it's aphiesta!

What a weekend!! On Saturday, the Power Fam welcomed our newest addition, Emily Craft! She is absolutely perfect for our family and for my little (even as a blonde). I can't believe I am a GBIG now. This was definitely a time "you know you're getting old when..."

The way Alpha Phi does Big Sis Rev is the best! All of the families wrap their cars in wrapping paper (or newspaper) and hide in them. The little ones receive the key to the family's car wrapped in matching wrapping paper. They are let loose into the Oak Lane parking lot a midst horns honking and families screaming.

Once they finally find their matching car, they open the car door and the littles are united with their bigs for the first time after a week of clues and baskets! So much excitement!!

After reveal, our family went to Lefty's for brunch. We bonded over eggs and pancakes, and talked about details for the coming night...APHIESTA!

Aphiesta is our biggest date party of the year. All of the families are together for the first time, and there is just so much tradition revolving families. This year the pregame was at Anna's house. Our family, along with 3 or 4 other families, had a great time before heading to 622 North for the date party. We danced the night away and enjoyed each other's company...and the rest is history!

  

simply the best

This weekend Alpha Phi Exec traveled to Nashville, TN for the Southeast and South Central Regional Conference. It was held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel (which was gorgeous). We left on Friday morning and drove about 7 hours to get there. When we finally made it, we were especially excited to see our ELC, Sarah Jensen!! We checked into the conference and the hotel, walked around for awhile, and scoped out the vendors selling the CUTEST Alpha Phi goodies. We had an opening session that night along with dinner, and then split off into our individual Exec positions' orientations.

The next morning came VERY early at 6:30ish. We got dressed in our business casual attire and headed downstairs to start a day full of information sessions, classes, trade shows, and sisterhood breaks! I learned so much about Recruitment, and was so happy Jen there as our adviser to go to all the meetings with me. I can't wait to get started on Recruitment 2013!!

The best part of the conference was HANDS DOWN when the International President of Alpha Phi requested to eat lunch with VT Alpha Phi. I think we all felt a little star struck! Not to mention we received an award for Excellence in Chapter Operations and Programming at the Award Session after lunch.

Rock the Red was the dinner theme that evening and we were instructed to wear "red heels, denim, and a sleek top" for pictures, dinner, and the presentation. What an awesome Alpha Phi theme!

Before we knew it, it was Sunday morning and time to hit the road to head back to Blacksburg. We were warned about potential snow storms headed in our direction, so we left early. But not early enough. About halfway through the trip the rain turned to snow. And I mean serious snow! We were driving a midst cars and trucks in ditches from sliding off the roads. We thought we would be able to make it home, until we hit southern Virginia and realized there was no way to drive any longer.

So we stopped in Wytheville, VA. What a place! We found the nearest hotel (I mean, motel), Knight's Inn, and called it a night. I don't think I have ever stayed at a more sketchy establishment. We ordered Pizza Hut, which came 2 hours later, and attempted to do our homework for Monday. But really we just reminisced on Conference and bonded even more as Exec.

Regardless of all the ups and downs of the weekend, I know I will never forget APhiRC12. Alpha Phi is simply the best.

it's love week

As we head into Valentine's Day week, whether you're a lover or hater, keep this quote in mind. There is so much to love in all of our lives. Don't let the superficial gestures of the coming week let you forget what love really means. And thank God every day for all of the love He has given you.

i feel famous

Virginia Tech recently started a Greek newspaper called "The Odyssey". Our very own Stevie Knutson serves as the Publisher for this awesome newspaper that comes out once a week on Thursdays.

The other day, Erin Kurle asked if I would allow her to feature the CAT's meow in the following week's publication. Of course, I accepted. HUGE shout out to Erin for writing an awesome article about me and this little blog!

Read "Great Blog Find of the Week" on page 6 of today's newspaper!

let it snow

It's the first snowfall of the season! I honestly thought we were heading towards Spring, regardless of what the groundhog said the other day. The past few weeks have consisted of temperatures in the mid-50's and even 60's. I guess winter has finally arrived in Blacksburg, and surprisingly, I don't hate it.

you only live once

It's been awhile since I have had a weekend to simply enjoy spending time with all of the people I love the most, my sisters and best friends. These past three days I have gotten to do just that, and it has been exactly what I needed. Here is a recap of my weekend...

Friday started off with a Meet and Greet dinner at the Phi Sig house. KJ and I went over early to help cook the spaghetti and serve it to the boys! There was a huge turnout, so we definitely felt the heat in the kitchen. After the dinner, we went back to the Alpha Phi house to get ready for our Grab-A-Date. My little and I decided last minute to change our outfits to match. Check us out!

KJ's parents came into town on Saturday to see the Clemson basketball game. We went to Cookout for lunch and then headed over to Cassell Coliseum to watch the Hokies take on the Tigers. Not to mention we had second row seats! The Hokies beat Clemson by 2 points, thank goodness!

After the basketball game, despite the fog and rain, we decided to make the trek to The Homeplace for dinner. Great decision! Cookout and Homeplace in the same day? Thanks so much to the Johnsons for adopting me into their family as they always do when they come to visit!

And today, Super Bowl Sunday! KJ, Alexandra, and I got real domestic and baked up some goodies to bring over to the Phi Sig house for their rush event. We made cinnamon-glazed almonds, homemade chex mix, and an assortment of cookies and brownies. What a game it ended up being! I was so glad that the Giants won in the end, and of course the commercials were great. I can't wait to analyze them in all of my Marketing classes!

Coming off of such an awesome, jam-packed weekend, I know I am bound to have an amazing week! Here goes nothing.

national wear red day

Today is the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day.

Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23

Are you wearing red today? 

Please support the sisters of Alpha Phi in raising awareness.

good luck cougarettes

my senior year at Nationals

Good luck to Oakton Dance Team at the National Dance Team Championship this weekend! I can't believe it has been three years since I danced on that Nationals stage. Do it big, girls! I will be watching you on Varsity.com all weekend.