Hiking in our own backyard...sort of

mike and i went hiking on monday and watched the sunset. there is a state park called west rock a few miles away and it was fun just to be outside and enjoy the beautiful warm weather. CT is still warm and the leaves are just starting to change.
there's a fungus among us!!!! here's a crazy mushroom we saw.

Visiting with special friends

During my visit in FL, I was fortunate enough to spend a day with my very good friend Abbie, her sister Becky and their beautiful mom. It was really wonderful to see them as their entire family holds a special place in my heart. Abbie and I were college roomies and she was in my weding and I in hers. I miss her and Mark, her husband, very much. Anyway, thank you so much to all three of you for a wonderful day and for making time in your schedules to spend with me!!! Love you girls! Abigail and I


Becky and Abbie...hotties!!!

celebrating mom's 50th birthday in FL

while visiting my family in FL, we wanted to celebrate a very special birthday. my mom turned 50 this year on aug. 4th!!! here are some pictures of us celebrating what a big blessing she has been to all of us.

bogie and gosia (how cute are my parents?!)

little brother mike and cousin kasia

the birthday girl

opening presents

every woman needs a "new" great bag

steak, fish off the grill...potatoes and corn on the cob and so much more...yummy!

mom and daughter!!!

the after party

this is what we did after the graduation.

the whole family packed up and we went to hamonnassett state park where we grilled, played games and watched the sunset

her's mike grilling our burgers, dog, chicken and veggies

here's the whole fam

here we are playing bocce ball

Hamonnassett state park beach

the girls: my mom, me, mike's mom and tomi


finding pretty seashells with weird creatures in them

sunset

Graduation

The Smiths

The Rudnickis

My fellow PA's and good friends

so these pictures are probably going to be out of order but you i hope you enjoy them! graduation day was awesome. my parents, both brothers and tomi (phill's girlfriend) as well as mike's parents all made the long trip from Florida and it was so wonderful to see everyone. it was a beautiful day with perfect weather and it was just so good to be done with school and surrounded by the people who love and support you the most. i was honored to receive the leadership award and be inducted into the national PA honors society so i really felt blessed and like my hard work paid off. after graduation, we headed to hammonnassett state park and grilled, played games and enjoyed the sunset.

here we are taking the PA oath

a group photo before graduation

i did it!!!!