Weekend Happenings...

By way of camera phone pics (yep, I know, still no iphone/instagram for me...)

This weekend Jas was away in Presov (in the east of Slovakia) with Tom. So while the guys were doing this...

Us girls had us a girls' weekend :)

First off we shopped it up with our friend Zuzana...

Elise thoroughly enjoyed the stroll and taking in all the sights and sounds of the mall.

Then Saturday we headed to a really fun downtown open air market with our friends Claire and Gabo.

(this is a big area set up for kids with lots of fun activities...and colorful balloons!)

(and another side note...we're famous!  Claire, Elise, Gabo and I had our pic taken for one of the local newspapers.  I'll now be signing autographs ;)

Elise also enjoyed some more sweet potatoes...and she discovered her newest game of taking all the toys on her high chair and throwing them to the floor. Then repeat. And repeat again.  Oh, and then repeat :)

Sunday we headed to church...

Then it was time for Elise to attend her first birthday party!  Her friend Filip turned the big ONE, so we headed over to help them celebrate...

(small kiddos are hard to capture, ya know!?)

And then it was time for daddy to come home...and we were both ready!

But it was a good weekend.  What did YOU do this weekend?

Thirty Day Challenge

So my hubby was telling me something about a 30 day challenge (he found this link and was intrigued).  And naturally, that got me thinking too.

You see, I've tried certain challenges before.  For instance, I attempted the yearlong photo-a-day challenge about a year or two ago.  And, well, let's just say I made it approximately three weeks before I started slipping...oops.  So the whole idea behind a 30 day challenge is that you're more likely to succeed in accomplishing a goal or challenge if it's something realistic, like 30 days.  It's also the supposed amount of time it takes to get into a habit (or so the research says).

So I decided to give my whole photo-a-day thing a go again, only this time for 30 days as opposed to a year.  That means that from February 1st until March 1st I plan to take (at least) one photo a day and share it on this here blog.

Now, that said, I am keeping my expectations realistic in realizing that it may be hard to remember to take one every day AND post it.  I'm used to taking a photo or two, usually, every day, but life does happen and I may miss a day or two here and there.  BUT, the challenge is to take one a day and post it...so that's what I'm going for.

I also think it'll be a good glimpse into the every day that's taking place the month of February.

Here goes with DAY 1 :)  Feel free to join me in your own 30 day challenge (for example, some of the challenges from the link above: riding a bike to work every day, writing a book in 30 days, etc.)!

Meet Olivette...her new favorite Owl toy.  I just love that little smiling face in the background (and no, not every photo will be of Elise, but it's probably safe to say she'll make it into quite a few shots ;)
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And an add-on:  apparently I'm not the only one doing this (duh Charity!), I just went to this blog and she's posted her daily pics from January...cool!

Four Eyes!

That's me...four-eyes, glasses-wearing chick.  But I'm totally fine with it, especially since glasses are a fun accessory (or so I think :)

So when my glasses came in the mail the other day, I was pretty pumped to give 'em a whirl.

I'm a fan.  But then I decided I needed a junior model to join me in trying on glasses.  So who did I recruit?  Why Elise, of course! (Jas is a lil big to be considered a junior, ya know?)

That last one is my absolute favorite...makes me laugh.  And for the record, I really do hope she never has to wear glasses...I'd much prefer her to have great vision.  I did enjoy having her model with me, however, but eh, I'm not so sure she was into it...haha.

Relief from the Sahara

It's felt like the Sahara Desert here in Bratislava lately.  We're talking 99-100 degrees, hot winds, no air conditioning (that's a Slovak/European norm), etc.  The occasional tumbleweed...ya know...straight up H-O-T.

So our team had planned to head to the pool today and that's just what we did.  It was quite nice, indeed.

There was a high dive that Jas partook in (due to lil baby in the belly I opted out this time :)

And since we were right across the border in Austria, an obligatory Almdudler was purchased (a fizzy apple drink).

While there we celebrated my 25th birthday with the team (thanks all!)

And we celebrated with brownie bites made by my hubs (who's becoming quite the chef I might add...)

But that wasn't all...Ilga made this rockin' chocolate chip cookie cake!

Of course, I took a photo of those fun things on top...

Who wouldn't?  That's some great color!

Thanks team, family, friends and everyone else who made this birthday a great one!  I felt the love here in Slovakia...it's very appreciated.

And now the winds are blowing here (what a welcomed relief).  I'm thinking fall may be right around the corner.  We'll see!

The Man I Married

I came in to the living room the other night to find this...

When asked what he was doing he said "looking for the 3D channel!"  (Those are 3D glasses obtained from a trip to the movies he took...and we really do have a 3D channel here...occasionally it'll come on)

That's the man I married!  And I'm sure glad I did :)

A Sweet Surprise!

Yesterday I had plans to meet up with my good friend Steph.  You see, her husband is in marine training here in Virginia, so we had plans to catch up over breakfast.

Well, I walked in to the restaurant to meet her, gave her a hug, and then sat down.  We proceeded to talk, ordered drinks, etc...

The lady brought our drinks.

And right behind them were my other two sweet friends (and previous roommates) Erin and Emily.  I had no idea they were going to drive up so we could all meet together one last time before I leave.  It was an AWESOME surprise!

It made my day :)

We ate, then came back and they got "the tour."  Then we said bye to Steph as she left, and headed for coffee.

It was very special, and I am thankful for those girls.

Of course, we did forget to take a picture (after much mention of it), so I'll bust an old one out for memory's sake...

Christmas freshman year, good times :)

Just the Right Moment

At the fair the other night this picture was captured at exactly the right moment--

And it so makes me laugh!

