Yearly Anniversary Photo

I realize this post is about 4 months overdue... my 1st wedding anniversary was in May. 

We went to Riviera Maya in Mexico to celebrate - it was amazing.

We're young newlyweds who are madly in love and I wanted to start a sweet tradition to document the progression of our relationship.  I've seen several anniversary picture ideas, but since we were traveling abroad, we kept it simple.

The plan is to take a picture just like the one on the right on each anniversary (the picture on the left is from our wedding in Key West).  The chalkboard will show the date and where we were at the time.  The chalkboard was about $5 at Michaels - good investment!

We're hoping to take a yearly vacation over our anniversary each year, so hopefully the location in each picture will be different.  But if we have it take the picture in our back yard, then that will be fine too!

I have a large canvas print of this wedding picture.  I think I'll make a canvas of our 1st anniversary picture and hang it next to the wedding picture.  Maybe create a wall of anniversary pictures over the years?  I'll post an update after our 2nd anniversary in 2013!!

We actually renewed our vows in Mexico - I'm not sure we'll do it every year, but we got some sweet perks at out resort so we did it :)  I'd like to do it every few years.  Anyway, just because I can, here are a few pics from our vow renewal ceremony.  For some reason we decided to do it at night, so as you can see the lighting wasn't very good so, sorry the pics aren't the greatest!

Do you have any anniversary traditions?

Sunday Football Week 2: Taco/Nacho Bar

Week 2 was a big success at The Nagel Bar and Grill.  If you're just joining us, we get together with a big group of friends for football every Sunday.  

A new refinished basement, 5 TVs with all the games playing, and a fun food theme each week.  See here for more on our Football Sundays.

This week we planned a Mexican Sunday - a taco/nacho bar, margaritas, Modelo beer, churros, and more!

Margaritas

I'll start with the Margaritas... I had to make them "virgin" with the tequila on the side since my dear friend Tisha (who is 1/2 of the hosting party) is preggers.

I don't really know who to credit for the recipe - it's just Limeade (made from the canned concentrate) and OJ.  We used about 3/4 cup of OJ per can of Limeade, but you can adjust to your taste.  Set it out in an easily accessible pitcher and mix a shot (or seven) of tequila in each drink.  These were really delicious and even the Pregnant Lady approved!  

Taco/Nacho Bar

Last year we did a Mexican theme, but this year I came across this Nacho Bar idea and figured we could make it to include tacos too! We started with a crock pot full of ground beef and set out a variety of taco shells and tortilla chips.

Add plenty of toppings - onions, tomatoes, olives, jalapeños, and lettuce.  I found these little ramekins at Goodwill a few weeks ago and they were perfect!

 We had a few people bring a couple different types of salsa too.  And of course, don't forget the shredded cheese and sour cream.

Churros

 The churros were the hit of the day!  I made these using this recipe. They were not nearly as pretty, but there sure were delicious!  I sprinkled half with cinnamon sugar and half with powdered sugar.  Super yummy and surprisingly not as hard to make as you might think!

Week 2 - Mexican week - was perfect!  Everyone had a good time and plenty to eat.  The taco/nacho bar was perfect for people sort of grazing all day.  By the end of the day, everyone was in a food coma!  

Next week: Oktoberfest

Sausage, Sauerkraut, German potato salad, pretzels, and more!

Click here for Week 1: Appetizers

Sunday Football Week 1: Appetizers

My friends Rob and Tisha are awesome.  

They just spent a gazillion dollars and 6+ months of their lives on their basement. All for me.  Well, me and about 15 other people (but mostly me) - all so we could enjoy our Sunday Football.

In our group of friends, we have fans representing the Colts, Giants, 49ers, Bengals, Redskins, Ravens, Bears, and Steelers.  So Rob and Tisha set up 5 TVs in their house and play all of the games - all day long.  It's basically heaven.

We also have a food "theme" each week.  Last year we had fry-day (all fried foods), sushi day, a Southern boil, and mini-food day - among others.  This year will be bigger and better.

I'll be sharing our food selection each week.  Please try to contain your drooling.  And if you live in Indianapolis - drop on by for the best Sunday Football get together on this planet.  Boom.

Week 1:  Appetizers

We've started off the year with a simple theme.  The basement is still undergoing it's final touches, so we decided to keep thing simple to break it in.  Also, please make note of the bar in the picture above - we made that.  It does not suck.

Appetizers in attendance:

Beer Cheese Dip
Homemade Pretzel bites
Guacamole
Chips and Queso
Bacon wrapped little smokies
Crab-stuffed mushrooms
Pizza rolls
Rosemary bread

Of course I made the beer dip with Yuengling.  And it was amazing.  Here's the recipe.

Also made soft pretzel bites - super yummy.  Here's the recipe (we doubled it).

I don't have the recipes for the other apps, but if you're interested let me know and I will get them!

Be sure to stay tuned for next week:  Taco/Nacho Bar

It will be spectacular.

Bachelorette Party Game: Drink If...

I recently helped throw a Bachelorette Party for my sister-in-law.  We had an absolute blast!

Mustache shots!

We did the South Side Bar Crawl in Pittsburgh's "bar district" called the South Side (duh).  We had a hotel room for the out-of-town guests and convened there at the beginning of the night for some pre-gaming (i.e. cheaper drinks).

Beautiful bride pre-gaming at the hotel

Now, I hate games.  Like reeeeeeeally hate games.  But I thought this one was actually pretty fun and it was a great ice breaker.

I got the idea from this website, which has the game for purchase.  I didn't want to buy the game, nor did I like all of their ideas... so I created my own!

