Team In Training

So after about two years of thinking about it, I have decided to join Team In Training. I will be training for a half marathon while raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Official training begins this coming Saturday, August 2nd. So, I'm hoping to at least be able to cross the finish line on December 6th!

If you would like to donate, please click on "My Fundraising Page" under links located on the right side of the page. Thanks in advance for your support. I will keep you updated on my training progress.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Johnsons on the arrival of their new baby boy! Ben Johnson was born on July 9th. Danny, Crystal, and big brother Owen welcome this new addition!

I was able to see them all yesterday for a walk, lunch, and playtime! All are doing well. I'm not sure how Crystal is doing this...she's a champ! Check out their blog for more details and pictures.

The Zoo

Today was Sawyer's day! Mom, Dad, Phillip, and I took Sawyer to the Toldeo Zoo. He loves all the animals, but his favorite ones today were the polar bears and the giraffes. After the zoo, we took him to eat lunch at a place called "Two Toots". Your food is brought out to you on a train; which of course Sawyer LOVED! He even wore his new train Life is Good shirt that I gave him for his birthday last year. Of course, I have added one new picture of Caroline...she and mommmy had a good morning together while we were gone.

Proud Aunt

Here are a few pictures of my sweet niece and nephew...enjoy! Sawyer wanted to get in his pool after dinner. We jumped right in with our clothes! The things you do for your nephew right?!

Sweet Caroline

Here are more pictures of sweet Caroline...

My niece, Caroline

Caroline Alice Gribble was born July 14th. Only pictures can show her sweet beauty. Enjoy...

Ohio- Day 2...Still Waiting!

Sunday was filled with one event after another! It started with books and playing, going to church, pool playing, walking with a stop at the Caboose, making pizzas, and going for ice cream at Mr. Freeze! Yummy, yummy!

Sawyer went to swim school a month or so ago, so he enjoyed showing off his new tricks to me. We splashed like polar bears, walked like penguins, practiced swimming, "jumping off the side", and making waves. After we dried off, it was inside to make our dinner...homemade pizza! As you can see from the pictures, he made his own pizza as he helped; trying out each ingredient!

Ohio...just waiting

Friday afternoon, I left MI and headed back to Ohio. We are in the waiting game now...reminds me of almost three years ago. Jammie's due date is actually today. We'll have to wait and see! To pass the time we have walked to the park, played outside, read books, "golfed", and played in the sand. AND, it's only the first real day!

Phillip and Jammie are updating the kitchen. New countertops are coming next week and Phillip is putting in the new floor. I was able to help him some today. I love the brown floors! It's going to look good!

Michigan

On a foggy Monday morning, I headed out of town at 6:30 a.m. Nine hours later I was in Ohio for the night! Tuesday morning, I drove another hour and a half to end up in Royal Oak, MI. After about a year and a half, I was able to spend time with Ben, Victoria, and their sweet girl Liliana. We walked into downtown Birmingham for lunch, visited nightly in their backyard with dinner and drinks, walked around downtown Royal Oak, and took a trip to the Detroit Zoo. The moment I arrived it was as if no time had past since our last time together. Actually, the last time we were together Victoria was still pregnant!

The last time I was in MI, I was waiting for Sawyer to be born. Ben, Victoria, and I had an eventful day in Royal Oak. We enjoyed a progressive dinner/drinks and trying on "odd things" found in different stores. I wish I had some of those pictures to show you! Anyway, Ben had to work so it was just us girls. We walked into one store that sadly had toned things down. The previous picture consisted of funky boots, boas, wild purses, and sunglasses. The only thing we could find this time was funky shoes...even a pair of "sparkly red slippers" for Liliana! The second place was our funky hats shop! There were even hats for Liliana too! So, the tradition continues.

Here's to good friends and good times!

Cary Visit

We got back from the beach Friday late afternoon. I spent Saturday morning running errands and then attending Crystal's baby shower. That evening, I repacked my suitcase and relaxed on the couch. Being on vacation is great, but being at home relaxing is just as enjoyable! After being gone for eight days and home for one; I left Sunday morning to visit friends in the Cary/Apex area.

