Happy Thanksgiving From NC!

Super Deals!

My friend Brooke posted information about an awesome blog that lists super deals! We are going to Rite Aid in a few...hopefully we'll get some things we need anyway for way less :) Check it out!!
www.savewithstyle.blogspot.com

Our First Year

Today we are celebrating our first year of marriage! Justin is at a church meeting and I am supposed to be getting our things together. We are heading to Pittsburgh today--we found a good price on a hotel and are excited to check out Ikea for the first time!

I thank God every day for Justin. He was truly made for me and I love him to pieces! So lucky to be married to my best friend and one of the coolest people on this Earth :)

This picture was taken a year ago today. The day we got married in Panama City, Florida.

Football Season is Here!!

Now normally this wouldn't be something to get me excited, but things have changed. Don't get me wrong, I have cheered on a football team before...but that was high school and I actually knew the boys playing. Since then I haven't cared much about the sport. But here is what has changed...it seems as though I have married a football FANATIC. Justin is playing in 3 fantasy football leagues and seems to know every statistic for every player who has ever played the game. I have really made an effort to learn the rules of football and Justin is being very patient teaching me. The more I learn, the more I enjoy watching :)

We have definitely taken advantage of the fact that we are just a short drive from downtown Cleveland. We have been to both of the pre-season games at Brown's Stadium--and have witnessed two wins!!--Pretty awesome for the Brown's, I hear! :) Who knows, maybe we are good luck! So, now there are two football fans in the Evoy household!! GO BROWNS and COLTS!!

Quick Trip

In honor of Justin's birthday(and b/c we both had a couple of days off), we wanted to take a spontaneous trip somewhere not too far away. We decided to head to Kelley's Island and Put in Bay. The trip took under two hours and was so much fun! We took a ferry to Kelley's Island first. There we rented a golf cart and drove around the island until we found a nice little beach area. One of Justin's favorite things to do is lay in the sun-so, while he did just that, I read a book in the shade :) After spending four or so hours there, we caught a ferry to Put in Bay. We got some dinner there and enjoyed some nightlife atmosphere before heading back home that evening. We were gone only a day and a half but it was just so nice to have that mini-vacation time together :) We'd love to vacation here every year!

Justin's Birthday Weekend

My wonderful husband turned 28 last week...yes, he's a little younger than I :) Some of our family from Sheridan (on his mom's side) came to Cleveland to celebrate and to checkout our new house. We had an awesome time together!

A housewarming gift from Uncle Mike and Aunt Lisa--love it!

Taking a break from our rainy day driving tour to enjoy some lunch at Paninis

The weather finally cleared up and we spent the rest of the day on our deck

Twins--Justin and his dad in matching t-shirts

Uncle Mike and Dad--ready to play our new favorite game: Wits and Wagers

Justin and Aunt Lisa Justin is becoming a pro with the grill
Mom serving oreo ice cream cake to the birthday boy

After our family left we headed to the beach--the temperature was in the 90's and perfect for a swim in the big lake! I felt like a little kid, holding onto Justin as we jumped in the waves--loved every minute of it! Here is Justin as we left the beach--happy birthday, honey!

Weekend Fun

We have had an awesome weekend! My parents came to visit on Friday and we've been busy ever since. Justin has been working an unbelievable amount, but is still in good spirits wanting to hang out when he gets home. On Friday, as soon as Justin got home from work, we headed downtown to catch an Indians/Tigers baseball game. We love going to games and it was fun seeing the Tigers and Indians play against eachother. Justin and I were wearing our Indians shirts and my parents were cheering for the Tigers--the Indians pulled off the win after 13 innings!--we didn't stay for the whole game, we watched the end at home :)Saturday we got to work on the yard while Justin went back to work. My parents were a HUGE help...mowing, trimming trees and helping me decifer between weeds and flowers!

This morning we went to our chuch, Velocity (www.velocitycleveland.com). Our pastor is doing a series on questions that people in our church have about God or the Bible, it was very interesting today! We are making some really great friends at Velocity and we are so thankful for having Christian friends in our new city. As I type, Dad and Justin are finishing putting our new patio furniture together--thanks guys! We'll be glad we have it next weekend--we have our family from Indianapolis coming to visit to see the house and to celebrate Justin's birthday...can't wait :)

Town Hall Meeting with President Obama

Many of you know that I have seen Barack Obama speak before, while he was campaigning in South Carolina. That was awesome, but that was before he was our President. Today I had the unbelievable previledge to attend a town hall meeting with our President, Barack Obama.

