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Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Fun in Kalamazoo!
On a whim, Brent and I headed for Kalamazoo on Saturday afternoon. I've read on a few of the facebooks and alumni sites that the PNHS alumni meets on the day after Christmas at Burdick's. So we decided to go. By the time we hit Battle Creek, it had begun snowing and 30 minutes later, we were being pummeled. That was okay, though, we were staying right there so didn't have to drive anywhere.
I hadn't seen any of these people in 25-30 years! We had a really good time. We had a really nice room, had dinner up there last night and came down for a nice breakfast at Burdick's this morning.
I hadn't seen any of these people in 25-30 years! We had a really good time. We had a really nice room, had dinner up there last night and came down for a nice breakfast at Burdick's this morning.
This Santa Claus on the Kalamazoo Mall, downtown, has been a part of Kalamazoo history since before I was born so many years ago!
In the lobby of the Raddison at the Kalamazoo Center.
And here's a picture of the two of us. We had a good weekend.
In the lobby of the Raddison at the Kalamazoo Center.
And here's a picture of the two of us. We had a good weekend.
Christmas
We had a good Christmas with all the girls....Laurel, Sara, Maddison and Mackenzee.
Maddison was way into her new Leapster game!
Silver was pretty worn out from the whole thing!
Maddison was way into her new Leapster game!
Silver was pretty worn out from the whole thing!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Nelson Resemblances
This is Ricky (on the left, of course!)
This is his Uncle Monte
Look at their right eyes........do you see how they are the same???
This is Ricky with his gun....yeah, makes a Momma proud! :(
This is his Uncle Monte and HIS gun!!!!
This is his Uncle Monte
Look at their right eyes........do you see how they are the same???
This is Ricky with his gun....yeah, makes a Momma proud! :(
This is his Uncle Monte and HIS gun!!!!
I think it's all genetic!!!
The Nelson boys!!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Ringo goes to daycare!
Ringo started doggie daycare this week and he LOVED it. Just look at all of his new friends! They have all kinds of toys and each other to play with. Ringo is in the "big dog" daycare room that happens to have a webcam in it. I took my laptop to work and could view him all day long!
Well, only when they were inside. They have a very structured day! They start out playing outside (weather permitting), then they play inside. At noon, they all go to seperate kennels for lunch. Then they go back outside, then inside, then back out. There is always a human with them, playing, petting, talking to them.
He was so worn out that night. He's used to just vegging on his dog pillow all day long. So now, hopefully, he'll go play with his new friends a few days a week. (This daycare stays completely full, so even if I wanted to send him everyday, I couldn't right now).
Well, only when they were inside. They have a very structured day! They start out playing outside (weather permitting), then they play inside. At noon, they all go to seperate kennels for lunch. Then they go back outside, then inside, then back out. There is always a human with them, playing, petting, talking to them.
He was so worn out that night. He's used to just vegging on his dog pillow all day long. So now, hopefully, he'll go play with his new friends a few days a week. (This daycare stays completely full, so even if I wanted to send him everyday, I couldn't right now).
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Too cute!
I had never heard this song before. Maddison and Mackenzee just could NOT believe that I had never heard this Hannah Montana song before! Wow, am I really missing out or what?
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Halloween
Brent, Maddison and Mackenzee working on
Halloween costume projects.
Halloween costume projects.
M
We bowled in league last night and our team dressed up as black-eyed peas! This is Brent and Kathy Foltz. I don't have any of Scott or I...I wanted one of all four of us...our whole team...but couldn't get anyone to pay attention to me long enough to get the camera and shoot a doggone picture. Oh well...wasn't meant to be I guess.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The cat's meow!
It's that time of year!
I came home from work tonight just as Maddison and Mackenzee were leaving for a Girl Scout Halloween function.
They are both some kind of kitty this year!!
I may be partial, but I think they are just
doggone adorable!
Meow!!!! :)
Friday, October 9, 2009
Our Trip to Brazil!
Okay, here are the pictures from our trip. They are in no certain order, because I am SO TIRED! I've got the pictures all over right now and just can't sort them out. I've been in my center for only 3 days this WHOLE MONTH and I've got all that I need to get done on my mind. I got back around 10pm last night (Friday the 23rd) after beind in Dallas for a week.
So, here they are..............................
Me and Paolo saying goodbye....he gave me a painting of his.............
Brent and I partying in Rio on the Copacobana
Sue and I with an Indian peddler...Sue bought one of his CDs and it was really good.
