Leap Day

Once again - it's the last day of the month - and so I sent out a reminder that it was time to take the end of the month photos for our 2008 scrapbook project. At first I thought "I'm not taking the photo until I've showered and dressed" - and then I thought - "Hey - this is supposed to be the REAL me - each month this year!" And so, even thought it was noon - and I was still in my PJ's, and I had a slight case of bed-head - I took my self portrait. This month I put the GLMM website in the background - since other than our breif escape to Hawaii - I have spent February living and breathing GLMM details!

Beach Boy Puppet Video

My cousin Cara posted this on her blog - but for those of you who will appreciate my zany cousin Nick and don't READ her blog - let me also share with you...

Only a Cron...

Home from Hawaii

This post is way overdue - but as is the nature of a vacation taken in the middle of your busiest time of year (the classes are up on the Mega Meet site!) I have been buried alive since I got home. But not so buried that I didn't take a few photo my first day home with good intentions of blogging them.... so here they are. (I cheated and back dated the post to the date I MEANT to post it!)

Goodbye Hawaii!!! On our way out of town to the airport - we saw the most beautiful sunset of our whole trip - and no place to stop and take pictures. E says to her Dad "Is there any way we can stop and just put our feet in the ocean one last time?" So, at the last little beach inlet along Ali'i - he pulls up to the sidewalk - the girls and I hop out - run across the street and while he circles the block to come around and pick us up again - I take a few last photos of us saying goodbye to one of the best vacations we've ever taken! Aloha and Mahalo - we'll miss you Hawaii...


Oh yes.... the very next day at home - I was missing Hawaii in a REALLY BAD WAY. Notice the scenery in Hawaii and then at Home - just 2 days apart.


Then notice my FEET in Hawaii, and at Home. Those are NOT happy feet at home.



and just to prove how unhappy I was at having to put on a sweater - I took a picture of my unhappy face in the bathroom.

boo hoo.

Hawaii - Day Eight

Our last day in Hawaii - how incredibly sad!

We had to vacate our condo by 10am - but our flight doesn't leave until 9pm - so we had some time to kill - but we didn't want to get sandy with no shower to visit!

We decided to do some last minute SHOPPING! Unfortunately, as seems to be my luck when trying to visit a scrapbook store while travelling - they were closed!! (Just like in Colorado!) So, Em took my pic out front to prove I was here!

After some last minute purchases (including a new suitcase to get all our souvenir's home!) we picked mom up at the activity center (where she had hung out while we shopped - the fall yesterday messed up her back, and walking is more difficult than usual for her). We then headed to Lava Java's on the oceanfront for one last leisurely meal in the sun, watching the surf. I took these last photos from our table at the restaurant.

I sure am going to miss this place!!

Hawaii - Day Seven

We had a great day today! We took off in our rental car with the goal to circle the island! We did circle the island - but ran out of daylignt before we ran out of sights to see! That's OK - we still saw lots of awesome stuff on our adventure!

Our first stop was the black sand beach at Punalo'o. I took a pic of my feet on the black sand. It is formed by volcanic rock. Cool bonus - we came across this sea turtle sunning him/herself on the beach.

Our next stop was Volcano's National Park. We weren't able to see any of the lava flows - as the current flows are only accessible by air - and the crater rim road is closed due to sulfur fume levels. (Thus the Vog we've been experiencing - Volcano Fog). However, there were some points where we could walk and look over the crater rim (upwind of the fumes!) This is Kiluea Crater - and you can still see the steam vents venting steam. In addition to hiking a short trail along the rim - we hiked down to the Thurston Lava Tube. It was so cool to walk through the tunnel formed hundreds of years ago by lava! The stark contrasts at the volcano were stunning - the barrenness of the lava lake, the lushness of the rainforest! I took a pic of a very unusual fern that winds up and unwinds itself!

After the park - we headed to Hilo - and to Rainbow Falls... we had a little "incident" at the Falls.... apparantly my mom took it a little to literally! She tripped in the parking lot - fell, and gave herself a lovely shiner. It put a bit of a damper on the remainder of the sights for her.

