Birthday Celebration

Due to some scheduling conflicts amongst friends, we celebrated Jody's bd a week early...Dinner at HARVEST was on the menu, then followed by Trolley for drinks at Toscana!
Not all that impressed with Harvest...food was average/ok, service was nice, but it took 3 tries to get poor Jody's steak "WELL"...def a pricey place...but had a great time with my girls!

September is Cancer Awareness Month

Today is the one yr anniv of Patrick Swayze's death...he died of pancreatic cancer.  Sadly at this time, I had no concept of what pancreatic cancer was, until my dad was diagnosed 3 mos later.  Just knowing it's the worst cancer you can ever get, is heart breaking. 

I also never really took the time to read or understand The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch, who too died pancreatic cancer, 7/25/08...it's such an inspiring book!  Last night they did a segment on TV about him, and I couldn't stop crying...his family is an inspiration to me, as I struggle to accept and deal with the 'hand we were dealt!'  Any cancer is a HORRIBLE cancer...and I pray with all my might that one day, they WILL find a CURE!!! 
I know alot of people might think,...hey, your dad is 77, he lived a long, full life...sure he did, doesn't matter...he is still my DAD, and every day I have to watch him suffer thru this horrible beast..nobody should have to watch a loved one go thru that...but, I'm learning, we have to live for each day and be thankful, and make the most of what we have!
One of my favorite quotes from The Last Lecture is:
"I have a theory that people who come from large families are better people because they’ve just had to learn to get along."       I couldn't agree more!

80's Surprise party for TRACY!!!

These 2 girls were the girls to BEAT at beer pong...they put all the boyz to shame!

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Debbie Gibson wanna-be

BEST time ever!!! Who knew you could have so much fun dressing and dancing like the 80's!? Being one of my FAV decades, I miss it soo much...had so much fun and the fashion was a HOOT!!! Everyone had awesome outfits...esp Jody, Staci, Karen, and Tracey, but JIMMY AND FRANK take the cake with their awesome hairdo's...totally RAD!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tracy!!!

SOCCER!!

Haylee and Ashlee both joined Kirkwood Soccer Team this year...it was Ashlee's first time ever, and it was so darn cute watching her play!  It was a hot day, but Ash trooped thru...Haylee scored a goal on game one!!!  Some of their games will clash with each other, but Jim is Asst. Coach for Haylee's team, so I will just have to go Ashlee's team...hate missing Haylee's games!
p.s.  Ash is VERY picky and insisted on wearing her shin guards over her socks (the shin guards are supposed to go under the socks), so she looked too funny, but she did NOT care!  ME, I was mortified...lol!

Girl Time!

A much needed girlfriend gathering at my house...what better way to end the work week, than with some good grub (grilled chix, sauteed shrimp, and broiled crab cakes), your fav girls, and lot's-o-wine!!!  Kid's had an absolutel blast! (note-to-self...no more Fri nights when there is a 9am game the next day!)

the girlz

Tina n Karen

Tina n Staci

Cutie Cassie

Fire on the deck...:(

Here's some pics of my deck after it caught fire...I found out that Chris actually flicked the final ash into the mulch and walked inside, not even knowing a fire had started...then our house alarms were going off and he ran outside to ck, and sure enough, the deck was totally on fire...I'm so thankful nobody got hurt...this could have been ALOT worse...Thank GOD for fire alarms!!!  My brother learned a very valuable lesson...

You can see how where fire started on mulch, and made it's way onto the top deck..inches from propane tanks!

Survey SAYZZZZZZ....

This stuff SUCKS...doesn't work at ALL!  If you know me, you know I'm one to try all those 'new' products that swear they work...I've tried it ALL...teeth whiteners, diet aides, hair straighteners/smoothers...

Just keep in mind...if it's TOO good to be true...well...IT IS! 

I tried this product yesterday - took it at 11am, and was yawning the ENTIRE DAY...no engery burst, no nothing...this thing tastes nasty and didn't do squat, so I was robbed!

Bottom line, don't waste your money...

Baby Shower Family Fun

8 weeks premature, but baby Brayden arrives before his mom could get her baby shower...still a nice surprise for her and baby is doing just fine!  Great time seeing the cousin's we haven't seen in awhile!

Labor Day at the beach...

reclining in the sand...Collin, Ash, Haylee and Ry!

Usually we host a Labor Day bbq at our house, but this year we wanted to try something different, for my dad...so, we rented a house in Lewes for a LONG Holiday w/e...even Hurrican Earl was good to us and didn't bother us...we enjoyed fun and sun...best time ever!  I know my dad loved it!

This is the BAY at Lewes, as you can see, we have waves, thx Earl!

Fast friends...Ash meets a new friend, Isabella

Collin & Sarah

Jim and Ash

Diggin into DQ!

fun at 2 Scoops!

Chillaxin!

CHEERS to family and the beach!

Happy Hour!

A fun night at SHAY MILYO house...they had a house make-over...got rid of the Country look and more of darks and coffee look...awesome job!