Patrick & Alexandria Dew

Puppy Pictures

2010-05-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

The puppies are doing great! They are so much fun and so cute to be around. Cupcake opened her eyes the day before my birthday and the other three opened their eyes on my birthday; what a great birthday present! The puppies personalities are starting to show- it's so exciting getting to know them.

Two weeks old- Sammy and Cupcake cuddling

Cupcake (Chris & Amber's new puppy) was the first to open her eyes

The super attentive father

One week old

The night the puppies were bor

PS- Pat and I leave for our 9 day cruise to the Bahamas and Bermuda in 3 days!!!

Puppies!!!

2010-04-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

Last night Belle had her puppies!- 2 boys and 2 girls. I came home from work and Pat and I were getting ready to go to dinner and a movie (and it was my turn to pick the movie!) but Belle started giving birth.

All 5 dogs are wonderful. Belle is made to be a mom; she is the most protective, attentive mother I have ever witnessed. If the puppies make any slight noise she's right there to make sure everything is alright. She literally stays right there in the cage with them constantly and if she has to go to the bathroom she will poke her head out of the cage and look around to make sure the coast is clear, then dart to the bathroom, go, then run straight back. Belle is making it quite difficult for us to hold any of the puppies. If we take any of them from the cage she freaks out.

We are having so much fun with all the little puppies. Everyone made it through the night. This litter seems alot stronger than the last litter and all the puppies are closer in size and weight than the last. I'll post pictures as soon as possible!

Upcoming Vacation

2010-04-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

Back in October Pat and I were suppose to go on a cruise for our 2year anniversary, but we found out we were being transferred to NY right about the same time; therefore the cruise was put on hold. Just today Pat surprised me with 9 day cruise going to Kings Wharf, Nassau & Cococay, Bahamas starting May 13th!!! This is a much needed vacation for both of us. Between Pat's crazy rotating shift work schedule and me working full time and going to school full time we have barely seen each other. Now we're just counting down the days:)

Update on Belle- she is HUGE! Poor little Belle, she can't even jump up on the couch anymore. It looks like we'll be having puppies any day now....!!!

Belle's Pregnant...Again....

2010-03-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

On top of everything else we just found out that Belle is pregnant with her second litter. We tried to keep them separated while she was in heat, but those two sneaky puppies somehow managed to get past us. She is due April 22. Poor little Belle, she is already starting to get the pregnant belly and has a hard time jumping up on the couch. She already waddles everywhere she goes. So it looks like we'll be having some spring-time puppies:) (Pat is not too happy about it...)

Pictures of the Spa

2010-03-13T13:56:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures of the inside of Spa Cascada...

Entrance.

(The Massage Room is the closed door on the right & the Relaxation Room to the Facial Rooms is the door in the far back on the right)

The hearts are only up because I took these pics in Feb.

Break Room

The Break Room is the closed door on the left

I LOVE all the crown molding the spa has, it is absolutely beautiful.

Make up Table- Glo Minerals Makeup

Waiting Area

Pedi/Mani Room

One of the manicure stations

View from inside the Relaxation Room

Relaxation Room

Picture taken from inside the Relaxation Room.

Hallway to Facial Rooms. Facial Rooms are the doors on the left & the two doors on the right are the bathroom and the laundry room

Facial Room #1

Facial Room #2

Massage Room (it obviously wasn't set up when I took this picture)

Just today Spa Cascada was voted "best massage" in Saratoga Springs for 2010!

Pat Did It!

2010-02-08T21:09:00.000-08:00

Today Pat took and passed all his examinations and officially became a Nuclear Mechanic Instructor here at the Malta Nuclear Power Plant. The examination consisted of 73 page written examination then a 2 hour oral examination; and he did it!!! I'm so proud of him. He is working one crazy schedule of at least 60 hours/week rotating shift-work. We hardly get to spend much time together but we're managing and spending every change together that we possibly can.

Our Belated Christmas in Denver

2010-01-14T18:45:00.000-08:00

Pat was not allowed to take off for Christmas this year, so we waited until his four-day weekend, last weekend, and went to Denver and celebrated a "belated Christmas" with all of the Gotberg's together. Pat was also not allowed to take off last Christmas so this was the first time he saw my parents and Rae in over a year & a half; as you can imagine there was alot of catching up to do! We all had a great time while we were there. The whole weekend was jam-packed. Here is a re-cap of our trip:

Shopping at the Outlet Malls where my Mom & Rae work They were cutting down the tree while we were there; I guess that means Christmas is officially over:(

The whole family and Nick, Rae's boyfriend, all went to the University of Denver vs. Alaska Hockey Game Saturday night. Alaska was undefeated so this was a very exciting game. But in the last 38 seconds Denver scored and won the game! This was Sophie and my very first hockey game and I loved it! Pat and I are now talking about going up to Canada and going to a hockey game there, or maybe to Boston; apparently New York is huge fans of hockey so we have plenty of options; however, I will have to say, all the fighting is very tacky...

