Today was Rachel's birthday. She is as old as the rest of us now, you know . . . . . double digits!
She will also remind you that she is not merely 10. She is a "Zero Teen."
She hosted her birthday party in Hollywood and --- you guessed it --- took center stage.
Here is an unusual package . . .
Amazingly, Rachel's cousins, Samantha (8) and Jeff (5) are both comfortably inside this box that is not much bigger than a microwave!
Another tradition in the Jungbauer household is that Steve is never home for his birthday. Even though he has the much coveted age-defying genetics that help him maintain his youthful good looks and frighfully-fit forty-something figure, I think he still hates to be reminded that he, too, is getting older. OUCH!
In years (and previous jobs) past, Steve and I frequently found ourselves traveling to different destinations to celebrate his birthday. Recently, we have enjoyed celebrating together! Last year, we celebrated in Aspen. This year's destination was St. Croix.
St Croix is the largest of the US Virgin Islands, but probably the least visited. No wall-to-wall tourists or even a Wal-Mart --- which suited us just fine.
The island has a quaint and quiet personality. It is dotted with old sugar mills and decorated with wrought iron.
If you recall from last year, Steve's birthday get-away was also another good reason for a triathlon . . . . . and so another tradition was started. This year, however, instead of battling the elements of altitude, cold and snow, St. Croix challenged Steve with sand, heat and humidity.
Here is the course description: Swim over coral reefs to Cane Bay Wall (the Abyss) and back. Bike an exceptionally scenic rolling course along the shore and past the only site in the US where Columbus landed. Run a rolling course through the rainforest along the shore past the infamous "Beast" of Ironman (in)fame.
Hence the name Wall 2 Wall refering to the 1000 foot abyss and the "Beast" that would even weaken Lance Armstrong. (Fortunately, you only do the Beast in the Ironman course.) For a little more interesting twist, add narrow, pot-holed island roads that are still open to traffic AND . . . don't forget to ride on the LEFT!
The ocean swim was calm and clear and Steve came out of the water with a great time. On the bike, it looked like he even relaxed and enjoyed the ride a little bit.
Not too many other bikers back yet . . . Steve's orange Comet is already racked!
Enjoying some scenery on the home stretch.
Not only did Steve win his age group, he placed 8th overall! No trophy to show for it, but because he was the triathlete that traveled the farthest, he won a one week stay for four on St. John.
Afterwards, we took the advice of one of the locals and hiked up into the hills and back down to the beach to find the wave pools. The path was a little obscure . . . . . .
. . . . . . . but the view was awesome!
After our hike we relaxed "Off the Wall." We could have walked there, but Steve wanted to drive his JEEP.
It was great to be Off the Wall.
We can't wait to meet her . . .
This is Dakota. Her breeder is from Slidell, LA. His house was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and was only able to save 4 of the 5 puppies from this litter. He brought the 3 females and 1 male to the Holiday Inn Express in Jackson, MS where Bubby goes to law school. He put up a sign at the law school saying "Free displaced Weimaraner puppies, AKC registered, Sire and Dam killed in storm." Most breeders sell these puppies for about $600 to $800 each. Bubby's was free (minus the registration and the boat-load of money he spent at PetSmart.)
Bubby just can't say "no" to a good-looking girl. She is the AKC recognized silver/gray color with big blue eyes, huge webbed feet, and sharp little teeth. Her tail is docked, and even at 1 month old, she is looking for and pointing out birds when they go outside.
She will probably be around 80 lbs full grown. Her mother was 86 lbs and her father was 120 lbs. Dakota is supposedly the runt of the litter.
The annual Cancer Gala was held at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club again this year. My favorite part of the night is the boat ride to the Club in our formal attire.
This year we had the pleasure of escorting Bill & Krisce Myers and Bart & Cinda Culver.
