We left Raleigh and headed to Wilmington for Christmas with my family. We also went to Shelby and Burlington (didn't have my camera that day!) to see the rest of our family too. Here's the photo proof.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Gainor Christmas 09
still finishing up Christmas...
After being in Duck with Mom G's side of the family, we were all back in Raleigh for a good chunk of the next week. We got to spend a lot of time with everyone and we were really thankful for that now that G&B&S&J&S are all across the world! I loved being Aunt Lollie and learned the secret to getting lots of nieces and nephews in your lap was to read lots and lots of books! Even Uncle Andy got in on the action some too.
After being in Duck with Mom G's side of the family, we were all back in Raleigh for a good chunk of the next week. We got to spend a lot of time with everyone and we were really thankful for that now that G&B&S&J&S are all across the world! I loved being Aunt Lollie and learned the secret to getting lots of nieces and nephews in your lap was to read lots and lots of books! Even Uncle Andy got in on the action some too.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
30 years!
Jan 19th was my parents 30th wedding anniversary! Congratulations Mom and Dad. We are so thankful for your example of what commitment is.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Gigi Gainor, RN
We are SO proud of Gigi! Earlier this month she graduated from nursing school!! She has worked so hard for the last four (?) years - i often joked to andy that i could have done better in school if i was half the student she is! She has been so dedicated and now just has one last test to pass. Her graduation was during the middle of the week so we weren't able to be there but got to listen to her speech thanks to Jake and Christina video taping. Congrats Gigi!
(stole the pictures from J&C)
(stole the pictures from J&C)
Christmas festivities begin
I am so thankful this Christmas to have an usually long break from work. It worked out that I got Christmas and New Years off this year plus one of my weeks of vacation all lined up so we are enjoying almost two weeks home in NC with our families. And we are grateful to JR and Lindsay for taking care of lilly girl.
As soon as we flew into Raleigh, we loaded up in the car with the Gainors and headed to Duck for the Everett family Christmas. Spending time with Mom G's family is a long tradition and again this year, andy looked at me and said "this feels like Christmas." So we were glad to be there and especially since Gray and Brandy will be in India next year and it's likely that I'll be working.
We are SO excited that cousin Chris and her husband Eric announced that they are pregnant with their first baby. And cousin Chuckie has got a little girl on the way in January so we had a baby shower for Sarah one morning too.
The boys have a tradition (i have no idea actually how this got started) of putting latex gloves on their heads and racing to blow them up with their noses and whoever pops it first wins...here's the proof
As soon as we flew into Raleigh, we loaded up in the car with the Gainors and headed to Duck for the Everett family Christmas. Spending time with Mom G's family is a long tradition and again this year, andy looked at me and said "this feels like Christmas." So we were glad to be there and especially since Gray and Brandy will be in India next year and it's likely that I'll be working.
We are SO excited that cousin Chris and her husband Eric announced that they are pregnant with their first baby. And cousin Chuckie has got a little girl on the way in January so we had a baby shower for Sarah one morning too.
The boys have a tradition (i have no idea actually how this got started) of putting latex gloves on their heads and racing to blow them up with their noses and whoever pops it first wins...here's the proof
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Resident Christmas party
Earlier this month we had our Christmas party at work with all the residents and people involved with the program. It's such a fun chance to get dressed up and hang out with everyone outside of work. I really look forward to it.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
a little announcement
We would like to announce ... that we are going to be in Denver for another year! I am going to be Chief Resident and am really excited (and nervous) about it. There are 3 each year who kind of supervise/head up the residents and work a lot with the hospital administration also. It's not as hard as another year of residency but it's definitely still another year of more call than hopefully when i'm out in the real world. But we are really excited and i'm very honored.
all lit up
Andy decorated outside our house again this year and it looks really great, especially in the snow!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tis the season
Lilly was really excited to decorate for Christmas
We are so excited to be able to head home for a good chunk of time but it comes with a price. I am ashamed to say it but ... we got a fake tree. and a tiny one at that. and it is SO FAKE. but i am dealing with it and just focusing on all our fun ornaments which are still on it at least
the house in a bit of disarray during the process
Andy hanging the lights outside which look awesome again this year... we've got pictures of them somewhere too
I love my husband and laughed so hard at finding his little contributions all over the house starting with a very appropriately size decoration on the front door...
and then i kept catching him standing in front of the wreath laughing and didn't understand why until...
... I found andy's little friend
We had Lindsay and JR over for dinner to celebrate the season
Merry Christmas!
We are so excited to be able to head home for a good chunk of time but it comes with a price. I am ashamed to say it but ... we got a fake tree. and a tiny one at that. and it is SO FAKE. but i am dealing with it and just focusing on all our fun ornaments which are still on it at least
the house in a bit of disarray during the process
Andy hanging the lights outside which look awesome again this year... we've got pictures of them somewhere too
I love my husband and laughed so hard at finding his little contributions all over the house starting with a very appropriately size decoration on the front door...
and then i kept catching him standing in front of the wreath laughing and didn't understand why until...
... I found andy's little friend
We had Lindsay and JR over for dinner to celebrate the season
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thanksgiving 09
This year was the first time I have ever been away from family on Thanksgiving because I was working in the PICU every night throughout the holiday. It was definitely weird and we missed our family but were so thankful to be able to spend some time with my classmates.
Drew and Christy cooked two turkeys
and Katie
There was SO SO SO much food... it was incredible
Here's a peak at my plate but I didn't even make it to a whole part of the table for this round
and then somehow I made it through a night or work in a turkey coma.
Rafael's first thanksgiving (he's from Peru) and Jamaiya
Mike and Kristen
and more that I guess i didn't get pictures of too. And we are so thankful to have had good friends to be thankful with.
Drew and Christy cooked two turkeys
and Katie
There was SO SO SO much food... it was incredible
Here's a peak at my plate but I didn't even make it to a whole part of the table for this round
and then somehow I made it through a night or work in a turkey coma.
Rafael's first thanksgiving (he's from Peru) and Jamaiya
Mike and Kristen
and more that I guess i didn't get pictures of too. And we are so thankful to have had good friends to be thankful with.
