Yes, you really can go home again

So a few months ago my good friend Jenny Kelly (I am using maiden names for this post)decided it had been too long since we had seen one another & we needed to get together...how about a weekend away to celebrate our 40th birthdays? But where to go? California? Mexico? Chicago? I came up with the excellent idea of Cleveland...both of our parents had moved away & we had not been back in YEARS. Plus we still have many friends living there & we could try to convince our girls not living there to rendez-vous. One e-mail later we had EVERYONE on board, no conflicts of dates...EASY BREEZY. Thanks to Laura, Maureen & Tim for hosting some great parties- we all appreciated your hospitality. Let me just say that saying "Time stands still"...well I half believe. First of all everyone looked the same- amazing, really the Northeast Ohio air must have done something great to us. But on the other hand it is unbelievable that 22 years have past since we all went to school together...CRAZY!!!! Everyone is just the same...Maureen & Greta still had me crying tears from laughter. And finally, I have to give kudos to Emily Sheperd & Amy Miller (me) for not only closing down The Colony the 1st night, but also being the last to leave Laura & Matt's the 2nd night. Remember, we were not known for our stamina when it comes to partying like some of our other girls....so I guess in those respects...40 is the new 20!!!

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...5 kids in the tub!!!

Josie, Maija, Hannah, Sydney & Griffin had been swimming in our pool for about 5 minutes when the 1st drum of thunder was heard. What a bummer- all of the piled out quickly but decided the next best thing would be to take a bath...doesn't this look relaxing!!!! They claim they had fun, but they quickly kicked Griffin out. We are sick of the late afternoon rainstorms...but it looks like that is in the forecast for the next few days.

Dinner with Friends

Katie & Hannah came over to play for the afternoon & the kids were having so much fun making up games & obstacle courses, that they stayed for dinner...then they polished off an entire (small) ice cream cake for dessert!!! They really worked up an appetite!

Sydney & her friends donate 70 inches!!!!

Almost 2 years ago Sydney, Josie & I decided to grow our hair out to donate to "Locks of Love". Josie donated last Novemeber...I am almost there...and last Tuesday night Sydney & 6 other girls from IMDP each donated atleast 10 inches of hair to the program!!! That is 5 feet 10 inches of hair combined...enough to make one wig...although as you will see in pictures the girls had all different textures & colors of hair. It was an energetic bunch, absolutely no tears & every girl was thrilled with her new look. It was so nice to say goodbye to heavy locks & welcome fresh styles. The girls looked beautiful & more importantly they felt good about their donation. We finished off the evening at Cold Stone. Way to go Sydney, Charly, Eriel, Alex, Ali, Cortney & Shannon- we are all proud of you.

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Happy Birthday Lee!!!!

We celebrated the night before
A Lee favorite from his childhood...Carvel Ice Cream Cake
A new tie to go with his new suit (which we haven't purchased yet)
Griffin gets to open a recycled gift on everyone else's birthday!
It's hard to be the last one in our family to celebrate your birthday


Lee celebrated his 41st birthday on July 11th! We started the celebration the night before with his favorite carvel Ice Cream cake & the next morning did our usual...dancing, cards & presents. At night the 2 of us went out for a quiet dinner at The Palm which was of course, very nice. It was low key- exactly what he requested. I think we can take down our birthday sign, since we have 2.5 months until September 25th...the final Lowell birthday of 2008...Griffin's.

The Last Day in Boston

At The Boston Commons
Girls in the Park- Savanna, Hannah,Libby, Sydney, Ali & Josie
3 Little Ducklings
Yeah...back in Orlando
Griffin welcomes us home!

The last day...we were exhausted & ready to finish what was a wonderful week in Boston. The girls slept in & we wondered around Boston & then headed to the airport. It was great but it feels good to be off that hectic schedule & sleep in our own beds!!!!

Celebrating an awesome week!

The girls before the banquet
Celebrating the nights big wins
Sydney & Mr. Api
Jr. 2's worked so well together
Ms. Amanda is proud of the girls

A very successful week at ADA came to a conclusion during the Banquet Awards ceremony. Everone was thrilled & then some of us went to dance (kids) & some of us went to the hotel bar (moms)!