Kitchen Remodel

When we built our home, we spent our money on the structural upgrades that couldn't be changed as easily as cosmetic ones. For example, we added the extra windows in the dining room, the wanescoting, extra windows in the vaulted wall of the living room and bumped out the wall on one side by 6 feet. We also added a 4th bedroom and got the spindle stair case that we wanted. We did the pre-wire speaker/entertainment center in the mancave/family room and did the plumbing/half bath install in the basement that we'll eventually finish, etc. From a decorating stance,  Dominion provided countertops that weren't exactly our style, so we had them install an el cheapo neutral countertop in the meantime, and we will wait to lay the laminate wood floors (that we warrant with having 2 pony dogs) until we find what we like as well.
My buddy Israel owns a countertop business so I've been on the hunt to find what I want for awhile and finally did. He laid them last week and they look GREAT! They are just the contrast of color that we need in the kitchen. I got busy picking out the backsplash I wanted soonafter to lay myself (dear God my arms and fingers are still aching) BUT, the final product is one that we absolutely love. I really dont think I've been as proud of myself in awhile as I was when my 2 straight days of laying backsplash concluded.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

countertop close up

heavenly sink installed--I can sit in it its so big (just incase that's ever necessary) ha!

backsplash I chose--shattered glass + wet saw + install = gashed fingers, blood, sweat and tears. I have to say though, I have never been more proud of myself

the sparkly backsplash during install

final kitchen! :)

Come by and I'll share some of my red with ya!

xoxo,

Andi

2 Year Anniversary!! 4.23.13

How has it already been 2 years married and 5 years together? Although, I feel like some days it's been 10 years with Blair, as we are so comfy and cozy into year 2. Things just fit easily and we've really had the best year of our life together so far in year two. I'll admit year 1 was a challenge for us as we got married, rented out our city condo and built a home (end of it lived with my parents until the house was competed, so that's never easy) all while delving into our busy work/coaching seasons for 6 months with Sundays free to catch up (not enough). I'm happy to report Year 2 was smooth sailing.

We moved into a home that we love where we'll be raising our future family. We traveled to Greece and Turkey, both of our #1 travel Bucket List locations. We met our very first nephew, sweet Isaac. I started with B. Braun, a company that I love and will hopefully be with for a very long time, if not indefinitely. We just had an insanely blessed year 2 married together and the year really flew by fast. Here's to starting year 3 My Love, I'm happy that I chose you as my husband today and everyday (well, most of them at least) ;) ha! 

Yearly tradition picture under 'our' wedding ceremony Arch! <3

Dinner at 'M' by Miranova, heavenly.



Make a wish!



Here's to many many more years together, I love you the most Puff!

xox,

Andi

Recent April Happenings...

Sweet Lord has it been hectic around here lately!! ....some of the latest happening's worth noting around the Albright household are as follows:

Isaac's First Spendover! Isaac will be 1 next month and as they say, "time flies when you're having fun". I know everyone is biased about their newphew or neice (or child for that matter) but this kiddo is so full of laughter, smiles and sweet cuddles that I swear I dont know how he's my sisters, ha! No, seriously, he's adorable. He had his first spendover with Uncle Blair and I and we had a total a blast.

Par-tayyyy I'm at my Aunties!

dreading licks from Lick Monster Nova

Silly face contest, I won!

5am wake-up call, obsessed with Uncle Blair (and ESPN) already

this ferarri walker is a godsend...don't tell Megan that he was drinking and driving already.

hardcore passed out. Success!

clearly happy at the end of the weekend to get into the arms of Poppi Dan

I was asked again this year to help be a part of the decision making/judging of Ohio State's 2013-2014 Cheer Squad. I love doing it every year and seeing what talent that the team will have in the years ahead. Ohio State has upped their GPA entrance level to 3.5 minimum and ACT is now a 29 minimum, so the group was certainly a little bit different in the talent pool than the years before; but there are still alot of talented young co-eds on the team. It's always hilarious to watch Brutus tryouts and the dance team was there along with the rest of the others as well. Congrats all; welcome to some of the absolute best years of your life. You will have a forever family in this group who will be there for you forever; through thick and thin. It's truly an experience like no other.

My bestie and her hubs were in town last weekend for Stephanie's baby shower that I hosted; it was a fantastic turn out and alot of fun. Highlights of the weekend were meeting PJ from Houston who flew in for about 24 hours to catch some of the event (why didn't we get a picture, booooo). He and Steph are dear friends from their nursing days in Houston, I felt like I've known him for years and look forward to seeing him again. I can see why they made a fast friendship that will last a life time. Biggest highlight of the trip for Blair and I was lastnight hanging with Steph and Jas just the 4 of us once the Shower crowd died down. We were asked to be Little Baby G's God-Parents and were also let in on the long awaited list of kid's names they are considering (we are the only 2 thus far who know) so we felt extra special. All names are adorable, I'm happy to report. This kid will be one loved little lady or lad and we absolutely CANNOT wait to meet her/him. Crazy to think the next time I see them, they will be a family of 3 <3 Love it, we are beaming with happiness for them!!

xoxo,

Andi

CRUEL {GYNO} JOKE BATMAN!

