Cicada Invasion Video

Cicada Invasion '08

Yuck! I hate these wretched little insects! Cicadas are a species of insects that come to Cincinnati once every seventeen years. As luck would have it, the wedding summer of 2008 was the blessed year they came for a visit. They are ugly, red-eyed creatures that make a loud, high-pitched sqeal sound. There are literally hundreds of thousands of them in a concentrated area. The mass of cicadas started to die off about a week ago, leaving behind a horrible stench that lingered in the air. The only scent I can liken them to is a wet dog. Dad and I decided that if we were to get rid of the source of the smell, the air would again become breathable.

I raked the decaying cicadas around the base of several trees, and

Dad shoveled them into their waiting hearse.

By the end of our adventure, we had two full wheel barrels of our little buddies! Gross!!!

Homearama 2008 ~ Long Cove

This afternoon Mom, Dad, Kerianne and I went to a traditional family event - Homearama. Homearama is an annual display of the nicest homes (mansions) in the Cincinnati area. Several different builders work for months on end to design their dream home to present and display at Homearama. These homes are then intricately decorated and staged by the finest interior designers. Held at the same location it has been for the past two years, Homearama consisted of ten homes to be viewed by the public. The average selling price of the homes was around 2 million dollars. Each year the houses seem to be more creatively designed and more equisitely decorated.

Kerianne, me and Mom enjoying a golf cart shuttle to the street of homes

Kerianne and I decided to pretend that we owned one of the homes by taking a moment to relax on the water-edge patio.

Mother-daughter bonding time

The square footage of this closet was literally bigger than my bedroom! It was huge!

One of the basements had a "game room" that was literally like an arcade,

complete with an awesome Monopoly game table.

Another house had a Jack and Jill bedroom that was actually more like a Romeo and Juliet suite! The make believe home owner apparently had a daughter who was about to tie the knot. Kerianne and I took special note of this room.



Kerianne and her Prince Charming (aka: Benji Schnur)

We ran into an old friend from Star Wars in the basement theatre of one creative home.
(Look, Beka - It's Yoda!!!)

This is for you, David. . . a darling little baby nursery for your future son, Aiden Bradley.

Mama's dream bedroom (Take note, David and Bek.)

Does this bridge look familiar, Chica and Andrew?

A great memory with a dear friend. . . a priceless way to spend our last weekend together in Cincinnati before we go our separate ways with our future husbands.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrea Bocelli (aka: Andrew and Cristina)

Our Aunt Susie sent us a cd of her snapshots from the wedding. I decided to post them since I don't have any pictures of my sister's big day up and also so Andrew and Chica can see some random shots of their own wedding. Enjoy, my Chica Bonita! You were one beautiful bride!

The bride, as calm as could be. . .

"The Baker Sisters" - Bek, Chica and Blondie

Andrew and Cristina conversing during David's song

Mom and Dad. . .2 down, 1 to go!

David and Rebekah. . . Good work you guys! You pulled off an amazing evening.

Chris and Melissa - We're next! Just a few more weeks!

(By the way, nice shirt and tie. . . Perfect colors!)

I thought Justin and Ryan might appreciate this picture. Justin looks as if he is trying to figure out how to use such a high-tech camera, and Ryan looks as if he may have forgotten the film. Hmmm. . .

Car Detail. . .in the mall parking lot?

Mom, Dad, and I went to (ANOTHER) wedding tonight, afterwhich we enjoyed a family journey to Wally World. They dropped me off to run a quick errand in the mall. When I came outside, I found the great Doug Baker doing none other than. . . waxing the Mazda 3! Mother quickly informed me that he had already "washed" the car using a gallon of water and some rags he had found in the trunk. He was now finalizing the car's fine appearance with some vigorous circular motion and a fresh coat of tire shine. After sitting there for several minutes and getting quite a few "Smile - You're on candid camera" looks, a man walking out of Dillard's asked if his car could be next! My family has officially lost it. I'm going to miss these good bonding times with my parents, but it's good to know that they will never have a dull moment, even without the kids to keep it interesting!

Mom went right along with it. . . just glad to finally get her car looking nice for Homearama.