Quick Rendevous with Liz!

Last weekend Liz was back West for her Mom's birthday so Margaret and I made a day trip up to San Clemente for a a quick visit.

We of course worked in a visit to the Rainbow Outlet. Mags and Liz stocked up for their East coast returns, I was able to hold back and only buy one pair for myself and one on special order for Heather B.

We spent the rest of the afternoon browsing along the main drag, Del Mar Street, and stopped in for an afternoon pitcher of margaritas. What a great way to spend the afternoon and to catch up on fun nonsense :)


Oooo....a rainbow of Rainbows

Yay...Margaritas and Friends Liz, Karen and Mags

I mean, is there ever a question to NOT order the 1 Liter pitcher of Margaritas?!?

This is what happens....

....When you get really busy or are out of town and neglect your garden. Holy Zucchini!

Well, the garden is a bit more under control now, but we are getting more than a 1/2 a dozen zucchini a week!! It's like a scavenger hunt trying to find the zucchini amongst all the leaves in vines...you obviously can see what happens if one isn't found for several days. Tomatoes are finally turning red, but we have to pick them off the vine before the ripen b/c of a mysterious TBD critter that seems to be having it's midnight snack in our garden. Grrr...... All in all, the garden has been a success so far this year. Maybe we'll even stay motivated and get some Fall weather greens in the ground!

Zucchini on the far left with the big leaves, Two tomato vines in the back and the rest is assorted peppers (bell & jalapeno ) and herbs (The Basil Bush, Spearmint, and Parsley)

Kelly & Ross in Milford

Two weekends ago my Aussie friend, Kelly, got married in hands down one of THE best wedding weekends I've ever been to. I say Aussie friend, b/c that's where Kelly, Crissy, Heather and I met, but we are all from the US (or Canada for Heather B.). Anyways, Kell's folks live in Milford, CT and the entire wedding festivities were held in their and their neighbors backyards. It was amazing! The ceremony was in this cute little garden nook with beautiful flowers
The reception was held one yard over and they had a huge tent set up for the dinning and dancing. Let me tell you there was certainly some dancing going on!
The farthest yard over at Hotchkiss point was where the Friday night BBQ throwdown was held.

Oh and rehearsal luncheon was on the water at the Milford Yacht Club


It's always so amazing with the 4 of us reunite and get to spend time together but this was truly magical and it was so special that Kelly included us in her wedding as fairy flower girls no less! Everything was coordinated beautifully (thanks to Kelly's Momma) and the weather was perfect. Low humidity, mid 80's and the ran held off till Sunday morning.

Highlights of the weekend, dancing to the rock band Friday night and Kevin, Kelly's brother got to rock out with the band. I was dancing so hard it didn't dawn on me to take a video until after his kickass solo. The video clip doesn't do justice to how awesome Kevin played, but I thought I'd include it anyways..

On the way to the ceremony site we had to drive around the block. Kell was in the back of the jag her parents in the front. Kelly looked beautiful and was waving to all the neighbors as they came outside to wish her good luck. It was the cutest thing.


Quite possibly my favorite (and most magical moment...if you haven't noticed with us things are always magical) moment was during the ceremony. It was pretty breezy and Kelly's veil was blowing around only slightly attacking her. Another breeze came through and Kelly's veil blew straight up into the air and then flew off. It floated way up over the shed and over the trees into several yards over. All the guests first gasped then laughed and ooh'd and Ahh'd. See magic!

Up up up and away!

Enjoy the pics and if you want to view the complete set here's the shutterfly link: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EcNW7JmyasWFl

Kell being escorted by her daddy

The Flower Girls: Karen, Crissy and Heather

Ross and Kelly being cuter than ever!

Centerpieces from the reception. I helped clip the flowers and put the centerpieces together...don't they look fabulous :)

Complete Aussie Girl reunion. Our other friends we met in Perth, Heather Baily and Katie...I wish Kelly could have made this picture!

And of course, the sunset picture. A-mazing!

A Lot of Catching up to do....

John and I have been rather MIA recently, but we have certainly been busy. Back in mid-July we flew back to NC for some well needed R&R with our families. We vacationed at Ocean Isle Beach as has been tradition for the Sykes family for eons. Jim & Patti came down for the second half of the week to join in the fun. It could not have been a better week, and surprisingly it wasn't really even THAT hot. Mid 80's and low humidity. It was great to get to have both our folks in the same place and get to visit with the extended family as well. Complete pictures can be viewed on shutterfly: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0EcNW7JmyasWGL

We began our trip in RDU. Jenn picked us up at the airport and after napping we grabbed brunch at the farmers market. Mmmmm....fried green tomatoes.

Day one at the beach we're walking down to our umbrella and John thinks he spots someone he knows...sure enough it's David Earl his Freshman/Sophomore roommate at NCSU. Such a small world. Cheers guys!

Man we look color coordinated. The gals before we went out to dinner one night. Notice Amber's cute baby bump :)

Sunset in Shallote

Couple shots while we wait for a table for dinner.

More couple shots....Paul didn't make it down to the beach till Wednesday which is why Jenn & Paul are missing from the couple shots.

Mmmmm.....the creamery. I love having a pregnant lady in the mix b/c there's always an excuse to get ice cream. Go Amber!

Bocce but of course. Ken & Amber's good friends, Brian and Drea came up from Myrtle Beach for the day.

The "young" crowd. Drea & Brian. Jenn. Amber & Kenny, Karen & John

Portrait session featuring Jim & Patti

Awww.....Larry& Rita