Award-winning Ron

I began the morning photographing the new to convention breakfast. Happily they had yummy beignets for breakfast!

The second general session was hosted by "Ellen" aka Jodie! She was spot on as Miss Degeneres-- it was such fun to watch!

Our dear friend Sweet Charley won a very prestigious award-- we are so proud of all he's done for CADA!

I also had the honor of hearing Earl Reum speak. He is a CADA legend who has been a part of the organization since its inception! He was recently diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer so they weren't certain he would be able to speak. I am so glad that I can say that I heard him speak-- he is an amazing man!

After the speech we had a moment to celebrate with Charley.

The weather looked like it was going to turn for the worse, but we never saw any snow and precious little rain.

One of the most fun things about convention is walking the floor with all of the exhibitors. We get to catch up with lots of friends like Bruce from USA Travel (the company Ron does his east coast trip with each year.)

We also got to see Uncle Tyler and his son Spencer! We have known Tyler for years now-- we met up with him on our honeymoon. Doesn't everyone meet up with a motivational speaker on their honeymoon?? Whenever Tyler is in town we get together, but we have never had the privilege of meeting one of his boys-- so it was a special treat!

Ron was honored by Area E with their service leader award! The folks from our area voted on this award and it was presented by the Area E Coordinator, Janet. I'm so proud of him!!

The Hart District met up for dinner at Charlie Palmer's restaurant Briscola which happened to be located in our hotel.

The food was amazing!!! I highly recommend the Caesar salad...

and the Penne with wild boar ragout was totally out of this world!!!!

Next time I want to try the antipasto because they have the chef come out and prepare it right in front of you!

It was so nice to spend time with the folks from the SCV schools that we don't get to see often especially Bob Vincent and Todd Arrowsmith!

After dinner we had to make an appearance at the bowling/dance party. Ron and I stopped for a second at the Josten's photo op.

The bowling was way too loud for us, so after a few photos we were off to bed. This "vacation" isn't very restful so we need all the sleep we can get!

Back in Stockton.... Libi is doing much better with her allergies!

She and Granpa are having lots of fun together! I'm so happy that they are getting along so well.

Their poor house has been covered in princesses...

and other Disney paraphernalia.

Yippee for hanging out at Jammy and Granpa's house!!

We miss our energetic little girl!!!

Convention Day 1

Today was when the work really began! Registration opened, Ron went into rehearsal, and I became the newsletter photographer.

Most of our friends arrived today including Bob Vincent and Todd Arrowsmith from good ole Santa Clarita Valley.

Ron took a moment out of rehearsal to pose with his Area E team at their registration booth. The theme was New Orleans this year so their area dressed up as artists -- very cute!

Ron's photo was on the wall since he's part of the board (for a few more days).

Janet and Farrah are two of Ron's Area E and Camp friends. Happily they are also two of my very sweet friends :)

There were beads and masks EVERYWHERE!! Libi is going to love all the stuff we will have to bring back to her.

Don Schaeffer, was the convention coordinator and the man who recommended Ron for the stage manager job. Here they are deep in discussion getting ready for the first general session.

Knowing people has it's advantages! Since Ron was in charge of things I got to be in on lots of rehearsals and meet all of the speakers. The first general session's speaker was Jason Ryan Dorsey. His message was OK and his jokes were funny, but he looked like a raccoon in all my pictures. Sorry Jason!

I was very nervous about being the sole photographer for all the general sessions so Ron was kind enough to pose for me so I could test my flash. What a trooper!

I had reserved seats for every major event. See, it's good to know people!

To keep with the spirit of Mardi Gras, every award recipient got some beads. These were my favorites!

There were lots of "celebrities" in the general sessions. Today we were graced by the presence of Brangelina. Cindy made a great Angelina Jolie-- complete with huge lips!

The major star to grace the stage tonight was "Emeril" aka Paul. He did a great job getting all of the Emeril swag and energy!

Since they met about a year ago, Ron and Matt have been fast friends. I even refer to Matt as Ron's CADA wife-- they make a darling couple!

Even though we had a full day, the fun wasn't over. Next it was off to the area lounges for drinks and socializing.

At this point it was late and many folks had had too much to drink which made things fun! In the camp suite (pictured above) it wasn't too wild and crazy... just silly! These yellow vests make an appearance every time Melissa, Shauna, Verne and Farrah get together-- they even came out at Melissa's wedding!