After the game back at my parent's house during charades

Sunday night we had our big Christmas dinner and did the presents. After dinner Nick and my parent's good friends and neighbors, Paul and Barbara, came over for dessert and coffee. Paul and Barb are actually from Buffalo so they gave us many pointers on New York!

Everyone helping cook (well except Rae)

Pat really wanted to see the Air Force Academy so my dad, Pat and I all went to Fort Collins all day Sunday. The Academy is absolutely beautiful. We toured the campus and watched a short movie about the school and what all it has to offer. We also found out that there is a Nuclear Weapons Reactor near Denver Pat can work at once he gets out of the Navy.

Outside the beautiful Chapel

Inside the Chapel

Garden of the God's

My Dad and I in their backyard- they have an AMAZING view

Papa, Soph, Pat and I leaving Monday morning for the airport:(

Christmas 2009

2009-12-28T22:26:00.000-08:00

This Christmas Pat could not take off so we had to stay here in Saratoga. Sophie came and stayed with us for a few nights. This Christmas was such a beautiful, white Christmas. In fact, we were snowed in most of the time Soph was here (I'm still not completely comfortable driving in the snow yet- I'm getting there!). However, we did make it out of the house to see Avatar; Pat and Sophie were dying to see it (not my kind of movie- at all, in fact I fell asleep for a little bit of it...) and they loved the movie- I had to hear them talk about it for the following two hours after the movie was finally over (James Cameron and his 2.5hour movies- however, Titanic was AMAZING!). We had a great time though, I always have fun with my Koo!

Sophie left to go back to NYC last night and I already miss her. She's staying in NYC for the rest of the holidays and her, Pat and I are all flying to Denver for a belated Christmas the beginning of January. Sophie's lease is now up in NYC so she's trying to figure out her next plan.

We couldn't get their attention for the picture- they're watching Pat cut the turkey

That's all I could get- she wasn't wearing any makeup!
20 minutes after dinner...

I love my Koo!!!

Our First NY Snowfall

2009-12-09T11:01:00.000-08:00

This morning was our very first infamous New York snowfall. Last night it snowed nearly 6 inches, and it's STILL snowing! Pat and Cooper played out in the snow for awhile; once he was finally brave enough to get out in the snow (and Pat threw him in it) Coop loved it. It's suppose to snow another couple of inches tonight. My dear, sweet husband is outside shoveling all the snow off my car now (apparently it is illegal to drive around with any snow on your car in NY).

New York City

2009-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was Pat's four-day so Pat, Belle, Cooper and I went to NYC to visit Sophie and do some Christmas shopping. Her lease is up the end of December so it was our last chance to get to see her place (in Chelsea) and visit her while she's in New York. We had a great time with her. She showed us all around and we ate at all her favorite restaurants (Pat and I tried Thai food for the very first time). NYC is like no other city. I fell absolutely in love with the city. If we ever get the chance to live there I will gladly take it. I'd love to live near Central Park, it's the better family area. There's always so much to do; and almost all the restaurants deliver at all hours. It's amazing!

My New Job

2009-12-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

Today I started at my new job, Spa Cascada and I LOVE it! Everyone is so nice. The owner is also an esthetician there and is such a nice lady. During the interview I had mentioned how at Animare their rooms are both a facial/waxing room and also massage room so I could do a facial on a client then a massage, not having to move them into another room, and she loved that idea. She already ordered me all the facial machines I'll need in order to turn their massage room into a facial room as well. As soon as all the equipment comes in I'll start full time as an esthetician and, as soon as my massage license is transferred, massage therapist. I'm really excited about Spa Cascada; they use Image Skincare which is a line that I absolutely love; in fact, when I open my own spa, I'll use Image (& Eminence Organics) if I don't open an Aveda salon & spa.

Spa Cascada's website: www.spacascada.com

Pat Made First Class!!!

2009-12-01T23:21:00.000-08:00

Back in October Pat took the E6 Exam and we just found out today that he passed! He is now officially a first class. E6 and he has only been in for 4 1/2 years, I'm so proud of him. He has been working so hard and it's really showing.

Our New Address

2009-12-01T12:06:00.000-08:00

207 Cabin Drive
Wilton, New York 12831

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-30T00:59:00.000-08:00

This Thanksgiving Sophie came and stayed with us for the week. I am still waiting on my licenses to be transferred so I haven't been working, therefore Koo and I got to spend alot of much needed time together. She was our very first visitor here in NY. We had a great time. We went and saw New Moon (of course...) , did alot of shopping and had many wonderful talks. We even did quite a bit of cooking. We home-made everything for Thanksgiving (aren't you proud Mom!). Right now it's looking like she's going to come and stay with us again for Christmas. Pat can't get off of work until mid-January so so far the plan is for all of us to fly to Denver and have a belated Christmas there with my parents and Rae.

