Ahhh Philly Cheese Steak, in Philadelphia! Can't beat that!

Day 2

We started the day at the crack of 9am and had our continental breaky and off we went to continue our trek up north! We left Virginia and entered Maryland to stop at the Maryland House Travel Center.


This place was hoppin' busy.

Maribel traveled awesome again, but boy she was happy to stretch her little legs. They had a Dino that played the Flintstones theme song when you dropped in a quarter.


There were some punk kids that scared her a little but she had fun riding Dino.

So I was excited to see that we entered Delaware. Then 20 minutes later we were back in Maryland. I couldn't help but laugh. Then I looked back at my little boo to see this...


She can be so silly, but she's all mine! ;0)

So after our wonderful drive up we finally arrived in Philadelphia! YAY We made it!!!



We arrived at our hotel around 2pm ish and Joe's dad went inside to check us all in. So we let Maribel expel some cooped up energy and run around in the field in front of the hotel. Oh boy was she one happy little girl!





The rehearsal dinner wasn't until later in the evening and we all were starving so off we went to find some authentic Philly Cheese Steak! There was this place was just down the street from our hotel, so we all piled back into our cars and went for some lunch.

When we got there we all were starving at this point but the waitress advised us to spit a large Philly. I was really hungry so I reluctantly took her advise thinking I might have to pick something up later to snack on.


Um excuse me, but I ordered a large! LOL

After a little Philly comatose nap, we started getting ready for the rehearsal dinner. It was being hosted at this restaurant called Maggiano's.


I brought my Rebel camera but when I changed my battery, I left the thing on and forgot that I hadn't charged that battery so I had a dead camera. Boo! I was not a happy camper. I was relieved to find my point and shoot in my clutch so all was not lost.




I love how even my fair red headed princess is darker then me. So NOT fair! Humph!

The evening ended with some full bellies and one tuckered out little girl! She crashed in her bed right away with no complaints. Only to have yet another super busy day. We get to see a princess tomorrow! At least that's what Maribel thinks. ;0)

Our Journey Begins

Day 1

We left for Philadelphia in the squeaky hours and I took a much needed nap along the way and woke in South Carolina. That doesn't happen everyday. Well, at least for me. LOL

Joe rode with Anna and Maribel and this is what happens when you leave him in charge of touching up a girl's hair. And judging by the look on Maribel's face, she might have an opinion or two.




After our first stop, we all thought best to have Joe ride with his parents and us girls named our car "The Estogen Car". Maribel is quite the traveller. She only complained when the pressure was too much and with a quick drink her ears popped and she was back to her happy self.

I found it quite pleasing while it was my turn to drive, I looked back to see both Anna and Maribel enjoying Pocahantas while we were driving through Virginia.


We stopped just outside of DC for a night cap then off to Philly! YAY!!!

To be continued....

EEP! Almost time!

We had a great long weekend. I hope y'all did too! Saturday was a very busy day of errands and preperation for our road trip.

On sunday Our poor boo wasn't feeling to well and was really tired. I mean reallytired. She just wanted to stay in her bed and sleep. She even fell asleep in the tub which freaked both of us right out. Our water baby would rather sleep then play in her bathtub. So weird. So we plucked her right out and put comfy cloths on her and I asked her if she wanted me to rock her in her rocking chair and she replied with a soft, "No, I wan' my bed peeze." Who is this little girl?!? That's two faves she has turned down. She must not have been feeling well at all. So Joe stayed home with Maribel while I went to church to teach Sunday School. It was a quiet day for us so we just soaked it in and relaxed as a family.

