May 7, 2013: Started out the day with breakfast with Justin and Brandon as we (they) start to map out some alternative energy plans for the NVM campus in Haiti.  Getting excited for our trip in July!

For Christmas I had purchased Jen a in-house Chinese cooking class, and we cashed that in tonight! The Knuths, Sprinkles and Goegleins came over to join us, and we had a blast. Cameron said it was his first grown-up “dinner party”. We learned to make several dishes and they all tasted great.  What a fun evening!

May 6, 2013: This date has been on our minds for quite awhile.  Tonight we partnered with 28 other friends to host ‘Light up the Night’, an awareness/fundraising event for NightLight International. They work to stop sex slavery and sex trafficking in Bangkok + the USA. We had a great turnout and raised $4,700, the highest one-day total in the organization’s history! It was great to see so many different skills, talents, and passions come together for this event.

While we were getting ready for the event most of the afternoon, the girls got to be with Grandma… and Jen and I snuck out at lunch for a quick date to regroup and get ready to hop back in.  We have something on our calendar for 28 of 31 days in May. Not a single thing on it we’d want to take off, but we really appreciated the time alone over some good food. Thanks Mom! :)

(Nightlight Pics by CarisDesign)

May 5, 2013: The end of a wonderful weekend.  (I’m writing this 10 days after, so check out the Goeglein’s tumblr posts for more details!) We went to a Tulip Farm today that has 5,000,000 planted bulbs each year… and they are planted by two brothers in their 80’s! Incredible.  Ordered some bulbs for our landscape redesign, enjoyed an eventful lunch with the Goegleins before heading back home.  And when we got there…. Grandma Shiela was there and ready to see the girls for a few days! They sure do love having her around :)

May 4, 2013: What was that about rain?! Wow, what a gorgeous and perfect day! Soaked in all Holland had to offer, from tulips to dutch dancing, great food, and a beautiful sunset. Checked out Windmill Island and the authentic Dutch windmill, Centennial Park, Window to the Waterfont, and finally Kollen Park with dinner at Boatwerks. Didnt’t want this day to end!

May 3, 2013: Getaway weekend with the Goegleins! We’ve had this planned for a few months and I’m so glad it’s here! Caravan’d up to Holland, MI for Tulip Fest.  Weather is calling for rain but we’re going to make the most of it! Got in around dinner time tonight and tried New Holland Brewing Co on Andrew's recommendation. Perfect nightcap!

May 2, 2013: A picnic lunch in the back yard, followed by dessert and drinks with Isaac and Shelby!  We busted out some mint juleps for Derby Week.

May 1, 2013:  Spoke at a conference at a mansion overlooking the Hudson River today… pretty sweet venue. Cloudy flight home, but I was able to spot Pittsburgh on my way from PHL-IND, and had a great view of northern Indianapolis coming in too! Good to be home.