Memorial Day Weekend 2010 was spent, as has become tradition, in Mason, OH at Greg and Natalie's house. We got in Thursday night and left Monday night. (Our flight was delayed five loooong hours on the way home. Thank goodness for the time difference on the way back!) Aside from some airport drama, the rest of the extended weekend was filled with lots of pool time, extra sleep, fun games, fabulous meals, shopping, and quality family time. We only get to see Greg and Nat and the kids (Grant will be 5 in August and Brooke will be 2 in July) typically three times a year, so we cherish the limited time we have with them!
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Throwing Grant high in the sky.
Silly Grant.
I loooove Natalie's beautiful flowers.
Under two and riding a scooter all by herself.
Spitting image of her father.
I think someone adores their big brother...
Best friends. They are sooooo cute together.
This is us last Memorial Day weekend in Mason. It's pretty crazy what a difference a year makes...
I'm a little behind, but my weekend up north for Leslie's bachelorette party (May 21-23) was too fun not to blog about. I wish I had some of the other pictures of our adorable waitress at Loggers restaurant and the locals at the karaoke bar we went to. So many great moments that weekend! Such a great time with the girls.
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Had to stop along the four hour drive to Big Fork, MN for a couple sunset pics.
It was like camp at age 27. But you get your own bathroom and make your own meals.
Preparing lunch - lots of yummy food.
The crew minus me, the photographer *smile.
Me, Erin, Leslie and Trisha
Me and the bride-to-be!
We won't be able to go to their wedding, but I know it'll be beautiful. Wishing Leslie and Derek many years of wedded bliss!
p.s. Perhaps you remember Leslie as the mom of adorable Bailey puppy *smile.
Yes, 60 pounds! There has been big time excitement around here.
If you know Tom, you probably know that he's always been underweight for his height (6'6.) He put on weight his senior year in college, only to lose it once he started working full time. He eats well and lifts but was still typically weighing in at about 165 pounds.
Tom's never liked being skinny (or being told how thin he was), so when he saw that Wannabebig.com was accepting applications for their brand spankin' new training program, he eagerly applied. We waited and waited to see if he'd be accepted and didn't hear back. They were originally concerned that he may have a medical condition, because surely high metabolism was not to blame for his severely being underweight. We had to chuckle at that one. He assured them that he was healthy and that "tall and thin" runs in his family. Finally, he got word that he was accepted and was promised by his new mentor, Daniel, that the pilot program would "change his life."
Tom was ecstatic. They told him for sure he'd gain 20 pounds. We thought that'd be great!
So starting in mid-February, he began doing the recommended lifting exercises three times a week. He gradually worked his way from 3,800 calories a day to currently 5,500 (so jealous!) and started tracking everything he ate on fitday.com to make sure he was reaching his calorie, fat, carbohydrate and protein goals. His muscle gain was remarkably rapid - two weeks in a row he gained 7.5 pounds! His mentor was awesome at checking in to see how he was doing and encouraging him along the way. And now, a beard and 60 pounds later, I have a new husband *smile.
After three months of Tom's testing Wannabebig's new training program (along with 24 other participants), it was finally released to the public last month. There is a lot more about the program that I don't really know how to explain, but between that, good supplements and increased calories, all I know is that it works. I have been Tom's spotter at the gym and doing the exercises myself, which I'm sure have contributed to my massive traps. I am soooo proud of his hard work and dedication. It has been a lot of fun to watch him change right before my eyes, and see his success at the gym. I also love shopping, so buying him a new wardrobe wasn't too bad either.
Take a look at the progression pictures!
Here are a few favorite pictures from recent months that I wasn't able to put on the blog before Tom revealed his new look to his family.
I feel so tiny next to him! *smile.
Ohhhh, Jacob - I adore you.
Little photo shoot at my mom's retirement party.
Family pic.
Pam and Greg visited in April.
And there ya have it - our big news. Tom may look different on the outside, but he's still just as loving and tenderhearted on the inside. No matter his size, I'll love him always.
But I do have to say that he's lookin' fiiiine at 225 pounds. I can definitely get used to this *smile.