STRAUSS FESTIVAL

Every year Elk Grove puts on the most exciting event, The Strauss Festival. There are choreographed dances, a 32-piece orchestra playing the music of Johann Strauss, Jr., the dancers are in colorful period costumes, lots of beautiful props and all of this is done on the most enchanting outdoor stage called "Strauss Island". For several years Cassie, Jillian and Bobby were the duckett's, yes, they were dressed in period costumes and their job was to look cute and chase any ducks off the stage. The Strauss is every July for four nights and it is free to the community. We were blessed to know some very important people who asked the kids to be duckett's. Thank you Ray and Carol. The rest as they say is history... even though my kids are no longer part of the Strauss Festival I still volunteer every year to help out. Most years I am a greeter, imagine that!!!! Here I am with my programs. You can see the Stage behind me.

My friend Carla, she is one of the dancers, with Jillian.

Here is Pat, Jillian, Cody (his mom dances and his grandpa is Ray, who got the kids started in Strauss), Carol (Ray's wife, no she doesn't dance) and Cassie.

Emma (Ray's granddaughter), Jillian, Ray and Cody.

Cassie with the fountain in the background. The Strauss Island is surround by this beautiful lake.
Jillian and the fountain...
and Bobby with the fountain..

The girls hanging out while I pass out programs...

Vi and her friend. The great thing about Strauss is you bring your dinner and drinks while enjoying a fabulous show.Look at all the people on blankets...
Jillian and her friend Hannah...
Before the show the dancers walk around and allow you to take their picture. Ray, Jillian, Bobby and Raelynn (Ray's daughter and mother of Cody and the twins Emma and Jakob). They have been partners for years. How cool is that???

Cassie and Jillian with the twins Emma and Jakob...

Jillian and Cassie with Carla and her dance partner...

Cassie and Jillian with Ray and Raelynn...

Stan and Trayce. Trayce was Jillian's ballet instructor when she was 4 years old...

This is Raelynn telling me "I better have this picture on my blog"! OK Raelynn, it is on my blog!!! LOL...

The Strauss dancers...

The twins dancing... The orchestra...

Ray and Raelynn... The Strauss ends with an incredible firework display...

After the show pictures... This picture is for Carol. We were walking out with her sister and mom. Hee hee...

BOBBY'S PASSING TOURNAMENTS...

This part of the football season is really fun for Bobby. Their school participates in these passing tournaments with several of the local schools. They wear no pads and the game is for the receivers and quarterbacks to practice their passing game!! Sure is fun to watch Bobby in action...

Bobby's games are always on Friday nights. Once I get a schedule I will let you know the dates. They are fun to watch and it means a lot to Bobby to have his family and friends there supporting him!!!!

A BIRTHDAY REFLECTION....

I never thought I would say this... I love getting older! Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but there is a peace that comes once you embrace it. I am at an age where I can appreciate life. I am healthy, I have a wonderful husband, I have three incredible children and I have fabulous friends and family who love me unconditionally. Are there trials? You bet, but I am blessed and I cherish everyday, because getting older is a "GIFT"! Well, here we go with just some of the special birthday wishes.

My friend Vi, one of the Paperdoll Girls, came over to bring me a gift and one of my favorite desserts!!!

I have one of those purses where I can change the outside cover to match any outfit, a Miche Bag. Vi has been taking pictures for the last year of my different purse covers and found this cute purse frame for my birthday!!! Those roses are from Jim for our anniversary. They had seen better days...I received these beautiful flowers from my mom...This is my good friend Diana, from Grass Valley, who came down last Saturday and took me for a facial for my birthday!!! What a special gift... Diana use to live in Elk Grove and we took a picture here on my front porch, because these steps were where we use to pray. I cannot even tell you how many times we sat right there and prayed, cried and laughed!!! Memories...This has been the summer for friends coming to visit me. Karen, who moved to Colorado several years ago, came to visit and we celebrated both of our birthdays. She just entered the fabulous 40's... WELCOME, they are truly fabulous! I miss you so much Karen! This is another dear dear friend Kathy. We use to work together and have been friends forever! She brought me my favorite dessert last weekend for my birthday. Unfortunately, it is Jim's favorite too, so I didn't get to eat the entire fruit cobbler. Yes, I have many favorite desserts. Hopefully, I will still get my favorite red velvet cake from my mom!!!! Speaking of red velvet cakes, when my family lived in VA, my sister Robin always made me a red velvet cake on my birthday. She knew how much I loved them and knowing mom wasn't here to make one, she would. I haven't forgotten Robin and thank you because I know they are really hard cakes to make!! Since Jim was out of town on my actual birthday my sweet sister Cara took me to dinner. What can I say, I am blessed. It would take to long to share ALL the special gifts, calls and tributes, however, I have been deeply touched by each and everyone of you...

HARDWOOD FLOORS...

This year Jim and I celebrated a milestone Anniversary! We felt hardwood floors would be a great present to each other! These are the before pictures...

This is the work in progress. It was a big big mess... Oh, but soooo worth it!!!! I love them! These are the after pictures....

Happy Anniversary Jim!!!! I love you more today, than the day I said "I DO"!!

Before ending this post we received this beautiful print from Jim's siblings for our Anniversary. If you can see it spells McCarthy using cool architectural symbols! We love it... thank you!