It's just another candle on your cake....

Yesterday we celebrated my cousin Asif's 30th birthday (his actual birthday was on the 20th - Thursday) at Avenue in Long Branch. None of us had been there before but his beautiful wife had heard great things about it. So she sent the evite and the rest is history! I, of course, checked it out on the web and when I realized that it was in Long Branch - where our good friends PatT and Gerard live - we gave them a call and told them to meet us out too!

Eric and I got there a little early and had our "alone time" with PatT and Gerard and then the birthday boy and Erin (with baby in tow - by "in tow" I mean - in utero) arrived with her sister Kelly and boyfriend Dan. They seriously are the nicest, funniest, and fun extended family one could ask for :)
Below are some photos from our night - I think you could tell that we had a great time!

Congrats to Asif and Erin on the impending birth of the first little one in our family - I cant wait to meet him/her and shower Erin with gifts in May!

This one's for you babe

Anyone who is a cop's wife knows that its a hard job in itself. Marriage is one thing. Being a wife is a totally different thing and now this is just...well I guess it's a third thing huh? :) That being said it's sometimes sad when my husband is away at work in the wee hours and I'm by myself. I'm certainly used to it by now but I was reminded of how much I love him when Liz played for me a song that is special to her and Tim. Tim played it when he proposed to Liz and now I'm playin' it for my husband. Really listen to it - you'll hear my voice in every chord...I love you babe...one year is just around the corner :)

What's the opposite of the Seven Year Itch?

It's happened ... my close-close (you know I've said that before!) friend Liz (aka White Chocolate) is engaged to her long-time beau Tim. It happened on their 7 year dating anniversary :) I guess after 7 years Tim's pretty sure that he's getting a kick ass wife outta Liz.

Their relationship isnt that fairy tale 'la-la' relationship. And honestly, after 7 years together if they were that way I'd be worried. They're real. They love each other tremendously and truly respect each other and I know that they're entering into this marriage eyes wide open.

Here's to you guys - being married for a hundred million years and always being happy.

Liz and I met long long ago in a land far far away. ok FINE. We met in New Brunswick at Rutgers but it was long ago. And I think at first we paid no attention to each other. In fact, Im not sure Liz even liked me though I dont remember liking or not-liking her so I must have been completely indifferent towards her. I do remember thinking one day in a staff meeting, 'Geez that girl is sarcastic'.

I dont know how it happened or when, but I love my Liz. We are there for each other through anything. We can call on each other for silly or serious matters and we're just 'us' all the time. No pretenses no facades - just the real Liz and Yas or White Chocolate and Brown Bear as we call each other (if you watch Scrubs you'll get the reference).

Liz - I'm here for you :) you know that if anyone can help you plan a fall 2008 wedding it's me. I love a challenge!

The Intricacies of Dialect Varm It

When cultures intersect, it is a beautiful thing. Sometimes, though, Americans are too proud or too embarrassed to reveal their misunderstandings. The result? Comedy gold. Thanks, Mom, for sending this to me.

St. Patty's Day isnt just about drinking beer...

It's about drinking GREEN beer. Sheesh - don't you all know this already?

No, seriously - St. Patty's day was important to us not just because it's an Irish holiday and neither of us are Irish but because Chief Harris was returning to official duty this day. She had been gone for about 10 weeks in an FBI training in Quantico, VA and boy did we miss her! Her amazing leadership and insight are always a wonderful guide for my shining star Sergeant...though I guess that would be 'shining stripes Sergeant'.

I was under the weather on this day but by the late afternoon/early evening was up to having some dinner. So I indulged my hubby and we went out for some food, drink, and a surprise visit from one of my favorite ladies :)

Pete says "Why you gotta go so soon?!"


ok listen, that's not fair to Pete - here's a better picture of him:

Some people care too much, I think it's called love. Winnie the Pooh

Well.... (drum roll please)....the moment we've all been waiting for - little Riley Sofia Goetz has arrived!

Ok, maybe not EVERYONE was waiting for this but a lot of people I know certainly were!!

For those of you who dont know Riley's parents (as they shall now be known for the rest of their days) - they are awesome people. Those kind of people who you meet and just know that they are the good kind :) warm and funny, generous in spirit and generous in general. They are fun to be around, fun to have around and now they've got this beautiful little expression of their love. And I must say, I've seen a lot of babies in my day (ok. I'm not 97 or anything but I have seen a lot of babies) and she's awfully cute. Some may say all babies look alike ... maybe they do... but if that's the case then they're all amazingly cute miracles.

