Here I am again. I have been on a blogging lull for awhile now, but decided it's time to jump back in again! I am working as a full time nanny in S.C. and figuring out what to do with my life. My charges are 2 little boys full of fun and sweetness! Everyday is something new with them and I want to remember it so I'm going to to "try" and keep track of it. My boys Ross (age 6) and Carson (age 5) are both obsessed with Lego's and costumes. I have just finished teaching Ross to ride his bike with out any training wheels, and he is so proud he walks around with his chest out! Carson is also working on learning, but not quite there yet.. Ross is my wild child he plays hard and talks my ear off, while Carson is much calmer and likes to tell me he loves while planting kisses on me all the time.

A brief update

Well, I have been thinking and planning what to write for awhile now.. But of course I delayed my writing for so long that now there is too much to write, and no possible way to put it all to paper! So, I am going to try and sum up all my adventures so far, in the briefest most unboring way possible I hope.
I went with the family for 4 days to the Eolie Islands, where I got too much sun, went scuba diving, helped catch an octopus, and then ate this octopus for dinner! Stayed in 3 different beautiful rooms, and enjoyed the quiet of the island life.
Back in Palermo now, I finally took my first scooter ride to the beach, there is just something so Italian about riding a scooter! Lets see, oh yes, next I get incredibly sick! Yay.. I lay in my bed with fever for 3 long days and nights, sweating it off only to have the fever come back. Strepp throat my old enemy from childhood finally strikes again!
Now I am completely better have a pool party to go to on Sunday with some friends, and then packing for France, and then Sardina! Will be gone till the end of August!! I know that this really only brushes the surface on my adventures here, but I done my best for the moment to update a little bit! Hope everyone back home is well! Miss you all :D

Palermo, Sicily

So, I'm not really how to explain or describe this beautiful and crazy place. But I shall try! I arrived here Monday May 16th at a little aiport, surrounded on one side with tall cliff like mountains, and ocean on the other. Maren and the children were waiting for me, with the tiniest little car, in which we stuffed my luggage and children all about in it! There are really no rules on the road here, everybody is honking constantly, and scooters are zipping in and out of traffic! It truly feels like maddness driving thru the city. The house is so beautiful and seperate from everything, the only way to get into it is a bridge! The food has all been ever so tasty! First night it was pasta by Simone, then pizza with eggplant, cappucinos, and tonight pizza with onions and mushrooms! Also I tried today my first Italian expresso... Uck! It is so bitter and taste like medicine, but maybe I will get used to it :) The kids are very sweet and speak English well already, and like to hold my hand, and sit in my lap while we are driving( I told you there were no rules on the road!) I can't wait to see this year unfold!

photo-my new room

Italy

I am moving to Sicily, Italy May 15th.
I am going to start writing here again to keep up with my adventures there!

I feel like writing today. I'm not sure what, but the mood is upon me, so I think I shall just ramble.. Today is lovely outside, it smells and feels of spring! Making me want to summer dresses, pink lemonade, and a big crunchy dill pickle! Yes, a pickle, you might be thinking ewww, by I am thinking yummm. There are not many things more delightful on a hot sunny day then to sit in the grass and munch on one, so I you are feeling and nice this summer and come to see me, bring me a pickle. I shall be so grateful!
I am missing my German girls a lot this week. Playing make believe, "cooking", dance party's (with all 3 of us in my clothes), and bubble bath time. It's funny I used to be annoyed when they wanted me to sing forever until they would fall asleep and now I would so dearly love to hear them say, "sing Sannon, sing!"
My birthday is next month and I shall be 24.. How is the question I keep asking myself did I reach this age? Now I know it is not old, all of you older people out there shaking there heads at me. But still I wonder, where does time go! Does it really get faster as we get older or do we just get busier.. Yesterday was Valentines day and it was lovely. I had lunch with a dear friend, a slice of pizza each and a shared piece of chocolate cake! Then shopping with my mother, she bought me an adorable pink yellow and other colored dress! But the topper was coming home and finding flowers on my dresser from my Dad! :) Now I can't say I've never gotten flowers on Valentines day.

Germany!