After Rainbow Falls - we took some more coastal, and scenic drives through some of the rainforest.... and then stopped at Akaka Falls (that's the photo at left). They were incredible!!

Just before we lost all our daylight - we stopped at the Waipo Valley overlook - and looked down on another pristine black sand beach!

After all that driving (it was another 2 hours home in the dark after Waipo Valley) we just ordered a pizza into our room at the condo!

Hawaii - Day Six

Up bright and early this morning – and John and I and the girls headed to Kahalu’u Bay for SURFING LESSONS!

Don’t Hawaii’s newest surfer chicks look awesome? They did really well! It was so hard for John and I to find them out on the water for photos and videos. For whatever reason – A was the hardest to find! E swears that we both missed her best run, too. They had a blast! E can’t wait to surf again – A says she got enough salt water up her nose for one lifetime.

After lunch and naps, we headed to the other pool at our resort, and spent more time swimming and sunning (except the vog - volcano fog - pretty much blocked the sun this afternoon.) Dinner at Fish Hoppers closed out the day - and we're heading to bed early - tomorrow is our driving tour of the island - getting up bright and early!!

P.S. - Happy 6th Anniversary to my little bro Chazz and his wife Anne! Love you!!

Hawaii - Day Five

The resort had a “Mahalo” party this morning. We learned to make, and made our own flower leis from the beautiful and fragrant Plumeria flower. We also listened to live music, and watched some hula performances. It seems that half the activities staff here are extremely talented entertainers as well! Ali’i played the ukulele and Joy danced for us – but Joy is also the activities director – and Ali’i is the same guy who taught the girls crafts the first morning!

We also bought and made some shell jewelery from “Auntie Bubbles”. It was a crafty morning! Then, as promised – I took the girls to the pool, and we spent the afternoon swimming and sunning!

J used the resort grills and made as an awesome steak dinner, which we enjoyed on the lanai. We then all enjoyed one of the DVD’s that gramma packed for us! Family movie night in Hawaii!!

Hawaii - Day Four

Day 4 was our first full day in Kona. We slept in – since we’ve been up early every day this week! After a lazy morning – we headed down to schedule the rest of our week with the Activities staff. On our list of things to do: A luau, Surfing lessons for the girls, enjoying the resort, a tour of the island including Volcanos national park.

We scheduled the luau for tonight! The photos in the collage are from the luau at the Kimg Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. It was an oceanfront luau – and we enjoyed the food and the show!

We saw them pull the pig from the imu (the cooking pit), and the “king” and his court sailed into the beach and processed into the luau. The show covered all of the Polynesian islands.

Hawaii - Day Three

Day Three was our day to switch Islands. While I wish we had had one more day on Oahu - we were equally as excited to go to the "Big Island" of Hawaii! We took a LIMO from the resort to the airport - big treat for the girls! (It actually cost the same as it would have to take a cab!)

We took photos as we flew out of Honolulu, and more photos as we landed at Kona. Our first impression was how DIFFERENT the Islands looked! Hawaii clearly is the youngest, and most volcanically active island. The coastline is mostly black rocks - not as much of the lush greenery of Oahu (although, we understand that when we tour the island and go to the other side to Hilo - that we'll see the lush greenery.)

We got settled into our new resort - which resembles a Polynesian village in it's architecture - very cool!! And then attended the "Welcome Party" where we all received fresh lei, and danced the hula, and had a great time! After the party, we were all hungry - and so we headed into the coastline shops at Kona, and ate dinner on the deck at Bubba Gump's - watched the sunset from our table, and watched a surfer daring the rocky coastline!

Oh - we also had a little friend on our lanai - he was green and quick - so we were lucky to get a few pics of him before he ran away!!

Having a great time! I may not get to post as regularly - we do not have internet in the room here - I have to come down to the Activities area.

Hawaii - Day Two

Day Two....
We took a tour of the North Shore and the Dole Pinapple Plantation. My mouth is still a bit raw from the amount of pineapple I ate! We took the pineapple express out into the pineapple fields.

The tour then took us up to the North Shore - and were able to get out and watch some of the awesome winter waves. Emily took this great shot of John and I with the wave breaking behind us! (See the Red Flags? They didn't stop the surfers!!)