Here are the rules to the game:
Read each line one by one.  Each gal drinks if the criteria applies to them.  It's that easy!  Now some are simple and tame, and others are a little more racy and may require an explanation.  I think the game too about 40 minutes, since we were all chatting and sharing stories throughout the game.  Have fun with it!

Click on the game below for a printable version!

Adult Field Day 2012

This summer my friends and I had an "Adult Field Day" - and it was awesome!  I wish I could take credit for the idea, but my friend Lindsey thought of it and planned most of the day.

We had about 30 adults (and a handful of kids) and honestly had the time of our lives!

Before the event, Lindsey drew names out of a hat to select three teams.  She selected the guy and gals separately so they were spread evenly amongst the teams.  She let everyone know the teams ahead of time so we could dress in our team colors.

THE GAMES

The first 5 games had point values: 

1st place: 10 points

2nd place:  5 points

3rd place:  0 points

At the end of the 5 games we added up the points and the top 2 teams had a final game to play.

GAME #1

Water Balloon Volleyball

In this game, you split each team up into two groups - one on each side of a volleyball.  Each group holds onto a beach towel.  Place a bucket of water balloons on one side.

One of the groups loads a water balloon into the towel "sling shot" and launches it over the net.

The other group attempts to catch the water balloon in their beach towel.  The team with the most balloons caught in the allowed time - we did 2 minutes - is the winner!

GAME #2

Marble Toes

The object of the game is to "collect" the most marbles out of a kiddie pool filled with water.  The catch is... you have to use your toes!  Surprisingly harder than you might imagine....

The whole team gathers around the pool with one bucket next to the pool.  The pool is filled with water and a bunch of marbles.

One person at a time sticks their foot into the water and attempts to pick up a marble with their toes and place it in the designated bucket.  The next person can't begin until the first person has placed a marble in the bucket.

It is acceptable to pick up multiple marbles at a time.  If you knock over the bucket, the spilled marbles don't count... so be careful!  The team with the most marbles in the bucket at the end of the designated time - we did 2 minutes - is the winner!

GAME #3

Sack Race

Nothing special here... just your typical sack race.  Lindsey found the potato sacks online for pretty cheap.  I'm guessing a quick Google search would help you find plenty.

Set up a cone at a starting point.  One person at a time hops down to another cone and back - the next person goes when the first person crosses over the starting line.  Fastest time wins!

Don't forget to let the kiddos play too.  We let them play around in between games and they had a blast!

GAME #4

Ping Pong Bounce

Ok I'll admit - this wasn't my favorite game, but it was still fun - and challenging!

Take a long folding table and make two lines.  One person is the designated "catcher" and attempts to catch the ping pong balls into a cup.  The rest of the team lines up on the other end of the table with a box of the balls.

The bouncers have to bounce the ball (one time only) between the two lines.  The catcher has to stay behind the line closest to them and attempt to catch the ball.  It's really difficult to figure out the right strength and angle of the bounce in order to get it across the back line and into the cup!  The team with the most catches wins!

GAME #5

Egg Toss

This game works best if you have plenty of space - like a large yard or field.  Everyone on each team finds a partner (we chose to just do three "couples" per team).  All teams go at the same time on this game.

Each pair lines up across from one another.  Pass out eggs to one side of the pairs.  At the beginning, everyone should be just a few feet from each other in two parallel lines.  The side with the egg tosses it to the other side (everyone tosses at the same time).  Those who caught the egg take one step back - if you drop the egg or it breaks in your hand, your pair is out.

The key here is to have each throw happen at the same time, that way everyone is stepping back the same distance and you can easily gauge who the winner is.  The winner is the team who has the pair that throws - and catches - from the furthest distance.

FINAL ROUND:

4-event Relay

The top two teams after the first 5 games will face off in a 4-event Relay.  There should be 4 stations set up.  Everyone on the team must complete each station before moving onto the next.

Event 1: M&M Suck and Blow

Each person has to pick up an M&M out of a cup with a straw and drop it into a cup on the opposite side of the table.  One person goes at a time - whole team moves on when each person is successful.

Event 2: Watermelon Eating

Each team has one whole watermelon - pre-sliced into 4 slices (or more if you want).  This one is a free-for-all... eat until you can't eat any more, pass it onto another person, and do it all again.  Make sure you have a judge who determines when the watermelon is gone.  Once it's gone, the team moves on,

Event 3: Catch the Pencils

Each person holds 4 pencils on the back of their hand.  In one big motion, toss up the pencils and catch them in your hand (keeping your palm down).  This is derived from a "Minute to Win It" game so check it out there if you have any more questions.  Once everyone on the team has completed this successfully, move on to the last station.

Event 4:  Puzzle

I don't have a picture of this one, sorry.  In this event, there should be two puzzles laid out on a table.  These should be toddler-age puzzles, so about 15 pieces each.  Each team has to complete both puzzles.

The big winner is the team who completes all 4 events the fastest!

A FEW TIPS

If you're allowing kids, have plenty for them to do.  

We had a bouncy castle (they're pretty cheap to rent for a few hours), sprinkler, kiddie pool, and a sprinkler.  They mostly entertained themselves throughout the day.  We also had a few extra people on hand to help keep an eye on the young ones.  In think next year we'll even hire a few teenagers to watch the kids so no one feels obligated to leave the games to take care of a child.

Designate a Game Maker for the day.  Even better if they don't play the games (but not necessary).  This person is the one who coordinates and explains games, helps keep time (or designates a time keeper), settles disputes, and breaks up fights :)

Have other things to do too.  We had volleyball going before and after the official games.  Just something for people to do.

Also - have plenty of water on hand.  And it's never a bad idea to incorporate a pitch-in BBQ at the conclusion of the games.

We ended up spending several hours playing, eating, and hanging out.  It was a super duper fun day and we'll already talking about our 2nd Annual Games next year!!