Andrew's 30th Birthday in Key West 2013

Sorry everybody's 30th birthdays. Andrew's won by virtue of being in Key West while temperatures in the Northeast dropped below the 30s. We stayed in these cute cabins called "Courtney's Place" with a pool and a breakfast that stayed open late. We were a two-block walk from Duval Street. We got in Friday afternoon and after some relaxing by the pool we had dinner and partied at Irish Kevin's, The Green Parrot, Smallest Bar, The Hog's Breath Saloon, and Sloppy Joe's. That was our warm-up.

Me, Kevin, Katie, Andrew, and Mike at Irish Kevin's on Friday night

Andrew, Stephanie, Corey, Ken, and Tatiana outside Irish Kevin's

 

Andrew, Doug, Marisa, and Tana dancing at The Green Parrot

Everyone had a lot of beers and jello shots, and I sipped water like a champ. We easily walked 4 miles going up and down Duval Street. Who says we're old? Mike S. may or may not have danced on a table at Hog's Breath, and Kevin may or may not have unbuttoned all the buttons on his shirt at Sloppy Joe's. Suffice to say, I have pictures I am not blogging here. Kevin's mom got some fun drunk texts from various phones. Thanks for babysitting Ma!

Ken plus the cousins at Hog's Breath Saloon on Friday night

It took a while for everyone to recover on Saturday, even me, even though I only drank water. So we started the day with some Cuban coffee at Cuban Coffee Queen, a walk along the waterfront, and some light window-shopping on Duval. A good number of people made it over to the Hemingway House, and everyone regrouped at the pool at Courtney's Place by the afternoon.

The Clou men at Cuban Coffee Queen for coffee and Cuban sandwiches

Some mad posing at the waterfront: Corinne, Matt, Andrew, Mike M, and Kourtney

Contrary to appearances here, most of us went in the pool. 

We did a little walk to Southernmost Point, but the sunlight was bad for a picture. So after the boys stopped for cigars at the Dominican Republic Cigar Shop,  we all headed over to Mallory Square for the sunset. Some of us just missed the actual sunset but we were mostly there for the party. A few people were psyched for The Cat Man at the Sunset Pier so we checked that out too. Finally we gathered for a 22-person dinner at Finnegan's Wake! Andrew gave a really nice toast where he said he felt like he'd become rich by 30-- with friendship.

Me and Kevin at Mallory Square

Andrew giving a thank you toast to everyone who came out for his birthday

Everyone who went to Key West (except Dave who graciously took this picture)

After dinner, we would have liked to see some turtles race at Turtle Kraals, but they only do that on Mondays (!) so we settled for playing some really intense bocce. Kourtney impressed us with her kinetic super powers. If you'd seen it, you'd be a believer. There was much mischief at Captain Tony's Saloon, and thanks to Kevin, Katie met a man named "Bottom." Probably that's not going anywhere. We rejoined a bigger group at The Green Parrot and enjoyed some tunes from the band Xperimento. Google Maps tells me that means we walked at least 5.5 very fun miles on Saturday.

Kourtney, Mike M, Andrew, Stephanie, and Ken at Captain Tony's Saloon

Matt, Corinne, Tana, and Mike M at The Green Parrot

The weekend was epic, and will be hashed and rehashed for many years to come. Happy birthday, Andrew! Oh, and we had a little spa time before we came home from Florida, by which I mean:

I got Kourtney to walk on Kevin's back because I am the best wife ever. ;)

• Check out the last time we visited Andrew in Florida in December of 2012 or
• Kevin's 30th birthday in New York in February of 2010

Visiting Andrew in Florida 2012

Kevin and I went to visit Andrew in Florida. It's been 2 and half years since our last visit to him there, so we were due. We were there shortly after Andrew's birthday, so Kevin planned the visit to coincide with the Patriots v. Dolphins game, which was Andrew's birthday treat.

Grandma Kathy is the big hero of this story, as she stayed in Long Island to watch James for... FOUR DAYS... alone! This is where I admit that I have never watched James for four consecutive days without any help.

