Slumber Parties, Chicken Wings and FootBall Things

This weekend was supposed to be a lazy weekend for Lin and I but you know we can never seem to sit still!

Friday night I worked until 8pm as we had a large group of Cheerleaders check into the hotel for Cheersport. Once I got off of work I headed up to Cumming to join the girls for a birthday party/Slumber Party at Nicki's. Nicki, Kristin, Tracy and Kelly were all there when I arrived. We had a blast that night playing games, drinking Champagne and celebrating Nicki's Birthday.

Since Jeff was in Florida she had invited us to stay the night, however both Kelly and Kristen began to miss their beds (or men) and decided to head home late that night so we all decided to call it a night. I had such a blast, thank you Nicki for inviting me. All of you girls rock!

Saturday mom said she was going to make Ham Loaf for dinner and coaxed me in to staying for it. For those of you who don't know Ham Loaf is like a meat loaf only it is made with a mixture of Ham and Pork. You cook it like a meat loaf but then drizzle this mixture of Brown Sugar and Vinegar on in the end. So yummy I am almost drooling over here.

Lin had decided Friday he was just going to relax and play PlayStation in bed and he did just that. Saturday was supposed to be a lazy day for him as well however once he heard mention of Ham Loaf he decided to make his way up to Alisha's for Dinner as well.

I definitely got in my much needed Pdiddy time, I miss him so much when I am at home during the week. He seems to miss me a lot also seeing as he spits up on me every chance he gets. It's funny, when he is done eating and needs to burp Alisha gives him to Grandma and he burps, when Grandma hands him off to me he spits up on me. My shirt from Saturday night was not pretty.

Later on that evening Mike, Aubree and Kaitlin came over so Alisha and Aubree could make Super Bowl shirts for themselves and the babies. They did a wonderful job! The shirts came out so nice. Bobby even made his way over for a few beers before the guys decided to go "Pick up" wings. In our men's mind going to "Pick Up" food means order it, have a few beers, eat the food then come home an hour or so later. Needless to say they were in a bit of trouble. Shame on you Lin and Neil for dragging poor Mike and Bobby into your web.

Since the boys got back so late Lin and I decided to spend the night at the Natic's on Saturday and woke up Sunday morning with a craving for breakfast. Lin had suggested going to The Original Pancake House again but Neil had heard about this bagel dinner off of exit 12 called BB's Bagels. We all decide to head there to see what the hype was all about.

Once we got there Neil and Alisha realized they had been there before with some of Neils family. They were Uber excited because they had such wonderful food the last time they had been there. Let me tell you, they had every reason to be excited. The food was AMAZING and came with so much that you could barely eat half of your meal. They even had unique cream cheese; carrot cake, kit kat, chocolate sunday and yes those were all cream cheeses. Their home made corn beef hash was the best I have ever eaten. I totally suggest if you are up by exit 12 before 2pm you check the place out. You won't be disappointed.

After we ate Nicki stoped by on her way home from church so her and Lin could catch up a bit and for her to try the amazing food I had been texting her all morning about :) Once we were all stuffed Lin, my mom and I headed to Lin's mom's house to watch the football game while Alisha, Neil and Preston headed off to the Daily's Super Bowl Party. (Nicki had to get home because Jeff was coming home that night)

The rest of the night went well. My mom and I enjoyed catching up with Linda and Lin enjoyed watching the game. I think the team he was pulling for won? Who knows.. All I know is a made it through my FIRST Football season with Lin. WHOOOOO HOOOOO GO KARA!

Where in the World Are Kara and Lin?

Happy February Everybody! I (Lin) know that we have been major slackers in January. I also know that I was informed that the update needs to happen soon cause Kara decided to play the guilt trip card and pulled her Grandma in and saying that she loves my updates. (I already can't wait to meet her Grandparents in April when we go to Pittsburgh for the weekend. All Braves, Auburn, and Bears garb will stay at home that weekend (another story for another time))

So where have Kara and Lin been? Let's just recap January as a whole...

The Great Atlanta Snow of 2010: With Kara growing up in Pittsburgh and myself growing up outside of Boston. Snow has never really been a big deal due to the fact we got it all the time. Down here, it's a little different.

