anniversary and such

here are some pictures from our anniversary weekend in NYC. didn't take that many and unfortunately didn't get any together! but, if you combine these two, maybe it can look like one.


we took these on our way back from dinner at ruth's chris steak house. a late wedding gift certificate enabled us to eat there. they have about every kind of potato. it's amazing.

we stayed at the hilton in times square and they gave us complimentary champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, which i realized that i really like.

if i hadn't gone to new york, i wouldn't have known that paige davis is back on trading spaces!

the views from our room.



matt(completely serious)-"babe look...it's samuel l. jackson!"
me-"matt, it's wax."

on sunday, we went to the international center of photography. i was really excited, but it was actually pretty disappointing. it was not what we thought it was gonna be. i wouldn't recommend it.

we were in the gay section of the city and matt was feeling pretty uncomfortable.

but, we went there for me so i could get red mango, which is a yogurt place. kinda like cold stone where you add in your own mix in's but a healthier alternative. i saw it on a photographers blog and have been wanting to try it ever since. it was yum-o.


and then after doing some things in between we headed home. it was a memorable weekend for our one year anniversary.

thanks for those of you who prayed for me with em's wedding. it went great and now i have the job of editing and sorting through 1,000 photos. pictures to come. there's one over on my flickr if you wanna see one.

and lastly, if you weren't at church on sunday, go listen to jared mellinger's message on the church website. the part where he particularly talked about being cross centered was very timely and encouraging for me to hear. make some time to listen to it.

saturday

in less than 48 hours, our good friends, ben and emily will be married! we're so excited for them and can't wait for the good times we'll have as neighbors.

if you think of it, please pray for me. i'm doing photography for the wedding and i'm a little nervous. thanks!

mmm...bacon

for all you bacon lovers out there, i made this recipe (from southern living) for dinner last night and loved it! what's not to like-
pasta-good
cream cheese-good
bacon-GOOD

Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

Prep: 10 min., Cook: 25 min.
Ingredients
1/2 (16-oz.) package bow tie pasta
1/2 pound bacon
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Keep warm.
2. Cook bacon according to package directions; drain well, and crumble.
3. Beat cream cheese, butter, and Italian seasoning in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl at low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add milk, beating until mixture is smooth.
4. Microwave cream cheese mixture at HIGH 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, whisking every 30 seconds. Pour cream cheese mixture over warm pasta, tossing to coat. Top with crumbled bacon and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Lightened Bacon Bow Tie Pasta: Substitute reduced-fat or turkey bacon, 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, and 2% reduced-fat milk. Proceed as directed.

Makes 4 servings

i didn't add quite all the sauce cause i thought there was enough on there.

special shout out to traci bob who's at home sick. i promise when you get better, we will go get cinnabons.

one year.

one year ago today, we got married. it's been fun looking back over this past year recalling the memories and seeing God's goodness and grace in so many ways. we really do love each other more today then on january 27, 2007.

we had a great time in NYC with each other. a few pictures to come.

can anyone tell me what the first wedding anniversary is? traci thought it was aluminum, but i thought maybe it was paper...

(photos by seth shimkonis and beth altrogge)

some good stuff

quote of the day from matt..."i think i could be a mime." for those of you know matt well, you will understand the irony of that statement.

we're off to NYC today to celebrate our one year anniversary!!!

(photo by: beth altrogge)

brussels (belgiam)...not sprouts

why, hello there.

the day after we arrived in london, we made a day trip to brussels. we had to get up at 2:30 in the morning to make our flight. it took us a little longer to get to our final destination than what we had thought...after a bus ride, a bus ride, the flight, another bus ride, and a train ride, we finally arrived in downtown brussels. we were in need of some serious nourishment when we got there...

our first ever belgian waffle and first of the day.


the main square.

matt being really cold.


an accordianist playing on the street.

matt and a really big door he thought was cool.

a belgian french fry stand.


matt's belgian beer sampler.

sarah and i exhausted from getting up at 2:30 and asleep.


us in the main square.

isaac and sarah...

brussels at night.


a few of you will understand this one...

the main building all lit up at night. they had a big light show and classical music playing. it was so old europe and my favorite part of brussels.




we were in search all night for a waffle that had the hard chocolate on it, for sarah. and we found a place that only had one left! sarah proud of her waffle.


all of us eating our waffles...well, matt didn't quite get the memo. (photo courtesy of sarah)

we got back to a very rainy and cold london and back to our flat at about 1:30am. a full 24 hour day, but who can say that they've been to belgiam?

london photos coming soon.

to come...

we have returned from london. we had an amazing trip. an update to come soon. just wanted to let you know we are still alive. just getting over some colds.

i just can't decide on these blog colors...