First day out of 09
Andy's already been snowboarding quite a few times this season but i made it up last month for my first day too. Looking forward to lots more days!
getting started early in the morning (you can tell it was No Shave November ... more to come on that later w/ the nasty stache pics)
Beautiful Breck in the background and Eric, one of andy's coworkers and loyal snowboarding friend
Andy's coworker Valentine and wife and their first skiing adventure
and at the end of the day!
gotta love that helmet head!
AJ's birthday
Andy turned a whopping 32 last month!! I feel so badly that I haven't publicly acknowledge the day on the blog but hopefully he forgives me. I was working quite a bit around the time of his birthday so we didn't do anything major but we did celebrate another year!
the birthday boy
lil likes to be very involved
trying on his present from his parents which came in the very cool REI box above
and this was one of the cards he got from one of my grandparents =)
the birthday boy
lil likes to be very involved
trying on his present from his parents which came in the very cool REI box above
and this was one of the cards he got from one of my grandparents =)
Halloween 09
The night started with a visit from the cutest sock monkey on the block - our neighbors and their little boy Elias
The doorbell constantly ringing drives Lil crazy
The second annual Goot Halloween party with my fellow residents was a lot of fun again this year and Andy's been thinking of ideas since the last one. His original inspiration came from Danny on the Karate Kid and kinda evolved from there based on what we could find at home!
(andy got lots of honks and yells while walking down the sidewalk!)
Andy and Ben, our host
Kevin and Jinx.. Kevin is a pretty scary looking sock monkey
Jamaiya and John - the cereal killers
me, Jamaiya and Jennifer
Andy hanging out in the corner ... he evenutally ditched his shower rod and just walked around in his, well my, robe
a few of my classmates and significant others
The doorbell constantly ringing drives Lil crazy
The second annual Goot Halloween party with my fellow residents was a lot of fun again this year and Andy's been thinking of ideas since the last one. His original inspiration came from Danny on the Karate Kid and kinda evolved from there based on what we could find at home!
(andy got lots of honks and yells while walking down the sidewalk!)
Andy and Ben, our host
Kevin and Jinx.. Kevin is a pretty scary looking sock monkey
Jamaiya and John - the cereal killers
me, Jamaiya and Jennifer
I just love Luis
Andy hanging out in the corner ... he evenutally ditched his shower rod and just walked around in his, well my, robe
a few of my classmates and significant others
snow update
we have finally had a few days in the 40s and most of the snow is melted but i thought i'd post a few pictures from the cumulation of all the snow we've had already this year... and it's not even January! there's rumor going around that we are gonna have a bad winter... and i'm pretty sure that I could go ahead and move on to spring right now.
the end of our october snow
the end of our october snow
and yet another November snow... we've had more since!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Brrrr!!
it is beyond Brrrr here! It is SOOOO cold and it has been for the last week almost! right now, at 4pm it is 2 degrees!! I think we topped out at 6 for a HIGH today. Crazy and cold. So cold that when you walk outside even the snot in your nostrils freezes. And our silly dog LOVES it and loves the snow, she could care less and rolls around in it and I have to stand outside in 2 degree weather for her run and play....
UPDATE:
It's -1 now and going to be -9 tonight, not to mention the wind chill! but don't worry, the news just said we might hit 35, above freezing, by Friday.
UPDATE:
It's -1 now and going to be -9 tonight, not to mention the wind chill! but don't worry, the news just said we might hit 35, above freezing, by Friday.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
8th time around
We woke up this morning to this .... again!
We counted that this is the 8th snow already this season! These pics are from this morning and it's been snowing all day already.
We've probably got 3-4 inches already with no signs of slowing down. I hear it's supposed to snow all night too. I guess that's what temperatures like this will do.
We've been with highs in the teens and lows in the single digits all week. I should say in all fairness that it's up to 18.5 degrees now =). Looking like a white Christmas in Denver. We've still got pictures from the last two snows to post...
We counted that this is the 8th snow already this season! These pics are from this morning and it's been snowing all day already.
We've probably got 3-4 inches already with no signs of slowing down. I hear it's supposed to snow all night too. I guess that's what temperatures like this will do.
We've been with highs in the teens and lows in the single digits all week. I should say in all fairness that it's up to 18.5 degrees now =). Looking like a white Christmas in Denver. We've still got pictures from the last two snows to post...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
NC in October
Finishing up our time in NC waaaaaay back in October =)
excited to be heading back in just a couple weeks!
excited to be heading back in just a couple weeks!
Friday, October 30, 2009
State Fair 2009!
i spent the next few days hanging out with my parents in Wilmington and did a whole lot of sleeping! It was really relaxing and a great time with my parents. Then Andy flew in Thursday night and I met him back in Raleigh. His friend Jay got married that Saturday and Andy was an usher in the wedding so we did lots of fun wedding festivities over the weekend. And it just so happened that we were home at the start of the State Fair!! (coincidence? i think not!). Since we missed it last year, we were pumped to get to go this year. And we kept another food diary which looks eerily similar to the once from a couple years ago ... we are definitely creatures of habit!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Greta's wedding
I had a week of vacation in October and we got to head back to NC. I left first post-call on Friday and got to Raleigh to have some fun girl time with Brandy and Christina then play with all the kiddos Saturday morning before heading down to Wilmington. One of my college roomies Greta got married Saturday night and it was a lot of fun! it was a little lonely not having Andy there with me though...
Greta and James got married right down on the water and the weather didn't exactly cooperate. It really was a beautiful spot but it started POURING about 10 minutes for the wedding. So we all piled onto the porch of the house and waited it out. The wedding was a little damp and a bit abbreviated but they were still married at the end of the day
the high school crowd
Greta was the perfect roomie for me as a college freshman and I am so thankful I was able to be there.
Greta and James got married right down on the water and the weather didn't exactly cooperate. It really was a beautiful spot but it started POURING about 10 minutes for the wedding. So we all piled onto the porch of the house and waited it out. The wedding was a little damp and a bit abbreviated but they were still married at the end of the day
the high school crowd
Greta was the perfect roomie for me as a college freshman and I am so thankful I was able to be there.
Serious SNOW!
I took this picture last week because it was snowing for the THIRD time here in October! We probably got about an inch accumulate and it melted within hours.
