Welcome to Miami

My dad and I took a vacation to Fort Lauderdale/Miami,Florida to visit my Grammy (dad's mom) and our other family. It was such a fun trip - great to spend time with my dad, see places he used to go a lot, and see my Grammy. I had a wonderful time, and really hope that I can go again with him sometime!

On Monday, we flew down to Fort Lauderdale, had lunch at a little Greek place, checked in to the hotel, had some free happy hour cocktails, and then headed over to Miami to see Grammy, Auntie Linda, and Drex. We spent a few hours catching up with our family and relaxing. It had been many years since I had seen all of them, and even more years since I had been to the house, so it was really awesome to be able to do that. I also got to  meet their bird, Rusty, who is awesome and has a HUGE vocabulary, and sings Take Me Out to the Ballgame - awesome. Then Dad and I had dinner at the hotel restaurant, and went to sleep.

On Tuesday, we woke up earlyish to catch the free hotel breakfast (always about the food with me! haha) then drove to the indoor flea market to see if there were any good deals, as the weather was a bit cloudy. It started to get nice out, so we headed back to the hotel to go to the pool and relax and read. It was beautiful out, although a little hot. We took shelter in the shade for lunch, then I did a quick run and we got ready to head back to Miami. This time I brought our wedding photos to show Grammy, as well as our pictures from CO. It was fun, but a little sad because Grammy's memory isn't quite what it used to be. Auntie Margaret and Uncle Milford came over for dinner, and brought over some delicious homemade sauce & meatballs and lasagna. It was fun to spend time with everyone!

On Wednesday, we got up early again for breakfast, got ready and headed out to Hollywood Beach. The beach is beautiful and has a really nice boardwalk for walking, biking, and running. It also has lots of restaurants and shops. We decided to rent some lounge chairs and just relaxed on the beach. It was such a gorgeous day, and the breeze made it so comfortable to sit out for hours! I didn't go in the ocean, b/c the tides were crazy and there was warnings of "dangerous marine life", but I did stick my toes in! We then headed to South Beach in Miami, and had the most gigantic Mojitos I have ever had in my life! Lunch was delicious, and I had such an awesome time sitting and chatting with my dad for a while. We then walked around a bit, and then headed to my Grammy's house again. At Grammy's I got to see a friend that I used to play with when I was a kid, and it was fun to catch up with her 20 years later! It was sad to say goodbye to Grammy, because I'm not sure when I will see her again, but this trip made me realize how much I miss that sweet lady - so hopefully it won't be long! After we headed back to the hotel, and had dinner at this amazing Irish pub across the street. I swear, everyone in the place was actually from Ireland, and the food was delicious!

On Thursday, we got up and had breakfast and relaxed by the pool for a bit before we got ready to leave. We then took a drive to Fort Lauderdale beach, and then had a quick bite at the German place my dad had been eyeing all week. Then it was off to the airport to head home.

It was really a wonderful trip - I was so happy to see my Grammy and family in Florida, and also get to hang out with my dad. I learned a lot about his childhood, and other parts of my family's life that I didn't know before. I loved it :) It was a great way to spend my spring break!

Grammy's house in Miami

Grammy and I

Auntie Margaret and Uncle Milford

Auntie Linda and Grammy

Hollywood Beach

Dad and Mojitos

Me and Mojitos

Me in South Beach

Shan's Bridal Shower & Easter

This past Easter weekend, we had my cousin in law's bridal shower, and we celebrated Easter at my cousin's house in West Hartford.

Shan's shower was lots of fun, with tons of great food! I spent the morning making Pizzagaina (Italian Easter Pie),and then spent the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the shower. It is always fun to celebrate someone getting married :)

Pizzagaina

Li, Shan, Me

me and the ridiculously heavy pizzagaina

G and her toad on Easter

Me and Tim - Easter Sunday

Family relaxing outside on a beautiful Easter

On Easter, we woke up a little late and had breakfast in downtown New Canaan. After getting ready, we took the scenic route to West Hartford since it was such a beautiful day. We spend the day eating tons of awesome food, hanging out with family, and watching the kids with their Easter egg hunt. I always love spending time with my fam, and it was a lot of fun as usual!

He is Risen INDEED!
Or, as one of my fav songs says - "My Gods not dead He's surely alive!"

Celebrating Miss Emma Louise

Alex, Me, Nora (ps, Alex just had a baby, doesn't she look AMAZING?!)

Lobsta Mac&Cheese

The ladies and the Chef

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to get together with a bunch of ladies from high school to celebrate our friend Emma's upcoming wedding. We started the day off with a lunchtime bridal shower at High Field in Middlebury, where we sipped O'Bellinis (it was St. Patty's Day), and ate delicious food and marveled at the amazing decorations. Emma's mom and sister did an amazing job putting together the shower, every single detail was well thought out!

