Merry Christmas from the Hamiks to you!

You'll have to endure 2 videos...the kids couldn't get enough as we're cuddled up on Christmas Eve in our newly unwrapped jammies watching Home Alone...the ultimate kid Christmas movie!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Square One...With a Tree...

After 2 weeks of absolute silliness...my project's tree is back up, right where it started. It remains neutral to the season, right where it started. 99% of the parents support is, right where it started. God doesn't take us TO things without promising to bring us THROUGH it. Lesson learned: School officials should respect and obey the 1st amendment so we don't have to take the joy out of 2 more weeks of December. For the rest of us...when faced with opposition, remain cool, confident and determined...shine your Jesus light...pray...be heard and people will make the right call...if not, trust Jesus had a reason and be thankful you didn't say ridiculous things like others...ugh! On a super bright note...we had a $300 donation check dropped off and 2 people say they'd bring everything we still need to fill the boxes if we don't get all the donations this week. WOW...our display looks even prettier than before and we have an abundance of generosity flowing into the project...AMEN, GOD IS GREAT!

We're back to square one...the project is wonderful, kids will help decorate it with their own ornaments that they made in representation of themselves and 25 less fortunate families will have a huge care box dropped off at their house with everything they need to help make the holidays special...food, gifts, love and support. Thanks all for supporting me and Serena through this craziness...if I ever wanted to be a celebrity before I promise I'm running in the opposite direction now. If I see myself on tv or in print one more time looking pale, serious and and and...I don't know but its not a comfortable place to be...I'll bring my make up artist next time...geeeesh! To add to the silliness...a reporter tried to track me down for a "post-interview" and do an interview in the parking lot of Chase's strep throat doctor's appointment yesterday...I said no thank you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

With all of our crazy school stuff going on, I want to just say Merry Christmas to you all. Hug your family, turn of the house lights and lay in front of your tree and count your blessings...we all have blessings despite hard times...start with the blessing of life...if you're counting right now you must be alive so the first one is easy. Continue on to your home, the tree, the people that live in your home and go from there...we get stuck focusing on the "yuck" and forget about all the "amazing" in our lives.

"Joy to the world", the angels sing!

But its a GIVING TREE...

Oh boy, this is growing like wildfire. An extremely liberal community is stepping out to voice their outrage that a "Giving Tree" can no longer be in public display at our school even though it represents a project about the Spirit of Giving for our needy families at school. The project was my idea...the community owns the wildfire. I would like to compel everyone to think hard about an all or nothing policy being adopted. There's valid reasons for both and neither are against Christianity...just a fair and neutral existence...whichever way the tree falls...all or nothing.

The African Children's Choir...

The biggest yay we could say, "They're back and we're crazy excited about that!!!"  This will be our 4th adventure hosting the choir in our home.  They are a super young group this year, 7-10 year olds.  We have Benson, Jonah and Derrick this year and their chaperone, Tony, who was in the choir 20 years ago and is back to chaperone this tour.  Check out their website or facebook...Music For Life is a phenomenal organization which takes care of the choir kids and their continuing care and education for the rest of their young lives.  Lord, transport me to Uganda in my next life...

Here are some videos and pics from our first of 3 nights with the boys.   Chase read them their bedtime story (with their help), we danced to Beat It under our disco ball...and those boys move very different than during the concert...they have MJ down perfectly and we ate snack after they burned 8000 calories at their concert tonight...they ate 6 apples, 3 bananas, 6 mandarin oranges and 2 bags of popcorn...3 small boys...HUNGRY!!!

MONSTER DASH UPDATE...

SAILOR WON AN AWARED FOR

"9-11 AGE GROUP RACE WINNER"

Congrats Sailor for running your little heart out!

Monster Dash 2009

Today Auntie Sarah, Sailor and I ran in the 1st Annual Kiwanis Monster Dash to support Ashland School Foundation.  We ran the 5K and Sailor was one of the only kids to do the 5K instead of the 1 mile.  She rocked it and we won the costume contest for the "over 18 Group" category.

It was exhilarating to see her succeed and get that adrenaline rush in the last 1/4 mile when all the town was lining up on the street cheering runners to the finish line and oohing and ahhing at the cute little lady bug running by with all the big people.  Fun day...time to relax and play with our friends coming over to hang on the evening of Oct. 31.

