Sunday, June 6, 2010

Our 1st Wedding Anniversary 2010!

Our first wedding anniversary is today, and we have a few things we're excited about doing. First of all we are super excited to open the wine bottle we used as a guest book and read all the messages people wrote us at our wedding that we promised to save for today. We are substantially less excited about eating some year-old wedding cake, but we're going to do that too.

Mainly, we celebrated our anniversary last weekend because it was a long weekend. We went to Niagara Falls because I had wanted to go there for years. Niagara Falls are the most powerful falls in North America and the two waterfalls that make up Niagara, the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls, are also incredibly beautiful. The Canadian side is much better than the American side. The view of the falls is better and all of the tourist attractions (though still very cheesy) are less cheesy. Surprisingly fun: taking the Maid of the Mist boat closer to the falls. Totally worth it must-do. You get soaked in the Watershoe Falls.

We had a romantic dinner, and my super sweet husband gave me a wonderful card and Tiffany hoop earrings.

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
In front of the American Falls (standing on the Canadian side)

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
The misty Horseshoe Falls with rainbow

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
On the Maid of the Mist! (In front of the Horseshoe Falls.)

We also checked out a beautiful neighboring town Niagara-on-the-Lake where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. It is located across the Niagara river from Youngstown, New York. We went primaily to eat at Oban Inn Restaurant which had excellent reviews. It did not disappoint. From there we walked over to Lake Ontario, and then drove to the main shopping area on Queens Street.

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
Lake Ontario with a view of Old Fort Niagara in the Youngstown, NY

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
Queens Street

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
George Bernard Shaw, they LOVE him here.

On the way back from Canada we stopped in Buffalo for, what else, Buffalo Wings, so named for their place of origin. We went to Gabriel's Gate, which some people say are the best wings in Buffalo. It was delicious. I am not a lover of spicy food, so we got the medium, but they were so delicious that next time I will be brave and try the hot.

Buffalo, New York 2010
Buffalo Wing happiness

Buffalo, New York 2010
Nom nom nom

On the way back we cruised around Scranton, PA, home of the fictional The Office characters and Donald's grandparents. It's a pretty cool little city.

Scranton, Pennsylvania 2010
Scranton, The Electric City!

We will have updates on the Message in a Bottle guestbook soon. I predict a lot of randomness worth blogging about.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Buffalo, NY 2010

On the way back from Canada we stopped in Buffalo for, what else, Buffalo Wings, so named for their place of origin. First we tried to go to Anchor Bar, which claims that it is the inventor of the Buffalo Wing. Sadly, they were not open until 4 p.m. because of the holiday and we saw a bunch of sad people checking the door like us. (Hello, update your website!)

But, no bother, we went to Gabriel's Gate, which some people, including Kevin, say is better. It was delicious. I am not a lover of spicy food, so we got the medium, but they were so delicious that next time I will be brave and try the hot.

Buffalo, New York 2010
Gabriel's Gate

Buffalo, New York 2010
Buffalo Wing happiness

Buffalo, New York 2010
Delicious beauty

Buffalo, New York 2010
Nom nom nom

When we returned, my friend who went to law school in Buffalo told us that Duff's actually has the best wings. So now we have a reason to return. This visit was overdue though because we had originally intended to go for the Wing Festival last Labor Day, but one of our friends got married that weekend. Perhaps we can try for Wing Festival this year?

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010

Niagara-on-the-Lake is a Canadian town near Niagara Falls where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario in the southern Ontario. It is located across the Niagara River from Youngstown, New York.

We went primarily to eat at Oban Inn Restaurant which had excellent reviews. It did not disappoint. From there we walked over to Lake Ontario. We had to drive to the main shopping area on Queens Street. There we perused shops and bought a coffee at Victoria Gallery and Teas (skippable). We also went to the Niagara Apothecary Museum (c.1820), the oldest pharmacy in Ontario, a National Historic Site of Canada is on the Canadian Register of Historic Places. It only takes a second to pop in, so you may as well. Finally, I got an amazing Gooey Mooey ice cream cone at Cows ice cream shop. Do not skip this!

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
Lake Ontario with a view of Old Fort Niagara in the Youngstown, NY

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
Kevin in front of Lake Ontario

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
Beach area

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
Queens Street

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
George Bernard Shaw, they LOVE him here.

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010 
Outside the Apothecary

Niagara on the Lake, Canada 2010
Inside the old pharmacy

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010

I had wanted to go to Niagara Falls for a long time. I went to the Montmorency Falls when I was in high school and they noted as a point of pride that these falls were higher than Niagara Falls. But, of course, Niagara Falls are the more famous, so I wanted to see why. Niagara Falls claim to fame is that they are the most powerful falls in North America. (The tallest are James Bruce Falls, in British Columbia, Canada.) The two waterfalls that make up Niagara, the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls are also incredibly beautiful.

The Canadian side is much better than the American side. Sorry, America, but it is. The view of the falls is better and all of the tourist attractions (though still very cheesy) are less cheesy. Surprisingly not-cheesy and fun: the Maid of the Mist. Totally worth it must-do. You get soaked in the Watershoe Falls so it's best to put your hood up ahead of time. You go right up to the falls and stay long enough to get a good look. Best spot on the boat leaving from Canada is port side (left).

