That Sarah McLachlan song gets me every time...

You know that commercial that has all those sick and dying animals with Sarah McLachlan playing in the background? Yeah, it gets me every time. I'm an animal lover. I once rescued a pigeon and took it to the vet. They probably threw it out the back door as soon as we left. But I love animals, always have.

I've really been considering adopting an animal(s) for awhile now. My apartment complex doesn't allow dogs, but they do allow cats. So I was thinking about getting a cute little kitten. But I'm gone for 9 hours a day, so I'd have to get it a companion to play with...meaning 2 kittens.

Now, I only have to convince my roommate...but who could resist these faces?

Houston

Navy played in the Texas Bowl, in Houston, on NYE. We decided to go down as a family cause a. we love Navy football and b. our family is down in Houston.

We got to see my cousins Kathleen, Becca, Samme and Tori for lunch. Becca's husband Michael and his son met us at lunch as well. It was so good catching up with them and having a good family time. I hope they're able to come out to DC this summer like they're planning.

After lunch we went to my cousin Jason's pawn shop. My mom bought another ring...she needs to go to AA for jewelry, its seriously a huge problem. After that we went over to Jason's house to meet his wife Dina and their 2 kids Jason and Melanie and see Meagan and Gavin (who I haven't seen in over 10 years). It was good catching up with them to and we had the most amazing Spanish/Mexican food for dinner.

The game on Saturday was good. I would just like to say that the weatherman let me down here. They predicted a high of 69 and sunny. I don't think it got above 55 and it was foggy the whole day. I'm talking some real fog, you could hear the flyover, but you definitely couldn't see it.

We got tickets to go to the Midshipman tailgate, where there was good food, good music and free gifts. Who doesn't like free gifts?!

Me, my dad and my cousins Meagan and Gavin.

O'Brien women

Some of the Houston O'Brien's

It was a good game though. Navy was expected to lose, but managed to play awesome and pull off the win!

C-A-P-S, CAPS, CAPS, CAPS

I love hockey. It's fast moving, people get hit, people fight...it's just my kind of game.

My dad hadn't been to a Caps game in a long time, and my mom had never been to a professional hockey game...we decided to remedy this by taking her to a game.

My dad got the 3 of us (and my boyfriend) tickets that came with dinner. So we got to go into the restaurant and have all you can eat/drink (of course my amaretto sour wasn't included in that deal) before the game. Mom got to sit next to a NJ Devils fan who was quite boisterous, he did shut up once the Caps went up by 3.

Mom and I, before the game started.

Me and Kenny :)

Alex Ovechkin(he's a BAMF)

I think it was definitely a good first hockey experience for my mom, especially since the Caps won!

*SNOW*

Snow is kind of a big deal in Northern VA. People freak out when there's an inch on the ground, but this was the big one.

Jen and I were supposed to have our holiday party (of course) on the Saturday of the storm. We post-poned on Friday, just to be safe, and I'm glad we did. I think we ended up measuring 24 inches once everything was said and done. I couldn't believe the weatherman was actually right!

Walking down our street in Rosslyn. Good thing the Dominoes was open!

Waving to Jen, who was taking pictures from the balcony.

My roommate, Jen, who is 5'9" standing in the snow on our balcony.

The snow wasn't the good kind, you know, the snow-man making kind...sigh, maybe next year.

Army/Navy Game

If you don't know my family then you don't really understand the role that college football holds in our lives. I graduated from Virginia Tech and don't miss a game (even if I have to listen to it on crappy radio stations). My dad went to the Naval Academy and since I've been in middle school we've had season tickets to every game. My dad went to every game (home and away) last year, he unfortunately didn't make it out to Hawaii this year.

A tradition in our family over the past couple of years has been the Army/Navy game. This year it was in Philadelphia again. We left a little bit later on Friday than usual because (I won't name names *cough::myroommate::cough*) had obligations. So we arrived up in Philly in the late afternoon. My dad, as to be expected, kinda lost his cool when the valet parking situation was less than ideal.

After all the bags were in and the girls (Jen, Mom and I) made a run to Macy's...we don't need an excuse for shopping, but ours was that Macy's was right across the street. Once we made it back from Macy's we headed out to the Rose Tattoo for dinner. The Rose Tattoo itself has become a tradition. The first time my parents and aunt and uncle went to Army/Navy in Philly, they ate there. Navy won. So we will go there everytime, until Navy loses.

My Uncle Gavin, Beverly and Josh (who goes to West Point) met us for dinner. It was nice catching up with the 3 of them.

The next day was game day. We had to arrive at the stadium about 3 hours early (My dad is crazy) and proceeded to bundle ourselves up against the cold.

Jen and I, ready for the cold.

Mom and I, our scarves were made by my Aunt Sue. I love this picture cause Mom looks so shocked that its being taken...and she's the one taking it.

The pre-game festivities were the normal ones for this type of event.

Both sides had a "March on" but this was my cousin Josh's company.

They had parachuters from both the Navy Seals and The Army Rangers.

The Fly-over.

I don't have any pictures of the actual game, I was cheering and paying too much attention for that. The Navy boys made us a little nervous in the 1st half by not playing too well. But they got their butts in gear and pulled it out in the 2nd half.

The final score, Navy wins :)

With my parents, after the game.

Kenny Comes Home!

My boyfriend, Kenny, deployed in May to Africa and then the middle east. He came home the first week in December (the dates slid back a little bit). I tried to protest the Navy about them sending him home to Portland, ME in December. The other option was Jacksonville, FL (where he's currently stationed). The Navy didn't really care what I thought so me, and his parents made our way up to Maine.

I think the worst part of everything was waiting. The plane pulled up as his parents and I were walking into the hanger. But then it took a good 30 minutes before they let everyone off the plane. The worst part of the 6 months was the 30 minutes of just looking at the plane I knew he was on. But it was a great reunion and we were all happy to see him.

I, unfortunately, suck and didn't take pictures...his Dad is my hero and did though, so at least we have documentation of the occasion.

We flew back into BWI and Kenny was surprised when his friends were lined up at the arrivals area with a huge sign...

It's so good to have him back in the US :)

Richie and Christy's Engagement

Since it's been a really long time since I've written, I'm going to take the next few days to update the big things that have happened in the past couple of months.

One of the biggest things was the two of my best friends got engaged! They've been dating since August 2006 and got engaged the weekend before Thanksgiving. He did an AWESOME job with the ring (its huge AND beautiful)!! He took her to dinner and then asked on a horse drawn carriage...I think I raised him right :) Afterward they came home to Richie's house where her friends and family were there to surprise her.

I'm SO happy for them and couldn't imagine either of them with anyone else, they compliment each other perfectly.

Christy has also asked me to be her maid of honor, so I'm really excited to help her plan the big day and be a part of it :)

The puppy :)

Christy, wondering why there are people in the house

Engaged :)

Friends since 8th grade

Christy and her momma

 Richie and all his "boys"

The Bevilacqua's