Partyin' in Copacobana~~
I bought Maddison and Mackenzee two of these purses that this guy makes out of pop can tabs
I became a peddler on the beach!
Here I am trying to sell my wares...not having much luck.
Paolo thanking me for the hat I brought him...
Here I am sunning at Sue and Matt's house.
This is a view of one of the verandas
The door on the left was our suite. The brown door in the middle is so cool, it has stained glass fish in it.
Here's another view of our suite, you can see the window on the left.
This was right outside our suite, you can see our window on the right and another suite on the left. The hallway goes upstairs to the main floor.
This was a beach right down from Sue and Matt's. Bren and I walked down one afternoon to soak up a few rays and drink some of the local favorite....SKOL.
Here's Brent snorkeling. He saw starfish and pufferfish among other things. This was right at Sue and Matt's yard.
Here's Sue and Matt at the bar. Both are always so happy and smiley!
This was in Rio at the Corcovado.
Here's a beautiful sunset. This was at Tartaruga "Turtle" Beach.
Me and Sue at Tartaruga
We got caught in the rain one day when all four of us were out...we were in Sue's topless buggy!
Brent and Matt were sitting up on the back in the pouring rain! They barely fit and had to hang on for dear life because we put the surf boards and beach chairs in the back.
This was on the way to the beach. Sue was looking for a new washer so we pulled right up into one! The stores there don't have fronts...everything is wide open!
Here's another shot of the appliance store....see what I mean? She just pulled right up into the store almost!
This is one of the little nooks at Sue and Matt's...
...here's the view...and a waterfall comes down over this too!
Here's what's left of my birthday cake. Sue surprised me...they had a traditional Brazillian Barbecue and invited all the guests and some of their friends. Then came down singing Happy Birthday in Portuguese! The candles are a five and zero! She did this because she missed my big five-oh back in July and because I had such a crappy birthday....wasn't that sweet?
This was at the barbecue/my birthday party...there was even live music!
This is Sue and Marcia (the live in help) setting up for the barbecue.
More of the party....
more party.....this is Brent and Matt
This is a hummingbird. This same little (much bigger than the hummingbirds here!) guy sat in this tree every day.
more party...
a view of the bar...
Looking down on one of the sandy beaches in their yard. They have banana and coconut trees right in their yard and pick them to use as needed!
This is sitting at the bar looking out to one of the covered verandas...
Here's a view of one of the sitting rooms. The window to the left is Sue and Matt's office. The window straight back looks into a hallway that takes you down to one of the pools...this window is soon going to be one huge salt water aquarium!
Brent taking a dip in one of the pools..
This walkway in the front leads to the garden suite and to Sue and Matt's office.
Sue and Matt the night we all went out to dinner.
more barbecue/party...this is James from London on the left and Brent in the middle.
A friend of Sue and Matt's..Roland...providing the live music. He was really good!
Here's a view looking up from down by the cove...I was actually getting a shot of the cactus!
Here's a view from the bar area looking into the dining room.
This is looking out of the window in our suite...
This is how all the beds look after the room has been cleaned and prepared each morning...They use fresh flowers (on the towels) each day...they put them in each sink too.. these just grow wild all over their yard...
This was the bed in our suite..
another view of our suite looking out...
This is Barone! He lives there with three cats...
Sunset in Buzios from one of the verandas...
Sue and Matt at the barbecue/birthday party....
This is at their front door as you come in off the street...it's outside
One of the beautiful doors....everything at the Inn uses natural materials found locally such as bamboo, coconut, stone, etc.
Brent snuck out very early one morning while I was still snoozing..he thought he was being sneaky! I snapped this as he was heading out. I actually got on a kayak with him later that day.
there he goes........
way out there!
this is in the front
a peaceful setting on one of the verandas
the barbecue pit
morning coffee and tea set up on the bar every day
this is in the middle of the bar area
ooking out into the neighbor's yard
looking up at the house from down near the water
at the front door
looking in as you come off the street
looking down on one of the jacuzzi pools with waterfalls
the swim up bar
cool way to get some sun!
James (from London) making caipirinhas
Sue giving James a lesson on how to really shake it (shaking is the most important step in making this drink!)
This ring was made by the girl I met in Rio (she just turned 18) who was orphaned on the streets in Rio when she was five...Sue gave me this for my birthday
This is a handmade metal box with semi-precious stones found in the area...Sue gave me this for my birthday too...
