Visit to PA and a friend's wedding

Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures from this last weekend. I used my mom's camera and uploaded them at home, so if you want to see some shots, check out my facebook page. This past weekend was a great three days. I got to see a few great friends, and have a blast at Erica and Adam Burkholder's wedding. Everything went without a hitch and it was a beautiful fall day.

Not only did I get to spend time with them but I also got to visit with Jamie and her new baby boy, as well as my family. We all ate lunch together at Lio's (nothing beats a Lio's sub) and watched the Steelers' game on Sunday. Lio's lunch is a tradition when I go home because in the south, they do not have subs at pizza places, and when you go to a sub shop- it isn't the same, it's more like a hoagie. So... Lio's is a must when in Harrisburg. Being up north was a temperature shock to me, I was not prepared for the cooler weather! But it seemed to follow me back, because I am sitting here with the windows open in a tee shirt and sweat pants (it had been in the 80's until now). So I am welcoming the cooler weather!

Ben and I do not have too much planned until Thanksgiving. We will most likely check out at least one haunted house pretty soon here. If any of you know Ben, you know he LOVES celebrating Halloween :o) In two weeks, we plan on heading to a friends house that boarders Piedmont park and sit on his porch and listen to The Eagles play around the corner. Nothing like hanging out with your friends in the cool autumn weather.

All is good down here, miss and love you all. <3

Visitors!!

Hello again from down south. We have had a very good past two weeks. Two weeks ago, my mom came down to visit for a long weekend. Everything went as planned and we had a ton of fun. Many giggle fits, bottles of wine, and just relaxing with the dogs! We made it to the first kick-off game of the GT football season. It was our first tailgate, and it went rather well. Then we went to a movie, went out to eat, and just lounged around the rest of the weekend. It was a very good visit.

Then last weekend my dad and Brenda came down for the first time since I moved down. They had a lot to see, but we managed to show them much of Atlanta. We went to a very good BBQ joint, hung out in Buckhead, Midtown, and showed them the Chattahoochee rive (no floating because the water was very chilly). They got to spend time with the pups and see our little world down here in GA. I am very glad that they made the trip and got to hang out with us.

Now we have a couple quiet weekends until I fly home to PA to be in a friend's wedding. It will be a short weekend filled with rehersals, weddings, and get-togethers. I think it might be cooling off a little bit down here, and when I say that, I mean that it isn't above 95 degrees every day :o) Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures when my dad and Brenda were down, but here are a couple from my mom's visit. I will try to take more pictures- I know, I've been slacking. :o)

Tailgaiting


First home game of the season, Go Jackets!

Busy Busy Busy

My apologies for not posting in so long. I did think about posting, but with a little push from my sister, it made me get back on quicker. We have had very busy weekends here! Our friend Sean Talbott came to visit for a weekend, then the weekend after, Mr. Smith came down, and last weekend we had a concert to go to! Not only did we have visitors but we were kept quite busy during those times! We went to shoot the hooch on more that one occasion, went to two Braves' games, and a Jackson Browne concert at Chastain Park Ampitheater. Then this past weekend Ben and I treated ourselves to a Sheryl Crow concert!! Ben purchased those tickets as a surprise to me, 4th row, center stage! She rocked out, playing new and old stuff. Her encore totally took the show with all old stuff and a tribute to Michael Jackson by singing "I want you back". We have been thoroughly enjoying Atlanta, and sticking out the incredible heat and humidity.

This upcoming weekend I am going to a PAM (physical agent modalities) class that will get me certified to use things like ultra sound, electrical stimulation, and many more here in the state of GA. The only downside is that it is ALL day Saturday and Sunday, but I know it will be worth it. Then my mom is coming to visit the weekend after that, and the weekend after THAT my dad and Brenda are coming! Whew... here we go again... But I love it :o)

I apologize that there aren't any new pictures, we just haven't taken any! I promise to try harder to take more these upcoming weekends. Please send me messages and keep me updated with your lives- Miss and love you all.

Stone Harbor, NJ

This past week we spent our time driving to and from PA, and most of the week at Stone Harbor, NJ. I have vacationed there since I was born, and ironically, Ben and his family have vacationed there for most of his life as well. It is probably our favorite place to be. Not only do we both have history there, but that is where Ben proposed to me! The drive to and from PA/GA was rough, but well worth it. We took both of our puppies to my mother's house and she doggie-sat for us the whole week. She loved them, and they loved her! It also gave us peace of mind knowing that they were well taken care of. It gave us a chance to really enjoy our vacation.

We spent our days on the beach, our nights eating fabulous food and walking around to the different shops. Tuesday night, Ben's dad treated us to a Phillies game. It was great to be back in the sea of red and Philly lovers. We loved spending time with Ben's family, and his extended family was there too- so it was one big get together! I desperately needed some R&R (not that I got that much sleep because we exercised every morning) but just to get away was exactly what I needed. I feel refreshed, like my batteries have been recharged. I only wish that we could spend more time there and live closer. Not only did we spend time at the beach, but I got to see my family too the day before and after vacationing, so it was very nice to see everyone- even if it was only a little taste :o).