Last week I had quite the sick joke/scenerio happen while I was at my OB/GYN check- up. Serious roller coaster ride that is somewhat comical now although it certainly wasn't at the time. To back track a minute, my doctor got zonked in the head with his bike rack on the back of his car while closing the trunk a few months back and has been on bedrest ever since. He's in his 60's and they found internal bleeding in his brain due to it. Seriously, i've done it before on my SIL's bike rack/trunk and it's INSANELY painful. I concluded my stint with a nice little concussion, however the fact that his was more critical with his age, he has been out of the office for months. They called me a month back asking if Dr. Murnane from another practice who is subbing for Dr. Underwood's patients would work, and I was willing to be open minded and agreed. Funny how some things work out exactly how they should, eh?

So I get to the appointment and jog the doc up to speed about being off BC now after 15 years, letting the chips fall where they may in that department, but are certainly wanting to be sure that everything is funtioning acurately and go through any check-lists to be sure we are fertile, hormonally balanced (me? yea right), ovulating, bla bla bla.... so she suggests some blood work and an U/S to cover all of those bases as we move along (something Dr. Underwood has never suggested might I add). So, off to the U/S tech I go! I was actually really excited to see what one of those bad boys consisted of as I've never had one and it was really cool to see that everything was designed/functioning accurately from that perspective. I'll spare you all the ins and outs and get right to the point; she found what she thought was an amniotic sack!! She asked me 'oh my, are you pregnant'?! I was like "ummmm, not that I know of, and it wouldnt make sense in regards to the timeline this month, but maybe, I could be???!!" (insert my brain/emotions running a mile a minute) and she continued to point on the screen to a small round darker area that she said could either be a fluid packet or a VERY early pregnancy. Talk about exciting! Enter me on the roller coaster ride going UP! So, she finished snapping some shots for the doc and off to blood work we went. A few agnozing hours later, after reaching out to my 'Top 5' to tell them to pray pray pray, they called and told me that the blood test was in fact negative and that it was probably just fluid. PROBABLY JUST FLUID?!! Enter roller coaster ride going DOWN.....

I mean, dont these people know to keep information like that on the down low between eachother to refrain from ruining peoples days?! Not cool. It's a good thing I have a  twisted sense of humor. Anywho, good news is I really liked the new doctors proactive ways and think that in hindsight this whole doctor head zonking and bedrest might be a back a$$ attempt towards the answer to our prayers. I do feel like he really listened and took the steps necessary to answer some of my questions. Although a cruel cruel joke of a day, I suppose it turned out pretty positive in the end.

To add a bit more of creepdom to the story, I was telling my Mom all of this she stated "Oh yea, that's my doctor, I love Dr. Murnane, he's great"!! ... Ummm... irony? Meant to be? You decide.

xoxo,

Andi

Dirty 30 Recap / Vaca

Ahhh yes, Dirty 30. The big one, the last year to celebrate birthdays ;) I remember even as a little girl my Mom talking about her 30th and how she didn't even leave her room all day. My Dad would chime in "ohhhh, yea, 30th, that was a hard one". Blair, was sorely depressed on his 30th and again on his 31st actually until he finally shook it off. In spite of all of that, I was really looking forward to my 30th. To me, it's better than the alternative!! I'm on the right side of the soil and life is good, so why not bring on another year? I have a feeling, just like all the other monumental moments throughout my 20's that my 30's are also gona ROCK!

We started my bday by stopping by Riverside Hospital to see little baby Remi. My gf Kathleen gave birth to her first child and daughter, Remi Plant, and she is a BEAUT let me tell you. Full head of dark hair and that cute little button nose. We were instantly smitten. Kathleen had a terrible labor and basically everything that could have went wrong did (pre mature water breakage due to a residents mistake, 2 failed epidurals, no spinal, C-section after not dialating enough and finally was knocked out in surgery due to her feeling the pain). But, it was all worth it for this healthy peanut.

We then headed to the new Hilton downtown which we LOVE for a great dinner at their restaurant and a night on the town to follow. We love taking date nights downtown now that we live farther north and just spending over at the Hilton. The hotel is top notch, I highly reccomend it, even if you're just stopping in to have drinks. Ask for Erin at the bar, she's fab, and not hard on the eyes. All my besties came to join in on the fun and I couldnt have appreciated their love more. With all of the texts, cards, calls and FB messages, I sure felt loved and thankful for all of the wonderful people I have in my life. I'm insanely blessed.

Some pics of me and my foxy ladies who joined, because the boys were too busy watching basketball and or drinking whiskey....



