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!

Dad's Big Day!

Today is a really big deal for my dad and for our entire family. After moving to the US from the Netherlands years ago, today he will become a United States citizen! My parents left very early this morning for Detroit to ensure that they had no trouble making it there on time. Anyone that knows my dad, knows that he has been the most patroitic non-citizen there is--always keeping up with current events, flying an American flag in our front yard and serving bravely in the Vietnam war. I am sure that today means more to him than I even realize! So, congratualtions on this day, Dad! During the next election, you'll be able to cast your vote :)

HIJACKED!

The Evoy Family blog has been hijacked! That's right...this post is not written by Justin Evoy. Nor is it written by Tara Evoy. But by a caring Evoy Family blog reader who knows that you guys are eager for updates!

Well, Tara has offically moved to Ohio! She and her family came to NC earlier this month to move the rest of her things. They spent the night with their friends the Hineses and had a good time playing with their sweet little neice, Molly.












































She is VERY happy to be with her husband, but misses her friends in North Carolina. There is A LOT of snow right now in Ohio. Schools were actually closed a couple of days this week--not due to the snow, but to the cold. It was -30 one day!! Brrrrr!!




















That's the update for now! Hopefully you'll get an update from the REAL Evoys soon! :-)

Trying to play catch up...

Sorry there have been no updates...so much has happened over the past couple of weeks. We have been able to spend a lot time with family and friends in the "North" and that has been a huge blessing! We've been without a camera, but Chandy is here tonight (we are leaving for Charlotte in the morning) and has her camera :)

Chandy and I decided to donate our hair to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program...a program that provides wigs to those with cancer who have lost their hair. We went on Christmas Eve and had a great time together...it was less scary than we thought it would be--knowing where our hair was headed made the experience so much fun :) I am so glad Chandy was there with me! Above is our before picture :)

And our after picture :)

and another one...isn't she a cutie?

We'll update again soon...we promise :)