that time when weekend shenanigans lasted the whole week...

Our German visitors arrived the Friday before Thanksgiving.  It was the first time Sebastian had been back to Pitt in 10 years and Aline's (Sebastian's girlfriend) first visit to the city (but second visit to the US).  The husband and Sebastian met in the 6th grade when Sebastian moved to the states from Germany with his family and they have been friends ever since.  Kinda adorable, right?!

After dinner and some drinks we took the party back to our house for more drinks and lots of catching up

Old friends re-united.

And this guy spent the whole weekend on our couch.

On Sunday we ventured into the city to watch the Steelers play the Browns.  I am not sure if it was the freezing temps and bitter wind or the fact the Steelers have been sucking lately but it was dead.  Like creepy dead.  Absolutely no one was out.  We kept expecting zombies to jump out at us. (maybe we watch too much Walking Dead?)

I am not good at taking serious pictures. 

Luckily, the Germans got to see one Steelers win during their visit.  Same can't be said for Thanksgiving night when we lost a close game to the Ravens.  Anyway, after some day drinking we got back to the house to nap a little then decided to go see Catching Fire.  So good by the way.  I am re-reading the series again:)  And finding it just as hard to put down as I did the first time I read it.

I still had to work on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday but was fortunate enough to get some naps in with little girlfriend so I could stay up long enough to rally and get in on the lovely photo below.  We are so hard. 

The husband just looks special in this one. 

On Tuesday night, we met up with the inlaws for dinner and drinks so Sebastian could see them.  

Sebastian showing my FIL how to "work" his phone. (We'll just leave it at that.)

Since I was the DD for the week (which turned out not to be too bad since I never woke up with a hangover) there are no photos from the Wednesday night bar scene.  I was too tired and sober to take any photos but Thursday we made up for it.  

Aline and I cheersing with our glass of Mimosas while watching the parade and waiting for the boys men to get home from picking up our dinner at Boston Market. (yes you read that right) 

New favorite photo of us.  Waiting for the in-laws to get there for snacks and drinks. 

Girl talk over pumpkin martinis

Celebrating Thanksgiving with my favorite Germans

Thanksgiving dinner a la Boston Market. 

We then headed out around the neighborhood for some fresh air

Then on their last day, I tagged along with the Germans while husband worked, into the city for some lunch, Pittsburgh shopping and coffee before the Germans headed off to the Pitt vs Miami game.  I enjoyed being in the warm with Katniss over 2 cups of Mocha while waiting for the husband to get off work and the game to be over.  We then all met up at the Hofbrauhaus (we just couldn't resist.) Pittsburgh for appetizers and drinks.  Lots of drinks. 

Finally seated after our hour long wait.

That beer is bigger than my head!

Aline introduced me to a new drink, beer mixed with Sprite.  Yes it was good.  Wouldn't think so but it is.  Trust. 

And the boys the morning after.  I felt so bad for Sebastian and Aline since they had to travel home on the red eye.  But they made it home safe and sound.  

We had so much fun with the Germans and were very sad to see them go.  The house is just so quiet without them.  We are already looking at flights to visit Germany next year.

 Now the husband and I are in full de-tox mode.  We had a huge salad yesterday and I started Insanity today.  It was only the Fit Test and it kicked. my. ass.  Like to the point where I wanted to throw up and it was only the Fit Test.  This going to be really interesting... 

How was your Thanksgiving?

Linking up with Sami and Bre today! 

until next time

case of the mondays

A downside to being a nanny are the sicknesses.  I very rarely got sick (even though I used the hell out of my sick days) before I started working as a nanny.  Luckily, so far I have only had one cold (while the kiddos are on their 4th).  So this weekend was spent being lazy on the couch finishing Alias for the 3rd time and blowing my nose constantly (greasy hair and all).  

However, I did get off the couch on Sunday to see Thor 2 (two words: Chris Hemsworth) with the husband.   We both really enjoyed it.  And I laughed a lot too.  And I just love to hate Loki.  I mean he is just the best bad guy.  Tom Hiddleston plays him so well.  But I did personally find Natalie Portman to be extremely annoying in both the Thor movies.  I don't know what it is because I usually love her, she just doesn't do it for me as Jane Foster.  

And since today I had THE most emotionally draining day - had to take the girlfriends to get a check-up and shots (tears and screaming and all) - I would like to share 5 little things that got me through today.  

{one}I may or may not have just housed more than a few handfuls of Angie's Kettle Corn from Costco.  In case you were wondering where you could purchase crack legally, then there you go.

{two}Husband bought me chocolate milk today.  I work with kids all day, what do you expect?

{three}Husband cleaned the house today.  He even unclogged the drain.  And while we are on that subject, can you recommend any good natural conditioner?  I have been using coconut oil which has done wonders for my hair but we are pretty sure it clogs the shit out of our drains.  Help!

{four}Crocheting with a side of Strongbow.  (There goes my diet for the day). 

{five}Alyson time while the husband has his one massage of the day.

How was your weekend?

How was your Monday?

What helps you get you through the first day of the week?

Linking up with Tarole, Sami, and Paulina today! 