We're All Moved In

2009-11-22T00:06:00.000-08:00

Foyer

Our awesome kitchen, I love it- there's so much storage space

I am in love with our new washer & dryer. Pat keeps joking saying I've done more laundry in the past few weeks than I did in the past year...what can I say, I LOVE them!

Dining Room & Living Room

To the left- Guest Room, straight- Master Bedroom, right- Pat's bath

Guest Room/ Office

Pat's Bathroom

Our Bedroom- see what I mean, the walls look purple! I swear they're gray

My Bathroom

My AMAZING walk-in closet, I'm soooo excited about this! In our last place I would have to box up all my clothes when they weren't in season, now I don't:)

We Finally Finished Painting

2009-11-01T23:48:00.000-08:00

Kitchen

Dining Room/Living Room

Master Bedroom-
the color turned out purplish in the pictures but it's actually gray

Guest Room- we ended up not painting in here

We have been staying in a hotel ever since we got back from Texas waiting on the movers and we've been finishing up painting. The movers come in the morning. We can finally move in soon:)

Niagara Falls

2009-10-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Since we have to stay in a hotel for the next week waiting for the movers, we decided to drive up to Niagara Falls for two nights. It is only a 4hour drive from Saratoga and we are both not working right now so we thought now would be the perfect timing.
Niagara is absolutely beautiful! We got there the day after the Maid of the Mist closed for the winter! We were so upset. Although even if it was still open we probably would have frozen- it was probably 30 degrees and rainy the whole time.
This was both of our first time to Canada so it was quite an experience for the both of us. This was a very needed getaway. Since we were in Texas for our two year anniversary this was our belated anniversary trip.

Our hotel room

Gorgeous view from our room

We were on the 14th floor. Belle and Pat loved looking down at all the people on the streets; Cooper and I on the other hand, wouldn't even get close enough to the window to see the people. I'm petrified of heights and apparently he is too.

Dinner the first night- Rainforest Cafe

Dinner the second night- Hard Rock Cafe

Our Quick Trip Back to The Woodlands

2009-10-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

Our trip to the Houston Zoo with Mrs. Dew, Matt, Amber, Hailey and Kylee-

Mrs. Kelleher threw Pat & I a dinner party and a bunch of Pat's friends came in town to see him

(From Left to Right: Jessi, Will, Me, Pat, Jon, Kevin & Taylor)

Saratoga Springs

2009-10-19T22:36:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the many famous mineral water fountains Saratoga is known for

Here is Classical Concepts AVEDA where I will be working!
We signed on our new place today! It's a little bit outside of Saratoga, in Wilton, but it's only 10 minutes from downtown Saratoga where I'll be working. We were trying to find a place in-town but it is way too expensive. We love this place and I really think we'll be happy here.

We leave for The Woodlands in the morning til the 25th then I fly back to Saratoga and start painting our new apartment and Pat is going to fly back to Newport News to get the dogs (our neighbor has been watching them. They bought Biscuit, the runt, and he wasn't quite ready to leave Belle so they said they'd watch all 3 dogs for us while we went to TX so that we don't have to fly all 3 dogs to TX and spend a fortune. God bless them!) and drive up the other car. He also has to check out of his command in VA.

Tomorrow is our 2 year anniversary!!!

My Last Day of Work

2009-10-17T21:33:00.000-07:00

(From left to right in back: Amanda Jill, Nicole (the other esthetician), Esther (Animare's manager), Erin, Lesley, and Amanda. From left to right in front: Me, Pat, Jonathan and Ann Marie- they just got engaged!)

Today was my last day of work at Animare. A couple of my fellow co-workers were so sweet and brought Pat and I out to dinner to Hibachi. I am really going to miss everybody. We had such a great team. And you never know what kind of people you're going to be working with when you're working with a bunch of girls! Thank you so much everybody. I love y'all!

We leave tomorrow morning to drive up to Saratoga and sign the lease on our new place then fly to Texas for a few days until the apartment is ready for us to move in.

I'm Certified!!!

2009-10-13T22:43:00.000-07:00

I took my Massage Therapy State Board today and I passed! That was THE hardest test I've ever taken in my life. I have a couple friends that have college degrees, couldn't find a job so they went to massage school but couldn't pass the State Board! I'm so happy it's over; it's such a relief. Now my title is a Certified Massage Therapist through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, licensed through the Board of Nursing.
I feel so bad for Pat, he has been having to take care of everything with the move because I have been so pre-occupied with this test. The packers actually came today and packed everything up. The movers come tomorrow to ship all of our belongings to Saratoga, so we have to stay in the Air Force Inn starting tonight until we move up there- 4 more days. We leave for Saratoga as soon as I get off work on the 17th. The place we decided on we can not move in until the first week of November so we are going to go to The Woodlands for a week then fly back to Saratoga and drive up to Niagara Falls for a few days to celebrate our 2year anniversary. I'll keep everybody updated as soon as we find anything out.

