A Tasty Goodbye

This week officially ends the summer season.  But you wouldn't know it with the sweltering 90 degree days, so S2H and I embraced the weather and went out for bbq!  BBQ holds a special place in my heart since my love with S2H officially blossomed in Kansas City, MO.  And we all know that KC is the mid-west bbq capital!  I also love going out for bbq because it is definitely something I can't whip up at home.

We headed over to Rockland's BBQ, an Arlington staple.  Rockland's has a homey feel with its rustic decor and friendly staff.  You can tell the owner has a lot of heart, not only for food, but for pups!  Every Thursday you get a free pulled pork sandwich if you bring your pup along to dine.  It is the cutest thing ever!  The patio has a nice little corner with doggie treats and K-9 toys.  S2H was swooning, another pro for us getting a dog!  

{give you an idea of the charm}

I was already smiling when we took our seat next to the K-9 gang with my mint sweet tea but I was glowing when the food came out!  Baked mac & cheese, coleslaw, and tomato/vinegar pulled pork (brisket for S2H). Yuummm-o.  And the bbq sauce was to die for, almost good enough for swimming!

We finished off the meal with an S2H style dessert...a pitcher of Blue Moon.  It was so nice to take a moment and sip some yummy brew and talk about how fun the summer has been. It has been a whirlwind season with weddings and family visits.  I hope the Fall brings just a many fun memories and moments with family and friends!

Summer Flash Back: Family Vacation

Summer solstice is right around the corner, closing out the hottest season EVER on September 21st. And I can't let the summer end without posting about my one beach trip of the year!  This beach trip was a big one for me as it was my first family vacation with S2H's huge clan!  I'm talking multiple houses on the Outer Banks to hold the all the aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and siblings!  It was crazy, I have never experienced such a family vacation.  The Mac Clan does not mess around.  They have organized dinners, activities, beach tents, and happy hours!  Yes, each house choses a theme, a night and they host a happy hour for everyone else with goodies and drinks. Hippie Happy Hour below...we even made tie-die shirts!

{See-HUGE Family, and there are peeps missing from this picture!  I'm on the right with a baby (I'm squinting-not cute)...S2H has 7 baby nieces and nephews so everyone pretty much got to hold a baby!}

S2H has been going to the Outer Banks since he was 10, and this planned family craziness is a tradition.  Another tradition the Mac Clan has is the annual family photo on the beach.  Now this may be the usual for most of you, but the OD's are not a group photo bunch.  And definitely not a coordinated clothes family!  S2H's sister decided on white shirts and khaki pants for the picture.  I worried for weeks about what to wear for my first Mac family photo opportunity!  The ladies in the Mac Clan are fit- as in they have four babies and still stay teeny tiny, so I was a little self conscious.  Here are wind-blown results:

{S2H's immediate family...hello kiddos!}

{Each sibling got their own individual "family" pic, including me and S2H! Hahaha}

The wind was absolutely insane on the beach.  The whole time I was trying to swing the hair out of my face.  Not a good look.

{Me and baby Jake, and proof that I did try and have luscious beach locks for the picture}

Overall, it was an amazing week and I really enjoyed the quality time with the Mac Clan.  Everyone was very warm and welcoming.  Can't wait for next year...any happy hour theme ideas? :)

The Bouquet Toss

S2H and I just attended our third wedding of the summer season.  All have been beautiful and just as special as the happy couples.  I am behind in posting about all these wonderful weddings.  My idea was to feature one wedding every week but I have to go out of order because of the unique events that happened at the wedding this past weekend.  

Our friends, Jayana and Dan, got married in Dunmore, PA this past weekend and the wedding was straight out of a fairytale.  Jayana has incredible taste and her detail oriented nature shined throughout the whole wedding.  The nuptial mass was also incredibly sweet and they did an amazing job honoring their families. Here are a few pictures to show what I can't put into words!

{the gorgeous reception at the Scranton Cultural Center, Jayana started dancing here when she was 5!}

{S2H and I meet Jayana through work, here is the rest of the work crew and table mates}

{i was swooning over the details, this candy bar was color coordinated and to-die-for. monogrammed to-go bags included!}

{chocolate fountain...no words}

I could go on and on with pictures of this gorgeous event, it was just amazing.  The wedding was also a lot of fun, just like the couple!  In the middle of all the dancing they took a pause for the bouquet/garder toss.  I usually try to steer clear of this tradition but their were too many people pushing me towards the center for me to resist.  I stood off to the side with all the single ladies and did my best to keep towards the edge of the action.  Well guess what?  That pile of roses came right at me!!

{see me to the right.  i was so shocked!  and about 5 shades of red! p.s. how gorgeous is jayana!?}

{now the mortifying part, the garder!  i had no idea what to do and was wishing for a strong beverage!}

Can you believe it?!  Quite the eventful wedding for me.  I can only imagine the pictures and video footage...hello awkward Meghan faces!  Hopefully they will get misplaced during a freak accident.  Anyways, it was a beautiful wedding and I feel so blessed that S2H and I were able to share in the celebration of two amazing people!  Congrats Jayana & Dan!  

Goooo Duukkkes

I'm not much of a football fan, if anything I get most excited about tailgate food options!  However, I have a little prideful football glow today!  In case you or your significant other (ahem S2H) isn't plugged into ESPN all day, let me tell you, JMU beat VT for the first time ever yesterday!  The Dukes upset the Hokies with a 21-16 win, in the Hokie house I might add!  This is a HUGE deal for those from Virginia...Tech and JMU are just not part of the same football planet.  But today the Dukes rocked the Hokie world!  Congrats boys!  Gooooo Dukes!

image via here.