How We Celebrated...

How else do we celebrate special events? With food, of course!

We spread our anniversary celebration over more than one day. On Saturday we enjoyed an afternoon downtown - at least we did after we finally got checked into our hotel. We stayed at the Conrad for the night because we got a great room deal and we stayed there the night of our wedding. We had to wait almost two hours before checking into our room, which was somewhat irritating to me. But ANYWAY, we ate dinner at The Oceanaire, which is our absolute favorite restaurant in Indy. They gave us a special menu that is currently at Hobby Lobby being framed. It will be perfect for the dining room!

On Monday, our actual anniversary, I recreated our reception dinner (with the exception of the asparagus because Kroger had a lackluster selection and I was too lazy to try another grocery store). We had walnut-crusted chicken, horseradish mashed potatoes, carrot souffle, and bread. I would like it to be one of our family's traditions to always enjoy this meal on July 7th.

The potatoes were prepared with love (love for my husband and love for this pan) in our new Le Creuset pan that my parents gave us as an anniversary present. WOOOO-HOOOO!

Our wedding cake was still a tasty morsel! I feared its condition because I was pretty sure I didn't take much care in wrapping it up as we were frantically packing for our honeymoon, but the cake was frost-free and not as dry as I imagined. I think Big Lou must have done it for me, because I don't think my wrapping job would have yielded the same results.

In other news, we had a low-key weekend which was much needed after the ridiculous week we both had at work. Ai-yi-yi. I am going to study the rest of the night and try not to be too excited for Landon, Megan, Lori, Baleigh, and Lou to come and visit this week!! Don't worry, I'll blog about it. (And there will be 3 other blogs with the exact same pictures...)

One Year!

"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie..."

Larissa teaches Stormabrewin' some moves

"John Mellencamp!!"

Happy Anniversary to us!

This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land...

Happy 4th of July everyone! We had a great holiday weekend and hope you did too! At work on Thursday my department had a farewell party for Dan, the self-proclaimed Travel Zeus (I work in Travel Pay...). He's moving to a new area after 12 years of loving his job. After the party we wandered down to the annual company picnic which coincides with the Lawrence street carnival - woo, rah. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) it was pouring so we stayed for about 3 minutes and took off.

Brent's parents stayed with us on Thursday evening and we attended the Star Spangled Symphony on the Prairie. We had another picnic supper and enjoyed a very patriotic symphony performance, complete with an artillery solo during the 1812 Overture and a great fireworks show. They played the traditional marches for all five branches of the military, and wouldn't you know I just had to tear up at the sight of all the old veterans standing as their different marches were played. I'm a sucker for a WWII or Vietnam vet...makes me cry everytime. I don't think Larry and Diane knew what to do. I wanted to say, "It's okay, this is just what I do...I'm a crier." Eh, they'll figure it out eventually. After all, Brent and I have only been married a year... :)

Classic.

"Pay no attention to The Man with the Giant Flag on His Back"

Early on Friday morning we loaded into the car and headed to Carmel High School for the Carmel Freedom Run. Much like the previous day's picnic, it was pouring down rain. Brent's parents opted to hang out at Einstein Brothers' and around mile 3 I wished I was with them. Despite the pouring rain both Brent and I and the Sinders all felt like we finished with good times and were glad we got a morning workout in. Plus, we got an awesome t-shirt.

"I will fight for the right to live in Freeeeeeeedom!" Sing it, Paul McCartney.

On Friday night we went to Carmel again and ate at the Sinders' favorite restaurant, Mudsocks, before heading to Rachel's brother's house to watch fireworks. There were some townhouses in the way so we could really only see the high fireworks, but it was still a great show. I feel pretty lucky to have watched fireworks on two consecutive nights this year!




The 4th of July always reminds me of going to Ma-Ma's house with all the cousins and swimming our little hearts out. We could see Effingham's fireworks from Ma-Ma's front yard so we never had to go anywhere. I have a great 4th of July Ma-Ma pool picture from 17-18 years ago that I will post once I get it scanned.

"Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self our country loved

And mercy more than life

America, America may God thy gold refine

Til all success be nobleness

And every gain devine"