The 7 Year Itch?

Happy 7th Anniversary to me and my husband... 7 years ago today, Jeff and I traveled to Gatlinburg, TN to become man and wife. Last year, I finally compiled all my notes and journaling into some blog entires- detailing our entire weekend. I love going back and reliving it. I look forward to someday spending an anniversary back there, maybe even in our same cabin.

The Drive Down- Adventures in Marriage Licensure

It's funny to go back and read this post and remember the people who came down to TN to be with us when we got married. Some are people we rarely see anymore (due to taking time off from our theatre involvement) like the Murello-Todd Family. Some are people we have cut out of our lives since having children like Jeff's mother. Some are people no longer attached to us (and we continue to be very thankful for that) like the person who is now Jim's ex-boyfriend.

Our Wedding Day

The preparations, the pictures, the adorable little chapel...

The Reception and Our Night Out

The reception at our cabin and an evening out with friends and family at Sweet Fanny Adams.

The Day After and The Long Hike

Sunday was a day in Gatlinburg spent with friends. And Monday was a day that will be forever known as "The Day Liz and Christy Decided to Torture Themselves."

***

As of Sunday evening, we haven't done anything to celebrate. We aren't big celebrators, I suppose. We would have made plans to go out Saturday night. We had a sitter (Christy, of course). But it was Jeff's 25th high school reunion and there were weird things going on and he ended up being a major part of the whole thing running smoothly- he provided equipment, music, took on a photo project at the last minute. So I basically didn't see him from Friday evening until Saturday evening. I did go to the reunion- I drove separately and only stayed 2 hours. Jeff's focus was on his responsibilities at the reunion and not on keeping his wife entertained or introduced. Which is fine- neither of us were thrilled about the reunion in the first place. I do think he had a great time- I just think I didn't need to be there. Which is kind of sad, I guess. I kind of thought my "appearance" was so that he could introduce me to people. But that didn't seem to be on the list of priorities. The only compliments I got on how I looked were from a photographer, Christy, and my kids. I wore make up, did my hair, wore a dress, heels, earrings, pantyhose- I never, ever do that. I wanted to look nice for my husband. I wanted him to be proud to have me by his side. I didn't feel any of that when I decided to leave.

Wow, I'm getting whiney. This isn't something I'm upset about, really. This is just not how I'd wanted the "date night" for our anniversary to go. Hard to reschedule it- next weekend is Zach's birthday and the weekend after is Halloween. So this will be a more "down home" kind of celebration and recognition of the day. And I'm fine with that because that is who we are and how we are. The best part of this anniversary is that I like where we are. Sure, we disagree and sometimes we even fight. But most of the time, we are a team, we are on the same page.

Bottom line is- we love each other, we trust each other, and we laugh together. What more could I ask for?

Happy Anniversary, My Love!

6 years ago today, Jeff and I traveled to Gatlinburg, TN to become man and wife. Last year, I finally compiled all my notes and journaling into some blog entires- detailing our entire weekend. I love going back and reliving it. I look forward to someday spending an anniversary back there, maybe even in our same cabin. The Drive Down- Adventures in Marriage Licensure It's funny to go back and read this post and remember the people who came down to TN to be with us when we got married. Some are people we rarely see anymore (due to taking time off from our theatre involvement) like the Murello-Todd Family. Some are people we have cut out of our lives since having children like Jeff's mother. Some are people no longer attached to us (and we continue to be very thankful for that) like the person who is now Jim's ex-boyfriend. Our Wedding Day The preparations, the pictures, the adorable little chapel... The Reception and Our Night Out The reception at our cabin and an evening out with friends and family at Sweet Fanny Adams. The Day After and The Long Hike Sunday was a day in Gatlinburg spent with friends. And Monday was a day that will be forever known as "The Day Liz and Christy Decided to Torture Themselves."

***

Last night, Christy babysat and we went out on a date to celebrate our 6 years of marriage. Dinner (Red Lobster) and a show (I Do! I Do!). We laughed- a lot. We held hands. We relaxed and enjoyed each other's company. It was lovely.

We've had 6 relatively smooth years. We tend to make adjustments here and there. We have our angry moments, our frustrated moments. We talk things through when needed. We laugh. We love. We take each day as it comes.

6 short years down... and here's to decades more...