Koo in Town

2009-10-11T21:35:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Sophie came up to stay with us for the week. We had a real good time together, many good talks. I felt pretty bad for her because she bought her airplane ticket over a month ago so she came right in the middle of all the craziness around here. I take my State Board in two days so I've been having to study for that nonstop and I've been really stressed out because of it. But I think it was a good getaway for her from all the craziness of NYC. She really enjoyed the puppies. Honestly, I'm shocked she didn't hide one of the puppies in her purse when she left; she grew quite fond of them- especially Scooby (ie- the picture).

The pups first time outdoors- they loved it!

The pups first taste of dry food- they gobbled it up

We're moving- in a month!

2009-09-21T21:50:00.000-07:00

Just a few days ago we found out that the Navy is moving us to Saratoga- and they only gave us 40 days notice! Pat has to report there by November 6th. We knew it was coming, but we didn't think it would be until at least after the holidays. It's a really good thing though; the Bush is going out to sea within the next few months for their first deployment (a 6-7month deployment) and Pat is getting out of that- thank goodness:) Everything is just happening so quickly! We have to find a place to live, homes for the puppies and everything FAST. And I have to hurry up and take the VA State Board for massage therapy so that I can transfer licenses. I just told work I'm leaving today. My last day will be October 17, then we leave for Saratoga the 18th. Please keep us in your prayers, we're going to need it.

The pups are getting so big!!!

2009-09-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

Scooby (Dew- get it!?) at 2wks- 1.2lbs

Two weeks later- they opened their eyes and they're walking now!

I came downstairs this morning to this...so precious, I just love these little guys

More Pics of Belle's Pups

2009-09-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

First Few Days of Belle's Puppies

2009-09-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

I just love the look of fear on Belle's face in the picture.

She is the best mother. When she has to leave her cage to go to the bathroom she literally peeks her head out, looks around to make sure it's safe, then darts out of the cage, goes to the bathroom then runs right back in. It's very entertaining. And she will not let us hold the pups, we have to hold her back to hold one and the whole time she whines the whine of panic.

Our neighbor, Miss Kyleigh as we call her, over holding "her puppy." She is the sweetest little girl I have ever met- and so polite; she calls us "Mr. Pat" and "Miss Alex"

And 20mins later...

August- Our Trip Back to TX

2009-09-03T16:45:00.000-07:00

This August we went back to TX and went to the Hyatt Hill Country in San Antonio with the Dew's for the week. We had so much fun; it was so relaxing. Jeremy and Jenny got to come as well. Jenny was 8 months pregnant with their first. They know they are having a little boy, but haven't chosen a name yet so everyone refers to the baby as "Bart."
While we were there we laid around the pool, floated in the lazy river for hours upon hours, all the girls went to the spa one day for pedicures.
After the Hyatt we all went back to The Woodlands for a few more days. We got to see all of our friends, went to Jenny's baby shower and just relaxed- which we very much needed.

All of us-

From back left to right:

Mrs. Dew, Chris, Mr. Dew, Matt, Jeremy, Me, Pat

Front left to right:

Jenny with Bart(8mo pregnant), Amber with Kylee(6mos), Michelle with Hailey(3)

Alamo Dome- Watching the Dallas Cowboys Practice

Market Street, The Woodlands

I just love this pic!

Dew's Visiting Us in V.A.

2009-09-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

The last weekend in June Mrs. Dew, Matt, Amber and Kylee came and visited Pat and me in Virginia. Kylee was 6moths old and it was our very first time getting to see her. She is such a doll. We had so much fun while they were here. We stayed in Virginia Beach the first night, then went to Williamsburg the next day and went to Captain George's Seafood for Pat's birthday. We showed them our favorite places around here, Pat showed them the Bush and I showed them Animare.

My Trip to Denver

2009-09-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

While Pat was out to sea for the whole month of June I went to go visit my family for a couple of days in Denver. They had just moved into their new house which I was so excited to see! It is absolutely beautiful and has the perfect set-up for Rachel; a big game room downstairs, which they are going to get a pool table and card table to put down there, and a media room with a mini kitchen/wet bar. I know good times will be had down there!
In Denver we went shopping, got pedicures, out to dinner, and had a lot of great talks. Rae had also just gotten a little golden retriever puppy, Lexi. She is so cute and so much fun- and very entertaining! I had such a great time seeing my family. It is really hard being so far away from them.

One of my favorite parts of the house, the backyard- I love the campfire!

Rae and her boyfriend, Nick, with Lexi

At the Aquarium- my last night:(

Birthday Weekend in Myrtle Beach

2009-09-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

May 2009- For my 22nd birthday Pat surprised me with a weekend trip to Myrtle Beach. Because of our schedules we really haven’t gotten to see each other very often, so the timing worked out perfectly. We had such a great time. One night for dinner we went to Medieval Times. I had never been and Pat had not been since he was in grade school. We sure had a lot of fun. We also went to Landry’s (our restaurant!), an underwater exhibit, the Planet Hollywood (it was Pat’s first time), walked all along the boardwalk, went to the beach and did a lot of shopping. It was such a great, relaxing weekend- and a very needed weekend!