We got a whopping 2 inches of total snow fall (maybe after accumulation). Most of us growing up away from Georgia laugh at this, but things actually got dicey. Georgia does not prepare for things like this due to the fact that Snow and Roads icing over maybe happens once or twice a year. Here is a view from my deck of what used to be my apartment...

Medieval Times: The Saturday after the Snow Storm we made a trip to Medieval Times. This is something Kara and I have been wanting to do for awhile. So the two of us, got Bobby B, and Dana and drove up Lawerceville and meet up with Brent and Michelle who decided to join us as well. If you have never been, it is definately an experience. Not quite like the Cable Guy like I was hoping but it was still great.



We were sitting in the Blue Section so of course we cheered on the Blue Knight. The Green Knight was the sworn enemy but Kara had fun messing with the younger girl as we were right next to the Yellow Section. Overall the Equal Opportunity Knight (AKA The Black and White Knight) was the Winner. The Food was Excellent, so was the Entertainment and Company.



The Busiest Weekend Ever: The Weekend of the 15th was extremely busy for us. Originally we were going to go to Gatlinburg for Kara's birthday this weekend (I know her Birthday was back in December, but like I said... We were busy) We decided to save a little money and stick around in town. What a weekend though, My Car was probably thinking what the heck are you doing to me! Here is the rundown...

• Fun and Games with the NeSmiths: We ventured up to Cumming for another great evening in with the NeSmiths. Again they made an awesome dinner and there were more friends over. After Dinner we had a great game of Apples to Apples. If you have never played the game, it can get interesting depending on who you have playing. Poor Kara started showing signs of Fun Poisoning.
  
  
• Taco Mac: Before getting back to Neil and Alisha's we decided to stop at Taco Mac. This pushed poor Kara over the top. The great news is, I'm finally a Pledge in Brewmaster University. We got to celebrate this with Neil and Bobby C. Poor Kara wasn't in great shape though. It's ok Boo... I still love you.
  


• Cheesburger In Paradise: Because poor Kara was still feeling the effects of her "Fun Poisoning" I ventured down to Perimiter on Sunday to go to Cheesburger in Paradise with the Dorin Family. Little Patrick has been growing like a weed and he has become quite the flirt as he flexed his game on the waitress. Another great place if you haven't been. Pluse anything by Auburn's most famous Drop Out can't be beat right? Exactly!


• Happy Birthday Paul!: Now before dinner with the NeSmiths on Saturday we went to Rice to Celebrate "Little" Paul's 6th Birthday. After Cheeseburger in Paradise, I drove back up to Dawsonville to meet up with Kara and her Family to celebrate Little Paul's birthday. "Big" Paul (Kara's Dad) made his homemade pizza for the Celebration which can't be beat. Kara and I got him a remote controled Escalade. I did have fun searching for things in the Toy Department, and a few things that I thought about getting him however I knew some of the things would probably get me banned from the Raygor house. Maybe the Drum set will be next year.

Lin and his Hawks Games: The past two Friday Nights I have been to see the Atlanta Hawks play. Last Friday it was against the Charlotte Bobcats and this past weekend against my Hometown Boston Celtics. Both Games I've had excellent seats so I thank both Rolka and my Cousin Mark for the Tickets. The Hawks have a great team this season and have been improving the past few years. It's great that there are 2 teams in the city that are great. Now if the Braves can get back on Track this year and the Thrashers could be consistent, Atlanta could be an up and coming Sports Town.

Meanwhile in Kara's World: Kara spent the weekend up in Cumming last weekend with her sisters Danielle and Alisha and of course Neil and her Mom. She got to go Shopping and also got her dress for Denae's wedding. I won't post pictures now but she looks great in it. This past weekend she went to Gordon Biersch with Neil, Alisha, "P. Diddy", and Bobby C. I was almost a little jealous I missed out on that, however she brought more glasses home so it's almost like I was there.

