HOLA!

So we are back from Mexico and I have been trying so hard to upload photos, however, everything I have been trying is not been working correctly! It is annoying the hell out of me! Anyway... we had a blast. We visited the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum and Chichen Itza, a natural waterpark, Xel-ha, the Isla of Mujeres on a Carribean Carnivale and the town of Playa del Carmen plus of course spending time by the beach, pool, spa and bar! We also played golf and swam in cenotes - these are natural sink holes that fill with underground freshwater. I've posted our photos here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=128329&id=505907036&l=a6e2d3180f.

On my birthday we went on a cruise over to another island and had dinner on the beach while watching the Carribean show. We made new friends, Connie and Edge, and had a blast with them! My husband got called on stage, for which I think he thought they were going to place him in a contest, however, they only forced him to dance and SING! It was hysterical and he was so brave, especially given there were about 200 people watching him! He did great and everyone remembered him all night. "Oh Bryon, oh Bryon!" It was a riot!!!

Everything was great, besides the fact it was so HOT! We were sweating everywhere we went. We were happy to eat our first meal without perspiring Friday. We headed straight up to the lake and went and had chicken at Crandall's! YUM! We've been hanging out and getting some things done around the house here. It's been a great weekend - but unfortunately 5:15 AM will arrive soon enough and I will have to take off back to work. :( Not excited about that, but I am excited that so many fun things are planned for this summer, not to mention, Bryon's new exciting adventure. I will try to be better about keeping the blog updated with new news!

XOXOXO

T

Nuthin New...

Well...well...I'm actually sitting down and actually thought about the blog at the same time! We've been around, nothing too exciting to report. A couple of weeks ago, Bryon went to Vail for the last ski weekend of the year with some buddies. He had a ball and I had a good time with some me time. It's good to have some alone time every now and again! That weekend Gina and I went down to our friend Emily's new store, Mr. & Mrs. Digz to help get her up and going. If you are in the city, be sure to check it out at Clark & Broadway! Speaking of friends and new stores, if you are in the Quad Cities check out my other friend, Aimee's new store Mint Green Boutique in the Village of East Davenport!

I've been recovering from a hip flexor pull - at least that is my self diagnosis. Whatever...it hurt like hell and I could work out for about a week and a half. I'm getting back at it, but that week and a half wasn't kind to me!

Bryon has been continuing to work on the house day in and day out. Everything is looking great as it comes a long. I hope one day to have a clean and put together house again! And when that happens - party at the Crowleys!

This past weekend, we ran up to the lake for an Association meeting. We decided to spend the night and enjoy the beautiful morning by taking a run down by the beach to take a look at great summer days to come! We can't WAIT!!!!!!

Sunday night we had a BBQ at the Crowleys to celebrate Bryon's April 30th birthday...and mine too actually although I didn't know that was taking place. Thank you Crowleys! The food AND generosity is greatly appreciated. We had a great time hanging out w/the family.





This weekend we'll be heading down to Iowa for the weekend! We're looking forward to a round of golf, seeing family and friends and Mongolian Grill. YIPEE.

Charlie the Songbird

Everytime I see little Charlie he is signing a new song...I'm sure you've seen them posted before here. On Sunday, he had a new song that I guess his sister taught him. Thank goodness he has no idea what the words mean. He's just so darn cute singing away!

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend recap:

Ok...it's taken me a few days...

Bry and I had Good Friday off of course and we headed down to Iowa. We visited with my cousins Jen and Julie first which was great as we haven't seen them in ages. Then we went out to Parkview to wish our friend Travis a Happy Birthday, then to Buffalo to visit with old friends. The Young family was throwing a shindig and since I've been friends with them pretty much as long as I can remember...it was great to hang out and visit. It's weird how fast time flies and sometimes how it doesn't seem like you skip a beat. I also ran into Heather that I went to grade school with. Cousins Kevin and Steph also came out to visit. Always a good time!

Jason and I
Steph, Dad, Mom...we had to position him in the middle to prevent fighting.

Cousin Kev and Bry

Heather and I (friends since 1st grade!)

Saturday, Bryon, Dad and Darren went golfing while mom and I went to a funeral, met Aimee and McCartney at Mongolian Grill (YUM!!), toured Aimee's new boutique, ran a few errands, and stopped by Rob and Lori's new house. Sheesh. We were worn out. For all of you QC folk, you MUST stop by Aimee's new boutique, Mint Green, in the village of East Davenport. She opens this weekend and she is selling gently used designer apparel. Her place is so fabulous! I can't wait to go back!!! Saturday night we went to Texas Roadhouse. Holy moly that was good! And cheap!!! We loved it...but we stuffed ourselves and we couldn't function afterwards. Unfortunately, we missed our date with Tif. Dang it... next time.

