The Fourth of July

We had a VERY busy Fourth of July this year...so busy, that it was rather difficult for me to take pictures...I was too busy going from here to there, frantically cleaning, cooking, or administering first aid, and really just enjoying spending the day with my family and friends.

Jason and I started the day by running a 5K race in Weston. It was a lot of fun...I improved my time by two whole minutes, and Jason SMOKED it...coming in just UNDER 30 minutes, with a 9-and-a-half-minute pace time. I'm pretty jealous.

Then it was home for quick showers and over to the chapel for the annual Pembroke Pines Ward Waffle Stomp...the Fourth of July breakfast, Pine Wood Derby Race, and Volleyball Game.

Since none of our Derby cars placed, and we were expecting company for barbecue, we skipped the game part and headed home to spruce up for the evenings festivities. We had several families come over to join us for barbecue, and spent the evening chilling and talking, with several small fireworks shows to keep the kids interested until the BIG show after dark.

After fireworks, we all sang Happy Birthday to Jason (he swears it was his best Birthday Song ever with the off-key screeching of no less than 15 children...not all of whom are pictured above...and 7 adults) and enjoyed Coconut Cake.

It was a great way to celebrate our countries birthday...we LOVE July Fourth!!!

Vegas Baby!!

In March, I had this wonderful opportunity to go to Las Vegas for a reunion of childhood friends...some of whom I hadn't seen in 20 years. We stayed at the Venetian Resort, and just had a really fantastic time. I laughed, I cried, I danced, I sang, and I totally didn't sleep for 4 days straight. It was a great time.

Oh...and you know that spiel about: "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"? Well...don't believe that crap...it's a total lie.

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I have amazing friends. I can't believe that they have stuck with me all these years. They are beautiful, accomplished, passionate, and caring. I loved every minute with them.

One of the coolest things we did was get a room/booth at the Tao Nightclub in the Venetian.

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WOW...that's really all I can say...W.O.W.

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That place is bumpin'. The music...the dancing...the decor (yeah...the naked chicks sitting in the concrete tubs with nothing but rose petals to cover them, or the ones massaging each other with oil at the doors to the club definitely add a little sumthin'-sumthin'...if ya know what I mean. I would've got pictures...but I couldn't stretch over and around the gaggle of guys standing still as statues with their jaws on the floor)...and we were there, up and above it all, with our own private staff to attend to our every desire.

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Soooooo cool...

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I had a marvelous time guys...

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Next time, let's crash Miami!!

Feliz Noche Buena!!!

In my family, we celebrate Christmas Eve with cookies, chili, and family. I really miss Christmas Eves surrounded by the Fraley uncles and cousins, laughing and giving gifts and being together.

Here in South Florida, traditions are different. True to our philosophy of experiencing every place we live to the fullest, we've temporarily suspended our own holiday traditions to adopt those of our surroundings. The last two years, we've celebrated a South American Christmas at our friends, the Inzas, This year, we were invited to a Cuban Noche Buena at my dear friends, Ily Gagnes.

Ily is a very dear friend of mine, and her daughter, Brianna, is Kaitlyns best friend. Unfortunately, Kaitlyn was spending Christmas in California with her dad, and couldn't go with us to the Gagnes...and we really missed her. But we had a good time, anyway!!!

Noche Buena doesn't begin until 8 or 9 pm (at the earliest). For Noche Buena (which means "Christmas Eve"), you roast a pig. This was our porky dinner...we debated all evening as to whether or not he was of the straw or stick variety (assuming all brick piggies were safe at home enjoying hot cocoa and waiting for Santa). Other traditional food is white rice, black beans, sweet Cuban tamales (SO GOOD!!), soft Cuban bread, and yucca w/ garlic. I used to hate yucca (we called it YUCK-A)...but Ilys' was fabulous, and I actually went back for seconds...garlic breath be damned!! It was SO DELICIOUS...both Jason and I pigged out (literally!!!).

Ily's oldest son Brandon was home from university for Christmas, which made Ily VERY happy. I love chatting with Brandon, so it made my day, too.

I look as chubby as I felt in this pic...but I love Ily so much that I don't care!!!

This is Ily and Kaitlyns best friend, Brianna! Merry Christmas!!!

When we got home (at an early hour for Miami...it was only 11pm!!), we discovered that the Christmas Eve Elf had been to our house, and dropped off the first presents of the holiday!! The kids got to un-wrappin' right quick!!!

Brig was so tired, he could hardly hold his eyes open. But check out the awesome new jammies the Christmas Elf brought!!

The girls got darling jammies, too!!!

Okay...we're ready for bed and Santa Claus!!

Merry Christmas to All...and to All, A Good Night!!!