Well, I have not written in my blog in ages.. Hmm I try so hard to be devoted to it and make it a daily or at least weekly habit, but it seems I just can not. I am not good at sitting at the computer too long, and only seldom am struck with a mood to write. So alas my blog sits and well sits somemore :)
This last week I have been in the grand country of Deutschland! I am visiting the family I was an au pair for. The girls came home yesterday from their vacation and it has been loud in the house ever since! Wow the whole day it is Shannon will you come, Shannon sit by me, Shannon where are you going, and Shannon sleep in our bed! hahaha they are so cute, and a little bit bigger.
It has been good being here, I am visiting with friends, and eating some of my favorite foods, and I think Saturday I might go to Heidelburg! Then sadly on Sunday I must fly home! Not that I dont miss all of you soo much! lol
Oh yes and and the second day I am here an old man who I did not know stopped me and gave me some beautiful flowers!

Triathlon Sprint- 400 yard swim, 10 mile ride, 2 mile run.

Well it has finally come and gone! Yesterday I was excited nervous and not sure what I was doing as I stepped into the lake with a pile of other girls wearing our matching baby blue caps. There where 11 waves starting 3 minutes apart, and I was in the 5th. They used swimming caps to tell which wave you were in, my mom had a hot pink one. Swimming in a lake with so many people was a weird experience for me having been a swimmer and used to my own lane, now I am being smacked from all directions as people try to get across! As you come out of the water you see swim caps being pulled off and being thrown everywhere, I think I actually thru my goggles out too.. hmm oops. You race to your bike now running up a hill and over gravely cement trying to remember where your bike is hanging! Throw on a helmet, shoes, take a bite of some food and off you go onto a 10 mile bike loop, yelling "on your left" as you pass people! ( and hearing it said as people pass you) Hardest part for me was the run, you jump off your bike trotting back to where your stuff was, which took me a minute to find, put your bike back up and then try and start running. A calf cramp took hold of my right leg almost immediately requiring that I stop and stretch it, 2 miles later I am still in pain but coming thru the finish line happy it is over! I am so glad I did it and can't wait to do another and do it better!!

clipless pedals

What happens when you panick and can't get out of them.. You fall and hit a tree :)

Cakes- good and bad

Ok.... The top 3 pictures are not only cute, but also taste good, and I think that is what one is going for when they bake :) However the beautiful cake below those pictures is quite splendid to look at, but flavor wise, not so good. I guess my baking is a working progress!

oh dear

I am still being consistent in my excerise except for I have a chest cold and lost my voice today, so that has thrown a little loop in it.
The oh dear is for the fact that I am simply not a good blogger :)

for more information about the triathlon

http://www.callawaygardens.com/Callaway/info/calendar/calendar.fitnessseries_sprinttriathlon.event.aspx

sorry my link thing doesn't work for you to just click on it :(

Cake Time

What do you do when you have twin girls who want a cowboy birthday party, two different favorite colors, and love horses? You make them each their own horse head cakes! And I got the privilege to to make them for their birthday! I also made their grandmothers cake, who's birthday was the same week. I really enjoyed thinking of how to make it look real horsy :) And for the grandmothers cake I made the one I made for my mom's birthday! It was a complete hit again, and the girls adored there very own cakes.






I had forgotten to stick the chocolate twirls in the top of the cake till half way thru it being eaten :)

A Dress

So I found this dress that I love love love!! But didn't have the heart to choke up 140 dollars to buy it. Instead my friend took some pictures for me to remember it by :)

Brown eyed Boy

Also taken at milk night, cept he couldn't be in the blue eyed group now could he.. And I couldn't not post these either, so he gets his own section!

Blue Eyes

I was overcome by beautiful blue eyes tonight! Wednsday is what I call affectionaly milk night :) I know a local farmer where I get fresh milk from and a lady also sales eggs there. It has turned into my wednsday hang out scene, and two of the families I go to church with also, like to hang out too! I was watching the kids run around and play when I recalled I had my camera in my car, and the lighting was perfect out! Here are some of my favorites!

Downtown with Cason

Yes, Cason I am finally putting up some pictures! I know you have been patiently waiting.. while I have only been delaying! Hey a rhyme :) These ones are my favorites


!

paint drops

Is there anything better then good friends!

Spent a lovely four days with Carrie down in Florida, although we did not get the hot weather we so desired, it was still nice catching up with each other!

Before & After

So I decided to try out my skills with photoshop on this picture of a friend, and am quite pleased with the result.