Monday, November 16, 2009

I have no excuse...

As to why I have turned into such a slacker. I used to love this blog. I would be out doing something fun and think to myself, "Oh, gotta get the camera out because I am going to want to write about this!"

Somehow, our blog got put on the back burner and has not climbed the priority list yet. Maybe with the holidays coming up, I will have more to report. I guess now is as good a time as any... I really have no idea where to begin... I guess the best thing is to start with what is happening now. BUT first... a recap of our summer...

Rick and I took Delaney on her first trip to Kings Dominion. We were both really nervous initially because we were responsible for her safety as well as her enjoyment... But it turned out she was so very excited about the rides. So much that she would cry when she had to get off. So Rick and I worked out a strategy... the person in charge of the stroller would wheel it over to get in line while the other one got Laney off the ride in order to decrease her wait time, which equaled less crying. It was truly an experience! We had a blast and Laney slept the whole ride home. :)
The next group of pictures is from our trip to Atlantic City. Neither us had every been there but we had more fun than expected! My parents, Rick and I drove to Atlantic City and stayed at the Trump Plaze Hotel. Rick's sister, Jenny (from Long Island) and her boyfriend Chris met us there. We had tickets to the Jimmy Buffett show in Boardwalk Hall. We got to do a little gambling, eat amazing steak/seafood dinners, play in the ocean and see an amazing concert all the while having tons of fun laughing, drinking and eating together. It was such a great weekend!
It will be close to impossible to recap our trip to Seattle, but I will try my best. We stayed for 10 days and my sister (plus the boston crew) and my brother came for half of the week. We went on a seaplane to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada... we went to Mt. Rainier and did a little hiking and sightseeing... we went to a mariners game at Safeco Field (vs. the LA Angels, how fitting since Bryan was with us)... we went to the Space Needle for lunch... the boys went to a preseason Seahawks game... we went salmon fishing and cooked it on the gas grills at the hotel for lunch... We went to the LSU vs. Washington Huskies game... and we went to Pike's Market... See why it is impossible to really recap! It was so fun, more fun than any family should ever have together!! :)



Fletch was in some sort of accident while we were visiting Rick's dad at the river. We aren't sure what happened because we didn't see it, but Fletch somehow got a hole ripped in his side. He had to get 6 staples and wear this silly cone (which lasted a total of maybe an hour!) But he has healed nicely. There is still a dark spot where the hair hasn't grown in all the way and the scar is showing. He once again didn't seem affected by the whole thing... all of it was harder on me (just like when he sliced is paw open) but you know that will probably never change!
Also over the summer, we saw Billy Joel and Elton John at the Nationals Stadium in DC. We celebrated our one year anniversary with a fancy dinner at the Hardshell (our favorite restaurant!) And we saw our favorite local band Boneanchor a few times at various bars in Richmond.
We moved out of the fan at the end of July. We are now living in the West End of Richmond, Henrico actually. We live in a 1-bedroom apartment in a pretty nice complex, with a fitness room, a pool and a dog park. Fletch took some time getting used to it but so far seems to have adjusted nicely. I think he definitely misses having a yard but the dog park has been good for his exercise. The move has been hard on me too. I can't believe I dont live in the fan. One day I will again, but until then I try to look at the positive things... like how much we are saving in gas, rent, utilities, etc.

Rick started college this semester. He is going to J. Sargent Reynolds and beginning a 2 year program in international business which he will then transfer to VCU to finish his BS. So far, he loves it. He is taking 3 classes this semester and plans to take a little more next semester as he eases himself back into being a student.

I switched jobs. This probably seems like a bit of a shock because no one really knew how unhappy I was (including my former bosses). It is a long story, not really important in the long run... But I love my new school! I am teaching a preK class of young 4 year olds and they are great. The school is more like a 10-minute drive instead of the 5-minute drive to my old school but the extra time has just given me time to finish my coffee! :) I work 4-ten hour days and get every Monday off! (3-day weekends are awesome!). Great benefits, life insurance, 401K and 1 week paid vacation after 6 months and another week after a year! Life is good.

We are staying busy as usual. With football season, staying connected to family and friends as well as the many obligations that come with melding families including weddings, birthdays and other celebrations.
Two girls from my sorority got married the last two weekends. The first being one of my first roommates and the other being my sorority big sister. They both had absolutely amazing weddings and looked absolutely stunning.
These were Rick and I's first weddings as a married couple and I have found it has made me a lot more emotional about weddings. Both times I teared up watching the bride walk down the aisle, which I have never done at any other wedding before... It not only brought back memories of me walking down the aisle, the excitement, nervousness and utter joy but more importantly memories of the promises Rick and I made to each other. I am very excited about the life we have begun building together and sooo very excited about what our future holds!
I hope this catches everyone up to where we are in our lives. I really am going to make more of an honest effort to keep up with this because I have learned a lot of people keep up with us this way. (Although now that everyone is on facebook it seems that is just as easy!)
We hope this finds everyone as happy and healthy as us. We love you all.
Love,
your not-so-newlywed richmond rices.

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