Wedding Part 3! The happy couple!
334 Evergreen!
126 Orchard!
The Winers

 

Jon and Erin's Wedding Part 2!

Bob and Laura Griese

From Justin to Kelly! We miss you guys a lot!

Chad and Julia Schwartzenberger, so cute!

Jordan and Dan Kehoe aka Yoop whose Mustang I am going to steal!

 

Jon and Erin's Wedding

This past weekend Jordan, Barkley, and I traveled to Grand Rapids for our friends Jon and Erin's wedding. Jordan arrived home in the early afternoon on friday from Tampa Florida. He woke up in Tampa, flew to Newark, NJ, continued on to Toronto and then picked Barkley and I up in our rental car and then drove to Grand Rapids. Wow, what a trip.

We arrived rather late b/c it took over 2 hours at the border. We didn't get to see any of our friends that night we went to the hotel and went to bed. On Saturday we picked up Jordan's tux and returned to the hotel. As soon as we got there Barkley started having a seizure. Poor puppy. He got better buy early afternoon, but I stayed with him while Jordan went to the church to hang out with the groom and groomsmen.

The wedding was beautiful. It was held in a historic church in downtown Grand Rapids. It was so warm in there whoo, no air! The reception was fun. We haven't seen many of our MSU friends since our wedding so we had a blast catching up with them.

Aren't we cute? Nice Barkley eyes Jordan!

Steve, Shannon, Mike, Dan, Laura, and Peacock!

A little red there Jordan? What's up with the shades? You are inside!

Shannon and Steve!

 

UPDATE!!

I finally found a job. I start on Monday after my fun filled weekend. Jordan arrives in Toronto early tomorrow afternoon. He will pick up our rental car and then come get Barkley and I. I will probably have to drive b/c he will be so tired from his long week and flight. As soon as we get there we will go to the rehearsal dinner. (If we make it on time) Jordan has to be there early, but I will be shopping in Grand Rapids (maybe). I want to hit Target, Kohls, Linens and things and Pier One. I miss Target and Kohls b/c they don't have stores in Canada.

The wedding will be fun b/c we will get to see all of our State friends, most of which we haven't seen in a year. On Sunday we will meet my family for lunch in Grandville, MI. It's only been 2 months since I saw most of my family, but I still really miss them. It stinks we only have enough time to have lunch with them, but at least it's something.

Enough about this weekend...Early this morning Barkley and I were rudely awakened to the sound of a fire alarm. The fire alarm went off in all 5 condo buildings in our complex. It was 4:45 and we're rushing outside b/c the alarm said to evacuate. We were met down there by Barkley's new friend AJ and his mom Tammy. AJ is a shihtzu/terrier and he looks very similar to Barkley. He even has the big eyes like Barkley. Very cute. Anyway that's all for now. I'm just hanging out until Jordan returns from Tampa. Later gators.

OOPS!!!

Oops!!

Yes, Keith and Parker where here in Toronto too, but I didn't get copies of melissa's pictures from her camera and I spent more time with Melissa and Tricia this weekend. Here is the one picture I do have a Parker. I will post more when I get them from Melissa. And I don't know why this is underlined. I don't know what is up with blogger. 

Here are more pictures that wouldn't post the first time around:


 

Black Family in Toronto

This Thursday Jordan's sister, husband, and two kids, Tricia and Parker arrived in Toronto. On Friday they went to Niagara Falls. Parker is seven years old and without solicitation from his dad he said, " I love Niagara Falls. It's better than Disney World!" Dad was thrilled, but Mom a big disney world fan was not as much.

They came to my house friday night and then we went to the Bluejays game. We had a great seats. Melissa cheered on the White Sox very loudly. She didn't mind when angry Bluejay fans told her to shut up! (She just cheered louder!)

On Saturday the girls did their thing and the boys did theres. We did start off the day at breakfast together before they headed to the Hockey Hall of Fame and we headed to Toronto Islands. We took a ferry boat over to the island. We wandered through the hedge maze and only hit a few dead ends.

Melissa and Tricia on the beach!

We rented a quadricycle and biked around the island.

It was a lot of work epecially when Melissa was laughing so hard that she stopped peddling!

Here's Tricia at one of the spots we took a break at.

On the way back to our house we stopped at a festival that they were having on the lakefront. We enjoyed the international marketplace and did a little shopping. We stopped at the kids zone where Tricia got to make a headpiece covered in feathers. I enjoyed a churro while melissa enjoyed corn on the cob.