Little did I know what was in store for this week! This is what we woke up to yesterday morning. About 4 inches on the ground yesterday morning.
And the snow just kept coming! When I went to leave work yesterday, there was a solid 6 inches on my car - total 10 inches so far...
Lil LOVES playing the snow. She is like a little kid rolling around in it and sending it flying.
She also loves having to dig for the frisbee in the snow
I was pretty frozen so we came inside but Lil had not had enough. So my solution was to stand at the side door to the deck, open the door, throw the frisbee, close the door and run finish cooking dinner while she dug through the snow trying to find it. We repeated this cycle over and over until andy came home from work and decided to take her for a walk and check out all the snow.
this is me standing INSIDE in the warm!
And it just kept going all night long. Andy said there was over a foot this morning when he left for work and it covered up all of Lil's tracks from last night.
And it's STILL snowing! We get our milk delivered to us by a local dairy and I went out about lunchtime to check on it (I was sure they didn't deliver early this morning like normal because of all the snow!) and i couldn't believe but the milk man came through! The milk and eggs had been sitting outside all morning in the box but given that there was about 3 inches of snow on top of the milk box, i think it stayed plenty cold. So by my calculation, we're up to about 15-16 inches total. Maybe we'll get a measuring stick out tonight and see for real!
(ps - i'm home because the clinic i'm working in canceled their patient for the day so even i'm getting a snow day!!! can't say that's the case for most other residents.. i just got lucky!!)
Little did I know what was in store for this week! This is what we woke up to yesterday morning. About 4 inches on the ground yesterday morning.
And the snow just kept coming! When I went to leave work yesterday, there was a solid 6 inches on my car - total 10 inches so far...
Lil LOVES playing the snow. She is like a little kid rolling around in it and sending it flying.
She also loves having to dig for the frisbee in the snow
I was pretty frozen so we came inside but Lil had not had enough. So my solution was to stand at the side door to the deck, open the door, throw the frisbee, close the door and run finish cooking dinner while she dug through the snow trying to find it. We repeated this cycle over and over until andy came home from work and decided to take her for a walk and check out all the snow.
this is me standing INSIDE in the warm!
And it just kept going all night long. Andy said there was over a foot this morning when he left for work and it covered up all of Lil's tracks from last night.
And it's STILL snowing! We get our milk delivered to us by a local dairy and I went out about lunchtime to check on it (I was sure they didn't deliver early this morning like normal because of all the snow!) and i couldn't believe but the milk man came through! The milk and eggs had been sitting outside all morning in the box but given that there was about 3 inches of snow on top of the milk box, i think it stayed plenty cold. So by my calculation, we're up to about 15-16 inches total. Maybe we'll get a measuring stick out tonight and see for real!
(ps - i'm home because the clinic i'm working in canceled their patient for the day so even i'm getting a snow day!!! can't say that's the case for most other residents.. i just got lucky!!)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Vail in the Fall
The first weekend in October, I had the whole weekend off and we escaped to the mountains to hang out and see the changing Aspens. They only turn yellow (no pretty reds or orange like home) but they are my favorite tress out here so I really enjoyed it. We were on the early side so still a lot of green.
It was so nice to just hang out and relax. A fellow resident's family has a condo in Vail and were very gracious to let us stay there for the weekend. We went back down to Breckenridge for Oktoberfest on Saturday afternoon. JR and Lindsay also joined us for the weekend and it was great to be able to spend time catching up with them. Work makes it hard for all four of us to spend any considerable time hanging out.
It was so nice to just hang out and relax. A fellow resident's family has a condo in Vail and were very gracious to let us stay there for the weekend. We went back down to Breckenridge for Oktoberfest on Saturday afternoon. JR and Lindsay also joined us for the weekend and it was great to be able to spend time catching up with them. Work makes it hard for all four of us to spend any considerable time hanging out.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Moroccan night
We went out to dinner with some friends from work to a Moroccan restaurant.. complete with a belly dancer
September happenings
We enjoyed some beautiful sunflowers!
still found a few traces of family now and then! hope sam isn't missing this one
I think it's hilarious to watch andy play his Wii. He gets really close to the TV and will literally stand there for hours at a time
We had dinner with our friends JoAnna and Zach and since this picture, they had added a beautiful baby girl to their family.
still found a few traces of family now and then! hope sam isn't missing this one
I think it's hilarious to watch andy play his Wii. He gets really close to the TV and will literally stand there for hours at a time
We had dinner with our friends JoAnna and Zach and since this picture, they had added a beautiful baby girl to their family.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
august visitors
three little people invaded our house waaaaay back in August (with their parents) and we LOVED it! Andy's brother Gray, wife Brandy and three kids Sarala, Jack and Sam came out to visit us for a whole week and we had such a good time. Andy and I had to work during the week but still managed to spend a lot of great time with them and they got to do a little exploring of their own during the work days.
We did end up getting a new camera (just a little one) so we have LOTs of pictures to document the week. If you read G&B's blog, you've probably seen a lot of them already but here goes...
They flew in on Friday and we rounded them up at the airport. Then Saturday morning we headed up to the mountains for a hike. Our intended nice easy hike was closed because of a rock slide on the road headed up to it, so we had to have a change of plans. We headed out to Breckenridge to the Mohawk trail which is one of my favorites but definitely not a walk in park. They all did great though! especially Sarala, SO many people couldn't believe she had done the whole hike herself, in Crocs nonetheless.
For the rest of the week, Andy and I had to work but they kept themselves pretty busy with the zoo, playgroud, and visits south to garden of the gods and the air force academy. We had lots of fun playing around the house though in the evenings.
Jackson helping Uncle Andy mow the grass
eating watermelon on the porch (sorry its sideways)
We love yall and are SO SO glad you were able to come out for a visit. Now just Jake and Christina and kids and Michael and all our family will have seen our life out here!
We did end up getting a new camera (just a little one) so we have LOTs of pictures to document the week. If you read G&B's blog, you've probably seen a lot of them already but here goes...