Yesterday we took it easy as Maribel was still not her 100% self. She gained a bit of her appetite back but was still sleepy. We went to spend our Memorial Day with Joe's family for a cookout. Grandma and Maribel played at home while the rest of us went to see the new Star Trek. All I could say afterwards was AWE-SOME!!!! It is definitly one I will buy when it comes out on DVD! Oh and Spock was quite the looker in the movie.

~~~~~***~~~~~

We leave for Philadelphia for Joe's cousin David's wedding this week! How's that for a funky sentence? I'm very excited! We are driving up so we have packed Maribel plenty of books and toys to play with in the car along the way. Joe also loaded his PSP with some of her favourite movies to watch so she won't be totally bored. On our way back down we will be stopping in Washinton DC so I can soak in all the US of A history and sites! I am excited to slap Abe on the knee and to see the Pencil! We'll see just how I can reach Abe. I'm thinking I'll be more of an ankle biter then a knee slapper though. LOL

Well before I leave you for a week, I thought I'd leave you with a few recent layouts I did. Enjoy and stay out of trouble while I'm gone!

This is one I did for May's LO tag over at Skrapnchat. It was wicked hot out so I decided to join Maribel in her oh so refreshing pool! he he!


I so love these pics of Maribel at the Dolphin Cove. She looks so small compared to these beautiful creatures!


This was my final sketch as a Guest Design Team member at SnC. I had no idea that this page was going to end up looking like this, but I'm sure happy with it. I'm also lovin my new distressing tool. I have to hold back from distressing everything now. he he he


And finally one that when I look at I get a little juicy eyed. This is my mother. I miss her so much but I know that I will see her again. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who placed me with such an awesome family.

Come Heck or High Water!!!

I had to stay home from work today because of my uber painful back, but it is getting better. Slowly, but every little improvement is alright with me which is good because tonight was my class at my local scrapbook store. That's right! I was not going to accept "store credit" for missing the once in my lifetime chance to meet Kelly Goree from Basic Grey!

I put on my modern girl mu mu and grabbed a wet towel (for my back) and off I went! I was beyond excited! So after I settled down in my spot for the night I grabbed my camera and asked Kelly if she wouldn't mind posing with me. She of course sweetly obliged. The class was awesome! She shared some techniques she uses and told the story of how Basic Grey got started.

There was no way I was going to let my 2nd degree burns stop me from enjoying my Mother's Day gift which is one I will remember for my lifetime!


This is my finished album titled "My Child" using the "Porcelain" line from BG!

*edited to add: Look who's on Kelly's blog? Can you see me?!?!?!? Yeah Baby!

With Pleasure Comes Pain

Well, my awesome day at the beach did not go unpunished. I have 2nd degree burns on my back and today has been the worst day to endure it all. Why didn't I listen? Why?

And now for the sweet ;0)
Yesterday I arrived home early from the pain of my burn to a sweet little package from my dear friends in New Brunswick! It was filled with some yummy scrapping goodies that I can't wait to create with!

And then today I came home from work to a sweet box on my door step. It was my preorder of Tori Amos new CD along with the long waited release (in my opinion) of Sarah Brightman's "Live in Vienna" tour. I watched that on PBS so many times that I lost count. Now I can enjoy it anytime without the interruptions of people asking for donations.

So instead of wallowing in my self pity which was my original plan, I popped in Tori's bonus DVD and soaked it all in!

Just Beachy!

I haven't been to the beach since before Maribel was born. She's 2 now so.....yeah, it's criminal. So my friend Jen and I took little Maribel to Cocoa Beach for some well needed R and R! She was sooo excited to be going to the beach that when she woke up she climbed up under my covers to wake me up she said, "I go to beach!" She never misses a beat!

Rockin' out to some Veronicas wearing some pretty sweet shades! Thanks Aunty Jen!



On our way to Cocoa we crossed several bridges and everytime Maribel saw water she got soooooooo excited and said, "BEACH!!!" Soon following some crocodile tears when we told her that we weren't there yet.


Maribel saw another little girl with her floater on and she looked at me and said, "Mine, at home." When I told her that I brought her little one, she jumped right up and ran to our spot on the beach and asked for it to be blown up. I huffed and I puffed and well, it was worth it!


The waves were a little rough but that didn't stop our little Floridian!




I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday! Can you? Too bad I forgot to apply sunscreen to my back after I lathered up my little fair skinned princess. I will remember this day for a long time to come.

Maribel's First Trip to Sea World

Awhile back when my cousin Nichole came down to visit, I bought the Fun Card for Sea World which allows me to come back all year for the price of one ticket. Yeah baby! I really wanted to take Maribel this weekend seeing that it would be so nice out and of course Joe wanted to come too so we bought him a Fun Card too so we can come back any time the rest of the year.

It was wicked hot, actually we broke the record for the seasonal temps. It reached 99f which is pretty brutal if you ask me!

