zach and lynn's wedding

I was very excited to be invited by my coworker Zach to his wedding. It was fun to get the grooms perspective as he and Lynn made plans for their wedding day. He would share stories with me, and all the exciting planning and joys that come along with it.

His wedding was the very first morning wedding I have ever been to. I can't even imagine what time Lynn had to wake up to get ready for the day, as the ceremony started at 10:30am. And not only that, full Catholic mass. Zach and Lynn are very, very lucky that I like them a lot.

The church they chose to be married in was historical and built during late 18th Century in Forest Glen, MD. It had amazing stone structure and stained glass windows. The ceremony was very beautiful, but not as beautiful as Lynn. She had a very classic dress and a cathedral style veil. I have never seen a veil like hers, and it was gorgeous. They were both wearing gigantic smiles as they exchanged vows and wedding rings.

The reception was just across the street from the church, which made for a very easy commute. I enjoyed delicious foods and company. Also, Lynn had prepared a slide show of pictures of Zach and Lynn as kids and then pictures of them together, which was very sweet. I only stayed until 3pm where I unfortunately had to leave to do homework. But the wedding was a lot of fun, and I'm selfishly excited that he will be back at work on Monday :)

To see more pictures from Mr and Mrs Topel's wedding, click here!

have IT superhero

Jason decided to take a road trip home to his dad's in the Buffalo, NY region. Which is awesome for me because I'm en route! And now that I work part time, I was available to have lunch with Jason on his way up to Buffalo and dinner with him on his way back down to Durham.

On Wednesday September 16th, Jason showed up around 1:30pm and I decided that we were going to Earl's for lunch. Earl's is THE best place for sandwiches and I hadn't been in a long time. I had my usual, The Louie - which is fresh roasted turkey with lettuce, tomato, and a pesto mayo sauce, slightly grilled and delicious, with a side of fries. Jason had the bbq pork sandwich, which I've never had, because I always get the same thing. I know other people have had it, my brother who inhaled it in I think 3 bites, and loved it. The weather was mild and sunny so we ate outside and chatted. I hadn't seen him since my trip in May, so I was very excited to get some quality time! Once we were finished Jason went on his way, and I headed to campus for homeworks and class (less fun).

And then, on Tuesday September 22nd, Jason showed up around 5:30pm and I was in the process of cooking a delicious dinner for us to enjoy. I made a pork tenderloin that had been marinaded in balsamic vinegar and some herbies of choice, broccoli and garlic pasta shells. It was delicious! We also enjoyed home made brownies (amy's recipe) and I sent Jason on his way home with some freshly made banana bread. Yay for visits, even if they're short, I'll take seeing my friend and getting hugs any day I can!!

weight +15

So since June I have gained about 15 lbs. This. Is. Awesome!!!

Since apparently my weight has decided to continue to increase (lately I've been +16/17), I've had to adjust my work out routine to include running - which I HATE. So, I'm thinking maybe instead I will try the elliptical or biking. Besides, I've been told running is bad for females anyway. (and boring)

Also, since gaining weight, besides finding that my clothes now fit me significantly better than ever before, I've been feeling really good! My crohn's has been behaving, and I've been doing really well on my medication. Its been about 2-3 weeks since I've had ANY pain or significant problems (knock on wood). Oh and amazing, I just realized!! I didn't see my doctor AT ALL the entire month of September! This is the first month in over a year I haven't had to see my doctor. This makes me incredibly happy :)

peanut turns two

James is now 2 years old. I can't believe that he's already a terrible-two! Amy tells me stories every day about how smart and cute he is. He's recently become incredibly talkative too, using real words and constructing sentences. At his 2 year doctor appointment the doctor said he is very advanced for his age - what a smartie pants! I wish that I could be in VT to celebrate his birthday with them. He requested an Elmo cake for his birthday, so Amy created a giant Elmo head complete with red red frosting - I bet it was delicious!

My favorite James story that Amy told me, is how James knows that his mommy talks to me on the computer. And so he gives the laptop hugs, as hugs for Aunt Heather :) I miss the peanut and the entire Niggel family <3


(it was also my dad's birthday - happy birthday dadds!)

evan is lolephant

Since Evan didn't start work until late September, he decided to take advantage of this free time and visit Noreen in Germany. He had a great time, but more importantly, he drank - a lot. I had just gotten home from class and popped onto facebook and I see Evan has posted a status update. Well, Evan doesn't post status updates, but not only that, it said something ridiculous. It said something like : "Evan >>>>>>>>>> Noreen." And something about how she was going to be mad in 180 minutes. So I asked him, what did he do? And he responds via gchat. And this was our conversation - enjoy!!

ps. lolephant is what Evan becomes when he is very drunk: loud, obnoxious, messy, hungry, hilarious! (and I realize this might only be funny to people who know the back story - but it made my night!)

