weekend

Being that it is the last weekend of August and the 'unofficial' end of summer.... what are your weekend plans?? Barbecuing with friends? Going to the lake or beach? Laying out at the pool? Playing some golf? Hiking or camping outdoors with the dogs?

We plan to... enjoy the hot summer days of August...

Hike Tinker Cliffs

grill the finest bbq ribs

and enjoy the weekend with some friends!

p.s. enjoy your weekend! :)

Goal

our new goal... http://blueridgeparkwaymarathon.com/

1 Month Old!

Alison Emily is 1 month old today!! She was born on July 27th. Ben's step sister, Natalie and Todd are coming to visit Labor Day weekend!! We are super excited to meet our first niece!

July 27, 2009 -- 8lbs. 12oz. 21.5 inches

August 21st ... she is so cute!

Wine Country!

Last May, my sister and I went on our annual sister/sister trip to San Francisco and Sonoma Valley. We started out wine tasting in Sonoma Valley visiting 6 different wineries ... Ledson, Chateau St. Jean, Benziger, Imagery Estate, Arrowood, and Bartholomew Winery! Then we toured San Fran ... Lombard St, Fishermans Wharfs, Pier 39, Union Street, and the Golden Gate Bridge...

Nicole and I overlooking the San Francisco Bay

Ledson Winery...our favorite!

Lombard Street in San Francisco

Here's our sister/sister trip in review:

Year 1: San Diego
Year 2: Del Ray, Florida
Year 3: Boca Raton, Florida
Year 4: Charlottesville
Year 5: Salt Lake City / Park City, Utah
Year 6: New Orleans
Year 7: San Francisco / Sonoma Valley
Year 8, 9 ,10.... :)

YUM!

This past weekend, Ben and I went home to Blacksburg for my dad's birthday! On Sunday morning I made a breakfast casserole for my family. It's perfect to make the night before and bake it right before serving. Recipe below... It's delicious, easy and soo yummy!

Breakfast Casserole

1 package shredded seasoned hash brown potatoes
1 lb sausage (cooked and crumbled)
4 eggs
2 cups milk
2 tsp dried mustard
salt/pepper to taste
diced sweet onion (optional)
diced red pepper (optional)
2-3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Spray non-stick spray on bottom and sides of casserole dish. Put potatoes on bottom of dish. Top with sausage, diced onion and pepper. Mix eggs, milk, and spices in bowl and pour over the layers in the casserole dish. Top with cheese. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 55 minutes.

VEGAS!

Ben and I went to Las Vegas for our 1 year anniversary! It was our first time out to the desert and first experience gambling! We had a blast! We're going back for New Years with Ben's brother and my sis in law! Countdown begins....... :)

Our first time on the slot machines!

Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas!!

Viewing the water show at the Bellagio!

Relaxing at the pools and THE hotel!

Don't hold your breath...

Good thing you guys didn't hold your breath since I said 'check back often' in my previous - and 1st blog ever! So...I might as well do a quick year in review. Since last August.... Ben and I still live in Roanoke...we bought our first home in SW Roanoke Co. I got a new job. I work for The Roanoke Times in Advertising. Our dogs are still our lives...Huck and Bailey! And we celebrated our first year of marriage this past June!

So, hopefully I will be able to update more often! We'll see....