We got there and it wasn't too busy. Our first stop was to see the baby dolphins and preggy mommy dolphins in the Dolphin Nursery.


How cute is this little guy? He kept showing up and showing off his moves LOL


On our way to the Shark cavern I couldn't help but take a pic of the sweetest site ever!


In the shark zone, cavern what ever it's called Maribel held on pretty tight to us. I wonder why? Maybe it had something to do with Joe helping her "check out" the shark.


Naturally Maribel had to see the "horsies" so we went to visit the Budwisers Clydesdales.




We went looking for Shamu but he was no where insite. Go figure!



After the realization that we aren't going to see Shamu we headed over to the "Pets Ahoy" show. All the pets are rescued pets trained to put on this awesome show. Maribel really liked it! Afterwards we took Maribel to pet the pooches from the show.

Then we went to visit the Sting Rays and lucky us it was feeding time! Joe picked up some tasty fish treats for the sting rays.


They were so excited to see food that they gave Joe and Maribel a little um... welcome.




And our final stop for the day was Dolphin Cove. Maribel really loved the underground viewing, and so did Mommy and Daddy too. It was air conditioned. Ahhhh!

This is my most favorite photo of the entire day. We had the whole cove to ourselves so I took full advantage of it!



Maribel was mesmerized by all the different animals she saw. She actually fell asleep in her stroller on the way back to the car. That almost never happens.

Happy Birthday, Cupcake!!!!

24 Years ago today the world received a beautiful girl that will forever change the lives of all who meet her, and I am so blessed to call her my sister! Well by marriage anyway, and I may have chosen her brother but she was my bonus! <3

Happy Birthday Anna!


For her birthday I made her this cupcake that was soooooo fun to make! Her two favorite colours are pink and green (which are mine too so that made it even more enjoyable to make) so I thought how appropriate! It even has a secret spot for a lil' som' som';0)

Here is a close up on the tasty treat!





And this is the best part! I hooked her up with a Starbucks gift card to sweeten her day!



I met her with her coworkers at this awesome Italian resturant called Il Pescatore'which was so fun! Anna didn't know that her family was going there too, so it was a sweet surprise! I have overheard her saying more then once that this was the best birthday she has had in a long time!

YAY! Memories!!!

ROCK ON SISTA!!!!

On Friday my awesome SIL and I went to see The Veronica's out at St Pete.
YA BABY!!!
The drive down was long and with very full bladders we made it in 2 hours with three wonderful clumps of Friday rush hour traffic. But we were able to make it on time plus with Princess Parking to boot!



Of course we had to take the classic together posed picture while we waited in line. Notice the shirt Anna is wearing? Yeah, there was this chick ahead of us that had the same shirt on.
Naturally Anna wore it better ;0) Luv ya hun!



She also wore these sassy heals thinking that we would be sitting but when we got inside it was standing only so needless to say she made the mad dash to the car for comfort over fashion. Good choice Anna!
Oh and I got asked if I was 21! *sigh* I just thanked the bouncer for making my evening! Oh to be 21 again!

When the Veronica's came on stage there was the mad rush that squished us all together like crumpled sardines. I grabbed Anna's arm so I wouldn't lose her. Here are some pics from the concert! After awhile they all started looking the same. I mean what would you expect, they sing so it's not like you could tell what song was what.






I love that they wore $5 tee shirts! True rock stars!







And of course the concert rocked!!! And very hot!



Just look at that shine! No, wait. Don't look at that shine! *blush*

I Am a Negligent Posting Monster!

Sooo looking back I haven't posted anything since February. So Sorry!

The end of February was very busy for me with Maribel's birthday and my awesome cousin Nichole coming down to visit I just got all lost in playing tourist.
Then following February's madness came March's insaneness that before I knew it April rolled around.

Well now April is closing and up comes another busy month (to be sure) that I better get things back on track. So Better now then never I say!

So let the updating begin!

Oh but first here are a couple of my recent LOs to keep you busy while I gather my updating thoughts *giggle*

Here we are at Easter in our Easter dresses. I used a technique that was shared over at Skrapnchat to use a circle punch in amazing ways I never thought of!


This is one I did for April's LO tag over at Skrapnchat
I originally wanted to use these pics and pp for another challenge but as soon as I saw the LO I would be lifting I quickly changed my mind and used it for this one instead. ;0)


I did this one for a challenge to lift another's LO of my choice and so here is one that I just smile when I look at it. This is my super cute niece daydreaming away while she colours on the marker packaging. Hee hee.


and my final one for now is one I did for April's sketch over at SnC. I wanted to get all my Easter pics scrapped before I lose the desire to scrap them and want to do something else. We usually have to steal our kisses from lil' Bel so this was a pleasant surprise to have her dish out the kisses so freely ;0)



Thanks for reading and I promise to update a little more often. Pinky swear!