From the Caribbean, to the states...

When planning a vacation, the only expectation you set for yourself is to enjoy the week and to make sure to capture the memories along the way... at least, that's my idea of a successful trip. Never do you think you'll meet new friends, who'd then turn into good friends, and planning family vacations! :) 

Well about five months ago, it happened to us...

Blessed are we to have met such a wonderful couple! We love them to pieces, and are so thankful we have managed to stay friends these past months. 

With that said, we immediately began planning our next trip to see one another. It was going to be within the year, no doubt about that. We both had girls the same age, and were bound and determined to introduce them!!! Video chatting sufficed for the time being. :) But not for long!!! After setting the date, the next thing we knew we were packing our bags. We decided on a water park for the girls - and ourselves, who are we kidding - but there were two different locations, each being closer to either us or them. Given this was not going to be the one and only trip we'd plan, we decided to just choose one, then next time we'd go where it was closer to the other! Since they are two of the sweetest people I know, they chose Cincinnati (closest to us) so next time, Sandusky it is!!!!! 

Well the day came, and after about 2.5 hours...

...we had arrived to our destination!!!!!

 Immediately, we got our bags and headed in the hotel. Not a minute passed before we heard someone shouting our last name off the balcony! Haha. We were pumped!! Once we arrived to our floor, there they were...  waiting at the elevator. I wish I had a picture of that moment. What was I thinking? Oh I know... I was too excited to think of anything else!!!! One detail that couldn't be overlooked, was that both our girls were the same height, and weight [not often is that found with my little one, given she's quite petite for her age] but they also had their hair in double braids. It may not sound like a big deal, but after the commonalities we discovered on the cruise it was just a funny "...of course" moment.

Wasting no time, we got the girls ready and headed down to the water park!!

 

This place was awesome! Both girls were able to ride just about everything, except for big ones. There were designated areas for smaller tykes, deeper waters for bigger kids, slides big and small, and even a roller coaster water slide for the adults. They really thought of everything!

 After day one was about over we headed up to our room, ordered some pizza, and cleaned up for the night. So far, this whole day was nothing short of perfect.

Oh, and let me not forget to mention the girls pajamas...yellow top, pink bottoms. It was really beginning to freak us out. NONE of this was coordinated, I promise you.

 Once our bellies were full, we headed downstairs for story time with Violet the Wolf. When I say this hotel is kid friendly, I mean it's REALLY kid friendly - story time in the middle of the lobby. :)

Then it was time to head back up to our room for bed... ya know, the fun way.

Once the girls snoozed off, the adults stayed up and chatted the night away. It was certainly a moment for catch up. And low and behold to our surprise, we discovered that Mike knew one of Chris' good friends from college. Let me break that down as to how weird that is... they live in Michigan, we met them in the middle of the Caribbean, yet somehow Mike knows Chris' college buddy who lives in Chicago. GASP! So after about an hour of "...seriously? That just happened." we found the time slipping further and further away. Eventually we said good night, and got some rest since we'd be heading back home the next day. 

After a good nights sleep, day two was among us. It was sad thinking these were our last few hours together. So we made the most of it, and headed back down for a last round in the water park! 

 Somehow, we easily managed to gather the girls up for our last photo before leaving... 

 Without being redundant, I'll just say it one last time... I seriously love these people!!! We were so lucky to cross paths, introduce our girls [who hit it off so easily], and plan our successful reunion. Hopefully it won't be too long until our next trip!! :)

IT'S A MIRACLE!!!!!!

Holy Carl!! I'm back... well sort of. Actually, I'm not holding breath, because this is truly an occurring miracle. Somehow or another, we have internet ---- TA DA!!! I know I'm a little too happy, but lets face it people, some things we really take for granted and THIS is one of those things. No I'm not celebrating the fact that I can now web browse the new Royal baby - I did that on my phone - I am simply ecstatic that I can put a fresh post out there on my lonesome little blog... poor thing. 

Well my oh my, have I got alots to talk about. Yes I'm aware that's not a word, I'm excusing all grammar corrections for time reason - I don't know how long I'll have this internet access. HAHA

So let's see if I can bring you up to speed from these past weeks... month... ouch. Awhile back we took Audriana to the track for the first time! She had a blast seeing the horses in the stables. Up close and personal! 

 July 4th was celebrated with both my parents and my husband's. It was a successful, delicious, and entertaining cookout! I loved every minute of it. :)

 And as always, we like to catch a Cincinnati Reds game on a nice weekend. This time around, we signed up Audriana for the Reds Kids Club making her an official fan! ;)

 And then a couple weeks ago we met up with our new friends (the special couple we met on our cruise) at Great Wolf Lodge, in Cincinnati. To say it was fun would not do it justice... it was simply a blast!! 

