Wildwood Park - 3 Mile Trail Walk

Well this past weekend Gracie was at a sleepover so I took Jake over to Wildwood Park and we went on a trail walk. It was a bit hot (87 degrees) and very humid. We followed a dirt trail and some pavement trails and then I decided to follow a trail into the woods and that's where we ran into a few snakes. Needlesstosay, we made our way back out to the pavement trail with a quickness. Below are some pics of our little excursion.

Hawk Rock Hike - September 28, 2013

Welp...I finally got to go on my very first hike and my buddy Bill was kind enough to join me on my little journey. I wanted something fairly easy for my first hike so I opted for a hike out of Duncannon, PA called "Hawk Rock". It wasn't too bad for my first hike. I mean walking UP (yes "UP") a mountain trail that is nothing but ROCKS was little intimidating at first, but I fared through it...though I was drenched in sweat by the time we got to the rock (yuck). Mind you what I thought was well over 2 miles up to the rock was only ONE mile up. We ran into a few hikers that were kind enough to tell us about a few "must do" hikes that are in the local area. I'm hoping to get another hike in before it gets too cold out.

Hershey Bear Hockey - September 27, 2013 - Preseason Game

I took the kids to see a preseaon Hershey Bears hockey game last Friday. They played Utica Comets and won 6-0. It was a fun night out with my kids.

Brene Brown Quote

Mani-Pedi Day for Mommy & Gracie

Me and Princess got our nails done in fall colors this past weekend (Sept 7th). I love moments like this and I love the fact that she's such a girly girl!

Brene Brown

Hold on to your hats my friends...Dawn has finally read a book. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't care for reading novels. But about a year ago I took an interest in motivational/inspirational speakers and I took a great liking to Brene Brown (a reasearcher, writer, and professor). She has spent the past ten years studying a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness. I recently read her book "The Gifts of Imperfection" (loved it) and I am now listening to her audio book "Daring Greatly".

Happy Labor Day

Brene Brown Quote

First Day of School

I asked George (hubby) to take a few pics of the kids on their first day of school (August 26th) because I was busy getting ready for work and all of them came out horrible. So the pic above is about as good as it gets for "First Day of School" pics. Jake is going into 7th grade this year and Gracie is going into 4th grade. I went to back to school night last week and met their teachers, I have a feeling it's going to be a good school year (fingers crossed). I created a Gaming Contract for Jacob, me and George to sign. It's pretty straight forth. You slack off in school all gaming privileges are revoked! Summer is coming to a close and fall is fast approaching and I cannot wait! Fall is my favorite time of the year.

Martin Luther King - 50th Anniversary of 'Dream' Speech

Today' marks the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's 'Dream' Speech.

Never too old...

Moosie Baby - 2013

I finally got some pics of Moosie and I even managed to sneak a pic of Jacob too. I swear the kid is never around when I have the camera out.

Annie

It was a girls day out for mommy and Gracie so we went to see the play/musical "Annie" at this Allenberry Playhouse on Sunday (August 11). It was a top notch performance and I can't wait to go back and see another play. It's time to look around for some holiday performances in the local area.

Gracie & Mommy

Joyce Meyer Conference - August 10, 2013

I finally attended a Joyce Meyer Conference and thanks to my dear friend Barb, me and my friend Bill had outstanding seats. I was able to meet up (briefly) with my friends Mark and Cassie who drove in from Long Island for the Conference. Joyce's topic of discussion was about "contentment" - very inspirational! I have had the opportunity in the past to go to a few of Joyce's conferences but opted not to, I am so glad I went this year and plan on going back again next year. Below is a pic of Joyce...I couldn't get a good pic, but then again I really wasn't focused on taking pics that day.

Hershey Park 2013

My firm had it's annual outing at Hershey Park. Sadly, I didn't get any pics of Jacob because he and hubby took off to hit the bigger rides that Gracie was unable to get on. So I tagged along with princess to hit some rides that she was big enough to ride. The park was extremely crowded but we had great weather for an August outing.

Summer Camp Fun

Summer camp has come to an end and the kids will back to school in just a few short weeks. Below are a few pics of Gracie from carnival day and mismatch day at camp.

The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto by Brene Brown

See the link below to view Brene Brown's reading of The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto on the Oprah Show.

Parents Manifesto by Brene Brown

NY Rangers Baby!

I'm not one for heels but I would sport these babies around for sure!

Gracie's Recital "A Step In Time" - June 2013

It's hard to believe that Gracie just finished her 3rd year of dance.  It's always amazing to see how far Gracie and her friends have come and to see all their hardwork come to life during their recital performance(s).  This year Gracie's class had three performances (ballet, tap and jazz).  All I can say is...MY DAUGHTER WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

It's all about the hair and makeup!

Jake, daddy, mommy and Gracie!

Gracie & her big brother Georgie!

My two redheads....

Tap Costume

Ballet Costume

Jazz Costume

Gracie's Dance Class in Tap Costume