Kevin, Mike, Andrew, and Kelly, Friday night at the Blue Anchor

We got there Friday evening and we went out with Andrew and some of his close friends to the bars in Atlantic Avenue. The weather was lovely that evening, and Atlantic Avenue is one of the few places in the area that has a bunch of bars within walking distance to each other. Some of the bars are open-air.

My new buddies, Marissa and Tatiana sitting outside in December- yay!

Even though it was a travel day, we had a lot of fun Friday night. Too much fun perhaps considering we already had Andrew's birthday and a football game on our weekend schedule.

We checked the area out a little on Saturday afternoon.  We drove down A1A, went for a longish walk on the beach in Deerfield, and by my request we went to the outside shopping mall Mizner Park.

Walking along Deerfield Beach

The Clou brothers go a few buttons down on Deerfield Beach

Mizner Park in Boca Raton, where Kevin had his prom photo taken 14 years ago.

There are countless photos illustrating how fun Andrew's Birthday and Brother Bash were (celebrating both Andrew's birthday and Kevin's visit to see him), but many of them are a little embarrassing for someone, and as I get old, I try to post fewer and fewer of those on the interwebs. So here's a perfectly respectable and happy group photo from the party. Kelly and Megan got there a little late because they had to work so they missed the group shot, but I included them separately too.

Group photo- yay!

Kelly and Megan rock!

Andrew made enough chicken parmesean, eggplant parmesean, and angel hair pasta to feed anyone who wanted dinner. Marissa made the most amazing pepperoni dip ever. Connie brought 3 delicious desserts. Some of the guys even brought some of their home-brew beer. Andrew's friends are an amazing group of friendly, funny, and giving people. He's really lucky that they fill his life.

Let me tell you, it was hard for everyone to get up to go to the football game on Sunday. Especially since we committed to getting up early to tailgate. Really. We did that. After 2 nights of already being out. This was not any easier for Andrew who is still in his 20s than it was for us, though Mike seemed to be holding up valiantly. Adam and his uncle did all the tailgate cooking, which was super nice of them.

Tailgating with Andrew, Mike, Kevin, Adam, and his uncle!

I'm not a football aficionado, but I've always enjoyed watching a game live. It's more exciting, and there's beer and bad stadium food (which I secretly love). Sometimes I learn or relearn some rules of football or some fun plays. I often take I'm-at-a-football-game photos. That's obviously the best part. During this particular game, I developed a newfound appreciation of why people complain about the Patriot's Coach Belichick. He won a close game using sound mathematical strategy, but most of us were there to watch football-- we wanted him to go for the glory of a final touchdown to win. Instead the Pats kicked a field goal and ran out the clock to assure victory. He's no Coach Taylor, that's for sure. 

Me, Kevin, Andrew, and mike at the Patriots v. Dolphins game

Brady getting tackled

It was a great weekend, and it seriously took me about a week to recover because recovery is a slow process when you return to reality and your toddler insists on getting up at 5 a.m. or earlier every morning. But it was worth it!  

SE Roadtrip Day 7: Visiting Trey and Sunny in Jacksonville, FL 2012

We ventured a bit farther south to see Trey and Sunny's family. Trey is Kevin's close friend from high school in Florida, and they only get to see each other occasionally.  We were excited to finally meet Trey and Sunny's 9-month old son Cort.  James enjoyed Cort's company and his toys as they played together fairly quietly and grabbed things out of each others hands without too much fuss. Trey took the day off from work to spend with us, so the four guys spent the morning having guy time, as Sunny was at work and I was asleep.

Cort and James hanging out together

Once I got up the boys and I went for a long walk around Trey's neighborhood and two of the downtown areas in Jacksonville.  Interesting little fact, Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the United States, so there is a lot of sprawl, and quite a few "downtown areas."  We went to meet Sunny for lunch at a local pizzeria, where Kevin enjoyed torturing James by feeding him lemons. Despite the look on his face, James requested more lemon.

The boys strolling around the neighborhood

The Five Points downtown area

James actually loves lemons

The boys had more playtime after lunch, though James was a little more interested in chasing their dog Friday than in any other activities or toys. Trey and Sunny generously arranged for a babysitter to watch Cort and James while we went out on an adult double-date to a restaurant for dinner.  So we gave the boys a bath before heading out, and the babysitter put them to bed shortly after we left.