They flew in on Friday and we rounded them up at the airport. Then Saturday morning we headed up to the mountains for a hike. Our intended nice easy hike was closed because of a rock slide on the road headed up to it, so we had to have a change of plans. We headed out to Breckenridge to the Mohawk trail which is one of my favorites but definitely not a walk in park. They all did great though! especially Sarala, SO many people couldn't believe she had done the whole hike herself, in Crocs nonetheless.
For the rest of the week, Andy and I had to work but they kept themselves pretty busy with the zoo, playgroud, and visits south to garden of the gods and the air force academy. We had lots of fun playing around the house though in the evenings.
Jackson helping Uncle Andy mow the grass
eating watermelon on the porch (sorry its sideways)
We love yall and are SO SO glad you were able to come out for a visit. Now just Jake and Christina and kids and Michael and all our family will have seen our life out here!
First snow of the year
We had our first snow a couple weeks ago ... Crazy! We've actually had another, bigger snow since this one. Andy documented the event. It sure put a hurting on our yard.. it definitely looks like winter now
Sunday, September 13, 2009
going strong
Mom Gainor gave us girls a gerber daisy for Valentines day quite a few years ago.... i would guess maybe 5?! Anway, Andy has much more of a green thumb than i do and he adopted our little daisy and it has bloomed beautifully every year since. We actually thought it had died when we moved out here - it was struggling last summer, but you'd never know the difference now!
It made this crazy bloom the other day
It made this crazy bloom the other day
Saturday, September 12, 2009
chilly willy
While our families are cheering on the Wolfpack in 80 degree sunny weather (wish we were there!), this is what andy was doing this morning.
It was chilly here!
and this is what Lil was doing... shocker!
It was chilly here!
and this is what Lil was doing... shocker!
RMNP
I'm working on a post from G&B's visit but gotta figure Flickr out first. Till then...
Andy and I went out to Rocky Mountain National Park for the day on the weekend before they all came. We hadn't been up there yet, mainly because you can't have dogs out on the trails and we can't camp and hike without Lil! We just drove around this big loop mainly and got out to see the sites.. kinda touristy but glad we did it.
It's really beautiful up there and different from the other parts of the mountains we have been. We were using our camera phone so the pictures aren't great
Andy and I went out to Rocky Mountain National Park for the day on the weekend before they all came. We hadn't been up there yet, mainly because you can't have dogs out on the trails and we can't camp and hike without Lil! We just drove around this big loop mainly and got out to see the sites.. kinda touristy but glad we did it.
It's really beautiful up there and different from the other parts of the mountains we have been. We were using our camera phone so the pictures aren't great
A Taste of Colorado - take 2
This is what Andy spent Labor Day morning doing...
Then later we went back to a Taste of Colorado again this year and had a good time walking around "tasting" things. You buy tickets and lots of local restaurants have booths and you can buy full portions or small little tastes with your tickets. Here's a sampling of our tastes:
cupcake
crawfish etouffee
funnel cake
fried plantains
not pictured in between:
Shrimp taco and curly fries
and then something that lit my mouth on fire!
here's the culprit - a bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeno. i loved the taste but could hardly talk!
tastes of fruit cobbler and ice cream for both of us... yumm i love cobbler!
and we finished it off with a chicago hotdog!
my handsome hubs
as we were walking back to the car, we passed this little apartment building that i just thought was really cute
a fun day out in downtown!
Then later we went back to a Taste of Colorado again this year and had a good time walking around "tasting" things. You buy tickets and lots of local restaurants have booths and you can buy full portions or small little tastes with your tickets. Here's a sampling of our tastes:
cupcake
crawfish etouffee
funnel cake
fried plantains
not pictured in between:Shrimp taco and curly fries
and then something that lit my mouth on fire!
here's the culprit - a bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeno. i loved the taste but could hardly talk!
tastes of fruit cobbler and ice cream for both of us... yumm i love cobbler!
and we finished it off with a chicago hotdog!
my handsome hubs
as we were walking back to the car, we passed this little apartment building that i just thought was really cute
a fun day out in downtown!
Monday, September 7, 2009
MK comes to visit
Back in July also, my momma came for a visit at the end of the month. We mostly just hung around the house but we did get her up into the mountains for a pretty hike one day.
hanging around cooking dinner one night
Mountain woman tackling the hike!
two peas in a pod
Andy orienting us to all the peaks we could see
it was an uphill climb but a beautiful view in all directions!
for some reason that's all the pictures we took while she was here but a great visit
hanging around cooking dinner one night
Mountain woman tackling the hike!
two peas in a pod
Andy orienting us to all the peaks we could see
it was an uphill climb but a beautiful view in all directions!
for some reason that's all the pictures we took while she was here but a great visit
Friday, August 21, 2009
Crazy Coloradans just don't know
they just don't know what they are missing .... only FOUR Chick-fil-a's in the entire Denver metro area including all the way up to Boulder. These people are crazy. As a result, it's quite a treat when we get Chick-fil-a and we usually make a date nigh t to the sketcho mall that's the closest location to us. Andy gave me a Chick-a-fil gift card for my birthday so it looks like more mall dates are in our future =)
(with vegetables of course, tomato and basil from the garden)
(with vegetables of course, tomato and basil from the garden)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
flower envy
I love hydrangeas. Aside from tulips, they are definitely some of my favorite flowers. Our neighbors have these big beautiful white ones (this is the poop house by the way) and some also have the blue ones that are more like what's at home in NC.
So last summer I convinced Andy to buy and plant a pretty big hydrangea bush in our yard too. And here she is..... (it's that tiny little thing in the middle by the way)
well, i love it for trying. It even bloomed ... just didn't grow very big.
just to put things in perspective. sad.
our vegetables have been a little slow to get going this year because we have had a relatively cool summer. It didn't really start getting hot and sunny until well into July and we got a TON of rain in May and June (apparently the 8th wettest summer in like a 100 years here). So we've had just a handful of squash and zucchini but our tomatoes are starting to ripen now finally.