Now it is back to the grind of city, a bit overwhelming, but just taking one day at a time. We have busy weekends coming up, Ben is visiting a college friend in UNC in two weeks and then comes a month of weekend visitors! We love visitors, so anyone who wants to join in- feel free! Enjoy some pictures below of our vacation, a place that is very close to our hearts. (more are on facebook)

Miss and love you all!



Our spot- we have 4 different pictures, from 4 different years all at this same spot, need I say more? :0)





A night in town (96th street and 3rd Avenue)


Enjoying the Jersey beach


Our house for the week, on 96th Street and 2nd Avenue

Visit from Melissa

We had a great weekend this past weekend! Melissa, a long time friend of ours came down from PA for a four day weekend. We went to the brewery, hung out by the pool, played cards, and... we went to shoot the hooch! We had a blast, this time we put in from further up and it took us a whopping 6 hours to get down! Needless to say, Melissa and I were burt to a crisp, and I think everyone but me managed to fall out of their raft at some point (I fell out last time so everyone else was due for a turn). I think Melissa's topped it all off with skinned/bruised knees from falling out at the most rocky part of a long slow rapid. Everyone was ok, never in any real danger, but the river showed us no mercy :o) . We had a blast, but I don't know if I would want to spend another hot, blistering, 6 hour day on the Chattahoochee again, so I think we willl stick to the shorter 3 and 1/2 hour float next time. Before we knew it, it was time to take Melissa back to the airport- we made some awesome memories, and had a blast with her. We are so glad that she came down to visit.

Now it's time to prepare for our trip to Stone Harbor! We can't wait to spend some quality relaxation time at our favorite vacation spot with Ben's extended family. My mom gets the privilege of watching both of our puppies, she couldn't be more excited! Not only do we get to go on vacation to Stone Harbor and see my family for a day, but we will even manage to squeak a Phillies game in!! Needless to say, we can't wait!

The whirlwind continues... :o) Miss and love you all.

Quick Visit to PA

The entire Schirmer family, 3 generations!

My very quick visit started with Dad picking me up from the airport late Friday night. Saturday morning we got up, put the kayaks on the truck and headed off to the park for my grandfather's 75th birthday celebration. We spent a hot and humid day outside underneath the pavilion, eating picnic food, kayaking on the lake, and playing yard games. I couldn't have asked for a better day! And to top it all off, we met my mom at 3B's (one of the best ice cream places ever). Sunday, my mom, Lauren, and my mother's parents all met for lunch and had a great time catching up. My mom and I spent the rest of the afternoon together, and before I knew it, I was back on a plane heading for ATL.

It was WAY too quick of a visit, but I'm just glad that I could go home at all. For those of you that I missed, I'm terribly sorry, but as you can read- I didn't have much time to spare. I miss you all, and anyone is welcome to stay in our guest room anytime you are up for a visit! Speaking of which, our friend Melissa is coming to visit in 2 weeks and we can't wait to show her more of ATL (she visited once before)!

Here are some pictures below of my weekend in PA, Enjoy! Love and miss you all <3


Such a great pic of my mom and I :o)


Lauren and Jeff! What a lovely couple.




Memorial Lake and Blue Mountain

Shoot the Hooch, Wings and Classic Rock, and PA

Two weekends ago we finally went on our float down the Chattahoochee River. We bought river floating tubes and loaded into a friend's truck and were on our way! The water was freezing, but it was so good to finally be back on a river and in the middle of nature. We were on the float for about 3 and 1/2 hours and stopped along the way on a beach to warm up (from the cold water) and drink a few beers. There were many others doing the same thing we were doing, and our group of friends already has another trip scheduled! Unfortunately, I will miss this trip because I will be in PA for my grandfather's 75th birthday party.

This past weekend, Ben found a very nice event in Marietta. It was a wing and rock fest. There were classic rock cover bands all afternoon playing on a stage in the middle of the square in Marietta (north of Atlanta) and about 15 different wing vendors. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we had a great time eating wings with our friends. Meanwhile, we are still hanging out by the pool when it isn't raining with a passing shower, and just spending time with the pups.

As I mentioned earlier, I am going home to PA for this upcoming weekend. It will be a very quick visit, I always wish they were longer... I arrive late Friday evening, and leave Sunday around dinner time. Just enough time for the birthday party for my grandpa Schirmer and to spend a day with my mom. I'm excited to go to the birthday bash because every member of the Schirmer side will be there! Also, it doesn't hurt that dad is breaking out the kayaks at the lake (where the birthday party is) :o) . I'm sad to be leaving behind Ben and my two pups, but I know that they will have fun without me, Ben will be busy shooting the Hooch, and the pups will keep busy playing. The weekend will be here and over before we know it!

PA here I come <3