  

until next time

weekend sha nay nays

My last weekend of no plans was Sept 13th.  And it doesn't look like it is going to stop.  But that's okay because I actually have an excuse to dress up this year for a Halloween party on Saturday!   

Anyway, my weekend was spent walking around a craft show in Columbiana, OH called Christmas in the Woods.  It's become a tradition with us Cornwomen.  It's a day that starts off with a healthy McDonald's breakfast and Starbucks Cafe Mocha, followed by a few hours of walking around the different craft booths (some people are just so damn talented) before we have another healthy meal of sauerkraut and hot dogs.  Luckily we spent most of the day walking around so I'd like to think we burned at least a few of the calories we ingested.  

Pretty much all of my money goes to St. Johnsbury Candles every year.  This year I only bought two though (which took some serious self control by the way!), Apple Cider & my favorite Vermont Christmas.  And the only photos I have to show are the traditional photo of the group 

and THIS guy... 

I mean, the kilt.  the sweater.  the mullet.  I just can't. 

(above two photos courtesy of my SIL's facebook)

And the weekend ended with this video. (sorry I don't know how to embed an instagram vid to blogger yet.  any help?)  But the cuteness?!  Can you hardly stand it?  Seriously made my heart smile. 

How was your weekend?

Anything crazy?

Linking up with Sami and Bre today! 

31 is the new 30

So my sneaky husband threw me a surprise party on Saturday night, the day after my actual birthday, at Narcisi Winery.  Apparently he felt guilty for not planning anything for me for my 30th.  Glad he waited until 31 to surprise me because who would have thought you be thrown a surprise party on your 31st?  Certainly not me.  Looking back on it, there were hints that he was planning something but I just didn't get it.  I'm good like that.  And it's a good thing I am not the snooping kind of girl.  He made a super secret FB event and invited all of my favorite people.  Since he is still a man, he didn't get around to planning the party until 3 weeks ago, so a lot of the people he invited couldn't come because they already had plans.  But it's the thought that counts, right?  It was the perfect night of good wine with even better company.  

Danke bayba for the amazing night!  Ich Liebe Dich, so viel!:)

Walking up to what I thought was just dinner for the two of us.  Apparently we passed both my in-laws' and SIL's cars.  In case you couldn't already tell, I am pretty observant (ha!). 

Party people

Props to my awesome MIL for the beautiful Fall decor on the tables.  She knows how to throw a good party. 

Ice cream cake is dabomb.com

Everyone sang to me.  Embarrassing. 

Party loot.  We now have 8 bottles of wine.  Might have to actually throw a "Open that Bottle" party this year. 

How was your weekend?

Do anything fun?

Linking up with Sami, Tarole, and Bre today! 

sometimes they call me bear, but i hate it.

I actually had a weekend that is worthy of documenting.  I met my family, both immediate and extended, in Nashville for my cousin's wedding.  Loads of drinking, laughing, dancing, etc were had as always.  I would never have it any other way.  And due to all of the above, I am still recovering today with a pretty bad headache that I cannot seem to kick so it will be a short post with a majority of it being photos.  

en route to the rehearsal dinner.  pre-drinks. 

the cool cousins table.  

my sisters and mom. 

Knowing that the next night, Saturday, would be the wedding and many of us would be needing to wake up early on Sunday to head back home, we decided to go for some drinks close to our hotel.  This is where the shenanigans really began.  I'll just say that fireball shots were taken, glasses were broken, beer spilled, and maybe or maybe not someone in our group got us all thrown out of the bar (I promise it wasn't me!).  

Party then continued in the "hospitality suite."

this guy would not leave my cousin alone all weekend.  just wouldn't get the hint. 

so crazy story.  the guy on the left in the photo above is the kid of my Dad's ex-fiance.  small world. 

Due to the shenanigans from the night before, I didn't leave the hotel but to grab Starbucks in the am.  I do wish I had gotten out to walk around the city as we were right downtown.  I just don't do headaches well.  Anyway, the wedding was held on the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge with a beautiful view of the sun setting over the city.  Who would have thought you could ever get married on a bridge.  Pretty cool though, huh?

doesn't my cousin, the last one, look so happy?  and so much like his dad?

cousin's baby.  isn't he the cutest baby you ever did see?

The reception was held at the Bridge Building right next to the bridge.  My cousin, who is a chef, came up with the menu for the buffet style dinner himself.  I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat but everyone was raving about everything they ate.  And since I have a new obsession with rooftops, I loved spending time on the roof dancing the night away with my family who I do not get to see very often. 

the cake.  how cool are those?  along with being a foody, the bride is quite the writer. 

the flower girls and ring bearer watching the first dance:)

me and my dad

all the cousins with Grandmal

me with my parents. 

Like always, the weekend was way too short and I had such a hard time saying good-bye to everyone.  I just need to seriously push having a family reunion next Summer.  

Sorry I am not sorry for all of the photos.  But with this headache it's all I could muster.  Now it's time for Prisoner of Azkaban on my couch while I sip on hot water with lemon.  I have another wedding next weekend so recovery is my top priority.   

Linking up with Sami, Jenni, and Tarole.

until next time