Dot the Dolphin

I just got the ole scanner working again. This is Dot from the cruise to the Bahamas. It was super cool being that close to a really big dolphin. She had a baby in the lagoon with her and would leave to make sure her baby wasn't going too far away. Then she would come back and the baby would be following her. There was a familiar look in her eyes when she would look at you. It was awesome.

Trip to Cali for Cousins Wedding

In the beginning of September the Frazees from all over the US met in Long Beach for the first grandchild's wedding! It was the first time that all of the grandchildren on the Frazee side of the family had been together in one place at one time. There are only 7 of us, but it obviously is difficult when two are from GA (TX), two are from MN and 3 are in CA.

I took tons more pictures, but with my dad's camera and I have yet to get that link to that album (HINT, HINT).

I had a great time. We drove around Long Beach and by my old house, school, jobs dad had, beaches mom took us to and old landmarks that I remember on my way home from Grandma & Grandpa's house. The Goodyear Blimp was still flying around and the Bug Squasher was still watching that mouse with the mallet behind his back. It used to be huge, but it was much smaller when we saw it this go round.



I had a fantastic time with my family and an even better time hanging out with my cousins and sister all together.

I can't wait until we all get together again.

From Trip to Cali

And more pictures from Dad's camera.

Another Trip

So much to say, so many stories, they will have to wait as i'm exhausted, but here are a few pictures of my recent adventure to NY for a Yankee Stadium hello and farewell.

Yankee Stadium

Stories to follow...

Mexico

I'm taking a break from cleaning to update the good ole' blog. So, I went to Mexico a few weeks ago, then I went on a Disney cruise and I leave on Friday to go to NYC to see the Yankees play in Yankee Stadium before they tear down a historic monument. I couldn't miss Yankee Stadium, it'd be a horrible tragedy!

So Mexico was fantastic! Sun, beach, good food and a pool. What more can one want in a vacation? The flight was delayed leaving Austin, so when we got to the counter the nice man upgraded us to FIRST CLASS!!! I have to say that I very much enjoyed getting to board the plane first and I was the one that had a book in one hand a glass of water in another while all the other peons boarded. Which made it that much more difficult to board the plane on the way home and walk past the people reading and drinking. It was fun while it lasted. The next few days consisted of sitting by the beach, walking in the ocean and then heading toward the pool for lunch and swimming. That was about it and it couldn't have been better. I did spot a Moray Eel in the rocks by the shore that was trying to get into the holes for some food. I was a little weary when getting into the ocean after that one. It was black and yellow and looked like a leopard. But less leg and more snake-esque.

Mexico

Leaving...on a Jet Plane...

I leave on Friday morning for Mexico! I'm nervous and excited. I'm hoping the transfer from the airport to the hotel isn't fatal. It's a company and certified through a travel agent, but it's Mexico and that scares me.

I will be adding another stamp to my passport though and that is exciting! :)

Pictures and posts to follow. I arrive back in Austin on Tuesday night.

4th of July Fun

About 6 years ago I went on a cruise with my co-worker, her boyfriend at the time and one of her friends that I roomed with. One night, after a day in Key West we were sitting in the hot tub and met three of the nicest people there could be. The following year we flew to their house in Lexington, KY for their annual 4th of July Pool Party. I haven't been back since, but this past weekend, I was able to go up there for a few days. It was a fantastic time. I was so excited to be up there. I arrived Friday night, we did a few errands for the party and then their friends (whom I also have become friends with) from Dallas arrived. We went to the store and got all the makings for Jello shots. I don't think there is anything more fun than making Jello shots. We made 250 of them! They were finished off the following day before it even got dark.

Saturday was the party. Water volleyball and lots of yummy food made up my day. I met tons of fantastic people. And had a blast.

Sunday we went to brunch and then after running around I ended up at the Lexington airport. Somehow, every single computer in the airport was down. My boarding pass was hand written at the counter. Then, we boarded the plane and heard over the PA that the radio was down and they couldn't get clearance, so we left rather late. An hour or so. Maybe two. I missed my connection in Dallas and ended up arriving in Austin 4 hours after my original eta. The cab pulled into the driveway around 1:30a. Needless to say, I was exhausted. Still am! Fortunately, the rains today canceled softball. I was able to relax.