While we were in Rio, minutes after the announcement that Rio won the 2016 Olympics, Matt called Sue to tell her they had just been named THE NUMBER ONE BED AND BREAKFAST IN ALL OF SOUTH AMERICA! Here's the news release......................
Cachoeira Inn CHOSEN AS Best in South America IN THE BEST OF BEDANDBREAKFAST.COM AWARDS
Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- The Cachoeira Inn of Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was selected as Best in South America in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2009-2010. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards are based upon a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 50,000 independent reviews submitted to BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online B&B directory and reservation network worldwide.
"BedandBreakfast.com surveys show that independent reviews are the most important factor when choosing a B&B. In fact, according to BedandBreakfast.com's most recent survey, 96% of consumers consider reviews to be somewhere between important and essential when selecting a place to stay, and 12% will not make a reservation at a property without them. We're delighted that inn goers concur that the Cachoeira Inn is deserving of its accolades from travelers," explained BedandBreakfast.com's Sandy Soule, one of the most highly recognized authors and a spokeswoman for the B&B industry. "Clearly, the Cachoeira Inn earned its stellar reviews from inn goers for its quality accommodations, breakfasts, amenities, and wonderful hospitality and service," commented Soule.
"It's a true honor to be chosen for a Best of BedandBreakfast.com award, and we thank our guests for the positive reviews that resulted in this award, stated Matt and Susan Marshall, the Cachoeira Inn innkeepers. "It is gratifying that our guests took the time to share their comments about our hospitality, accommodations, breakfasts and attention to the details which set the Cachoeira Inn apart," commented the Marshall’s. Here's an excerpt from one of our reviews: My girlfriend and I decided to give the Cachoeira Inn a try during a trip to Brazil in May. Let's just say we made the right choice. We were blown away once we entered the front gate of The Cachoeira Inn and took in the most incredible B&B we have ever seen.
About the Cachoeira Inn: The Cachoeira Inn, meaning “Waterfall Inn” in Portuguese, is a Luxurious Seaside Tropical Asian Style Guest House in the beautiful resort town of Armaçâo dos Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We are perfectly perched along Ferradura's rocky eastern shoreline, laying scene to panoramic views of Ferradura bay and her verdant hillside. From our privileged location, you will IMMERSE YOURSELF In 9 waterfalls - 7 pools - 3 sand beaches - botanical gardens - winding river - sundecks - dry sauna - BBQ area with sit-up bar - 2 hanging chairs under the coconut palm - open air gazebo - and to top it off, a private ocean access from the Inn's backyard. Having a maximum capacity of 8 adults, allows us to provide a more personalized & highly sophisticated service, bringing everything you need, right to your fingertips. For reservations, please contact us at (55)-(22)-2623-2118 or visit our website at http://www.cachoeirainn.com/.
For a complete list of all winners, including regional and international Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners, please visit http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ and click Winners 2009-2010.
Founded in 1995, BedandBreakfast.com is highly recommended by The New York Times, Real Simple, Forbes, Travel & Leisure, USA TODAY and many others. To learn about more nearly 9,000 other perfect choices for your next B&B getaway, visit BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide. A variety of search functions and extensive maps enable inn goers to find the perfect B&B. Travelers can make reservations online, purchase The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, read up-to-date trip reports on The BedandBreakfast.com Blog, read and write independent reviews, and post questions on expert-hosted message boards.
# # #High resolution photos and color brochure available upon request.
Related Articles:
New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/greathomesanddestinations/21gh-brazil.html?_r=2
Travel Agent Magazine – http://www.nxtbooks.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-080309/#/62
Trip Advisor - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g303492-d1201905-Reviews-Cachoeira_Inn-Buzios_State_of_Rio_de_Janeiro.html
Journal do Brasil – Request PDF
Matt & Susan Marshall
Cachoeira Inn
Rua E-1, Lote #18, Praia da Ferradura
Armaçâo dos Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 28950-000
Phone: (55)-(22)-2623-2118
Website: http://www.cachoeirainn.com/
===================================================
All of the reviews that people give them are so spot on. I had the time of my life there and it is such a beautiful place. Sue and Matt have put a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears into this place and a long six years. Their efforts have definitely paid off...............
So, here they are..............................
Me and Paolo saying goodbye....he gave me a painting of his.............
Brent and I partying in Rio on the Copacobana
Sue and I with an Indian peddler...Sue bought one of his CDs and it was really good.
