Slacking and Packing

I have been completely slacking on blog posts - and I have plenty of excuses but the best one being I am super busy at work and on top of that we are getting ready to go on vacation.  So needless to say my spare time (whatever the heck that is) is spent packing for our family, because in case you didn't know, they aren't very good at it. 

Bia started packing last week.  Her backpack includes a large entourage of lovies and blankies and random crap toys.  Then there is Chatty whose only real concern is that we remember her I-POD Touch (assuming she isn't grounded from it again before Saturday), bathing suit and goggles.  Priorities people!  Plus she figures mom will take care of it.  Then there is Mr. ESPN who only has to pull out his clothes.  I asked him nicely to pull them out his clothes this week.  He said he would do that on Friday.  Our flight leaves at the crack of dawn Sat so I may or may not forget to pack his stuff!
Anyway we are all looking forward to going back here:

It has been far too long since we have been back as a family - 2 years!  I am not sure who is more excited - Bia, Chatty, Mr. ESPN or me?!  I can already hear the waves crashing against the shore ... 

Tuesday Tidbits

• I am dragging this morning - even after two cups of coffee and a diet soda ... don't judge, my alarm went off at 4:45 a.m. this morning!
• Booked our trip to Daytona Beach!!  Hallelujah!! I am so excited to see my family and hang out at the beach.  We scored our friends beachfront condo for a great price, let the countdown to June begin!  Chatty already asked who gets to sit by the window on the airplane ... unfortunately for her, it will be her sister since she will be in her car seat.  I can already here the whining from Chatty ringing in my ears!
• Speaking of trips we are thinking about taking a couple days at spring break and going to Disneyland.  We never do anything at spring break and this year it is over Mr. ESPN and Bia's birthdays, so we thought this would be fun. 
• T-minus 5 days until the race.  I still haven't put together my playlist - hopefully tonight.  Thanks for all of the suggestions ... I am anxious to get on I-Tunes and download some new songs - oh wait who I am kidding, I am anxious for Mr. ESPN to get on I-Tunes and download some songs for me.
• Chatty has moved up to the Bonus words for spelling (she aced the first 100) and some of her words are pamphlet, astronomy, continents, electricity ... please note - she is only in 1st grade ... makes me wonder how our schools are ranked so low when they seem to be learning lots of advanced stuff ....
• Bia has been doing very well with her manners and saying "yes maam" ... she still screams "NO" at us all of the time but at least she is progressing in some areas.
• Mr. ESPN is finally completing some of the projects I wanted him to get done prior to his parents visit (at Christmas).  Better late than never.
• It was a sad weekend in the desert, specifically in Tucson.  As most of you know Mr. ESPN and I went to school in Tucson and it will always hold a special place in our hearts ... please keep the victims families in your prayers and know that Tucson is an amazing place full of great people! 

A Flower Girl's Debut

I am finally getting around to posting pictures from our adventure to Tampa. We had a great time visiting with friends and partying like rock stars (well like an old married couple with a kid in tow - but you get the picture). Speaking of pictures here are some of them ...

Chatty and Uncle Greg at the rehearsal Dinner

Coco - this one is for you to show Lacey .. see how sweet he looks!

Visiting a ship the morning before the wedding

Not sure I would let her captain my ship ... she's a crazy driver (on Wii!)

The groom - I think he may throw her overboard!

Dressed and ready for her big debut

A bride and her flower girl

Chatty found another boy for her posse .. this one is a little older!

They really made a cute little couple and he was sweet as can be!

Not sure what was wrong with my camera here ...

or why I seem hunched over - mental note stand straighter!

Same camera issue here - thought is was humidity

but there was very little humidity that day ...

The kids playing during the cocktail hour

Love their sweet expressions! Yes she is a big flirt!

Dancing the night away (yes that is me in the background)!

Another pic for Coco .. dancing with Uncle Greg

The little people dancing with the Bride and Groom

As you can see fun was had by all - especially by Chatty. We are trying to get back to our normally scheduled programming at home (which has involved a little Nana/Poppa detox for Bia). So far we are doing OK ... today is the first day back to the gym ... not looking forward to it. I am debating on getting up and going early in the morning a few days a week ... but getting up at 4:50 am does not sound appealing to me! We'll see ...

Final Blogging at the Beach Post

OK - one last post of vacation pictures. I told myself I had to get this done today because tomorrow is the first day of Kindergarten and that will entail another post and pictures. We are all looking forward to the first day! Hope you all had a good weekend!

Bia playing in the sand

Chatty goofing around at the beach

Bia snuggling with Mam-ma

The girls, me and my Dad

The girls and me, ready for the beach

Chatty getting some love from Moose

Cousin J and Chatty enjoying Popsicles

The little girls enjoying their treats - Cousin A and Bia

A story from Granny before we left for the airport

Blogging at the Beach Continued ...

We had a great time in Florida. The girls were so sad when we left, especially when they had to say goodbye to their cousins J & A. They had such a great time playing with them. Below are some of our favorite things about going back to FL! Note - we were staying on New Smyrna Beach, just south of Daytona, I highly recommend it!

• Family (of course the girls said cousins J& A but we loved seeing everyone)
• The beach - soft white sand and warm water!
• Seafood - fish sandwiches, shrimp, etc! Yum!
• Yuengling Beer (that is one of D's favorite things about going back)
• Granny's home cooking - especially the desserts!
• Friends with great condos on the beach
• Aunt E's Newfoundlands - Moose and Yogi (L loved seeing them - S not so much!)
• Fishing, although we didn't get a chance to this time
• Mickey Store at the Orlando Airport

Thanks everyone for making our trip back so much fun! Now for some pictures ... I will upload some more in another post ... Enjoy! Chatty and cousin J

The little cousins - Bia and A - two little drama queens!

Granny (my grandmother) and 4 of her great grand kids. She is the one who makes all of the fabulous comfort foods ... cornbread, green beans, banana pudding, cobbler, etc!

Bia riding the rocking horse

Mam-ma (my grandmother) and her little buddies!