Raleigh, NC - Jan 2014

"Crock Pot or Stove Top" Suppa Club

We were missing the NC gang and decided to visit them over MLK weekend - it was also JoAnna's bday so we got to celebrate with her.  Shawna had a trip to Hartford and Keith to CA for work so we both flew in on the Thursday night from our respective locations.

JoAnna and Shawna

Keith and Kate were leaving to go out of town on Friday so they came to pick us up at the airport with John and we all went out to dinner for sushi at Waraji.  After dinner, we went back to John's house for a couple of beers.

Julie and Teresa

On Friday, we worked from John's house.  Shawna met up with Beth and Lisa (former BCBS colleagues) for a few drinks at Trali and JoAnna joined her there on her way home from work.  That evening, we went out for Thai food at Sawasdee which was very yummy - we shared three entrees between the four of us.

Keith, Amy and Steve

On Saturday, John and JoAnna had organized Suppa Club at lunchtime at their house - theme was 'crock pot or stove top'.  It was quite the comfort food fest with the exception of Julie's healthy salad which was served in a pot!  We had pulled pork, sloppy joe's, con queso dip, mac-n-cheese, chicken tortilla soup and cobbler in a crock pot.  We were so happy that most of the gang could make it - Steve, Amy, Joyce, Julie, Kim, Jonathan, Teresa and Brandon.  John had also invited some of his neighbors as well as Mark and Anne.  We had basketball on in the background and chowed down on food.  We also got to try out John's new keg fridge - he had three types of beer flowing.  John had converted his garage into a party area with lights, tables and chairs so there was plenty of space for all of us.  Toward the end of the party, some of us attempted to learn 'Cups' - the Anna Kendrick song - we mostly got it down but only after trying many times!

John

On Sunday, we met up with Stephanie for lunch at Pei Wei.  We then went to see Saving Mr Banks at the movie theater in Brier Creek.  The movie was very cute.  Back at John's house, we did some research into our Caribbean vacation for March, trying to trade in our time share but there was not much available.  That evening, John made empanadas which we ate while watching a few episodes of True Blood and Mary Poppins.

John's Kegerator

JoAnna dropped us off at the airport on Monday morning - we got home on Monday afternoon and took care of some things around the house.