James and Cort playing with Friday

The dads gave them a bath, and they thought it was funny to label them "J" and "C"

I really enjoyed dinner! We went to Mojo 41 and had our third BBQ of the trip, as well as brisket and grits. They had different sauces on the table we could try with the BBQ which as fun. My favorite sauce was the house sauce, Mojo.  The drinks were especially delicious. By far my favorite part was hanging out with Trey and Sunny and just talking.  (Not to mention -- without the constant stress of trying to keep James from either killing himself or annoying other patrons.) Plus, we rarely go out on double dates and I had forgotten how much fun they are.  We talked about the kids, but we also talked about travel, work, and friends.  I wish we could have stayed out much longer, but sadly it was a work night for Trey and Sunny.  Thank you guys for a fun-filled day and evening!

Kevin, me, Trey, and Sunny at Mojo 41

Visiting Andrew 2010

We had a brief stop in Ft. Lauderdale and Boca on the way back from Colombia. We went to dinner with Andrew and his friends, sampled draft beers, and enjoyed some Jameson's black label when we returned to Andrew's apartment, so it was a very full evening. Then Andrew graciously took us back to the airport.

Posing with Mike and Andrew's fantasy football chart

Key West 2008

Last stop on the cruise, and our second time in Key West. We went on our own evening bar crawl to the Green Parrot, Irish Kevin's, Sloppy Joe's, and Hog's Breath Saloon.

Southernmost point

Hemingway's favorite lighthouse (for stumbling home drunk)

Key West is full of beauty and art

Kevin sings at Irish Kevin's

Hog's Breath Saloon

Key West, FL 2007

While we were in Florida for Megan and Ed's wedding, Kevin planned a trip for us to Key West. I'd never been before. So fun!

Southernmost Beach Cafe

Looking heroic in front of Caribbean waters

Southernmost Point, Key West!

Dock at Mallory Square

Kevin got a really big beer for sunset watching

Sunset did not disappoint

Watching the sunset

We stayed at the Chelsea House

Coincidentally, Janice and Darren left with Janice's family for a cruise from Key West the next day so we met them for brunch at the Banana Cafe before heading out.

Kevin, me, Janice, Darren at Banana Cafe

Megan and Ed's Wedding 2007

Megan and Ed got married! The wedding was in Florida where Ed is from, and Ed's mom helped with a lot of the arrangements. In Florida, there's always a threat of rain, so they kept the ceremony short and sweet. Thanks to their strategizing we were all inside right as it started raining outside.

Megan and her dad

Megan's mom doing a reading

Vows during the ceremony

The first thing we did before cocktail hour was take a big group photo of everyone at the wedding. I'd never seen that before and I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Kevin and I copied that and the style of their invitations for our wedding. Suffice to say, I like their style. The cocktail hour was really fun in part because Megan and Ed actually attended their own cocktail hour. Again, it was the first time I had seen that, and Kevin and I copied that too.

Awesome group photo. 

Darren and Janice with the bride and groom during cocktail hour

It's been five years but I still remember that the reception was beautiful, and the dinner was delicious, and they had an amazing cordial bar (with chocolate and coffee liquors) and a chocolate fountain. I loved that bar. And we all had a wonderful time celebrating and dancing together. It was really fun.

Laurie, Jamie, and Janice

 

Fake table photo missing Laurie (I think she was dancing?)

The beautiful cake

We were all so happy for the two of them. By the time they got married I had known Megan for 10 years. I had seen her be very happy before, enjoying herself with her friends, but since she met Ed, it seemed like she was permanently in that state of happy. When I met Ed in 2005, I thought he was great anyway. The reason I thought they were great together was that Megan was her best self with Ed. And all that beaming back and forth they did- wow. In five years, you can just look at them and see they haven't lost the magic. In many ways, they're even better now. They even run marathons together and have an amazing baby boy William.

Even though this picture is from far away, I think you can see how happy they are.