Great weekend in Upstate NY

About one month ago, we celebrated Sean’s birthday weekend in Saratoga Springs NY. When we decided that we'd go to Saratoga Springs for the weekend, Sean reached out to a bunch of his old rugby teammates to see if they wanted to get together. After each game, his team would have their social at Trotters (a small dive bar with great wings!) so that is where Sean decided they should all meet up. It was really great catching up especially with those we had not seen since we moved. It was interesting that even with all the time that had passed it still felt like old times. I loved seeing how much Sean was at home with his old friends which is something I really wish for him here in Pennsylvania. Two of Sean’s childhood friends also came to Trotters. Although they did not play rugby, they often went to Sean’s weekend games and became familiar with a lot of Sean’s rugby teammates.

Sean's childhood friends



And Eric and Sean with the poses. Y'all probably won't remember this but at our wedding Sean had a dance off with one of his groomsmen. The one posing with Sean was the one who did the dance off with him. Some things never change :)



On Sunday, we had brunch dates with Stephen and Sasha but unfortunately one of their boys got sick so we had to cancel plans. Due to the cancellation, I was able to surprise Colleen at a small dinner at Druthers thrown to welcome baby Cate. I got there a little early so Sean and I sat at the bar for a drink while I stalked the cast of Black Panther. #OBSESSED!





When Colleen arrived, Sean drove to Colleen’s house to hang out with Eric and Joey. It was so great to surprise and see Colleen. She was glowing and just so beautiful. I noticed that all the women in attendance were from different stages in Colleen’s life and I thought it was so neat. There was a girlfriend from childhood, a girlfriend from college, a girlfriend from after college (me), her two sisters, her sister in law and a girlfriend from motherhood. Talk about all the stages in life.








I love any opportunity that I get to spend time with old friends and especially love when it feels like no time had passed. We’re hoping to go back to Saratoga this summer, and of course, I’ll be seeing Colleen soon since she is due this month! Ahhh, I'm so excited and can't wait to meet baby Cate!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend & that you all have a wonderful week! ♥

Rugby is back.

Sean took a bit of an hiatus last year from rugby with everything going on with our moms. We were traveling back and forth every chance we got so it did not leave much time for Sean to truly commit to rugby as he had in prior years. Two weekends ago, our city held a tournament of 26 rugby teams and I think it was perfect timing for Sean to make his re-entrance into rugby.

I asked Cinthia to come along after our trip to the farmers' market because anything to do with the outdoors and beer you can pretty much count her in. She did not know anything about rugby so I gave her the ins and outs of the game. She could not get over how tough a sport it is "and no protective gear?!" but she could not help but enjoy her first rugby experience because, well, eye candy.

It was an all day tournament so I poured my bottle of wine in several ice trays the night before to keep it nice and cool during the tournament. It was a lot of fun to walk the field and watch the men and women teams play against each other. It was such a fun day and Sean made a new rugby believer which is awesome for me because going to rugby games by your lonesome is not as fun.

Sean's team did not win (in fact they were out early on) but they stuck around to watch the other teams play and that's what I find I like about rugby. It is this brotherhood that I'll never truly understand but I'm glad I get to witness it.

Rugby in Vegas.

When Sean asked if I would be interested in going to Vegas for a rugby tournament I'll admit that I was not jumping up and down for joy. I mean, for rugby? Seriously?! But he was jumping up and down for joy and when he told his parents they signed themselves up right away. I finally agreed and I'm glad I did. I mean, it's not like I had anything important to do at home anyway.

I'm not a sport fanatic. I'll watch without being bribed but I won't voluntarily watch on my own. But I've grown to really enjoy watching rugby and watching in Vegas was exhilarating; especially due to the fact that teams from all over the world were in attendance. Trindad & Tobago, Mexico, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, etc. It was just incredible seeing all these countries come together due to their love for rugby.

Sean got a hold of several teams who were playing to see if they needed extra players and Portland got back to him saying they'll be happy to have him. That's another thing I love about rugby. It's really a brotherhood. How many other sports will welcome a person they don't know to play with them especially when they don't know that person's skill level?

Once I got on the field I didn't mind that I woke up at the crack of dawn that way Sean could get to the field on time to practice with Portland. I used the time that he practiced to walk around and take shots of players getting ready, the gorgeous scenery and several games.

I am the biggest people watcher to the point of being downright creepy. I've always enjoyed doing it and with a camera in hand it has only made it easier for me. I love snapping candid shots of people in their element but don't always get a chance to. I went overboard with the pictures as usual but I could not get enough once I got started.

I loved every moment of being on the field. Portland did not win but they played hard and I was proud that they gave Sean the opportunity to play with them. Portland you have a new fan.

A few things to pay attention to:
1. Hairstyles
2. The amazing athleticism
3. Major eye candy I mean you Sean ;)










































































So yeah. That was a lot of pictures.