We hope everyone had a safe and great holiday. This is absolutely, hands-down, my favorite of the year. In Illinois we enjoyed a big bike ride with loads of friends to the Purple Store out in the country (tradition continues), and then evening fireworks with even more friends in our quaint town. PHX, well it's taken some time as it is humid this time of year and 110 degrees, however, we've adapted and either enjoy going to the mountains or staying put and occupying our day with swimming and then evening fireworks. This years we popped for tickets to the musical Wicked that happened to be in town. We took the girls and had a blast. It was a great day. We have a lot to be thankful for and we feel blessed to be Americans and part of this great nation!

Red Carpet Run - Hattie and Ryan @ Staar Night 2009

Sorry, I know this isn't the best quality picture. I'm trying to locate the original. Anyhoo...

Last month Hattie joined me as my guest to a very special event - Staar Night put on by the Scottsdale Area Association of REALTORS. This big event happens one night a year and ticket sales go entirely to a charity fund called the Hutch Fund. I was so taken by this event and the cause that our office (Keller Williams Sonoran Living Scottsdale/Paradise Valley) that we became a donor and our office agents raised money and elected to donate it to Staar Night/Hutch Fund.

That night the performance (acted, sung and directed by volunteer REALTORS) was themed around Hollywood, so Hattie got to walk the red carpet in front of the Orpheum Theatre downtown and meet Marilyn Monroe and James Dean. At one point in the show she was invited to dance in the row with a cast member - she has talked about it ever since.

Fun times!