After the shower, we drove to Cranston, RI, where Emma's sister lives. We had a feast cooked for us by a high school friend of ours, Chris, that was nothing short of amazing! We had lobster mac and cheese, beef tenderloin, and creme brulee, yum! Then we hit the town in a limo for more celebrating. It was such a fun night, and I'm so lucky to be a part of such a fun group of ladies :)


A few randoms to end the post:
*I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy -AMAZING!!! I can't wait to see the movie now - although I may wait until it comes out on video, b/c I refuse to pay 14 dollars to see a movie!
*We booked our flight to Colorado for Colleen&Rod's wedding - we can't wait to go "back home"!!!
*I'm going to Miami with my dad next week to visit my Grammy, I'm so excited!
*We have been diligently looking for houses - please pray we find something soon! :)

Grandma Ida (or Edith, as she brazenly called herself)

This past week, on 3/22, my grandmother passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer's. I used to take my Poppy to visit her before he passed away almost three years ago. We would watch the old time variety shows with her, as she loved her music so very much.

Both Poppy and Grandma Edith taught me to be proud of my Italian heritage. She made the very best Italian cookies, and I leaned how to make the Christmas soup from him. I will always remember the times I had with them.

Yesterday, my cousin Courtney gave the most amazing, beautiful eulogy of Grandma Edith's life. It was a very special way to honor her memory.

This was her obituary:
http://www.chaseparkwaymemorial.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1430213&fh_id=12319


On the way home from the funeral I heard this song and it made me feel a little better...

Praise You In This Storm lyrics, by Casting Crowns
Songwriters: Hall, Mark; Herms, Bernie;

I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say, Amen and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
But my strength is almost gone
How can I carry on if I can't find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"
And as You mercy falls I raise my hands
And praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

And I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Books!

I've always been a book worm...and I'll pretty much read anything. Tim has gotten frustrated with me more than once for ignoring him to read a cereal box. That being said, I haven't read any new books lately and have been interested in reading a few. I need some recommendations from you all! Here are a few books that have caught my eye lately...

1) The Hunger Games triology - I have heard they are awesome and would love to read them all!

2) Bloom by Kelly Hampton - it is a book about this woman's life after she has a daughter born with Downs Syndrome. I read her blog, and you should too, she is amazing! It is called Enjoying the Small Things.

3) Wednesdays were Pretty Normal: A Boy, Cancer, and God by Michael Kelley - looks like a good book about faith.

What do you all think?

After this weekend I should have a few fun catch up posts - we are celebrating Miss Emma and her upcoming wedding! Can't wait to see all the ladies and celebrate on St. Patty's Day!

Just a thought...

So, according to the Gallup survey,Boulder is the least obese metro area in the country (and as you know we lived there for a year and a half), and Bridgeport/Stamford/Norwalk metro area is the second least obese (which is where we now live). I thought that was pretty darn cool and remarked to Tim that we apparently like to live in the healthiest places in the US. He pointed out to me that in Boulder, people are not obese because they are really active and eat healthy...and here, people are not obese because they are crazy stressed from working too much and not eating enough.

I'm just going to pretend it is because this area is also really healthy and active. And then maybe I will continue to be really healthy and active haha :)

Here is the article if you have an interest in reading!
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/07/skinniest-and-fattest-us-cities-revealed/

February Vacation

Last week, I had a week off from working at the elementary school...let me tell you, there is nothing like the excitement and craziness that happens right before a break at a school. It completely exhausts you but at the same time makes you giddy happy, or at least that is how it works for me :)

The first weekend of break was a long weekend, so Tim and I hightailed it up to Vermont for three lovely days of relaxation. We stopped at Pepes Pizza on the way and it was just as delicious as it always is. Other rest of the weekend was spent sleeping in as much as possible, going on long icy hikes, having the best hot chocolate ever, watching (3) movies in a row, going to our fav New England brewery (Long Trail), trying out a new Irish breakfast joint, and taking a tour and having lunch at Harpoon Brewery. It was the best weekend, w e both desperately needed sleep and relaxation, and we were able to do just that :)

After that, unfortunately Tim had to return to work, but I had off still so I spent the week catching up on chores, having dinner with my best friend, having coffee with a friend I haven't seen in awhile, lunch with my Dad, and hanging out with Momma Hine.

This past weekend, we went back to Vermont to hang out with my parents and cousins. After a very scary ride (lots of snow/ice/cars off the road), we had Birthday cake for my cousin Jim and a few drinks to relax haha. On Saturday, we went skiing at the Quechee ski hill, it was so fun to relive memories of our wedding, and try out our new skis :) although it wasn't quite CO skiing, it actually wasn't bad! We had fun trying to catch up to G, and the. We went back to Long Trail for some après ski brews. We met my parents at a hibachi place for dinner, and it was super fun to just hang out all together. I love fam!

This week it is back to the grind, and with CMTs coming up, school is pretty crazy!
On another note, please pray for our car situation,