So last summer I convinced Andy to buy and plant a pretty big hydrangea bush in our yard too. And here she is..... (it's that tiny little thing in the middle by the way)
well, i love it for trying. It even bloomed ... just didn't grow very big. 
just to put things in perspective. sad.
our vegetables have been a little slow to get going this year because we have had a relatively cool summer. It didn't really start getting hot and sunny until well into July and we got a TON of rain in May and June (apparently the 8th wettest summer in like a 100 years here). So we've had just a handful of squash and zucchini but our tomatoes are starting to ripen now finally.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
John David's visit
John David came up to the mountains with some friends from Texas and Andy got to meet them out there for a hike one day.
(we've been using mainly our camera for pictures since ours died so they quality isn't nearly as good)
of course Lil got to go hang out with the boys. she totally knows when we are going hiking these days and will whine SO loud until she's in the car and sure she gets to go.
they hiked the mohawk trail which is one of my favorites so far, relatively short but beautiful. and because of time restrictions, they didn't even make up to the top lake which is even more awesome.
Andy and John David (who's married to JoNeel who I went to visit back in May)
We are so thankful for our friends and can't wait to get back to Austin to see them and their two little girls (Ellie and Josie)
(we've been using mainly our camera for pictures since ours died so they quality isn't nearly as good)
of course Lil got to go hang out with the boys. she totally knows when we are going hiking these days and will whine SO loud until she's in the car and sure she gets to go.
they hiked the mohawk trail which is one of my favorites so far, relatively short but beautiful. and because of time restrictions, they didn't even make up to the top lake which is even more awesome.
Andy and John David (who's married to JoNeel who I went to visit back in May)
We are so thankful for our friends and can't wait to get back to Austin to see them and their two little girls (Ellie and Josie)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Gainor visit
lots of pictures to follow of our time with the Gainors....
our camp site off the Guanella pass, right by the river
our camp site off the Guanella pass, right by the river
short hike on the first day
a few visitors
traditional Friday night dinner of hotdogs and smores ... here's andy trying to figure out how we broke our camera
they really didn't believe us when we told them it was going to get chilly
Ed and Andy heated up creek water for their nightly baths (Mom G and I just went stinky, too cold for baths! =) 
Our big hike on day 2... at the beginning
lots of beautiful wildflowers this summer
first snow sighting the hike... on July 4th!
Finally at the top... Summit Lake
lunch break
Still alive back where we started!
it really did get cold.. but no frozen precipitation this trip anyway
our beautiful backyard these days
we stopped in Golden where andy works and had lunch Sunday afternoon at one of our favorite little pizza places
After the Gainors traveled a bit during the week while we worked, we reconvened and went to a Rockies game Friday night. A huge storm blew threw and we only got about 6 innings of the game in before a long rain delay and we decided to head home before the game restarted well after 10:00
The next day, Ed and Andy went hiking and Ed climbed a 14er! they didn't take the camera with them so instead, Mom G and I took pictures of the mess we were making at home. She helped me recover a bench cushion for our room (actually she basically did that entire progject on her own.. let's be honest)
while i wokred on Roman shades for our kitchen windows (which also i couldn't have done without some major help.. not exactly a beginner project for me and my little sewing machine)
Ed really helped a lot with the curtains too
Here's the final product... one of them at least. I'm ALMOST done with the second one. Just gotta sew the top little covering together (it took me forever to remember how to do that part and finally get it folded and pinned the right way =)) and then get it hung
We had a GREAT week with them and can't wait for them to come back to visit! I think our weather out here won them over =)
Monday, August 10, 2009
July in review
So it appears I am only capable of updating the blog about a month behind when actual events occur.... so here goes July.
Not long after we came home from Jamaica, the Gainors came to visit! It was their first time out West and it was fun for the to get to see and picture our life out here. We spent the first weekend camping (where we broke our camera some how...) then they traveled a little bit during the week while we worked and then we all hung out the next weekend again before they left. Here the very few pictures from our camera before it died - which was only day one of camping, good thing the Gainors brought a camera with them.
Out on the first trail
And the rest of the week from Mom G's point of view:
well i've been trying for a few days to get the bubble share album made and now they say that bubbleshare's going away - that's not cool... now what? back to posting the long way?
Not long after we came home from Jamaica, the Gainors came to visit! It was their first time out West and it was fun for the to get to see and picture our life out here. We spent the first weekend camping (where we broke our camera some how...) then they traveled a little bit during the week while we worked and then we all hung out the next weekend again before they left. Here the very few pictures from our camera before it died - which was only day one of camping, good thing the Gainors brought a camera with them.
Out on the first trail
And the rest of the week from Mom G's point of view:
well i've been trying for a few days to get the bubble share album made and now they say that bubbleshare's going away - that's not cool... now what? back to posting the long way?
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Educating the Unlearned
As any proper NC native knows (this question is always part of the NC drivers license exam so pay attention), BBQ is a proper noun. It refers to a specific food item.
It is pork prepared in a certain manner as only we can here in NC. (we can fight over the whole eastern/western style later. Although, per my main man and SEBTS Biblical scholar, Jay Veverka, there is an obscure Hebrew translation of the word “manna” that would strongly suggest a vinegar base)
It is pork prepared in a certain manner as only we can here in NC. (we can fight over the whole eastern/western style later. Although, per my main man and SEBTS Biblical scholar, Jay Veverka, there is an obscure Hebrew translation of the word “manna” that would strongly suggest a vinegar base)
It is not a grill.
It is not an event.
It is not synonymous with a cookout.
It is not something you do. (One does not BBQ a hambuger any more than one would hushpuppy an egg)
As L will tell anyone, I can get a little… ummm, animated (yea that’s an adequate term) when it comes to discussions over BBQ. We’ve had several such convos here in Denver due to the serious misuse of the term “BBQ” as a non-specific noun and, even worse, as a verb. (Gasp! I know! Who knew such ignorance still existed here in the information age) More than once Lauren has had to gently back me out of an “animated” conversation with (and one time drag me off of) an unsuspecting soul who attempted to engage me in a BBQ/pork related tête-à-tête.
With that info in mind, the following is an email conversation I got into at work.
(you’re missing the first few back and forths, so just jump right in)
Go Email
It is not an event.
It is not synonymous with a cookout.
