We Are Having a Baby!

On July 31th, Mitch and I happily discovered that we have a baby on the way. We are just over the moon to announce to friends and family that we are expecting our first child this coming Spring! Our expected due date is April 10, 2009. So, not only will this blog keep updates on us, but it will also now be the home of our journey to parenthood.

Harrison/Hottle Family Reunion

When I was young my grandmother's(Milchak) entire family would head to Rehobeth Beach every July. We are talking an entire extended fanily. Floors at the Star of the Sea would be full of the Harrison/Hottle family. We stayed in the same condo every year, since I could remember. My grandparents and Uncle Gary and Aunt Paula had their same condo, as well.

My brothers, sisiter, and I could hardly wait to pull up to our building. It was right on the boardwalk with shops, restaurants, and FunLand at our fingertips. It was fun to see so much of our family every year. So, this annual vacation became a much anticipated event.

Even, now, when Mitch and I head to Ocean City, we always reserve some time to head down the road to the Rehobeth boardwalk. As we walk down the boardwalk, I always mention that when we would go as a child you could not walk down Rehobeth Avenue without running into a Hottle, Harrison, or Milchak. Literally, you would head to dinner or ice cream and get stopped several times by someone you were related to. I always make Mitch stop at all my favorite shops and we have to get subs from Gus and Gus and ice cream from Kohr Bros.

Sadly, it has been years since the entire family has been at the beach together. People get older, children grow up, and life changes. Which is why I was very excited to attend the family's reunion this year. It was so good to see all of my grandmother's brothers and sisters, second cousins, and people I have not seen for a few years. I have included a few pictures from the day. Oh, and I have to mention that Mitch won a prize from one of the raffle drawings. While the rest of the Milchak's left empty handed, figures.

Mitch and I The Milchak's and Aunt Dee Dee's Family

The family

The Raffle

Valerie, Mom, and Jeanie

Michael, Brian, Mom, Jeanie, and I

Mom and I

Michael, Momma, Brian, and Jeanie

Grandpa and Michael

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NICOLE!!!!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my very best friend. We love you, babe!

Can't wait to celebrate!

Wine in the Woods

I kept meaning to post these photots, but time got the best of me. A few months back we went to the Maryland wine festival at Merriweather Past Pavilion. It was held in the Symphony Woods, tucked behind the venue. There was music, dancing, food, craft tents, and more. We had a great time with our friends, Nicole and Fred. Bring on the Virginia Wine Festival.

A Toast to the Day

The Terrible Threesome

Nicole and the Boys

Boys will be Boys

Mitch is punching the balloon/wine man whiie I drink his wine

Side note: This is towards the end of the day:)

Feeling wine man's muscles

The Party continues at the car.

Nicole and Fred

Us

And, the party continues at Nicole and Fred's house. Look, Nick came by to play too.
Us, again.

Mamma Mia!

Okay, so I have to take a moment to rave about my darling husband. I learned that Mamma Mia was playing at the National Theatre about a week ago. It is one of the musicals that I have been dying to see.

One thing I vividly remember from growing up was listening to ABBA with my mother in the car. We alternated ABBA and the Moody Blues on long trips to the beach. She loved ABBA and I learned to love it, as well. The music was fun and beautiful. So, when Mamma Mia! came out a few years back, I knew I wanted to go see it. But, until now we had not had the time to see it. I figured I would have to settle for the movie before the theatrical version.

I briefly mentioned to Mitch that the musical was playing in Washington D.C. and that I was bummed that I had found out about it too late to get tickets. Of course, a few days later Mitch informed me that I would be seeing it during its final weekend in the city. He had ordered last minute tickets for us to see it this past weekend. I was thrilled and reminded once again that I am married to a great guy.

We had an impromptu night out in the city, a matinee of the show and a dinner in Chinatown. The show was fantastic. I was not sure how Mitch would react to it. He is a good sport about going to see musicals. He actually enjoyed seeing Cats ( 3 times together) and Phantom of the Opera with me. He liked the music and we have been singing a lot of the tunes all weekend. However, I will be accompanied by my mother to see the movie next weekend. Mitch deserves a break now and then.

UPDATE: Just thought I would mention that all day Sunday while we were out and about we sang ABBA songs to each other. Yes, we are that couple. Our song of choice was the catchy-Lay All Your Love on Me. While looking for a video on youtube to post here, I found so many versions. I posted the original and the one from the movie. But, I listed a few I found fun-check out Erasure's version.

ABBA

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Clip from Mamma Mia! the movie. Look-one of "The Plastics" from Mean Girls and a very cute boy:)


Some techno version-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSzhbLBrr_A

A little side note-I found a few ABBA remakes by Erasure, who knew?

Erasure-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA_I54qogR4

July 4th Update

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Here are some photos from the weekend.

Cookout at the Vannoy's

Jenn, Cat, Jeremy

Mitch and Cat

Jeremy trying to feed the Cat...not me

Barnhart BBQ
Mitch and I relaxing( and getting tired)by the pool

A very strange and long pool fight...

not sure what the objective was.

Phyllis and Mitch, Bill caught in the flash.
Mitch by the pool

Happy 4th of July!

Glitter Graphics & Comments

Birthday Update

Even though I have reached those dreaded late 20's, haha-I had a wonderful birthday.

Mitch surprised me with a CD/IPod boom box and a cheesecake on the 24th. He, lovingly, shaped pink candles in a heart...yes, he is a romantic.

We had a few people over that weekend for a bday gathering. We had yummy food, drinks, and to feel young-drinking games. I had a great time and was thrilled with some of the gifts I recieved. I will be attending not only the New Kids of the Block concert in October (Jaime rocks!), but I will also be seeing the Backstreet Boys in August(Thanks, Jeremy!), woohoo. It is so bad, it is good. Jennifer bought me my first Coach purse. As many of you know I am a take it or leave it kind of gal when it comes to designers, shoes, and purses. But, I am exctied to report that I now have at least one designer bag in my possession(thanks to Jenn, who figured every gal deserves a coach bag) . Nicole surprised me with a great framed pic of us and a gift card to my favorite store, New York and Co. I, of course, was showered with many bottles of wine


Here are some fun pics from the festvities...

Nicole and I

Kristin and I

The littel brother, Brian, came out to support his OLD sister:)

Beer Pong...

A Zumwalt must at all our parties.

Grace and Jaime came over early to celebrate...
and Fred and Mitch waore the poor girl out.
Food and Friends
Jeremy and I
Jeremy, Gwen, and Jenn