be back soon...

I haven't been able to post lately because I just got back from a short, but much needed vacation! The first in over 7 years without our boys to be exact! I have been working extra before and after to catch up - so I'm hoping to be back at it next week....enjoy the pics!

sailing on the hobie - something we never have a chance to do without the kids - although it's fun with them too!

welcome aboard!!!

chillin on the island!

formal night! somehow i still fit in that 'perfect black dress' from college!

the cruise ship!

I took my machine in for annual service yesterday - hoping to have it back by tomorrow - I guess you get extra fast service in Florida before the 'birds' fly down! wowsers!

Welcome 2009

Happy New Year everyone,
I hope yours was lovely. We brought it in calm and steady but wishing for great things to come.

School starts again today - the break seemed so short, yet long and much needed. I, of course, didn't really do the things I thought I would. More lounging, sleeping in late, playing with the kids than much else. We have completely managed to disrupt our schedule by staying up late and sleeping in. In that sense I am ready to get back on a schedule of some type, yet also looking forward to spring and summer and sailing this year. I think austin is old enough to finally learn to start sailing a small boat by himself some which will be so exciting to watch and Tyler may be more manageable on the boat. They will both love swimming and it is bound to be easier to have them in the water this year. We have been going to the pool at the gym regularly over break and they are both really getting used to it and more comfortable in the water.

I have some big units on space and science i'm getting ready to do for school this month with a fieldtrip to the planetarium at the children's museum. It will be exciting and hopefully help winter go by a little faster!

i'm contemplating training / running a 1/2 marathon this spring. I have it narrowed down to 2 races or maybe both. Having a hard time finding the time to train so I need to nail that down in the next week or so and start progressing past the 3 mile mark!

okay - i'm ready for a crazy first day back...here we go

wow!

if you know us you know we are a huge sailing family...i will say that my husband is probably the most passionate about it with austin in a close second. i also love the water and most of the sailboats we've owned have had there own quaint uniqueness that i've been so fond of. i am very passionate too, but doug is competitive by nature so wins as the expert in our family. i win at being most passionate about running and crafting / creating : )

one of our 'many' boats along the way - this one was for racing...

one of our favorite blogs to read every morning over coffee is this one. This 16 year old kid is named Zac Sunderland and he left marina del ray, california on june 14th in a 36 foot sailboat in attempt to be the youngest male to sail {solo} around the world. wow. remember when you were 16? did you have a dream like this - and not only a dream - but the ambition to follow through with it? I am remembering when i was 16 and my dream was to learn to fly a private size plane, and unfortunately it didn't happen....this pales in comparison to sailing around the world. i just wanted to learn to fly - not solo around the world! if you have a minute check out his blog, even if you aren't an avid sailor, or know nothing about it, but appreciate ambition you will get something from this. it is so refreshing to see how many people are backing zac financially and spiritually hoping he succeeds.

doug coached soccer this fall for austin's team and really enjoyed it...i knew he'd be good from the beginning being so athletic, but i think he was a little skeptical of trying to teach 5 year old boys the strategy of soccer while just trying to hold their attention for an hour. their last game was last saturday and then were an exceptional team...doug was so proud of them and i was so proud that he was such a good teacher and didn't make it competitve, but just taught them how to play and love the sport. he has a new project for this fall / winter and is so excited. he has been wanting to create some sort of junior sailing program to grow the sport among young people...and not the sport of racing but the love of sailing. it looks like it is going to happen and i'm so proud that he is involved and helping renew the sport....more on this soon!

i'm working on a few creative projects and hope to share them soon!