Ashes, Kangaroos, Maracas, and Cameras

Happy Wednesday, G&G readers! Please excuse my blogging hiatus - between a two-week work conference, a time-sensitive year-end audit, hosting a bridal shower for 40 people, and seeing my husband off to Australia, it has been quite the busy few weeks!

Here's a rundown of what's been happening. 

Ash Wednesday - Did you get your ashes? 

Matt went to Australia and New Zealand for two weeks as part of his MBA program's international requirements. I was quite jealous to say the least...He also managed to somehow take approximately 10 pictures, all of which were of Hobbiton, the Hobbit village set used in the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit...sigh.

This kangaroo is not feeling the group picture

I hosted a fiesta-themed couple's shower, along with four of my St. Agnes buddies, for our dear friends Beth and Cameron who are getting married in August. We utilized the club room in my building and had about 40 guests attend - definitely the largest party I have ever hosted at my house! The decorations were cute and festive and everyone loved the spread of Mexican treats (especially the churros!).

I spent the two weeks that Matt was in Australia in a departmental conference at the W. I had so much fun meeting some of our international counterparts, having some of the most senior Company executives come speak to us, and celebrating at the end-of-conference costume party. 

The theme of the costume party was "Historical Figures," which most of us took in a very broad sense. Even though she is still alive, I chose Mia Hamm as my historical figure in homage to the upcoming Women's World Cup and for everything Mia did to pave the way for Women's Soccer. #1N1T

Lastly, we picked up my birthday present last night just in time for our trip to Asheville tomorrow...

I have really wanted a nice DSLR camera for some time and I figured no time like the present! I have a lot of research to do on the different camera settings...photography jargon is like a foreign language! Here's to hoping for an upgrade in the pictures that will grace the future posts of G&G!