We arrived back at the condo to find Parker and Keith waiting for us. They had stopped at the Jay's kids zone across the street where they had a blow up slide and other events for the kids. We had great tickets again for this game, but this time we were in the club 200 level where they have cushy seats. The kids enjoyed the kids zone inside where they got to play a pitching game. Afterwards we headed to East Side Marios for dinner.

We headed back to the condo and Jordan came home. We got to visit for awhile. We had the kids sleepover, but they fell asleep before their parents even left!

I made pancakes for breakfast while the children took turns letting Barkley lick them. I was glad to get a break from his rapid fire tongue for awhile. When I was at Niagara on the lake last week I saw a sign which applies to our home, "Warning! Dog can't hold his licker!" This is very true. Tricia and parker would take turns putting their elbows in front of his face so he could give them a bath!

The kids also enjoyed taking Barkley outside and making faces at the cameras in the elevator to see if the security saw them. Also, Uncle Jordan wowed them when he let them throw garbage down the shoot!

We had a great weekend and were sad to see family leave yet again.

 

Feast or Famine

So starting monday I began the interview process. I was supposed to interview with a company similar to Kohls called Winners. It didn't work out b/c they don't hire people with work permits. Grr...pretty annoyed b/c I traveled pretty far to get to this interview by cab so that I wouldn't look like a hot mess when I got there and the lady new I was American. I had to take the subway home which meant waiting for a bus for 1/2 an hour, ride one train for 30 min switch trains and then walk home. The store would be closer than the interview place, but it was still a bust.

I had a better interview on tuesday with St. Louis Bar and Grill which is the new restaurant opening up in our building. I had a call back today and I feel it went well. Hopefully, I will get a call by monday night with good news.

I also got a call today to interview with the Rogers Centre next week on Thursday. Wish me luck. I really want the St. Louis job and I hope it will work out.

Jordan is getting hit with a lot of stuff work wise. He had a long day yesterday. This is a big series against the Yankees. JB will be super busy for the next month. He is not going to the next road trip starting monday-wednesday luckily, but then he will be gone again on wednesday. My mom and Liz will be here for a visit on thursday. YEAH! Pretty excited about that.

Well, that's all for now. I'll keep you posted on the job front. Later gators!

Feeling old...

Today I went to the gym and was having a hard time getting going on the treadmill. I heard some people playing volleyball and I asked them if I could join them. We got a game going and I had a good time, but I got tired very quickly! : ( I remember playing several games on a saturday in high school and now I was tired after an hour. It was fun though. They play every sunday night so I might join them from now on.

Toronto is going crazy by the way after Italia's win today in the World cup. Fans watched the game from the Rogers Centre in the Blue Jays absence. Little Italy here in Toronto is still packed with people in the streets celebrating at 11 pm.

Tomorrow Barkley and I get our Jordan back! He will get home late in the afternoon and we're pretty excited about it. He has 4 days off! Yeah! Later gators..

A walk in the park...

Barkley led me on a long walk this afternoon. Usually he just meanders around the courtyard and then heads back to the front door, but this day he decided we would have an adventure. I took him down by the lake one time, but he remembered and led the way.

He doesn't seem to mind all of the traffic and the noisy streetcars and he's careful not to step on the trolley rails as he takes his sweet time crossing the street. We arrived at the lake and he was in heaven, smelling the wonderful murky smells of Lake Ontario. It took forever for us to travel a block b/c someone couldn't stop sniffing everything in sight.

We stumbled upon a wedding taking place under this beautiful arch-way in the musical gardens. It was really pretty. The bridesmaids wore black dresses which was very pretty against the white bridal gown.

We returned home when Barkley showed signs that he had had enough. He sat on the couch for 1/2 an hour panting like a mad man with his tongue on the floor, but he loved every minute of it.

In other news, the cavalier is gone. My parents sold it tonight to a young girl and her dad. It's there problem now. I wish I could do an ode to it like I did with the Buick bomber, but I can't think of any redeeming qualities that the car possesses. Sorry Jordan! You don't have luck with cars.

-The Cavy as Jordan so affectionately called it didn't start this whole winter.
-I was repulsed by it after spending a week in it cross country with no air and four people.
-The radio nob fell off in your hand when you pushed the button.
-It had a little stink factor, yes Jordan...you're a pig with your cars!
-The windshield was a little distorted when you looked through it.
-It started overheating and letting off steam at the Canada/US border the time we got kicked out of Canada. (If you don' t know the story ask, it's a good one.)

I can't say I'll miss it, but it is weird to say that we don't own a car now. All I know is my dad is happy to be rid of our vehicles so he doesn't have to do any more maintenance on them!

