My life in photos.....

4!!! (aka. Golfing)

2008-03-16T12:21:00.001-07:00

So Dave, my brother-in-law, really wanted to go golfing while I was in California since he hadn't been in a long time. However, my 9 month pregnant sister was clearly unable to go golfing with him and I had never been. Golfing is something I have always wanted to learn and something I felt like I would be pretty good at after playing softball for 10 years. So we decided to go to the driving ranch and hit a few balls. Dave really wanted to go golfing the next day, on Valentine's Day, and for some reason after having picked up my first golf club one hour earlier and having only that hour to practice with my sister teaching me, I decided that I would give it a try and join him. So for Valentine's Day, Dave and I went golfing with my sister along with us as my personal teacher. They told me that I did very well for my first time and I did have a few good hits (and some pretty horrible ones too). But I have to admit I do want to take golf lessons now... and I really really miss softball....
(ps. I know these are out of order.... but I was so excited about Zach being born that I put his pictures up first... sorry if I have confused anyone.....)

Practicing at the driving range

The golf course... it was on top of a hill in Glendale so there were some gorgeous views of LA... as you will see :)

Downtown LA

Griffith Observatory

Heather and Me... she was an excellent teacher... told me every club to use and exactly how to stand... even let me borrow her shoes!

Dave in his cart

No idea if that is the right form... but I just tried to get the club past 120 degrees (Heather had to put it into math terms for me :) )

The two golfers for the day
(Dave wore khakis so I copied him to try and look like a real golfer :) )

Zachary Glenn Wiemer

2008-02-28T22:32:00.001-08:00

It's official.... I'm an aunt!! As of 12:25am I am the incredibly PROUD aunt of Zachary Glenn Wiemer who was 8lbs 3.5 oz and 20.25in. I will give just a few details about the birth because this will just be the beginning of many pictures to come of Zach...

We arrived at the hospital at 6am on Wednesday morning (2/27) so that Heather could be induced. After about 3 hours of contractions, Heather decided to get an epidural (although I am so proud of how well she did without it!). From that point on it was waiting. The babies heart rate dropped a few times so eventually they took her off the petozin and found that they contractions were coming on their own. Around 10pm, after 15 hours of labor, the doctor said that it was time to start pushing! So with Dave holding one of Heather's legs and me holding the other, Heather pushed for 2 HOURS!! What a champ!! She was SO tired and couldn't feel her legs (from the epidural) but she kept pushing the whole time. And after 17 hours of labor, Zachary decided to join us!! He had a little banana shaped head at first but that went away after the first day. I cried immediately and I can't explain how much I love him!!

Enjoy some pictures from the birth-day of my wonderful nephew Zachary.....

Me and the future mom

Future Grandma and Mommy (CRAZY!)

Daddy and Mommy!

There he is!! ZACHARY!!!

The proud Daddy holding Zachary for the first time

Grandma admiring Zachary

Holding my first nephew for the first time... AMAZING!!

There are no words to describe the love in these two pictures....

The Wiemer Men

Zach likes to just open one eye... so I have given him the nickname "Popeye"

LOVE!

Joining the picket lines....

2008-02-27T15:22:00.000-08:00

After crossing the picket lines (with my brother-in-law honking for the strikers as he drove past) to go see "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," we decided it was a good idea that we join in with the strikers to show that we support them. So the next day we went with one of their friends (a writer for "My Name is Earl") and joined with the strikers at Disney Studios. You have to know it is something important to me if I am willing to strike at DISNEY!!! It was a really exciting day actually. All of the writers and actors and industry people there were so happy to have us join them, especially when they found out that me and my sister weren't writers or anything!! We walked for about 3.5 hours and saw a few famous people including: Willy Garson (Sex and the City), Clark Grigg (The New Adventures of Old Christine), Matt Groening (the creator of The Simposons), Phil Rosenthal, (creator of Everybody Loves Raymond), and Michael Hitchcock (Best in Show). Basically, striking was SO MUCH FUN!! They had food and drinks and everyone was so nice. The day we went was the last big striking day and everyone was at Disney so I think that added to the adventure. Two days later the strike ended.... I like to think we had something to do with it :)

Heather and Ozzie with the striking signs

The check-in table and the beginning of our 3-hour shift

The closest I got inside... I so badly just wanted to try and run and see how far I could make it

Sad that I am striking outside of Disney... but it just shows that I am dedicated to the cause

Although I really don't like Snow White this was a pretty cool building... each of the pillars was one of the 7 dwarfs

Some strikers

Ozzie, Heather, and Dave

Willy Garson (most people know him from Sex in the City)

Me, Heather, and Ozzie

I thought this sign was hilarious

The guy all the way on the left in the khaki jacket is Matt Groening... the creator of The Simpsons

A tired striking dog after a long days work.... and he did a very good job wearing the colors and everything!!

The Ellen Degeneres Show!!