Evan: i didn't do anything i just iz drunk

me: hahaha

lolphant

Evan: yep

it took great concentration to read that word

me: what did you have

you are typing very well

Evan: many things

nothing else to do but make sure i spell correctly

me: well stop that

Evan: wouldn't want her thinking she got pwned that badly

me: less fun

is she passed out?

i dont understand!

Evan: 'member that night that i got woke up, but i knew they were coming for me

(SHHHH HE WON'T HEAR US)

me: yes

hahaha

are you en route?

it IS rather late there (note in Germany it was about 4:30AM)

Sent at 10:36 PM on Thursday

Evan: REVENGE (it would be more dramatic but i can't find the damn font options)

Sent at 10:37 PM on Thursday

me: * *

REVENGE

Evan: r

e

v

e

n

g

e

me: hahaha i cant wait

Evan: ugh

me: make sure youre LOUD

what

long trip?

Evan: nope

justt drunk and not tired

me: get LOUD

Evan: trust me already did

brought an extra person to do that job

me: ahahaha

new friend?

Evan: kinda

how was wedding

me: it was good

wedding. you know

cake, drinks, dancing

wedding.

Evan: oooh and part time or no job

me: part time!

starting monday

Evan: golf clap

me: haha thanks evan esq

seriously, nice job with the typing

Evan: win <----

Sent at 10:43 PM on Thursday

me: you will have all sorts of win tonight

Evan: nope

in bed

as we speak

l(slightly over the line)

me: youre in bed ?

Evan: yep

me: what happened to revenge

Evan: done

me: lol that was fast

and

!!

Evan: oh it happened before i started talking about it

me: ohhhh

is it time to pass out? or do you need pasta to spill on yourself

Sent at 10:47 PM on Thursday

Evan: if only both could happen. oh wait her fridge is in my room

me: ooOoo

Evan: more pwn

me: hahaha

Evan: yuck i hate that word

pwn

me: it's true tho

Evan: simple and effective

me: omnomnom

Evan: that is the problem

ok

first i give you this link

(pause for link searching)

me: hahaha

only send it once

is it the one in your status?

Evan: nope

though that is awesome

and the email bacf/forth is with real people

me: oh it is gone

Evan: back*

me: give it back

Sent at 10:52 PM on Thursday

Evan: www.27bslash6.com

here it is: http://emailsfromcrazypeople.com/2009/09/04/insults-will-get-you-everywhere/#comments

me: hah

free bird.

Evan: '?

me: the first link

Evan: ahahaha

Sent at 10:55 PM on Thursday

Evan: amber >>>> me

Sent at 10:56 PM on Thursday

me: lol you are mad

give me your cats

you are amber?

Evan: no

me: i dont understnad the >>>>

Evan: motr *awesomer

***more

get it?

me: amber is more awesomer than you

Evan: yep

"

me: who is amber

Evan: no idea

me: evil CATS

then why did you say she is more awesomer

Evan: look at may 30

10:30

response

copy/pasate not working

paste

me: to help you with noreen?

Evan: ?

no this is just comedy

me: im so confused

stop it

lol

that email is awesome

Evan: keep reading th echain

until you get--at least--to 10:30 may 30

damned cntl-c/v not working

10:28 to be exact

me: OH

Evan: and 10:28 is just the beginning

great website

offshoot of failblog

Sent at 11:06 PM on Thursday

Evan: annnd sleep

me: lol gnite

Sent at 11:08 PM on Thursday

tomtoes

A few weeks ago, before I was sick and before school started and stole every second of my free time.. Jonna and I baked stuffed tomatoes!! We had been getting tons of tomatoes each week from our CSA and decided to try some new recipes. And of course, we are running behind on the veggies and have mountains of them in the fridge. Jonna also made homemade tomato soup, and not being a fan of tomato soup I have to say, it was really really good. So now, the only time I will eat tomato soup is if Jonna makes it!

For the stuffed tomatoes, we used ground chicken, rice, pieces of the tomato we hallowed out, peas, onion and garlic as the stuffing. And on top of the tomatoes we put breadcrumbs, olive oil and cheese. It was deliciously amazing!! I'm having a lot of fun trying new recipes, they have all been incredibly delicious.