Congratulations Shawn and Katharina!

On January 31st, 2009 a very dear friend of mine, Shawn married his long time love and best friend Katharina in Coco Palm, Bodu Hithi, Maldives (check out their "destination wedding" not bad, right?? http://www.cocopalm.com/boduhithi/location.html) . Shawn is wise, and fun, and adventurous and lives every day to it's fullest and Katharina is one of the most beautiful women I know. Their happiness and optimistic outlooks on life makes them a perfect fit for each other, and you can't help but want to smile when you see their true love in action. To say that Shawn and Kat have come a long long way since they met at a dance club a number of years ago is an understatement. Their love has endured the test of time and distance and they are now living happily ever after in Vienna, Austria. Shawn and Kat, we wish you every happiness in your new adventure together, and we are looking forward to celebrating with you this summer and in Italy!

Happy Birthday. . .a bit overdue

Happy Birthday Papa!

We had been meaning to put up this post right around his birthday (Jan 14th). But as a birthday gift to himself, Papa decided to give himself a new lease on life. So instead of partying it up on his birthday, he spent his 50th (wink) birthday recovering from a heart surgery that has left him more spunky than ever. We hope that the year ahead is filled with much health, love, peace and happiness to you. Thank you for everything you do for your family. It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. We love you.

One Year Ago Today. . .

One year ago today, my best friend, Brendan McMahon asked me to be his wife! He planned a spectacular engagement day complete with clues leading up to relaxing spa treatments, an amazing beach side dinner in Santa Monica, and brunch at a beautiful ocean restaurant in Malibu. My life has changed for the better over the past year of being engaged and now married to Brendan. Here are 35 Reasons why I love my husband. . .

1. My husband rocks! He is into great (albeit, sometimes weird) music, and is a fantastic drummer

2. Brendan is one of the most fair people you'll ever meet

3. Brendan is not good at "betting" - he owes my papa two meals, and my brother a dinner

4. Brendan's TiVo is ALWAYS full

5. Brendan is a good kisser (I knew this before we got engaged, but for my parents who are reading this, we only started kissing after we got married)

6. Brendan eats everything I make (and likes it!)

7. Brendan is very good looking all dressed up and very cute all dressed in sweats and a t-shirt

8. Brendan goes to the gym with me in the mornings so I don't have to go alone

9. Brendan is optimistic

10. Brendan is fun

11. Brendan is a planner

12. Brendan makes the best BBQ'ed swordfish I've ever eaten

13. Brendan makes friends really easily

14. Brendan can eat Mako Bowl five times in a row

15. Brendan likes dancing

16. Brendan likes dancing funny with me in the living room

17. Brendan does not like to be disturbed while he's sleeping

18. Brendan loves to read

19. Brendan likes cereal

20. Brendan watches my shows with me and actually watches them so we have conversations about the characters afterwards

21. Brendan makes every effort to love my friends and family

22. Brendan likes to give back

23. Brendan is not tech savvy

24. Brendan is good at organizing and coordinating but not so good at remembering where we put checks

25. Brendan compliments my outfits

26. Brendan surprises me at work with flowers

27. Brendan is not perfect, but he's perfect for me

28. Brendan calls me throughout the day to see "how I'm doing"

29. Brendan goes along with my goofy ideas (Captain Stubing, Ugly Sweaters, matching outfits)

30. Brendan is an encourager

31. Brendan is patient

32. Brendan thinks about my well being

33. Brendan puts in the extra effort when I'm too tired to

34. Brendan believes in people's boundless potential

35. Brendan makes me want to take action