I heard on NPR that he would be in the same town I work in at the local high school to speak with people about the proposed healthcare reform. I applied online through the White House website--knowing I had a TINY chance of being choosen through lottery. And what do you know? I was selected! Justin wasn't able to come with me because, of all things we had a plumber scheduled and furniture to be dropped off. I scored 2 tickets so I asked my friend Dawn at school--I was in her office when I applied (she pulled up the site for me).

We got to the high school and it was pouring outside, but honestly, it didn't make a bit of difference. It's once in a lifetime someone gets to see a President and we were just thrilled to be there :) Once inside, we went through airport-like security--except it was the secret service doing the screening. We were seated beside the stage in the second row--literally 20 feet away from the stage! There was so much excitement inside the auditorium...choir members singing, bands playing, secret servicemen stone-facing everyone and other staff members making sure everything was perfect and ready for his arrival. When Mr. Obama arrived he was very relaxed and spoke in a way that common people could understand. He called on audience members himself--it truly was like a town hall meeting. It felt very intimate. After the meeting was finished we went outside and found that the road we parked on had been closed off--we waited awhile and then got the see the President's motorcade leave. It was a complete honor to be there today--an experience I will never forget.

Dawn and I waiting in the pouring rain--still smiling :)

President Obama during his speech above and taking questions from the public below

Just a couple of pictures

Our good friends, the Hines family, came to visit us in Ohio last week. We had an awesome time and miss them already! Sorry I don't have much time to blog...but I thought I'd add a couple of photos. I totally adore this little girl!

This is Dad and I dancing at our wedding celebration. Justin and I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family and friends. Sorry this picture is small...we have just a few as samples from our photographer. I promise to add pictures (relatively) soon!

Alright, just one more...couldn't leave my love out of this blog entry <3

Birthday weekend

Last weekend for Tara's birthday, I surprised her with a trip to Chagrin Falls. Chagrin Falls is a quaint little town, with local shops, restaurants, a river and waterfalls running through the middle. We stayed at a bed and breakfast called the Inn of Chagrin. It was our first visit to a bed and breakfast and was quite nice. We had dinner reservations at Jekyll's Kitchen overlooking the Falls

Chagrin Falls - Jekyll's Kitchen in the background

Chagrin Falls Popcorn Shop

Tara at the Inn of Chagrin

Inside the Garfield Room

After dinner we had tickets to the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre to see "The Perfect Wedding". It was a funny show in an old school theatre.

Inside the theatre

On a roll

While Justin is napping...I figured that I may as well post a few more pictures. You know I want to keep Melissa, I mean all of you who follow our blog happy :)

Turns out, Cleveland isn't so bad afterall! I think I could be anywhere with Justin and I'd be happy :) We have enjoyed staying home the past few weekends as it is giving us a chance to explore our new city. Here is a picture of my sweet husband a couple of weeks ago when we were at the Rib Festival downtown Cleveland. We had a great time walking around and tasting some delicious ribs and some fresh squeezed lemonade, bring on SUMMER!! My best friend from college, Tara, and her husband Jayson came down to Cleveland for a visit. We had a great time. This picture was taken downtown before an Indians game.

We see deer daily around our apartment. In fact, when the sun begins to set I start to get nervous...I begin watching for deer as we make our way home from the lake. Many times deer have run out in front of us within 20 or so feet! This is a picture Justin snapped right outside our back door!

North Carolina Picture Update

Last month I made a trip to North Carolina to visit some of my loved ones, while Justin was celebrating the upcoming wedding of a close friend. Here are some pictures from the trip. I am sorry that I didn't get more pictures...some friends and events are missing from these pictures.

I was happy to have some time to visit with Laura, Court and their BEAUTIFUL baby, Emalyn. I miss the LaLone family...friends I've had since high school! Here is a picture of Melissa-my best friend (and one of the sweetest people I've ever known) and her precious baby girl, Molly Grace! Looking forward to them (and Brian!) coming to visit us in Ohio next month :) I had the priviledge of visiting my old school before the year ended. I told my kindergarteners that I'd do my best to come visit them before they were first graders--and I am so glad that I did! I was amazed at how much they had grown, both academically as well as physically...they seemed SO BIG! This is a picture of one little boy that will forever hold a special place in my heart.

STUFF

When you have 20 minutes, watch this video...it may change the way you look at your stuff.

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

Long time, No blog

Hi, friends and family!

So sorry we have neglected our blogging duties...it just seems like we can't sit still long enough at the computer to update! Since our last update: we've been to Austin, Texas to visit Lauren and James, I went to Charleston, South Carolina with my friend Melonie to run in a 10k race (6.2 miles) and we went to Michigan this past weekend to celebrate the 8th birthday of our niece Madison, have Easter dinner with family, see some friends from high school and visit my parents' new church--which they are SO EXCITED about (and we found out why-it was AWESOME!!)

