Rain Drops and Snow Flakes

The Northeast has been having a lot of storms lately, Winter is in full force. Last week we got some snow and this week more snow and tons of rain! I love living on the East Coast and having seasons but I am definitely looking forward to SPRING!! Here are some pictures I took from our balcony.

My Sweet Valentine

Even though Jeff and I have been together for a little over 7 years we have only celebrated Valentines Day together 1 time! Between having a long distance relationship and family vacations we were never in the same state. This year we will have the chance to spend the whole day together and I am so excited. We have been married for 9 months now and it has been amazing, I couldn't ask for a better partner and friend! I love you babe and I am having so much fun on this wonderful journey with you. Here are a few pictures of me and my Valentine.

On our Honeymoon Cruise

Hanging out at the port in Barcelona, Spain

Having some mojitos in Miami

Scuba Buddies

Dinner in New Orleans

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Welcome to Hogwart's

Two weekends ago Colchester, CT was transformed into Hogwarts! Our cousins Jodi and Peter threw a fabulous Birthday Bash for their kids (and our wonderful cousins) Liz, Olivia and Nash. Harry Potter and Hogwarts truly came to life. Jodi did amazing paintings of Harry, Ron, Hermione and some of the professors- they looked soooo real. They had Hogwarts banners, a sorting hat cake, cauldrons full of jelly beans and plenty of friends and family.


The Great Hall

Sorting hat cake complete with wand and snitch

Liz and I

Amazing paintings of Professor Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore

All the Ladies!!

We had so much fun!! Now I want a Harry Potter birthday party too :) Happy Birthday Liz, Olivia and Nash!!

Aaron and Mindi visit the Northeast!!

Aaron and Mindi came out for a visit in December to explore and visit family. They were in New York staying with Aunt Leslie and Uncle Irwin and we met up with them to do some sightseeing. We went to Rockefeller Center, Ground Zero, Battery Park, The Village, Times Square, and well pretty much everywhere!! We hadn't seen Mindi or Aaron since our wedding in May so it was so good to see them and we had a blast!!

The whole group at Rockefeller Center

Times Square!!

Jeff and I in Battery Park

Wall Street Bull

Mindi and I!! Partners in Crime!!

Hanging out at a bar near Madison Square Garden

Colorful view of the Empire State Building

Beautiful view of the city from Brooklyn

After exploring New York, Mindi and Aaron took the train back with Jeff and I to CT. We took them to see our new apartment, then we made our way to Colchester to all stay the weekend with Cousins Jodi, Peter, Olivia and Nash. We had an amazing time! We ate tons of food, lounged by the fire, played Bananagrams, went to the Mohegan Sun casino and saw the University of Connecticut campus. On Sunday we drove back into New York and went out to dinner with all the Aunts and Uncles for cousin Jakes Birthday. It was a wonderful visit and we can't wait to hopefully see them again soon!

Rock Out!

How many hours of enjoyment can a video game provide to adults? ENDLESS!! We LOVE singing our hearts out, playing the guitar and jamming on the drums. We have all been getting together on the weekends and playing Rock Band at a friends house. All we need now is some groupies :) Here are some of our favorite band photos!

Jeff singing Red Hot Chili Peppers

Lori and I singing to Journeys "Don't Stop Believing"!! Our favorite Rock Band song

Group Effort- Alanis Morrisette "You Oughta Know"

Danbury Hospital Rock Band!!

My one and only attempt at the drums! I was not meant to be a rocker, the drums were really hard to play. But Jeff loves the drums, they are his favorite instrument and he's pretty good too. Looking forward to many more Rock Band nights.

Welcome 2010!!

On New Years Eve we took the train into New York City to celebrate with a party at my Aunt Liz and Uncle Andrew's house. We got into the city in the afternoon so we decided to spend some time sightseeing. We went to the New York Public Library to see an exhibition on the history of mapping the New York shoreline. They had maps dating all the way back to 1609 and Henry Hudson, it was very interesting. Neither of us had ever been inside the library before so it was really fun to look around, they have so many free exhibits that we want to go back and check out.

Jeff and Lori on the train from CT to NYC!

Empire State building in the background

New York Public Library

Snowy lion statute right in front of the library

Gorgeous Christmas tree inside the lobby of the library!

Chrysler Building

Next, it was time for the party to begin! They are always such amazing hosts and this was no exception. They had tons of delicious appetizers, wine and of course champagne. The extra special part of the evening was a gorgeous fireworks display that went off right at midnight! From their window you can the see the fireworks perfectly, flying right over Central Park. New Years is a special holiday for Jeff and I, we got engaged on New Years Eve 2 years ago. It is always fun remembering back but then also welcoming in the new year together.

Happy 2010 Everyone!!!

Happy Chanukah!!

Jeff and I were so excited to celebrate our first Chanukah as "The Sieglers" and it did not disappoint!! We are so blessed. For the first night of Chanukah we went to our cousins Jodi, Peter, Olivia and Nash's house in Colchester CT. It happened to also be Shabbat, so we had an amazing Shabbat dinner and spent the night laughing, playing Banagrams and just enjoying family. Our cousin Ross also came in from Hartford, which was super special since this was the first time I got to meet him. On Saturday, the second night of Chanukah, we went to Baba's house (Jodi's mom). She hosts Chanukah every year and cooks up a quite the feast- a Cuban Chanukah!! Black beans and rice, bruschetta, potato latkes, pasta, cheesecake, and the list goes on and on. She also started a tradition that after everyone has opened their gifts there is a massive wrapping paper fight! I felt like a kid again and it was SO much fun. They have been doing it for years and I will definitely be stealing the idea.

All the menorahs lit up for the 2nd night of Chanukah

Cousin Ross, Cousin Peter and Jeff

Opening Presents!

All our goodies

Wrapping paper fight! So fun!!

CT Cousins Club

On the third night of Chanukah Jeff and I took the train into NYC to pick up his car that we were storing at his Aunt Leslie and Uncle Irwins house. We had the most delicious italian dinner with them and our cousin Scott- we even had Tiramisu, my absolute favorite!! After a fun filled weekend with family we celebrated the fourth through seventh nights of Chanukah at home together in Connecticut. I cooked all week, we lit candles, opened presents and just relaxed together. Jeff starts rotations Jan. 4th so we are getting in all our relaxing time now before he is super busy at the hospitals.

On the 8th night of Chanukah we went back to Colchester to visit with cousins Jodi, Peter, Ross, Olivia and Nash. We had a delicious Shabbat dinner and it was such a great way to end 8 wonderful nights of Chanukah. We are already looking forward to next year. Whatever holiday you celebrated we hope that everyone had a terrific Holiday season!!