Yes, Bryan is Still Older than Theresa!

It was that time of year again, when some of my favorite people turn a year older, which means it must be time for a party! The history of this party dates back as long as I've known Theresa and Bryan, and probably longer. Bryan's birthday (Mar. 31) falls 6 weeks before Theresa's (May 12), a fact she will never let him forget. When Bryan married Laura, and we realized her birthday (Apr. 22) was in the middle of the two, she got added to the celebration, as did Vince (Apr. 12) and Marj (Mar. ?). Vince however, was a no show this time (for the second party in a row hosted in his honor) and he will surely not live it down, the dork.


I hosted the party this year and it was a fun time. The highlight was Steve Lord showing up with birthday balloons, hats, tiaras, etc. for each of them that said "Happy 21st Birthday", "Happy 30th Birthday", and "Happy 50th Birthday" - none of which are even close to being accurate.

Tom, despite suffering all week with a kidney stone, came down for the party. I still can't believe he rebounded in time for the party! He even grilled us awesome kabobs. Diego made his signature sangria which was a big hit, and I made a gluten free german chocolate cake - I don't know about anyone else but it's my favorite!! :-)

It was a fun time, I can't wait until next year!

Girls Weekend in New Orleans

After more than 2 years of not seeing Erikka, Erin and I decided that the phone and Facebook just didn't cut it anymore and we got on a plane to New Orleans for a girls weekend! Even though Erin only lives about 45 minutes away in Manassas, we can't seem to get together as often as we'd like, and we desperately miss Erikka. It was a mini-Sweet Briar reunion! We also had Frances with us, Sweet Briar class of 2030. :-)


The French Quarter Festival was going on at the time so there were lots of street vendors and musicians and entire French Quarter was full of people. Frances was a trooper all weekend and managed to flirt her way to some balloons at a restaurant. We were quite a sight pushing a one year old in a baby stroller with a bunch of balloons tied to it up and down Bourbon Street on a Friday night!

If only we were all still neighbors like in college. It would be so fun if we could see each other more regularly.

Gretl The Destroyer

Over the past few weeks, I have gotten the chance to get to know Tom's dog-niece, Gretl, whom he affectionately refers to as "Gretl, The Destroyer" or "Sasquatch" or "Num-nuts." Take your pick.

Tipping the scales at 105+, she is quite large and intimidating at first, but then you realize she's a total sweet heart. Just don't stand between her and left over steak. :-)

She's not super fond of having her picture taken, but we did manage to get these glamour shots.