HERD RETREAT - "A Time and A Season"

So, there's this group of girls that have been my friends since Jr. High and High School. We are called THE HERD. Are we proud of that name? Well, no, but we go with it!! We were named the Herd because we traveled around together a lot, and basically still do!!

Each year we get together for the "Herd Retreat". It is an amazing two night adventure where we go to Jill's condo in Deer Valley and we basically sit around a rectangle table and talk and laugh and of course eat!! We have started the past few years "beading" too.

First we must start with a picture that shows our humble beginnings just 19 years ago. I swear it seems like yesterday!!

And now a more up to date picture , still cute as ever!!

(Melissa, Jenni, Melissah, Cari, Engor - top row)

(Carrie, Wendi, Kristen, Katherine, Jill - bottom row)

Let the retreat begin!! We start out each year at a bead store where a whole bunch of hugs take place and then the laughter!! Choosing beads is a joke!! Kat is our beading queen and she tries to guide us through. Have to admit we really emberassed her at this store!!

Melissah and Cari ($100 and $80 later!!) Hopefully husbands don't read blogs!!

What a great time! Notice I have no beads, my bead shopping takes place at Walmart where the beads are $1.97, I'm a little cheap! And easy, but that's a whole other conversation!!

After buying the beads, of course food is necessary!! We went to Paradise Bakery, and enjoyed some food!! Then we loaded up the cars and we were off to the condo! In years past we have stayed up until 4 in the morning talking. This year I think we made it to 1 or 2! I was laughing saying in 10 years we'll all be calling it a night at 11:00!!

Had to add a picture of wonderful Chelle who came up and took Baby Ryan for 12 glorious hours for me so I could enjoy without any distractions!! Thank you Chelle so much!!!

Now that there are no kids, off to get the fresh bevs!! Yes, Wendi convinced me (and paid for) this HUGE drink!! It's flippin' 2 liters! And I have to admit, I finished it in 3 hours!!

Jill tried to keep up with the 20 oz, but had a hard time!! And then there's Mel who is being so good getting ready for her marathon, drinking the water!!

Here is the rectangle table, with beads galore!! And the best friends ever, sharing stories and life and advice and just laughing. I love you guys so much and thank you for you friendship!!

Our knitters!! Yarn over 1, yarn over 2. I can't believe I don't have a picture of Carrie stuffing her bears! She was busy the whole time cutting and stuffing Carrie Bears!!

Off to dinner! Had to have a picture of the wonderful dessert! As if we didn't have a huge basket of candy sitting at the table at home to fill us up! It's vacation though!!
How blessed I am to have this group of friends. I really can't believe we all found each other. We are all so different and that's what makes our group special! That's why you keep me around!! I love you guys so much!! What a great feeling to know there are 9 girls out there that would stop and do anything for me!!