Carolina On My Mind

Jeff and I went to the UNC-CH and Georgia Tech game on Saturday with my parents. It was Carolina's homecoming and I love to visit my alma mater. Visiting Carolina always brings back great memories of times with great friends. Of course, Jeff and I had to go by the Old Well, where he proposed, and the site of our wedding reception, the Carolina Inn. The campus was beautiful with the fall colors and it was fun to watch all the little Carolina fans running around. It was baby Costa's first Carolina game-she had a great time! Unfortunately we lost, per usual this year, 7-0, but we still had fun.








Don't worry all my fellow tarheels-basketball season in on the way!

My parents also spent the weekend with us in Raleigh, so Dad could paint the nursery for us. We had fun visiting and Dad did a great job, so now we can get everything else together for our little girl-I'll post pictures as we go. It's hard to tell from the picture, the color is a light pink. Thanks Grandpa!

Let's Go Swimming!

We have been trying to find a place for Precious and Max to swim, so last week we took them to a canoe launch site on the Neuse River less than a mile from our house. Jeff and I had a lot of fun, but I think our puppies enjoyed it more. Max almost pulled Jeff into the river with him before Jeff could get his leash off. It may be the last time it's warm enough to enjoy a good swim until next spring.













Precious almost takes Dad for a swim!









Where's Max????












What a retriever!!

October Birthdays

October is a busy month for the Matthews Family with three birthdays-Maria's, Dad Matthews, and Grannie.



Jennifer had some great news to share at Grannie's celebration. She and Dan are expecting their first baby in June-June 12th is the due date! Our children will be about 5 months apart. I guess this was the first official "play date" for them!

Last, but not least, here is the latest belly picture for those of you who keep asking for belly shots-you know who you are! Sorry I look a little scary-I get as comfortable as possible, as quickly as possible after I get home from work.

The Traveling Costas

One of our favorite things to do is travel-whether it is to the beach for the weekend or overseas. So I thought I would share a few pictures of our adventures over the last few years. Since we've been married, we have had the opportunity to travel to Jamaica, Guatemala, Italy, and Hawaii. As well as all over the east coast visiting family, friends, and soccer tournaments (thanks to Jeff's TFC commitments). It is so much fun to explore new places and we are thankful to have had the opportunities to travel before our first little one arrives.

Here we are in Italy-Jeff at the Roman Coliseum

The Jeff and I, then David and I at the Spanish Steps-we had to go-I'm Spanish after all!


New York, New York for Thanksgiving-it was cold, but fun.



Hawaii!






It is hard to say which place we've liked best, each trip has its unique memories, but for two history teachers, being in Italy is like being in history heaven and Hawaii has got to be one of the most beautiful places that God has created. Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Puppy Pictures

We can't leave out our great dogs. Here are our two labs Precious and Max. Here is Precious and her favorite toy-a soccer ball.

Max, probably begging for food-

Playing in the snow with their favorite friend Kiwi (Mama Costa's dog)-

Family Time

Here are pictures of our family-siblings, parents and all! We will be adding to the family very soon. Baby Girl Costa is due January 31st-my sister Jennifer's birthday. We'll see if we have two birthday's to celebrate that month or if she waits and becomes a February baby.

Here we are with Jeff's mom and brother, David, shortly after Jeff's high school team won the state championship in 2004.

Here are my parents and sisters, Jennifer and Heather just a few weeks ago celebrating Dad's birthday.

Are these not the cutest brothers you've ever seen??!!

Heather, Jennifer and I all dressed up and out on the town at Jennifer's rehearsal dinner two years ago.

Introducing the Costa Family!

Here is our first attempt at a blog! I'll start with a few pictures of us and our home. We live in Raleigh and both teach at Garner Magnet High School. Jeff also coaches soccer at Cary Academy and with the Triangle Futbol Club. Here we are at my sister's wedding two years ago.

The picture of the house is from almost two years ago when we first moved in-both the front and back yards have new additions. Jeff loves to work on landscaping our yard. The picture of Jeff and I includes my Dad's truck containing 5 cedar trees, two dogwoods, and a few plants that Jeff already has in the ground-we have an instant forest in the right corner of our back yard next to the rose garden we, with help from Jeff's mom, created last spring! And that's just small fraction of the trees and bushes Jeff has planted around our house.