Libs was really runny and sniffy today, so they stayed close to home. I don't think they made it out of PJ's today.

This simple shopping bag has been a great source of entertainment for Libs.

She's even learning directions: Inside...

Under!

You can still dress up even though you don't feel well!

Even with those sad little allergy eyes and a runny nose...

she still has spunk!!!

Granpa and Libs still look like they're having fun together.

Tobee seems pretty content to be at Jammy and Granpa's too!

Livin' it up in Reno!!!

Ron began his day in the board meeting-- I met up with them for lunch and some picture taking. Here is Ron posing with all of the other appointed officers: Bob, Radon, Ron, Jack, a very sweet gal whose name I can't recall-- she works the CADA store at convention, Glen, Sandi, and Matt.

What did I do during my free time??? I took my scraps from scrapbooking and made cards to send to friends. It was kinda funny to have a little scrapbooking station in our hotel room, but it was much less expensive then shopping, gambling or a massage!

We ate dinner with the board in one of the hotel conference rooms. The food left much to be desired, but the company of our CADA family was priceless. Here is Ron with MJ and Janet-- two of our very dear friends that I got to know much better this year at CADA.

It was really nice to be able to spend so much time with the gang and not have to run off to entertain Miss Libs (which is the way I've spent the last three conventions!)

They are re-doing the hotel so floors 17 on up have a modern black decor. We stayed on floor 12 with the seizure inducing elevator doors and fiesta decor! Hopefully by the time we're back here in two years all of the floors will re-done!

Before bed I went down to the penny slots and hit it "big" on the Star Wars machine! My $19 win on this machine in the space of about 20 minutes allowed me to gamble the rest of the week and not lost any money! I even came home with $5 extra :)

I couldn't find any photos from Jammy and Granpa's house for today-- if I find some later, then I'll re-post.

Parting ways...

This morning Ron and I re-packed the car in preparation for Reno. We kidnapped several of Libs dolls from home for one of the sketches and this morning we found Fancy Nancy and Tiana working out on the sitting room floor. Nancy was doing pushups, while Tiana was doing some arm stretches-- very funny to see.

Today was the first day for Granpa and Libs to be alone-- that mischievous look doesn't bode well!

We took the carseat out of our car for the transfer and Libi decided to strap herself in. She flipped out when she couldn't get un-strapped-- silly girl!

This was the final sight we saw before we made the two+ hour drive to Reno-- so sweet!

After nap time Libs and Granpa ran some errands and then later Lou took a tubby!

Poor thing started to have an allergy attack in the evening, so she was pretty drippy and miserable!

Ron and I were enjoying our couple adventure! After checking in to our suite and unpacking for our week in Reno we headed out to dinner.

Tonight we tried a newly remodeled place called Chocolate Bar (it was the only one of the three restaurants by the same name that was opened on Monday!) Ron and I were shocked at how many of the nicer restaurants were closed on Mondays!

Yes, they had a dinner menu there. Yes, the food was pretty good. Yes, the decor was uber cool and lounge-y! And OH YES, they have amazing chocolate desserts!!!!!

My personal favorite was the mud pie! It was so much lighter than traditional mud pies I've tried-- it was just like butter, so smooth and creamy!

Ron's favorite was their doughnut sampler. Yummy beignet-like donuts with three dipping sauces.

We had to do some poses with our favorites!

Yes, we are super cheesy!!!

Here is a photo of our home for the next week-- the Grand Sierra Resort (formerly the Reno Hilton.)

In keeping with my first day of the month tradition, here is my day book for March 1st.

Date: March 1, 2010

Outside my window: Reno, NV

I am wearing: Traveling clothes for the two plus hour drive from Stockton to Reno

I am going: To be child-free this week and help Ron at CADA

I am hoping: That Libi and Granpa have a wonderful time getting to know each other better.

I am creating: Hopefully 50 cards in my hotel room J

I am hearing: Pandora play Glee Radio

I am watching: Nada

I am loving: A little time away with my hubby!

On my mind: The future of MOPS weighs on me daily! I’m really hoping things will get turned around.

Pondering these words: “Mommy I’m going to ask Santa for Princess EVERYTHING!!!”

From the kitchen: We have lots of snacks in our suite

Around the house: Left all that behind for a hotel room.

One of my favorite things: The mud pie at the Chocolate Bar in Reno—Yum-o!!!