Family Time

Before moving to California, I guess you could say I took my family and friends for granted.  You can basically drive from the top of NJ to the bottom in about 4ish hours.  

It's not that big.

But with my fam in north Jersey, and friends spreading out all over NJ after college, I didn't always make the time for them.

 Before I left for Cali I met up with fam and friends who I hadn't seen in ages.  All because there was never time or they were "too far away".  When I left I questioned myself, why did it take moving 3,000 miles away to start making coffee dates to see the people I love?

Friendships take work.  And when I got back from Cali, a state so large it takes up most of the west coastline, I made a decision to make the effort.  The effort to drive to see family.  The effort to call up an old friend. The effort to get over my tiredness on a Friday night and be social.  

This weekend I went home and spent some quality time with my 9 year old brother and the rest of the fam.  

I had never been to this park, but we had a blast!

Matt and Dusty had fun exploring.  Matt even found a salamander, the highlight of our hike!

This place has a lot of history.

The American Studies major in me just loves it!  During the Revolutionary War, Washington used this rock to watch for the British; you can see as far as 30 miles out!

After we got home we enjoyed sugar cookies that had been baked with Grandma earlier!

Sure, it's not always fun driving 2 hours up the Turnpike...but it's worth it :)

Do you live close to your family?

Do you get to see your friends as often as you'd like?  

Back from a Break

My last post was August 25th, can you believe it?  I've been reading blogs but just haven't had the urge to update my own.  Sorry little bloggy!!!!  I have been keeping busy though!

I drove into Philly all by myself since Shane was working and navigated my way through an unfamiliar part of the city.  Anyone who knows me can attest to my terrible sense of direction and uncanny ability to ALWAYS get lost!  I of course did get lost in Philly, but thankfully made it to Aimee's SURPRISE party in one piece.

Delicious Italian food and plenty of vino was enjoyed by all.  I brought red velvet wine from Cupcake Winery, and it was heavenly.

In case you didn't notice, we survived Hurricane Irene.  {Feels like so long ago}

We headed to Allison and Nick's {love that they're now 5 minutes away!} for dinner, wine, lots of Storage Wars...and then the power went out.  So we enjoyed playing Clue by candlelight.

And of course this weekend Shane and I attended Christina and Chris's wedding!  She was such a gorgeous bride and it was such a great time.

Taste the rainbow :)

 

The weather was perfect.  And look at us, we look like pretty Skittles!

Allison got our table hooked on wine spritzers.

What a fabulous night with long lost Phi Sig loves!

Congrats and thank you Christina and Chris!!! 

Bloggers, do you sometimes just need a break from blog world too? When I'm feeling over whelmed in real life, the last thing I feel like doing is blogging!!

I love my friends.

obvi.

I know it's a pretty obvious statement to make, but I just wanted to throw it out there.  Like I told them yesterday, if it wasn't for them, or my wonderful family, I would most likely still be living in the palm tree wonderland of San Diego.  But the past few weekends I was able to get together with my BFFs "just because" and it was seriously fabulous to see their beautiful faces.  

We had great dinner at a cute little Mexican place in Freehold.  It was BYOB and Kerry made some fantastic sangria!  Good food, good people, good drinks.

This past weekend Shane and I hosted a little BBQ and lake party.

 

Thankfully the rain held out and we had a gorgeous day!

Shane was the ultimate grill master and made jalapeno/monteray jack & bacon/cheddar stuffed burgers.  All the meat eaters said they were the best burgers they ever had!

We had a wide array of delicious food and I made a salad from Jenna at Eat, Live, Run.

 

black bean, quinoa and citrus salad 

This salad was so light and fresh, the ultimate summer salad if I do say so myself!

I LOVE being close to my friends and I'm so happy I have got to see them the past few weekends.  Thanks girls, love you<3