Partyin' in Copacobana~~
I bought Maddison and Mackenzee two of these purses that this guy makes out of pop can tabs
I became a peddler on the beach!
Here I am trying to sell my wares...not having much luck.
Paolo thanking me for the hat I brought him...
Here I am sunning at Sue and Matt's house.
This is a view of one of the verandas
The door on the left was our suite. The brown door in the middle is so cool, it has stained glass fish in it.
Here's another view of our suite, you can see the window on the left.
This was right outside our suite, you can see our window on the right and another suite on the left. The hallway goes upstairs to the main floor.
This was a beach right down from Sue and Matt's. Bren and I walked down one afternoon to soak up a few rays and drink some of the local favorite....SKOL.
Here's Brent snorkeling. He saw starfish and pufferfish among other things. This was right at Sue and Matt's yard.
Here's Sue and Matt at the bar. Both are always so happy and smiley!
This was in Rio at the Corcovado.
Here's a beautiful sunset. This was at Tartaruga "Turtle" Beach.
Me and Sue at Tartaruga
We got caught in the rain one day when all four of us were out...we were in Sue's topless buggy!
Brent and Matt were sitting up on the back in the pouring rain! They barely fit and had to hang on for dear life because we put the surf boards and beach chairs in the back.
This was on the way to the beach. Sue was looking for a new washer so we pulled right up into one! The stores there don't have fronts...everything is wide open!
Here's another shot of the appliance store....see what I mean? She just pulled right up into the store almost!
This is one of the little nooks at Sue and Matt's...
...here's the view...and a waterfall comes down over this too!
Here's what's left of my birthday cake. Sue surprised me...they had a traditional Brazillian Barbecue and invited all the guests and some of their friends. Then came down singing Happy Birthday in Portuguese! The candles are a five and zero! She did this because she missed my big five-oh back in July and because I had such a crappy birthday....wasn't that sweet?
This was at the barbecue/my birthday party...there was even live music!
This is Sue and Marcia (the live in help) setting up for the barbecue.
More of the party....
more party.....this is Brent and Matt
This is a hummingbird. This same little (much bigger than the hummingbirds here!) guy sat in this tree every day.
more party...
a view of the bar...
Looking down on one of the sandy beaches in their yard. They have banana and coconut trees right in their yard and pick them to use as needed!
This is sitting at the bar looking out to one of the covered verandas...
Here's a view of one of the sitting rooms. The window to the left is Sue and Matt's office. The window straight back looks into a hallway that takes you down to one of the pools...this window is soon going to be one huge salt water aquarium!
Brent taking a dip in one of the pools..
This walkway in the front leads to the garden suite and to Sue and Matt's office.
Sue and Matt the night we all went out to dinner.
more barbecue/party...this is James from London on the left and Brent in the middle.
A friend of Sue and Matt's..Roland...providing the live music. He was really good!
Here's a view looking up from down by the cove...I was actually getting a shot of the cactus!
Here's a view from the bar area looking into the dining room.
This is looking out of the window in our suite...
This is how all the beds look after the room has been cleaned and prepared each morning...They use fresh flowers (on the towels) each day...they put them in each sink too.. these just grow wild all over their yard...
This was the bed in our suite..
another view of our suite looking out...
This is Barone! He lives there with three cats...
Sunset in Buzios from one of the verandas...
Sue and Matt at the barbecue/birthday party....
This is at their front door as you come in off the street...it's outside
One of the beautiful doors....everything at the Inn uses natural materials found locally such as bamboo, coconut, stone, etc.
Brent snuck out very early one morning while I was still snoozing..he thought he was being sneaky! I snapped this as he was heading out. I actually got on a kayak with him later that day.
there he goes........
way out there!
this is in the front
a peaceful setting on one of the verandas
the barbecue pit
morning coffee and tea set up on the bar every day
this is in the middle of the bar area
ooking out into the neighbor's yard
looking up at the house from down near the water
at the front door
looking in as you come off the street
looking down on one of the jacuzzi pools with waterfalls
the swim up bar
cool way to get some sun!
James (from London) making caipirinhas
Sue giving James a lesson on how to really shake it (shaking is the most important step in making this drink!)
This ring was made by the girl I met in Rio (she just turned 18) who was orphaned on the streets in Rio when she was five...Sue gave me this for my birthday
This is a handmade metal box with semi-precious stones found in the area...Sue gave me this for my birthday too...