Note:  Sailor contributed the awesome finger knitted red ankle cuffs to our costume...she's so cute!

Boulevard Coffee Official Ribbon Cutting

Ashland's Chamber of Commerce did their monthly Greeters meeting yesterday at BC and ended with our official ribbon cutting ceremony.  It was sillynd special at the same time.  AND YES, the scissors are HUGE and really do cut.  

My Halloween someday...

Disappear...Ahhh...breath it in...

On a day like this I want to crawl beneath a rock

A million miles from the world, the noise, the commotion

That never seems to stop

And on a day like this I want to run away from the routine

Run away from the daily grind that can suck the life

Right out of me

I only know of one place I can run to

Chorus:

I want to hide in You

The Way, the Life, the Truth

So I can disappear

And love is all there is to see

Coming out of me

And You become clear

As I disappear

I don't want to care about earthly things

Be caught up in all the lies that trick my eyes

They say it's all about me

I'm so tired of it being about me¦

I would rather be cast away

Separated from the human race

If I don't bring You glory

If I don't bring You glory

If I don't bring You glory

OH MY...I JUST DID MY FIRST "FAST"

So I just did a crazy thing to myself. My friend and I sat way too long watching our boys play baseball all weekend and what we ended up with was a silly undertaking for the upcoming week. We decided to do a NO GLUTEN - NO DAIRY - NO MEAT - NOTHING PROCESSED food plan. I lasted 4 days and then I gave up on the nuts, fruits and veggies. I suppose my pants might be baggier but the biggest lesson learned was how stinkin' many times in a day I wanted to grab a little of this and eat a little of that just because it was in front of me. I was very controlled through the whole thing so hopefully lesson learned is to catch myself before grabbing something that I really don't need. But oh baby, let me tell you...those banana nut chocolate muffins Chase made the other day went down nice and easy tonight!! :)

We love it when Pauly Paul comes to town...

I love our Christian musicians...and I especially love them when they are "local" and stay at the Stratford Inn. I love their message, their sincerity and their kindness. I love when they perform concerts and are able to say hi to my kids because they recognize them from show to show...we love Paul Wright and his band for staying with us and expiencing Boulevard Coffee for the first time and loving it!!!



Kim and Paul...
somebody's very happy to have this pic!

FB...who me???

So I said I'd never do it. Never say never right? Well, it's not a total "never"... I've joined Facebook...sort of. I still maintain that social networking via MS, FB, Twit... are not for me. In the wise words of Miley Cyrus..."I'd rather be living my life than living for others (in the context of updating her life via the www). Respect to all y'all who enjoy it...I just don't have the gene.

I'm now Tweeting and FBing for BOULEVARD COFFEE! Check us out and be a friend or fan or whatever that means. We're announcing contests, silly questions and special events. I think it makes sense for our business so hopefully you all like it too!

My baby is 7...are you kidding me!!!

Happy Birthday
Chase Hamik!

Grand Opening at Boulevard Coffee

We've finally arrived at the big day...we're officially advertising and screamin' from the rooftops for all to come in.

First Day of School

The first day is always a bit bittersweet...WE LOVE SUMMER but the lack of routine eventually wears on me and I become an overwhelmed, unfocused, crazy person by the end of August. Many new things this school year for our family. Chase, 1st grade, is our last child to enter into public school...we'll miss our beloved Pilot Rock Christian School dearly. Sailor, 3rd grade, is the oldest sibling in our newly built elementary school which means we're trying to get her to carry the "Big Sister" torch but she's not having it yet. Jett, oh my baby...6th grade, middle school he has entered and momma's feeling sad about it. He, classically, locked his locker combo INSIDE his locker on the first day but recovered well because he probably wasn't the only one. He is happy and confident doing the middle school thang...more and more responsibilities and privileges have been bestowed upon him over this past summer. He's taking to the pre-teen thing pretty well so far. Here's a pic of the first day of school...with Auntie Sarah who is on her 5th day of her new school...Ashland Massage Institute!

Last horrah of the summer...

We went to the Treehouse Resorts for our last family vacation before school starts. I heard about this place several years ago and always wanted to go. Here are the pics... our house was called the Swiss Family Treehouse and it was complete with a main treehouse accompanied by a bouncy bridge to the kid unit...so fun! The kids and I zip-lined through the trees for an hour, rode horses and enjoyed the semi-communal living amongst the other treehousers. It was Treetastic!

