Because this Photo Deserved a Post of Its Own...

Only very rarely, do the stars align and allow a picture to be captured of my brothers and I. Even more rarely do those pictures capture the love and joy that I see in this one. This was such a happy day. We were on the party bus leaving Matt and Andrea's wedding. On a whim, I sat next to Matt and pulled Mark toward me and had someone take a picture. When I uploaded my pictures the next day, I was overjoyed to have captured this moment. I can't put my finger on it. Maybe its the way I'm holding Matt's hand with both of mine. Maybe its the wedding ring on that hand. Maybe it is the way Mark is leaning back into us with a mischievous look in his eyes that I know so well. Maybe its the look of contentment on Matt's face. Maybe it is the joy I see in all of us. Whatever it is.  I just love it. I talk a big game about being squished between two brothers...but when I look at this picture, if I'm being honest, I would never have it any other way.

Andrea and Matt Tie the Knot!

Matt and Andrea were married on August 6th, 2011! Their ceremony was at St. Cornelius Catholic Church. Andrea looked stunning. She was an absolutely gorgeous bride. Matt looked pretty handsome, too!

Just as the many weddings before held at this church, the bridesmaids always peek through the window as people arrive. That is me and Steph rocking those lime green bridesmaid dresses.

Having your brother get married is so... is so... weird. There just aren't words to describe it. I called Matt a few days before the wedding and told him I just could not believe he was getting married! His reply? "I know! It was so weird when YOU got married!" So weird it is.

My parents were so cute. My mom looked beautiful in her dress. My dad was just a big bag of smiles. All he did all day was smile. It was really cool to see them so happy that their witty bitty 6 foot 6 inch firstborn baby boy was getting married.

I am so lucky to have gained Andrea as my new sister! She makes my brother very happy. It was really fun being in this wedding with Stephanie- we had never been co-bridesmaids before!

I love my big brother. He is lawyer-ish and professional by day, goofy and lovable by night.

I love my little brother Marky too! He is super fun and witty like you wouldn't believe. I love my husband too. He looks so handsome in a tux. Being in weddings together has become our hobby this year. We rule at it.

 Zoe and Athena were the cutest flower girls! They loved hanging out with the "big flower girls." This is Heidi with us. Heidi is married to Andrea's brother. So naturally, by extension, we just decided that we were sisters too!

Because I was in the wedding, the only pictures I have were taken on the party bus from the wedding to the reception. I did get to see their professional pictures and they are amazing! The wedding was beautiful. Andrea did the beautiful cry- I was jealous of her glistening tears as I remembered my own open-mouthed ugly cry from my wedding day. The reception at the Nixon Library was fancy and gorgeous. Everyone had a blast!!!

 All in all, wedding well done! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Fischer! Love you guys so much! We are so happy for you and we know you will make each other happy for the rest of your lives!

Angels Tailgate!

At this game, these were our first seats along the 3rd baseline during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd innings. But more on that later. Corey and I love going to Angels games. We are Angels fans through and through. Do you know what makes an Angels game even better? Yes, when the Angels actually play well. That definitely makes an Angels game better. Since that part hasn't gone so well as of late, what is the other thing that makes Angels games better? Answer: TAILGATE!!!

On this particular June day, Kevin brought his little red grill and we enjoyed burgers and beers in the parking lot before the game. The weather was perfect and we just had a relaxing pregame experience.

Steph and I are lucky. We got to sit and chat away while the boys prepared the food.

Next up on the wedding line-up: Kevin and Steph, October 8, 2011

Me and my eternal Angels fan husband. He might even love them more than me. It is much easier to just accept this rather than fight it.

During this game, we changed seats 3 times. This was our right field view during the 4th, 5th and 6th innings. It was a boring game. And the Angels did not win. No matter though! The tailgate made the whole thing worth it.

We are so lucky to have good friends who are always down for an Angels game. I have a feeling that the future brings many more tailgates in the future. Especially since Kevin has a new Angels hat.

Accent Vlog

I am jumping on the bandwagon! For the past few weeks, the blogging community has been doing a chain of sorts. Everyone is recording themselves speaking and reading a list of words and answering questions. I think it has been really fun seeing how differently everyone speaks across the country and the different words for things. Though I have never done a video blog before (vlog) I decided that this one was too fun not to participate in.

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Words:
Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught


Questions:

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?

What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?

