and friendship... what could be better?
Headed out to Michigan for a two day trip to hang out with some friends. We met from all over Ohio and Wisconsin to a central place in Michigan. First off we had to hit up Debbie's store in Howell Michigan!
Debbie's adorable granddaughter!
catching up with friends and hanging out at Brenda's for dinner and lots of laughs
so blessed with the friends I have...
Everyone is Irish on St. Patricks day.... right?
This year I hung out with a group from the gym, my trainer included. After all, we were going to run in the morning, so what harm could it be.
We started off at Sully's a local Irish bar where they removed all the tables and it was standing room only. We then walked to every other location in Medina meeting many other "characters" dressed in green along the way.
Chelsea got to catch up with her girlfriend Val at one stop
Kristen and I motivate each other with our running, in fact this year she is going for 1000 miles!
an added bonus with Ben in town, we got to spend some time with Chelsea and him
it was a fun day, but only some of us were available for running and breakfast the next morning
At our last stop we got to meet up with Joel, Zach and Sierra for dinner at Medina Steak house! The others kept going, needless to say, they weren't running the next day, or I don't even think the day after that!
I ran 6 miles the next morning and an additional 9 on Monday. I'm not sure some of the others have added any miles yet this week!
Chelsea!
I cannot believe at exactly 7am she was born 22 years ago! My how time flies...
This girl knows how to make you smile, laugh and forget your problems
Earlier college years
she makes us laugh..... constantly!
Just as beautiful on the inside as on the outside
in those early months
Happiest Birthday to my daughter
Running partner
friend
travel companion
cheerleader
We are so lucky and proud to call you our daughter!
We were lucky enough to get to attend a wedding on New Years Eve. Even luckier that it was my cousin and we got to see her so happy and in love! The wedding was beautiful, we had a hotel for the evening and had a blast at the reception.
Chelsea and I had gone shopping a few weeks before and found my dress. It was perfect and I loved it and now need another occasion to wear it!
It was great catching up with my dad's cousins too. Ron, who we always joked reminded us of Dr Zhivago, always has great stories to tell us about our father and on this night he shared so many stories of admiration for my dad, it almost had me in tears!
we did shots with the bride and for a few other toasts
hung out with our cousins which range in age from Debbie being the oldest and Maureen who is a few months younger than Chelsea.
Gordon had us cracking up with his dancing, and Chelsea and Ben were actually quite impressive with their dance moves!
I feel so blessed that we got to share this night with Steph and Tony!
my poor neglected blog. It seems life has gotten in the way of me staying updated here. I'm hoping my fall schedule gives me more time for the things I love. Reading, blogging and of course running. With training full speed for the marathon it seems to take quite a bit of my time in between everything else that needs to get done daily.
Then you have those days with girlfriends, a little getaway to revive you and remind you that these friends are there for you through the good and the bad...
Well, this was definitely all good! We shopped at Debbie's store, which is awesome! Lunch and relaxing over Brenda's in the evening. After dinner we did the cutest craft while enjoying great conversation, wine and lots of laughter!
Debbie and her hat
My mom
Brenda hiding behind hers
and Debbie... surrounded by hats and pumpkins!
Another great Michigan visit... and as I've learned throughout my life, you regret the things you DON'T do, not the things you do... and I certainly don't regret hanging out in Michigan for a few days!
Last Friday we went to the Indians game and what a blast it was. We had club seating which includes all you can eat and drink (non alcoholic), and just a great place to hang out and watch the game! The energy was exciting with the return of Jim Thome and the game was sold out!
Everyone was given signs to hold up when Thome was up to bat and although my picture is blurry it was a site to be seen!
and then the fireworks at the end of the game were spectacular. Ben described them and Disney's as the best he's ever seen, and I'd have to agree! Awesome show...
By the time fireworks were over, traffic was so horrible we decided to hang out downtown for a while.
oh and yes they won too!
In between our vacations we also celebrated Ben's 21st birthday at Mongolian BBQ. We had a blast with both Ben's family and ours and Ben is such a sport with whatever we do.
My sister got him the pinata and he destroyed it outside of the restaurant
Jane had spent her summer in Florida, and made it back just in time for Ben's birthday gathering! I just wished I'd of gotten Ben's gram with both the grams...
the gang after the poor monkey was destroyed!
Wow, what a crazy, eventful and fun summer I have had! I had a great visit with my aunt and cousin both here, Cook Forest Pennsylvania and in California, several trips to Wisconsin, including two visits to Madison! Such a great town that is! Chicago, which is always a blast and of course a wonderful relaxing vacation with family in Hilton Head South Carolina.
Madison Wisconsin
Hocking Hills
Chicago
Cook Forest
Hilton Head
Hilton Head
San Francisco
In between I got to see some Indians games, run a couple half marathons and other races, hang out with friends...
And of course fit a summer class in there, for which I got an A!! I was super excited when I found out that news while in San Francisco!
So besides for two races coming up, a half marathon in September and my full marathon in October, it sounds like my 2011 is going to start slowing down.
Which makes me think just what can I plan for 2012?
Jill and I are talking the possibility of a half marathon a month for 2012... anybody else start thinking into twenty twelve?
We've been trying for months to get together. The four of us, high school friends, and it seemed every time we tried to plan something, it just wasn't happening?
Finally, having tickets for the Indians game, I threw it out there... maybe we could all go to a game? It worked, we were all able to go and so the plans came together!
Here we are just making it into the stadium before the rain began
After walking around what seemed like the entire stadium, we finally found a place where I could get something other than beer...
A strawberry daiquiri! perfect!
Even after all this, it was still raining! We decided to hang out right where we were, we could talk, were protected from the rain and right near our seats
and we were right next to the icee machine... which Diane kept filling our glasses with!
We spent the next hour talking and laughing and filling our daiquiri with icee until it was just all icee! All the while waiting for the rain to stop and the game to begin...
and then Diane went and got in trouble...
Well, not really, but the cops were hilarious as we were heading out. Yep, after over an hour of delays we decided to head out to another location. The game eventually was cancelled too. This way we avoided the crowds leaving...
on our way back to the car
And after several stops at local bars, we found a place with a good band and decided to hang out for a while!
Super fun night with girlfriends and then I got up early the next morning and went to Hinckley and ran my longest run to date.... 15 miles!
Spending a few days with family we wanted some group pictures. All of these done with the timer and me being quick to get in the shot! Sometimes that's what makes them even more interesting!
At Edgewater park, put the camera on a giant rock
except for the dang cooler in this one!
A tree that had fallen over was the perfect spot for my camera!
a picnic table across the street!
Yep its all about getting that group shot! These are some of my favorite pictures from our time together!
