My only goal til 2012....

Best Pizza Date Night....

Last week I had the best date night with these hunks!

After a looong day of work, I pulled up to their house.
They were waiting in their front window with smudgy hands making the blinds all askew.
They immediately jumped up and barreled/exploded out the door.
I've never witnessed anything like it.
Calvin jumped up and down all the way until he made it to my car door.
He was squealing "TAaaBBBbbiiiIIII!!!" and grinning ear to ear.
And then he leaped at me and showered me with kisses.
Is there anything better in the entire world!?

Ben and I have the same birthday, which is pretty fantastic.
I can't forget his bday...and his mom can never forget mine. :)
Annnnd his grandma, who is one my second mother, also shares our birthday.
LIBRA-POWER!

We snuggled, filled up on pizza and watched Halloween Bernstein Bears.
(where they completely ignored me--RUDE!)
How does TV do that to kids...its amazing if you think about it.
They showered me with kisses, hugs and lots of wrestling.
I was exhausted and blissfully happy way before "bedtime".

I LOOOVE the age they're at, they melt me to pieces.

Their dad is in Iraq for the next little while so I'm stealing all the family time I can.
Thanks Steph for being an incredible mother and friend.
When's our next double date with the handsome munchkins?!
xoxo

Philadelphia

History behind Philly:
4 years ago I lived with the coolest girl named Kjersten.
Kjersten has a brother named Dave.
Dave has a good friend named Benton.
The four of us ended up in the same beach house over Memorial weekend in North Carolina.
(randomly, mind you)
It really is a small world, after all.
We had such a great time that we decided to extend the fun to their turf in Philadelphia.

Exhibit A of their bachelor pad:

Exhibit B.
(If it helps, they both went to school in Florida...)

Exhibit C-nerd alert!
(yes those are wall stickers)
These guys are so funny, I eat it up!

My friend Jen came with me to Philadelphia.
Strangely enough she is also a friend of Kjerstens...and Dave's...and Benton's.
(Seriously, the singles scene is a small world the older I get.)

We hit up the Liberty Bell...

...and the 'wall street' rioters at city hall.
This group was interesting. We spent some time walking around and reading their signs.

We went to Christ's Church.

and walked by some old cool buildings.

This is Elfreth's Alley, the oldest-constantly inhabited houses in America.
They were quaint little homes, but I would certainly hate to live here as people take tours right past their doors all day long.

The Betsy Ross House. Did you know Betsy Ross was married 3x.
The first husband was Mr. Ross. And that her first 2 husbands were killed within a year or two of being married? She picked herself up both times and found another suiter.
She's my hero--can you imagine?

Ben Franklin bust made of strictly keys. Seems only appropriate:)

Benjamin Franklin's Grave.

LOVE Park.
The LOVE Statue in Taipei was much much bigger, I was a little disappointed.

Dave and Benton work long hours.
I kept wanting to pull a prank on their tired faces...
...but I couldn't think of anything clever yet harmless.

Rocky Statue/steps

And then we made a wise decision and went the the Terror Behind the Walls at the Eastern State Penitentiary. IT's one of the oldest prisons. It reminds me of Alcatraz.
It cost us a pretty penny to do this haunted prison, but it was worth it.
The spooky people had the craziest costumes and makeup. And I've never seen a spook house like this. I can't imagine the money they invest to put it together.

Dave and Benton being tired hosts again. One minute we were all giggling and having a good time. The next minute, I'd catch them asleep. The poor guys.

Thank you Tanier for these cute shoes, they are picturesque

More Philadelphia Rioter pics.
I feel for these people. I've been lucky in our bad economy.
But I can definitely relate to their strifes.

Jen and I hit up Geno's and Pat's for Cheesesteaks.
She got Geno's, I got Pat's. I LOOOOVED mine.
She loooved hers. So I guess they're both great.

Walking to Geno's/Pat's we found something called the mural mile. We walked around for an hour or two and found 17 or so murals. All beautiful. This one was my favorite.

This place was called the magic museum. I am obsessed with it.
Its all recycled glass/mosaic. It was like a giant museum/park.

And then we picked apples at an orchard upstate.
We got there just in time for the sunset.

We had such a fantastic weekend!
Thank you Benton and Dave for being perfect gentlemen!
They opened our doors, bought us dinner and were the best hosts.
Til next time Dr. Perry and Dr. Evans! :)
P.S. Sorry I woke everyone up by setting off the fire alarm.
Not once...but three times.

We call that a tabbi-ism!
xoxo