The Long Hike

Or “How Christy and Liz Accidentally Tortured Themselves”

All remaining guests (ok, Dan and Tim) had plans to leave Gatlinburg by Monday morning. We had invited Brian and Christy to stay with us Monday night so that we could caravan back to Indiana together. The four of us also thought it would be nice to have Monday be a Girlfriends/Guy friends day.

Christy and I planned a few hour hike in the morning and then intended to hit the arts and crafts community (located north of downtown Gatlinburg). Jeff and Brian were going to head to the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum and the Haunted Adventure and then spend the day working on computer things for an upcoming weekend event.

Christy and I headed out to the Smoky Mountains National Park Visitors Center and picked up a guide to the hiking trails. Since we have plans for the afternoon, we decided on a shorter hike (5 total miles) to Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls has a sheer 80’ drop so we figure it will be very pretty. We pull into the parking lot of the area where the trail starts. We are amazed at how packed it is and are concerned that there will be too many people on the trail. But we decide to forge ahead and see what happens. We start on the trail at a pretty good pace- trying to pass up the hikers who stroll and find a spot without a lot of other people around. We are enjoying the creek running nearby and the trees and hearing the leaves fall from time to time. We stop on occasion to listen for wildlife.

Unfortunately, we are both in worse physical shape than we had thought. We both start to wonder when we will ever see a waterfall! We eventually came across a small waterfall and decided to stop for a rest. We were inspired to hear that we were only about 10 minutes or so from Rainbow Falls! Eager to reach our destination, we headed on up the trail. We came to another waterfall. This one cascaded down a series of boulders and large rocks- very pretty- and was fed by a farther away sheer drop waterfall. There was a sign stating that it wasn’t safe to climb on the rocks. We admire it briefly and continue on. I think we both assumed that the trail would take us to the base of the waterfall. What we didn’t fully realize was that the falls we were passing was Rainbow Falls!

We had hiked 2.6 miles to that point. We trek on and the conversation is flowing and we are simply enjoying each other’s company. Eventually we realize that we are no longer seeing other people on the trail- we had previously been running into other hikers (coming back down the trail) very consistently. We are no longer hearing running water from the falls or creeks. The trail has gotten thinner and steeper and rockier. We are constantly hiking switchbacks and have convinced ourselves that something has to be right around the next corner. We stop for a rest and another hiker comes up behind us (from Rainbow Falls). We had chatted earlier with him and his wife and hadn’t even realized that we were past them! His wife was waiting for him back at the falls (this is our first realization that where we had been was all there was) and he was just going to hike ahead about 10 minutes to see how far he could get. We decide that we will continue to hike until he comes back down the trail- just 10 minutes, right? HA! We had to hike another 30 minutes before he comes back. We ask what he found up ahead and are told that it is just more of the same. Our hearts are sinking. He tries to brighten our spirits by telling us that Leconte Lodge, at the top of Leconte Mountain, is just 2 miles ahead. ACK! We didn’t know anything about a lodge! We climb on top of a nearby boulder at the edge of the trail to rest and get some pictures- hoping to demonstrate how high we had climbed this mountain. Then we began the LONG journey back down.

Our biggest problem was that we had each had only a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast (around 9 or 9:30). We had gone 5 hours without food or water. Since we had only anticipated a 5 mile hike, we hadn’t brought water bottles with us! It is now 2:00 and we are just starting back down the mountain with no idea how far we have hiked. Thankfully, God sent us a guardian angel. We took great delight in short-cutting across switchbacks. At one point, coming down a particularly steep one, 2 men stopped to watch our progress. We had already come down far enough that we were past the falls and had begun running into humans again. We gave them hope that the falls weren’t much farther. Christy mentioned that the only reason we look so exhausted is that we had gone beyond the falls! I took that as opportunity, having seen that one of the gentleman was carrying a backpack, to “complain” that we had left our water in the car since we hadn’t anticipated such a long hike! Lo and behold! This kind stranger had 2 spare bottles of water in his pack! It was the best tasting water I have ever had in my life! Christy and I eventually got back to the car. We spent the last mile comparing pain points- hips, thighs, calves, ankles, knees, feet, toes. Everything from the waist down ached and screamed in pain.

