Paradise!

Marco Island in February is PARADISE! Despite our travel down, we had a perfect vacation. Ray works with such a great group of guys, so of course their wives were super sweet and fun. I loved that everything was planned and we just had to show up!

We stayed at the Marco Island Marriott Resort and Spa. Below is an image from the beach of the back of the hotel.

Ray and I at sunset before the awards dinner.

Michelle, Leigh Ann and Emily smile for the camera before dinner.

Julie has on flats and I actually have on heels!

The guys agreed to one picture...

of course we needed one of the girls too!

My favorite place...on the beach near the tiki hut!

Since we were so close to Cooper City, Aunt Sherry and Shannon drove down on Saturday to spend the day with us!

Final night...our view of the Beach Boys!

Catch Up...

I was having issues resizing images after an iPhoto update, but today I opened the tutorial and I'm back in business!

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated Dad and Caleb's birthday. Lily told me the morning of our party that she wanted Poppa to have a dog cake. Since I had a busy day, I just picked up some dog picks at the cake decorating store as well as a GiGi cupcakes for her and Poppa. She was super excited (and I think he was too!)!

After a delicious dinner we sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed their favorite cakes...cheese cake for Caleb and a carrot cake for dad!

WOW!

What a fun day at Lester! The weather was perfect and we had a great turn out. Today was all about planting, germination and pollination...

The Washington's start running when they see Rebecca!

Georgette helps Aria decide how to decorate her pot.

Little Man was so into his balloon...

Everyone is hard at work decorating their pots.

Tai Tai filling her pot with soil.

We had a great landscaper come and teach us about germination. The kids loved it!

Then Bee Keeper Doug came and talked about pollination. Did you know that 30% of our food depends on bees. I had no idea. The children were so attentive and enjoyed the honey tasting. I think we all learned a lot today!

Magic and Safety...

Ready Shelby has it down! They teach children how to be prepared through a magic show. Brilliant!

Happy Birthday Mom!

We got back just in time to celebrate mom's Birthday at Soul Fish!

We're home

And only 1 shell broke!

This is what 5 days on Marco

With some awesome people, free flowing alcohol, late nights of black jack, sailing, celebrating and not sleeping will do to a 34 year old!

I'm going to miss

Vince today! What a Wonderful trip, but it might take me till China to recover!

Yes he did bring his shoe

To Marco Island!!!

I'm pretty sure Ray

Has LOVED this 5 days at the beach!!

I want a catamaran...

For my Birthday!!!

Sailing!!!

Look who came to visit!

And they didn't leave out the kids...

The kids pool has a slide and a waterfall bar for the parents!

I'm a beach girl, but

This pool is pretty nice!

Lily and Nonna

Would love it here!! Maybe if we start saving now we can have mom a 60th Birthday down here!

On the way back from our shelling adventure...

I enjoyed the ride on our catamaran! We saw at least 10 dolphins and millions of beautiful shells, plus we got to soak up this beautiful weather! This is the life!

Hanging out...

On Marco Island!

Girls on the beach...

Loving it here!

Ray wins a daytime Emmy!!!

Headed on a 3 hour tour...

And we have seen 2 dolphins in the first 3 mins of our tour...

A few Of the girls...

Enjoying what the night had to offer!

Pre Reception...

Tonight we went to a Pre reception that was poolside at a local country club...it was really nice. Afterwards we went to where the locals hang out...Cathy O'Clarks for some live music and good times!

What a fun day!

The guys joined us @ 1pm for lunch on the beach with the seagulls! Just came up to get all fancy for a cocktail reception. I could adjust to this resort life!

It's 10am and where are you?

I'm in paradise! I skipped the breakfast, so I could do week 7, day 3 of Get Running since I'm feeling much better today (good bye pleurisy and please don't come back). So, I've jogged 3 miles and now you can find me here for the rest of the day!

16.5 hours later...

We have a bed and luggage! Good Night!

Atleast we are not alone...

