Ooohh. We were hoping the bathroom remodel would be done before we left for Cancun. One, it would be easier for Robert's parents to use our bathroom instead of having to shower, brush, etc. in the basement bathroom like we have been doing the past few weeks. Second, it would just be nice to be done and not have to worry about what was going on there while we were gone. I'm telling you, I worry much less than I used to. I have full and complete trust in our contractor and the subs he has on the job, I just like to see what's going on. The past few weeks have involved a lot of prep stuff, wiring, and other behind the scenes activities. Now we are finally to the stuff that shows, and we're leaving. Luckily we were still there when the tile guy laid out the accent strip across the floor, which wasn't exactly what we had shown him we wanted. (Yes Carrie, we completely copied your shower, thanks for helping me get the pictures) This is what is still left to do: Grout the shower, add and tile the bench based on the pencils marks of where I said I wanted the bench. Tile the floor at an angle and the bath tub not at an angle. Put up the new lights, frame in the mirror, install steam unit controls, one normal shower head, one personal shower something on a bar, and a satin euro door. Hopefully all the hardward will match and our visions of what this bathroom will look like have meshed enough with those putting it together. They say it should be completely done when we return on Tuesday. Deep breath. I'm sure it will be fine.
As a 'thank you' to Papa and Grandma for watching the girls, we decided to take them to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point. It is such a beatuful place as it is, but add 250,000 tulips, and it is unbelivable. If you've never been out to the Tulip Festival it is well worth the price of admission. The variety was amazing and we had a hard time picking out our favorite, as we would constantly come upon more that we liked. Aubrey, who enjoys photography, took almost 200 pictures. I'm sure she'll feature some of them on her own blog. Here are a few of our favorites. 
I was signed up for the half and Barb was signed up for the 5K. We decided Robert would run the half and I would run the 5K. Saturday morning we were up at the crack of dawn lacing up our shoes. It was a beautiful morning and a great race day for both of us. I finished the 5k in a cool 26:35 and was able to encourage others along the way. That's one of my favorite parts. I don't like to run so fast I can't talk. Robert, on the other hand, doesn't see a need to talk while he runs. Oh no. He just likes to focus and go, as you can see in the picture. After finishing my race and going through the food booths, I found a great 3 foot tall pillar I could stand on to watch the remainder of the races. The absolute best part of the whole race day experience was to see Robert coming down the finishing chute. Here I was standing (balancing) on this pillar screaming my guts out with pride and excitement, then remembering to snap a picture. It makes me smile just thinking about it. (I think I'm a really good race cheerleader whether in the race or on the sidelines). I ran, like a proud mother hen or something, around the crowds to see him just past the finish line. A kind worker pretended not to look as Robert hoisted me over the barricade. He had just run his fastest Half Marathon in 1 hour 41 minutes. Pretty awesome for a guy who wasn't training or planning on participting in this event It was a good race day for both of us and we're glad we could share it. Now...we can start thinking about Cancun.
Thank you to everyone that came and brought such yummy food. Thank you to my Mom who sent sooo many eggs. And thank you to my children, the egg stuffers, who worked so hard to get things ready. See ya next year!
Aren't those solar stepping stones just so awesome. We took one picture with the flash on, and the second with it off. It looks a little like an alien path or something, but I love it!
