The Eleventh Letter

James and I celebrating the Gators first win against Hawaii at The Swamp Restaurant. Goooooooooooooo Gators!!!

I don't know how I have not posted any game day pictures yet- we are starting to come to the end of the football season and I think I'm due. James and I have been loving this season and watching the Gators kick some serious BUTT. Aside from our one loss (by one point!??!) we are winning by big margins. I smell another championship in the air.... this IS Titletown after all, right?? Today we take on our biggest rival- the FSU Seminoles- and will plow them over on our way to the SEC Championships game in ATL. The season has been full of house guests on game weekends, which is always fun! It's great to have more Gators to watch games with, and of course pop open the traditional game day bottle of champagne :)

Watching UF vs. Tennessee at the Ale House (I look a little tired...)


Tailing outside the Stadium for the UF vs. UM game, and watching on Cory's HUGE TV while under the tent. Joined by Lindsey and Kristy!!!!


UF vs. LSU weekend! Lots of company and lots of fun!! James and I scored some tickets to the game and watched the bigtime beatdown first hand. Gooooo Gators!!!


Running into some oooold Phi Mu sisters before the game.
Kristen, Lisa, Katie, Kristy, Alisha, Erin and Lindsey!


The beloved statue.


Me and my Choy, Albert and Alberta!


At the house before loading into the "party bus" wooooo


It's GREAT to BE a FLORDA GATOR!!

A few weeks back, James and I were "models" for a photography class. We wandered all over town on this Photo Safari, followed by 6 eager photographers, smiling and kissing until we could no more. It was a fun experience! You all know I can be a ham and love a camera, but after awhile, it sure made me happy I'm not a celebrity! James was a good sport and made a good looking model (don't you think?!) so thanks babe for agreeing to this... Our adventure took us from Sweetwater to Maude's Coffee Shop to the Gelatto Shop and all around downtown. Which one do you like the best?

Cedar Key that is. Approximately an hour drive from Gainesville, the Johns-Hupp, Johns and Colonna ladies met up for the Cedar Key Seafood Festival. Yummmm, I LOVE seafood! We had a cute little condo with a great view and a balcony to watch the sunset. We had lots of wine and cheese out there! The festival was packed with seafood vendors, crafts and jewelry- lots of children and pets too! We tasted the WORLD'S BEST CLAM CHOWDER at Tony's Seafood and had a few beers at the Rusty Rim Pub. Saturday night we ate at my favorite Cedar Key restaurant, Frog's Landing, and filled up with margaritas and yummy ocean delights. We had nice, cool weather and clear skies- my only wish was that we didn't have to leave on Sunday!

Sisters on the balcony


Grams and mom having a Bud ;) and people watching


A great dinner with live music


Our view!

As I have mentioned before, I am trying to keep my political views out of this blog :) but I did think that you would all find this experience interesting. On Wednesday, October 22nd, Gainesville became a stop along the Barack Obama Campaign Trail. I am little late in posting this but wanted to get it up for you. I took a long lunch break to walk downtown and join the masses (the paper reports 10,000) to see our future First Lady. This was the first polotical rally I have ever attended and people were pumped! All ages and races came decked out in their Obama gear. One guy had a home-made knit hat of the Obama circle logo. Impressive. We had to wait it out for the 10-15 commissioners, senators, and other government officials to introduce each other and give short speeches. The main message was go get out and vote early. FINALLY a UF student introduced Michelle- she wore a light blue blouse and a flowered skirt and spoke about all the great "changes" her hubby wants to bring to Washington. :) She gave a great presentation, as expected, but I had to leave early to get back to work. Glad to say I was a part of it especially now since she officially IS the Future First Lady.

The Downtown Hippodrome Theater


(click on the picture to get a closer view)


The masses! (my view from atop a chair... in heels!)




There's always a few in the crowd...this is a college town after all!

Spooky, funny and cute. We covered all the bases on Halloween this year. It happened to fall on a Friday (yes, a WORK day) and what better way to get through the daily grind then getting into the Ghoulish spirit. Robin, our GM, looked great as a witch, I continued my pirate get-up again, Lauren was a LEMON (so funny!) and April was a cute little kitty. We had a blast running around the office in costumes- and the guests loved it. Even our event clients got a laugh when stopping by. Check out our group shot below.


Sweetwater's Pumpkin Batch


April and I strike a pose at the front desk!


Stopped by to see Ali and Suzie's costumes for a little


They were so cute!! Suzie is a strawberry!


Sweet little kitty- meow!

I LOVE Halloween. It's always been one of my favorite holidays- although, it's not always that easy to celebrate when you are a grown-up. You can't knock on doors for candy, but you sure as heck can wear a costume! James and I took the pups down to South Florida to celebrate Halloween at Nancy and Marc's (my sister's in-laws) annual bash. We had a great time and the house was all decked out. The food was delicious and the company even better. Enjoy the shots of my crazy family :)

Nick and Jo (my bro in law with his bro in law) dressed up as girls! oh man. funny thing is that my mom lent them wigs that Amelia and I used to play with as little girls!


The East Hollywood Pirates. Watch out for the one on the left (Grams)


Mama and Papa Dukes. How cute are they? Dad was "guido the fit it guy" and my mom was a hippie. She actually made that outfit when she was a "real hippie" in college. love it


My sister and her sister in law. The sisters! :) Amelia is an expecting mother who didn't want to dress up.. hehe.. and Julia is Marie Antoinette!


Captain!


James and I's homemade pirate costumes. Capt Hook and Smee
His beard color didn't look right with the flash...


Some of Nancy's awesome decorations...


Daddy's girl


She makes a cute devil


Jo and Amelia Colonna. They are going to make wonderful parents. Can't you just telll?!?! :)


My cupcake creation for the dessert- that fence took a lot of work, but it was worth it! :)


And when Halloween comes to an end.... you get to start planning your custume for next year! Any suggestions??...