8 of us got sent to Tampa! Melissa and Patrick are enjoying this beautiful dinner that ended with raindrops on our head!

Hello Stone Crabs....

Oh how Ray has missed you!

These boats

caught our fish! In Tampa...yes, we are in Tampa at Salt Rock Grill (per Ray's request). We got rerouted...my bags are in Detroit, but after dinner and 3 hours we will be on our Island!

It's 12:15 and we are still in Memphis...

The nose steering went out on our plane...so we blocked the runway for 30 minutes waiting for a tow. Then the part they needed was in Atlanta, so they canceled our flight. Now we are all charging our phones before we get on different routes...our next stop is now Tampa.

Ray's got a fake smile...

It's 8:15 and we are still in Memphis. Our flight was delayed due to this morning's lightening storm, finally take off, but get placed on a ground hold due to low ceiling in Atlanta. 30 mins later the ground hold is lifted and we start down the runway at full speed...plane comes to a complete stop (yes...in the middle of the runway) and we are now waiting for a tug! This had been a long day already!

Look what came today...

So proud of Ray for making Leadership Circle and so excited for 5 days on the beach in February!

The table is set...

Celebrating dad and Caleb's birthday tonight!!

Lily always loves to help cook...

Today she is helping me with the roasted vegetable canapés!! Yum!

Look who's at our house!

Thanks Memphis Beautiful...

For bring the Wartville Wizard to Lester PreK last night! Ensuring there are no little litter bugs here!

The P&P Girls

At our team outing with the Grizz!

One with the First TN guys...

Quick Pic...

The ceremony was beautiful and the homily was so relevant...then onto the reception for lots of dancing and a TN/AL shaker send off! Jeri looked beautiful and it was wonderful to see Arden!

Fun night in Anniston

For Jeri and Michael's wedding!

A bag of flour and a sack of sugar...

Yes, for the record that is 10 pounds since I started my get running program on January 7th. I've lost 15 lbs since I started my diet on January 1st, but I really think that first 5 was because I gave up diet cokes and Holiday sweets.

At work we started The Big Looser last Wednesday. Basically 15 of us put in $10. Whoever looses the highest percentage of body fat at the final weigh in on April 30th takes the pot. Do I think I will win, no way. I'm up against quite a few big guys. However, I did it to be a good team player. Plus I don't need a competition...I'm on a mission (just like I was in 2006). About the competition...there is a weigh in each week and if you loose you are good to go, if you stay flat you owe $1 and if you gain you owe $2. This week, we had 10 loose, 3 flat and 2 gain. Gain you might ask...yes! Some of the guys think that it is funny to temp each other with donuts and other sugary snacks!

My original goal was to loose 30 lbs before a trip the week of February 21st, but I realize that is not very realistic, but I do think 21 is reasonable. Then 30 lbs before I leave for China on March 19th. I'm still shooting for 60 by July 4th! And to the point where I am running most of a 5K by the 5K for Kids in May. Wish me luck!

After the first week, I really have not been that hungry overall except for when I skip my mid morning snack. I went with friends to eat Mexican 3 times in January and never once had a chip! I'm a huge fan of fugi apples and brown pears. I also like blackberries with Greek yogurt. Molly turned me onto the new yoplait key lime frozen yogurt bites...one 30 calorie bite cures my sweet tooth after dinner. Also, if I ever crave chocolate instead of not having it (which would just make me mad and want to cheat on my diet) I go for a 25 calorie cup of hot chocolate or a fiber one chocolate brownie. Both of which are fantastic!

Other things I want to document for January. I'm walking/running to music which is something I have not done before. I love it. It is almost as if you get lost. Personal favorite running songs for January are LAFMO's Party Rock Anthem and Florence and the Machine's Dog Days are Over. Right now, I'm going for 40 minutes (16 of which are spent running) 5 times a week. Overall I'm pretty happy...heck, if I can stay on this path I'll hit my goal weight in 8 months. Here's to a great February!