My friends are hilarious. They are genuine, real people that I am so fortunate to have met in some hot tub on a cruise. Lifelong friends...

4th Pool Party - 2008

Mo Ranch

So, friends have gone to Mo Ranch, the Girl Scout troop that G is in has gone to Mo Ranch, but I had never been. That was, until this weekend. We left at 8:30a on Saturday and drove the 2.5 hours to Hunt, TX. It's a little town on the Guadalupe River. Which, the rivers in Texas are nothing like the rivers in GA. Maybe I only ever remember the Chattahoochee, but this water is as clear as the Caribbean! I could see all the fish around, the gross stuff on the bottom that you don't ever really want to touch and all the fantastic rocks that made up most of the stretch of river that Mo Ranch sits on. There were about 20+ of us. Lots of little kids. Some super cute 3 year olds that had the most interesting conversations 3 year olds can have. Mostly about how "yummy" the watermelon was at the BBQ last night.

There is a metal slide that is about 30 feet tall. You carry a 40 (approx)lbs wooden sled to the top and put about 2 inches of the bottom in a small little track and hold on. No, I did NOT do this. It sounded like a roller coaster that has just hit the peak of it's incline and is screaming towards that ground. Except at the end of this slide is the river that you go sliding across. The kids had a blast, the grown ups got very tired of carrying the sled to the top. They only have one as to prevent horrendous injury to anyone. It's really one of the most dangerous things i've seen, but according to 50% of the group, it was tons of fun.

There was fishing, canoeing, little rapids, swimming, a rope swing and smores. There were rows and rows of bunk beds in two rooms. One room was for the boys and one for the girls.

I learned how to throw a frisbee three different ways! I think that was the highlight of my trip. I never could figure out how people threw frisbees so far. I'm on it now.

I'm exhausted. Sun, walking, swimming and very little sleep has wiped me out.

Enjoy...

Mo Ranch

Visit to GA #2

This was another fun trip. Hanging out with friends and family makes life so much fun. Sometimes I miss GA a lot. I miss all my great friends and the fam, of course.

We played a lot of the Wii, went to the Braves' game and just hung around.


Some of the gang playing Wii Tennis
Jill, Aunt Karla & Me on our way to see the Braves!
My boys
My Lil' Sis and Me

Georgia Visit #1

I went to Georgia the first weekend of May for my friends' Commitment Reception and was able to sneak a few moments on dad's new boat. I miss the lake so much. The water was super cold, I still couldn't do a lot on my hurt ankle, but the little sister and I were able to tube some. It was some of the most exhausting 4 minutes of my life!

The title is Visit #1 because i'm GOING BACK on Friday!!! YAY!!!

Jill, Jenn & Me on the Boat

"Don't Touch the Water!"

The Only Moment I Didn't have to Use Both Hands

Trip #2

Mom called me a couple weeks ago and asked me if I could take a day or two off to go to New York with her for Day 1 of the US Open. Of COURSE! I'm the biggest sports fanatic ever. A major tennis tournament, i'll be there! I flew out on Saturday the 25th and met Mom in Atlanta. We flew to NY and found our hotel. I had gotten some recommendations for food from a friend and we headed out to find one of them. By the time we got there it was 5p and the place didn't open until 6p...so we found plan B. Some little bar and grill in the Village. It was descent. Although, later I found out that Cameron Diaz ate at the place we were supposed to be going a week earlier. Oh well... So we went back to the hotel to make our plan for Sunday. Get up early, go see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, hit a pizza place (John's Pizzeria, good) and head up to FAO Schwartz and Central Park. We walked around Central Park until we were tired and headed back to the hotel. We sat for 45 minutes, got on our shoes and headed to Grand Central to catch the 7 train to Queens to see the Mets game. I felt like a traitor the entire time. The Mets are in the same division as the Braves (my favorite team of all time). They are, now, 6.5 games ahead of the Braves. So they needed to lose. How on earth is a person supposed to cheer for the opposing team to the Mets? I could've been killed. I was sneaky and the Dodgers (didn't want them to win either because they're ahead of the Braves in the Wild Card race) ended up winning.

