NY Roadtrip!

This weekend Dave and I went to Rochester, NY for a wedding, to visit his family, and for a trip to Niagara Falls. My mom always says, "it's all about the story" which I always made fun of but now use lovingly. And it's true. On Friday Dave and I got up and drove the hour and a half from his childhood home to Niagara Falls. We went to Goat Island on the NY side to check it all out. As soon as Dave and I got out of the car, took one picture of the falls....it started POURING rain which, for me, made it even more fun. The fact that nothing went the way we wanted made me laugh. All week it had been beautiful, sunny, and hot but the one day we decide to go on a day trip outside it pours and is overcast. Too funny.

This is the only dry picture of us from the falls.

We went to the Cave of the Winds which is amazing. If you want some Info about it click on the link. The Cave of the Winds takes you down an elevator shaft and out to 120 feet below the falls. You then walk on wooden planks and stairs and wind your way up the falls. I was amazed by the placement of this, at some points I leaned over the railing looking at the foundation. It was wooden planks resting on giant rocks, I'm impressed that the water didn't wash it along with us away. We made our way up to the Hurricane Deck which is 20 feet below the Bridal Veil Falls. You get soaked by the falls and it's a strong pummeling feeling. Dave kept pulling me back to get closer and closer but already I was getting completely drenched even under my poncho and silly me had my purse with our camera, phones, and wallet so I got out of there quickly as to not ruin everything.

This is a picture of the Cave of the Winds tour. Dave took this from the Maid of the Mist boat that we took to get us closer to the falls. It was an amazing day.

That night we went to Dinosaur BBQ in the heart of Rochester. Apparently it's a famous place and Dave had never been there. We waited for 40 minutes for a table but that gave me time to talk to his parents and his best friend and his girlfriend.  And when we were finally seated the food was delicious. Baker and his girlfriend Allison beat us at the sweetheart's dish. Sadly Dave and I had leftover ribs and they devoured theirs. We wear our shame openly, and will rematch them next time.

AND if that wasn't enough for the weekend...
Saturday we went to the Cornhill fest and visited his old friend. THEN we went to the wedding we had driven there for. The reception was so much fun. We all danced our butts off, and we may have had a little to drink. Dave's dance moves are a combination of embarrassing, hilarious, smooth all rolled together. I've never laughed so much, smiled so wide, or been dipped so many times.

Sunday morning we had breakfast with my cousin and her husband. It was so nice to see them and spend some time together. Then we went back to his house made sure that everyone was alive (from the drinking and dancing) and hung out till we needed to get on the road. It was an amazing weekend and I'm such a lucky girl.

That's my update. Ooooh and I came home to my roommates new puppy Sadie. I just want to eat her up she's so adorable.

Coppertone Baby

This past weekend I went to VA Beach to see my sister. I love it down there. I love my sister. I love the beach. I love walks along the beach (a cliche I know.) I love picking up seashells. I love the sound of the ocean. I love laying out and not thinking about anything. But I also love when I leave the beach and can get my hands clean from all the sand.

 3 out of the 4 of us (not me) that went to the beach tried surfing that day, and thus became awesome! Yea I missed out but there's always next time. I can use it as an excuse to go visit my sister...No sorry boss I HAVE to leave early on Friday, my sister is teaching me to surf, I missed out last time.

We also made an epic sandcastle. Miles (my sister's boyfriend) spent a lot of time working on it and may have even made a little boy cry because his efforts weren't as awesome as ours.

 Don't miss me too much beach, I'll be back soon.

I'm leafing forever

I love fall. It's my favorite season. The leaves change, the temperature drops, you're able to wear sweaters and scarves, it's football season, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner.

This past Sunday I was a terrible Steelers fan and DVR'd the game (against the Vikings yes I know)! I really wanted to spend the day with Steve and we were busy on Saturday so it had to be done. After church with the family, all four of us together, Steve and I drove to the Leesburg Outlets. There wasn't much damage done (go me!) but I did get a couple good things.

From there we made our way to Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah Valley. Its $15 to get in to the park but in my opinion it's well worth it.

Steve and I at one of the overlooks. This was taken using a self-timer. I like the artsy way in which it came out, whether it was intended to be that way or not.

Steve stopped his car in the middle of the road so I could get a picture of this deer. It was so close to our car. It peeked its little head up so I could snap this.

Here is one of my favorite pictures I took.

Steve's beautiful picture.

Another beautiful picture Steve took.

It was a perfect day for a drive. Initially I felt bad about spending so much time at the outlets to not get us there until the sun was already going down. In the end I didn't feel so bad because it was even more beautiful. Take a trip while the leaves are still changing and pretty.

It's all in the details

WARNING: I'm about to be that girl. Bare with all the mushiness, I'm incredibly happy.

Yuck I know.

Friday I left work early and headed to Pinehurst, NC to visit my best friend for the weekend. My wonderful boyfriend hadn't seen me the day before and wasn't going to see me until Sunday, so he met me at the gas station while I filled up my tank. It was seriously only like 5 minutes together, and before I drove off he went to his car and came back with a cup full of red Gerber daises along with a card. It was so incredibly sweet and thoughtful. I couldn't stop smiling all the way down there.

                                                         

I think it's the little things that count. The love is in the details. I mean sure, it's important to know the BIG things too, but to really know and love someone you have to get to know the idiosyncrasies that make them them. The slight twitch they get when they're a little nervous, how they'll try your iced coffee every time but will still hate it, or the way you have to brace yourself for that jump hug you get when you haven't seen them in a while.

(3 separate shout outs!)


Getting to know the details is the fun, intimate part to any relationship whether it is romantic or friendly. I love when people know little things, and when I in turn know the little things about them. It means you're invested and that you care enough to pay attention.

Mermaids and Sirens

My wonderful sister and me on the beach

This past Saturday I picked up my friend Tera, and drove to VA Beach to visit my sister (and her best friend) Katie. Katie is amazing, and very busy, so this was really the first time since she moved there that she was free so Tera and I decided to take full advantage and visit her for the day.

She lives four blocks from the beach and we just happened to visit on the same weekend as the Neptune Festival on the boardwalk. There were a ton of vendors, and the fragrances wafting from each of the food stalls were heavenly (although Tera refused to pay $6 for a funnel cake...ridiculous prices right?)

For the Neptune Festival they had a sand sculpting competition which I was so excited for. I made the girls walk about a mile down the beach so we could check it out. I was impressed with the sculptures people made out of sand using only water. These creations were amazing as you can see from the pictures. I think I was particularly impressed because my sandcastle building skills rival those of a 3 year old. Maybe, on a good day, a 5 year old.

Tera and I were amused by the no foul language sign.

Sunday morning before we left we ate at Pocahontas Pancakes. There was even a Tepee inside the restaurant. We will be going back to visit again hopefully soon, because Tera needs more salt water taffy...which I also enjoy(but only the pink kind.)

Do you want fries with that?

I may be random, but so are my friends....

Natalie, Tera, and I on our way to Philly.

We spent a total of 45 minutes in the city. Just enough time for a couple of cheesesteaks, a drive past the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, pit stop at a gas station and then we were on the road again.

Tera and Natalie with our first cheesesteaks at Pat's. The cheese whiz really makes it!

Then we crossed the street and ate at the competition.

Me and Bud at Geno's, splitting our 2nd cheesesteak.

The lines were ridiculous. So much so that while we were eating our Pat's cheesesteak we were standing in line for Geno's. We're not fat kids (well a little). We were just excited and pressed for time so Natalie could get to work at 5.

Pat's

And the winner of the best cheesesteak was..........PAT's!