Pee Wee...here we come...

My sisters and I love our girly road trips. As of 5 minutes ago we have our next one planned. The day after Thanksgiving we are headed to HOLLYWOOD for 1 day to see Pee Wee do his thang...not Paul Reubens but PEE WEE!!! The 3 of us are dressing up, getting crazy and heading to Pee Wee's Playhouse...wahoo!!!! You know we'll have amazing pics to come!

Jett made the local paper this summer!

Jett was asked to be in our local paper as a Junior Ashlander spotlight kid. It was a fun thing for him to do. Check out the article...

http://www.dailytidings.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090722/LIFE/907220302/-1/LIFE

New Runner on board

Sailor has been interested in my new running hobby. We ran a practice 1 mile loop the other day and did some sprints because she wants to get in really good shape for soccer. She wants to run every night when time allows. Tonight was our Cascade Lakes Relay team reunion bbq at our house. We watched an awesome video slideshow of our race...so fun to reminisce. As soon as it was over Sailor wanted to go running. So at 9:00 pm after everyone was gone, Auntie Sarah, Sailor and I headed out into the dark streets to enjoy the night air, crickets singing and beautiful stars. We planned for another mile run but Sailor was happily chatting away the whole time so we kept going. We got home and mapped our run (mapmyrun.com) and we ran 2.5 miles!!!! Oh my goodness...Sailor was beaming when we told her how far she went. She's so excited and is set on running the October 5K run with me and Auntie Sarah. I've imagined a life of exercising with my kids since I was a teenager and tonight just sunk in to me that the time is here...what an exciting blessing!

Holy Bat, Man...Batman!

Our cats are notorious for catching prizes and bringing them in the house: dragonflies, butterflies, big birds, hummingbirds, RATS and now tonight...a new prize...a bat...she was batting, pardon the pun, it around and then it flew by our heads late at night and then...we caught it on video...



If you listen carefully...BAT SONAR IS IN FULL EFFECT!

With Vicodin, comes Wisdom...

My 2 existing wisdom teeth went to the Tooth Fairy yesterday so I had an all day date with my bottle of Vicodin. My sweet sis, Sarah, was an amazing nurse. I have had my fill of corn soup, popsicles and pudding. I need NACHOS!!! I've enjoyed a couple of days chillin' and watching movies...if it takes getting wisdom teeth pulled to have a "Momma Break"...I think I'd do it all over again!

Loving the Oregon Coast

We headed to our family's beach house for a quickie weekend with friends. The girls' BBFs came with their family so there was lots of girly love going around. We played dress up one afternoon...the daddy's didn't like their girls looking like they were headed to prom...it didn't take long for them to look like haggard prom dates the morning after though. :) I personally love the pic of Chase and Josh bonding over their first (cough cough) beer together!

Jett goes to college...

Say it ain't so Joe...we dropped off Jett at OSU Beaver Baseball Camp last week and it was extremely strange. Josh and I left the girls at Auntie Baboo's house the day after my race to take Jett to college. We settled him in his dorm and left him in the courtyard awaiting stranger adults to care for him for the next 5 days. Jett has been having major "falling asleep" issues...anxiety, growth, pre-teen hormones, whatever it is I was anxious about him not having me to help him fall asleep each night. Therefore, I sent drugs with him, Tylenol PM to be specific but it was the best I could come up with to help him fall asleep if he needed it. He went with 3 friends. One had a phone for all the boys to use but no one did EXCEPT for my son. He called at every break to cheerfully say, "Hi" and 14 times between 9 pm-1 am crying for me to come "save" him from his sleep issues. It was so sad but we prayed and encouraged and STRONGLY encouraged and he got through it and is even talking about going to camp again...hmm...we'll see...
Pic #1 - Jett chillin' in his dorm! I worked hard all week prior to camp to give him good roommate etiquette and personal hygiene 101 lessons.
Pic #2 - The 3 boys, looking slightly scared yet trying to play it cool, as we said farewell for the week.
Pic #3 - We look WAY too young to be dropping our baby off at college...hopefully we'll still say this in 7 years when we do it for real...did I just say 7 years???
Pic #4 - Jett catching in the "Show Case" on the final day of camp...his friend Kye up to bat.

