Well its about time alright.

The other day I finally sat down to blog. Then I realized that without pictures there is no blog. I'm not a very good writer and I always seem to only skim the surface of what I really wanna say. I've been told I can be too diplomatic. Well, whatever the case it dawned on me that I needed to buy a new camera sooner or later. Okay, more like ASAP. So i found one on sale that I liked and I bought it. And here's a picture. Yes, it's a selfie..... what happend was when I got the camara all ready to go I had no subject or thing or rusty stop sign or anything to photograph. So i decided to do a selfie of me blogging....... fairly appropriate to put in my blog. right?

i've come the conclusion that things will never slow down.

Goodmorning. It's Easter! Happy Easter to everyone. So where have I been, what have I been up to??????

Well, I haven't been writting for about two weeks now. Since I got back from Philly I have not had a second to breathe. I spent one entire week babysitting for a family whose parents were in Rome visiting their eldest daughter on the UD Rome campus (my stomping grounds about 10 years ago...........)

Anyways it was a busy and exhausting lemonade stand, soccer practice, macaroni and cheese, dog walking, ponytail pulling, ballet costume tacking, track meet, basketball, laundry, birthday party sleepover, hair appointments, Disney channel, snowing, sunny and rainy extravaganza. I was with the kids for about a week. Each day I dropped the youngest off at a friend's house and the other children walked to school, then I went off to my job and came home to them at the end of my work day. I love kids, they are awesome and simple and keep you grounded. I was thrilled to be with them for the week and happy that the parents had the opportunity to escape.

Sorry no pictures. I have no camera.

SOOO once I got back home and got my freedom back I found out that I would be having eye surgery on Friday (as in a few days ago). I am still recovering, but ill get back soon with the overall results of that experience..........................................

Those pictures that'll be fun to pull out in 16 years.

So my second vacation was actually thanks to my brother Peter and my sister-in-law Sarah. They had a conference and work out near Philly so they decided to take Amaya and i out there with them. Amaya and I spent the week with Anne and her little Roman (Pete and Sarah joined later in the week). I had an absolute blast with the little buggers. It was so great to see them play together and be with Anne, well actually AUNT Anne.

Everything in twos...... It was a fast-paced, fun-filled time, a play marathon, if you will. We played at the park, bounced on the bed, did stickers, went to the Disney store, out to eat, to visit Uncle Ant at work, rode bikes together, played baseball and of course, made them take a bath together so that we can show them pictures and completely embarasse them 16 years from now. I love being an Aunt.

Okay so maybe they didn't get along the whole time.........

The weather was a little bit yucky, but we found lots to do...... at Roman's house you are allowed to play bubbles inside.

When we were leaving to go to the airport at the end of the week, Amaya kept asking for Roman and wondering where he was. It was adorable.

Vacation 1

So I started my job with conditions.... One of which was a two week vacation in the middle of March. Of course I spent one of the weeks climbing. I went down the the Red River Gorge in Slade Kentucky on the Monday (after my weekend in Chicago). It's about an 8 hour drive, but well worth it. I spent almost one week down there, returning on the following Sunday.

The weather was pretty nice, well at least nicer than Wisconsin. The only downfall were some rainy mornings, but it gave us the opportunity to take some distillery tours of two local bourbons: Wild Turkey and Maker's Mark.

It was exciting to get back climbing outside.... I think I got in a total of near 18 climbs during the week. My favorite was probably one named 'Toker.' The climb starts standing on a giant boulder and you have to jump off it to reach the first hold of the route. Anyways, it's super fun.Below is team girl power. We were really excited about the girl:guy ratio on the trip and got to do lots of 'girl climbs' together. We are currently planning a future all girl trip. The guys said it will NEVER happen.... we'll see about that!Caitlin hiking:
Alex doing what he does best:

St. Patty's Day

This year I went down to Chicago with Greg to celebrate St. Patty's day with Michelle, Bonnie, Katie and all the rest of the UD'ers hanging around the windy city. The most important elements for St. Patrick's day are Green Beer, fiddles, and Leprechauns. All achieved.

We went out on Friday night in search of a Leprechaun who climbs up onto the same bar every single year to pour green shots into your mouth. I find that is the best way to start the weekend.

Saturday we headed out on the architectural boat tour on the river at 1030am. Every year they dye the river a bright super bright toxic ninja turtles ooze color. Okay, obviously its not toxic... but take a look at the pictures, it sure seems that way.....We got a fiddle fix from a band called "The Whiskey Project." They are part of the whole UD crew that lives in Chicago. They are all old friends or friends of friends from back in my college days. Anyways it was fun.

The end. Onto my next adventure..... a week in the Red, Red River Gorge that is. (more specifically, of course, a climbing trip. I havent written about climbing in the last few posts........)

Official work announcement of my new job......

I am pleased to announce the addition of Katie Collins as the Administrative Assistant at Charter W reporting to me. Katie will assist the management team and sales group in their daily functions as well as coordinating travel for employees.

Katie is from Brookfield, Wisconsin. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Leadership from the University of Dallas. Prior to coming to Charter, Katie spent two years as a Language Consultant in Madrid, Spain where she taught business professionals English.

In her spare time, Katie likes to rock climb, travel, go to restaurants, and explore Milwaukee. This year, just for something new to do, Katie participated in the Polar Bear Plunge.

Please join me in welcoming Katie to the C W team!

Robert Graumann

Vice President & General Manager

All over the place.......

MEXICO. Here's what I managed to put together from the pictures that I could get together................

(Above- now I can check 'drink out of a coconut' off my todo list)

Below....... we hiked to the top of a mountain that was supposed to be next to a volcano, but i never really saw a volcano.

On our way up to see the volcano......

Mariachi at Bariachi

Ummmm just pretend Victoria's eyes are open....

Center Stage, of course.

The gang.....
Bus tour of Guadalajara......

Above.... those are pig feet

This is a big step for Jason. Apparently he is deathly afraid of clowns......

Below: Chris, our 'guide'.... awesome mixed with a big bit of crazy.

We repelled down into a canon to find some of the best climbing in the area.

Look closely..... there's Jason.

I figured out where the heck the sun has been for the past few months.......

That was an extremely abbreviated blog. I still dont have all the pictures together from the trip, but I need to keep moving on. Check back for my next post about my super new job in an office! It's a real job. I'm blaming it for cutting into my blog time.