Thankful for Family...and Bowling

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Pittsburgh with my (Brandi's) family.

After eating a lot of turkey and drinking many glasses of wine, our family tradition is to go bowling! Brady has fully embraced this tradition as it gets you up and moving after eating a lot of food! The whole family - from under 7 to over 70 heads to the bowling alley once it's open.

This year, we headed to a brand, spankin new place that is part bowling alley, part arcade, part bar, part nightclub. While the under 7 crowd really wanted to party, we called it a night around 10.

Here are some photos from the day!

Sydney, Brady, Jaxon, & Peyton

 

 

Part of the bowling crew

 

Cousins!

 

 

 

Sisters!

 



Local Celebrity

Regardless if you are a Steelers fan or not, watch this little video for a cameo by one of us (hint, he's in the photo below) AND maybe enter your "Francoing" photo.

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Halloweenas Beunas!

Ole! Ole!

Happy Halloween from the Smithkowski's!

 

 

Oh Where, Oh Where Have My Brady/Brandi Been?

Hello, Hello? I this thing still on?

Where have we been? Well I'll tell you where we have been. We've been attending the weddings of some of our bestest friends! This year we had an odd wedding season. We attended one wedding in June and then five weddings in an eight week span in August and September (Brandi threw in a trip to Portland for work during one of the "off" wedding weekends).

With one wedding down in October and one more left to go in November, we will have wrapped our 2012 wedding season! Our travels have taken us near (Pittsburgh) and far (Chicago, Charleston, WV and Aruba!) as you can see from the map below.

I (Brandi) put together this fun little collage from our wedding tour. As you will see, Brady has a favorite tie and Brandi has a favorite color!

Family Vacation!

The Smith's joined the Bonkowski's at the shores of Outer Banks leading into Memorial Day. Here are a few highlights from our trip!

Brandi flew kites

We visited the Wright Brothers Memorial

Our rental

Annual balcony shot



Well there are the highlight! If only there was a video footage of Brandi's solo dance party at a local bar - let's just say that the moves were very "Toddlers & Tiaras."

We are very excited for our summer ahead! A trip to New Jersey for the 4th of July and then our wedding season will take us to Charleston (West Virginia), Chicago and Aruba! We can't wait to celebrate with some of our bestest friends!!

Holiday Hangover

B and I have begun our annual winter hibernation, but before we go totally off the grid, here are a few shots of our holiday celebrations!

Our tree - sorry it's a little blurry

Oh look - a new ornament!

Brandi*'s annual friend gift exchange

Brandi's cousin goes to Clemson, so it was a bit of a family rivraly at Christmas.

But we all know how this game went down ; )

Brady showing Brandi's cousin Sydney how to jam on her new guitar. Brady now wants one in pink too.

Sue's Steelers' Tree

Bi-Annual Brandi + Dana Fireplace Picture

We then departed for New Jersey for some more festivities with The Smith family

Smith Kids

Brandi's new desk accessory - a Hello Kitty Water Cooler!

Smith kids on NYE - we clean up well (Ryan's even wearing pants!)

Well there you have it folks! Our holiday update in photos!

We are looking forward to an amazing 2012 filled with fun, family and some awesome weddings of our dear friends!