College Roomie weekend away in Naples! #Thisis40

Twas the year 1997 when we all escaped to LA for the Rose bowl game - 9 girls, one apartment

(my cousin's bless his heart)  and 

1 mini van -  Some of us had been roommates for 4 years at that time - some just one 

5 of us were able to reunite in a beautiful condo in Naples - almost 6!  Sherry, we missed you!

We landed on a rather rainy afternoon (a good time to arrive right?) and settled in the Condo - Michele's folks rent this condo for a few months in the winter and were gracious to go stay with friends for the weekend so we could enjoy the time together.

That night I managed to get the crew together and head to a liquor store that our friends from our softball days - Lauren and Kathy opened as their retirement project.  They were having a HUGE tasting that evening.  We managed to grab food and lots of yummy samples - even managed a quick link up with these guys!  My folks were staying in Sanibel just one more night and came out to say hi!

One of the best things about the weekend was just the time with everyone - I loved our evenings with a glass of wine talking about life - with many years and directions between us there was really never a dull moment and I never thought we ran out of things to talk about.

Friday we opted to go find the sandy beach - brrrr - it was windy!

We cuddled up for this photo and for a bit of warmth - Love how this photo turned out.

Toes in the water - almost at least.

Next a little walk along 5th avenue to find a kid 'unfriendly' place to eat.

and maybe an alligator

We came back to this beautiful flower arrangement and bottle of Champagne from our sweet senior year roommate Wendy!  So thoughtful of her!

Now to warm up in the hot tub

Yes - lots of selfies!

That night was a fabulous dinner at Roy's steakhouse - another 'kid unfriendly' place - well I guess you could take your kiddos, but why??

Saturday was NICE - sunny, warm enough to occupy one of these beautiful chairs and just sit by the pool

So that is exactly what we did.

They brought us drinks and lunch - I am not one for taking photos of my food - but this was a MUST!

There were kids at these pools, but the one we chose was actually too cold, everyone that got in, got right back out.  Wise choice for this kidless crew (did I mention, between the 5 of us, 14 kids!)

In the afternoon, Nicole, Lisa and I escaped for a little paddle board yoga - I was looking for an experience that I really just won't do with kiddos - this was it!  Anna was our instructor from Germany - we paddled out to a secluded area for no waves and went through a simple yoga class - 

Simple until you realized you were on a board.

Well, Nicole made it look very simple!  I was amazed at how quickly she was able to steady herself and do this!

I had a few poses

This one is called the disappearing top half - not my shirt, my entire body!

Anna recommended pulling to the side of the road on the drive home and just watching the sunset - so glad we did.  The sky was BEAUTIFUL!

Had to try the leaping across the beach photo - didn't work out as I had imagined - but still cool

Pretty ladies

We got home, prettied up and headed out to dinner

Met some golfers on the way home too (this was the appropriate photo)

I brought a photo album I had put together right after college, so there were some great photos in there - figured these ladies were the only ones who might remotely appreciate them, so I hauled them all the way out to florida - here was another favorite combo

Sunday morning Nicole and Michele had a rather early flight, while Lisa, Alaine and I got to soak in another morning by the pool - so rushing, just chatting - again, I just soaked in the extra time with these ladies - we tried not to talk kids because I wanted to know who we turned into, what we loved, what frustrates us, what makes us feel awesome.  These ladies walked into my life in 1994 and were a HUGE part of why I LOVED college life.  

I love what each of them is doing in their lives right now - their successes, their hurdles - many I thank them all for taking the time out of their daily lives to make this weekend truly possible. 

 There is nothing simple about putting life on hold, booking tickets finding accommodations etc.. but it was important to us and we made it happen.  I hope they truly know how that made ME feel as well.  Love you all for exactly who you are!  

I feel this year of turning 40 makes me realize how happy I am right now - right here - in this life - with this family -  with these friends and these experiences that have made my who I am today.  I hope we can all take that with us.

And we ski -

Opening night at Ski Sundown - lets go!  We saw all our neighbors there and got so very excited for the season to come.  Also very impressed by our skiers!

Nick and Shane are quiet good while Drew is still fearless -  hoping to get some turns in him this season.  Thanks for the family photo Linus!

