HEIDI - Is better known as Bibby and is a fitness and health fanatic!!! She will do anything to move and to get others to move with her!! Loves to run, bike, and hike with family and any friends that are willing!! And, after all that great activity, she is sure to whip up some healthy delights that are incredibly delish to refuel! The best part is most people don’t even realize they are eating healthy because it all tastes so good. One of the best parts of having Bibby around is you have an in-house massage therapist who makes the best darn real popcorn ever.
JOANN - Is the soccer mom. She is married to Ron and they have two beautiful daughters. Joann is the singer and dancer of the group, well at least we let her think she is, because oh the singing... Joann is generally the quiet and easy going one and cherishes all the good talks and laughs that we have within this group of women. She is looking forward to drinking wine in Italy as she believes that it won't give her a hang over. We shall see...
DANA - Our resident homecoming queen, we let her hang out with us anyway. Dana is the link to our hometowns and after raising two great kids side by side with her husband of a million years, she is looking for some new ways to give her time to others. She is required to always bring a pan of bars along to each of our outings and at times forces us to listen to old country music, like the Statler Brothers and Oak Ridge Boys. We will attempt to make her leave her iPod at home for this trip as we don't want to be banned from Italy for poor taste in music. However she will insist the wine will taste better if we have country music playing in the background.
KIM - Is one of the newbies in the group, since she did not meet the girls until their freshman year of high school! If you are looking for her, she is most likely with her husband, whether its at work, home or at the cabin. Although her house may rarely be cleaned, home-cooked meals are few and far between, and the fitness plan is an often discussed but rarely realized goal, you can always count on her to have lots to say about current books, TV series, football or golf. Kim believes that she has the best music on her iPod, we just let her live in her fantasy world. Her best day is whenever she can be with her husband and all 3 kids at the same time.
MARY - Our crazy redhead. We wouldn't want her any other way. After 6 years in a small Catholic school, she was introduced to most of this group in 7th grade when she entered public school and we corrupted her, or was it the other way around? Details, details. Although this will be her second visit to Italy, experiencing it with these life long friends will be a dream come true. Her commitment is to live a life of 'boundless passion and obnoxious happiness'. She is happiest when surrounded by family, (9 brothers and sisters, and 16 nieces and nephews), friends, and her Mark. Mary is outrageous, will make you do things you never dreamed of, and laugh at inappropriate times. She adores good wine and good coffee and is looking forward to sipping her way through Italy.
STEPHANIE - Well what can I say, according to my little buddy Zak, I am sweet, funny, awesome, cool, and brave. Who am I to argue with that?? I love to hang out with my family and friends, whether that is to just sit around and chat, have dinner, go to a movie, or plummet to the depths of the sea. These crazy girls have been a big part of my life since the beginning and I am grateful beyond words for each of them. They taught me how to be a friend to others and that is a priceless gift. I am very much looking forward to experiencing yet another part of this amazing world.
DIANE - For Diane, the beginning of this group of friends all began back when she met Mary in kindergarten. According to Diane, Mary was trouble from the start. We all know that Diane is always up for an adventure and most likely didn't put up too much of a fight to run amuck. Diane fell in love with Mike in high school and together they had two amazing kids. She has also now been blessed with grandchildren. Sadly, she lost Mike in a tragic accident several years ago. She loves her family and friends and is so very thankful for all them including her new fiance, Scott. We try not to pick on her for falling for a younger man, but that just isn't possible, we have to pick on her, she's the youngest. Now reaching the age of 50, yet another 'F' word, she is so happy to be celebrating with her wonderful life long friends. Now, this Catholic girl is off to see the Pope...
