Mini Reunion

We had a mini reunion tonight with my college friends.  Super fun to see everyone--but especially  Casey & Andy and their cute kids.  Can't wait until next time!

Kids table

Big kids table

Wayne, Kristi, Andy, Casey, Ronette, Jim, Jill, Deb & Erik.  Sorry Craig!  I'm so sorry I didn't get you in the pic before you had to leave!

Debbie & Ronette's Birthday

The kids table

Last weekend Debbie & Erik had us over to celebrate Debbie & Ronette's birthdays.  Lots of kids, good food and great friends.

Homecoming 2011

I had a wild weekend away with my college girlfriends for UM Homecoming and the 100 year celebration of our sorority house.  Haven't been back for Homecoming in 15 years, and it might take me that long to recover from this weekend.  But had a super fun time.  Haven't laughed that much in a long time.

Deb, Jill, Shawn, Megan, Ronette & Nici at the game

The beautiful campus

Norville, me & Megan at the DG cocktail party

Our composite still hangsi n the DG dining room!

Happy 100 years to the DG house.

Go Griz!

The gang at our favorite bar--the Rhino!  Still as good as ever.

Lots and lots of people back for the event.

Haven't seen Cass in about 10-11 years!

Parade on Saturday morning before the game.

Great seats for the game!

40!

I celebrated the big 4-0 yesterday. Had a great day.

Spent the morning in Banks for Maddie's softball game, then lunch at Helvetia Tavern on the way home, then prep for the dinner that night. Spent it with people I've known MOST of those 40 years.Kristi gave me one of the best gifts I've ever gotten. A few months ago we were having dinner at Pizzicato (with the kids, my mom and aunt Penny) and as we left, we grabbed a mint by the cash register. I said I would love a case of those mints for my birthday. Max reminded Kristi of what I had said, and guess what I got:Jim did a great job doing a lot of the prep and cooking for dinner.
I had a perfect day spent just how I wanted. Thanks for all the phone calls, emails, cards, and gifts. I felt special all day!
Had a great dinner with great friends! Thanks for making 40 fabulous!

Birthday Friends

Had a fun morning celebrating two of my favorite people's birthdays on Thursday morning:  Ronette & Debbie.  Happy birthdays ladies!

Busy Tuesday

Today we met Deb & Ronette and kids at Grand Central Bowl for a little spring break fun.

Real life bowling isn't quite as easy as doing it on the Wii, but they had fun. It was especially fun to catch up with friends that we don't get to see often because of our school schedules.

Here's Mason waiting her turn:
Later this afternoon, Peyton had softball practice, then we ended the night with reading to a therapy dog at the public library. It was so cool. A black lab named Aziza was on his blanket in the middle of the library. Peyton got to sit next to him and his owner Kathy and read to him for 1/2 hour. Peyton did great and the dog was so mellow and relaxed. Peyton was a little nervous at the beginning, but she loved it and can't wait to do it again.

Birthday Dinner

Last night I braved the rain and traffic to meet to celebrate two very dear friend's birthdays (Deb: 40 and Ronette: 39 ). Here are the ladies blowing out their birthday candles.

A Busy Saturday

Today we began with Megan french-braiding Madison & Ava's hair, very exciting and new for Maddie.
Then we had a HOUSE-FULL of friends/cousins over for lunch. Very fun to have everyone together. Here's the lunch crowd.
Kristi, me, Deb, Ronette & Megan.
All the kids enjoying the sunshine!

Camping

Just home from a great camping weekend with 4 other fun families. We had a ball and we hit the good weather window perfectly--thank goodness. Madison brought along her friend Lucy, so there was 11 kids in all.

Here's the kids table on Friday night:
Making s'mores by campfire:
Ronette & her new pooch Cocoa:Peyton & Madison kayaking down the Santiam River with Jim (thanks Erik! a highlight for all the girls):Cute little Mason with her cute little haircut at the swimming area:
Peyton on the bike loop:Carsten in the sunshine:Madison enjoying the weekend:

Girls Weekend

Thanks to Jim holding down the fort, I just got home from a very fun weekend with my college girlfriends. We laughed until my stomach just hurt! So great to get together and reconnect.

And it's good to be home again. Here's what the girls had made for me!