Getting back into the truck was the best feeling in the entire world- next to getting back to the cabin and getting into that hot tub! Our plan went out the window. We had intended to meet the guys back at the cabin at 5 (after shopping at the arts and crafts shops- remember) to make plans for dinner. By the time we got back to the truck, it was 4:45. We had spent almost 7 hours hiking up and down a mountain.

After returning home to Indiana, I did some research on Leconte Lodge. From the point where we started our hike, the lodge is an almost 7 mile hike. If we truly were 2 miles away from the lodge, we hiked 5 miles up the mountain. And, as we all know, what goes up, must come down- we hiked 5 miles back down the mountain. WHEW! We went into town on Monday to grab some dinner (a rather crummy Mexican place called No Way Jose’s wound up being our dining selection- none of us were impressed) and spent the evening watching a movie. And I took a few more trips into that hot tub!

The Day After

October 19, 2003

By Sunday, our family members had departed from Gatlinburg, as had a few friends. Those of us still around got together for a fun afternoon in downtown Gatlinburg! Christy, Dan, Tim, Jim, and Dave met up with us and we headed for the main drag. Dan and Tim had gotten a rave review for a restaurant so we all decided to head there for lunch (Cherokee Grill). We all enjoyed our dining experience- especially the company- and then headed out onto the strip for some strolling!

The shops in Gatlinburg range from quaint to extremely touristy. People watching can’t be beat! There were lodge shops and quilt shops and candy shops galore! Since Jeff and I were enjoying the weekend sans diet, we treated ourselves to some salt water taffy and turtles- yummy!

Christy, Dave, Jim and Liz took a trip on the Gatlinburg Skylift. The Skylift has been running since it was built in 1967. When we reached the top, we took some time to visit the giftshop as well as enjoy the view. On the trip up, there is a spot where your picture is taken. Outside the gift shop is a display of people who have come to Gatlinburg every year and taken a ride on the Skylift (the pictures are date stamped). We really enjoyed the series of a young girl with her father growing up to become a young woman with her husband and a child of her own. It was very touching.

Me and Christy at the top of the Skylift

Me and Jim at the top of the Skylift

Jeff, Dan, and Tim- the men who couldn't handle the Skylift!

After the Skylift, the time had come for Jim and Dave to head back home. We said our goodbyes and the remaining friends continued strolling.

Soon, the afternoon had become long enough. Dan and Tim needed a little nap before the day continued. Brian had finally woken up at their cabin. So we called it a day and headed out of downtown Gatlinburg and back towards our cabins! The group decided to take a quiet evening on Sunday. We had originally planned to dine at a steakhouse called The Alamo. However, the wait was long and the prices were high. So we decided frozen pizza from a local grocery store would suit us just fine! Christy and I headed to the store while Brian and Jeff headed back to our cabin. Then we spent a relaxing evening in the company of 2 of our closest friends, enjoyed our pizza (which we almost burned- oops!), and watched a movie.

A Night Out

Before I post about the evening after our wedding (get your mind out of the gutter), I want to tell you briefly about our day today. We had plans for Grandma to bring my brothers (Daniel is 16 and Ted, a freshman at Univ of Dayton, is 19), babysit this evening, be here for the birthday party tomorrow. I had a text message this a.m. from Grandma- they'd be here around 4:30. Around 1:30, the phone rings. It's my mom. She's sick. It sounds like she has what I am getting over so I know she feels miserable. And I am crushed. I don't think I realized just how much I was looking forward to seeing a movie with my husband of 5 years. How much I was looking forward to seeing my brothers, my mom. How much I wanted them to be there for Zach's celebration. And then a miracle happened. Of the everyday sort, I suppose. I texted 2 of my friends, Christy and Latifa, to make sure they were still coming to Zach's party tomorrow because I couldn't bear it to have someone else close cancel on me... Christy calls... offering to come babysit so we can go to a movie. I don't have words for how much our evening meant to me.

And so, as we did 5 years ago, we share this day. We spent the day surrounded by our most precious family- our kids. And we were granted some private, fun, relaxing time together. And we will spend our evening with a dear friend who supports our union, our children, and is a very important member of our family. Funny how things can change so much but when you keep your priorities in order, they can stay amazingly the same.

