She's Legal!!

Here's Sleeping Beauty on the start of her long awaited 21st BIRTHDAY! Just as beautiful and angelic as the day she was born oh so long ago. Em and dad flew in for the celebratory weekend. As the girls headed off to the spa for the day, dad headed for the links. Although the weather was foggy the air was warm and the hot tub welcoming. We quickly donned our robes

and proceeded to relax poolside with a glass of champagne prior to our services and lunch.

All that relaxing was exhausting.

Here is dad and his girls primed, primped and ready for a night on the town.

Our server brought a sampling of drinks for Melissa to taste. Yummy.....

A fun day for sure. Unfortunately, after 36 holes of golf and 6 hours of spa we were all bushed, home, and in bed before the stroke of midnight.

Happy Birthday Mel. Hope you had a good time. We all love you!!!

I <3 Colorado

Denver pretty much combines everything I love into one place: tons of dogs; outdoorsy pursuits like skiing, biking, and running; parks; 300 days of SUNSHINE a year. I think I might just have to move there someday soon. It is the closest thing I have found to heaven on earth. Ok, maybe I'm over-exaggerating out of exhaustion, but it ranks WAAAAAY up there.

(Kevin and me at Vail)

Kevin and I had a blast skiing, hanging out with his sister and brother-in-law, and riding all around the city on bikes. The weather was really nice while we were out there -- with temps reaching the 60s in the city, and hovering around 35 in the mountains.

(The crew at A-basin -- I'm the one in the middle with the white helmet)

The snow conditions on Friday and Saturday were less than ideal, but a few inches of snow and warm/sunny weather on Sunday more than made up for it. We skied Vail on Friday, a non-resort mountain called Arapahoe Basin (A-basin) on Saturday, and Breckenridge on Sunday. The mountains were all about 1.5 hours from Meghan and Matt's house (Meg is Kevin's sister). At A-basin we parked right next to the lift -- Beachfront parking as they call it -- and cooked some breakfast on the hibachi grill.

(View from Breckenridge)

Despite not having skied in almost 5 years, I managed to keep up with Kevin, Meg and Matt -- cruising down black and double black diamonds. I even did a few jumps in the mini-terrain park. I reached my limit on the "Extreme Conditions" runs and had to slide down a nearly sheer cliff on my butt. Oh well -- maybe next year.

(Sliding down the cliff)

Monster Jam!

I know I haven't blogged in a while, so I figured I would catch up on it. I am now 18 (woo!) and I had such a great time at my surprise party. As part of my birthday present, Melody got Sarah, Benny, and me tickets to Monster Jam. We all had so much fun! I dressed up in overalls for the occasion. We went to a tailgate with Mel's family, and then we went over to the Bolles tailgate. The actual show started at 7 so we went inside to watch. The trucks were huge and loud, and the stadium was packed! ... with rednecks of course. At half time there was even a mullet contest. After we left, the crew headed to Famous Amos for a late night breakfast. It's a Hoffman family tradition. By the time we got home I was exhausted and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I had such a great birthday weekend! Below are pictures from Monster Jam. (Mel Sarah and I, Brent and I, Blue Thunder, Benny and I)

Our Baby is 18!

I surprised Colleen for her birthday last night with dinner at the TPC with Andrea Koegler (her favorite family friend) and Mel and Sarah, two of her best friends from school. We missed the other Farn sister, Hayley. Isn't this the cutest cake ever? The celebration continues tomorrow when she turns redneck for the night at the Monster Truck Jam! Tailgate starts at 4:30pm and the festivities last until midnight and then out for breakfast at Famous Amos. Can't wait to see those pictures :)

Weary Travelers

The last two weekends have been spent on the road for Colleen, Jim and I. First, the Duke/Miami game in Durham. Since that will probably be my first and last basketball game at Cameron Indoor it was so exciting that not only did Duke win, but it was in OT. Down to the wire!

Then off to Wake Forest for a college visit with Kate and the girls. Colleen and I both really enjoyed our visit and tour. It was interesting to learn the history of the University. Although it is an old institution (1834), it only recently (that being a relative term) moved to Winston-Salem, 1956, and became a University, 1967. Beautiful grounds, buildings, dorms, library, etc. We found it odd and not that attractive that the trees in the quad had been toilet papered. That is a tradition stemming from a team rivalry from when the school was located in WF whenever they win a big game. They have a nationally ranked business school (application separately) and a top ranked study abroad program. 4-year on campus housing guaranteed, all freshmen dorm rooms have a fridge and micro as well as wireless. Laundry is included in tuition.

The library addition was added on without tearing down an outside wall which makes for a very neat atrium effect. They have a Starbucks on campus and are currently building a TGIFridays. The cafeteria is new and the food choices looked really appetizing and fresh. All made to order they said. Is this really a country club? Long drive home, but no longer than the Duke trip - about 8 hours, just a different route.

Then off to South Beach for a Valentine weekend getaway. Jim flew in from Dallas and we met a few friends from the Boston area. Jim and I golfed twice, the iguanas were everywhere. All colors and sizes. Didn't see a gator, but we know they were there somewhere.

Warm, sunny weather, great food, good times. What more can I ask for. My romantic husband who was sick as a dog the first 2 days, asked me to put his iPod on the player which I did. When turned on there was a playlist entitled Valentine's Day. He had researched the top love songs from the last 32 years (when we met in 1977) and had compiled them for a Valentine's day gift for me. I almost cried it was so sweet! He's a keeper.

Back in PVB with no plans for any travel for the next 3 months until Colleen graduates! As always, there's no place like home.

PMC 2009 Here I Come!

So, it's official: I registered for the 190 mile, 2-day Pan Mass Challenge -- Sturbridge to Provincetown!!! The race/challenge takes place the first weekend in August and I have committed to raise $4200 by October 1st to help further Cancer Research. It's definitely going to be a challenge but I am looking forward to training and brainstorming ways to reach my fundraising goals. I am planning to create a blog to chronicle my experience and hopefully encourage people to donate. More details to come...

Abbey's Big Day

Thought Melissa and Colleen would enjoy some pictures of Abbey's wedding. It was a beautiful day and a lovely ceremony even if we had the time wrong, arrived 10 minutes late, almost missed it, but luckily caught the important part ... the vows!

The happy couple cutting the cake.

The 3 high school BFFs.

The very cool "grooms cake". A southern tradition I had no idea existed.

Em and Kev.

Caitlin and Brandon.