Biscayne Bay

On Friday, Kimberly and I went out on a 78 ft. catamaran, the Caribbean Spirit ,with other people who were attending the conference.

We sailed around Biscayne Bay and dropped anchor in an area that was about 6-7 feet deep. We got off the boat and swam with noodles and played on a trampoline that was tied to the back of the catamaran. People also swam to a nearby sand bar where they could stand.

Kimberly and I hanging out on the deck. At these meetings, we are always together--we are often mistaken for sisters.

These guys were swimming and playing around the boat. Unfortunately as soon as we got in the water, they were gone.





On the way back to the dock, we were leaning against the windows on the front of the boat. Someone took this picture of us from inside the boat! Very cool.

Escape from Reality

About four times a year, I get to go away with my husband for meetings that he has to attend. They are always in great spots and it's fun to catch up with friends from all over the country. On Wednesday (after I sent the last of our 5 kids to school), I met Tony in South Beach for a few days of vacation. If you are a friend on Facebook, you know that I spent 6 1/2 hours sitting at BWI airport waiting for my flight to Miami. I got in around 11:30 p.m. after arriving at the airport here at 1:15 p.m.

South Beach is an interesting place and it is stinking hot. I haven't been that hot in a long time, and let me tell you that Baltimore is no picnic in August.

The sunsets are beautiful though!

We went to a reception on the lawn at the Lowes hotel where we were staying. The fake grass turf was absolutely smoking. The men were sweating so badly that their shirts were changing colors! The liner of my dress was sticking to me and the back of my hair was dripping wet...gross!

I did get to catch up with my friends, Julie and Kimberly, so it was worth it!

More of our adventures in Miami to come...

Shoes

Last Saturday, I bought these obnoxious shoes. I read a review online about the Nike Free shoes and decided I had to have a pair. On Sunday, I started walking again. It's been a while (like 8 years) since I walked regularly.

I heart them so much that I signed up for this:

Actually, I will be doing the half-marathon and no worries, I will not be running!

American Idol

I have been going to the American Idol concert every summer since Season Five (Taylor Hicks, Katherine McPhee, Elliot Yamin, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, etc.) Three years ago when we went, we stayed after the show and got autographs. We have stayed every year since then.

This year we decided to make shirts that the girls could get signed. We used the freezer paper stencil method along with fabric paint and glitter.

We went to Sabatino's in Little Italy for dinner before the show.

Everyone was very excited to see the show.

After the show we waited outside for autographs. Here are the girls with Tim Urban.

The winner, Lee DeWyze, signing Allie's shirt.

Crystal Bowersox signing Gabby's shirt.

The gang with Casey James.

Ammy's favorite, Big Mike, signing her shirt. He also gave her a huge hug! (Her life is now complete!)

Everyone with Big Mike.

We had a great night!

Guess Where We Went Last Night

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Last week, a girl who went to my high school mentioned on Facebook that Extreme Makeover was coming to Baltimore. I absolutely love the show and watch it every Sunday. I knew that I needed to find a way to get to the site and volunteer.

I signed up online along with my friends, Alden and Kim. The recipients were announced yesterday and the build started. We volunteered to work from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. today.

I was surprised to see Ty there today. So cool that he was though!

Raven Symone from That's So Raven was the celebrity on this episode.

Alden and I spent four hours working in the catering tent. We served all the volunteers on the build.

After lunch, we went outside to work. On my way to the port-a-pot, a man told me to come with him for a minute. I ended up being an extra in a shot that they were doing with Michael, the designer, and Raven!

We also moved piles of wood and stocked coolers. The rest of the time was spent hanging out while the cement trucks came in. We got to see other celebrities...Paige and Xzibit on the build site.

The experience was everything I hoped for and more! Thanks girls for going with me!

I'm A Little Swamped!

Sorry I've been out of touch lately...

I have a lot on my plate.

Can you say...

• Easter dinner for 24 at my house
  

• French exchange student arrives on 4/5 for two weeks (it is our responsibility to make sure he has the time of his life)

• Major fundraising event for elementary school on 4/10-- I am the chair

• 100 person farewell party for the french students and their host families

• Trip to Austin, TX for 5 days

• Allie's middle school play the day we return

• Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival (I put their catalog together) May 1st and 2nd.

• Bridal Shower for 60 at my house
  

• Mother's Day

• Trip to Bahamas (feel sorry for me) for a wedding

Calgon...Take me away!

I Will Go To Great Lengths For A Diet Pepsi

My cube of Diet Pepsi never made it into the house the other day.

I was out and needed to make the trek to the car.

Success!

Now I can make it through the next 5 days!

Lidia B. Came To Town

Lidia B. was in town over the weekend. What a blast. I had to laugh when one of the families carried my black wicker sofa into the woods. The things we do for photographs!

Please go and check out the photos on her blog. Please leave a comment on Lidia's blog....we get a free picture if we have a certain number of comments! I cannot wait to see the rest of her photos! Make sure that you check out the Kate and Baby Chloe entries too!

Reliving My Camp Counselor Days

I have spent the last two days working at Camp Sunrise, a camp for kids with cancer that is sponsored by the American Cancer Society. This year's theme is Down On The Farm and everything is farm-related. The really cool thing about this camp is that once you have been diagnosed with cancer, you can always come back. They have kids who had cancer when they were young and are now 15 and cancer free! Most camps don't allow you to come after you have been in remission for 3 years.

Anyway, the first day, I took a bunch of photos and the kids made barn picture frames. This is one of my favorite groups of boys!
My activity was housed in the dining hall. Another activity in there was apple pie making. Don't they look great? Apparently last night there was an apple pie eating contest among the counselors. Gretchen won after eating 13 pies! You Go Girl!

During rest time, I helped make caramel apples for the campers. We had to wash, dry and put a stick in all of the apples.

Then they were rolled in caramel...yum! ( however, if I never see another apple, it will be too soon!)

And the best thing is that I got to spend the day taking pictures of stinking cute kids like this one! I could just eat her up!

I spent today (and will spend tomorrow) running the t-shirt activity where the kids designed t-shirts using their pictures. I am exhausted, but am loving being with the kids--there is nothing better than seeing a child with cancer get to act like a child for a week. Their lives are filled with doctors, nurses, chemo and numerous other yucky procedures, but while they are at Camp Sunrise they get to swim, make crafts, sleep in cabins, hang around a campfire, get makeovers (for the girls), play dodge ball, dress up and go to a dance and make new friends.

It's truly a wonderful place!

43

Today's my birthday. We went out to the Wine Market for dinner and then to Cold Stone Creamery for dessert. I heard from both of my children who are away. All in all, it's been a great day!
A picture that I took of Ammy before dinner for a photography class that I am taking online with Angie Seaman.

10 Miles

Yesterday, Tony and I took the twins to the NCR Trail for a bike ride. The older kids stayed at home since they had been up all night on Friday for a church lock-in. We rode 10 miles without a complaint. We had a blast. Kellen could not stop smiling as he was pumped about his new bike. (after previous difficulty with Tyler's old bike, we ended up getting him a new one)
Ammy was happy to take a short break.
Still smiling!
Hanging with mom on the trail. We rode together most of the way.Pedaling hard.
Dad and Kellen riding ahead of us.
We saw lots of flowers along the way.
And horses.
And chickens. We stopped at the store and these chickens were in cages.


We got snowballs for the kids.
Lime. They were awful. How does one mess up a snowball?
Out cold on the way home. A successful day from start to finish.
Stay tuned for more bicycling adventures this summer.