***

Sweet Fanny Adams

October 18, 2003 Jeff and I had wanted to find something for the group to do that would be entertaining for everyone involved. I did some internet research and discovered Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre. The theatre is located on the main strip near traffic light 3 and is one of the only non-country themed forms of entertainment in the area. I had spoken with one of the actresses, Jennifer, on several occasions while making our arrangements. If she was any indication of the show, I knew we were in for a high energy, highly entertaining experience!

Jeff and I were the newlywed couple in the audience that night and received a bit of attention for it. The actors double as the ushers and we were asked about the wedding several times once seated! The theatre reminded us a little of the Belfry due to its small size and intimacy with the stage.

Act 1 started and told the tale of Dr. Frank N. Stein and his latest creation- Rogi. Dr Stein considered Rogi to be a failure because he appears to be an idiot. However, Rogi seems to be a quick learner and is able to save Dr. Stein and his staff from the angry villagers. The show was filled with comic bits and hilarity. There were three in our group with distinctive laughs (the kind the actors can hear backstage and know the show is going over well)- Charlie, Connie, and Christy. The whole group really seemed to be enjoying it!

Intermission brought about the sing along. The actors involved completely faked me out! I thought for sure that I was headed to the stage but they pulled a very sweet older lady onstage instead. She was great fun but seemed a bit unsure of what they were going to do to her! Act 2 was a collection of songs and bits- very vaudeville. One of the bits involved pulling audience members onstage for a melodrama. I was selected to be the heroine- Sweet Chastity (“Oh, dear!”). I was the only one of the 4 audience members with any theatre experience so I did my best to lay it on thick. I got a big laugh from the audience when I was supposed to be acting like a dog so I tried to sniff the other guy’s backside! I was given a free admission ticket to Ripley’s Haunted Adventure and a coupon for a bag of dirt (more on that in another story).

Jeff wasn’t left out of the fun. During Act 2, Jennifer and another actress do announcements about people who are celebrating special occasions. Jennifer knew that I had received a lot of attention and decided it was time to (literally) shine the spotlight on Jeff. They had gifts for us to help us get our marriage off on the right foot! Jeff uses his acting experience to create some fun moments as they give us a new car and a piece of eyeball gum!!!

If anyone plans to visit Gatlinburg, we highly recommend a trip or two to Sweet Fanny Adams! They do their own material and perform 2 different shows throughout the week. We had wanted to go back for the other show but Christy and I were in no shape to be in public Monday night (more on that later, too).

October 18, 2003 ~ The Reception

After our receiving line and more pictures at the Chapel, it was time to head to the cabin for our relaxed reception. Our friends had gone ahead of everyone else in order to set up the food before guests arrived. Ironically, we hadn’t had a chance to tell them about the shortcut. They left as soon as we started our pictures and we managed to arrive at the cabin at the same time! Shows what a good shortcut can do! The cabin was filled with ivory and red rose petals and we had placed candles throughout. The cake, a gift from Dan and Tim, was the centerpiece of the dining area and looked fabulous surrounded by red and ivory tapers. We kept the food simple- sandwich meat, sliced cheese, veggie tray, chips, etc. The focus was for people to meet and visit and relax. Big and scary excitement occurred, thanks to a pickle. My mom was in the kitchen getting a plate of food together. She popped a pickle in her mouth and was taken aback by its tartness. She quickly inhaled- and lodged the pickle in her throat. No one was close by and I was in the living room when I saw her clutching the counter and struggling for air. I began shouting for my dad and leapt across the room. I placed one fist in the ready position on mom’s stomach in case I needed to perform a little Heimlich maneuver. Dad got downstairs and we got mom calmed down and the pickle got itself worked through. Mom got some water and settled down. Guess she wanted to get some of the attention off of Charlie’s bumped head!! Once everything settled down and after everyone had some time to kick back and have something to eat, Jeff and I cut the cake. When we fed each other a small bite- he bit my finger!! Everyone laughed- it was a great break from the cake smashing bit but also made the moment unique! My brothers and dad enjoyed spending time upstairs playing pool, foosball, Ms PacMan and Galaga. Dad Chandler got in on the act for a while, as did Jeff and others. We discovered that Daniel has a knack for pool and my mom is a whiz at foosball! The cabin was filled with talk and laughter. It was exactly what we wanted. Soon guests had to begin departures. Several people were getting back on the road to head home. Some needed to get back to cabins and hotels to nap before the evening’s theatre experience. Several friends stepped in to help with cleaning up. Once the cabin cleared out, Jeff and I were finally able to take a deep breath and take a moment with just each other. Then it was our turn to get some rest before the evening continued!

