Where in the world was Beth Silaika......

HA! I'm no Matt Lauer...but I sure can sneak up on people. It seems as if every time I go to California, I am surprising *someone*. Todd had a due diligence conference in California (Aviara in San Diego) and was able to bring me along. He went out on Sunday for client meetings and we met at the Four Seasons on Wednesday. I was able to have a few days of pampering (And no diapers to change). NICE! Wednesday night, we had an amazing poolside dinner with the most delicious food! Thursday morning, I had a massage at the spa (divine!) and then we went sailing..ON THE AMERICA and the STARS & STRIPES. I felt so patriotic! Thursday evening, another FABULOUS dinner! We went on some client meetings Friday, then drove to Orange County to meet up with my sister. Saturday morning, I went to Southern California Stamp Mania V (*the* best event in So. Cal). I got to meet up with some friends, surprise some friends and have a Stampin' good time! We hopped the red eye home on Saturday night and arrived home Sunday morning!

Aviara - a view of the valley



bird of paradise (these are SO cool)


the gardens at Aviara are spectacular


The fountain outside the lobby

On the America

Todd and I on the Stars & Stripes (we got to turn the doohickey in the race)

I am really glad that I have been going to the gym. It was really hard to turn
that handle thing (ask Todd). It was a picture perfect day for sailing. 15 knot winds!

A big navy ship came really close to the boat while we were sailing. The
Stars & Stripes just glided through its wake. Pretty Kewl!


There were 6 groups of racers. We started out on the America and watched
two races. Then the last time, we got to race (against the Abracadabra). We lost by a hair.
The America is one of those beautiful wood sailing ships. Stunningly kept up by her owners.


Look at her, isn't she just beautiful?


The mast. It is amazing how much it costs to sail. They were telling us the cost of the
sails. WOW! To compete in a race for bragging rights is pretty pricey! (in the millions)

Here we are on the America (before the wind hit my hair). I nearly lost my new
Merrill hat. YIKES!

Val, Joy, me & Daisy at SCSMV
Val is one of my stamping IDOLS! And Joy & Daisy are the owners
of Eclectic Paperie. They are so wonderful to work with. Joy helps
organize this amazing event!
I surprised Val & Daisy!


I finally got to stamp with Val. Well, I got to lurk and watch Val stamp.
Check off another thing on my Stampin' To Do list!

This is the group of volunteers who make SCSMV run really smoothly!
You cannot imagine the hard work that goes into planning such an event.
I just showed up on Saturday morning and helped out a little bit. Jami, Emily and Joy
make this event AMAZING. There were door prizes, BIG PRIZE GIVEAWAYS,
make & takes and Shoebox swaps. There was even a HUGE basket filled for the
Ronald McDonald house. WOW!

Taylor (another one of my STAMPIN' IDOLS) was helping out
at the event. She worked at the Stampendous make & take table.
I was SO THRILLED to meet her. She is tall (I am 5'6" and NO I am not sitting down).
She is beautiful and kind....and she stamps like a ROCK STAR!
I was *so* glad to finally meet her.

Amanda Sewell and Leanne Yoho (I love to say that YOHO)
were both at SCSMV! Amanda DRIVES from Arizona. WOW! That is dedication.
These beautiful and talented (and sweet) ladies are both on the Hanna! design team with
me. Hi girls!

Todd came to pick me up just as we were trying to arrange the group shot with a timer and tripod. He was able to take the photo with 120 cheering women distracting him! LOL!
What a *FUN* event!