A full post is totally necessary for this weekend adventure. There's just too much to share, I wouldn't want to shorten it one bit. We love these guys, and our girls got along so well. It was just perfect. :) 

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 LASTLY... there was a big announcement for our family!!!!!

We are expecting a new little IU fan in late winter! :))))))

She's ecstatic to be a big sister!!!!!!! 

Wheewww-wweeeeee... I feel like I just sped through a whirlwind tornado. I'd say I'd deserve it if this was a case of procrastination - but it certainly was NOT. Here's hoping this internet is kind to me again so I can keep the updates coming! I even have a famous mac & cheese recipe I've held onto to share!!! Expect a lot of food updates... it's just bound to happen. 

Well folks, it's been real. I'm happy and relieved to have been back for this brief moment! ;) Fingers crossed it won't be another month until these fingers are tappin again... over and out!!!

There's patience... and then there's me.

Let me just begin by saying that I am absolutely freaking DONE frustrated with our internet. These issues have continued to interfere with my ever-so-relaxing hobby, in turn making it a chore to squeeeeeze in a draft post in preparation of not knowing what the next day will hold - internet? no internet? Although, with recent weather conditons, it has completely wiped out our internet for good - not even leaving me with a guessing game at this point! So unkind. Anyhoo, my dear husband is quite aware of the issue and has begun thinking of a solution... until that day however, I wait... impatiently. 

As an alternative, I am at my parents house. If you knew them, their technology issues have been about as successful as my own - but it works, and that's all that matters!!

So moving forward...

As it is Friday - #backthatazzup Friday, that is - I'll share my latest tune!! It's super old school, and still rocks my socks. ;)

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------- OH! And before I forget... A BIG BIG BIG shout out to my dear friend, Katie and her husband - who may be welcoming their newest addition here soon!!! She has passed reached her due date, and today should be the day! Talk about patience. ;) Check out all the leading-up-to coverage over on her BLOG. I'm so excited for them!! Love you guys!!  

(( My Best Friend's Wedding )) Part 4: THE BIG DAY!!!!!

It's hard to believe that we're already counting UP from the wedding of the year! Already reaching 10 days - and almost home from the honeymoon - I'm sure the newlyweds are still on cloud nine. ;) I'm excited to finally share this momentous day with everyone. So here, we go!

First and foremost, I must thank my fellow bridesmaid for quite a handful of photos I'll be sharing today!! - Katie B, thank you for letting me steal them!

Let's begin on last Thursday, the night before the big day! The rehearsal/ceremony was held at St. Mary's church, and dinner was at the delectable Porcini, Italian restaurant.

...oh, and the dessert? Omgee.

Moving forward to the morning of the big day!!!!!! 

The bridesmaids slept over at the mother-of-the-bride's home, and woke up with THIS.

Like I said before, there's always an overflow of food at this house. No complaints here!!

After stuffing our faces, it was time to get Beautimous...

And then our beautiful bride began to step into her dress. Let me just say, with a room full of women there was not a dry eye in that room at this moment. It was all coming together, and beginning to set in!!! She was just stunning!!

Moments later, the ladies gathered onto the bus and headed to the church!! Here are a few detail shots, and the bridesmaids before the ceremony began...

As there is this thing called wedding etiquette, prohibiting a bridesmaid to snap photos during the ceremony, I am unable to share the sweet moments of that time. However - thanks to Katie! Ha - I'm happy to share a post ceremony shot of the bridal party. ;)  

 Following the ceremony, we joined the NEWLYWEDS back on the bus and headed to the reception!

Really? Is that not the cutest? :)

Once arriving, you first set eyes on the beautiful cake - equally as delicious. After everyone got settled in their seats, and finished dinner, the following formalities took place... 

Possibly one of the best moments of the evening, was the first dance between the bride and groom - not only because of the significant moment in itself, but their song was performed live by the bride's brother-in-law. It was fantastic!!

Next were the dances of the bride/father, and groom/mother... while not having photos of either, I shall make up for it with a priceless video - "the Harlem crashes groom/mother dance". 

Yes, that was our beautiful mommy-to-be, Katie U beginning the harlem flash mob with her adorable baby bump!!! ;) Entertainment at its finest!

Unfortunately for myself the party ended quite early. I hated to miss out on any more of the exciting surprises to come in the night, but I had to put a sleepy girl to bed - already waaayyy past her bed time. The next photos are brought to you by Endless Summer Band. The entertainment of the night was kind enough to share some photos on their site.

Well folks, that's it - the end of this series. I can't believe it's already come and gone. I'm so happy for Jess & Blake, I can't say it enough. The best thing in life is to have a partner to share it with. I wish them a lifetime of happiness, and to cherish everyday together as husband and wife. 

Cheers to the newlyweds; to my best friend!!!!!!