Cascade Lakes Relay 2009

It's been 4 months since I hesitantly pushed SEND on an email to Chase's kindergarten teacher accepting an invitation to be a part of a 12 person team running a 216 mile relay, the longest in the USA, through the woods, dessert and boonies in the heat of the summer. Well, here are the pics to prove my craziness. I DID IT AND LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT!!! This was one of the most fun experiences of my life. My sis did it with me which made it super special. We had a paramedics scare with one of our teammates and I had my own small disaster. Picture a pitch black 2 lane narrow highway at 1:30 in the morning...me with a headlamp and reflector vest on and a certain pothole ready to gobble up my foot. I was one mile into my 2nd leg of the race, 5.5 miles in the wee hours of the morning. My headlamp wasn't quite doing its job, I was listening to my worship music softly trying to distract myself from the russling going on in the forest next to me when SMACK...I crashed to my knees and apparently, by the blood, to my forearms, hands and fingers. Confused and searching for my water bottle I flung into the bushes, I got up and figured all I could do was finish my 4.5 miles since there was no one around me and I didn't want to get eaten sitting on the side of the road. God bless my teammates because a few moments later they came upon me and asked if I was okay. They gave me some antiseptic wipes, sent me on my way and thankfully followed behind me with bright headlights the rest of my leg. The scrapes and scabs are slowly starting to disappear...what a memory. I'd do it all again to have the memories, bonding and accomplishment I feel after doing this. GO TEAM TWISTED BLISTER!!!

Neighbors...ugh...

So I have a problem and I keep reminding myself that my problem isn't my problem...it's how I deal with my problem. Let me start from the beginning...2 years ago an empty-nester couple moved into the house that shared our back fence with us. Last summer as we were building our trampoline and getting ready to place it in the back corner of our yard, the woman neighbor "sweetly" told us she was much happier when our family was away on vacation and wanted us to either put the tramp in the front yard or use the local parks, "that's what they're there for". Biting our tongues, we kindly responded back that we've lived here for 10 years, have raised our children in this home and intend on making our yard an inviting place for them and their friends so they will enjoy spending time at our home. Over the next several months, our kids and their friends have boisterously loved our backyard, the tramp and pool. We live in a neighborhood with houses everywhere and kids everywhere. These neighbors have asked us to keep our "screaming kids" quiet on several occasions and informed us that we have no boundaries on our children. All of this I've hesitantly just taken as them being grumpy people who must have raised their children in straight jackets and banned any form of play, laughter, joy and fun. Granted no one likes SCREAMING kids but isn't there a difference between screaming and little girls being little girls having fun on a hot summer day in the pool for an hour laughing, playing and splashing...apparently according to our neighbors there's something terribly wrong with that and it reflects badly on our parenting. Today the "gentleman" YELLED at the top of his lungs at the 4 girls on the tramp who were over for a slumber party and the 2 boys in the pool because they were being too loud. My strong loving husband kindly marched over to the fence after the terrified girls came inside and told him what had happened. He explained to the neighbor, "DON'T EVER YELL AT MY KIDS AGAIN, If you need to say something you can knock on my door and I'll be happy to respect your wishes but DON'T EVER YELL AT MY KIDS AGAIN!" I think the neighbor thinks we raise our kids like wolves but what's frustrating is that they don't know us at all...who we are, our values or rules our parenting...
The simple fact that the Hamiks like to have CRAZY FUN and utilize our great backyard is causing much strife with these particular neighbors. We happen to have a great street of neighbors that all get along and respect one another and no one fights with anyone. These grumpy people aren't even on our block or street, they just don't like hearing the kids playing. I'd like to offer them literature on some of our beautiful 55 and older communities in town because they seem genuinely shocked at what they've gotten into moving into an area with lots of families with small children.

Okay...venting is done...WHAT DO I DO NOW? I keep asking myself how can I rise above their aggression and make amends but I have no plans on shutting my kids up on the 2-3 occasions a week when they have friends over and are playing in our yard...possibly being noisy for an hour max...am I so wrong to think this is okay or do you think I'm raising my kids like wild animals??? I need encouragement on rising above their yuckiness, shining my light and teaching my kids how to respect grumpy adults. UGH...WHAT DO I DO???

Tips from the Retro Recycler...