McCartney loves Mom

Mint Green Boutique

On Sunday we celebrated Easter over a span of 12 hours beginning with brunch at Mom's at 10. We had an abundant amount of grub as usual and we of course left stuffed. All the family was there including both of my sisters, their husbands, children and even two significant others! It was great to see everyone and we enjoyed reminiscing (my nephew, Max, loves the stories!) Max and Jack also enjoyed the Easter Egg Hunt and practicing some baseball in Grandma and Grandpa's front yard. We were able to take some great family shots. We have to remember to always do that!

YUM

Jack finds a $5 egg!

Jack needs some height, Alex has plenty!

Jack reaches in

OOPS. The egg fell down the hole!

Grandkids

All in the family

This reminded me of Prom.

The boys playing ball

We headed out from Davenport about 2 arriving at the Crowleys at 5. We had another incredible meal (dinner) of ham and more cheesy potatoes, etc. YUMMY again! Of course it was fun to see everyone there as well and hang out with the kids. We ended up leaving there about 10, so it was a long day!!! But well worth it!

Uncle Bryon and Nolan

He makes him giggle.

Teri and baby

Big brother Tyler playing with the baby

I took Bryon to the airport this morning about 4:30... he's off to get in one last ski weekend in Vail! Obviously he's stoked. I am going to stay back and work of course. ;) But this weekend I will get some things done around the house and hopefully watch some girl tv that I never see when Bry is around! I'm helping my other friend who is opening a boutique as well, Emily, also. Always busy. I am looking forward to the warm weather hanging around for a lot longer and looking forward to really warm weather on our getaway back to Mexico over Memorial Weekend. Until then... I hope the sun just keeps shining!!!

T

Pompous Ass Ruined my Lunch

When it comes to pet peeves I have two that are near the top of the list. 1) People that think they are the most important person in the world. You know – the one that you want to say “Who the Hell do you think you are?” and 2) People walking around public places talking needlessly on cell phones especially when they have a stupid ear piece in.

If you know me, you know that I am a bit of a book nerd. I love to read. I read every day. It doesn’t matter if the material is scholarly or not, I do it because I enjoy it. I usually read at lunch. Sometimes, I go out to lunch alone and read.

So this gives you enough background so I can tell you the how these two things about me apply to this blog.

Today was a beautiful day outside, so I figured what the hay – I’ll walk over to Subway and read at lunch. Fantastic. Little things make me happy (including the dinner my hubby made last night and the flowers he gave me...even though he was buttering me up to give him a ride to the airport at 4am but it’s all good). I got off track sorry. I go to this little Subway in particular because they put in soft seating last year, the owner is always so very pleasant and the guy making my sandwich pretty much knows by heart what to put on it. So today I walk in expecting my typical enjoyable experience. I notice this guy right when I walk in that looks like he’s talking to himself. Oh of course... he’s talking on his phone – how could I not have known? Oh yea, because I can’t see the phone! I’m already annoyed. Don’t get me wrong, if my phone rings I may answer it, but I will guarantee you that I will be calling someone back in a few minutes when I leave. I don’t care if someone is on the phone because they are asking their spouse if they need anything from the store, but if you meander around the entire store and I turn around 7 times because I keep thinking you are speaking to me – I do. Or how about when you try to speak to someone and they give YOU a nasty glare because you should have known they were on their stupid little ear thing?! Yea... that’s what annoys me. Anyhoo... I order my sandwich and sit in my favorite soft chair. I proceed to eat my lunch and break out my book. I notice that the guy feels it necessary to pace back and forth now why he is talking. He’s pacing the length of the restaurant, passing by everyone who is in there either chatting with their lunch date or reading like myself. I’m thinking to myself – “how rude is this guy? and maybe jackass just got a headset and feels cool now”. But I try to ignore it. I finish my sandwich and am about to dive deep into my book, only to realize this guy is continually getting louder and walking faster back and forth past my seat. I look up with probably a look of disgust, but it doesn’t phase him. Then I notice that he IS a total douche. He is short and bald which would be fine on its own, but he is wearing what looks to be a Member’s Only jacket from the 80’s, that ugly as hell “blue” color Lee jeans and you aren’t going to believe this --- velcro tennis shoes. WTF? Seriously? And THIS is the guy who thinks that he is more important than everyone in this restaurant that he MUST be on his phone and disrupt everyone else? Just as I am thinking this – miraculously he says “ok, I’ll talk to you later”. Thank the Lord! I can now read in peace. I turn back to my book and again get ready to dive in. Then, I realize he is still pacing. I look up just as he begins ANOTHER conversation. You have to be effing kidding me! Does this guy think that this Subway is his own personal office! WTF!?!?!?!? I try to let it roll off because I really want to enjoy my book. So I turn back to my book and begin for about the 4th time. After about 5 minutes of pretty much going over the same three paragraphs because I can’t concentrate with the loud-ass jag bag not only disturbing me with his voice, but also with the drag of his dumbass velcro shoes on the floor as he must pass my seat 30 times, I’ve had it. I pack it up and think “Fine instead of wasting the 2nd half of my lunch, I’ll just go back blog about this moron.” Really... WTF are people thinking sometimes?! How could you NOT think that is rude as HELL?! And if you don’t think this – who the Hell do you think you are that your conversation is more important than my lunch --- especially when you are decked out in something that may have been cool when I was 4!!!! I got up, glared right at him and walked out. I was going to say something – but I couldn’t get a word in.