At Least One Of Us Got To Relax: Kara said this weekend that she was just going to relax and didn't want to do much. It was good cause she needed a break. Me on the other hand, pretty much finished moving out of my apartment. I got a Van from U-Haul and my Friend Eric and got the stuff out of my apartment. Dropped off the Armoir I'll be using at my Mom's and brought the rest to storage. Eric and I had lunch and talked all things sports with Woodstock locals at Buffalos while Kara... Sat on the couch and watched Fox Reality TV. Once I returned everything and came back, Kara says "Let's go get the other 2 tires for my car" and we got to Discount Tire just in time cause the place got packed. This quick trip for tires turned into, lets get Kara's car serviced, run a few errands, and go play with Kristin's cat as well. I was beat so after all of this I told Kara she could make dinner as I was running all day.

Later that night we took in the moving Taking Woodstock. Seeing Dimitri Martin was in it, I thought it would be hilarious. Not really but if you are into the Music from that time and the story of Woodstock, I would reccomend it.

Yesterday I started unpacking my room as I've officially moved. I finally got to check out the Original Pancake House as well. I can't believe I haven't been there before. The place was awesome!

We finally wound up ending the day celebrating my Sisters 33rd Birthday with dinner at Aspen Steakhouse. I have joked with Kara that we have become aspiring foodies over the course of the month.

January has had it's ups and downs, while we had to watch Diddy suffer through some stomach issues and the passing of Ms. Wilma on my Family's side. We are still very confident that this year is bringing great things our way. (Well I am while Kara is going to keep complaining that things aren't happening fast enough)

I know I made the promise last time but I will stick to it that this will be updated more often.

My Birthday Weekend

This past weekend was my birthday weekend and I decided to start it off at my Local Bar where everyone knows my name "MidTown Tavern." I hadn't been there in a long time and since Lin went without me last weekend I was anxious to get there and see everyone.

I had to pick up my dad that night at the Airport around 7pm and take him up to Exit 11 to meet up with Anne and the Kids. I left my house early to stop and get gas, but he arrived early and I headed strait to the airport without getting gas. Once Dad made it thru the busy airport and out to the car I told him we needed to stop for gas. He looked at my gas gage and said we would be able to make it to Exit 11 and then I could get gas up there. As we passed Exit 9 my gas light came one. Once I dropped him off at Wild Wings I headed to the BP station up the road. I was so afraid I was going to have to push my car at this point. As I got to the pump I realized I had left my wallet sitting next to my Laptop all the way back in the city. Thank goodness my dad was right down the street and had some cash to save my night.

Dana, Bobby, Angie and myself made it to the Tavern right after Lin arrived from his work Christmas Party at 300 Atlanta. (300 is an upscale bowling alley on 285 by Peachtree Industrial.) Check it out here http://www.3hundred.com/atlanta.html

I had a blast at the Tavern that night. Everyone had a good time singing Karaoke and so many people decided to join us. I wasn't the only person celebrating my birthday, Friday happened to be Dana Munson Birthday and she came by after her birthday dinner and birthday Margarita's. Thank you also to Maloof, Emma, Brent and Michelle for driving ITP to help me celebrate.


Around Midnight Lin decided to "Embarrass" me by getting on stage and dedicating a song to me. For some reason he chose to sing "You lost that loving feeling". Thanks babe but I haven't. LOL but it was cute and the whole bar got up and sung it with him as they pushed me closer and closer to the stage. Once he was done I turned around and had a beautiful cake and a few presents waiting for me. Thanks Lambie for remembering the WONDERFUL Publix cake Bobby got me last year for my birthday and arranging it again this year.

Saturday I got up and headed to the Nail Dynasty for Pedicures and Girl talk with Angie, Dana and Abby . We had a blast, it was so nice to be pampered for the day. If you are ever in town and need your nails done you really need to call Lisa and set up an appointment. Dana and I have been going to her for over 2 years now and we have never been disappointed. (Thanks Lisa for the $10 gift certificate)

After Pedicures and Girl talk I went back home to find Lin had bought me a GORGEOUS bouquet of roses for my birthday and a funny but oh so true card.

We then got dressed and headed up to visit his mother in Marietta. We had hoped she would be able to join us for dinner that evening but she wasn't feeling well so we just went and spent a little time with her.

