nope - no love. I didn't think this was weird until I married into my husband's family. Starbucks is a two or three times a day experience for them haha. 

I have however discovered that Perppermint Mochas are not that bad. To me they say Christmas, and you know what, I wanted some Christmas today. 

I had my first peppermint mocha nine years ago, and you know who I can thank? Anne Curry. I was an intern at NBC London and she had come to town to do a story on Princess Diana. We were doing a night shoot in front of the London Bridge and I went on a coffee run for the crew. Eight normal coffees and one peppermint mocha for Anne. Ms. Curry however decided she no longer wanted her coffee by the time I got back so I became the beneficary (by the way, that was her only diva moment of the whole shoot ... such an amazing woman). So that was my first coffee ... 20 years old, hanging out in London, working for Ann Curry.  Not too shabby at all.

Birthday Success!

Still exhausted from this weekend, but boy it was great. 

Friday I arrived at the house my aunts had pitched in to rent for MuuMuu's 90th birthday weekend celebration. Located in Topsail Beach, NC, this place was amazing! Four stories high, the house had two great decks, a pool, hot tub, plenty of beds, and personal access to a beautiful beach. You could tell the Muu was having such a great time, a smile never left her face. I got to catch up with a lot of my family I haven't seen in awhile, even though I was only there for a short time. And the sunset ... get out of here - just gorgeous. 

Saturday I flew back to D.C. to get home in time to celebrate Zach's 30th. He hates surprises, so I made sure to tell him something was happening, and he was a pretty good sport about it. About 30 minutes before we were heading out for dinner, there was a knock on the door, and surprise - it was his cousin/best man from NC! It worked out perfectly. We then headed to diner, Lauriol Plaza, where a bunch of his friends joined us. My cousin Drew helped me design 30th birthday cozies, which I stuffed with a cookie for each guest. It really was the a perfect little group. After fajitas and margaritas we walked up the street to another bar to close out the night. 

On Sunday, his actual birthday, he blew out candles on his cookie dough ice cream pie, and we both were pretty lazy. A big weekend full of love :)

Time to Celebrate!

I am currently one class away from the weekend. Woop, woop! Tomorrow morning I am headed to Topsail Beach to celebrate the 90th birthday of my incredible grandmother, The Muu. Joy is the matriarch of my insane family, nine kids, close to 40 grandkids, 6 ish great grand kids ... sometimes I just loose count. She really is an amazing woman, and I am so happy I have gotten to know her as more than a grandmother, and learned more about her life story which is just fascinating. 

After that celebration I will be heading back to D.C. to celebrate the 30th birthday of my hubbie. I love you Zach, can't wait!

And it is Usually Me ...