On a more positive note: I have better things to blog about. We had a wonderful weekend back home over Easter and we are super excited for Aimee’s new boutique, Mint Green to open this weekend in the Village of East Davenport. I’ll try to chat more on that tonight. I’ve got pictures to upload.

Now I feel better that I got that off my chest.

T

So I've Been a Bad Blogger....

I was actually waiting to see if anyone noticed. It seems like I keep up with everyone pretty well on Facebook, although the stories aren’t quite as elaborate. But today, Ms. Carrie gave me a wall posting scolding me on my month-long hiatus. My bad...but glad to know people are checking up on us!

Let’s see... leaving off from last time. This month has gone by pretty quickly. Our friends Aimee and Darren came up to the lakehouse with their adorable baby girl McCartney. She is such a wonderful baby and we had a great time just hanging out visiting and playing with her. Aimee is opening a boutique very shorty and we are SO proud and excited for her! Can't wait!

I went back home to Iowa for Davenport’s St. Patrick’s Day and had a BLAST. Tiffany joined me and my parents for the 12 hours of celebrating my heritage with thousands of other folks. My cousins saved us a rockin’ parade watching spot. My little cousin Melanie seemed to catch more beads than a drunken 19 year old on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras I swear! After the parade, we headed down to meet our pals Tori and Travis and got stopped probably a dozen times on the way. My father (my hot father as most of you know) actually got assaulted on the way down by some lady already hammered that mustn’t have seen my mom standing there. She’s damn lucky my mom is a classy lady. I would have thrown down! Probably not, but it was totally weird and we were all in shock. Then as we are trying to push through the crowd, I hear my name called. Someone with a green colored bob and softball sized shamrock sunglasses is hollering at me. Oh wait – that’s my old buddy Luke. Sheesh. Ok about 9 more stops and we finally reach our friends. My point is – go anywhere with my parents and I – and plan to get royally annoyed by all the people we know! It’s all good and I love seeing everyone and catching up. I even ran into Ann whose blogging skills I envy. Unfortunately, I meant to catch up with her again on the dance floor, but didn’t seem to make it back around. I was too busy laughing w/my cousin and my ridiculously hammered EX brother-in-law. (laughing AT-- I mean) Anyway... I had a great time – and even though Chi-town is known for its great St. Paddy’s Day celebrations... I’ll take my neck of the woods any day! (PS – Bryon stayed home to work on the house. I’ll tell ya – an Irish boy passing up green beer on St. Pat’s Day??? He’s got some work ethic. Boo.)

This is what he was doing at home though!!

Speaking of working on the house... that is what also has been consuming our time. Mostly Bryon’s – but I help when I can. Of course, SOMEONE has to work you see! We’ve been finishing our basement (from new ceiling to new floor to new BAR – everything) as well as re-doing the upstairs bathroom, bedroom and hallway. This doesn’t seem like all that much., but it IS and it takes forever! Bryon typically works about 12 hours a day on it and then I help on the weekends – unless I am drinking in Davenport. Anyway, it is looking good and I can’t wait to have it all done and completed by the time the weather really starts getting nice. We need to have a garage sale – oh wait – have you SEEN my garage?! Yea – ok.
A couple of weeks ago, one of my best friends from high school, Heather, came in town. She came along with her hubby who was having meetings downtown and her adorable daughter, Kierlan. I went down on a Sunday afternoon and gave her a little tour of the Michigan Avenue/Millennium Park area. It’s crazy that we haven’t seen each other in a couple years and we just start up like we saw each other the day before. We had a great time and a great lunch at the Grande Lux Cafe. YUM!

