A Little Pre Thanksgiving Fun

Well well, seems like just yesterday it was fall and we were tailgating and celebrating Halloween.  Now the Thanksgiving holiday is behind us and we are screaming towards Christmas.  It seems like this year is determined to sprint by before any of us can slow down enough to appreciate it.

Before we get to our Thanksgiving celebration and trip to Cincinnati (in a blog post forthcoming), it is worth looking back at a few fun outings we've had over the past few weeks.

Our friends Katie and Jeff Enger and Bob and Lindsey Horner came down to experience an Arkansas gameday experience.  In addition to that Ryan Young flew in from Cincinnati (well - technically he flew in from Charlotte - but what Delta doesn't know won't hurt them).  The Razorbacks played South Carolina in a pretty big SEC matchup and we did our best to show them what Fayetteville had to offer.

We followed that weekend up with a trip to Orlando to visit Nicki's family.  Her aunt and uncle live in a beautiful home five minutes from Disney.  We took in Epcot Center (my first trip to Disney ever) and had a wonderful visit with her family.  Their home is located on a man made water ski lake.  As you will see - Nicki is quite the water skier.  You may be wondering where all the pictures of me water skiing are...well...you see there are sports I was meant to do and those I was not meant to do.  Let's just say that water skiing is one of those I was not meant to do.

Nicki's parents enjoying a quick break on the steps of the temple in Japan

Outside a "French" bistro...

Celebrating my Norwegian heritage...

Back in our comfort zone...

This was about as close to water skiing as I got - this is me asking advice from Nicki's cousin Kelly...

And this is me slolem skiing - believe that?  Okay no, this is Nicki's cousin Steven showing off...

A LITTLE FALL FUN

I spent the majority of last week in New Orleans for  a work meeting.  Great Food?  YES!  Good Meeting?  YES!  Great Sleep?  NO!  So, by the time I walked in the door Friday night I was more than ready for a relaxing weekend.  Nick had dinner waiting for me (a chicken salad upon request given how many croissants, beignets, and fried goodness I consumed in New Orleans).    On Saturday, Nick went on a ride with his early morning crew while Jack and I slept in and caught up on our sleep.  (When doesn't Jack need more sleep?!?)  We watched lots of football, attended our first Saturday night service at Fellowship, found an amazing sushi restaurant, enjoyed the great weather outside and  carved our pumpkin just in time for trick or treat tomorrow night.  We have no idea how many kids will come knocking on our door but are excited nonetheless.  While dressing up is one of my least favorite things, trick or treat and pumpkin carving rank pretty high on the Fall must do list.  I also tried a recipe I found on crockpotgirls.com....taco stew.  Nick described it as chili meets tortilla soup!!

Our Pumpkin!  I still haven't figured out how to take great night pictures that aren't blurry...more lessons needed.

Taco Stew (with ground turkey of course!)

YUM!

And the fun just keeps on coming...

While the blog may have been on hold - the fun in Fayetteville has not been.  It's been a couple of weeks since we posted - mainly because life has been keeping us filled with friends and family visitors.

Two weekends ago my parents made their 2nd visit to Fayetteville.  We were a little concerned we wouldn't be able to top the first visit, given the fact that during their first visit here the city did its best to show off in a grand fashion.  Well, we were able to one-up the first visit.

Throughout the weekend we were able to check a number of things off the Fayetteville to-do list for my parents.  Above all else however, they got the opportunity to 'Call the Hogs' for the first time at an Arkansas home football game.  This was only our 2nd game so we didn't really know what to expect - but whatever expectations we set were far exceeded.  We bounced from tailgate to tailgate taking in all the scenes, the smells, and the food offered at an SEC tailgate.  Although we didn't make it to the game - there is a spot that you can see in to the game and get a taste of what the in-game experience is all about.

We started our Friday with a trip to the Wine Bar - with beautiful view of the parking lot

Then it was time for my parents to experience Sassy's patio for the first time

Our first tailgate - I'm not sure but I think my mom's red might be more Bearcat Red than Razorback Red...

