Look Up and Laugh and Love and Lift: SSI 2010

My 10 favorite things about this year's PEEPLES SSI excursion (good photos courtesy of Gary):

1. Molly, my sister-in-law, was willing to answer all of my "mom" questions. We're as different as night and day but nothing will bring two women together faster than motherhood!

2. My mom has a very distinctive decorating style. She decorates to have fun and I love it - no stuffiness! She'll take any vacation rental home and add her own "fun" touch to it. Mom brought these fun parrot lights to liven up the house.

3. Madeline was a huge help with DM and so, so sweet. Cricket is still working on her babysitting skills but she isn't far behind.

4. Since she isn't my kid, I can embrace it - Cricket has NO fear of water. I love it but again, I wasn't the one jumping over chairs and tables to get to the pool before she jumped.

5. My brother was sweet enough to paint his girls' fingernails! (Sorry - no pic)

6. Again - the Brother. He was kind enough to photograph the week, even as we all cracked up (not sure what to make of David's response and his girls seemed to be the only ones worried) as he nearly fell to the ground after setting the camera timer yet again and running back to join the group. What a trooper!

7. DM exploring the beach. Not a year of my life has gone by that I haven't spent at least a week at the beach (aka: pool with a beach view) and I was thrilled to share this w/ DM.

8. One week without running. This was the first week I've taken off in years other than those taken off due to pregnancy. On this trip last year, I stood in the middle of the road pregnant and sobbing that I couldn't run in the heat anymore. After that, I decided I would never run in SSI July / August heat again. (Well no run = no picture! :))

9. I slept more on this trip than I have since DM was born. Not exactly me sleeping, but you get the picture.

10. A surprise dinner with the Gary crew! They found out at the last minute they were going to be in town for a bit. These two kiddos are precious, Kim can offer so much quality advice, and West, well, I've known him forever and he's always cracked me up. Excuse the awesome tourist trap / shop behind them.

10A. David was finally able to get out and play cheap golf.

These are my people. Our family is not perfect and many know that our political and religious views run the gamut, but we love each other. (I say this in my constant attempt to remain authentic on this blog.)