October 18, 2003

The morning of October 18, 2003.

***

I was up bright and early on our wedding day- Jeff was able to sleep a little later. I was really looking forward to my morning. I knew we had a time crunch but I knew it would be worthwhile. I had an appointment for a one hour full body massage at 9:00, a hair appointment at 10:00 and Jeff and I had to be at the Chapel by 11:00 for the 11:30 ceremony. My massage was incredible. I was so relaxed afterwards... ahhhhh! Then the stress set back in pretty quickly. My hair appointment wound up running late as the hairdresser was held up by her previous client. I didn't get in her chair until 10:15! I had to leave the salon by 10:30 so I could get back to the cabin, take 10 minutes to get dressed, and then race out the door to get to the Chapel! I explained my predicament to the hairdresser and she worked a FAST miracle on my hair! In addition, she gave me a fantastic shortcut back to the cabin- didn’t have to go anywhere near the main drag! She had me out the door in 20 minutes and I was back at the cabin in 5! Jeff had everything ready to go and we had awesome teamwork happening to get me changed and out the door.

We got to the Chapel in the nick of time and were actually able to spend a few minutes getting settled and calmed down before everything got started. We met with the preacher and discussed marriage and our relationship. He offered wisdom and advice on keeping a marriage long and healthy. I was handed my bouquet of ivory and red roses. Jeff and I continued to make eye contact and I know that I have never felt so calm and confident before. The time had come to get started and we were ahead of schedule! In fact, most guests had arrived and we were ready to go at 11:20! My family (mom, dad, brothers, aunt and uncle) had not yet arrived so we did convince the wedding planner that we should wait until the scheduled time before we got started. The wedding planner used the additional time to take some outdoor pictures.

Everyone had arrived and was settled inside. The wedding planner told us to wait outside. We would hear the music start and the door would open. Jeff and I would come down the aisle together and the ceremony would start. Jeff and I had a few brief moments to share alone together before the music started- time to calm each other’s nerves, a quick “I love you!” and then we heard the bridal march!

The door swung open and there was a small sea of friendly, smiling faces. I remember seeing cameras flashing and people tearing up and huge smiles. I know I saw Brian, Jim, my mom, Connie and Joey and David… I wanted to hold a memory of each face. But the aisle was small and we had reached the end before I knew it. The moment that we had been planning for and looking forward to had finally arrived. We stood before the preacher and our beloved family and friends and began the first step of our lives together.

October 17, 2003

5 years ago today, a group of folks headed down to Gatlinburg, TN for the wedding of Jeff and Liz. I journaled about the weekend once we were home. Here is the journal entry from Oct 17, 2003. It's funny to read now and think about how life has changed. Stayed tuned this weekend as I plan to share more day to day entries!

***

We left home an hour late. We had wanted to be on the road as close to 7:30 as possible but didn’t actually get going until 8:30. Brian and Christy caravan-ed down with us and Brian provided 2 way radios so we could stay in communication. The majority of the drive was uneventful. Jeff received occasional calls from others travelling to Gatlinburg, updating us on their progress in the drive. We seemed to find every area of slow moving traffic.

As we traveled through Kentucky, we began to realize that reaching Sevierville on time (where we would be getting our marriage license) was going to be difficult. The Sevier Co courthouse closed at 4:30, TN is an hour ahead of IN at this time of year, and we were pushing it! Christy made the recommendation to consider stopping in Knoxville for the license. Who knew that one suggestion would become such an adventure?

We called information and got the number for the Knox County courthouse. Liz called and spoke to a very nice woman and explained our predicament. She assured us that we would be able to reach her before closing and provided directions from our current route (I-75 South). She said to take 75 South into Knoxville, take the Henley Rd exit and then take Henley to Main St. We would find the courthouse at the corner of Main and Gay St.

So we keep cruising along. As we approach Knoxville, the excitement builds- we only have an hour to get there before it closes and we don’t truly know where we are going. We follow the directions exactly. My stomach became nervous when we stayed on 75 South and the other half of the road became 40 East to Knoxville- but I trusted our lady on the phone. We continued on 75 South and wound up sitting in bumper to bumper construction traffic! My stress level is escalating, Jeff is doing his best to keep me calm while remaining calm himself and who knows what Brian and Christy were thinking in the vehicle behind us! As we begin to exit the construction, after crawling in it for a good 30 minutes, Liz decides that we are taking the next exit and will come up with a game plan.