It's becoming a joke now that my first tattoo was a recycling tattoo...I was eco-friendly before it was cool. Therefore, I've given myself the name of the Retro Recycler and I plan on gracing y'all with some factoids that'll get you thinkin' and hopefully get you actin'.

The Bottled Water Problem
*Still drinking bottled water when you could safely filter or turn on a tap? Consider:
*1.5 million barrels of oil are used to make water bottles in the U.S. each year.
*Bottled water also requires oil for shipping, refrigerating, and even recycling.
*86% of plastic bottles in the U.S. end up in a landfill or incinerator.
*More than 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills and incinerators every day — 22 billion a year.
*Water quality standards set by the EPA for tap water are more stringent than the FDA’s standards for bottled water.
*Ounce for ounce, bottled water costs more than gasoline.
Container Recycling Institute

My vote: get yourself a fabulous stylin' aluminum or stainless steel water bottle at one of my favorite sites: Eco-usable products, SIGG or Kleen Kanteen.

I love each year in my kids' classrooms seeing more and more Eco-logical bottles rather than those nasty Eco-destructive bottles. I suppose living in Ashland isn't giving me a fair representation around the country...gotta love crazy "Green Lovers"!

We'll miss you Michael...

Our home was saddened today by the passing of MJ. We are glad he'll be able to rest peacefully in Heaven. My girls danced to BAD this year in their Hip Hop Show and Jett danced THRILLER in front of his whole school during their last assembly in May. My favorite two MJ memories are the "Making of Thriller" video we had growing up and I think all 4 of us siblings watched it 10,000 times and memorized the whole thing. My second favorite memory is dancing to PYT in the 3rd grade with my best friend over and over and thrusting on the "Ugh" part over and over again...I even had an off the shoulder unfinished looking PYT shirt I would wear. YEEEESSS!!!

What are your favorite MJ memories?

Sarah and I celebrated his GRADUATION today by having a MJ music dance party on our porch and front yard. Sailor practiced her moonwalk and wanted to know if Michael did "this" when he danced (in the middle of her cartwheel and back walk-over.) We said maybe he did but mostly he moonwalked and then we showed her a few other favorite moves...which of course included the crotch grab and an "Oww" to boot.

I'm wearing my sparkling glove all day to VBS tomorrow and Sarah is playing MJ music through the system in the hotel and coffee bar all day tomorrow. :) :) MJ LOVE!

Vacation Bible School Swamp Style...

I LOVE VBS WEEK!!! I spend at least 20 hours at church this week helping in the craft room...I think it's been like 10 years running now I've volunteered. I was pregnant with at least 2 of my kids and remember several Baby Bjorn years. Anyway...here's the latest year's pics. Chase joined the big kid rotation this year, no more preschoolers for me, WIERD! Sailor hung with all her bestest buds and Jett graduated from being a kid at VBS to a Jr. Counselor. He's a preschool magnet with all the 2-4 year olds. Jett's always been an "energetic" child but I'm so proud of him because he's getting tons of kudos from the adults at what a loving, engaging and energetic (this time in a positive way) leader to the wee-kids he has been. The highlight of the week is that Chase asked Jesus to live in her heart. I can't even explain my heart about this except that I am truly grateful and blessed to have 3 amazing kids that have all decided to love Jesus...AWESOME!!!





Chase getting funky during closing Sing and Play!

happy Birthday...in true 80s fashion...

Today is Auntie Sarah's birthday. Since she was born in 1983, she decided to throw herself an 80s birthday. The only present she asked for was that we all come dressed up in TOTALLY RAD costumes. Surprisingly...everybody did!
The party guests included: Madonna, Olivia Newton-John and friends, Blondie, Bruce Springstein, a "revengeful" Nerd and his hooker gal pal, Richard Simmons, Sonny Crocket, Gem from the Holograms, butt-rocker and a super cute Billy Idol.
We played games such as a food relay, blind balloon hunting and an intense Connect 4 Tournament. The championship game was the birthday girl and Chase and no joke, completely legit, Chase won the whole 15 person tourney.
We ate a family recipe of Chicken Roll-ups, which Sarah said she hasn't had since the 80s so I had to teach her how to make them. Dessert was ladybug brownies sitting on pads of green ice-cream grass.