What do you call gym shoes?

What do you say to address a group of people?

What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?

What do you call your grandparents?

What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?

What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?

What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

So, that's my California accent vlog. I encourage you to click on a few links below and listen to other people's accents and answers in comparison to my own- that makes it much more fun!
 
http://jennasjourneyblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-accent-vlog-yes-vlog-from-me.html
 
The above blog has links to several hundred accent vlogs to click on but here are a few of the blogs that I follow.
 
http://www.mamaathomeblog.com/2011/09/accent-vlog.html
 
http://www.dustyandamy.com/2011/09/decidedly-southern.html
 
http://livinglikethekings.com/2011/09/the-accent-vlog/
 
http://blueeyedbride.com/2011/08/31/the-accent-vlog/
 
http://www.ourhappilyeverafters.com/2011/09/its-all-in-accent.html
 
http://www.lifeinthegreenhouse.com/2011/08/accent-vlog.html

Cringe-Worthy Moment #1: The Dreaded Regular

At work on Wednesday, I was just wrapping up a patient visit. This was a kid that I have seen fairly frequently over the past few years and is one of my "regulars." When you are in the medical field, people feel really, really comfortable sharing the innermost details of their life with you. Sometimes they feel really comfortable asking you about the details of your life. Don't get me wrong, this comes with territory and for the most part I am glad people feel comfortable sharing with me. But sometimes, with a regular, things can get too comfy-cozy.

For example, a few years ago, one of my regular moms told me that she and her son's father had been...."reconciling" lately... For a moment, I was confused as to what exactly she was getting at. The confusion must have shown in my eyes, because the woman said, "You know...reconciling...." Immediately, the light bulb went on and I braced myself for the inevitable. So when the next words out of her mouth were, "And now I'm experiencing a burning sensation in my...." I immediately referred her to her OB/GYN since I mainly specialize in constipated babies, colic, ear infections and growing pains. Yipes. But hey, your kid is vomiting, you're visiting your friendly pediatric nurse practitioner anyways, I get it....2 birds, 1 stone.

But I digress.

I had another regular on Wednesday. When we were wrapping up the visit, I stuck my head back in the room to give her a prescription and she said it...the dreaded "Can I ask you a quick question..." Since I have now been practicing for 5 years, I knew this was grounds to step back into the room and close the door for fear of what the question might be. Deep breath, smile,

"Sure, ask away."

"Not that you look like it at all, but....are you pregnant?"

"Nope, Im not pregnant."

"Oh really? Not that you look pregnant, but you look like your skin, your hair, you're glowing. You are putting out an aura of being pregnant."

(Not quite believing this was happening.)"Nope. Not pregnant."

"You are putting out this vibe that is different..... I just felt like it was a vibe that you are pregnant."

(Nervous chuckle but still being smiley and bright.) "Nope!"

"I mean, you don't look like it, but I just am picking up this feeling from you...."

(In a light joking manner) "Are you saying I look fat?"

"No, no, not in the least. I just felt this glowing vibe from you. You have a pregnant aura."

"Nope, not pregnant."

I then ran out of the room as it became quite clear this woman was NOT going to accept no for an answer. Holy Crap.

We have all done it- looked at a woman, wondered if she might be pregnant, but come on! We err on the side of caution. I wait until a woman is in her 8th month before even daring to assume she is pregnant! Apparently, this woman felt comfortable enough with me, to go on a "vibe" or "aura" she was getting from me! That is just plain crazy.

And by the way, for the record, I was not having a fat day. I did not have a baggy ambiguous outfit on. It was just the opposite! I was having a skinny day! A day where what I was wearing made me look thinner than what I actually am, not the opposite. I did not look pregnant by any means of the definition!!! If I had too much Taco Bell that day, I would be honest.

I completely believe that this woman truly thought I was pregnant based on my vibes. And my glowing skin. And my aura.

And that is a perfect example of a regular! (Albeit, a slightly crazy one taking some pain medication on a consistent basis.)

Of course, I had to tell everyone. I immediately told the medical assistant who was horrified and repeatedly reassured me that no, I did NOT look pregnant. I told Corey, who was completely aghast and confused, "Babe, you look really thin in that skirt! Are you ok? Did it hurt your feelings?"

Ironically, it did not hurt my feelings or make me feel embarrassed for anyone except her. I take it for what its worth. She be crazy. And if I am accused of having a glowing aura...hey, there are worse things in life! And that is the cringe-worthy moment from the dreaded "regular."