While we were in Rio, minutes after the announcement that Rio won the 2016 Olympics, Matt called Sue to tell her they had just been named THE NUMBER ONE BED AND BREAKFAST IN ALL OF SOUTH AMERICA! Here's the news release......................
Cachoeira Inn CHOSEN AS Best in South America IN THE BEST OF BEDANDBREAKFAST.COM AWARDS
Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- The Cachoeira Inn of Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was selected as Best in South America in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2009-2010. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards are based upon a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 50,000 independent reviews submitted to BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online B&B directory and reservation network worldwide.
"BedandBreakfast.com surveys show that independent reviews are the most important factor when choosing a B&B. In fact, according to BedandBreakfast.com's most recent survey, 96% of consumers consider reviews to be somewhere between important and essential when selecting a place to stay, and 12% will not make a reservation at a property without them. We're delighted that inn goers concur that the Cachoeira Inn is deserving of its accolades from travelers," explained BedandBreakfast.com's Sandy Soule, one of the most highly recognized authors and a spokeswoman for the B&B industry. "Clearly, the Cachoeira Inn earned its stellar reviews from inn goers for its quality accommodations, breakfasts, amenities, and wonderful hospitality and service," commented Soule.
"It's a true honor to be chosen for a Best of BedandBreakfast.com award, and we thank our guests for the positive reviews that resulted in this award, stated Matt and Susan Marshall, the Cachoeira Inn innkeepers. "It is gratifying that our guests took the time to share their comments about our hospitality, accommodations, breakfasts and attention to the details which set the Cachoeira Inn apart," commented the Marshall’s. Here's an excerpt from one of our reviews: My girlfriend and I decided to give the Cachoeira Inn a try during a trip to Brazil in May. Let's just say we made the right choice. We were blown away once we entered the front gate of The Cachoeira Inn and took in the most incredible B&B we have ever seen.
About the Cachoeira Inn: The Cachoeira Inn, meaning “Waterfall Inn” in Portuguese, is a Luxurious Seaside Tropical Asian Style Guest House in the beautiful resort town of Armaçâo dos Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We are perfectly perched along Ferradura's rocky eastern shoreline, laying scene to panoramic views of Ferradura bay and her verdant hillside. From our privileged location, you will IMMERSE YOURSELF In 9 waterfalls - 7 pools - 3 sand beaches - botanical gardens - winding river - sundecks - dry sauna - BBQ area with sit-up bar - 2 hanging chairs under the coconut palm - open air gazebo - and to top it off, a private ocean access from the Inn's backyard. Having a maximum capacity of 8 adults, allows us to provide a more personalized & highly sophisticated service, bringing everything you need, right to your fingertips. For reservations, please contact us at (55)-(22)-2623-2118 or visit our website at http://www.cachoeirainn.com/.
For a complete list of all winners, including regional and international Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners, please visit http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ and click Winners 2009-2010.
Founded in 1995, BedandBreakfast.com is highly recommended by The New York Times, Real Simple, Forbes, Travel & Leisure, USA TODAY and many others. To learn about more nearly 9,000 other perfect choices for your next B&B getaway, visit BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide. A variety of search functions and extensive maps enable inn goers to find the perfect B&B. Travelers can make reservations online, purchase The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, read up-to-date trip reports on The BedandBreakfast.com Blog, read and write independent reviews, and post questions on expert-hosted message boards.
# # #High resolution photos and color brochure available upon request.
Related Articles:
New York Times - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/greathomesanddestinations/21gh-brazil.html?_r=2
Travel Agent Magazine – http://www.nxtbooks.com/nxtbooks/questex/ta-080309/#/62
Trip Advisor - http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g303492-d1201905-Reviews-Cachoeira_Inn-Buzios_State_of_Rio_de_Janeiro.html
Journal do Brasil – Request PDF
Matt & Susan Marshall
Cachoeira Inn
Rua E-1, Lote #18, Praia da Ferradura
Armaçâo dos Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 28950-000
Phone: (55)-(22)-2623-2118
Website: http://www.cachoeirainn.com/
===================================================
All of the reviews that people give them are so spot on. I had the time of my life there and it is such a beautiful place. Sue and Matt have put a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears into this place and a long six years. Their efforts have definitely paid off...............
I'm going back too; Sue & I promised to not let another almost 20 years go by before we see each other again....that's a promise I intend to keep!
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