We had dinner reservations at Maggiano's at 8pm at Perimeter. We met Alisha, Neil and my mother as Maggiano's is our favorite Italian place and we had so much to celebrate, My Birthday, Neil's Birthday, a Brand New Car for the Natic's and Alisha having Preston soon. As usual the food was amazing the service was good but the management couldn't seem to figure out how to use the $10 coupon Neil brought with him.

After dinner we headed over to CheeseCake Factory for desert. MMMMM it was so yummy. I had the Banana Cheese Cake and boy was it amazing.

Sunday we headed up to Anne and Dad's house for dinner then took Dad to the airport so he could head back down to Florida.

I truly enjoyed my Birthday Weekend! A BIG thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate this weekend, it made turning 29 a little easier.

One Night in Bankok...

Ok maybe not, I am being forced to talk about about my weekend seeing Kara had a wonderful time bonding with her Mother driving from Pittsburgh to Cumming. Ok not forced... more like "(Explative Deleted) you better talk about what happened up there or else you're back on punishment" So I shall... (Just playing Boo)

Friday - Friday had My old Pal Rolka and I going to the Hawks Game where they were playing the Knicks which with how well "My" Atlanta Hawks are doing (as they say in the commercials) should have been a cake walk. Nope... The Hawks lost the game. It wasn't a complete loss though, my roommate Leslie was running an event for Southern Poly the school she works for (Go Running Hornets!) and got us in along with passes for a free beer (nothing wrong with that).


The seats were good. We had an obnoxious Knicks fan in front of us who was probably the definition of a Douche Bag. Luckily we had drunken Hawks Fans behind us so we knew if nothing else we were going to have a good time. Unfortunately one of the Hawks Stars got ejected in the 2nd Quarter for some BS, I think there was mob ties into it if you asked a former shamed ref. Just sayin...

After the game, I took Rolka around some of the Local Places in SONO. I told him about the "Bum Bot" at this bar O'Terrills but unfortunately the owner wasn't there. I found a video just for you Rolk... Here you go



We also stopped in for some oke at Midtown Tavern. At this point I was in trouble for hanging out at "Kara's Bar" with "Kara's Friends" without... You Guessed it "Kara" Good times were had by all I must say.

Saturday - So after my liver allowed me to get up, I was on my way to meet Neil, his brother Dan, and their cousin Bobby to head to Athens for one last Hurrah because Neil has his son "P Diddy" (as I will call him) on the way. So Preggo (as Neil calls his wife... With her permission of course) allowed us all to go out and have a good time. Which really means you're only allowed 5 minutes of fun, but we knew we were going to get in trouble anyway so away we went to the following places...

Terrapin - To all my friends who went to UGA... Shame on you for not introducing me to this place sooner. Great Beer and lots of Tickets for said great beer makes Lin a Happy Camper. This also begun the night of Random Women attacking Neil. First off some Girl started yelling at Neil and Bobby after they weren't even talking to her, then came the Globe which we will get to in a moment.

Copper Creek - This is where we decided to grab dinner. I forgot how much I love college towns. Good Food, more good beer, and Very Cheap! So Cheap that Dan threw his beer on Bobby. Ok so that was an accident, but it was the moment that we decided that Dan would definately drive back.

The Globe - This is now the trifecta of places I've never been. Now for some reason I always wind up running into people I know in Athens, either from High School, or even better somebody I went to Auburn with. Bobby and I were talking at the bar and Dan was making fun of a Girl in a Tim Tebag jersey. I looked over and said "I know her..." Bobby didn't believe me till she came up and said "War Eagle" to me. Turns out it was this girl I knew Amber who I met through my Friend Jack. Small world huh? Dan and Neil and this point are all "WTF???" So after catching up and we joined her table with her friends where Neil decided to Bless her Jersey, although Florida got Stomped earlier that night. The highlight was when this guy walked in and Neil said "I'd rather wear that guy's sweater than a Tebow jersey" and...


By this point in the night... Prego was posting messages on Facebook along with her sister that we needed to come... We were grounded... etc.

Sure enough the night ended with us heading back to The Natic Residence early Sunday Morning. It was a great time and I know Neil had fun as well. The ladies might disagree with how much fun we had, but it could be worse... We could have spent the night down town.