I've just got to say, "I LOVE MY FAMILY". My kids each said it throughout the evening how much they love our family because we're SILLY! To boot, we even had the cops at our door because our backyard neighbors were tired of hearing the 80s music playing outside for 4 hours. If you ask me, that's a successful party when the cops come...and laugh it off when a girl answers the door in a bright green wig and says, "I'm sorry officer, it's my birthday!"

Last day of school gymnastics...

On this special day, the girls finished their final day in Hot Shots class. They are super excited to move up to Level 4 so they can compete in meets starting this fall.

My Baby Has Graduated...With Honors...

Last night Chase graduated from Kindergarten. She looked beautiful and had lots of family from out of town to celebrate her special night with her. To our surprise (not so much if you've seen her ripped bod), she was awarded the NATIONAL Presidential Fitness Award because she exceeded the standard requirements for every fitness category for her age group. Wahoo...we were so proud of her. The best part, her class has 9 boys and 2 girls and the 2 girls won this award...GO GIRLS!!!

Encouragement...Straight from the dirt to the heart...

Tonight I saw Jesus' love in Ashland. Jett's team just pulled off an amazing super tight semi-final win to take him to the championship game on Saturday. During Jett's first at-bat he took a pitch in the kisser. He swiftly stormed out of the box, took a deep painful breath and involuntary yelled out, "Oooooh poop" because of the pain. His tooth cut a long slice into his top and bottom lip and it swelled purple and blue and blood immediately. He finished his at-bat and continued the entire game as catcher like a champ. We got home and Jett was just about asleep when the phone rang. It was the coach of other team calling to tell Jett he was a warrior and how proud he was of him sticking it out and playing hard for his team the rest of the game.

I've said many times what an amazing town Ashland is, not just for its wonderful versatility, culture and beauty but for the incredible sense of family there is. One place I feel so much of this love is at the Ashland baseball fields. Parents cheer for the pitcher and the batter by name, coaches encourage players from both teams when they make good plays, kids from the opposing team will encourage players who aren't having a great game. The boys smile on the mound when their buddies come up to bat and high fives from the fielders to the base runners after a great hit.

Tonight Jett's community, in the form of an opposing coach who's coached him in the past, made an effort to let Jett know he's supported and appreciated. I LOVE THIS TOWN!!! I love the small yet huge gifts God gives to my children in the form of community...other adults besides their parents giving encouragement, praise and love just because they want to make a difference in a child's life.

I'll sleep well tonight knowing there's love from all around being shared with my sweet little people!

10th Anniversary - Hamik / Tayler Memorial Weekend Beach Trip

We started out going to our family's beach house in Lincoln City with 3 families, which included 6 adults and one baby. We've evolved over the past 10 years to 2 families with 4 adults and 6 children. We take pics each year and they always end up looking exactly the same except the kids are a year older. We have routines that have become habit now like mom's do Memorial Weekend shopping at the outlets one morning and the dads go to their favorite beer spot, Mo's, for beer and clam chowder the next afternoon. The kids indulge the dads' campfire fixation by chowing on smores as many nights as they can squeeze out of them (adults are referred to as, "the moms" or "the dads".
This year we celebrated our 10th anniversary of the trip by doing an Olympics theme. We decorated the house in red/white/blue and put on Olympic games for 2 days. Team Campfire and Team Ocean competed hard, medals were awarded and ice-cream was slurped down after closing ceremonies. The pics show our spaghetti relay, limbo, obstacle course and more. Gotta love friends who are family!

Jump Jett Jump...

Jett came in first in his high jump event for the Ashland all-elementary school track meet. He also came in 3 in the 200 meters...who knew???

4 Chicks and a U-Haul...

My sis, Elizabeth, and I flew to Arizona to surprise our little sis, Sarah, and bring her back to Oregon. She's been traveling and teaching abroad for 2 years and we are so excited to have her home for awhile...as long as we can keep her down. She'll be living with us in Ashland going to massage school. My little peeps are crazy excited to have her living in "Heaven" our apt above the garage. We drove for 23 hours and slept 7 for a total trip of 30 hours start to finish. The U-Haul was meant for 2 and we improvised and made 4 seats out of it. We sang, read chapters about prominent women in history, munched and had a "lovely" lunch on Route 66...the actual road (pre-highway). Sweet memories were had and we celebrated our journey home with matching sister tatoos!






I'm the leg that was already shaved BEFORE the tatoo! :)