We spent time together grilling out, taking walks, going to the park, swimming at the pool, and catching up on major girl talk! I was able to see Jessica and her family, Heather and her family, and Jill and her husband plus one on the way (due in December)! The only pictures I took were from the first day at the playground. One of Heather's boys was at a camp, so there are only four kids here. We realized that when they are all together, there is a kid aged 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1!!! Crazy huh?! Aren't these kids cute!

Charleston

We arrived in Charleston around lunch on Wednesday. We met his cousin, Andy, for lunch. After taking Andy back to work, we ventured to downtown Charleston. We walked around the market and headed to see the water and the bridge.

When we finished, we still had about an hour before Andy would be home. So, we headed to Sullivan's Island. We parked and took a relaxing walk on the beach. We met up with Andy, freshened up, and headed to a little harbor for happy hour/dinner. We had prime seats outside for watching all the boats coming in. People arrive at this area by boat instead of their cars like "normal" people; come inside for food and drinks; then take the boat back home. What a life huh?! There were also three dolphins swimming/diving in the water. I never could get a cool picture though. (The pictures I took are our view from our table.)

Thursday afternoon was stormy. So, we hung out at George's house. While the guys caught up, I caught up on my beauty sleep. The storm helped me sleep even better! We grilled out at his house that night and stayed with him since there was an extra room. (Andy ended up sleeping on the floor the night before!) Friday morning, we were ready to get back to our own bed and see Trooper again. Great relaxing week. Not bad for the 1st week of turning 30!

Hilton Head

Wednesday night after my birthday, we made a final decision to head to the beach. We found a "can't resist" deal on hotels.com. It was a last minute deal on a hotel. It was over half off each night, so we signed ourselves up and headed down Friday morning. I was completely done with school for the summer; so what a great way to start my break!!!

We stayed at the Comfort Inn which was on the main road, just not ocean front. We enjoyed the beach on Saturday by relaxing and taking a walk. Sunday morning, we decided renting bikes would be great. So, the next 3 mornings we started our beach time with a long bike ride. Although it's tough riding against the wind, it was worth it! Come on, we were at the beach!

We were able to ride our bikes and/or walk to eat lunch and dinner. We scoped things out on Saturday and visited the places that had 2 for 1 lunches or dinners the rest of the days. So, even though we had to eat out we were getting our monies worth! The last night, we went to Harbour Town for a nice dinner. We did walk up to the top of the lighthouse which led to some beautiful views and pictures.
At breakfast Wednesday morning we decided we weren't ready to head back home. So, we went to Charleston to visit his cousin until Friday!

Am I Really 30?!!!

My birthday weekend began Friday afternoon when several of us from school went out to enjoy some quality time together. Saturday, my sweet mom decided to come up and spend the day with me. She and I enjoyed a lunch at Blue Sky (yummy!) , went to get pedicures, walked around downtown Asheville, then met up with Travis for dinner. After breakfast on Sunday, mom went back home. How sweet to come spend time with me!

On Sunday, Travis and I found a local water hole in the Pisgah. We put on our bathing suits, sunscreen, and headed out! Once we arrived, there were 6 butterflies fluttering around...neat-o! The water was FREEZING, but felt good since the temperature was in the 90's. We had our own private beach...very relaxing!

Monday was my real birthday and the LAST day of school! SO, it was a BIG party day! My assistant and her two daughters came to school on Sunday and decorated the K-1 hallway. (The big "30" I am standing beside was signed during the day by kids and teachers.) The kids and some teachers bought in gifts to fill up a basket. It was filled with items such as gift cards to Target& Subway, chocolate, lotions, and soaps. We had pizza delivered to school for lunch and let the kids ice a homemade cupcake with sprinkles! The kids sang to me and the principal even announced my b-day that morning! After school, a teacher had an adult only pool party which was a perfect way to end the day!




To come...Travis takes me to Hilton Head for my birthday!