As I said to Peter in an email - I cant wait to meet her in person (finally!) and to hold her tiny hand.

Congrats to the new parents - they're gonna rock!

Ummmm...can you say 'Trouble'

What other word would you use to describe the girls from college getting together with their spouses (and one soon to be spouse)?
Finally, after much trying - Becky & Bob, Pritee & Anthony, Nicky & Kevin, and Carol & Michael all came over for dinner on March 8th...Actually the more amazing feat then all of us getting together was that I actually pulled it together! I landed the night before from a business trip to Dominica - was surprised by my awesomely romantic husband at the airport and cooked a full meal the next night.
Though with us, its not really the food that matters, its the company. I was reminded of this during the evening when I went into the kitchen (for what - who knows?) and heard the raucous laughter from the dining room. I smiled...reminisced a little...and got this warm feeling of being surrounded by my 2nd family - these amazing people whom I've been blessed to meet and keep close in my life.
We weren't just getting together, but were also celebrating! Meeting Michael for the first time was great - he and Carol will be wed this fall. He fit right in and was firing one liners back at us in no time. Good job Michael and welcome to the family :)

Also celebrating the impending arrival of the wee baby B or B-squared as I like to call Nicky and Kevin's not yet arrived child. This will be a great moment in the lives of a truly wonderful couple who will be incredibly loving parents. Also this moment makes me feel old....we're adding a whole new generation to our GFAW :)
Remember - babies are always welcome at our dinner parties...we're getting of an age where we cant exclude them...and c'mon - who doesnt want a little cute one running around to serve cheesecake at the end of the night? I should really buy that baby an apron ;)

Go on little guy...the water's just fine

Sunday March 9th marked an important day for my nephew, Christian Charles Nielsen. He was baptized and my husband is his Godfather. Of course, being the somber serious couple that we spared no joke about the Godfather. In all seriousness, the morning was beautiful and baby Chris was a champ - no fussing or crying - just being his usual contented self. He did look MUCH more comfortable at the reception afterwards when he got to change into his "Got Milk" outfit :) congrats to mom and dad....

thank heaven for little girls...or boys..

Well, we dont know what B2 will be (that Baby Brice for you who havent heard me say B2) - boy or girl we're looking forward to little Carter-Analee's arrival (and I sure hope I spelled those names correctly)....

We are thankful for the wonderfully uneventful arrival of Tessa Lucille Mauer whom I got to cuddle with at Nicky's baby shower.
Below are some photos from her shower - photos of the precious new lil one - and of course some 'hammy' photos of Carol, Pri and me.

Later that day we celebrated Tara's 30th...unfortunately I did not bring the enormous camera with me...but we had a blast...you had to be there!





Mama-to-be opening one of her many gifts!













The brown girls back together again














In varying shades from brown to caramel....









and you can't forget 'latte'














the sweet baby Tessa














we havent had a photo like this one in ages...me and Pri








Me on my 10 minute rotation with baby Tessa (Carol and I had to take turns or there would have been some sort of baby fight)











Carol and I with mama Nicks











Yay! Carol's back!

























ok... I think either I (or Pri) cut Nicky's head from the picture on purpose...I think the focus here was the belly!

A picture is worth a thousand words

So ... please...remind me not to say "I promise" when Im swamped at work and home! Here are some photos that are definately worth the wait...and a thousand words...from the uber cute puppy I saw at my last Vet conference to the beautiful Edison sunset - what else do you need to remind you of all the amazing things in life? ENJOY!










Aunt Yas with baby Chris





Baby Chris has found a new teething toy - it's my finger!














A typical Mary 'yea - Im cute' face :) yes, she has a little lipgloss on...I am the stepmom arent I? :)


















Jimmy's got his dad's smile








The kids with their dad on his birthday...no he's not 73...the numbers are FACING him :)











Here it is - the beautiful Edison sunset I caught outside my office window.




















Eric and I in Vegas


















more...Vegas except this was playtime

Ginger being calm and patient as ever with Jimmy












Aptly named, 'Vegas' the retriever puppy was one of the highlights at the Western Vet conference