Everything works out...

After a stressful flight in (only had to land in Buffalo for 4 hours) Alyssa was wonderful enough to pick me up at the airport and take me out for some fun in Long Beach. We met new friends and laughed until our cheeks hurt.


The next day was the most perfect beach day I could ever wish for! The waves were great and the sun was shining. Alyssa and I had fun listing all of the camp songs we could remember. When Jess joined us, we realized she knew the same songs, too! So fun!

Crazy, Fun Friday

My day started off great and kept getting better. Laura, Jess and her son Michael came to Forest Hills to meet me for lunch. We remembered the good times at P.S. 68 and watched Michael make friends. We stopped in front of my old apartment building to take a picture. After many awful attempts with the automatic timer, we finally got it right!


Later I went into the city to meet up with Dana and Jenny for dinner. We had a fun time and could've survived for weeks just on the yummy bread. When Jenny mentioned that the Garden was crazy that night, we didn't think much of it.







As Jenny and I were walking toward Penn station after dinner, and I heard a guy trying to sell Dispatch tickets, I definitely did a double-take! The same Dispatch that Daniel and I love to listen to, and are so bummed that we can never see live? They broke up 4 years ago and we never got to see them in concert. Turns out they were doing a benefit concert right then and there! I ran in there as fast as I could after saying goodbye to shocked Jenny, and had the best time ever at the concert! It was amazing!




After the concert I took the train to Long Island. Of course Angel was there to lick my feet and go nuts on me as soon as I walked in the door. Gotta love her.

Grandma Mimi's 80th Birthday Party

My dad, Aunt Eileen and Uncle Al had been planning a surprise for months! It worked out great, and everyone was able to make it for a party. Grandma Mimi seemed surprised and so happy that everyone was all together. It was really nice to see everyone and catch up. The family photo in the backyard has remained a constant over the years, but everyone is just older!

Sidetrip to Philly

It's been forever since I've seen Rhonda and a trip to Philly was in order. We spent the day talking, walking, and shopping. Did I mention that no time with Rhon is complete without a big plate of chicken parm in front of us? We had a delicious dinner before I left. I miss you, Rhon! :(

Saratoga with Jess

A trip to NY couldn't be complete without a little getaway with Jess. We headed for the Springs! Saratoga Springs that is. The first night we went to a delicious Italian dinner. I was dying for Jess to tell them it was my birthday because we saw someone else getting fed their dessert on their birthday. She tricked me and told me she didn't want to tell them but secretly she did! I got fed some delicious tiramisu. We spent our time eating, kayaking, and eating some more. We made numerous stops at Dunkin' Donuts for some iced coffee, fixed just the way we wanted it.

Yummmm... Emilios

So if you haven't realized by this point that most of my daily activities on this trip revolved around food and friends, let me make you aware. Mike and I met at Emilios for some dinner and I got my old favorite. We reminisced about camp and I got filled in on all of the updates. We've come a long way since the Suffolk Y :)

Friday Fun

On Friday I went for sushi with Perrotta. Ann. Melissa. Anyway, we had a wonderful time until the children 2 tables over would not stop screaming... the little girl in particular. All of a sudden, I believe it was just as our food was arriving, the mom said, "She just peed on the floor!" And we were wondering why the girl was crying. Now we knew. Remind me to never bring children to a sushi restaurant with a full bladder.

Jayme's Day

The end of my trip was quickly upon me. Saturday started out with Jayme's beautiful bridal shower, at her parent's house. Lots of yummy food and fun presents for Jayme. Perhaps the bow bikini was her favorite present of all?





Later that night the girls hit the town for Jayme's bachelorette party. Most pictures are top secret, but here are a couple worth sharing. Jayme, Karyn and I stayed over at a fun hotel in the city, and Jayme introduced me to French Martinis... yum! I'll have to remember those back in Denver! I flew home the next day and was greeted by a panting Gus and a smiling Daniel at the airport (or was it the other way around?) Either way, it's good to be back!

Kickball time!

I joined a kickball team this year with my friend Jessica (next to me, holding the ball in the group photo.)
I haven't made it to many games, and we have lost most of them, but it's fun and that's all that counts!

July 4th Festivities

On the 4th we went over to D' and Matt's house for a little BBQ. Daniel had so much fun trying to get the perfect photos of the cutie little kids everywhere! Here is Elle sleeping on D's lap, and Madi as I feed her an ice cube.
















Saturday night we went to see some fireworks in Cherry Creek. D' and Elle met up with us and Elle tried to hang for the whole show. Although because it was so windy, they kept postponing the fireworks...by the end little Elle was not a happy camper. I'm glad they didn't cancel the show altogether... July 4th is not the same without some beautiful firework explosions in the sky!

Hiking with Fun Mel

Melanie and I went on a hike near Red Rocks and got a great view. Too bad the picture of the two of us together looks awful! (So I spared you from looking at it!) We had a fun time, as always.

An Amazing Gift

My class gave me this beautiful quilt at the end of the school year. A very talented mom put it together, and each student created one of the squares. I was so overwhelmed when I got it. It's probably the most incredible gift I have ever received! I can't wait to hang it in my new classroom this coming year!

Birthday weekend in the mountains

Ahhhh.... to turn 28 every weekend. We had such a nice time relaxing up in Grand Lake. There was a fun hammock right outside of our room at the bed and breakfast.












The rapids were just outside the restaurant where we had dinner on Saturday night. So pretty!








Gus loved it up there. He took every opportunity to run around like crazy and drink water out of anything he could: fountains, lakes, rivers...






















Did you know that Grand Lake is the largest natural lake in Colorado? We were lucky to have really nice weather to walk around and sit by the lake. Daniel was desperate to take Gus out on a canoe with us, but luckily I vetoed that idea (birthday girl privileges!)







Yum! A birthday glass of wine on the deck before dinner.









Gus had fun splashing around with this huge dog, Brewsky. If the water had been a little warmer, we might have gone in, too! One of these days Gus will really swim.