It is not something you do. (One does not BBQ a hambuger any more than one would hushpuppy an egg)
As L will tell anyone, I can get a little… ummm, animated (yea that’s an adequate term) when it comes to discussions over BBQ. We’ve had several such convos here in Denver due to the serious misuse of the term “BBQ” as a non-specific noun and, even worse, as a verb. (Gasp! I know! Who knew such ignorance still existed here in the information age) More than once Lauren has had to gently back me out of an “animated” conversation with (and one time drag me off of) an unsuspecting soul who attempted to engage me in a BBQ/pork related tête-à-tête.
With that info in mind, the following is an email conversation I got into at work.
(you’re missing the first few back and forths, so just jump right in)
Go Email
From: Gainor, Andrew
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
Last time Jacobs broke out the big bucks and set up the BBQ spread (well, whatever that mess is that yall non-southerns try to pass off as BBQ. I mean, it was beef, not pork, and there was no vinegar or red pepper to be seen. These are majors where I come from. Anyone ever heard of The War of Northern Aggression?? Hello, BBQ issues! Sorry. Tangent. I’m a little passionate/psycho about my BBQ) so you might be missing out on more than a hotdog and the goose kicking contest.
From: Eric
To: Gainor; Hilary
Subject: RE:
I have learned not to question the zealotry of southerners when it comes to BBQ. Punt a goose for me.
From: Hilary
To: Eric; Andrew
Subject: RE:
Eric – You may be missing out on a smack down, I’m a tomato base lover and believe Andy’s taste buds must be broken.
Andy – Don’t even bother making a crack about me living in Nebraska, I learned to eat BBQ in Georgia where they know how to make it properly.
From: Andrew
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
Those are fighting words, woman. There’s even a KM move, THE EASTERN STYLE BBQ FACE SPLIT OF VINEGARY DEATH, that we learned at winter camp, which I won’t hesitate to open up on you even if you are a chick.
And it’s upstate GA. I bet it wasn’t even pork. The only thing that squeals up that way are the out of towners dumb enough to be caught alone in the woods.
From: Hilary
To: Andrew; Eric
Subject: RE:
You said it..Eastern BBQ. Proper Southern BBQ is better.
And of course it was pork, only retards use beef.
p.s. You are all talk, you would never hit a chick because you’d be afraid your southern mama would find out and show you what pain really is.
From: Andrew
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
Hahahahahahahhaa, true true. I can feel Daddy’s hand coming for the back of my neck every time I don’t say Sir or Ma’am.
And “eastern” refers to Eastern NC (as opposed to Western [NC] or SC style [that nasty mustard based crap] or all the other heathen abominations). Home of the original. Haven’t you ever heard of the Lost Colony?? That’s what happened to them jokers. Some fool tried to “improve/deviate” the recipe and use a tomato base and… well… the result… it’s too gruesome to recall here but let’s just say they were “lost”.
I mean in the Occoneechee tongue “Croatan” roughly translates “the evil came from the tomato”. Enough said. Learn from the past. Know your history!
From: Hilary
To: Andrew; Eric
Subject: RE:
Eric – Andy is using the Southern Mind Trick of babbling on and on until your opponent gets tired and gives up.
Andy – We can most definitely agree that SC mustard BBQ is an abomination on BBQ. (I think I just threw up a little in my mouth just thinking about it.)
From: Andrew
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
It’s called the filibuster! Jesse Helms! Represent!
From: Eric
To: Hilary; Andrew
Subject: RE:
Quick Questions,
1.) Is proper BBQ only served in a Styrofoam take out box or on a paper plate which virtually ensures that half your food will fall on the ground before you get back to your table?
2.) How many murder cases per year are opened as a result of BBQ competitions?
3.) Does there have to be a mobile home somewhere in the vicinity to make the BBQ really authentic?
4.) Is the BBQ better if the guy making it has two first names. Joe-Don, Billy-Bob, Sammy-Joe …?
5.) Is it required that “Freebird” has to be played at some point during the meal?
6.) Why do they put tires on the roof of those mobile homes?
7.) Is it really ok to marry your cousin?
8.) Should dueling banjos be the national anthem?
9.) What are pros and cons of the Mullet?
10.) How many teeth are required to properly enjoy BBQ?
From: Andrew
To: Eric; Hilary
Subject: RE:
Good questions from the BBQ beginner. See answers (in red) to your questions below.
Quick Questions,
1.) Is proper BBQ only served in a Styrofoam take out box or on a paper plate which virtually ensures that half your food will fall on the ground before you get back to your table?
Absolutely. Styrofoam is a must. See your problem is that you’re not placing the foam box on your sweet tea cup properly. The cup, and subsequent sugary stickiness around the rim, is imperative to the process.
2.) How many murder cases per year are opened as a result of BBQ competitions?
Brawling is pretty typical, especially if you mix the (true) eastern style and the (red-headed step child) western style clans. It’s usually a pre-meal occurance though. Afterwards we’re too full. Actual deaths are pretty rare as it’s usually proper etiquette to leave your shotgun at the door.
3.) Does there have to be a mobile home somewhere in the vicinity to make the BBQ really authentic?
Can’t hurt! The best places always look the most sketch. (ain’t you never seen Fried Green Tomatoes?)
4.) Is the BBQ better if the guy making it has two first names. Joe-Don, Billy-Bob, Sammy-Joe …?
Naa, the 2 name thing is a misnomer started in TX (jackos). It’s usually a single name and but a single syllable. Bud’s, Chuck’s, Mel’s, Ernestine, etc. Most times this is done on purpose so that you can aptly communicate the origin of the Cue through a proper mouthful of Cue, bun, and slaw.
5.) Is it required that “Freebird” has to be played at some point during the meal?
Only in GA. For the real deal, see Question 8. Truthfully though, there is usually at least a banjo or mandolin involved.
6.) Why do they put tires on the roof of those mobile homes?
You tell me. That’s totally a WY thing. I did hear that it had something to do with cold winters and nobody wanted to make the trek to the outhouse.
7.) Is it really ok to marry your cousin?
First cousins, no. Unless you’re in upstate GA, if they’re adopted, or if the linage is unclear/muddy. When in doubt, take em out (on a date). Now, second cousins are totally fair game. No worries, you’re in the clear.
8.) Should dueling banjos be the national anthem?
What? It isn’t? Maybe you’re right. It was a close contest between it and Dixie there in the CSA and I don’t think we ever settled the matter fully.