Canada Day

Saturday was our second year of experiencing Canada day vs Fourth of July. I can't believe it.

I went to the Blue Jays game with Eve, the phillies writer's wife. They gave away foam Canada flags. After the game they closed the dome and then they had a fireworks show. It was pretty good. The best one I've seen since I've been in Canada.

We went to an international festival that had a bunch of different booths. They also had food from different countries. We had some really awesome churros.

When the guys were done at work we went out for dinner.

On Sunday I went to the Hard Rock Cafe with Eve and we watched the Blue Jays game in there (Not on tv, through the windows that overlook the field.) We went to the movies and saw The Devil Wears Prada which I would recommend. When I got home my poor hubby was still working and was until 2 pm. He got up at 4:30 to go and catch a flight to Texas where he is now.

Barkey is missing Jordan as well. Poor pooch. He was hiding under the bed. (Jordan said he was looking for him) and he scared the crap out of me when he started barking in the middle of the night for no reason.

I am very jealous of my families 4th of July plans. They are all at the beach and I'm sure they will be enjoying the fireworks later. Happy Fourth of July everyone!

One Year Anniversary....

No, not me and Jordan, but this is my one year anniversary of blogging. As of yesterday I have been documenting our life for one full year. A lot has happened since then. My first blog post was about how we were settlig in to our tiny little apartment at Yonge and Steeles. Jordan was an intern for MLB.com and was traveling an hour to and from work each day! Ugh.

After that we were in St. Joseph Michigan for a few months and Jordan worked for the Herald Palladium and I was working for Smit & Kragt a law firm there. We brought our new puppy home to our new apartment on Cleveland Ave. He didn't like walking on a leash at first and was pretty defiant. He had a hard time running up the 3 floors to our apartment but he lost a little weight and that made it easier. It was nice to be that close to home. It would take about an hour and 10 minutes to go see family. Barkley got to go on a lot of those road trips and spend time with his stinky friend Sam.

Jordan was offered the full-time job with MLB.com and we moved in to our condo the first week in february. February 15th Jordan left for Florida for 6 weeks. Kyle traveled to Toronto to pick me up and I spent a week at my family's house and then I flew to Florida for a month. My family visited and Lynn visited. It was a lot of fun.

We returned to Toronto for the regular season. Jordan began doing a lot of traveling. I went home for Easter and Sarah's shower/Bachelorette party. I continued my job hunt when I got home.

Jody and Aaron Barrigar visited for a long weekend. It was nice to see a friendly face in my new city. We had a great visit.

Last week I was in Iowa for Sarah E's wedding.

Now I'm back in Toronto and I am still job hunting. Hopefully, I will find a job soon and will get back on the track towards dental hygiene. I pray that Barkley's seizures will decrease. ( He had one last night that was pretty violent) Many family members have made plans to visit us this summer! I'm pretty excited about that. This year has been quite eventful. Happy one year blogging anniversary!

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Nixon

After taking a sad Barkley to doggy day care I caught the shuttle to the airport. I flew into O'hare and went out to dinner with my family at Popolanos.

On Friday I went to Iowa with Jill and Bobby Kopec. We had the Rehearsal for Sarah's wedding and then had the rehearsal dinner. I spent the night at Sarah's apartment. I got my hair done at 9 am and waited at the church for everyone else to get theirs done as well.

The wedding was beautiful.

The brother of the bride, Brad suprised her with a excursion limo which was awesome.

We took some great pictures at the old capital building.

The reception happened so fast, but we had such a great time.

On sunday we drove home and then had Gino's East pizza for dinner. Before I new it it was time to head home. The weekend was such a whirlwind and I can't believe I'm home already. I was very excited to see my hubby and my puppy.

***I would post more pictures but Blogger is not cooperating. I will try again later.***

2 days....

So after spending some time packing, and reading an excited email from the bride to be I am getting super pumped about heading home for the wedding. It could also be b/c I'm sitting here at home without my own hubby, but I'm ready to go and be with family. Sorry Barkey, but you're going off to doggy daycare on Thursday!

After reading people's fathers day posts and working on my moms family, the Hensons, photo project, and scrapbooking, I have been kind of reflective.

I remember when I was a child and couldn't wait for summer to come b/c that meant I would be spending endless days swimming, playing outside at the park, and playing summer softball with my girl sarah e! Now that summer is here I feel like it's passing by so quickly...it's almost july! It's funny how as you get older the days/years seem to pass faster and faster. As a child you have no concept of how time is moving.