2008-02-25T17:20:00.000-08:00

Last year when I went out to California after my birthday I tried to get tickets to "The Ellen Degeneres Show". However, since it was the end of the season I wasn't able to. Since then I have been waiting for a chance to go and finally my opportunity arrived!! When I found out that I would be coming out to LA for a month I knew that I would be able get tickets since I would have so many dates to pick from. So I asked my sister which days were best for her and then for 2 months I waited for the tickets to become available to request and finally we were guaranteed 2 tickets!! So on February 6th we went to a taping of "ELLEN" and on February 12th this is what was aired....

First trip to Cali

2008-02-13T17:10:00.000-08:00

My spring semester has taken a little change. In December I completed my course work in Curry and was going to spend my spring in C-ville substituting and enjoying some time with my friends. I was also planning on spending the month of February in California with my sister and brother-in-law. My sister is expecting her first baby at the end of February and since I decided to graduate early I am able to go out there and be with her and see my first nephew be born and help out. However, a few days after Christmas I received a call from my sister asking for my help. My brother-in-law in switching careers from writing to fundraising and he need to take 2 weeks at the end of January to go on interviews. However, that meant leaving an 8-month pregnant woman alone which no one wanted. So she asked me to come out for 10 days and help her out while Dave interviewed in DC. So here are some pictures from my trip out in JANUARY!

My dog nephew Ozzie.... taking a little nap

The weather was gorgeous so we went on many hikes and walks. One was to "Runyon Canyon" in downtown Hollywood. Here are a couple shots of LA from the hike.

Me and my gorgeous sister hiking in "Runyon Canyon"

Another walk that we went on was through a neighborhood in La Canada. Isn't it gorgeous!!! We also had yummy frozen yogurt from this trendy new store called "Pinkberry".... but Archs is still way better!!

Ozzie got very dirty after all of his walks/hikes.... it's BATH TIME!!!

All nice and clean.... and a bit of a fluff ball too :)

Christmas

2008-01-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

Christmas was very different this year since Heather and Dave weren't here. It was my first Christmas without my sister and I really missed her. But it's all worth it since next year my nephew will be joining us!!! As usual it was a crazy day: morning at my mom's, driving to pick up my grandma, then over to my dad's for breakfast, then back to my mom's for the usual Cole family gathering. I have to say, my favorite part of the day was playing Catch Phrase with my mom, step-dad, step-sister, aunts, and uncles. My team totally dominated!

Taffy trying to find her stocking before it is time

All of the stockings.... from youngest to oldest

The tree and the presents Christmas morning... before we all attacked them

Brian and Katie ripping into their presents

Me and Tommy

Mike!

The tree

The usual kid shot (missing Heather, Dave, Ozzie, and Sandy :( )

Some of the aunts

And some of the cousins

My special cake

2008-01-04T13:53:00.000-08:00

For Rachel's birthday I made her a cake that involved her two favorite things: lots of chocolate and lots of mint. Apparently it was a big hit! So I decided to make it again for Christmas!! However this time I have documented so of my ridiculously amazing (if I do say so myself :) ) baking skills.....

Seriously, if teaching doesn't work out, I need to be an event planner or baker or something in that area....

The cake itself is triple fudge chocolate cake with mini-chocolate chips in it. In the middle lay (as shown) is milk chocolate icing and then I put york peppermint patties. I think it looks pretty neat!

The finished product!! I put junior mints around the outside and added the candy canes to give it the festive touch. Rachel's cake had Andes mints in the shape of a 22 since they are her favorite but I try to make each one unique.

XA Semiformal

2007-12-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago we had the 4th annual XA Christmas Semiformal. However, this was the first year that I didn't have to plan anything!! It was a little hard knowing that I was giving up the control but it went very well and I had a lot of fun. I had an incredibly hot date (aka. Sydney... haha) and got to have a couple of fun dances with Frank and Jon (well done boys). The only downfall is that they didn't play our new house song, "No Scrubs", not cool. Apparently they ran out of time yet they played every other house song..... convenient...

Kady made her dress all by herself... we have our own Martha Stewart.... minus the whole going to jail for embezzling money

Beth and BunBuns

Me and my gorgeous date Sydney

Rocking the prom picture

Lighthouse Love

And then Tim and Bobby decided to jump in so this happened....

Lighthouse and Shout!House combined.... Duna-what?!

Sarah is my absolute favorite person in this picture... she is just too cool for everyone else

Shout!House boys

Mollie and Logan.... my beautiful core group girls from last year

the usual with Rachel

and by the end of the night craziness began to occur....

Me and Melinda.... I LOVE HER!

Busi and Britt.... there are no words

Virginia Tech Game

2007-12-21T17:42:00.000-08:00

On November 24, 2007 I attended my last Virginia football game as a University student. Sadly, after a fantastic season we were not able to take home the ACC Championship and beat Virginia Tech. I thought we had it there in the beginning but we blew it the second half and just couldn't hold on to it. But my mom and step-dad came down for the game and we sat with a whole punch of my friends which always makes it fun. And as always... Cav Man did a fantastic job!!

