First place it is!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it's hard to see! I was soooo excited I couldn't keep the camera still!
Here is Megan, taking 1st place All Around for level 5 Junior, with a total score of 35.05!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The successful team takes home 14 medals just in level 5!

Gymnasts Megan, Kristina, Elizabeth, Ashlyn, Riley, Lajayeda, and Ellie
Coach Jane in the red shirt

Megan with Elizabeth and Lajayeda

And so ends the night of the competition...

We had a little fun with some flexibility...

Taking home the gold...

Up close and personal!

Exhilaration is the word!

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Wow, I am so overwhelmed writing this post!

I apologize that I can't upload pictures or video at this point. My internet connection at the hotel is just not holding up. Right now I am in the business center and of course can't access any of my personal stuff!

But YES, amidst other breaking news of Michael Jackson's death, Farah Fawcett's departure, and other sad news...we have breaking news of our own!!!!

This week we attended the YMCA gymnastics Nationals competition in Downingtown, PA. Wednesday was opening ceremonies, with Shannon Miller as a guest speaker, and then Megan competed on Thursday with her teammates. In all, 14 gymnasts from our county Y attended!!

For level 5, Junior level - Megan took the gold!!! She placed 1st all around with a high score of 35.05, her highest personal best EVER!!!!! She placed 2nd in Beam and Bars, but because of her consistently high scores, was able to take home the big one!

So happy to share our breaking news. Join me while we float on cloud 9!

Pictures and video to come next week. Until then - we are Liberty Bell, Princeton, and NYC bound!!!! See you all soon.

A quick 24 hours in Vegas

I had to make a quick trip to Vegas on business.
Since it had been a few years since I was there 4 times a year, I decided to stop in my fav spots for some photos.
Even though our plane was delayed, we went out for dinner and then headed to the Bellagio after.
Why you ask?

Not for gambling. Not for shopping.

For the amazing bakery, World's Largest Chocolate fountain and the most amazing indoor gardens!!!
of COURSE!


The pic of the fountain just doesn't do it justice...

I didn't know it had made the Guiness Book!

Here are the details! Put it on your Bucket list to see!

A view of the Eiffel tower - we aren't in Ohio anymore????

Chihuly and the Gardens

One of my fav stops is at the Bellagio to enjoy the Chihuly glass flowers in the lobby,
and the ever-changing gardens.
The gardens are more beautiful and fascinating each time I am here.
Unfortunately, it was dark by the time we reached the Bellagio (10:30 pm), so you are getting the evening version. :)



Chihuly flowers on the lobby ceiling

Gorgeous!

The snail's body is made of fresh, live roses

The watering cans served 2 purposes - amazing decor and function as the keep the plants and flowers hydrated!

The gardens at the Bellagio

The scenery just amazes me - it changes every few months.

This time they had a gazing ball, a ferris wheel, and just an amazing fresh array of flowers and botanicals.
So wonderful to share!

The fountain at the Bellagio

One of the stops you can't miss in Vegas is the fountain show at the Bellagio.
Set to music, the fountain spouts water 50 feet in the air.
It's pretty amazing to see it shoot up that high!
This was a quick show as the evening wrapped up.

Las Vegas view from Treasure Island

This was at 4 am Ohio time!

A happy birthday surprise!

May 16th brought a very busy day in the middle of May!
It was Susan's birthday, and she was in for a treat!

Ian spent the day in King's Island with the 8th grade band.
Megan and I had our Race for the Cure gear on. That is as far as we got in our quest for a 5k.

That's okay. It was time to celebrate. Even though we knew the birthday girl herself was knee-deep in graduation preparations.
Painting, building the deck, cleaning, perfecting every knook and cranny of their home.
We knew she needed a break, even though she didn't know it herself!

So, we showed up in Blacklick.
Maria, Cassie, Abby, Megan and I.
Knocked on the door and whisked her away!~


Susan, surprised, not sure what is coming next!

Even though we leaked some secrets, yeahhhh we still surprised her!
(Rachael, Megan, Kara)

But now the Kool Krew was headed out for a girl's day at Easton!

We had a pedicure and headed off to lunch at McCormick's. What a great day!
(and glad Susan was the recipient of a random act of kindness...the manager at McCormick's bought her king crablegs lunch!!!)

An afternoon of fun!

Maria, Susan and Jen off to an afternoon at Easton

Emerging with beautiful toes and pampered feet from our first stop!

And finishing with a refreshing toast at McCormick's

Ian's last band concert

And so, my heart breaks just a little...
Ian's last band concert.
He has decided to move on to new activities - football!
Of course, my heart is breaking...
because I just bought his trombone last year....

hahahahahahaha

Here is the 8th grade band, under the direction of Traci Brandt:

Ian had an awesome solo!

Final performance!