AUSTIN, TEXAS

James was able to hook us up with some awesome SXSW badges--SXSW is a music festival with 1,800 bands--and the badges got us into any show we wanted to see!! Thanks James! We had a great time with Lauren and our doggie nieces :) The weather was perfect and it was so great to see where they live and meet some of their friends...the only bummer was not spending more time with James, but of course he was busy working!

Lauren and Justin--a couple of good lookin' kids :)

Tara and Lauren--enjoying the Texas sun :)

CHARLESTON, SC

This was the second year I ran the 10k Cooper River Bridge Run. I had a fantastic time again this year and even beat my time from last year! We finished the race (Melonie and I stayed together the whole time) in 1hour 10 minutes...we were pretty happy with this! We also spent some time hanging out and shopping in Charleston and relaxing by the pool at our hotel! I hope to make this trip for many years to come!
I was terrible about taking pictures...this is before Melonie dropped me off at the airport

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI

We had a great time, despite the "detour" on the way home! We were able to enjoy time with family and friends over the weekend. I am grateful to still have some really great friends from high school--we missed you, Laura! I think the highlight of our trip was visiting the church that my dad and step-mom have been attending. It is called the Potter's House and I just can't put into words how moving the worship experience was...different people came forward sharing their testimonies on either side of posterboard--one side was what their life was before Christ including alcoholism, divorce, rage, etc. and on the other side was what their life is now sobriety, reconciliation, and happiness with Jesus as their Lord.

Sweet Madison--8 years old!

Madison, Jacob and Uncle Justin before the Easter Egg Hunt

Busy Weekend!

We had an awesome weekend together! The weather has been great and I am so glad that I married my bestfriend...life is so much fun with him :) Friday we just relaxed and watched 20/20--which Melissa, Brian and I used to do together--miss you guys!

A view from our hike

Saturday we woke up early and went hiking. We are part of a hiking club through the YMCA and visit a different local park every Saturday. We have really enjoyed it and we even saw a deer run across the path in front of us. I love that we can enjoy the outdoors together. After hiking, we attempted to register (for our reception) at Target, but didn't get too far...our scanning "gun" died just minutes after starting and we were just too tired to continue--we'll head back another day. Justin found a cheap theater nearby so we went to a movie Saturday evening. We saw Marley & Me and loved it!! Now, more than ever, I think we are serious about getting a dog. We have gone to the Humane Society a couple of times now and would really like to rescue a puppy or dog when the time is right :)

Sunset at a park on Lake Erie

Today we tried to go to church but got stuck in traffic :( So, we went right to an outlet mall that is relatively close. We got some good deals--I had a coupon for 30% off at our favorite stores-Banana Republic and GAP :) Justin was such a good sport...we had a great time and had lots of laughs. After shopping we went to check out a potential house--it was pretty awesome...a little "old school" looking but the backyard was awesome and so was the neighborhood! House shopping/dreaming has been a lot of fun! We grabbed some dinner at our favorite "hole in the wall" Mexican restaurant--Jalapeno Loco and then to the park at the end of our road to enjoy the sunset. I told you it was a busy weekend!! We feel so blessed to have this time together!

Justin catching some sweet air on the slide :)

A trip home to Indianapolis

We spent this past weekend in Indianapolis with Justin's family and had a wonderful time! We left Friday after work and made it home late but it was so worth it--we were greeted by Kathy, Mark and Sophie--their new Sheltie puppy!! On the way home we stopped in Columbus to get a delicious LaRosa's pizza...an Evoy family favorite :)

Stowers side of the family, minus Aunt Lisa, Uncle Mike and Uncle Steve

Saturday was our first Valentine's as a married couple <3 This day was especially meaningful to us...last year on this day we had our first conversation in over three years--the conversation that "got the ball rolling again." :) Justin went with his dad to the Methodist Men's Breakfast at church and enjoyed catching up with family friends. That evening we spent time with the Stowers side of the family---aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents made for a great visit. Aunt Lisa even surprised everyone by bringing her and Mike's new addition over--they also got a new puppy! The puppies definitely kept us all entertained!

Sunday we went to church and then over to Grandma Jackie's to visit with the Evoy side of the family. We had a lot of fun playing Michigan Rummy--I learned pretty quick and was able to hold my own :)Justin and Dad

Monday morning we headed back to Cleveland (I had the day off and Justin was nice enough to take a vacation day). We stopped at a GAP outlet store and found some pretty good deals, too!

I am just waiting on Justin to get home from the dentist...we found one that takes patients in the evening---his appointment was at 7 (during my zumba class) and I am hoping that all went well!