Please Welcome...

Ellie Dawson Clarke

7 lbs 2 oz

20.5 Inches Long

Ellie was born at 3:46am on November 10th, 2009. She has a full head of jet black hair and has mixed feelings about breathing oxygen. After some initial hesitation, she is healthy and ready to take on the world. Go Ellie. We love you.

Ellie is a baby scorpio, her horoscope says:

The Scorpio baby should be watched closely. Someone will generally be watching this child, though, as the Scorpio tot enjoys a crowd, especially one where it can lead. The Scorpio baby is clever, wants things on their own terms, and will know how to get it. Watch out!

HAIL to 4-0!

I spent the weekend in Ann Arbor with the UM swim class of 2004. It is so great and inspiring to be abound so many confident and accomplished young women. I heart Ann Arbor.

Rich Rodriguez said he'd "rather win ugly than loose pretty." It was a rough game to watch on Saturday with a lot of mistakes made by a young and inexperienced team. But we won, against a surprisingly solid IU team, and that is all that matters. Another "W" on the books! Go Blue!

Cutest Boy Eveeeer!

I was lucky enough to spend 4 incredible days with the cutest boy ever. Aiden is already 17 months!

Sink or Swim?

Monday September 21st, 2009
Virgo: "You've jumped into the chaos, and now it is time to sink or swim. Don't panic, you are at the center of the chaos and if you tread calmly, it will subside. Remember, that beyond wanting to float you want to be the one who ends of grabbing what you jumped into the chaos for in the first place."

Oh wow. I'm tired. Real life is really hard. I don't want to feel sorry for myself, but 12 hour days and dealing with a crazy boss are way too much for this girl to handle. 2 months and counting...

Indy and a Michigan football will be my sanity this weekend.

My man Tate is legit. Go Blue!

crying over spilled...champagne?

Reason #1 on why I LOVE my husband...
I knocked a glass of champagne off the coffee table tonight. I spilled the entire glass on our brand new bamboo floors and broke the glass. He just smiled and helped me clean it up.
I love him.

Labor Day Weekend

Americans generally celebrate Labor Day as a symbolic end of summer, a day off to relax and BBQ. Our Labor Day was anything but...

Nick spent the weekend studying for his engineering test. The test is next month (he is 1/3 of the way through the book!). We are crossing our fingers,BIG TIME, that he is in the 50% that pass!

I spent too many hours preparing awards for the big TCA awards ceremony this weekend. I also spent a bit of time on my California Task #3 (for my credential) due at the end of the month.

We did make time in the afternoon to cheer for Michigan(!) and head to Strawberry, a bluegrass music festival at Camp Mather. We drank Bud Light Lime, a great find...for day drinking!

Golden Gate Bike Trip

Did you know the Golden Gate bridge isn't named for its color, but because it is the "golden gate" to the Pacific Ocean?

Who knew?

We spent Saturday riding our bikes on a little tour of San Francisco. We took BART from Lafayette (where we were staying at a super neat hotel) to Embarcadero. We rode from Pier 5 through Pier 39/Ghirardelli Square, over the Golden Gate Bridge. We had lunch in Sausalito (cold oysters in a half shell!) and drinks in Tiburon. We rode the ferry back to the Pier. Nick planned an amazing weekend!