We didn't capture the first calling of the Hogs - but none the less a great view of the game

Most importantly, it was the time spent with my parents that was most valued.  We could sit in our house and do nothing and I would enjoy it.  You can Facetime or talk on the phone every day - but nothing satisfies the soul like seeing them and spending quality time together.

Then last weekend we had the joy and pleasure of being a part of the much anticipated McGowan/Cunio wedding.  Lindsey and Mike are two of our favorite people and have been wonderful friends to us for a long time.  Their wedding weekend was just like their personalities - fun, organized, and filled with laughter, friends, and family.  It is truly amazing to be a part of something where you know God's plan is unfolding seamlessly before us.  The two of them were meant to be together - and we were just happy to be a part of it.

As you will see below - Lindsey made for a beautiful bride - and Mike did a decent job as well...

Doesn't get much better than a weekend with nothing to do but catch-up with friends...

I was impressed - Doug held it together all the way down the aisle...

The newly married couple!

We were able to relax this weekend - and enjoy some time at home.  Don't look now - but the holidays are just around the corner - in a few short weeks we'll be heading to Cincinnati for a week to enjoy Thanksgiving with Friends and Thanksgiving in the same week!

The Freygang Family at a Biker Festival?

Back in January when Nick and I made the decision to move to Arkansas, my Mom eased my concerns about the 14 hours that would separate Akron and Fayetteville.  She promised that we'd see each other just as often as we always had...and of course that required Nick and my Dad to begin adding up the expense they were soon to incur to keep this promise.

With that as the "expectation", I can happily say that we've done a pretty good job.  While I still dream about the day that my parents will live close enough for Sunday night dinners or a routine trip to Target, we've done a great job managing the 900 mile of separation.  In just our first 6 months in Fayetteville, we've already seen each other 5 times, and  have 3 more planned trips by the end of the year.  Very doable.

This past weekend my parents made their 2nd trip to NW Arkansas during the famous BBB - Bikes, Blues and BBQ Festival in Northwest Arkansas.  While the rest of the citizens of Fayetteville left for the weekend so as to make room for the 400,000+ bikers, we anxiously stayed in town to see the sights (and of course hear the sounds of bikes throughout the night).  The pictures honestly don't do justice for the crowds that took over Dickson Street.  Fortunately, amidst the chaos and noise, we had a perfect weekend together enjoying spending time together and the beautiful weather.

While Nick was at work on Friday, we spent the day at Lake Fayetteville.  Even Jack joined us for the 5 mile walk around the lake (he made it about 4.75 miles before having to lay down in the shade - it took him a good 24 hours to recover).  We went to dinner in Bentonville on Friday night at one of our favorite local spots - Table Mesa.  And we managed to work in a visit to Walton Five and Dime and the Walmart Museum.

Saturday was filled with a trip to Devil's Den for more hiking and then back to Fayetteville for a trip down Dickson (in between this time my parents even caught a glimpse of Hog Fever as we watched the Razorbacks pull off a victory against Texas A&M at a local restaurant).

We can officially say we've seen our first (and probably last) BBB.  While it did confirm that I still have no desire to get a Harley or really even wear leather or a bandana, it was an amazing festival with great people watching.  My mom just couldn't understand how you'd ever find your bike amongst the thousands.  I can only imagine what the crowd thought of us as we shuffled our way down the street with looks of astonishment on our faces.

Sunday we met up with our friends Mark & Lindsay Mast at Crabby's for the best brunch Northwest Arkansas has to offer and then headed to Gentry for the "world famous" Drive Through Safari.  Hilarious is probably an understatement.  We saw just about any/every wild animal you can envision and even had a couple of "close encounters" that made for some great memories.  We ended the weekend with a cookout with Matt Wormer last night and a drop off at the airport today (I'm sure someday I won't tear-up when I drop them off).

