Sunrise Over Pittsburgh

This past Friday, around 12:30 am, Celaschi convinced King and I to wake up around 5 am and get to the top of Mount Washington for sunrise (5:53 am). We made it on time and even took the boys with us. It was beautiful and so surreal to see a town literally wake up.

After breakfast we dropped the boys off back at home and went to Pamela's Diner for breakfast. It was a perfect Pittsburgh morning. Thank you guys!

Phipps Conservatory Take Two

In October Katie and I had gone to Phipps to see the plants as well as The Fräbel glass exhibit. This month Phipps has the Gothic Meets Gorgeous exhibit so I decided I wanted to go one last time.

King, KB, Celaschi, and I enjoyed everything we saw but we were definitely dying from the heat! Celaschi commandeered my camera and ended up taking approximately 250 pictures (she would make my mom proud). Here are some from our adventure...

Dog Days of Summer

It has been unbearably hot this last week. I have enjoyed sitting out in our yard while reading. The boys have also liked being outside the entire morning. I figured they should enjoy their yard for a few more weeks before we go to the big city. Celaschi lays out with me as well and when she went in for a water break Chuy decided it was his turn on the lounge. Here is a funny picture of him.



I am excited that I have time to read what I want and not what a professor assigns. I have already read the following...



I absolutely loved this book and wish I had read it much sooner. I have recently started going back to church and never realized how much I had to work on to get to where I want to be. This book is one of many I have read and so far think it is the best. I highly recommend it.



This quick read was very interesting. The authors looked at data in a different way to draw conclusions most would not. It definitely made me think and I cannot wait to read the sequel.



My sissy got me this book for Christmas. If you have been keeping tack you would know that I went through a vampire stage and read all the Twilight and True Blood books. However, this book was not about vampires but rather shadowhunters (vampire killers). It was okay. I didn't fall in love with it and probably won't read the next two any time soon. I did enjoy that the main character's name was Jace. Thought it was funny since I got the book for Christmas and we had gone on our first date only a few days before that.

I have already started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for the umpteenth time. I hope to get through it this time.



Any suggestions for good books I should add to my reading list?

My Little Bro

I have a one little brother and he will always be little to me, although he is 6'5 and 20 now. I never think about him being an adult, a man, and a college student headed far a way from home..BUT HE IS!

I received a call today from my sister saying that he would be on the local news, in the local paper, and is already on the college's website to announce his signing. He will be playing his last two year at Stephen F Austin State University which is located in Nacogdoches, TX (wherever that is). I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished! He has always had the goal of playing for a Division I school and never gave up. CONGRATS little bro!!

Here is the link to school's website with his article http://sfajacks.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/052010aaa.html

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Zac!

Graduation 2010

This past Saturday I graduated from my master's program at Carnegie Mellon. I am so grateful that I was able to have my family out in the audience; my mother, grandparents, and Jace were in attendance. The ceremony was nice and short, something I am sure they all appreciated.

After graduation we headed to The Grand Concourse and had a fantastic meal down in Station Square. The restaurant is located in the old train station and has a beautiful main dining area. Of course there was a wedding so we had to sit in another dining area, but we were able to have a river view so it was great.

After dinner I convinced the group to drive to the top of Mount Washington to see the city and ride the Duquesne Incline. It was a beautiful day and I think they all enjoyed the view and the ride (except the grandmas).

It was a long day but I had fun and am thankful to have my family to share it with. Here are some pictures...

A Day In Pittsburgh

This past week has been filled with family! Wednesday afternoon Jace flew in and 24 hours later my mother and grandparents were right behind him. I had one day with everyone here to show them what Pittsburgh was all about. Deciding what to do so that all of us would have fun was difficult; however I pulled it off nicely (I think).

We started the morning at the Frick estate down the street from my house. It gave everyone a chance to see how the rich lived in Pittsburgh back in the day. I think the grandparents enjoyed it a lot. They were able to see a carriage and car museum as well as an old mansion.

Next, we headed to Station Square for the Ducky Tour of Pittsburgh. The tour was okay. I think the best part was when Kirsten, Mom, and Grandpa got to drive the boat! We ended the evening with food from the Silk Elephant, my favorite place for Thai food. Everyone hated it...can't get these people to expand their horizons!

Here are a few pictures I was able to steal from my mother's camera before she left.

Just Like Her

Yesterday I was driving to Baltimore and was unable to blog; but I wanted to write a little something for Mother's Day.

The last 6 years I have been on the opposite side of the country from my mother. So Mother's Day is usually a card and a phone call. This year wasn't any different; however, this year I get to see my mother a few days after Mother's Day. She will be flying in for my graduation. I can't wait to see her!


