20 days....

Yes, its been just about 20 days since I updated this blog and I am so sorry. It has been busy but I know that is no excuse. Ryan moved into his house so every day has been spent cleaning, painting, mowing, organizing, you name it. Now, all he needs is window treatments and the rest will come later...couches, stove, basement and a little decor. Ryan is very happy to finally be in a house again!! Soon, I will add pictures of the inside and then hopefully you can all come and visit!! This weekend Ryan said, "lets take a break from the house and enjoy the outside for a bit." I was very excited for that so we decided to go to Starved Rock. We were there last year about the same weekend. It was fall colors weekend so we tried to capture some good shots. We still saw a lot of green though. Which I don't mind cause I am not ready for winter. Here are a couple pics of this year and last.

This year, me in the cave

Last year, Ryan in the cave

This year, Ryan deep in thought, he did not know I took this

Fall colors!!!!!!!!!

This year

Last year at the same spot

I will hopefully be adding more things soon. And to those of you who are frequent blog adders....you rock and I wish I could more like you!!!!!

Go Bears Go!!! 24-20 Bears over Eagles

Thanks Bec...for the pics :) Ryan finally closed on his house and we are so excited!!! Lots of work to do, and lots of weeds to pull in the front as you can see....but its going to be a lot of fun !! I will post more pics when it looks like some one lives there. The appliances come in today!

Housewarming party to come down the road :) We registered at........ha ha just kidding !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY 30TH CAROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Today is a special day because Carol Kagann Johnson turns 30! I have known Carol since the first grade at St. Scholastica.....a time when we would play boys chase girls, dodgeball, panther football, sleep overs, the movie girls just want to have fun, when carol pierced my ears with a needle and ice and when we used to dress up her rabbit in underwear....oh dont let me forget...we used to shake up 2 liters of pop in her kitchen and then open them up and run out of the room....what were we thinking...I have so many fond memories of Carol poo poo.....Carol, I even found a note you gave me about GERT. And I wont forget that I found the matza cracker!!!

Anyway....Carol's wonderful husband planned a surprise party for Carol this past Saturday...she had noooooooo clue. There is a mexican restaurant across the street from their place that has a really nice patio. So, we were all up there looking over when Ted and Carol were leaving for what Carol thought was a steak dinner....Ted had ran 20 miles that day for the marathon and deserved a steak!!!! So, off they went and to Carol's surprise...she walked out...Corey yelled..."Hey Carol".....the look on her face was priceless. And then the party began....it was soooooo fun...I laughed so hard.....and Carol ended the night in a bang....literally....she fell in the tub and the shower curtain and rod fell on her tooo.....I think its my fault....sorry Carol.....I had such a blast!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY 30 TH GIRL.....YOU ROCK!!!!!

When she walked out and looked up...had to look away....

Walking over....

And when she saw all the guests

Even Hendrix was in attendance!!!!!!

Marina (my roo), Liz, Thu and myself

we are all looking at different camaras, can you tell?

Me and Ry guy.....

DA BEARS KICK SOME COLTS BOOTIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOO HOO...WAY TO START THE SEASON......

I made it!!

If you have seen Becky's blog....then you know I did not drown! I finished my first triathlon. Kelly and my triathlon training group really helped to motivate me. Thanks Kel for coming down for the Lake Michigan practice swims. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be swimming in the Lake. And of course, now today...I am thinking...what next?

A special thanks to my fan club....Kristy, Becky and Melissa, Ryan, his parents and my mom for getting up before the sun even opened its eyes. Having you there was a gift. As far as the whole experience...I had fun. I really did. The swim was the scariest as I could not catch my breathe for about 10 minutes. I think it was just the atmosphere and swimmers all over the place and maybe nearly ramming into a boat. But overall, I think triathlons are cool. And you hurt less than a marathon and the training is a lot shorter. The bike shorts on the other hand....and the extra padding in the middle, its like a diaper and then....just get used to being wet!!! and hungry all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!