Sunday, August 29, 2010

Traver's Stakes 2010 in Saratoga

We just got back in from a great weekend in Saratoga Springs, NY!! The weather was in the high seventies during the day and high fifties at night! That is definitely not something a Southern Darling is used to in August so it was a great vacation from the 100 degree weather we have here! But don't worry because the humidity smacked us in the face as soon as we stepped out of the New Orleans airport.

This was my second year going to the Traver's Stakes at Saratoga and this year we got it right! We stayed in the Hilton which was right on Broadway (the main street) and directly across from our favorite restaurant, Il Forno. So, Friday we got into Albany and drove to Saratoga Springs for a relaxing day of walking around town and taking everything in! Friday night, we went to our favorite restaurant in town, Il Forno, to celebrate Tom's birthday then we went out and watched a local band perform at Gaffney's. 

Saturday, we made our way our to the track and had a blast betting all day long!  Afleet Express, a colt of Afleet Alex's, won the Traver's Stakes!  Our next horse racing trip will be back to Churchill Downs in Lousville for the Breeder's Cup in November so stay tuned...

Saratoga Springs has painted horses all over town!



Jockey signing at the Saratoga Downtowner.  Doug surprised Tom with an official poster of this year's race so they could get all of the jockeys signatures!
At the Traver's Stakes

Saratoga Sunrise,
the official drink for the Traver's Stakes
Tom's annual Birthday Dinner at Il Forno

Monday, August 16, 2010

My first trip to Green Bay!

We just got in from Green Bay, Wisconsin last night and I had such a good weekend up there!  Mostly in part because the weather was perfect, which I hear never ever happens!  The trip up north to 78 degree weather was a very welcome getaway from the 100 degree weather of South Louisiana!  In face, as we were boarding the plane in Milwaukee I held up the line for a minute so I could enjoy the perfect temperature for another minute! 

We got in Friday night after a layover and delayed flight from Memphis.  When we got into Milwaukee we met Doug and Caroline to find that Tom and Doug had dressed like twins again!  We picked Matt up and went to eat at the local Hibachi grill!


3 of the 4 Horsemen, including Doug and Tom dressed as twins, again!

Saturday we hung out until the rest of our group arrived and then headed to Lambeau Stadium for a great night!

Our seats at the game could not have been better!  Tom said that he likes the view from the seats 40 rows up but for my first Packer game the first row was perfect!


I got a few great pictures of Matt including one of him and Aaron watching together from the sidelines!



The stadium was packed with nearly 70,000 fans and great energy!  Tom told me the fans take the Packers so seriously that they sign their children up for the season ticket wait list at birth! 

One of my favorite parts to hear about was their traditions.  A ton of Packer fans gather at every practice to show their support!  The local kids that ride their bikes over wait for the players at the end of practice.  Then, the players borrow their bikes and ride them over to the stadium taking the kids for a ride with them.  They took pictures of the this and put it on pre-season banners that they hung all around the stadium.


Go Pack Go!

Monday, August 2, 2010

Our Engagement Party!

Some great friends of ours threw us an engagement party a few weeks ago and everyone had a blast!  Three bridesmaids were able to make it including my sister who flew in from New Jersey!  Four of the groomsmen were there and my parents, to name just a few of the crowd which was over 60 people!  It really warmed our hearts that so many of our friends and family came out to celebrate our engagement!  The setting was beautiful with a full spread of food from Mestizo's, a bartended mixing up margaritas and sangria, all around white linen tables with candles and fresh flower arrangements that one of the hostesses created herself!  Everyone had such a great time and we really appreciate all of those who came!

The Bride and Groom to be!

My parents who drove all the way down from Bossier City for 1 day!

College Roommate Reunion

2 wonderful bridesmaids and MOH!

The yummy cake that matched the invitations