WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!

Whee!! This has actually been months in the making but we didn’t want to put it to the internets until we actually had the keys. It was kind of a crazy experience. We closed yesterday – May 29th.

The 29th seems to be a good day for us (got married Dec. 29, 2007 & bought a house May 29, 2009). Anyway… the house is a bit of a fixer. We’ve started a blog to chronicle the process. Check it out at http://brickcitylove.wordpress.com/.

We’re going to keep our beloved ’2 kids from jersey’ blog, aka robandcarrie.net, for our personal life posts. Brick City Love will be house and neighborhood stuff – very Newark-centric, I’m guessing.

So check it out! http://brickcitylove.wordpress.com/

There’s only 1 post up right now but lots more coming!!

Sunday, January 25th – I got a tattoo!! It’s a floating apple on my upperback. SUCH a story but I want to post it with pictures, so you’ll have to wait. It’s fabulous though and I completely love it.

Monday the 26th I started classes. I’m taking 3. It’s completely ridiculous and I’m totally nuts (well aware, thanks). Monday nights are Ethics, Tuesdays are Grants Writing, and Thursdays are Leadership & Diversity. I’ve never taken 3 grad classes in a semester before. But I’ve only got these 3 classes left and my capstone until I’m done. None of these classes will be offered over the summer, so it was either do it now or wait until fall. I’m NOT waiting until the fall. I’m planning on doing my capstone project over the summer. Of course, that does mean I need to have a project to do. If you have any ideas, send them my way. I’m kinda stuck.

Jan. 31st was the Mt. Holly Chili Cook-Off. Back in high school, the Velvet Elvis’ entered and won best tasting. 3 years ago, Rob & Skip (aka Derek) decided to give it another shot and it’s been an annual tradition ever since. Friday night we make the chili because we’ve found it’s best after a night sitting in the garage. The flavors really meld together if you let it sit for a while.  This year, we entered “R2D1′s Grande Chili Esplosion con Awesome!!” R2D1 = Rob A., Rob. H, & Derek S. Last year it was “R2D1′s Drunken Cactus Chili”. The recipe is constantly evolving and – I think – was the best it’s ever been this year. The judges thought it wasn’t spicy enough, so we didn’t win best tasting. But we DID win “People’s Choice”!!! So that’s cool. You can check out pictures from Friday night’s prep & Saturday at the firehouse on facebook.

This past weekend was nuts. We were in NYC every day & night. I’m going to try and upload pictures from the camera tonight. When I do, I’ll post. It was crazy fun.

This past week, we traveled to DC to witness Obama’s Inauguration!  We had such a great time!

While we were there, we were interviewed by some folks with Jim Lehrer’s Online News Hour.

Check out the story here!

Also check out Rob’s Coverage of the inauguration here!

Today, our prize arrived in the mail.

First, there’s a certificate -

Then our prize… buried under about 1,000 layers of carefully folded tissue paper…..

was this adorable ornament!!

Isn’t is fantastic?! I love ornaments, especially ones with memories attached to them. Our new mailbox is no different. I can’t wait to put this on our tree for next year.

Thank you Kim, Ryan, Franco & Lola!!

Love,
Carrie, Rob & Bruce

Mood: relaxed, classy, vintage, fun
Colors: gray, emerald, apple green, sky blue

Click here for a bigger picture.

Sources:
Gray suit, green tie (can’t find the link… oops! TheKnot.com maybe??)
Priscilla of Boston Dress (style PB203)
Green, blue, & white tablescape (just too perfect!)
Lily Invitation
Handmade Boutonniere by Myra Kim
Gray Voodoo Too Shoes
Baby’s Breath Bouquet
Green Lotus Pod
Pinatas!!
Mint Juleps
Birdcage Veil
Vintage Edwardian Engagement Ring
Pistachio Macaroons
Ring Dish (forgot to save this one too)

If someone could pay me to do this, I’d really appreciate it. K.Thx.Bai.

Front:

Inside:

Inside it reads:

Merry Christmas from the A’s!!

Recently, Rob invented a small helmet that allowed the dog to turn his thoughts into speech.  What follows, are his feelings about the year that was.

This year good.  Most of time me live with smaller, other dogs at place with grass.  Now me live in tall brown house with dirt.  The big man not as big as he was before.  The pretty lady happy because me here… also the big man make her happy too.  She almost done school so that good.  Most of time I sleep. Sleep good.  Both big and pretty humans still have jobs, so that good cause me like eat.  That small guy on front of card not theirs. He baby of friends of other friends but big guy think funny to put on card for carpenter’s birthday.
K, Bai now.
- Bruce -

If you don’t know us, it is key to understand that the child on the front is NOT ours. tee-hee-hee. He is the son of Skip’s co-worker. And – to answer Lil’s question – I have no idea why he’s only wearing one shoe.

If you didn’t get a card but sent us one, I sincerely apologize. We miscounted when ordering and ended up way short. You will be on list for next year! I promise.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

And thanks for the love, Kim!!

2008 has flown by SO so fast.

There are so many more wonderful pictures but I don’t want to bore people. Happy Anniversary, babe! LOVE YOU!!

(This was taken at our validation ceremony by Kat and processed by me.)

It inspired us to clear off the dining room table, so we’d have a place to put it (and take a picture!).

It smells like Christmas!!! I love the crystal sprigs.

Thank you elves!!!

This evening after dinner, we sat down to decorate our tree that Santa brought.

It came with lights and ornaments.

Check out the beard on Santa!

I made a bow for a topper from some leftover ribbon scraps I found.

TA-DA!!