hApPy BiRyHdAy 2 me! Thirty One-derful!

I spent my birthday volunteering at Comfort Zone Camp ~ an unbelievable camp for grieving children.

The camp is in the mountains of Malibu. A bunch of volunteers met up at Duke's in Malibu to help me celebrate my birthday!

Duke's is always highly recommended but I've never had the chance to go. In fact, it's one of my friend Tommy's favorites. And that boy knows food! (Think Memphis, Chicago, etc!) So, in our matching CZC t-shirts and camp weary bodies we took over the outdoor patio!

We arrived just in time to watch the sunset over the Pacific. It was a beauty!

Carolyn and I ~ I recruited her to be a CZC volunteer. I knew that she would be a perfect Big Buddy... and she was! We'll both be going back soon. What an amazing experience!!!

Happy Birthday to me! (And Ricardo looking on :O) )

Kim and I. Kim was the Camp RN, and lives in Long Beach. I'm looking forward to hanging out at the beach with her soon.

Comfort Zone Camp is the best! Thanks for helping me celebrate #31! I feel a tradition starting...

A night with Sir Excellency, President Kagame of Rwanda

I had the amazing opportunity to attend a civil forum at my Church tonight. The President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, spoke on the transformational power of reconciliation and how it reunified the Rwandan people after the genocide (where 1 million people were murdered in 100 days) of 1994.

Dr. Miroslav Volf, a Yale professor and Croatia born was also a featured guest. Both President Kagame and Dr. Volf share the common belief that forgiveness is essential in the face of injustice and mandatory in order to rebuild a nation.

International students (many from Rwanda) began the program by singing and dancing.

President Kagame, Pastor Rick Warren and Professor Volf

President Kagame was awarded The International Medal of Peace by Pastor Rick. He was commended for his dedication sacrifices, leadership and fight to end poverty and disease and for efforts for economic development.

It was an educational and inspiring night!

My cousin Megan and sister, Janice attended as well. We ended the night with an impromtu Oktoberfest celebration at Beachfire in Ladera Ranch. What fun! A great way to kick off my birthday weekend... I'll soon be in the, "Over 30 club." :O(

Madame Mayo

I had to feature a few photos of Madame Mayo. Mayo is my sister, Janice's baby who was brought home last May (Cinco de Mayo to be exact!)

Isn't she cute? She has everyone wrapped around her finger and enjoys being held like a baby, eating socks and shoes (I learned!) and being my sister's shadow.

Mayo has earned couch privileges. We know who's in charge!

Tyson ~ the skateboarding bulldog!

Tyson is a skateboarder who happens to be a bulldog! While in Big Bear this weekend, I watched him do his tricks!

Tyson rides a skateboard with ease and can maneuver it just like a two legged boarder!

I was laughing so hard... Tyson just kept going, and going, and going. And his little feet were pushing him along.

So cute AND determined!

He can even carry his board in his mouth when he's ready for water...

And after a short rest he's back at it again! Tyson lives in Huntington beach. Look for him along the Beach. I hear he's out there quite a bit amongst his (human) boarding friends...

Carolyn's a marathon rockstar!

My best good friend, Carolyn ran the Big Bear Marathon. That's 26.2 miles. In the mountains. In September.

Here she is finishing the race!

I only *look* like I ran too... but I was just a cheerleader!

A nice gentleman removing her time chip. After the race those volunteers are a God send!

Earning her finishers medal... WHAT AN ACCOMPLISHMENT.

Kirstyn and Carolyn

Post race libation!

CHEERS to CAROLYN!

Headin' Home

It's time to say good-bye to Hawaii.

But it's probably time.

I'm starting to feel like..

Until next time. Mahalo!

From Lahaina to Wailea

After a few days to recuperate from the wedding festivities we explored Wailea. Ken and Sonia are having their honeymoon at the Grand Wailea Resort. We only *sort of* crashed their day... but were invited! LOL!

I could get used to being greeted with a floral lei every morning.

Mom (who recovered nicely from her heat exhaustion / dehydration / ??? wedding day yuckyness) and Dad.

The newlyweds and mom and dad! (I promise we only stayed for a minute!)

Building castles in the sand.

The Grand Wailea Chapel

The lazy river

You always need a rope swing!

The lobby

Ken and Sonia had a ginormous honeymoon suite with an incredible view!

Loving paradise!

Sonia and Ken's Maui Wedding Weekend

Ken and Sonia's wedding was amazing. The wedding took place on the beach while friends and family gathered around to witness their vows.

Before the ceremony the we had photos taken of my brother and our family. This turned out to be the only Hughie group photo of the day ~ my mom became sick at the ceremony and had to miss the post wedding photos and the reception :o(

Sonia and her dad

Singing, Somewhere Over The Rainbow Hawaiian style

Mr. and Mrs. Ken and Sonia Hughie!

The whole gang

Before the reception

Can you see my brother's, "thumb's up?"

Their first dance to Arabic music!

The Hughie family (minus mom and dad, Julie and my nephews Caleb and Mason)

L to R ~ Me, David, Ken, Sonia, Janice and Dana

Sisters at sunset

My dad, busting a move to Jaime Foxx's, "Blame it on the al-al-al-al-al-co-hol!" Classic!

Our attempts to show some Arabic moves!

And who caught the bouquet?

ME!!!! :o)

Congratulations!