We then stopped for some awesome farmed shrimp at a little shack by the side of the road! We also stopped at a little place where you could get coconut milk and macadamia nuts. Mom said they even had some scrapbook supplies! (I missed them)

On our way back to Honolulu - we took a mountain road that afforded us a great view of one of the many lush valleys on Oahu. I got this great shot of John and Em.

Regrettably - our tour that was supposed to end by 2pm, didn't get back until nearly 4pm - messing up the surfing lessons we had arranged for the girls at 3pm. They still had a great time at the beach, and we capped off our final night on Oahu with dinner at the Shore Bird, overlooking the ocean.

Just as we were sitting down - Dad spotted humpback whales breaching just offshore! So cool!!! I wasn't able to get any good photos though - it was too far off. We also got to watch the sunset off the beach while we were at dinner.

I had a "chick drink" and thought of all my friends! Aloha!

Tomorrow we fly to the Big Island of Hawaii for the remainder of our stay. I'll try to blog from there as well!

Hawaii - Day One

We arrived safely in Honolulu just before sunset on Saturday. It felt late to us - but Hawaii was still hopping! Airplane photos are at left!

Our resort presented us with shell lei, and we got checked into our lovely room. At left, I took a photo from one of our lanai, of the girls on our other two lanai! I also took a photo of our "ocean view" :-) - It's pretty far off, and between buildings - but we can see it!!

It's just 2 blocks from the hotel to the beach. On Sunday, our first full day here - we visited the Arizona Memorial. It is a very moving place to visit. We stood in line in the rain... luckily it was short lived. Dad enjoyed the memorial, and we took a photo of the Navy Vet next to the US Navy Rockets.

As you can see from our photos - the day was fairly overcast on Sunday - but we did have a few glimpses of the sun!

We're having a great time!

Happy Valentine's Day

I think someone is getting a little bit excited about our upcoming vacation! I found this taped to the side of A's loft bed today.

We made this little friend in California. He (she? it?) had bravely struck out to traverse the driveway at Tony Roma's Restaurant - but then thought better of it. When we found him (her? it?) he was making a "dash" back to the curb. Barb says if we lived out west like she does we wouldn't think he (she? it?) was so cute. She says they are especially not cute when you go to get your paper barefoot after it rains and you STEP on one.

So, Barb? What you're saying is that Snails are the West's Earthworms?

I still think he's (she's? it's?) cute - look - he's even leaving a slime trail!!

So, just in case I didn't have enough to do before this vacation... last night E had a band concert. Festival is the week we get back, and last night was the pre-festival concert. They sounded pretty good. Nice treat - Mr. G. moved the French Horn section out of the middle of the back - to the 2nd row on the right side... this means that for the first time since 7th grade, I can see my kiddo playing from the audience!!

Well, if we're really going to be ready to leave for this vacation, it's time to stop blogging and finish working and packing.

Going to try to blog updates from the vacation! (If I have a willing internet connection!)

Home from Californ I A

The weather there was awesome. The weather here? Not so much!

For some unknown reason, the shuttle company forces its passengers to awake BEFORE the butt crack of dawn, to pile into the shuttle, to drive the 20 minutes to the OC Airport, only to find out that you can't go through security to your gate for another 45 minutes because - THEY AREN'T OPEN YET!!! Yeah. We got up at THREE THIRTY am. Supposed to be down for the shuttle at 4:25. At 4:15 - the phone rings - "Your shuttle is here for you!" - so now we're rushing. Why? So we can get to a practically closed airport.

Things that make you go... hmmmm.

Flights went off with nary a hitch, nary a delay - I made HUGE progress into my book on the flights there and back - World Without End by Ken Follett. Then we got off the plane in Detroit.

I once had a pilot say as we landed. "You've now finished the safest part of your journey - be careful on your way home". And that day, the weather was NICE.

Snow. Lots and lots of snow. Falling, blowing, accumulating. The 10-15 minute drive to T's house to get our cars? Over 30 minutes. The normally 45 minute drive home? Over an hour and a half. C's normally 2-2.5 hour drive to Midland? FIVE hours. To say that the roads were bad would just be such an understatement.