Monday we got up and headed back out to Queens on the 7. The tennis center is directly across the street from Shea Stadium, where the Mets play. It was hot. The sun was out and we took a beating. I saw Baghdatis, Federer, Bartoli, and more players I can't remember. That was the morning session. The night session was the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena. Aretha Franklin sang "Respect" and there were many women there that were the firsts in their field of specialty. It was pretty cool. The Williams sisters ended up winning their matches and we got back on the train to go home.

I got up at 5a to catch my flight home to get to work...needless to say, I was wiped. I had a great time with my mom and it was the very first time since i've been a grown up that we spent any time alone together. I was glad that I took the time off and was able to go with her. She's a trooper and i'm pretty sure she outlasted me. She did, afterall, stay until Friday with her friends that flew in the day I left...

On the boat to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. This pose became a popular one...

This was try #3. It was difficult to get the Statue in the background.

Skyline from the boat

Chrysler Bldg from Cab

Central Park Pond

We were pretty close!

Yes, another one...Mets game.

I forget the players' name, but liked the shot

Afternoon at the US Open

The World

The End...

Charleston Pictures

Here are a few pictures from the trip. For a bunch more, click here
.

There's a picture of the 18th green slowly falling into the ocean. Us in Tropical Storm Barry, walking on the beach and most of the group (Holly was taking the picture).

Charleston

Today I got home from Charleston. I have the most wonderful friends in the world. We haven't all been together since we were seniors in high school. I arrived Friday morning and Holly and Katie picked me up. We drove to the house and got on our suits to go sit by the pool. Unfortunately the beach right behind our condo had been eroded away and there were sandbags protecting what was left...the 18th green. Liz was driving from North Carolina and got there around 12:30. We all hung out at the pool all day long. We played cards, we swam, we talked, we sat and some napped. A couple of girls went to the grocery store while Liz, Holly, Kat and I walked the beach with Holly's dog, Wrangler. Wrangler LOVES to chase birds. She ran so incredibly fast trying to get the birds and they kept flying away. She NEVER gave up. She also slept really well when we got back to the condo. We had spaghetti and played some games and watched a movie that I had made for all of them. They loved it. They were impressed and couldn't believe how great it was. Which was a hug relief after I spent so much time trying to make is wonderful.

Saturday we woke up to a slight drizzle. It tunred into the beginning path of Tropical Storm Barry. The wind was blowing so hard and it rained all day. We hung out and talked for hours. We played some cards and showered to go to dinner. We were all needing to get out for awhile. We ran to the cars in the rain and ran into the restaurant. We were on the water and in the middle of our wonderful fish and chips the thunder and lighting started. The rain came pouring down and by the end of the night, the parking lot had about 6 inches of water. There was a wake from the cars. Holly and Kat went to get the cars and I looked out in the parking lot just in time to see the wind blow holly and her umbrella back 5 feet. She had to go up behind cars to block the wind so she could make progress. It was hilarious. Getting the cars and pulling them to the front didn't help though, we were all still soaked. We got home and changed into some dry clothes. Some of them went to bed from all the excitement. Katie, Holly, Liz and I stayed up playing cards and Erin watched TV.

This morning we woke up to a much calmer scene. The ocean was still ferocious. The white caps were huge and the surfers were loving every minute. My flight left around 12:30 (an hour late) and as I got to Dallas (late) I ran to see my next gate. Forutnately, I had another hour instead of 10 minutes like I had thought. So I changed some gates, waited on that plane and finally got home an hour and a half after I was supposed to, but all was well. I didn't miss any flights, I had an amazing time and the best part about all of it is that I get to see them all in two weeks at Erin's wedding!

I can't wait for our next vacation together. I laughed so much I think I lost weight!