Congratulations A & D!

The second weekend in December, Ben and I hopped a plane to Chicago to attend his youngest sister A's wedding in Kalamazoo. They had a quick but sweet ceremony at the County courthouse followed by plenty of pictures and a lovely lunch at a local Italian restaurant.  We got to spend some time chatting with the happy couple over lunch and even got to spend a little time with Ben's mom, uncle and sister B.

Congratulations A and D. May you find many, many years of marital bliss ahead of you!

Roadtripping with Junior

Saturday morning dawned later than usual thanks to a fair amount of wine the night before.  After packing up and checking out of our hotel we grabbed a cab and headed for Jamaica Plain to meet JH and PY for breakfast before borrowing JH's little red Cavelier, "Junior", for our trip up to New Hampshire.

After finally getting to see JH and PY's apartment (they've lived there two years, we're awful!), we piled into Junior and headed up the street to the Sugar Baking Company, a really cute spot in Roslindale.  With nice weather they had their front windows completely removed so the little place opened right onto the street.  We enjoyed pretty traditional breakfast fare, with a couple of perfectly poached eggs with crispy home fries and toast for me; an arugula, bacon and cheddar omelet for B; a Company omelet with apples and farmhouse Cheddar for JH; and yogurt, granola and fruit for PY.  Everyone's breakfast was delicious, but the spot was the best.  With the whole place open onto the street it had a great neighborhood feel.  Combine this with interesting food choices (stuffed french toast with figs and brie!) and lots of vegetarian friendly options for JH and PY and I'm certain that will try this place again on our next Boston visit.

Unfortunately for our visit with JH and PY, after breakfast we had to pack up and drive out of Boston, escorted by JH's lovely and talented Junior, for Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire to attend B's friend's wedding.

We arrived just in time to get ready and be one time to the ceremony, held lakeside under a tent.  It had been raining on and off all day and it was a bit blustery.  I spent our first few minutes poaching B's body heat.  But that was all forgotten when the Bride walked down the aisle, gorgeous and beaming.  While the ceremony was very quick, there was no doubt about how thrilled both Bride and Groom were to be saying their "I dos."

Every one rose during the recessional for the Resort staff to do the fastest change of the tent from ceremony to cocktail hour I've ever seen.  It was light speed and impressive.  And I doubt any of the guests, including me, even realized it was going on at the time. We were all too awed by the fact that as the Bride and Groom had left the tent the sky had opened into dazzling afternoon sun which stayed with us right until it was time to take our seats inside for dinner and dancing.

We enjoyed the reception as much as we'd enjoyed the ceremony and cocktail hour.  While we knew only a few of the people seated with us, everyone was friendly and outgoing and we enjoyed great dinner conversation.  Our dinner was followed by...wait for it...dancing.  As in, we danced.  Those of you who know B know that unless the music is really good (in his opinion), he's not partaking.  Well, this wedding gets two thumbs up on the DJ because we danced over and over again.  Sadly, I don't have any pics from the evening, but we had a great time and were glad we were able to share in the Bride and Groom's special day.

Somehow we got moving early on Sunday, heading back to Boston from New Hampshire.  A quick two hour drive and one breakfast stop later, we were back in Boston to spend the late morning and early afternoon with JH and PY before we had to return to DC.   We had a great, casual day.  We walked around JP, grabbed coffee and took a leisurely stroll through the Arboretum on what turned out to be Lilac Sunday.  This is a special occassion heralded every year in Boston as a tribute to the lilac.  As a result, the Arb (it's the Ann Arbor in me, I can't help but call it that) was pretty crowded.  But we still managed to enjoy the flowering trees and more of the excellent conversation that we are always thankful for with these amazing friends.  Unfortunately, our trip was drawing to a close and we only had time for a quick sushi lunch before we had to hit the airport.  But like always, we made the most of the time we had together.  JH and PY, we're so lucky to have you guys as friends! Thanks for a wonderful visit!

Jen and James Get Hitched!

This weekend I traveled to Michigan to attend Jen and James' wedding. Jen has been a good friend since sophomore year of college - it was amazing to watch her take the next step in her life. And what a STUNNING bride!

Their ceremony took place at the Historic Wedding Chapel in Fowlerville, MI. While I know Jen was worried about space, the small, intimate atmosphere was perfect! You could feel people's happiness for the bride and groom in every little corner! The highlight of the ceremony (in addition, of course, to the couple's vows) was James' sister Kate and her husband Kyle performing Phil Vassar's Love Is a Beautiful Thing. According to James, Kate got all the talent in the family and I can see why he says that, their song brought out lots of joyful tears all around the room.

The reception followed at the Howell Opera House, again, an intimate venue that turned into total party when the DJ rocked Christina's Dirty. And of course, as the song reminds me, this was another wonderful opportunity to spend time with my college friends, some of the people I miss most in my life everyday.

All in all, a wonderful wedding with a beautiful bride and a lucky groom (his words!). Here's a couple pics I nabbed from Facebook of my gorgeous friends! Their photogs were incredible. More casual (READ: Inappropriate) pics from the wedding still to come.

Dan and Erin Get Married

The weekend of September 19th, Ben and I traveled to St. Louis to attend Dan and Erin's wedding. These are great friends of ours from DC who unfortunately packed up for Toledo, Ohio when Dan got a great job! We miss them and wish they were here and were so glad we got to share in their special day. Here's a few pics courtesy of Nicole taken from the day! Unfortunately we didn't get any pics of or with the bride and groom. Hopefully Erin will post some soon that I can steal.

Where in the world is Ntina?

My life is starting to feel a little like a geography game for your average kid. Except rather than deciphering the clues to find the VILE villian, it's just me, cavorting around the country.

Recent travel has included plenty of trips to Michigan, happily embarked upon to share in special moments in the lives of people I love including Sarah's shower, Missy and Lonnie's wedding, Sarah's bachelorette party, Sarah and Nick's wedding, Jen's shower, and soon, Jen and Japan's wedding. We'll also soon be packing out to St. Louis to share in Dan and Erin's special day!

However, my work life is throwing in some less expected travels including a recent trips to Indianapolis and Laguna Niguel, CA. Not that I'm complaining about work travel that allows me to take off in the evening and dip my toes in the Pacific. But don't be surprised to see a blog entry from some far flung Texas destination, Dallas and Rio Grande Valley here I come.

All the CI girls with Dino at Sarah's Shower

My favorite college ladies at Missy and Bower's Wedding
(Jules, G, me, Missy, Al, Jomo, Box, F)

Boxy's Bach night at Coyote Joe's

The bridal party jump in the Law Quad for Boxy and Nick's nuptuals