visitors!

We have visitors this weekend!

My girlfriend, Wendy, and her two kiddos came from Hershey, Pa., to visit for the weekend. Wendy and I were friends in college and she was one of my bridesmaids in my wedding.

As usual, we had Pasquale’s pizza and wings for dinner.

I think Natalie liked the orange she was eating more than the pizza, but Wendy loved both the pizza and wings, and baby Austin was happy to be held.

We built a fort for them–Austin is the happiest baby EVER.

Natalie is enamored of the “kitty cat” and would love nothing more than to cuddle and play with Odie every moment.

Wendy also came bearing a gift – another t-shirt quilt! Awhile ago, I sent Wendy a bunch of old t-shirts to make into a quilt for me (she’s domestic like that), and it is finished 🙂 I figured I’d much rather pay her to do it than some random stranger online. I’m sewing-challenged; my aunt helped me make my first t-shirt quilt.

Andrew’s still bed- and couch-bound, but I think he’s up for doing brunch/lunch today at Charlie’s, and then Wendy and the kids and I are going to spend some time on Main Street after their naps. I think Andrew might meet us at Firefly for a cupcake break later on, too…

Right now, we’re cleaning up from breakfast and us non-gimps are headed to the farmers’ market!

labor day

We dropped our house projects for the long weekend to host our dear friends Emily and Dan and Jen and Dave and their baby, Aiden!

They arrived Friday night and we (not-so-promptly, according to Emily) ordered Pasquale’s pizza and wings:

Early risers Hadrian and Aiden hangin’ out the next morning:

After a circuit-training workout (led by Emily!) at the park across the street, we walked to Charlie’s for brunch, then to Fisher Price (headquartered in my NEW hometown!):

Followed by refreshments at Taste!

(Aiden got ahold of my earring…)

Miss Emily posing while we walked FROM OUR HOUSE TO MAIN STREET (how awesome is that?!):

Dinner on Saturday was beef on weck and homemade salad, which we devoured before I got a chance to snap a photo:

I made a cocktail for the girls of cake-flavored vodka and chocolate coconut water, a recommendation from a cousin. It was amazing!

Andrew made a fire in the backyard and we roasted marshmallows:

(In the interest of journalistic integrity, I feel I have to divulge this: the fire department and police may have shown up. Well, there is no ‘may’ about it; they did. Turns out a neighbor called our fire in, but YES, we are allowed to have a fire in our backyard. The authorities wished us well and left almost as soon as they arrived, somewhat puzzled as to why they were called in the first place…)

The spread the next morning:

Homemade bagels and blueberry donuts!

We headed off to Niagara Falls (because what else do you do with visitors who’ve never been?!), then proceeded on to Crystal Beach (also in Canada) against our better judgement. It was a bust, Aiden was hot and fussy–heck! We were ALL hot and fussy–so we scrambled back across the border as fast as possible!

We were welcomed by the familiar sights and smells of Wegmans, where we ordered subs to-go and picked up Bar Bill wings on the way home. After some showers, some grub and puttin’ our feet up, I’d say we all fully recovered from the crowded Falls and beach trip. Emily and I made a second pilgrimage to the caboose (our local ice cream joint), where we waited for what seemed like an eternity while the post-college returnee staff was still learning the ropes…

Our company left this morning after feasting on leftover breakfast and loading up the car. We said an enthusiastic goodbye, knowing it wouldn’t be the last.

Andrew and I wasted no time in getting back to the grind; he worked tirelessly in the laundry room (ready for ceiling lights and drywall!), while I picked up, repotted some plants, did laundry at the Layers’, organized the pantry and prepped for school.

I think I need more sleep…

carolyn’s bachelorette

Last night was Carolyn’s bachelorette. I’ll be honest–it was anti-climactic in the best way. We started off strong, but what else do you expect from a group of girls who don’t really “party?” We had a great time getting dressed up, laughing and enjoying one another’s company, and got a whole lot of downtown walking in, too!

Also, I wasn’t the official picture-taker, so here are just a few highlights:

We began at The Chocolate Bar–a favorite of Carolyn’s–where we got drinks and dinner.

Jill has a two-year-old and doesn’t get out much–can you tell she’s a bit excited??

I had just been to the salon in the morning for my pre-wedding cut and highlights, and Megan (Abigail’s good friend and longtime Layer-stylist) curled my hair for me–what a treat!

Speaking of treats… I had my first chocolate martini, and it definitely won’t be my last. Hello, chocolatey deliciousness in a glass! I started with the coconut macaroon–and of course we all tried sips of each others’–and I’m proud to say that two other coconut macaroons were ordered for the second round since mine was so good! I opted for the black forest–a mix of chocolate and cherry flavors–as my second. Here’s to trying new things all around!

Almost three hours later, we wrapped up at what I’ll now call ‘chocolate heaven’ and walked in the direction of the Snooty Fox, a local lounge. However, upon arriving, it looked even a little too ‘snooty’ for us, so we kept walking.

Our second stop was Cozumel, where we sat outside and chatted while sipping drinks–water for me (I was planning on running in the morning and am trying to drop a pesky few pounds before Carolyn’s big day)–until we reached the bottom of our glasses. We headed out again…

…and ended up near Allen Street where Susan assisted a local musician on the banjo!

We said hello to Andrew, who was meeting a friend downtown to kill time before he was to drive us home, and then walked off to Laughlin’s, a restaurant/bar I’d been to and liked.

On the way, we performed a three-way shoe-switch. Carolyn’s feet were no longer agreeing with her footwear, so she, Abigail and Jill all switched shoes. Martyr status goes to Abigail, who willingly took her sister’s heels.

We made it to Laughlin’s where I recognized the friendly bartender from last time Andrew and I were there. I introduced Carolyn to my college drink of choice, the Midori Sour, and again, I stuck with water. There were some Lemon Drops and a 7-and-7, of which I took a sip and loved. Thank you, Susan, for introducing me to that one!

We’d also picked up a pet rock, who we affectionately called “Allen,” along the way. Carolyn’s camera contains his antics, unfortunately.

Carolyn wore the sash Abigail got her for her shower…

…Sisters!