I've yet to meet a woman in her 30's who would go back to her 20's afterwards, so I'm hoping I feel the same...Cheers!



We had brunch with my family at Lindey's the next morning and enjoyed the first beautiful day of the year walking downtown at the park and eating cupcakes. Isaac brought me flowers and lots of hugs and kisses, see, 30's already starting off with a bang ;)

Next we went to church for Easter Sunday before hitting the road for D.C/NYC trip! We got to hear my Dad and BIL preach which was great, they both did amazing jobs, and had a good ol' southern Baptist cooked meal in the basement then smooched our nephew and got to cruisin.



Isaac in his Easter Sunday best? I died. Seriously, slather him in butter and I'd eat him!



The drive to D.C was really not bad at all, it only took us 5 hours from the Albright lunch in Zanesville (that gave us a head start) plus we were so excited to get to see and catch up with Steph and Jas for a few days. Steph is in her last trimester now, so it was a much more mellow trip than those in the past, but it was really nice. We had amazing lunches and dinners, cooked and enjoyed eachothers company and has some great D.C weather. We strolled and saw some of the sights, tried to catch the blossoms (that hadn't blossomed unfortunately) and stopped at The Immaculate Conception church which is my MIL's favorite. It was really stunning. It reminded us of Hagiia Sofia Mosque in Turkey, but was really special that it was created entirely to honor the Blessed Mother. I'm not Catholic, so I dont know all the ins and outs, but I do know the detail that was put into the creation of this church was INSANE, just breathtaking.We may or may not have lit a candle in prayer in the church to burn for the next few months regarding a conception of our own ;) Come on, Mary!  It's definitely another 'must see' in D.C for sure, and at the very least, it's cool to say you've been to one of the 10th largest churches in the world. 

Being touristy around town with Blair....

brainstorming with Albert



WWII Memorial, it was my favorite.




always repping the O-H.... I-O!



dinners out with Steph and Lil G (in the oven)

Intoxicating Lil G, Baby in a Bar style. Jk, it was an Arnold Palmer ... BOOORRRRING ;)



being Classy while catching a Nationals baseball game



what? you dont dress like this? ... it was VERY cold that night


Last stop before heading to NYC was the church-- stunning.

NYC was a quick (expensive jaunt) drive as well, only 2.5 hours and was much cheaper than flying or even taking the Amtrak. The Amtrak was $298 round trip per person!!? ... I think not. They would have needed to serve me Goose on the rocks + foot rub for me to have signed up for that rip off. So, to sit just the same distance we drove. I forgot how amazing NYC was as I havent been since 11/11, right after 9/11 happend and the city was still ablaze with an eerie quiet feeling about it. It was great this time to catch the 9/11 memorial that they've begun to build. It's so sobering and beautiful....it makes you proud to be an American that's for sure.

Blair's birthday is only a week after mine so it was the perfect way to celebrate his 34th! We caught a Nets vs. Bulls game, 8th row which was fab so I could stare at Kris, Kim K's husband. He's a total idiot, I get it, but he's not hard to look at. SCORE!

My sweet friend Mara from my WyoTech days moved to NYC from Austin a year ago, so we met out for way too many shots drinks that night and caught a great sight of the Eifel tower on the rooftop bar. It's always so good to see her, she's my Mexi Sister from another Mister.

Happy 34th Puff!! I"m glad you've started to like birthdays again! ;)

The day of Blair's birthday, Ashley and Paul Muccino had planned to take the Amtrak in from York, PA to spend the night in NYC out on the town with us. We celebrated Blair's birthday and their 3rd wedding anniversary with a day in Central Park and an incredible dinner (incredibly expensive) at STK. It's a steakhouse chain only in LA, Vegas and NYC so we had to try it out. The atmosphere made it, the 80's mixed to techno version music and the decor, but I've had better steak. Sigh, such is NYC. It was great company nonetheless.



My Ashley! She cheered with me at OSU, I stood in her wedding and I wish we lived closer every single day. Although we dont see eachother often we are always on eachothers Top 5 call list when something big happens. I love her!





 

Blair needed this picture for a book he teaches every year in class, the pond in Central Park is symbolic to something-- I stopped listening and focused in on that cute bubble and lost all track of his point ;)

Just when you think this trip isnt going to get ANY better.... it does. My old roomie in college and best gay, Kelly Cox, made the trip in from CT via Amtrak to spend a belated cele with me and see Ash and Bob (who lives in NYC). It was literally the icing on the cake, we had SO MUCH FUN. We only get one time a year to gather at Alumni game (we all cheered together) but not everyone can fit it in their schedule every year (who am I kidding, its ALWAYS only Bob & I who come in for alumni). After this night, we all promised to be there this year. We'll see. 

How our night ended.... need I say more? Best birthday ever. I got to spend a full week celebrating and saw many of my favorite people on Earth. Cant beat it! Cheers to 30's!!

xoxo,

Andi