Wahoo Wa! Let's go Hoos!!

Representing the Lighthouse... not so sure what Susanna is doing though... is that supposed to be a sexy face or a serious face?

Jon, Alison, and Stacey

Me and the beautiful Stacey

Surprising Dexter

Creepy face-painted Tim

Sarah!

Flags of the ACC... Will's in the middle representing UVa

At the beginning of the game to honor Tech and the shootings last April the did a moment of silence and then they brought out these two banners to show Virginia pride.... it was pretty sweet until the stupid UVa people had to ruin the moment at the end by screaming "Hoos".... it was about Tech then guys....

Will.... waving the flag proudly for the last time

The one and only time we were winning the game... had to get it on film... I had a feeling it wouldn't last too long

They retired Tiki Barber's jersey at the game.... his kids were adorable!!

Me, my step-dad, and my mom

After the game I went over to Will, Mike, and Luan's for a cookout/hangout.... Hannah was there!! Yay!!

Will and Kai doing what they do best.... being wierd

Rachel :)

Shout!House Thanksgiving

2007-12-21T13:00:00.000-08:00

The amazing guys of the Shout!House hosted a Thanksgiving dinner this year!! Here are some pictures from the night...

Lighthouse girls (with Lilchels!! but missing Susanna)

Alison and Veronica

Busi, Alison, Kady, Sarah, and Stacey

Lighthouse Hotness (but this time we are missing Lilchels)

Striking the "Busi" pose

Sarah... hiding in the tree

Me and Tim

Trip to DC

2007-12-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

The day after my sister's baby shower schools were closed in C-ville so I didn't have to go back (yay!) My brother-in-law had an interview in DC, so my sister, my mom, and I had our own mini-walking tour while he was there. It made me realize why I wanted to move back....

HjW's Baby Shower

2007-12-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of November my sister and brother-in-law came home for my sisters baby shower. It was so incredible to see her! I hadn't seen her since the very beginning of the pregnancy.... and I got to feel my nephew kick!! The baby shower went very well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

The baby is due at the end of February and I am so excited!! Heather is going to be an incredible mom and I can't wait to be an aunt!

My dog nephew, Ozzie, in his Halloween costume

Mommy and son in their matching blue

Her name tag says "Mommy" and the one on her belly says "Baby Wiemer"

Elementary School love: Emily, Anne, and Me

Preschool Picture!

Look how gorgeous my sister is!

My sister and grandma

Three generations of Reid women

Disney Princesses On Ice

2007-12-20T20:57:00.000-08:00

Possibly one of the most amazing nights of my life! Spending an evening full of Disney Princesses with MELINDA!!! And the entire second half was dedicated to Cinderella!! Seriously, the show was made for me. It was pretty funny though because it seemed as though it was going to end without them doing anything related to Cinderella at all and I started to get upset and I could see Melinda sitting there thinking, "What will I do to make her happy?" Luckily that wasn't an issue! And we even found our own miniature versions of us sitting right in front of us! Singing, dancing, ice skating, and Disney.... what more could a girl ask for?!

Mini-Melinda (on the left) and Mini-Me (on the right)

Me and Melinda and our usual picture...

Time for silly faces....

Aladdin

The only good part about Snow White.... the 7 Dwarfs

Belle (aka. Kate Summers)

Ariel (aka. Melinda)

Cinderella!!!

JMU trip... WOHOO

2007-12-20T20:21:00.000-08:00

A couple months ago Sydney and I drove to JMU to see my friend Carl in a show. We were hit on by two trucks of sketchy guys, sang A LOT of Rascal Flatts, and the infamous "WOHOO" was created. Good times....

And it begins.....

Not so sure what this face is... kind of looks like an Olsen twin

The sign says "Duke Sculpture Garden"... yet there were no sculptures anywhere.... what?

and our now classic "wohoo" motions....

yea.... we are easily entertained...

Apple Picking

2007-12-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

In October, Sydney, Brooke, Mike, Will, and I went apple picking at Carter Mountain Orchard. It was pretty exciting mainly because it was the first time Mike and Will had ever been apple picking!! Now you can witness this historic event....

Off in the distance to the right you can see UVA

Will picking his first apple EVER

How do you like them apples?!

How sweet...

Student teacher love :)

Me and my boys!

Sugar Hollow Adventures

2007-12-20T19:26:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures from a trip that Sydney, Brooke, and I took to Sugar Hollow one weekend. Although it was a bit chilly we had a lot of fun creating our own adventure... until we were almost attacked by a snake... and when I say attacked I mean we saw it in the water and ran a 100 miles/per the other direction and did not get back in the water. You won this time snake.... but next time you won't be so lucky....

And in the end we were able to buy some yummy honey from a stand on the side of the road and we made friends with a groundhog :)

The evil snake that made us run in fear

Me, Sydney, and Brooke

Our groundhog friend :)

Sydney buying her honey