Siesta Key

 For my fortieth birthday, Lance sent Julie, my friend of twenty-seven years, and I to Siesta Key, Florida.  We had a week of sunshine, white sand beaches, yummy seafood, and rest. It was the best gift I have ever been given. . . my husband is the bomb!

My beach reading list:

A Long Walk: The true story of a trek to freedom by Slavomir Rawicz.  One of my high school students highly recommended this book.  Since I love to know what boys read, I grabbed it.  I started this book at the airport and soon discovered it was not a "beach read".  I set the book aside and finished it when I got home.  Set in 1941, it is the story of a Polish man who with six fellow prisoners escapes from a Soviet labor camp - in Siberia.  They walk thousands of miles by foot to British India - a fascinating tale.  I was captivated by the men in the story and their endurance, compassion and remarkable strength. A must read. . . .

61 Hours by Lee Child.  Reading a Lee Child book is one of my guilty pleasures.  The newest book in his Jack Reacher series did not disappoint.  Set in a blizzard in South Dakota, it was the perfect beach read.  My only question. . . . (and it is haunting me) did Lee kill Jack????

Shadow Baby by Allison McGhee.   FABULOUS book.  This is the story of eleven year old, Clara winter (spelled with a lower case - she has her reasons. . . .).  I laughed and even cried.  I don't want to give the story away:   Loved Clara, loved the old man,  loved this book. . .

I'm Back. . .

This past month has been full of wonderful adventures, leaving little time to blog. When I thought about it, my mom and sisters are the only ones who really read my blog, so it is not like the world was missing out on much. . .

We had a visit from my family - One mom, three sisters, a three year old and three (did you catch that? THREE) one year olds!! It was loud, crazy and wonderful. I am so grateful my family was willing to make the enormous effort to travel to see us. We hung out, visited, bounced babies and even suffered through several rounds of the stomach flu. . . Family - it is a beautiful thing~


Ty reading with Stella. As you can see from the book, this was one of our kids' favorites. . .

Mom, sisters and the babies at the Riverwalk in Pueblo, CO - a gorgeous day!!!

We took the whole crew bowling. It was fun, in a chaotic sort of way. . .

Mom, Elly, Em and I in Salida - we had just finished an amazing lunch at Amica's - yum!!

The day after everyone left, my friend, Elaine and I (pictured in AZ) loaded all our kids in the minivan and headed for San Diego. . . What an adventure!!

We explored La Jolla, Cabrillo tide pools, went on a whale watching cruise, and played on Coronado beach. Tommi said she is pretty sure God meant for her to live at the beach. . . I know the feeling!! We loved the ocean. . .

Tommi at La Jolla Cove. . .

Looking for Hermit crabs in LaJolla - Tommi, Elaine and Tyler

We found Peet's coffee in Carlsbad - Oh Yeah!!!

The ocean is not as warm as it looks, but we couldn't stay out of it. . . The highlight and reason for our trip, was to watch Christian (Elaine's son) perform in Rigoletto with the San Diego Opera. It was amazing - we were so proud of him and so grateful to get to experience opening night with thousands of other opera lovers. . . We are so blessed.

So, the big question: Have I been reading??? Some but not much. Read some Robert Crais, Jodi Piccoult, Laurie Halse Anderson, and I even read an Anothony Horowitz, but more on that later. . .