Last weekend, we watched Bryon’s (well our) nephews, Ryan, Tyler and Charlie. I’m a good Auntie and had all sorts of projects for them to complete. I was surprised that this kept them entertained for HOURS. We made Easter cards for everyone, made silly masks and picture frames and they were SO stoked that they got to PAINT! I’m very trusting I know... but with a cover over the table and my explanation of why we needed to keep the paint on the brush seemed to work pretty well. Of course the wrath of Uncle Bryon can be pretty intimidating as well! Not that he has to use it! We took them to McDonald’s which they seldom get to do, which happened to have a playland as well. OOPS. Unfortunately, NOT being parents we forget that there is a reason they probably don’t get to go to playland very often. Three days later they were all puking. We can’t help but believe this was our fault for taking them to the germ-infested funland. Sorry Teri!!! We meant well!

Nothing too exciting has been going on. I go to the gym after work nearly every day, typically getting home between 7 and 8. Bryon is typically just finishing working (on the house) and we have a quick dinner do a few things and go to bed. Boring right? UGH. Bryon has also been speaking to some headhunters regarding the real job search. It’s slow-going for the time being, but we are praying something turns up soon. On the weekends we work on the house. Bryon is hoping once he is finished, we can take another quick trip somewhere (ha – we ARE going to Iowa for Easter). Of course – I mean somewhere much warmer! So, I will just patiently await that and TRY to be a better blogger. :)

XOXO

T

I know...Iknow

I’ve been terrible about updating the blog lately. Life has been a little nutso.

1) February 2nd Bryon was let go from Lane Hospitality. Nice huh? The first day back after our boss’ last day. Needless to say, I did not feel like blogging about that. After our initial anger, we have decided that all in all this is the best thing for our family. Bryon is very loyal and I strongly believe that he would have never left his team behind had he not been forced to. Unfortunately, he (WE) have strong ties to our coworkers who are more like family to us. Bryon was actually more worried about their well-being than his. Typical of his nature. Bry’s employees took it hard. It was a rough week for the both of us – but we maintained our positive stance hopeful that this would help them. He has something new in the works already so we would greatly appreciate everyone prayers that it works out for him! It would be PERFECT for us. I can’t wait.

2) We’ve been on vacation. Not that this is a bad thing – but it is indeed time-consuming! Plus, the wireless connection at our resort was very slow and I am less than patient. (I bet you didn’t know this if you know me!) Anyway, we left on February 6th for Breckenridge, CO. We stayed in our beautiful Valdoro timeshare. We so love it there! I just love the personal hot tub!!! We had in tow, my father-in-law and Scott, our old boss. We met Bryon’s sister, Suzy and family as well. We had a great time catching up with the Doles family for a couple days. They headed back to Berthoud and we hung out with Scott for a couple days. Boy was it cold! One day there were 30mph winds on the top of the mountain! I didn’t take a whole lot of pictures as I would have frozen doing so! However, we did get some pics and had a blast tubing at Copper Mountain. It was so much fun and the guy at the bottom of the chutes swore we had the best jump he’d seen all year! Way to go Crowleys! Course I think that has something to do with our combined weight – so maybe that isn’t a good thing. Whatever. :P

On February 11th, we woke up at 2:30 AM to get to Denver for our 6:00 AM flight to Denver. Who cares though because we ended up in Cabo!! WOO WOO! We were sitting on the beach having dinner the first night to see the full moon come up between two palm trees and Bry said – “We’re going to extend our stay!” Sure enough we did by 3 days. It was INCREDIBLE!!!! I am so sad to not be there any longer. We stayed at the Fiesta Americana – Los Cabos. Google it and then book your vacation! Seriously, it’s spectacular. We loved the resorts but we also enjoyed visiting the towns around – San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. San Jose is a traditional very laid back town. We enjoyed walking around and having a snack of chips and ridiculously good Pico de Gallo and Guacamole (our lunch most days) and cervezas at little restaurant right on the sidewalk. Cabo San Lucas on the other hand is much more lively: Night clubs, endless restaurants, the marina and of course people soliciting you left and right. They need to figure out something newer than Chiclets... I mean really...but if they had some Sprees or Sweet Tarts it may be totally different!
We had so many fun adventures while we were there: we went on a zip-line course over a canyon, we went whalewatching twice (AWESOME), we went parasailing and we went horseback riding in the desert and on the beach – not to mention the wonderful massages! We met awesome new friends from Dallas who were so much fun to hang out with! They made our Valentine’s Day WAY more fun! The weather, food, view, EVERYTHING couldn’t have been much better except having to leave it. If you haven’t already: check out the photos at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104252&id=505907036&l=5d6de.
So now we’re back home. Boo.