We have a Groupon

Those words are very commonly heard coming from our mouths.  

Wanna see a movie? Let's go, we have a Groupon.  

Oh hey, it's Thursday night.  We have a Groupon for a baseball game. 

Uh oh, our Groupon is going to expire.  Let's go ZIPLINING!

We went and it was awesome.  It was a hot and humid day (no surprise) and our adventure began and ended with some thunder.  No rain came until the last 2 ziplines which was perfect because we could all use a little cooling off. The longest zipline was about 800 feet, I believe, and it was a blast!

We sure are going to miss these NC trees.

Lovable Ryan

Ryan is one of those personalities that people just love immediately.  I'm glad one of us is that way, because I'm definitely more on the shy end when it comes to meeting new people.  I know I can always count on him to make a great impression, and it makes me so happy to be his wife!  Sometimes, however, we all can use a  little reminder that people really do love us.  Ryan's reminder was his birthday party.  We had about 20 people crammed into our apartment, all to celebrate Ryan.  This is probably the most extravagant birthday party I will ever host, and it really didn't take that much work.  I'm just not into perfectly coordinated parties.  I know some people love it, but I just don't have the time or motivation for it.  So hats off to you party planners, it's a lot of work and you deserve to be recognized!

Ryan has been begging me to buy the giant can of Nacho Cheese from Sam's Club for probably almost a year now.  Growing up, Ryan's birthday was most often centered around baseball and fireworks (it's July 3).  Nachos = Baseball = Ryan's birthday.  The nachos started the theme of Ryan's "Ballpark Food" Birthday Party.  We also had homemade funnel cakes (super easy if you ever want to try), peanuts, and root beer floats (not quite baseball, but one of Ryan's favorites).  

 

   

Ali and Daniel (Ali just graduated from Duke DPT)

  Maile, Steven and Keeley (from church)

 The cutest family - Kristie, Jared and Alia Ashworth.

As you can see, Alia loved the nachos, too!

 Not only were there 20 people, but 3 dogs!

Typical Pat (classmate)

 The yellow short gang.

 Ryan's birthday "cake."  One of our only family traditions is non-typical candles on birthday cakes.  It all started when we were celebrating my birthday a few years ago at my friend Pearl's apartment.  She was making the cake and goodies and called Ryan to bring candles.  He did not connect birthday and candles so he had no idea what kind to buy.  When he asked her "What kind?" her response was "Colorful ones."  So he showed up with 3 mini jar candles in bright colors.  Then it clicked - BIRTHDAY candles.  But we used them anyway and have been putting them on cakes ever since! However, this pie would not hold their weight so we went with tea lights instead.

 Thank you, Laura, for taking fun pictures! This one was frowning and winking...

 Isn't Ryan just so much fun?

 We decided to try to go see the fireworks show that was playing after the baseball game.

Ross and Megan graciously volunteered to sit in the Jeep's "trunk."

Unfortunately we missed them, but it was a fun adventure anyway!

 The last survivors of the party.

 We finished it off with a little Just Dance 3 on the wii.

 I'd call it a success.

Happy birthday, babe.  People really do love you.

Cabin on the Beach

In the 2 years we've been here, we've been trying to plan a beach trip with Mitch and Maile but our schedules just never work out.  But, the stars aligned and just 1.5 weeks before we leave, it all worked out.  We stayed in an un-air-conditioned cabin on the beach and we were a little worried as to how run down it would be, but it wasn't that bad! Much nicer than expected which was a very pleasant surprise.  I did a terrible job of taking pictures that show our whole trip so you just get a few pieces here and there. 

Ferry ride to the island.  Poor Ryno was car sick and HOT and drooling like crazy.

Mitch, Maile and Lucy

This thing was right outside our cabin.

Somebody is definitely a furniture dog.

Our cabin.

Beach wheel chair.

Ryan is surprisingly really good at this game. 

Fresh local shrimp.

This is how we felt, too.

Like a ROCK.

That's how I slept last night. For the first time in awhile.  Now I understand when Moms say their baby is too tired to sleep.  My body must hate me because that's what it was doing to me.  But it was all worth it.  I'm behind on my blogging again, so the anniversary trip will probably get pushed aside and hopefully Ryan's Birthday party and the beach trip will actually happen.  Fingers crossed.  

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

Happy 31st Birthday to my wonderful husband!  

We've decided he can probably start counting backwards for another 5 years before anyone would ever question his age.  So here's so a second 29th birthday!

Anyone who knows Ryan should not be surprised at all by the white tux.  

I had to talk him out of it for the wedding.

I'm lucky this pretty girl introduced him to the church...

 And for this handsome guy who was patient with Ryan for the few years it took him

 to finally make the big decision to be baptized.

I will forever be grateful for his amazing (grand)parents who raised him

 and made him the man he is today.

  

Ryan has had amazing friends over the years that he still stays in touch with to this day.

  

He was blessed with a second family from church who took him in after his parents passed.

They are amazing!

When he's not stressed with school, he has PLENTY of personality to go around.

Happy Birthday, Ryan! You don't look a day over 25. :)