Scrapbook Weekend

OK - I am soooooooo ready for this!!!! I'm taking off early Friday morning with six members of Pages in Time's Design Team for a scrapbook retreat in Arcadia, Indiana - Crop-a-Doodle-Doo. This is a scrapbooking bed and breakfast (and spa) located in an old farmhouse north of Indianapolis. I'm planning to get a BUNCH of my cruise pages finished, along with a pedicure!! Only a scrapbooker would understand this - but we had to actually coordinate who was bringing what so that seven people wouldn't be duplicating mass amounts of supplies. (We have a tendancy to collect and hoard).

Worth the Wait!!!

The Marines of Company B came home on Saturday, amidst cheers, hugs and plenty of tears. Bobby met up with several of his friends from his first tour, along with Gunnery Sgt. Santos.



A red carpet was laid out, a high school band played the Marine Corp Hymm and the crowd's excitement was hard to contain.



Then the loud speaker announced that they were all on the buses and had left the airport with a police escort.

The greatest moment was hearing those sirens in the distance and then seeing those buses pull up with "Welcome Home MARINES" across the front of the bus. (And then, the batteries ran out on my camera).

Seeing my friend Mel reunite with her son brought on the tears and the memories. When he hugged me and said in my ear, "I can't believe you came" - I told him, "Honey, I wouldn't be anywhere else".

One More Day

....and they'll be home!!!!

I know that their families have to be on pins and needles today. God - how I remember this day four years ago!!!





http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/6660307.html?video=YHI

April Design Team "Flower" Assignment

I had this great shot of Katie in the Bahamas and decided to bring out the beautiful array of colors with an even larger array of flowers. This was a really fun and easy layout to create.

Coming Home....

The Marines from Bobby's unit are back on U.S. soil. My good friend Melody's son is a Sgt. in this unit on his second tour and I took her to lunch on Monday to celebrate the fact that they had left Iraq. I've just watched the news video of them coming off the plane in California and I'm sitting at my desk with tears running down my face. GOSH - does this bring back memories from 4 years ago!!!! (The big difference this time is that they lost one to sniper fire. How hard this must be for his parents to watch this video).

Our family and of course Bobby, plan to be there on Saturday to welcome Mel's son home, along with all the Marines of Company B.

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/6603152.html?video=YHI

...and here's some video of my friend, Mel - speaking from a mom's point of view.

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/6599677.html?video=YHI

Great News!!!

The Marines of Company B are in the air - on their way back to California after 7+ months in Iraq. They should be home - here in South Bend on Saturday!!!

Remembering back four years and the tears come easily!

Cohan/Costello Wedding

We had a wonderful weekend in Chicago - surrounded by family and friends and sharing Mark and Erin's day. What a beautiful way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day - the joining of the Costello Clan and the Cohan Clan!! The wedding included a bagpiper and then prior to dinner, we were entertained by Irish dancers.

Bobby's best man speech brought tears to my eyes - remembering how he and Mark met as freshman in high school and became best friends. He told how on that day in January of 2003, when he was activated to go to Iraq, he called Mark to tell him the news and two hours later, Mark was standing at his front door.

EXCEPT for the best man getting lost on the way to the church and arriving 10 minutes before the ceremony (with the rings in hand), it was a perfect day and a fun time was had by all!!





To enjoy more photos from the day....



Cohan/Costello Wedding'>http://

Cohan/Costello Wedding

St. Patty's Day - Let the Fun Begin!!

Of course, if you live in South Bend, Indiana - you celebrate St. Patrick's Day all year long - the home of the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. But this town really turns it up a notch this weekend and our beloved Irish play their first game in the NCAA tournament this afternoon. Think they'll show up wearing the green?

The men in the office are even talking about ordering pizza and watching this afternoon's game here at the office. Doesn't sound like much will be getting accomplished around here after 1:00!

Other than South Bend, the next BEST place to be on St. Patrick's Day - Chicago. And that's just where we'll be heading tomorrow morning. Bobby's best friend, Mark Cohan is getting married tomorrow and Bobby is the Best Man. These two are the BIGGEST Notre Dame fans on the face of the earth and it was no surprise when Mark chose March 17th for his wedding date. Of course, I'm sure his bride (Erin Costello - just a little more Irish here) had something to say about it.

So it should be a fun weekend - spent with family and just a few "Irish" friends.

Cruise Layouts

I'm slowly continuing on my trek to complete this cruise album. On our next cruise - I need to refrain from taking 500 pictures!!!

Here are some of the latest layouts....

Good Old Number "7"

The number "7" goes back a long way in this family as far as sports. Bob had this number in high school and college - for baseball. Once we were married and he got into playing softball, he always took the number "7" for his jersey.

When they were little, our kids would always get excited when they would get number "7" for their summer little league jerseys. "Look Dad - number "7" - just like you".

Carrie was the first to carry on the tradition in high school when she played softball for the Lions. She was so proud to wear that number - just like her dad. When it was time for the twins to play - Katie got the "7" and Colleen doubled it to "14". Two years later, Chrissie wore good old number "7" as the LaSalle Lions program came to an end.

Kevin went to Clay and much to the despair of his older siblings - proudly wore the purple and gold and even as a freshman, he got his hands on the infamous number "7" for baseball.






Last night, Kelli came home from softball practice - following a week of tryouts and cuts. She survived the cuts and walked in the door beaming - holding up her new jersey - you guessed it - number "7".

You'd better make us proud Kelli - the pressure of the family and the history of the number "7" is riding on your shoulders!!

Where is Spring?

We're trying to find it - but the northeast portion of this country is still in the grips of old man winter....5 degrees this morning and snow still blankets the ground! There are some encouraging signs for the weekend and next week, so let's keep our fingers crossed.

Kelli started softball tryouts last night - after two months of conditioning. Every night this week and Saturday, she'll be showing what she can do with her glove and her bat - at least as much as she can show in a batting cage and on a gym floor. (That ball can take some funny spins on a gym floor - compared to grass and dirt). Next week, actual practices start.

Katie and her team leave on Friday via a chartered bus to head to Pensacola for ten days of softball. Kind of wish I was going again - but last year we flew and they were playing 20 miles from my family. This year - traveling on a bus with 15 teenage girls.....no thanks.

This weekend, daylight savings time kicks in and we'll be seeing the sun until 8:00 at night. Really seems weird to see that much daylight in March - but I don't mind one bit. As soon as it warms up in the least, I'll look forward to some evening walks around the neighborhood with my lazy cocker spaniel.

I can't wait to see some crocus and some tulips!!!!!!!

Cruise Layouts

Had the house to myself last night and enjoyed the chance to complete some more layouts for my cruise album. Hoping to get a few more done tomorrow when I scrapbook with friends at Diane's house.

It won't be long before this weather breaks ( I hope ) and then scrapbooking will take a back seat to being OUTSIDE!! For the time being, I'll be getting as much accomplished on this cruise album as possible!!