Twenty-Twelve!!!

Original photo courtesy of thecurvycarrot.com + my Picnik magic. :)

"So long, 2011...you were kind,
you were considerate, and peaceful overall.

You may have rocked my boat at times,

but thankfully, we never capsized."

A Year in Review - 2011

We celebrated the Year of the Mouse...squeak, eek!

I attended Dragon Boat Camp in Melbourne with 3 of the EMPIRE besties...PADDLES UP!!!

Happy Birthday to me...Pea got me an iPad.

Nothing beats lying in bed with my "iPea" to watch a good movie.

Pea turned 40!!! - The sun was shining and all of Keith's peeps were in the house at our favorite watering hole, J.P. Doyle's.  It was a June 4th miracle when KB was carried away and we thought was down for the count after 3 quick hours of fun. How he resurfaced for Round #2 of the celebration is beyond me as well as everyone else at the bar. ;)

Stan turned 98! All I can say is, "When there's a will, there IS a WILL!!!

Thank you for all who you are, even on your tiredest days, Dad. xo

Pea + I relaxed on the Cape squeezing in wonderful visits with family + old friends down through the Boston area. We definitely got our seafood fix in when we scored on running into this little diner in Sandwich,

known for it's world class, huge ass stuffed quahogs!

Jing prevailed after a tough fall and 6 weeks of rehabilitation - Mom, you are the toughest! Thank you for always making us laugh.  We know, "you not feeeewww well" sometimes and that you are surely not always "sick" like you say you are, but we still love you more + more.

The spirit of Yin Yang Dragons continues...

What a great day of races we had at Peekskill Celebration 2011!

Thank you Sotheby's for hosting a most incredible fundraiser for EMPIRE!!!

We are humbly grateful for your generosity, support and love.

EMPIRE finishes the season with a win!!!  We had THE BEST Race ever down in Philly...Thanks Coach James for believing in us and for reminding us

just how strong we are!

Spirit + Strength = Success

A new beginning at EF!!!  Thank you LL+D for this opportunity.

Learning and growing...what an amazing team and what a lucky gal I am!

"Santa Monica, here I come!!!" - our girly getaway meetup at Kat's.

A perfect week of lounging, shopping, snacking, drinking, laughing, Rugby, Venice, biking on the beach and visits with my brother + family

and the wonderful D.Love.

The annual "Paper Trip" with my Kate's girls was so super perfect.

We hit downtown Philly in a big way, but the highlight was probably our visit to Terrain..."Will you marry me, please?"  In other words, you must make a trip down there...it's like heaven with a really amazing head merchandiser!

Thanks, D for your organizing and guiding expertise

and for taking us to Amada!!!

We put SantaCon on the map in Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow!

Raising almost $1,000 for Blythedale Children's Hospital,

the locals and merchants found the holiday spirit to

"get their Santa On!" It was an amazingly, fun night...

what's not fun about 60 tipsy Santas?!! ;)

EMPIRE + Peekskill Celebration is in the works!!!

With the support of the City of Peekskill, I am helping my team to spearhead the 1st Breast Cancer Survivor Races right here on the beautiful Hudson River.

Save the Date...August 3 + 4, 2012!!!

Thank you, Cathy, Jack, + Bruce for just being lovely...we can't wait!

Be gentle, 2012...we are happy you are here!

XOXO

..........................................

This past year was evident of "Truth, Beauty, Freedom + Love."  We lost an angel before the year's end, on December 22nd.  Jennifer, the co-founder of my Dragon Boat Team, EMPIRE, found the strength to share her last months of life with us.  Through the stunning and most honest photography of her husband, Angelo Meredino, Jen showed us grace, passion and courage during her battle with breast cancer.  Together, Jen + Ange, told their story of love and touched people across the world.  

In the words of Katy Perry, "You're a firework...cause there's a spark in you."  Your team will continue to carry your spark, Jen.  You have led the way, inspired us and we will be forever grateful for all you have given to us.