Lisa's Travels, Trials and Treats

A Browns Victory!

It was so nice to experience a victory at the Brown's stadium today.  It was so exciting to see so many happy Cleveland Browns fans!

 
 

 

 

Browns Season Opener

Don, John, Tyler and I headed downtown for the Browns Season opener on our bikes yesterday.  Downtown was anticipated to be very crowded with the game and the 9/11 event.  The ride was great.  We dodged the rain both ways!  Too bad the Browns didnt with though.....Maybe next time!  Great day!

Go Browns!

 

Here we are before the game getting ready to go.

 

Riding through Edgewater Park.

 

Pedal to the Point

This weekend Don and I participated in the Pedal to the Point.  This is a bicycle ride to raise money to create a world free of MS.  This year marked the 25th anniversary for the event.  The ride started at Polaris Career Center and ended at Sandusky High School.  Some people stay overnight and bike back from Sandusky High School to the Career Center.  We chose one way this year, but next year plan on doing the entire ride.  We biked 80 miles in 7.5 hrs!  What a terrific experience.  Many people cheering us along the way, signs saying "thank you", and 2700 people riding for the same cause.  I met an old childhood friend along the way as well.  Michael Cervelli and I lived across the street from one another.  I knew he was going to ride; as he has been riding for 18 yrs.  We met at one of the rest stops and biked together until the end.  It was fun seeing him again--a lot of catching up too!  My friend Lea Ann Conway, her son Nicholas, her daughter and law and sister were there as well; along with a friend Lianne Roman.  A terrific event!

 

 
 
Here we are at 5:30 am.  Why do I look so happy at this time??? :)

 

 
This is right before we are ready to start.  Look at all the people behind us.

 
Pedaling away....

 

Here we are at one of the rest stops.

 
Lea Ann, Don and I

 

Mom and Rich stopped at a few rest stops along the way.  Here is mom and I talking to Mike.

 

Kaylie goes to College

On Thursday, Don took Kaylie to the University of Dayton, where she is starting her college career.

 

Kaylie seems right at home in her dorm.

 
Proud moment for Don!

Kaylie gets her Black Belt

After years of training and countless hours practicing, Kaylie earned her Black Belt and just two days before she left for college.

 
Jump Kicking Master Kacer.

 

Master Yano tying Kaylie's first Black Belt.

 

Now part of the Black Belt Rank.

New things in our new home...

 The hutch and buffet in our kitchen.

 

 
An Uppercase Living expression I put on the wall in the kitchen.

My visit in New York

Over the weekend of the Fourth of July, I went to Albany to visit with Ben and Amanda and family.  The Dillon family welcomed me into their home with their warmth and hospitality.  One evening we had dinner at the house and there were 17 people at the dinner table!  YES-and thats just immediate family!  It was so much fun!  Thank you to the Dillons for sharing their home with me.

Ben and Amanda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Ben, Amanda and Mr. and Mrs. Dillon

 

 

 

 

 

The dinner table!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Two of Amanda's nieces.  Nephew Billy  in the background.

We are finally in the new house!

 

 

It has been a long 6 weeks, but as of last Friday we are officially moved in.  By Sunday evening Don and I had unpacked everything.  Today, as I post on my blog, I am relaxing on the sunporch, and my eyes are a wee bit sleepy (imagine that)!  Here are some pics.

  
Here is the moving truck; preparing to back into the driveway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dining Room before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dining Room after.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dining Area before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dining Area after.

 Bathroom before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bathroom after.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Office before.

 
Office after. 

 Sunroom before.

 Sunroom after.

 
I think Savvy is going to like it!

 

 

Prince too!

 

Picture of the backyard from the second floor.

 

Our Sunflower flag.

This is a beautiful home!  It's so different to have so much space and lots of closets!  Looking forward to continue decorating and enjoying our new home.

 

 

Our New Home

 

Update on Ben

Ben and Amanda are living in NY this summer.  Ben has a job at a nursery and Amanda is working for her father.  They just bought a new car too.  They are working hard and enjoying their summer.  Over the 4th of July weekend I am  looking forward to flying out to see them and meeting Amanda's clan.  :)