9.) What are pros and cons of the Mullet?
Pros:
• Your bangs don’t drop into your BBQ, but you can still head-bang to the bluegrass accompaniment.
• It’s an easy cut for the kids. It’s kinda like the bowl cut but you only have to cut halfway around. Timesaver!
• It’s the only haircut that really matches the fastback styling of the 80’s camaro.
Cons: (Hmmm, this is a harder one)
• Guess, you don’t get noticed by those uppity chicks. Maybe this should go into the pros column.
• Doesn’t look the greatest in combo with the whole work casual, short sleeve, button-up. Hmmm, again debatable. Pro or con?
• You do have to deal with the hassle of a blowdryer. Definite con.
10.) How many teeth are required to properly enjoy BBQ?
None when it’s done proper. Hence eastern style being the real deal and why you can’t call chopped meat with a sauce on it true BBQ.
From: Eric
To: Hilary; Andrew
Subject: RE:
Dude that’s hilarious, everybody in the office thought I had lost my mind I was laughing so hard. And you’re right it is hard to find anything wrong with mullets.
End Email
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
Last time Jacobs broke out the big bucks and set up the BBQ spread (well, whatever that mess is that yall non-southerns try to pass off as BBQ. I mean, it was beef, not pork, and there was no vinegar or red pepper to be seen. These are majors where I come from. Anyone ever heard of The War of Northern Aggression?? Hello, BBQ issues! Sorry. Tangent. I’m a little passionate/psycho about my BBQ) so you might be missing out on more than a hotdog and the goose kicking contest.
From: Eric
To: Gainor; Hilary
Subject: RE:
I have learned not to question the zealotry of southerners when it comes to BBQ. Punt a goose for me.
From: Hilary
To: Eric; Andrew
Subject: RE:
Eric – You may be missing out on a smack down, I’m a tomato base lover and believe Andy’s taste buds must be broken.
Andy – Don’t even bother making a crack about me living in Nebraska, I learned to eat BBQ in Georgia where they know how to make it properly.
From: Andrew
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
Those are fighting words, woman. There’s even a KM move, THE EASTERN STYLE BBQ FACE SPLIT OF VINEGARY DEATH, that we learned at winter camp, which I won’t hesitate to open up on you even if you are a chick.
And it’s upstate GA. I bet it wasn’t even pork. The only thing that squeals up that way are the out of towners dumb enough to be caught alone in the woods.
From: Hilary
To: Andrew; Eric
Subject: RE:
You said it..Eastern BBQ. Proper Southern BBQ is better.
And of course it was pork, only retards use beef.
p.s. You are all talk, you would never hit a chick because you’d be afraid your southern mama would find out and show you what pain really is.
From: Andrew
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
Hahahahahahahhaa, true true. I can feel Daddy’s hand coming for the back of my neck every time I don’t say Sir or Ma’am.
And “eastern” refers to Eastern NC (as opposed to Western [NC] or SC style [that nasty mustard based crap] or all the other heathen abominations). Home of the original. Haven’t you ever heard of the Lost Colony?? That’s what happened to them jokers. Some fool tried to “improve/deviate” the recipe and use a tomato base and… well… the result… it’s too gruesome to recall here but let’s just say they were “lost”.
I mean in the Occoneechee tongue “Croatan” roughly translates “the evil came from the tomato”. Enough said. Learn from the past. Know your history!
From: Hilary
To: Andrew; Eric
Subject: RE:
Eric – Andy is using the Southern Mind Trick of babbling on and on until your opponent gets tired and gives up.
Andy – We can most definitely agree that SC mustard BBQ is an abomination on BBQ. (I think I just threw up a little in my mouth just thinking about it.)
From: Andrew
To: Hilary; Eric
Subject: RE:
It’s called the filibuster! Jesse Helms! Represent!
From: Eric
To: Hilary; Andrew
Subject: RE:
Quick Questions,
1.) Is proper BBQ only served in a Styrofoam take out box or on a paper plate which virtually ensures that half your food will fall on the ground before you get back to your table?
2.) How many murder cases per year are opened as a result of BBQ competitions?
3.) Does there have to be a mobile home somewhere in the vicinity to make the BBQ really authentic?
4.) Is the BBQ better if the guy making it has two first names. Joe-Don, Billy-Bob, Sammy-Joe …?
5.) Is it required that “Freebird” has to be played at some point during the meal?
6.) Why do they put tires on the roof of those mobile homes?
7.) Is it really ok to marry your cousin?
8.) Should dueling banjos be the national anthem?
9.) What are pros and cons of the Mullet?
10.) How many teeth are required to properly enjoy BBQ?
From: Andrew
To: Eric; Hilary
Subject: RE:
Good questions from the BBQ beginner. See answers (in red) to your questions below.
Quick Questions,
1.) Is proper BBQ only served in a Styrofoam take out box or on a paper plate which virtually ensures that half your food will fall on the ground before you get back to your table?
Absolutely. Styrofoam is a must. See your problem is that you’re not placing the foam box on your sweet tea cup properly. The cup, and subsequent sugary stickiness around the rim, is imperative to the process.
2.) How many murder cases per year are opened as a result of BBQ competitions?
Brawling is pretty typical, especially if you mix the (true) eastern style and the (red-headed step child) western style clans. It’s usually a pre-meal occurance though. Afterwards we’re too full. Actual deaths are pretty rare as it’s usually proper etiquette to leave your shotgun at the door.
3.) Does there have to be a mobile home somewhere in the vicinity to make the BBQ really authentic?
Can’t hurt! The best places always look the most sketch. (ain’t you never seen Fried Green Tomatoes?)
4.) Is the BBQ better if the guy making it has two first names. Joe-Don, Billy-Bob, Sammy-Joe …?
Naa, the 2 name thing is a misnomer started in TX (jackos). It’s usually a single name and but a single syllable. Bud’s, Chuck’s, Mel’s, Ernestine, etc. Most times this is done on purpose so that you can aptly communicate the origin of the Cue through a proper mouthful of Cue, bun, and slaw.
5.) Is it required that “Freebird” has to be played at some point during the meal?