Than its my first day of 'work'  Yes every Tuesday day and Friday afternoon I get to put on my skis and spend the day at the mountain teaching others this sport.  Tuesdays is a women program which is truly wonderful.  The mountain in the morning is rather surreal - after the program was over - Fred - who has been with the mountain teaching, on ski patrol etc for 25 years!  he impart some wisdom on us!

See - I really couldn't believe I am considered an employee and that our schedule allows for this!

How bout a little snow at home - clearly the kiddos will sled on anything.

The Monday of MLK weekend and I am working to help out with the holiday hours - all the instructors meet at 8:30 - there is a bit of a 'pep talk' for the day and than off we go (provide there are no lessons)  the mountain turns into a sea of blue jackets!

Here we all go - this photo does not to it justice - it was a beautiful morning!

Still cant believe it = still loving it

The day was so beautiful i asked Chris to bring Drew right after school and the boys joined us off the bus -

love being this close

Look at those rosy cheeks - anyone headed to Satan's stairway??  not after out debacle on stinger right??  Boys and the black diamonds!

Truth be told - without this gig at Sundown - we really won't see snow all that much - one more reason to be thankful!  When I took this selfie Nick said, you can't even tell if I am smiling - I can see it in your eyes kiddo!

Yes, Shane gets goofy on the slopes too.

Must we go??

Any idea how early it is?  So some reason this alarm clock was no fun to hear - No parks, no pools, only a car for the next 12-14 hours

I took only a few photos of our hang out area (actually Macy and Tate would sleep in that pull out sofa once we went to bed.

Perfect place for breakfast

We drove home with minimal traffic and listened to some really cool podcasts finding great blogs (house of rose and Marriage and more and a few ted talks - ) Kept us going, kept us chatting and the kiddos enjoyed movie after movie - the boys car needed some charger as their movie player wasn't working as well - Boo

Got in rather late at the McCulloughs, spilled into bed - 

we debated the merits of staying Sunday here in DC avoiding traffic, but in the end, Chris was right in opting to get home and start our week back right - with a Super Bowl reinuio on the horizons with the McCulloughs the good bye wasn't too hard - but putting this long looked forward to trip behind us was bittersweet.

Next stop a quick hug to the Leadbetters on Sunday morning (they were so gracious to be so flexible with our plans) we were able to go in and catch up for 30 minutes before hitting the final leg of our adventure safely home.

One final Day

Friday was a day of rest - Why, because we really had 

DONE

IT

ALL!

Success.  

Our kids were truly the rockstars - never whining - never needing that ONE souvenir.  Always willing to take the next step (or fight their buddy for a seat in the stroller)  Tate wins the award for NEVER getting in the stroller - a true big kid!

So Friday morning we woke up feeling AWESOME.  I made breakfast and we planned our day

With 2 HUGE football games to watch - timing was everything (so was feeding the turtles and fish)

The boys took the kiddos down to the pool while Farrah and I putzed around with photos etc...  Even had a hysterical conversation with the towel guys - cant repeat it, but hope to remember it.

When we linked up with the boys and sent them along to Hooters to watch the game they kept asking if we were sure we didn't mind - Farrah said it SO well.  We really didn't need a break from the kiddos - Seriously, we were at the POOL with them.  They didn't need us entertaining them - we were with each other and this was vacation  - You guys enjoy the game - we are THRILLED.  Couldn't imagine ANYWHERE else I wanted to be.

They weren't lying about the turtles and fish needing to be fed - Geesh - look at the size of them!

MORE FOOD!

meanwhile at a Hooters across the way - These boys do have one good looking waitress.  She was in the calendar SEVERAL times and happily posed for a photo - honestly, those are 2 dark good looking guys in that photo!  Thanks for bringing 2 helpings of fried pickles home!  Just when I thought we were eating O.k. - 

There was a point when folks though Michigan would play Tennessee which would have been epic - however I preferred this ending WAY better.  Tennessee played a solid awesome game beating Northwestern and Michigan did the same against Florida - happy campers ALL AROUND.

Go team!

Sweet little afternoon game that the McCullough brought - yummy or yucky from Jelly Bellies - Spin a white and is it coconut or baby wipes?

is it chocolate or dog food?

YUCK

How bout a REALLY big beer?

A little needed chill time while we pull together dinner - Nuggets and Venezuelan anyone?

Early to bed, Early to rise - going to bed i had that sinking feeling - its over - we worked for, look forward too and just LOVED this vacation!