Our Trip tp D.C.

2009-09-03T12:09:00.000-07:00

Back in March Pat and I went on a little weekend getaway to Washington D.C. We had such a great time seeing all the sights and attractions. We went the last weekend in March which wasn’t quite Cherry Blossom Season; however, we got lucky and there were quite a few!

CATCHING UP...

2009-09-03T11:44:00.001-07:00

I can not believe how long it has been since I’ve been on here. Pat and I both have been going non stop the past couple of months working 12-14hour days. From about March- June Pat had to do what the Navy calls “work ups” to prepare for them to go out to sea. The work- ups are the worst part; he had to stay on the ship for a week, would get to come home for a night or two then back on the ship again for another week. It was horrible; we really didn’t get to see each other very much at all. I am very proud of him; he was just promoted to Reactor Training and he really likes it. It’s a lot more work but it’s a lot more challenging, therefore the perfect job for him. Just this morning Pat took the E6 Exam, so we will find out in about two months if he made it or not!

I have been swamped with school and work. I graduated from massage school back in May and am currently about to take the State Board in the next week or two. I was going to school from 8:30am- 12pm, then straight to work until 8pm five days a week then working three weekends a month on top of that! I’m so thankful to finally be finished with school. I am now working 5 days a week and feel like I have too much free time.

Last Sunday Belle had her puppies, 3 boys and 2 girls!!! She was a week early. We woke up Sunday morning and she had already given birth to 3 of her puppies. She sleeps in a cage right beside our bed and she didn’t even make a sound! She’s such a trooper. We did get to see the last 2 puppy’s birth, which was absolutely amazing (but I’m not going to lie- pretty gross too!). We lost the runt on Tuesday. It was horrible. She was only 2oz and all the others were between 4.5 and 6oz. We did everything we possibly could but she just wasn’t strong enough. It has been such an amazing experience watching these puppies grow day by day. Neither Pat nor I had a dog growing up who had puppies, so we have been reading book after book trying to learn as much as we possibly can. I feel like the obsessive mother who calls the doctors every time her baby hiccups, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

I’ll post some pictures of the last couple of months to catch y’all up…

Back in February it snowed for a few days. This was Cooper’s first time seeing snow…

Animare AVEDA

2009-01-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of the spa that I work at...

http://animaresalonspa.com/

It's hard to see but it says "Animare" on the waterfall

The salon...

The entrance to the spa...

My room!!!

Our break room...

Thanksgiving 2008

2009-01-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

This year for Thanksgiving Sophie came and stayed with Pat and me for almost 2weeks waiting for her apartment to be ready in NYC. We had such a good time. This was her first time to come visit us in our new place. She finally got to see where I work and meet all my friends up here. She came in for a facial, we went shopping and had many good talks. She just got her own apartment with a friend of hers in Manhattan which I'm so happy about- now we have a place to stay when we go visit her and it's only a 6hour drive!

Our First Anniversary

2008-12-06T13:07:00.000-08:00

For our one year anniversary Pat and I went on a cruise to the Bahamas. We had soooo much fun! The cruise departed from Charleston, so we went down a couple days early and stayed in Charleston for the weekend. The cruise left on Monday, October 20th (our actual anniversary date) and was a 5 day cruise. We were out to sea for 2 days then docked in Freeport for a day. Freeport was nice, but we weren't too crazy about it. We went shopping then went to one of the hotel's beaches for the rest of our time there. The next day we docked in Nassau for the day. Pat and I went to Atlantis and bought a day pass for the day. We LOVED Atlantis! It was the most beautiful hotel either one of us has ever seen- and massive! We spent the day discovering the hotel and at the hotel's waterpark (which was insane!). Atlantis is definitely a place we want to go back too- maybe for our 5 or 10yr anniversary. If y'all have never been it is definitely a place that we would highly recommend- especially if you have kids, there's sooo much to do for them.

CHARLESTON...

Our ship- Carnival Victory

Part of The Notebook was filmed here:)

INSIDE OUR SHIP...

The lobby

Dancing room

Casino

Our room

At the pool

Our first night at dinner

My handsome hubby of one year!

Pat thinks I shop too much...

Pat in his Heaven (w/a beer and cigar)

Pat surprised me at dinner one night with a cake- he had all the waiters around us sing to us and they caused a really big scene- it was quite embarrassing, very sweet, but embarrassing

Our last night at dinner all the servers danced for everyone. it was hilarious!

FREEPORT...

ATLANTIS...

It's a sting ray!

The shark tunnel...