Christy states that she needs gas so we exit and head for the nearest gas station. We pull up to the fuel pumps, Jeff gets out to pump (as does Christy) and I hop on the phone to find out where we are and where the phone lady really is. She is very nice but insisted that I couldn’t have followed her directions or else we would be there. Rather than finding some way to reach through the phone and throttle her, Jeff and I instead ask how we can get to her from where we are. All we know is that we are somewhere off of 75 South. Christy goes into the gas station to find out where we are and comes out with an exit number. Dingbat phone lady isn’t helped by the information. Christy goes back to the gas station and comes back with a street name! This turns something on in dingbat’s head and she realizes that we are in Farragut and that there is a license branch just down the road. She says that if we can find Farragut High School, we can find the license place (did she completely miss the fact that I had told her we weren’t from around here???). Thankfully, as my frustration level is reaching a boiling point, a state trooper pulls in. Christy and Jeff ask him about the high school and the town hall and he is able to confirm that we are approximately 2 miles from where we need to be. We rush off to Town Hall and successfully get our license! Then we go back and face the construction traffic going the other way so we can get on 40 E and go by Knoxville and get into Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. And- I don’t think we ever passed Henley Rd.

After leaving our License adventure in Knoxville, or should I say Farragut, we proceeded on to Sevierville. We were prepared to find some traffic- but no where near prepared for the traffic we faced. Traffic became bumper to bumper before we reached the turn off onto 441 (which is the main drag through Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg)!! We finally pass the courthouse- around 5:30.

Our next destination is Pigeon Forge- a stop at Kroger to pick up ordered party food trays and other essentials for the cabin. We are in traffic FOREVER waiting to get to that Pigeon Forge Kroger! We finally arrive, Jeff and I both COMPLETELY stressed. Our timetable is ruined. We have friends already in Gatlinburg that are waiting for us as they can’t check into their cabin because the cabin is in my name! By the time we leave Kroger, the sun is almost set and the hour is drawing later and later. We finally get into Gatlinburg as darkness falls (around 7:30). We are supposed to be at Hard Rock for our big dinner by 8. Thankfully, I was able to call the cabin rental office and have them turn the keys over to Jim. And as luck would have it, we wound up directly behind Jim and Dave on their 2nd trip up to the cabin!

Jim, Dave, Brian, Christy, Jeff, and I burst into the cabin together and ran around checking out the place! While it was obviously built a while back, the place had character and lots of room and a fantastic view of the town. Then it was time for Jeff and I to run off and check into our own cabin before heading to Hard Rock! Christy insisted on joining us so we would have someone to help unload (Thank You Christy!). Then we discover that we have to drive BACK TO PIGEON FORGE to check in to the office for our cabin!! ACK!

Thankfully, that stretch of road had considerably less traffic and we were able to fly to Pigeon Forge, rush off to the cabin, be completely astounded by its beauty, unload the car, and find our way to Hard Rock. And we were only 30 minutes late!

Dinner was fantastic. I don’t really think the food was that great but it was so wonderful to be surrounded by family and friends. Everyone was so excited and happy!

In attendance were: Vonda (Jeff’s mother) Lindsey (Jeff’s Sister) Jillian and Corbin (Lindsey’s 2 year olds) Bob and Charlie (Jeff’s Dad and Mom) Billy and Lurene (Jeff’s Dad’s cousin and wife) Christy (Liz and Jeff’s Belfry friend) Brian (Jeff’s friend since 3rd grade) Jim (Liz’s friend since college) Dave (Jim’s partner) Dan and Tim (Belfry friends) Connie and David and their daughter, Joey (Liz and Jeff’s friends from the Belfry) After dinner, several friends accompanied us back to our cabin with the intention of helping us set up the decorations for the reception the next day! Unfortunately, most were blinded by the fun things at the cabin- the hot tub, the Pac Man/Galaga video game, the Pool Table, the Foosball Table, etc. Eventually, everyone settled down and we were able to get everything set up. Jeff had managed to fall asleep in the middle off all the rumpus so I shooed everyone away and fell asleep- very excited about the upcoming day!