How much is that doggy in the window?

It's true, I'm a dog person.

Most of my friends seem to be baby hungry, but I'm more puppy hungry.

I was telling my kids at practice the other day that it's human nature to want what we can't have, especially when we are told we can't have something. It's hard when you're the one telling yourself that you can't have something, like an adorable puppy.

I've talked about french bulldogs, but on my run this morning I saw two gorgeous Scottish Setters (or Gordon Setters).

Growing up with a spaniel, I might be more apt to go the route of Setter.

Happy Birthday

to a terrific sister-in-law!

Always Be ...

This past Wednesday was a monumental night for my kickball team (Always Be Catching). It's our rookie season and we have struggled to field a consistent team each week; we often find that each week half of our team is comprised of kickball virgins. All that means is that it will take us longer than the veterans to get into our groove. I think we hit it on Wednesday. We still lost ... BUT it was only by 2 runs, AND we held them to 5 runs. It felt great.

Some of the regulars


The night did not end there!
We continued on to a victorious night at an Irish Pub where we rocked trivia night. Always Be RIGHT! (N.B. Always get the "spicy potatoes" - they are basically the potato version of buffalo wings, and for chicken snots like myself, who refuse to eat off the bone, it really makes it a win-win).

Absolutely

I just returned from a fabulous weekend in Arizona. It was a two-fold trip that originated from my friend Kristen's wedding. For anyone that grew up on a swim team (or comparably crazy sport) you can understand the familial bond that you have with your teammates. Kristen and her Mom (Nancy) spent countless weekends with my mom and me in a myriad of hotel rooms throughout California. The most meaningful being the Woodfin Suites where we frequently rented Coming to America.

The second and less exciting fold of the trip was the work portion where I did site visits at:
The Biltmore
Four Seasons Scottsdale (my favorite)
Wild Horse Pass

All terrific properties, about which I will spare you the details, but if you want specifics please do email me.

The following photos will help highlight the wedding, which was nothing but fun. You would not have known at any point that Kristen was the "Bride to Be" if she wasn't wearing some type of obvious indicator (e.g. "Bride to Be" tank or wedding dress!). She was so collected and gracefully confident. She made it an absolutely enjoyable experience for everyone; a celebration.

The Bridal Party with the Bride
















.. with the groom
















The Wedding Party






















The family















(w/her sister Deena)

















(and adorable nephew Kyle)

















Sam and Kristen met on a plane while they were both traveling to Oregon (they attended OSU but did not know one another). There was a grooms cake and adorable favors of chocolate air planes that said "Love is in the Air".

















Typical Kristen face! :)
(N.B. her dress was gorgeous!)
















Fellow CCA swimming family, The Raabe's:















The great part about attending a wedding with fellow (retired) swimmers is that the broad-shoulder complex is less obvious (and maybe the permanent tan lines too!).

Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Griffin!






















If I am being honest this trip could easily be sold as a three-fold. I was able to spend time with other friends while I was there so it was an eventful weekend (so eventful that when I returned on Monday I found myself exhausted with some sort of 24 hour flu - yuck!). One conversation from the weekend that stands out was when a friend created a conversation around the word "absolutely". This word became an inside joke highlight of the weekend, regardless of context. The BEST part was when Sam (the groom) used the word during his vows, and Kristen in good humor jabbed back at him with "absolutely" as a response.