Andrea's Bridal Shower

In the weeks leading up to Matt and Andrea's wedding, my Aunt Fran and I hosted a bridal shower brunch to welcome Andrea to the family. Her wedding colors were lime and tangerine with accents of red; this made for a very fun decorating experience!

 Please notice the green, orange and red skittles at each place setting. Yes, I pulled out each and every purple and yellow skittle myself! The orange and red gerber daisies on the lime table runners were the perfect touch for a beautiful table!

 Aunt Fran made three types of quiche for the main dish. It was so yummy- she is an amazing cook.  Everybody loved it. 

We also served bacon, sausage, kiwi-mandarin-orange-and strawberry fruit salad (to go with the wedding colors!) and an assortment of mini pastries. The strawberry pomegranate champagne cocktail we served was a hit!

I made this bride-to-be sign for her bachelorette party and was able to use it for her present-opening spot.  After we played games, which Aunt Enalyn dominated as usual, Andrea opened all her gifts. Of course, Zoe and Athena were her present opening assistants!

 All the Liebel ladies that were able to attend the party!

Andrea's bridesmaids- what a pretty group of ladies!

The mother of the bride and the mother of the groom!

It was a great party and fun way to celebrate Andrea officially joining the clan!

PopPop's 80th Birthday!

While in Charleston for the wedding, we were able to celebrate PopPop's 80th birthday. PopPop is the best. Everyone who meets him, loves him. For someone who never had a grandfather, I am so lucky to have hit the grandpa jackpot with him!

PopPop was so surprised when we brought out his cake and sang to him. He was so happy to be surrounded by his daughters and granchildren. I will always remember the look on his face. Happy Birthday, PopPop!

The Happy Family

April 7, 2011: Molly & Robert's Rehearsal Dinner

Molly & Robert Get Married!

Ok, ok, ok...it is true that this blessed event took place over 4 months ago and I am just now blogging about it. What can I say? I had no pictures of the happy couple from their wedding day but I was able to pirate some pictures off of the facebook. I am so lucky to have inherited Molly when I married Corey. From the beginning, she has always gone out of her way to make me feel included and welcomed. I am so lucky to have her as a friend and sister-in-law. Robert is pretty cool, too ;) Corey and I were thrilled to be a groomsman and bridesmaid at their wedding.

Molly and Robert are in looooove. They have been together since high school and their wedding was a long time coming. They have already withstood the test of time and will no doubt have a lifetime of happiness. Aren't they a gorgeous couple?

The 3 Riggins women (aso the only shot I have of all of us) before we went to the church. Robin was so sweet as Molly put on her gown and veil. She was the epitome of a tearful and loving mother-of-the-bride. Molly was such a beautiful bride. Her gown was perfect: elegant yet simple.  Isn't my hair southern??? I tried to explain that I was from California and that I did not need teasing, spraying or big hair...but when in the South, do as the southerners do!

Their ceremony was at Christ Our King Catholic Church. I loved having a front row seat to it all. My favorite part was Corey tearing up as his sister said her vows. He will deny this. But I was there. I saw it.

After the ceremony, we headed over to the reception at Cottage on the Creek. Unfortunately, this is the sole shot that I have of Corey and I at the wedding. I can almost see the fear in my eyes. I was wearing heels and that was a long flight of stairs. As soon as I made it down, without falling, I breathed a sigh of relief. The food was delicious, the company was good and the dance floor was packed! I wish I had pictures of the bride wearing her sunglasses on the dance floor. Priceless.

Molly and Robert were so much fun to watch. Their happiness was so obvious and incredibly infectious. We hit the dance floor until my feet hurt and I needed to indulge in wedding cake. After having 2 slices, I had enough energy to hit the dance floor again. This is the only wedding that I ever remember eating the cake. I always seem to miss it. Let me tell you, it was GOOD.

I took this picture as we were saying goodbye to Molly when we left the reception. I LOVE that I have a picture of Molly punching Corey while wearing her wedding dress. I am not sure what he said to deserve it but I have no doubt that he did, in fact, deserve it. They have such a fun and playful relationship- this scene has happened many times before but never in a wedding gown and tux. It makes me smile.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Magie! We love you so much and look forward to a lifetime of memories!

Because this looks comfy...