I promise no husbands were hurt in the capturing of this picture ;)

A Fair Time

One of the things that symbolizes fall to me here in North Carolina (and I guess the states in general) is the STATE FAIR.  So Saturday afternoon we picked up our Slovak friend, Mia, and headed to the fair grounds.  We met up with Ben and Tera and hit some exhibits.  And you know we did not spare on the grease--we filled up on all the calorie-rich fatty food goodness.  Hey, it's our last time at the fair for a good couple of years, don't judge ;)

And you know we kept a tally of who had what (it's a fair tradition), so here goes:

Jas--steak sandwhich, cheese fries, cheesecake, fried mac and cheese

Char--hot dog, fried cookie dough, popcorn, honey stick

Mia--may not like it if I shared her menu, so we'll just say she did have her FIRST fried candy bar (oh, and below you will see her with a caramel apple)

Now for some pictures,

That's a wrap-up...what a good, greasy time :)

Durham's Subtle Infatuation

You have to have a keen eye to find these little guys around town...but did you know, Durham has a subtle infatuation with...

GNOMES!!!

I give credit to my husband who is quite observing and first spotted these sneaky, hidden, little guys.

As you drive around town you may look up on a bridge, or a building, and find a gnome just chillin' there looking at you!  Jason has spotted three (or three locations with several gnomes), then we decided it was time to look them up.  And lo and behold, we found a website all about Durham Gnomes!

We just so happen to think this is funny and one of those neat not-found-everywhere kind of things.  Who knew Durham liked gnomes so much!?  Cute...

Here are a few (very distant) shots I got of these gnomes during a gnome-hunting outing Jas and I had...well, we were driving somewhere and Jas remembered we would pass a lot of them, and I had my camera, and well, here ya go!

Gnome 1 above.  He's a little hard to see...but he's there!

A Gnome family...affectionately entitled as brothers.

And blurry gnome number 5.  Aren't these hilarious!?  Go check out the site above and see all the other ones people have spotted.

Now you can start the gnome search yourself!  Let me know if you find anymore :)

Bring on the CHOCOLATE SYRUP!

Tonight was the annual end-o-year MUCK WARS!  This is a super fun, let's get everyone dirty, throw condiments on one another kind of time for the youth.  I thoroughly enjoy watching everyone get all messed up!  It's great fun! (And should I mention it doesn't bother me so much being behind the camera ;)

Here are some highlights-- (bear with me on the many photos!)

We started the night with some watermelon...and some goofy faces!!

Exhibit A:  Dillon covered in his own flour!  And Carly applying some mustard to top it off...yum...

The Aftermath.  And what's left of the sticky syrup amo.

Some condiments, oh yeah, and Noelle's under there somewhere ;)

MESSY GROUP SHOT!

Jump it, Kels Lou!

Ah, nothing like a pair of stinky, wet, post-condiment friends!

Possibly one of my favorite photos of the night.  They make me laugh!

What a fun night...gotta love it!  Muck Wars, Jason and I will miss you.  Think Slovaks could get into some muck-throwing!?  We shall see! :)

A Wicked Date

Last Thursday night Jas and I got to go on a wicked, hot date ;)  We headed out for our new favorite restaurant, Mt. Fuji (in Brightleaf Square).  As a little sidenote/promo:  they have half off sushi on Thursday nights and AMAZING pad thai.  Jas stocks up on sushi while I indulge in their to-die-for pad thai.  They have lots of other Asian foods as well.  End promo.

We then killed some time and walked around Brightleaf Square and the adjoining area.  We particularly like that part of town. 

Here's a deli named after us...not really, but we like to think so ;)

Then we finally go to go see the play I have been so eagerly anticipating...WICKED (hince the title, I know, I know, witty...or wicked-y...ok, I'll stop).  It was perfect and I loved it.  The costuming, singing, dancing, lighting, and of course the plot where just what I had hoped they would be.  I wish I could've stolen a few shots during the play, but I know that's distracting, and thus here are a few shots from the night.

Now that is one wicked, hot date, if I must say so myself ;)

Solid Potato Salad

Jas and I made a rockin' meal this weekend.  He's the resident grill master, and well, I pick up most everything else when it comes to cooking. :)  So we combined our abilities and made:  KABOBS and POTATO SALAD.  Yum!

These kabobs are super easy, of course, but very delicious.  Our kabobs were made up of mushrooms, pineapple, peppers, onions, and chicken we had pre-marinated.  Then, Jas grilled them to perfection and we ate up!

I made some potato salad based off of a recipe found on recipezaar.com.  It was great!  You can also check out potatosalad.org for plenty of other good recipes (Isn't that funny--there's a whole website with potato salad recipes...ha).

Now, speaking of potato salad, you must watch this video.  I first stumbled upon it on another blog and it just makes me laugh.  Watch it and you will see what I am talking about.  They're my new favorite singers/dancers.



How about that for some solid potato salad? :)

Sunny Saturday

(I've noticed I like alliterations as titles for posts...haha).

Saturday had the most AMAZING weather.  It was exciting to be out in the sun soaking it up.  After the wedding we attended on Saturday, you better believe Jas and I took full advantage of that sunny joyfulness :)

An unsuccessful attempt at hanging the ENO hammock on the back porch.  oops!

Ah, finally, success!  Hangin' between two trees in the front yard.  This is a double person hammock, which means I joined him for some hard core relaxin'!

A hammock view of the blooming trees :)

SO excited about the blooming flowers!  Ah!  Finally from doom and gloom weather to blossom and bloom weather.  I'm diggin' it! If only every day was the weekend...ahh...