Welcome 2011

New Years Eve is always a special holiday for Jeff and I, we got engaged on New Years Eve! So every year its fun to remember back to that wonderful evening and celebrate all the wonderful things the next year has in store. 2011 is definitely going to be a year with lots of changes for us, with the first being our big move to Philadelphia! But before the move we went into New York City to spend New Years with Aunt Liz and Uncle Andrew. They throw a party every year and it is always so much fun- tons of good food, wine, champagne, and fireworks right over Central Park.

CHEERS!

Me and Aunt Liz

The wonderful hosts

Fireworks over Central Park

Happy New Year! Hope that 2011 is filled with many wonderful memories, LOVE and laughs.

Power Party

I am so lucky to work for such a wonderful company! For our holiday party this year PWS held a huge party in Philadelphia for all the employees and their significant others. It was AMAZING!! They had signature cocktails, video green screens, professional photographers, tons of food stations, a DJ and fun colored lounge furniture. Since Jeff and I were getting ready to move to Philadelphia a few weeks after the party it was a great chance to introduce Jeff to the owners of the company (and my new bosses).

Me and Jeff celebrating the holidays in our soon to be new home- Philadelphia!

Just a quick shot of the inside of the party. During the middle of the party they put on a video presentation with fun facts about the company over the past year and all the exciting new changes for 2011. They announced that this would be the last year we could have a holiday party because with all the expansion offices opening next year we are just getting too big. Everyone started to Boo, but then they announced instead of a party, next years holiday get together was going to be a CRUISE!!! A 4 day, 3 night cruise to the BAHAMAS!!! We leave Dec. 9th on Royal Caribbean!

Me and Jake

Jake and Ty- My wonderful bosses (and even better friends) from the CT office

After party at Paddy Whacks with Sutton and Sasha

The day after the party Jeff and I spent some time exploring Philly. I think one of the most beautiful buildings is City Hall, it's right around the corner from our apartment.

No visit to Philadelphia is complete with a visit to LOVE park. Heres hoping that 2011 (and our new home in PA) bring us lots of Love and Joy.

Sole Mates

I am so honored to be the Matron of Honor in Mo & Brians upcoming wedding. To celebrate my mom and I hosted a bridal shower for the bride to be. Mo, her nana and mom all came down from northern California and Brians mom, grandmother and aunt joined along with friends to toast to the bride! We held the shower at the gorgeous Eagle Glen Golf Club in a room overlooking the golf course and local mountains. Our theme was "sole mates" since Brian proposed to Mo with the ring in a shoe box.

The sign in table with a personalized plate for Mo and Brian to take home

The Bride to Be and Matron of Honor

The Hostesses

Me and Mindi

Favor bags!

Me, Mo and Sarah

Beautiful table settings. Every plate had the engagement story printed out with purple feathers and rhinestones!

Along with the lovely purple flowers every table also had some pics of the couple

Dessert Bar- complete with churros and personalized candy bar

Monique's Bridal Shower Hershey Kisses and Chocolate Bites

Mo and Aunt Donna

Mo opening up her gifts

Mindi, Karen and Me

UCR Friends!

Love Mo!! I don't know what I would do without her in my life! So glad Jeff introduced us- friends forever. I wish Mo and Brian a lifetime of love and happiness and we can't wait to celebrate at the wedding,

Giving Thanks!

I spent Thanksgiving in California this year with my family. We usually go to New York but we wanted to stay close to home and host Mo's bridal shower a few days later. Jeff was busy with his surgery rotation so he spent the holiday with Aunt Liz and Uncle Andrew in NYC. It was such a relaxing trip! Matt and Ashley were nice enough to pick me up at the airport at 2am (I owe you guys)! We all spent the night and it was so wonderful waking up at home, enjoying coffee, cooking with my mom and relaxing in our pj's. The Ward family and my Grandma Marlene joined us later in the day for the big feast. Everything was delicious!!

Me and Mom

Me, Matt and Ashley

Delicious Cider

Getting ready for some Mayflower Martinis

Mom and Dad

Me and Dad

All ready for the guests to arrive!

Coming from CT, CA doesn't feel too cold but we pretended and lit a fire anyway

Gorgeous table setting

Homemade Fall Trail Mix that Cherie and Mom made

Mom and Cherie

Dad and Matt

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 2010 has been a great year with a lot to be thankful for. Hope 2011 brings just as many wonderful memories and adventures.

Halloween 2010

For Halloween this year we went into NYC with some friends (and tons of hilarious people walking the new york streets too!) We met up at Tiehls house for a little pre-partying and then took the train into the city to a party at The Lott! It was crazy- so many costumed people running around NY. It was awesome to see all the creative costumes and spend the evening with wonderful friends! Jeff had been in Waterbury doing his surgery rotation so we spent the entire weekend in the city for some much needed date time.

Jeff- a one night stand and Me- 80's rocker!

Me, Fermina- Lara Croft, and Lori- Lady Gaga

Nick, Lori, Janina and Gus

Almost ready to leave for the party

I was keeping Lori warm and being her boyfriend :)

Dancing at The Lott

Partying with Lady Gaga!

New England Fall

My parents came to visit this October to experience a true New England Fall! They were here for a week and got to explore CT and also Boston. Below is our Boston Adventure in pictures:

Faneuil Hall

Inside of Faneuil Hall

The New State House

Ready for our boat cruise!

Dad, Me and Jeff on the boat

Gorgeous view of Boston

Old Ironsides

Old North Church

The window that Robert Newman climbed out of after he hung the lanterns in the steeple

Old North Church Organ

Ready to start the pub crawl at The Green Dragon

Visiting the JFK Museum

In CT they visited Yale, Mystic for some lobster, Godspeed Opera House for a performance of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying", dinner with the CT cousins club & fam, and of course Cracker Barrel-yum!! We had such a wonderful visit with them and we are so glad they could come see our CT home!