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
In front of the American Falls (standing on the Canadian side)

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
American Falls complete with rainbow
Niagara Falls, Canada 2010 
Close-up

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
The misty Horseshoe Falls

Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
On the Maid of the Mist! (In front of the Horseshoe Falls.)

Video of Kevin on Maid of the Mist
Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
American Falls at night
We took the SkyWheel, a ferris wheel that let's you view the falls from above, but we skipped the Skylar, a cheesy looking buffet restaurant with bad reviews and robotic voice ads all over the city.

We ate dinner one night at Taki, a well-reviewed sushi place. Delicious and reasonable prices. Another night we ate at Tacos and Tequila. We couldn't resist, but you definitely should resist. Resist a lot.
Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
Sky Wheel
Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
Kevin looking down on the falls
Niagara Falls, Canada 2010
View from the Sky Wheel

Monday, August 3, 2009

Post-Married Life 2009

After Kevin and I got married, I started keeping track of our memories on our "clou de la soirée" blog at: http://theclous.blogspot.com/. Those posts were written concurrent when they occurred.

Fourth of July 2009
July 4th picture

This blog was all created  retroactively, starting in about 2013, and is currently still in progress. Use the links on the right side to navigate the past.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

New York Times Wedding/Celebrations 2009

We're in the New York Times Wedding/Celebrations page! For the record, we didn't write it, they did, and they even fact-checked the article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/fashion/weddings/07ALONSO.html

Here's the mandatory picture of our lined-up eyes they didn't use.

Charlottesville Engagement Photos
Engagement photo from July 21, 2008, copyright Marty Moore

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Kevin's 29th Birthday 2009

We had a fun weekend celebrating Kevin's birthday. Brady was visiting for the weekend from Philly so Saturday we showed him around our part of Brooklyn and had a delicious lunch at F. Martinella Deli.

  Brooklyn Heights Promenade 2009
Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Brooklyn Heights Promenade 2009
Brooklyn Heights Promenade- We are both 29

Kevin's 29th Birthday 
James meets us at our apartment

Saturday evening, James W met up with us, and the four of us had dinner at a Peruvian restaurant in our Cobble Hill neighborhood and then had drinks at Kevin's favorite Brooklyn bar, the Brooklyn Inn. 

Valentine's Day 2009
James and Brady at Coco Loco a Peruvian restaurant in our hood

Kevin's 29th Birthday
Brady, James W., and Kevin at the Brooklyn Inn

Sunday was Kevin's real birthday, so we went for a walk around Park Slope and Prospect Park. I also made him Cuban ropa vieja for dinner. A favorite!

Park Slope 2009
Park Slope

Prospect Park 2009
Failed self-portrait in Prospect Park

Prospect Park 2009
Prospect Park

Kevin's 29th Birthday
Cuban ropa vieja- shredded flank steak with veggies

Monday, February 16, 2009

Valentine's Day 2009

Kevin's birthday is the day after Valentine's Day so this year we combined it more aggressively and celebrated his birthday on the day of Valentine's with his friends Brady and James. The four of us had dinner at a Peruvian restaurant in our Cobble Hill neighborhood and then had drinks at Kevin's favorite Brooklyn bar. The four of us kept it sexy.

Valentine's Day 2009
Peruvian dinner at Coco Roco in Brooklyn

Valentine's Day 2009
Rose and champagne drink

Valentine's Day 2009
Artsy Brady photo

Valentine's Day 2009
Decor

Valentine's Day 2009
Oh yeah James and Brady here too... see Kevin's birthday post

Valentine's Day 2009
Valentine's Day flowers - Love the orange!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Honeymoon Booked! 2009

Originally Kevin and I found a great deal to Ireland, but it dawned on me that trudging around in the cold in early June wouldn't be the most romantic honeymoon ever.Luckily we were able to get a full refund and book a new trip to Greece instead!

Kevin arranged the whole trip (best fiance ever!). We'll be flying into Athens, spending a few days there, then taking a boat to a small fishing village called Folegandros, and then relaxing in beautiful Santorini before flying out of Athens again. Very excited!

Honeymoon-booking!
Kevin booking our honeymoon!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Chrissy and Jason's Wedding 2009

Chrissy and Jason got married! The wedding was in New Jersey where Chrissy and I grew up.

edit8
Married! Walking up the aisle after their wedding- so happy!

The morning of their wedding everyone in the wedding party got ready at Chrissy's childhood home. Allison took these beautiful pictures of them there.

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Chrissy and her mom Maureen- pure happiness and love

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Jason with his mother

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Chrissy and her sister Gwen

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Gwen and her son Matthew who's so big now!

They got married in Chrissy's childhood Lutheran church. Growing up, Chrissy and her family went almost every Sunday, and I even had the pleasure of going with them one day when I was in high school. The church was a welcoming community, and Chrissy's family's spiritual home.

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Lutheran Church in Ramsey

The reception was just outside of our hometown. Chrissy and Jason met while getting their MBAs at the London Business School, and they lived in London for a few years after graduation so the tables were all named for locations in London. And the people at the tables themselves came from all around the country and the world. It was one big Euro-Jersey party.

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Chrissy and Jason's married smooches

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
The ladies from our hometown at the wedding

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Showing her new wedding band to her college friends

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Cutting the cake

Vonderhaar Wedding 2009
Our besties table