This was literally the scariest moment of my life...This was a lazy river type- of ride but you're surrounded by this massive aquarium on all 4 sides filled with over 30 sharks and tons of huge sting rays- and the only thing protecting you from the sharks was glass!

Finally it's over!!!

Ono Island

2008-08-07T15:04:00.000-07:00

Last week Pat and I met my family in Ono Island, AL. My parents rented a beach house for the week and my mom’s parents and her brother and all of his family all came down and stayed with us. This was Pat’s first time meeting my grandparents and being around all of my mom’s crazy family; thank gosh he’s already stuck!

We had such a good time. Pat spent most of the week crabbing with my little cousin Charlotte. They did everything together all week- it was so cute! My dad took Pat and my cousins Dresh and Taylor deep sea fishing one morning. They caught so many fish- over 30 red snappers. We were eating fish and Pat’s crabs that Charlotte and him caught all week. My dad almost caught a shark until the 80lb line snapped!
One of our very best friends since I was 5, Morgan, got to come stay with us for a couple nights. It was so good catching up with her. We haven’t gotten to see her since Pat and my wedding and that weekend was so crazy we really didn’t have very much time to catch up. We finally got to meet her boyfriend of 3years, John. He is so nice! John and my uncle both brought down their jet skiies so we rode them from our pier to the beach and had so much fun.
My cousin Kalin, who plays football for Annapolis, was in town our very first night there. He had to leave the very next morning to go back to Annapolis. To everybody’s surprise a couple days after he left he quit the football team and came back and stayed with us for a couple nights. I was really happy he got to come back. Kalin is like the brother we never had.
It was such a good week and so much fun. I really miss my family a lot so it’s always so good to see them again.

Our beach house

The pier
Pat crabbing
Charlotte, Me and Rae

My dad catching his shark

On the way back home:(

In other news: On Monday I got a job with Aveda Animare as their full- time esthetician! I am sooo excited about it. I’ve been trying to get a job there since Christmas time but they haven’t been hiring until now. Their main esthetician’s husband is in the Army and they are being transferred, so I will be taking her place. The place is so beautiful and everybody is so nice! And they’re always busy:) I officially start this Monday. I’m going to be working at least 35hours every week plus going to massage school on top of that so things are about to get pretty hectic, but I can’t wait!

Animare’s website- http://animaresalonspa.com/

Our Trip Back to The Woodlands

2008-07-14T11:05:00.000-07:00

Pat and I finally got to go back to The Woodlands the last weekend of June for our sister-in-law, Jenny's, younger sister's wedding. It was our first time back since our wedding- 8 months! We had such a good time. Pat only got to stay for 4 days because he had to go back for a calculus test. I stayed and went to the Hyatt in Austin with the rest of the Dew's for a week. We had a really good time. The hotel was AMAZING; it had its own lazy river and everything. We sure had alot of really good talks. One night all of us drove to the Oasis for dinner which was so much fun. It was really good seeing Austin and Lake Travis again.

While Pat was there him and I got to walk all around Market Street and drive all around the mall area to see how much The Woodlands has grown! And we love it!! We even found the perfect townhouse we want to move in if we move back there- and it's walking distance to the mall and the Goose's Acre, the cutest little Irish Pub that was just built:) The trip went by really fast. We're really hoping to go back again for Christmas- and this time stay for 10 days.

At Laura's wedding

At Bennihana's for Pat's birthday dinner

All the Dew boys

The amazing townhomes we're in love with!

At the Oasis

All the Dew girls!

OUR NEW PUPPY COOPER!!!

2008-06-06T13:42:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to talk Pat into getting a “friend for Belle” for quite some time now. Memorial Day weekend we “dog-sat” for a friend of mine who also has a yorkie and, to make a long story short, Pat saw them playing together and finally said yes to another dog! So…the very next day we got a new puppy! We named him Cooper. Pat wants to name of future son Cooper, but “Cooper Dew” is just asking to be made fun of, so this way he still gets a Cooper.

He is the sweetest little puppy! We got him at 10 weeks and he was only 1.4lbs; he’s barely bigger than our hands! And he’s only suppose to get to 3lbs full grown! Belle and him are getting along so great. They’re so much fun to watch. When he gets big enough and Belle gets old enough we are going to breed them. I can’t wait!!!

Cooper's website that we found him on: http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/dogs/f5989eb0-7131.aspx#

As for Pat and me, Pat is still balancing working shift work and his calculus 2 class. He goes to class every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night. Luckly, his class is only 8 weeks, it has just been hard planning summer vacations without him missing class. I have been working quite a bit and going to massage school nights. Massage school is a whole lot harder than I thought it was going to be. And every class that I miss I have to make up. Between Pat missing class and me missing class the only trips we're able to go on this summer are to visit Pat's family for a couple days then mine for a couple days in August. But we're really excited- we leave for Texas in about 3 weeks. We haven't been back since the wedding so it'll be really good seeing everybody again!

