Much Needed Break in Florida!

This winter (as I've mentioned many times already) has been brutal! So we decided to cash in some frequent flier miles and get tickets to West Palm Beach.  This trip was incredible! Sun soaked, warm and relaxing, south Florida was the perfect destination for spring break. 

I downloaded a movie on my phone to entertain the baby...it didn't last long, but she was cute!

We spent the first couple of days in Miami.  We visited Little Havana, South Beach, downtown and University of Miami campus.  We also visited a mansion and its garden's and of course many restaurants. Another highlight was visiting the Everglades, riding an air boat and viewing alligators in their habitats. 

  

Day one in Coral Gables and Little Havana

Day 2 in South Beach

After Miami, we drove south.  We headed down to the Florida keys.  We made it half way down, before we turned back for the main land.  We weren't the biggest fan of the keys.  The beach we visited was unimpressive, the roads were trafficy and there wasn't much scenery.  They did serve the most amazing key lime pie though.  For some reason, I had always dreamed of tasting the goodness of authentic key lime pie and I was not disappointed.  

Pie and beaches

After the Keys we drove north back to the Palm Beach area.  West Palm Beach is one of the wealthiest places in the U.S. and we definitely saw many displays of that money.  The houses were palatial and gorgeous.  We enjoyed the beaches here and the shopping.  

Boynton Beach

Madeleine seemed so happy on this trip (most of the time) she LOVED the ocean and tried over and over to run straight into the water.  She has no fear whatsoever.  She also had the time of her life exploring all the new hotel rooms (we stayed in 4 different ones)  Besides from not sleeping that well at night, she was a very good baby for most of the trip.  

A Bun in the Oven

No, I do not have my own bun in the oven, but I was able to throw a party for my good friend Angela who did have a bun in the oven!  (I am posting so late that she actually already had her baby boy)

I am always happy to have a party to plan and this was no exception.  I was happy that we had a reason to celebrate.  Angela is one of my favorite people in Ann Arbor, so I had to make a few special things for her party.  

I found this cute idea...I had so much fun making the little oven and of course lots of 'buns'

A friend, offered her home (since mine is tiny) and made the beautiful Bundt cakes and other treats. 

The Day of Love..and other dates

I totally forgot that I didn't post about our Valentine's Day.  I finally made the special breakfast for Brody (I had planned to make it last year, but for some reason I was too tired or still too unmotivated last year. Blame it all on the baby)

It turned out deliciously...too bad I didn't take a picture to document.  It was heart shaped french toast, filled with strawberries, nutella and whipped creme.  I also bake a wheel of brie cheese covered in orange marmalade for the hubby.  Of course, all of his presents are always food.  

He surprised me with this... the pictures speak for themselves.  I was a pretty happy girl, even with his extreme hubris.  

The other week we got to go on a real date! BYU gymnastics was competing at Michigan.  I thought it would be fun to go.  We also got to go to our favorite place in Ann Arbor, Zingerman's Roadhouse and had the MOST delicious cheese plate known to man!!  The delectable cheese was paired with these amazing vinegar soaked grapes.  It was to die for!  Overall, it was a perfect night! 

Another Chicago Trip!

I am a little behind updating, but better late than never.  A few weeks ago, I was finally able to take a trip to Chicago to see Jessie and Clara.  The trip had been postponed a few times due to weather and sick babies.  Winter is a pretty awful time to travel, but I was determined to visit.  Madeleine and I were so stir crazy last month, so some Jessie and Clara time was just what we needed.

We actually had a pretty warm day or two (which Madeleine took advantage of and played in the snow for the first time) and when I say warm, I mean in the upper 30s.  We played in the snow and then left for Chicago later that day.  I decided to drive there at night so that M would sleep most of the 4 hours.  She did pretty well and the drive was thankfully uneventful. 

We had such a good time visiting.  I don't know what it was...I guess we were desperate to be with good friends and a change of scenery.  

We ate delicious food (tried a lot of good restaurants, including amazing dessert), visited the Children's Museum in downtown, visited a Butterfly Garden, had play dates, hit the gym and even got out for a little girl's night without the babies.  Even though the babies didn't sleep well and Clara still had an ear infection, we had a fantastic time!  I so wish Chicago was closer!! (once again, I didn't take many pictures from the trip)

They loved to be in their undies together!