As I become an adult I have realized how much I am like my mother. OH NO! When this started happening a while ago I was worried...I can't be like her she is crazy (is what I thought). But as I continue to learn and grow I realize that I have a lot of great qualities that come from my mother. So I suppose I can't be too upset that I am just like her. She also gives her unconditional love and support; for these things I am truly grateful. Thank you mom!

I love you and look forward to seeing you on Thursday!


July 1986


Graduation 2008


Summer 2009

Feliz Cumpleaños

Today Chuy turned 1 years old! I know I am a crazy dog lady so bear with me through this post.

Last night Chuy had over his close friends and family to celebrate his first birthday. We decided to throw a Mexican Fiesta since he is half Mexican himself. It was a taco/burrito bar (and watermelon). After dinner we sang Happy Birthday and ate cupcakes; chocolate and Margarita cupcakes for the adults and Granola/Peanut Butter cupcakes for the boys and Zara. Yes, the cupcake had a candle in it!

While we let the dogs play and tire themselves out we decided to play Quelf. This game is absolutely hysterical. You can't have any reservations or inhibitions; it was great to play with close friends so we could make complete idiots of ourselves (and each other).

The dogs passed out before the adults...it was so cute to see Chuy exhausted after his big day.

His Aunt Liz, Uncle Brent, and Zara got him rawhide bones and a new hula girlfriend and Aunt Erin and Uncle Matt got him dental bones (I think they are telling him something). He was so excited and loved EVERYTHING! I am a horrible mom and still haven't taken him to PetCo to pick out his gift from me...but as my mom always said "your party is your present" so maybe we won't go.

Here are some pictures from the fiesta...

The Finish Line

Well I have crossed the finish line...

I was officially done with finals for my master's program yesterday at around 5:30 pm. It of course won't be official till the grades are posted and diploma is in hand, but you get the idea.

I was so blessed to have the support of my family and friends (both here and back home). I know I got a little nutsy a time or two and wanted to throw the towel in but I am glad I stuck it out. Again, thank you!

I am an "adult" now. SCARY, right?!?! I like the idea of not having homework and group projects; however now I am thinking about jobs, bills, loans, 401Ks, etc. It just keeps getting better!

Today at 1:00 I mailed my signed letter for my job starting in June. I will be returning to the consulting firm I interned at last summer. The boys and I will be heading to the Baltimore area at the beginning of June. I am nervous, scared, excited, and happy to start my big kid life!

Graduation is on the 15th and I am lucky to have Jace, my Mom, Grandma Evelyn, and Grandpa Harley and Grandma Ann fly in for the occasion. I am excited for them to see where I live, meet my friends, and finally see Walter. I can hardly wait!

Oh Yes (I'll be THAT mother)

About three weeks ago the boys had stinky ears and I was a little worried what that might mean. After talking to the vet tech on the phone she suggested we come in because smelly ears can be a bad sign. However, an hour and $50 later I was told the boys had perfect ears and the smell must be something that they rolled in (not uncommon for these two).

Last Sunday Chuy threw up around 20 times in about an hour. I was freaking out as I held my little guy and had him throw up in the trash can (we were out of paper towels). I knew a Sunday night emergency visit to the animal hospital would have made a big impact on my wallet so I decided to call my Aunt Joyce. She was certain that he has eaten something outside that upset his tummy (another thing that is not uncommon). She suggested I take him outside, rinse his mouth with the hose, and force enough water in him that he would throw up everything he had left. Well she was right a minute or two of water and he had it all out. During this time Kirsten called her mother and she told us to break the fever (now that his tummy was empty) we should give him a tablespoon of Karo syrup. He slept all evening and night and woke up all better.

THEN this Thursday Chuy started making this horrible noise and looked like he was trying to catch his breathe or cough up something he had stuck in his throat. I let it go since they are always eating sticks and destroying toys (who could ever know everything he swallows). Well last night he woke up at 4:30 am and had the worst attack thus far. I sat up with him and made sure he caught his breath. I also had to say a little prayer...I needed him to keep breathing through the night and hope that whatever the vet said wouldn't be serious (or expensive). Thankfully the vet said that Chuy has allergies and he is reverse sneezing which can look like the dog is going to die. He also looked at Chuy's record and realized we had just been in a few weeks prior (he made a comment). He was nice enough to not charge me, photocopy the boys' medical records (we are moving soon), and give me the name of a good vet in Baltimore.

As I was driving home I realized a few things...
1) Yes, I am THAT mom..the mom that freaks over every little thing
2) I appreciate all those nights my mom sat up with me while I had asthma and wouldn't calm down because I felt like I couldn't breathe.
3) That even little prayers about your dog at 4:30 am do get answered.

Here is a link to a video of dog reverse sneezing...
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/reverse-sneezing-in-dogs/page1.aspx