But, we all made it home safely. I was so stressed from the drive, I curled up on the couch, and by gum, I finished that Ken Follet book!! (and I did it by 12:20am, too... probably helped that having been in CA for a few days - it didn't feel that late).

Observed while walking through Downtown Disney on Sunday night:

A little girl, probably about 8, is walking in front of me in full Hannah Montana get up - the wig, the mini-skirt, the boots, the fake microphone. She's singing a Hannah tune on her way down the street with her mom. Big brother (about 10?) keeps running in circles around her - singing Hannah Montana tunes - interrupting her - leaning in to the mic. Sister gets extremely annoyed with brother. "Mom, can't you tell him to CUT IT OUT?"

Mom says, "Maybe we should get him his OWN Hannah Montana wig".

I thought sister was going to bust a gut - right in front of me. The vision of her brother in that long blonde wig was just too hilarious for her to contemplate.

Sunny California!

The end of last week is kind of a blur - I had lots of work to do to get ready for this trip to CHA in California.

Yesterday, Tara and I spent 13 hours travel time to get here. (Because, apparantly, I'm a cheap-a** and wanted to save $100 - so it took us THREE flights to get to CA!)

Because I was in and out of airports all day, I missed E's first JV Dance team competition - but great news! Their team took 2nd place in their division... doesn't she look ecstatic! Can't wait for the next one - which I'll actually be IN TOWN for! (BTW - it is supposed to be 80's rocker hair)



The weather here is wonderful - the best it's ever been in the 5 times I have been here for conventions. Too bad I packed for the weather we had the last 4 years.

Today was EXTREMELY productive on the show floor. Lined up some great new classes for the GLMM. Can't give too much away about that just yet!!

I've been waiting practically all year for tonight - when I got to return to Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney for dinner. Last year I had "dirty rice" for the very first time - and OMG - I fell in love with this New Orleans classic! So... I took ALL kinds of photos - but none of that fabled "dirty rice"!



Tara, Cara and I went out with my friend Barb, and her new business partner - Trish (who I've known ALMOST as long as Barb, and is my friend too!) Of course, after a long day walking the show floor - every girl needs a little refreshment!



We have to finish up our business on the show floor tomorrow - as we travel home on Tuesday - but with the kind of progress we made today - we're in great shape!!

Well - I better hit the sack for some shut-eye!

Ash Wednesday

Well, the wintry weather is keeping me from Ash Wednesday services. The discussion this week at our house has centered around "What are you giving up for Lent?". In the past the girls have given up soda or candy. I gave up Diet Coke one Lent.... that wasn't very pretty.

I've been thinking a lot about what I'm going to give up. I think I'm going to try to give up losing my patience. With J and with the kids. Especially this time of year, with convention plans in full swing, I tend to have a shorter fuse. I'm going to work REALLY hard at lengthening it. At appreciating the people who love me the most.

I know I won't be perfect - but I'll be trying - so I should be better.

Wish me luck.

Happy Mardi Gras!

E made her mask in French Class! Happy Mardi Gras - Happy Fat Tuesday - Happy Paczki Day!!

Weekend Wanderings

Pretty lowkey weekend here.

It was pretty much filled with skating, dancing, scrapbooking, and giddy girls.

I am almost done with my Europe scrapbook - I posted the 5 new layouts I did yesterday at the GLMM Gallery!! 4 more and I'm DONE!!

John watched the superbowl with my Dad - and we had my Dad's annual treat of "Seafood Bisque". It was yummy as always!

I'm almost completely healthy again - yay.

Here's my favorite superbowl commercial:

Snow Day

I just had to post to let my friend Amy know that all her daughter's trick's worked!

A wore her PJ's inside out, slept with a spoon under her pillow, and flushed ice cubes down the toilet, and did the snow dance (I think on MY bed - because her bed is a loft bed)... and sure enough - at 5:29am I had an email from the district wishing us a happy weekend - no school due to the crapload of snow we've already begun to get.

Hee Hee! E was already up and showered before they called it - but she's giddy - because it postpones a History test.