Relay for Life

This year, I was honored to be a part of the ISB Cancer Raiders Relay for Life team.  Relay was a big part of my life back in Illinois, and I never imagined I would have an opportunity to be a part of it in Europe.  

The event was much like those held in the US.  It started at noon on Saturday and concluded at noon on Sunday.  There is an opening ceremony with a survivor lap.  The survivors are also treated to breakfasts and dinner.  Each team has their own tent where they sell goodies to raise extra money to fight cancer.  I did stay all night with a great group of friends.  We pretty much walked from 2-5 AM.  We had a great time.  

ISB Cancer Raiders at the opening ceremony

Survivor lap

Allison and friends ready to walk.

Our team captain, Brandi, is a cancer survivor.  She is second from the left.  She did such an amazing job for our team.   Way to go Brandi!!!

Team ISB!  

The Ports family...showing their support for Relay (and CAT) :)

Melonee and Chris  

Our family!  We were so happy to support this great event.

Our team walking and cheering with the ISB middle school team.

 This is why I relay....

During the luminary ceremony, this particular bag really touched my heart.  It doesn't matter where we live or what language we speak...we are all touched by cancer.  

At the closing ceremony, we learned we had raised over 103,000 euros!!!  Last year, they raised around 75,000.  Awesome!

Taking a victory lap at the conclusion of relay.

Looking forward to being a part of it next year!  Thank you so much to my friends and family who donated to this great cause.  I REALLY appreciate it!

Until next time,

Wendy

Paris for the Day!

I think I'm back in business.  I've tried for days to upload pictures to the blog with no success.  FINALLY, it worked, so I have a lot of catching up to do before my sister and friends arrive at the end of the week.  

After our girl's trip to London, Lucinda wanted to take her family to Paris as well.  She was able to get tickets on the Thalys (high speed train) for just 50 euros, so of course Ericka, Claire, and I said we would join in on the fun.  This was also a great "last hurrah" before Claire's departure.  So, back on June 11th we headed to Paris for a day trip.  

We decided to hire a guide for a walking tour of the outside of Notre Dame, the rest of the island, a walk through the grounds of the Louvre, Tuileries, past the Opera House, and to the Printemps Department Store for a great view of the Eiffel Tower.  I walk fast...really fast.  But, this guide was faster.  Wow!  It was quite a workout! :)

Love the doors of Notre Dame

The magnificent rose windows

Our guide explained that this area above the center door was Jesus in the middle, Heaven on the left, and Hell on the right.  The people in the middle are being led into Hell.  I had never really noticed the expressions on the statues.  It's really very dramatic.

If my memory serves me correctly, this was the song street.  People would sing on this street years ago. Clearly, it wasn't designed for an SUV.  And, for those of you that do not know Claire....she is a tiny little thing!

 Lucinda is TALL!  But, this door is not tall at all. :)

Strolling through the flower market.

A view of the apartments along the Seine.  Wouldn't that be fabulous!?!  A girl can dream.

A very typical scene in Paris.

It's posted...but people don't follow the rules. Gag!

This lock made us all chuckle.  Not love you forever but BIG LOVE FOR EVER! :)

The Tuileries

Last stop on the walking tour was the Printemps Department Store.  What a fantastic view of the Eiffel Tower!

The whole group!

Ericka and I....Love this shot for our WE Photography site.

Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur.

Claire, Lucinda, Shayla, and Renae.

The Eiffel Tower

Shayla, Lucinda, and Renae

Claire, Lucinda, and Me

The Arc du Triomphe

I never include the pictures that don't turn out, but this one was too good to pass up. LOL!

My dear friends....we caught up with Ericka after she had an awesome piece of art made for her hubby for Father's Day.

Yep, I stood in the middle of the street to get this pic.

iPhone Pictures

First photo of the day!

Oh, just a little somethin' I thought about taking home.  Ha!  Right!

Claire and Lucinda bought art from this talented artist.

Missing this girl already! :(

How lucky am I to have found such great friends!

It was a lovely day in Paris!  I never grow tired of this city, and I am fortunate to visit two more times this summer.  I can't wait!

Until next time,

Wendy  

Continuing the Celebration...

I'm officially one month behind on this blog...and that is not like me.  I will do my best to get caught up because I have a lot to add. :)  We had another fun filled day in London for Preslee's birthday.  We thought it would be fun for the girls to do a scavenger hunt around Trafalgar Square.  As the hunt began, they took on the role of "Super Sleuths".

Just say the name of this place out loud with your best German accent.  It totally cracks me up!

Here they are.  They could strike a pose faster than you could say "Super Sleuths".

Not just any breakfast.  Here, you can order a cheeky English breakfast.

 Here are a few shots from the scavenger hunt.

The center point of London.

Hmmm....looks like the moms are doing more sleuthing than the girls.

 The girls' teacher had asked us to visit the British Museum to see the Elgin marbles.  When your teacher makes that kind of request, you do it.  

We texted their teacher a picture like this, and she said it made her day.  We wanted to prove were were there. :)

We saw the Rosetta Stone too.

 The group decided to do a little shopping before we left London, but Allison wanted to revisit some of the sites she hasn't seen for a while.

The fountain in front of Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Walking down the mall

A phone booth pic...of course! 

iPhone pic in front of the British Museum

My favorite pic of the Super Sleuths

Thank you, Preslee for including us in your birthday celebration.  We had a wonderful weekend.  I'm especially grateful for the time Allison and I were able to spend together.  It was really a special time for all of us.

Until next time,
Wendy