Hopefully the 4 weeks will fly by until our next visit...Orlando, Florida.  Can't wait!

Next weekend we get more visitors!  Nick's parents are coming in on Friday for the big Arkansas vs. Auburn game and a fun filled weekend in Fayetteville.  As we've said before - the more visitors the better so feel free to come on out - just maybe not during BBB.

Wanna get away?

Kennebunkport, Maine

YES!!!  2011 has been an incredible year for the two of us so far, and one that has been packed with change on what seems like a daily basis.  While we have had many many fun experiences since moving to Fayetteville, we had yet to have any real time to simply relax and enjoy a nice break.

So, we booked a trip to one of our favorite 'familiar' spots.  Many of you may know that we were fortunate enough to have our engagement take place in Kennebunkport, Maine.  It is, for us, a very special place.  It is a place that is beautiful, relaxing, serene, and filled with many memories...and also endless amounts of lobster, clam chowder, crab, and clams.  To get there, we flew into Boston and actually spent the first night at the Spriggs' house.  They were out of town, but kind enough to let us stay for a night and enjoy what the south bay area of Boston had to offer.  In return we somehow managed to get their car towed (seemed like a fair trade?).

On the way up to Kennebunkport, on the recommendation of Nicki's Dad (who operates as a professional tour guide for the east coast) we stopped in Rockport, Massachusetts.  To say the view was amazing would be a dramatic understatement.  We ate lunch at a spot called My Place by The Sea - and the name was a pretty reasonable descriptor.

 

 

Our place in Kennebunkport was a secluded bed and breakfast called the Old Fort Inn.  It was tucked away enough that we were outside of the 'town' but still close enough to enjoy all the amenities Kennebunkport had to offer.  We were actually only a two minute walk from one of the most beautiful churches in the world.  St. Ann's is an Episcopal church (note:  it is where the Bush family attends church) located on the ocean with an outdoor setting that is absolutely breathtaking.  The Bush summer home was just a few blocks away as well.

Town Directory

The Old Fort Inn - Poolside

      

St. Ann's Episcopal Church

Outside Chapel

Because Kennebunkport is an extremely bike friendly town, Nicki and I couldn't think of a better way to spend our first morning there getting around.  Thinking it would be a flat and easy ride, we hopped on two 'beach cruisers' provided from our place.  Well, instead we ended up on an impromptu road ride climbing category 3 hills (not really, but it felt like it) on our sweet Tommy Bahama beach cruisers.  We did finally make it via the scenic route into town and actually had an awesome morning drinking coffee and relaxing at a breakfast spot.


   

Enjoying some 'fried clams' from the Clam Shack in Kennebunkport

One of the day trips we took was to a town in New Hampshire called Wolfeborough.  It is the town where Nicki's grandparents (Dale's parents) had a home when she was growing-up.  Throughout my time in the Freygang family I've heard countless stories of the home, and the memories they made in Wolfeborough.  We were only an hour away, so we made a beautiful drive so I could see it first hand.  As you will see below - Nicki even talked me in to going back to her grandparents' house and walking around even though the homeowners were not home.  Yes, we did knock on the door.

A Freygang Favorite

This is the infamous hardware store where Dale (Nicki's dad) got his start towards being the next Bob Vila.

This is the boat dock behind the lake house Nicki's grandparents used to own

View from the deck

 

Needless to say, the trip in its entirety was exactly what we needed.  I returned to Fayetteville after our time in Maine and Nicki continued her week by heading to Columbus for a wedding and a Miami housemate reunion.

Life has been crazy since we got back from our trip - but I guess that is what happens when you take a vacation.  Fall has begun and we are looking forward to Saturdays spent tailgating and experiencing all that Razorback football has to offer.  Even better, we have many visitors coming this Fall - and as Nicki and I have both stated over the last few weeks - now that we are almost six months removed from leaving Cincinnati, we continue to miss our friends and family but love little things like vacations, weddings and reunions to make the distance not seem so far.