Paddling For A Cause

Hey y'all, last year my company entered in the Lure of the Dragons dragonboat race at beautiful Lake Lure and had a couple of the fastest times of the day (we even beat the "pro" teams that showed up!). Well, we are doing it again and working to raise money for regional non-profit youth programs like Camp Lurecrest, the Lake Lure Youth Center, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Polk and Henderson Counties to name a few (check out www.lureofthedragons.org). So many non-profits have really taken a hit this last year with the economic woes so I want to propose a challenge.

My 30th birthday is coming up in a couple weeks with the boat race. If anyone out there in cyberspace was contemplating a gift for me (which you should, 30 is a big one!), I would love it if you pledged a donation for my team instead ($1, $5, $20, whatever, it all adds up). I'm trying to convert all birthday presents to donations this year. Please email me if you are willing at helpjohnpaddle@gmail.com. Also, you will be giving your money to Lake Lure Dragon Boat Racing which is a tax deductible public charity, not to me (in case you were wondering).

Thanks a ton!
-JAC
Here's a few action shots from last year:

The shirt says it all.

Noribean

More Bread Please

Poor Nori, the police caught her and put her into park jail for running the wrong way on the swinging bridge.

The Park

We try to go to the park every chance we get. It has rained all week, so the first glimpse of sun we were outside. It was super super windy, but we still had a good time.

Candy Eggs

A little photo I shot.

Boots

My Monkey

Proof that Nori can make anything an accessory.

more photos from Grammys

Visit with Grammy

Nori loves her Grammy, they had a great week together. Grammy got her a stroller to keep Peter close all the time.

Nori and her best pal Peter

LALA

Coloring, or Lala as Nori calls it, is a favorite daily activity for us. Most of all Nori likes you to trace her feet on the paper for her.

Swim Class

Nori has her first swim lesson today at Charlotte Aquatics. Its a small class of 6 and we had the whole pool to ourselves. Ms. Gigi was Nori's teacher(she is from Brazil) and she was super sweet with the kiddos. Nori had a blast, and I'm so excited to watch her grow and learn over the next 8 weeks.

BOOTS

So I was doing a bit of early spring cleaning, and Nori found these boots. She is wearing a size 4.5 in shoes right now and the boots are a size 8, but she just had to try them on... she has worn them everyday around the house since. My girl is all about the accessories.

Cute Cat

Nori pulled on a pair of my socks to go with her cat ears.

Snow Again!!!!!!

Fun, Sun and freezing outside

We went on a winter excursion with our friends, the Barts, to Myrtle Beach. We stayed at Dunes Village, and it was awesome.(4 adult size water slides, 2 lazy rivers, hot tubs, kid water worlds, etc.) Sorry some shot are grainy, they were shot with a water camera.

Before and After

Nori has always enjoyed the water. But now she enjoys it on a whole new level! No fear!

Where is Nori

This is a new game at our house... you would think it was a harmless kids game, but if truth be told it is a bit of a danger. You see, Nori covers her eyes and then proceeds to run around laughing... that is until she trips or runs into a wall.