We're Back and We Survived!

After 30 hours of driving, with 2 toddler and 3 adults, in a 5 person pick-up truck, we are home!

But first, I want to share that the night before the trip, when I met up with 2 of my closest friends from high school (and frightening enough, the 10 year reunion is in ONE year).



Larissa (left) is a travelling nurse and currently working in New York City, but was able to come home during a break in her contract. Kelly (right) resides in Chicago, however she just put her condo up for sale, to move back to Florida!!!

We went to an authentic greek restaurant in the heart of the Tarpon Springs sponge docks. Afterwards, we went through yearbooks and caught up with each other, with the people we miss, or don't miss, from high school.

Until I get more time to upload pictures and write longer stories (in case you aren't aware, there is lots of laundry to do when you return from a trip), I will leave you with one of my favorite pictures taken while visiting my grandparents.

A Vacation of Sorts

I'm composing this at 12:30 pm on Monday afternoon. My kids are napping. And this is the first day of my week long vacation!

Late Tuesday afternoon, my parents, 2 kids and I will hop in Dad's 5 person diesel truck and drive through the night for 15 hours to Indiana to see my grandparents and other close family.

This is the first trip that we've driven over 3 hours with Arianna and Bernie. And we are without Marty, who always make any situation completely calm.

So, if I don't rip my hair out by the end of the week, we'll consider it a success.

Speaking of hair.....it's chin length now!!

I brought a picture in with the style I wanted, and now it looks nothing like the picture! I've gone to the same hair lady for about 2 years, but obviously had nothing this drastic done to it before.


Here is one of the pictures I showed her:


And here is what I got:



I'm thankful my hair grows fast, and maybe next time I'll get what I asked for.

Ice Cream at the Park

I'm a week late, but last Sunday we took a family trip to the park.

While enjoying the swings, you could faintly here some music playing. It starts getting slightly louder and louder. Low and behold, the ice cream truck visited the park.

Even though we weren't prepared for the mess to be had, we purchased some ice cream for the kids to have melt all over them in the May heat enjoy. It was a well recepted break from the usual playground activity.





And when Bernie couldn't quite keep up with the fast melting treat, he had a backup plan. Although, he wasn't too fond of the help that was offered.


Last (and often least), Lunchbox got to make her appearance on the family outing.

Three Day Weekend

Every weekend should be 3 days and every work week be 4 days. I got to spend so much more time with my husband and family, all together.

Marty spent one night in Orlando with some college friends. I went to a co-worker's wedding the same evening. It was fun to get dressed up, as I haven't done that in a while, but I sure did miss having sweet husband by my side.

We went swimming and ate dinner with Mimi and Papa on Sunday evening.

Monday - Memorial Day - we headed to the in-laws house to celebrate Marty and his 2 sister's birthdays. And also to get together and be reflective of the ones who have given their lives for our freedom.



Marty is not trying to stop the picture from being taken, but rather
waving at the camera to get Bubby's attention.


Sweet Arianna sitting by her cousins on the seawall,
overlooking the beautiful water.



Hard to tell, but I'm the one tubing. Thanks Joey and Dani for bringing the boat!

Arianna kept talking about riding the boat the entire time. We gave her the chance to ride. Her life jacket already snapped on. Once on the boat (still in shallow water), she looked around and then got scared. She never rode it, but still insisted the entire time afterwards.

I'm sure she will have many more chances. We live in Florida. With two sets of grandparents that live on the water.

And I'm pretty sure my husband won't make it another 5 years without a boat of his own. Or it's quite possible that all of his begging/pleading will work and break me down before then.

Unusual Randoms

We've had some crazy weather the past few days. It's been raining for 2 days straight. From January to last weekend, it may have rained 5 inches. So, believe me, we needed the rain. We're just not used to it. Unless it comes with huge wind gusts in the form of a hurricane.

Sunday was Marty's 30th something birthday. He didn't have to work, so we got to enjoy the day together and that even involved a celebratory pool party and cookout.




Arianna hogged this bag of chips the whole time. That's because we don't ususally let her have any She was just taking advantage of the situation. Smart girl.



This was Bubby's first time using floaties in the pool. Either, he didn't understand how to allow them to hold him up, or the floaties just weren't capable of holding him up.

Last night, my dear husband and I got to go to the Rays game for free. Until I bought one Diet Yuck Pepsi for FIVE dollars. But it is nice to have a dome as the baseball stadium, so even if it has been raining non-stopped for 2 days, you can still enjoy the game. Oh yeah, the Rays won too.

Hair

I'm thinking about changing my hairstyle. I want to have some sassy-ness but not too much. I want it to be different, but not too much.

I've logged onto taaz.com to try out some different styles. Look below to see if you think any of these look good. Judge the style only, not the color, as the color would stay the same as in option #4.


Option 1


Option 2


Option 3



Option 4, Regular ole me


Leave a comment and tell me which one you like or if you have any other suggestions. :) Thanks!!!

Mother's Day and More

I had a fantastic Mother's Day. Ate brunch with my in-laws and dinner with my parents.

Thank you mother and mother-in-law for always being there to support our family and show me the best example of being a mother.

Marty gave me these beautiful flowers. He picked out the individual flowers and had them arranged.

My kids are so wonderful and loving, I truly enjoy trying to be the best Mom I can be! Thank you Arianna and Bernie for putting up with me (and all the pictures I take)!