Grampy turns 90!

we celebrated quite a milestone this weekend as Brett's grandfather turned 90!  the family gathered in Vermont at Don and Dinah's cabin for the festivities

we had games, scavenger hunts and lots of good food!  and I made us some snazzy t-shirts (printed by custom ink- they are awesome!!)

Mr & Mrs Russell :)

this weekend I attended the fabulous wedding of Adam & Krystal...many happy years for these two!!

"inconceivable!"

Thursday nights over the summer, on Federal Hill they play movies on the side of the American Visionary Museum...and this week, The Princess Bride!!  Kristen and I went to watch with quite a crowd of people...there are so many fun, and free things to do in Baltimore!!

Baltimore Bucket List

our friend Sarah is moving down near DC, so before she moves, we are trying to complete her Baltimore Bucket list...and Duckpin Bowling is just one of those activities...

here's the crew at Patterson Lanes

Krysal's getting married!!

all the ladies gathered to celebrate Krystal's last few 'single' nights!  we had dinner at the National Harbor, and went to a piano bar- a preview of their wedding entertainment! 

all the girls also sported lavender glitter rings...her wedding party colors!

congrats girl!  can't wait for the big day :)

busy busy July!

I got to take a week off from school and work to spend at home with the family...it was relaxing, but also jam packed with fun events! 

the week kicked off with my Dad's retirement party, after 37 years at his job he's finally free to golf as much as he wants :)

then we had our annual July 4th BBQ, which also coincides with Dad's birthday

then I had to go back to reality...but exciting new jobs are on the horizon...hooray!

world cup fan

I actually enjoyed watching the world cup this year...for the first time!  maybe it was just the company :)  a few afternoons were spent with Anna and friends at the Gin Mill in Canton!

it's an Etsy Partayyyyy!

sometimes in the world of art you can feel isolated...working, toiling at your craft...so it's nice to get out, and play with fellow artists...and this time it was fellow Etsy-ers as well as just fans of the arts...all gathered together to picnic, and do fun crafts in a park in Hamden :) 

we made lawn flamingos, networked and just had some good food and good times :)

the next generation

meet Joesph Daniel...my cousins Mike and Carrie are now proud parents!  he was born on June 2nd :) 

watch out world...the next generation of charming Brownlie men is here!


this week we went to see the new addition to the family, and I attended my first bris :) 

bbq'ing in NJ

memorial day??  already!?  summer is almost upon us, and we kicked off the warm weather with a picnic at my parent's house in NJ...it's officially summer in my book!  flip flop weather, bbq's, and lots of fun!

Happy Birthday Brandyce!!

we went to New Jersey this weekend to celebrate the 28th birthday of one of my oldest friends :)  hibatchi dinner, and drinks and dancing in New Brunswick...brings back memories :)

Happy Birthday B!!  loove you!

Towson Town Festival...year 2!

Erica, Anne and I are braving the elements for Towson Town Festival this weekend...come on out and see us!!

first game of the season

a quick visit from Bob, and our first Orioles game of the season...it was mighty cold!

3rd Annual trip to TX!

my yearly visit to see the Borchers crew in Houston this year came in April...and we finally had some warm weather!  I was really excited to see my old roomie, and to see how big Hunter and Haley had gotten in the last year...and they were walking and talking!!

it's always nice to see Liz and the rest of her family, because it's like no time has passed since our last visit...and we even did a family photo shoot in a field of Texas Bluebonnet flowers!  I would love to make the trip more often, and am searching for some shows in that area so I can make some business trips and see some of my favorite little people!

Cherry Blossoms in the springtime

in the last 6 years of living in Maryland, only 30ish miles outside of DC, we have never been to the Cherry Blossom Festival, so this year, B surprised me with a trip down to see the flowers and trees, and be touristy in our neighbor city.  We walked the tidal basin, and even to the monuments and museums- something I hadn't done since our 8th grade class trip!

we took tons of photos, but here are some of my favorites...

SURPRISE!

This weekend we celebrated our friend Shawn's 30th birthday with an 80's themed surprise party at their house, thrown by his fabulous wife Ashley :)  We got all dolled up in our neon colors and headed to Leesburg...I miss the 80s!

FREE Ritas!!

it's the first day of spring...and that means...FREE Ritas!

Kelley and I ventured out to get some italian ice...and it was goooooood :)

kitty comes home!

it has been a very trying three days...thankfully Kevin has come home...after countless calls at ungodly hours to the vet clinic (who were all wonderful and very patient with me and my hysterical fits of tears), several boxes of tissues, many visits to check in on our patient and some shaved paws...he is home.

it's still very unclear how things will go, and I've vigilantly resisted the urge to Google kidney failure in cats to see what lies ahead...because the few searches I did do, I realized it could be very grim or he could live 15 more years like this...hopefully he'll respond to the treatments we give him, and he'll get many more years, because 6 is way too young for a cat!  I am determined to help him get healthy again :)

it is really scary though...for the next six weeks I have to give him fluid injections, some antibiotics and he gets to take antacids...I hate needles, so this is going to be tough...but I will learn to do it, and he'll hopefully love me for it :)

it is strange to think, that we have to feed our cats at certain times now, rather then leave the food out...but it's important also to monitor that he is eating all the time, since that was the warning signs of his sickness this time...

wish us luck...it's going to be a difficult road, but it's how things are now, so we will get used to it.

the diagnosis

so...Kevin is sick...he has Kidney Disease :(  we took him to the emergency vet this morning and he has to stay for at least three days.  I have no idea what is going to happen, and I am so worried about my little guy...everyone think good kitty thoughts please!!

DDS!!

we got to see my favorite cover band, Drop Dead Sexy again tonight...Bonnie and Andy came up from VA and Sarah came in from Baltimore with us to see them at Looney's...awesome as always!