Shawn & Kristy's "Barbecue"

July 10, 2010

We were invited to a barbecue at Shawn & Kristy's house and weren't sure we were going to make it back to Vermont after having spent so much time up there already. Kristy pushed a bit and said she REALLY wanted us to be there since everyone else was able to make it. (She was even offering me one of her spare cars to use if I stayed up there with Charlie!) We decided to go since she wanted us there so bad, and boy are we glad we went!!!

When we arrived, she told us they did indeed have an announcement and told us they were engaged! She then handed us a wedding invitation stating that they would be getting married at 6:30pm on July 10th ... it WAS July 10th. WOW. Everyone was very excited for them and happy to be a part of it.

With the new Mrs.

What a GREAT day!

Texas Visitors

July 5th-7th

JP and Megan were up from Dallas and spending time in Boston before a wedding they were attending, so they decided to come up to NH for a visit as well! We hadn't seen JP since June of 2008 and were also excited to meet Megan for the first time.

We started their short visit with a dinner at The Common Man and a stop at a creemee stand, of course!

They enjoyed riding around to see some sites - Concord, Hampton Beach, some of the Maine coast and the Kittery Outlets. Along the way, they enjoyed trying a couple of lobster rolls (one of which was $18!!!!) and were stuffed with lobster by the time they left.

JP was great entertainment for Charlie in the car

We had lunch on the beach in Hampton and it was around 100 degrees with high humidity. We got a water for Charlie and she was excited to have a "big girl" cup.

She also tried a lemon ... haha!

And realized she actually liked it.

The Maine coast

On the way to the outlets, we found a giant chair and decided to stop for some pics. It was so big it made even Aaron and JP look small!

It was a great visit with them and we can't wait to see them again - possibly in November if we go to NYC to watch JP run in the marathon.

July 4th Weekend in Vermont

July 3rd - July 5th

After the Blathcly wedding festivities, it was time to turn our focus to July 4th weekend. This meant seeing Angie and Joe and meeting baby Liam, all up from Florida; watching the family teams take part in Bay Day; and the Bowler Family cookout.

Liam enjoyed watching the race

Charlie loved the freedom of the park

Aaron zooming in ... (ahead of Pete) :)

And the winners are ... Team My Moms Cooks Good!!

This photo was taken before Pete came up with the scam for this year

The family teams - great job done by all!!

After the race, a group of us hit up The Dog House for some good ol' fried food (though we missed Paul & Lille this year, who got caught up at the park).

Joe and Aaron decided to try what was called "The Michigan Dog"

The cookout at Grandpa Bowlers was great. Some good steaks, dogs, lots of snacks, salads and lots of family time. Great to have most of the family together since it doesn't happen often enough.

The Blatchly Wedding Week

June 25th - July 2nd

Dave & Colleen's wedding day was finally coming! It was time to get ready for the festivities - and being a bridesmaid means painted toenails, a rehearsal dinner and getting dressed up. We headed up to Vermont to get started. Friday, a week before the wedding, Colleen treated us bridesmaids to a pedicure ... I'm not one for these things, but enjoyed the girl time (and the surprise birthday ice cream cake!) at her camp.

Ready for those red shoes!

Charlie and I stayed in Vermont the whole next week while Aaron headed back to NH to work. I got a hair cut, had a birthday, a dress fitting/hemming, some tanning appointments, did some garage saling with Shelley and Mom and had a nice dinner with Kristy during that week! We also enjoyed the park one afternoon with Shelley, Tori and Trey. It was hot, but fun.

Charlie in action on the swing!

Three little monkeys - Tori, Trey & Charlie

Giving Aunt Shelley BIG hugs

Aaron came back just in time for the rehearsal and dinner for the wedding. The rehearsal was a wet one, and the dinner was good (unlimited lobster for anyone ... I even took one of my own and ate a bit before I realized I don't really like it much).

Dave & Colleen

The wedding day brought perfect weather. Us girls tied each other into our corset dresses while the men were outside sweating as they greeted guests. The ceremony was perfect and then it was time to celebrate!

Charlie LOVED the band and couldn't contain herself - this is her crawling around with her bread because she just couldn't wait to hit that dance floor!

The ALLARD girls (of course, we didn't know Kristy was going to be one at that time)

Family photo in the big chair

Having fun with Daddy

Dancing with Mommy

She fell asleep on the dance floor with Nanny and was OUT for the last few hours, even with the loud music!

The beaming bride!

Friends, always, no matter what

(Me, Shelley, Colleen & Angi)

Sisters for life

Thanks to "Nanny & Papa" for helping with Charlie so we could have a good time at the rehearsal and wedding!!