Only in GA. For the real deal, see Question 8. Truthfully though, there is usually at least a banjo or mandolin involved.
6.) Why do they put tires on the roof of those mobile homes?
You tell me. That’s totally a WY thing. I did hear that it had something to do with cold winters and nobody wanted to make the trek to the outhouse.
7.) Is it really ok to marry your cousin?
First cousins, no. Unless you’re in upstate GA, if they’re adopted, or if the linage is unclear/muddy. When in doubt, take em out (on a date). Now, second cousins are totally fair game. No worries, you’re in the clear.
8.) Should dueling banjos be the national anthem?
What? It isn’t? Maybe you’re right. It was a close contest between it and Dixie there in the CSA and I don’t think we ever settled the matter fully.
9.) What are pros and cons of the Mullet?
Pros:
• Your bangs don’t drop into your BBQ, but you can still head-bang to the bluegrass accompaniment.
• It’s an easy cut for the kids. It’s kinda like the bowl cut but you only have to cut halfway around. Timesaver!
• It’s the only haircut that really matches the fastback styling of the 80’s camaro.
Cons: (Hmmm, this is a harder one)
• Guess, you don’t get noticed by those uppity chicks. Maybe this should go into the pros column.
• Doesn’t look the greatest in combo with the whole work casual, short sleeve, button-up. Hmmm, again debatable. Pro or con?
• You do have to deal with the hassle of a blowdryer. Definite con.
10.) How many teeth are required to properly enjoy BBQ?
None when it’s done proper. Hence eastern style being the real deal and why you can’t call chopped meat with a sauce on it true BBQ.
From: Eric
To: Hilary; Andrew
Subject: RE:
Dude that’s hilarious, everybody in the office thought I had lost my mind I was laughing so hard. And you’re right it is hard to find anything wrong with mullets.
End Email
Jessie Helms! Represent!Lil Jake! Here's a little randomness for you.
He looks like an owl! Monday, August 3, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Andy's Monday...
I got this email from Andy this morning and it just made me chuckle... gotta love him =)
Monday has begun. So as I got out of the truck this morning I dropped the phone and of course it bounced up under, well under near the middle, the truck next to me. Now the sprinklers had been on so the ground was thoroughly wet and there was no way I was dropping to a knee of my clean pants to go after it. This meant I had to do this goofy one handed push up thing to reach the phone and stay clean/dry. Mission accomplished though a lady from the office stopped to laugh at me. And as I brushed the gravel off my hands and turned to fish one of the rags out of the back of the car only to realize that somewhere during my macho push-up the door had swung to just enough to barely latch, locking my keys in the car. Dang!
Blessedly I had cracked the windows so after searching the office for a metal hanger (you’d be surprised how many folks are using wooden and plastic ones) it was a fairly quick and easy fish to retrieve the keys and force them through the crack. Could have been worse. If I’d dropped them off the hanger to the floor while in transit to the window, I’d had to give it up and ring you to come pick me up this evening or call AAA for me or something. I gotta get a key strapped to the frame again.
The day is looking up though!
Monday has begun. So as I got out of the truck this morning I dropped the phone and of course it bounced up under, well under near the middle, the truck next to me. Now the sprinklers had been on so the ground was thoroughly wet and there was no way I was dropping to a knee of my clean pants to go after it. This meant I had to do this goofy one handed push up thing to reach the phone and stay clean/dry. Mission accomplished though a lady from the office stopped to laugh at me. And as I brushed the gravel off my hands and turned to fish one of the rags out of the back of the car only to realize that somewhere during my macho push-up the door had swung to just enough to barely latch, locking my keys in the car. Dang!
Blessedly I had cracked the windows so after searching the office for a metal hanger (you’d be surprised how many folks are using wooden and plastic ones) it was a fairly quick and easy fish to retrieve the keys and force them through the crack. Could have been worse. If I’d dropped them off the hanger to the floor while in transit to the window, I’d had to give it up and ring you to come pick me up this evening or call AAA for me or something. I gotta get a key strapped to the frame again.
The day is looking up though!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Intern week in Jamaica!!
We were so lucky to have a week to escape at the end of June. All the interns at the Univ of Colorado get the last week of June off each year when the new interns start and I could NOT wait! It couldn't get here fast enough for many reasons: 1) vacation = no work = Jamaica! 2) I'm not an intern anymore! (I'm more excited about that than anything else!)
We had been planning all year to go to a National Park with Lindsay and JR but the longer the winter went on... the more we all needed a beach. JR found us a great deal in Jamaica and we had a great week of vacation with them. It also happened to be during the same week of our 5 year anniversary so it was a great celebration of five great years also.
We ate a lot, slept a lot, read a lot, and got to go diving too. Here's a summary of the pictures...
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
We had been planning all year to go to a National Park with Lindsay and JR but the longer the winter went on... the more we all needed a beach. JR found us a great deal in Jamaica and we had a great week of vacation with them. It also happened to be during the same week of our 5 year anniversary so it was a great celebration of five great years also.
We ate a lot, slept a lot, read a lot, and got to go diving too. Here's a summary of the pictures...
BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing
Friday, June 26, 2009
Happy Anniversary!
Andy and I are celebrating an amazing 5 years of marriage today!
The Lord has richly blessed me with my one and only
The Lord has richly blessed me with my one and only
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fun with Dog
Goofy dog + empty paper bag of corn chips = fun at her expense.
As a disclaimer, I (Andy) did not put the bag on her head. I tossed the empty bag on the porch, Lilly popped her head right in there to finish off the crumbs, and then found she couldn't back out the same as she got in.
We laughed pretty hard. I can't wait to have kids.
(Disclaimer #2: So that nobody freaks out... I meant, I can't wait to have kids so that I can mess with them. No allusion to us having kids/being preggers intenteded.)
As a disclaimer, I (Andy) did not put the bag on her head. I tossed the empty bag on the porch, Lilly popped her head right in there to finish off the crumbs, and then found she couldn't back out the same as she got in.
We laughed pretty hard. I can't wait to have kids.
(Disclaimer #2: So that nobody freaks out... I meant, I can't wait to have kids so that I can mess with them. No allusion to us having kids/being preggers intenteded.)
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