WOW. My head is still spinning from my Epic Weekend. I had a spectacular weekend thanks to Awesome Girlfriend Megan, my parents, my Uncle Jeff (JDawg,) and so many of our amazing friends. We will start this Weekend off in Vernon at The National Winter Activity Center with Winter 4 Kids.
This was the coldest outdoor live radio remote broadcast I have ever done in my career. Wind chills had temperatures feeling like single digits. It was intense. My buddy Shawn and I received intel that there was a chance Lindsey Vonn might be attending the event. Shawn and I were in the parking lot where our radio station tent was looking at cars showing up. A random Cadillac Escalade would show up, we assumed maybe that was Lindsey's car service. After a few SUV's passed, we figured that she wouldn't be in attendance. All of the sudden, a silver Range Rover shows up. There's Lindsey Vonn pulling right in, with her adorable little doggy. Her doggy came up to me and kissed me immediately! Lindsey Vonn was so sweet when I asked her for a selfie. An unexpected brush with greatness. Talk about an Epic start to the weekend! A gold medalist, maybe the greatest skier ever? Should I show her my Learn To Ski video from last week? LOL. She might cringe at that one.
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Saturday morning, it was time to get my place ready. Meg and I spent Saturday morning cleaning my place to perfection and organizing some of the hot messes there I have created. We made every minute count to get my place ready for my parents visit. I was also concerned about the challenges of using my electric grill in sub 30 degree weather. I turned my grill on the second I knew my parents passed Tappan Zee Bridge to give my grill time to warm up and be ready for their arrival. I had 5 8 oz Filet Mignon steaks and used my Longhorn Steakhouse Seasoning rub. With my burgers I do 3 rubs on each side, with the Filet I do 1.5 to 2 rubs basically.
My parents show up and I'm excited. They're my best friends. Nothing makes me happier than my amazing family. I'm a really lucky guy. Then Padre moves the car down to the gravel visitor parking lot like usual on Campus in Vernon at Great Gorge Village. As I'm getting beverages ready for them after their 4 hour car ride, I get surprised. My Uncle Jeff (JDawg,) came through the door surprising me. Awesome Girlfriend Megan took video of me getting surprised it was pretty funny. You can see that video on my Facebook Page. I was speechless, lol. People say the face / noise I made were priceless.
JDawg's last time in New Jersey was 6 years ago when he, my parents and sister Suzanne helped me move into my place. It was 1 degree below zero when they helped me move. Snowbanks were everywhere, we were sliding couches down the snowbanks. I was less than helpful with the move. I was just in such a whirlwind of emotions and so depressed about having to move away from my family and friends back in Boston. I didn't know anyone here yet, and didn't know where anything was. Fast forward to 6 years later, and very quickly I couldn't wait to take JDawg to some of our favorite spots.
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Saturday my Filet Mignon steaks came out GREAT. JDawg admitted to me that was his first steak since his heart attack over a year ago, and that made me feel great to hear. We then took JDawg to The Cottage. He was so blown away by his experience, getting to see some of our friends he asked if he could buy a shirt. Damian from The Cottage was able to find some Staff T Shirts, that both my Padre and JDawg will be proud to wear all around Boston.
Saturday night, time to take my family to Kite's. This is the best most central spot for everyone to come out and see my parents, and now JDawg. I'm always blown away by our wonderful friends who take time out of their busy days to come see me and my family. Many laughs all night long. It was so great to see so many of our wonderful friends. I wish I got a better picture. With my selfie experience and their lighting you would think I would know better by now! I tried to make it as painless as possible for those getting roped into my Weekend In Pictures.
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Sunday morning we took them to Crystal Tavern at Crystal Springs for a round. Padre and JDawg were very thankful for their bloody mary's. JDawg had never been and was blown away by how beautiful everything is around here in these parts. I took them straight from Crystal Tavern, to The Orange County Distillery at Brown Barn Farm in Goshen, NY. My family loved it. I knew they would get a kick out of me bringing them to a big old barn. Within 30 minutes I saw Padre and JDawg by their merchandise section to buy swag. They then enjoyed a whiskey sampler that was just $9 for the flight. They loved it. I created monsters. They wanted to hang out there all afternoon, but I had plans for them to see more friends at home. Great memories and so many laughs.
Sunday night we relaxed on my deck watching skiers, and some of our wonderful friends swung by to say HI. Amazing.
Monday is always tough. I took them to Jimmy Gees for lunch and cried my whole entire way home. I miss them already. I've never had good luck with buffalo wings at Jimmy's, just not my taste, but JDawg got The Spicy Garlic wings. They were FANTASTIC. I have now found my new favorite sauce there.
What an amazing weekend. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to read my updates every week. Thank you to my friends who came out. And thank you to my family, who are the absolute best.