Gotta Love A Good Quickie...

Oh please - I meant update - and YOU knew that! ;o)

Again we have neglected to update in a while... no use apologizing we'll probably just do it again.

What is up with this "we" business anyway? Truth is... it's just me, Amy, catching things up a bit around here. If you are reading this now - leave a comment... say hello! Good grief.

Quickie rundown -

• School starts in 3 weeks...
• No one is happy about it...
• Ethan will be in 8th grade
• Kate will be in 5th
• Maggie will be 2 this New Year's...
  
• She's running and is quite the whirling dirvish
• Not talking a whole lot yet.
• Mike is not working quite as late and he really only takes Sundays off.
  

Me? I'm working out at least once a day (back to 2 - 5 days a week as soon as school starts). I've dropped a little over 20lbs. since Kate's birthday and am working on another 20+ now. Aside from that I've been scheduling inspections for Mike, shopping for a new house, and chasing the Maggster. I ought to be a size 2 by now.

Ethan has an awesome blog - if you haven't seen it yet - get over there!

That's it for now!

Notice A Difference?

Well, it's a change anyway. I've decided to make our blog the main page of The Doran Family website. I think it will work a little bit better that way.

I'm still working on a way to display family pictures, family tree, etc.

You can still reach all of our pages from the side links (left) just click on our names. I am going to redesign Mike's page soon... it's the only one that just doesn't have the look I want it to.

If you haven't yet, make sure you visit Ethan's Blog, it's really great.

Everyone is still chugging along here. School starts August 22 - and we're not looking forward to it.

What Kind of Coffee is Amy?

I love coffee... couldn't live without it and I don't care what diet I am on... I won't give it up, although, I do drink it now with sugar-free syrups or sweeteners.

You Are an Espresso

At your best, you are: straight shooting, ambitious, and energetic At your worst, you are: anxious and high strung You drink coffee when: anytime you're not sleeping Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Hate to say it - but this is definitely me.

My favorite Starbuck's order is - Venti Cafe Americano over ice with sugar-free vanilla and heavy cream.

For a special treat - Caramel Machiato with extra caramel!

And Another Vacation Comes to a Close...

Whew! What a whirlwind we had last Saturday!

Everyone arrived safely at LAX around 9:30 - unfortunately, the luggage didn't arrive until almost 11am... by 2pm they were home safe and sound!

More importantly, they were home bearing TREATS! Mike and I each received:

Applebutter
Applebutter Barbecue Sauce
Woah Nellie, Hot Sauce (Mike collects hot sauce)
Old-Fashioned Candy from Michie's Tavern (just perfect for my low-carb diet... LOL)
A mug from Hershey's Park in Pennsylvania
Mike got a shotglass from Hershey

Within a few hours of the kids arriving home we were on the road over to Pismo Beach where we had rented a lovely cabin for the 4th of July weekend. Everyone had the best time and we even had an ok (sort of) view of the fireworks from the cabin deck. We could even see the other firework shows up and down the beach.

The weather was cool to downright chilly in the mid-60's the entire time. This was a refreshing change from the mid-90 to 100 degree weather we're enduring here at home now.

Still, it is nice just to be home relaxing... the laundry is done and we're practically completely unpacked. I'm looking forward to enjoying the rest of the summer, even if school is starting a week early...

Hershey, Amish, Poor Weather, Delayed Flights...

Well, they have finished out their vacation by experiencing what I think is fair to describe as the polar opposites of a vacation. One day was spent in Hershey, PA at the Hershey amusement park with some of the tallest and fastest roller coasters they have ever ridden, the other was spent touring Amish country.

Ethan said they had a great time at the Hershey amusement park, he and Kate rode everything. Ethan sounded proud of Kate when he told me that no matter what ride he suggested she was game to go right along with him. Can't say the same about my mom and Garett... they tend to avoid the "thrills and chills." LOL

Yesterday the kids toured the Pennsylvania Amish country. Lots of buggies, beards, hats, etc. Ethan said that he picked up something for his Dad and I. I thought that was so sweet. Both he and Kate are always thinking of other people when they are away like that.

Due to poor weather conditions, thunderstorms, etc. the flight from Philadelphia to Atlanta was delayed a couple of times causing them to miss their flight from Atlanta to LA. They won't be home until early afternoon tomorrow. I'm more than a little bummed, I was really looking forward to seeing them in the morning, I've missed them a lot.

I'm looking forward to getting away for a few days. Mike finally has some well-earned time off and we're going to enjoy some family time.

Happy 4th of July!