Savannah

2008-05-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

Last weekend for my 21st birthday (I finally feel old enough to be married now!), Pat took me to Savannah, Ga. We had soooooo much fun!!! It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. We fell absolutely in love with the city! We loved all the huge oak trees with all the moss, all the honey suckles and wisteria everywhere, and the whole historical charm of the city. I’ve always loved Savannah, but after Pat saw the city, he seriously fell in love and wants to move there. We have our street picked out and everything- Jones Street (which is “America’s most beautiful street”). The day after we got back I went on Pat’s computer and he had put a picture I took of a home that he loved so much on his computer as his background! He really wants to buy an old historical home and renovate it for us to live in; he loves that sort-of thing. The houses there are all seriously 3-4 stories, so we planned it all out and the first story is going to be my spa and the rest of the house is going to be our home. Where I am working now the whole community is set up like that and I absolutely love it- it’s so convenient!

One of the things we loved most about Savannah is River Street. The whole street is a ton of gorgeous shops, restraunts and bars. We ate there almost every meal. The first day we were there there was a HUGE dog charity in one of the many parks- there were seriously hundreds of dogs! Apparently Savannah does fundraiser/charity events all the time (which I love- they’re so much fun!).

In so many ways we are dead set on moving to Savannah, but we talked to many people who are currently living there and apparently the job market isn’t great- it’s basically all tourism. As the time gets closer we’ll see how things are, but even if we don’t move there right after Pat gets out we’re definitely retiring there!

PS- I start massage school on Monday!!! I can't wait. I only go three days a week for three hours at a time for a year:)

John the Baptist Church and the most beautiful Cathedral Church- too bad we're not catholic

Outside John the Baptist church Sunday morning

An old graveyard from the 1800s

This is what the streets of Savannah look like

I LOVE all the pillars and the front porches on this place

This is the house Pat loves and is on his computer background- I love it too! We want to move into a place that looks like this- its a mixture of his "country" house and my "southern" house

I absolutely love this place!!

We both love this house- I love the sunroom off to the side

Almost every house has a gate like this leading to its own private courtyard- we love this!

Jones Street and a house that we love that reminded us of the home on Father of the Bride

The dog charity, you can't tell by the picture but there were hundreds of people and dogs here

There are water fountains like this all over the city

It looks like this all over the city

My Weekend in Denver

2008-05-02T16:21:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Sophie and I both flew to Denver for the weekend for Rae’s school dance. We all haven’t been together since Christmas so it was wonderful all being together again! Rae had her dance Saturday night. Sophie did her hair and I did her make- up. She looked absolutely beautiful! It seemed like the weekend flew by- it was so hard leaving. I really hate being so far from everyone. Soph is staying in Denver for another couple of weeks then moving up to NYC with her new modeling agency. My mom and her went up there the previous weekend to look at apartments and meet her new manager. I’m so excited about her moving to NY because now she’ll only be about 6 hours from us!! Pat didn't get to come with me because he had work. He still hasn't even met my mom's parents, so while we were all together we started planning a summer trip for everyone to get together. I just hope it all works out!

My dad, Rae and my mom

The 3 of us- and for the record: Rae and Soph are both wearing heels in this pic and I'm not!

Rae and her date, Nick- he's such a nice guy

Koo and I at Rockfish

Pat and I are leaving tomorrow for Savannah, Ga. I can't wait!! We've been planning this trip for the past two and 1/2 months. Savannah and Houston both have a nuclear power plant, so we've finally agreed that we're either going to move to Savannah or back to The Woodlands after he gets out. This trip will really help us decide. And.....I turn 21 tomorrow!!!!

I Got A New Job

2008-04-22T16:44:00.000-07:00

Last week I went in to get my haircut and the salon I went to was looking for an esthetician. To make a long story short- I got the job! And it turns out it is right across the "grove" from the spa I've been working at. I really liked the Green Muse, but wasn't a big fan of the owner- at all! So today I started my new job at Hair On Fire and ended up quitting the Green Muse. I love Hair On Fire!! They've been around for 15years now, but just expanded to include the spa part about a year and 1/2 ago. The salon part is huge, but the spa part is still growing. When I don't have appointments I am helping the owner out with all the front desk work, talking to customers and checking them out so that I can talk to them about the spa services and talk them into getting facials, waxings, etc. And I'll be making so much more money than I was at the Green Muse:) This salon/spa is almost exactly what I want my spa to be like, so it's perfect! I'm definitely seeing what all it takes to own your own spa; and it's alot more stressful than I thought- but definitely worth it.

This is the area where I work: http://www.portwarwick.com/index.html

Pat and I went to a massage school yesterday and talked with the admissions director. I'm seriously thinking about getting my massage therapy license as well. I keep going back and forth between massage and hair. To get my cosmetology license it would be about a year as well, but the closest decent school is an hour drive. So I don't know! I'm still weighing it all out. I just have to decide by May 1st or I won't be able to start massage school until September!