It still amazes me that even after a year of marriage that I am married. I still feel like that little girl in little white keds running up the hill on Chicago road with my backpack, waiting for Mrs. Eastman to help me cross that busy street so that I could come over and play with Sarah. . . and now she's getting married too!

This is the same girl I used to taunt every year on February 20th b/c I was older than her. I was born Feb. 19 and she was on the 21st so that one day of the year I could brag about being older than her. It doesn't take much to amuse a child.

This is the girl who was the first person to burst my bubble about the true identity of Old Saint Nick and the Toothfairy! "My mom told me...." She said. Thanks Sarah!

This is the girl who was with me through wins and losses. We would spend extra time together after practice during her "All Star" pitching days. She had to throw a certain amount of pitches to me at softball practice before we could go home. She still thinks I would cheat at counting so that we could go home early, but I rarely did! tehe!

I met her in Kindergarten at a daisy meeting (girl scouts) when we were 5 years old and it's rare to have a friend for as long as we've been friends (18 years). We've been through a lot together and I'm happy that I get to be a part of her big day. I know she'll make a beautiful bride. Congratulations Sarah E!

Happy Dad's Day!!

I think this is the first Father's day that I haven't been with my dad. Wah! I will be there on Thursday and then he'll get his present. Usually, we have a BBQ with just the family. Today I found out that he is spending his day rebuilding/cleaning the filter on the pool or something. Real relaxing! I just thought I'd pay tribute to the most awesome dad I know. I love him. He's always been there for me. Here are some shots of my dad.

Dad always helped carve pumpkins every year.

(usually doing more of the work than us!)

Dad enjoying his favorite pastime!

Dad's Favorite Child!

I guess he's where I get my good looks! Yeah we're cute!

Like father like son

(Sorry Ky Ky I didn't have any pictures of you and dad!)

Well, to all you dad's out there have a great day!

Error!!

Due to yesterdays problem posting I will attempt to add the photos that wouldn't upload today. Enjoy!

Jody and I at our awesome dinner at Alice Fazooli's.

What a great dinner!

Jo and me near the sleepy grizzly bear exhibit. It was hard to get photos of most animals b/c they were all sleeping!

One of my favorite animals and one of the most cooperative as far as photos go!

Who knew flamingos barked! They were quite noisy!

Zebra!This polar bear spent the afternoon playing with a blue barrel.

Baby Luke with his new favorite toy from his auntie and uncle!

What a cutie!!! No he wasn't at the zoo, but I just wanted to share this adorable photo!

Barrigars in the Big City!

This weekend I had the pleasure of having my bestest friend Jody and her husband Aaron come stay with us. They got here on Saturday afternoon and we hung out until Jordan got home from work. We went to Cayo Coco for tapas. They were awesome.

On Sunday we went to the Bluejays game and we had seats in the Club 200 section which are cushioned! Jordan even got to come down and sit with us for awile to. The Jays were playing the Tigers and the Barrigars are huge Tigers fans.

On Sunday night after the game we went to Alice Fazoolis, a nice Italian restaurant that Jordan had $200 in gift certificates to. We ate like piggies. We had drinks, appetizers, I ordered seafood alfredo and then Jody and I shared a dessert, brownie with icecream covered in razberry sauce, which was heavenly.

On monday Jody wanted to go to the zoo. Toronto's zoo is the 3rd largets zoo in North America. It is very hilly and we did a lot of walking. By the end of the day we were beat. We spent the evening in the pool/hot tub to relax.

Barkley and I are recovering from being sick. I think I had strep throat or something and he had a seizure on Saturday. He's going to the vet on friday to see what's up with him.

Today I got my bridesmaid dress back from being altered. Just in time b/c the wedding is next saturday. I leave for O'Hare on thursday night and return monday morning. Well, that's all for now. I'll just leave you with a picture of my adorable nephew with his present from his uncle Jordan and auntie Kelly!

(***I'm having trouble posting pictures tonight. I will try and update later!***)

The Loose Moose

Last night Jordan and I went to see the new romantic comedy, The Breakup. I liked it. It was pretty funny although we are pretty partial because it was filmed in Chicago. When we came home I decided to go to the gym...Jordan said he would join me, but that 9th inning sure took forever!

I met these two girls at the gym and they asked if I wanted to go out for a drink and I decided to go. When I got back Jordan said he would join us. We went to the Loose Moose for a drink and we had a good time. It wasn't one of those trendy places where all the girls are half naked it was more low key and we enjoyed it.

Today we don't have a lot planned. Tomorrow we might go to the Royal Ontario Museum and check it out. Well, that's all for now. Later gators!