PS- Pat and I got our tickets last night to go back to The Woodlands for Laura's wedding! We get in about 10am on Wed, June 25th and leave that following Monday morning. We can't wait to go back; we haven't been back since our wedding!

It Sure Has Been Awhile...

2008-04-10T21:50:00.000-07:00

Things have been so crazy lately I haven't even had time to make another post. To sum it all up: about two months ago my dad had a business trip in D.C. so he drove down and stayed with us for the weekend. He was our very first guest to stay with us! We had so much fun; we drove to Williamsburg, went out to eat, and played a whole lot of Monopoly (Pat sure got into it!). Two weeks after that my mom and I flew down to Miami and stayed with Sophie for a couple nights. We had a BLAST! It was mid- February and nearly 80 degrees outside! We all had such a great time catching up, seeing where Sophie worked, going to a few clubs, going to the beach and shopping.

I finally got a job at the cutest little boutique and spa about a month ago and I'm really liking it there. I'm their only esthetician there right now and I work with the owner and assistant manager, Bethany. Bethany and I have gotten really close. She's so nice; it's so good to have finally made a friend up here:)

Pat has been really busy with work and school. I really don’t know how he does it; he works a good 40 hour week working shift work, takes an online history class, and goes to his calculus class two nights a week (and has an A in it!). And y'all know Pat- the over achiever, so even though he has so much on his plate he still gives his all in everything he does.

The website to the spa I'm working at: http://www.greenmuseboutique.com/

We're Finally All Moved In!!!

2008-03-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

We finally finished moving into our new townhouse and got everything moved in. We absolutely LOVE it here! It's 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths- we have an extra bedroom now if anyone wants to come visit us!:)

Our new address:
5132 Goldsboro Drive #1
Hampton, VA 23605

Living Room Area

Pat is so proud of this TV

Living Room/ Dining Room

Dining Room Area

Our "bar" area

View from bottom of the stairs

Downstairs Bath

Kitchen

Our Wedding Party!- we sure miss y'all

Guest Room/ Office

The couch is a queen sleeper sofa- big enough for two:)

Master Bedroom

Our Bathroom

Christmas 2007 in Denver

2007-12-21T16:19:00.000-08:00

We just got back a few days ago from visiting my family in Denver for the holidays. We had such a great time. We went sledding, shopping, did the whole "Secret Santa" thing, met Pat's best man at Casa Bonita (which has gotta be the biggest Mexican restraunt that exists!), relaxed and watched Christmas movies together- it was great! Plus Belle got to see snow for the very first time! Patty built her her own personal igloo and mini- sized snowman. They even went sledding together- it was absolutely adorable! Sophie got to come home from Miami and we got to meet Rae's new boyfriend, Nick- who is a very nice guy by the way. It was so great having everybody together again. With everyone's crazy schedules now I don't know when we'll be able to get together again, so we absolutely treasured this trip. And it was Patty and my first White Christmas together!!

OUR NEW PUPPY

2007-12-20T15:32:00.000-08:00

Two weeks after we got back from the honeymoon that Pat surprised me with, he surprised me again but with a new puppy- Belle! She is the sweetest little puppy. When we got her she was only a little over a pound, and now she is 3.4lbs and shouldn't get any bigger. She really is the perfect little dog!

Two Month Anniversary

2007-12-20T14:16:00.000-08:00

Two months ago today I married my best friend and the love of my life. I honestly don't know how it's possible, but somehow I fall more and more in love with my HUSBAND everyday. We got married in the most beautiful little chapel in The Woodlands, TX. It was like a fairy tale wedding! I miss the wedding so much. It went by sooo fast! I keep begging Pat to divorce me so we can get married all over again!- but he won't. Pat is the sweetest, most thoughtful husband. He is in the US Navy stationed on the George H W Bush in Newport News, VA for the next two years then we move to Saratoga Springs, NY for the rest of his time in- 4 years. I'm not so crazy about VA, but can't wait for NY. We just got back from visting my family in Denver last night and both of us absolutely fell in love with the snow all over again. It finally felt like Christmas again! Christmas in Texas just isn't the same.

Our first dance- "Amazed" by Lonestar

Me and my family

Me with my amazing bridesmaids

My handsome hubby!

Patty with his parents

Pat and his groomsmen

This is my favorite pic of Pat ever!!!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Dew!

Our wedding party

At the reception

Us doing the "Lady and the Tramp"...Pat loves doing this

It says "Double Dew's"...Pat's clever humor

Morgan and Will caught the bouquet and garter

Patty surprised me with a honeymoon to Cancun, Mexico! He told me that the Navy wouldn't give him enough time off for a honeymoon and the wedding, but all along was just tricking me- and it sure worked! We stayed at the Fiesta Americana for 5 nights. It was the biggest hotel either one of us have ever seen! We had so much fun and promised each other we'll go back again for an anniversary.