We have returned from our trip. :) I have posted pictures on facebook under Alissa's wedding weekend. (If you aren't on my friends list please request me!!) I would post them all here but the process is tedious and I have a TON! I am also working on uploading pictures to Flickr as well. Just trying to figure out the easiest way for everyone to check out pictures. :) Stick with me, I will figure it out one of these days.
Our trip went off without a hitch. The kids did great on the train and the plane. Emma said she likes the train better because she could walk around. Arabel was unimpressed with the whole thing and slept through her whole 2nd flight. :) We did lots and lots of walking, ate a metric ton of delicious food, took multiple modes of transportation and spent quality time with family. We are already looking into going back to Chicago to spend some more time there. Thank you to Bev & Tom for dinner and lunch.... and for the ride from the airport to the train station. Here is a run down of our trip:
Thursday:
train from East Lansing to Chicago
cab from Union Station to our hotel
walk from hotel to Navy Pier
lunch
walk back to hotel from Navy Pier
dinner with Bev at Pizzeria Due
back to the hotel for the night
Friday:
hire a driver/car for drive to the airport
fly from Chicago to Minneapolis
cab to hotel
Happy Hour with the family
Saturday:
breakfast
wedding
lunch at Punch
reception
bed
Sunday:
hotel shuttle to Minneapolis's light rail station
light rail to airport
airport tram to correct terminal
fly from Minneapolis to O'Hare
picked up by Bev
lunch at SuperDawg
ride to Union Station
train back to East Lansing
picked up by Jason
I am a little tired just looking at the amount of stuff we packed into 4 days.
*side note: we didn't get the house. :( I will keep you updated on any news though.
Showing posts with label vacay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacay. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
now she can be a real princess
Nothing overly exciting has been happening on the home front, which explains the lack of updates. :)
We have booked our tickets and hotels for a trip out of town in April. My cousin is getting married in Minneapolis and I was not going to miss it. Rather than taking another road trip like we did in August, we decided not to drive. Don't get me wrong, I am all for road trips, but the idea of being in the car for like 30 hours in the span of a weekend wasn't all that appealing to me. We decided that we would take the train from East Lansing to Chicago. I figure that the girls will get a kick out of that, plus it is only a 4 hour ride. We are staying in Chicago that evening, which will allow us time to catch up with some family and enjoy some deep dish pizza. :) Rob hasn't ever been to the city, so it should be a fun mini trip. We will be flying out of Chicago to Minneapolis the next day. (Nothing like turning an 8 hour drive into 1 1/2 hours in the air.) We are doing the same thing in reverse on the way back (minus the overnight stay in Chicago). I think that it will be a fun weekend for everyone.
Emma can now be a real princess. At least that is what she told me. Last week she was lamenting over the fact that all the real princesses have their ears pierced. I told her if she wanted them done, then we would get them done. I have been trying to use getting her ears pierced as a reward for years (to no avail, obviously). She was finally ready. I called ahead and made sure that two people would be available to pierce simultaneously. (If not, Emma would have jumped out of the chair and only had one ear done.) She was ummm.... less than thrilled with everyone when she got them done. The type of cry that she let out was one of those that tugged on my heartstrings. How in the world could I let these girls torture my poor little baby like that? A tear may or may not have escaped from my eye. After an hour of sniffles and cuddling her doll, she was proudly showing off her new earrings. She picked an adorable little set of rhinestone pink (surprise!!) flowers. Here is a picture I took right after. :)
Please notice that she is smiling in this picture, so I guess I didn't torture her too badly.
Another big development... I have received information that KINDERGARTEN round up is in like a month. Yup, Emma will be heading off to school in a matter of months. Oy. When in the heck did this kid grow up?? In 5 weeks I will have details on her first year of school. I don't know that I am prepared for this.
I am going to start potty training Arabel shortly. I got a copy of a book that I am willing to try the method. It is called 3 day potty training. 3 DAYS!! If it works, you will probably be able to hear my screams of joy from where ever you are. A kid that is potty trained in 3 days and before the age of 2?? I may just keel over and die from sheer excitement of the idea. I will keep you updated on how it is working. In the meantime enjoy this adorable shot of Bells. (She was getting the feel for the potty.)
I also wanted to give a giant THANK YOU!!!! to my dear friend Kristin. She made these gorgeous headers for my blogs. Her talents are endless.
We have booked our tickets and hotels for a trip out of town in April. My cousin is getting married in Minneapolis and I was not going to miss it. Rather than taking another road trip like we did in August, we decided not to drive. Don't get me wrong, I am all for road trips, but the idea of being in the car for like 30 hours in the span of a weekend wasn't all that appealing to me. We decided that we would take the train from East Lansing to Chicago. I figure that the girls will get a kick out of that, plus it is only a 4 hour ride. We are staying in Chicago that evening, which will allow us time to catch up with some family and enjoy some deep dish pizza. :) Rob hasn't ever been to the city, so it should be a fun mini trip. We will be flying out of Chicago to Minneapolis the next day. (Nothing like turning an 8 hour drive into 1 1/2 hours in the air.) We are doing the same thing in reverse on the way back (minus the overnight stay in Chicago). I think that it will be a fun weekend for everyone.
Emma can now be a real princess. At least that is what she told me. Last week she was lamenting over the fact that all the real princesses have their ears pierced. I told her if she wanted them done, then we would get them done. I have been trying to use getting her ears pierced as a reward for years (to no avail, obviously). She was finally ready. I called ahead and made sure that two people would be available to pierce simultaneously. (If not, Emma would have jumped out of the chair and only had one ear done.) She was ummm.... less than thrilled with everyone when she got them done. The type of cry that she let out was one of those that tugged on my heartstrings. How in the world could I let these girls torture my poor little baby like that? A tear may or may not have escaped from my eye. After an hour of sniffles and cuddling her doll, she was proudly showing off her new earrings. She picked an adorable little set of rhinestone pink (surprise!!) flowers. Here is a picture I took right after. :)
Please notice that she is smiling in this picture, so I guess I didn't torture her too badly.Another big development... I have received information that KINDERGARTEN round up is in like a month. Yup, Emma will be heading off to school in a matter of months. Oy. When in the heck did this kid grow up?? In 5 weeks I will have details on her first year of school. I don't know that I am prepared for this.
I am going to start potty training Arabel shortly. I got a copy of a book that I am willing to try the method. It is called 3 day potty training. 3 DAYS!! If it works, you will probably be able to hear my screams of joy from where ever you are. A kid that is potty trained in 3 days and before the age of 2?? I may just keel over and die from sheer excitement of the idea. I will keep you updated on how it is working. In the meantime enjoy this adorable shot of Bells. (She was getting the feel for the potty.)
I also wanted to give a giant THANK YOU!!!! to my dear friend Kristin. She made these gorgeous headers for my blogs. Her talents are endless.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wedding pictures
We all headed out early yesterday morning and was on our way to Traverse City. We had a wedding to attend. I was nervous as this would be the first wedding that either girl would be attending. Arabel lasted a total of maybe 5 minutes before Rob took her out the sanctuary. Emma was clearing not enjoying the fact that she had to be quiet. :) I don't have many pictures of Emma, but I am expecting some from family. Arabel decided to be the inappropriate talker during the blessing and all the toasts. It was so hard not to laugh and encourage her. She learned to say "shh" and put her finger to her lips though. When Rob and I headed back to the gorgeous hotel with Arabel, Emma stayed at the reception. Apparently, after we left she was pretty much a dancing machine. I was really bummed that our time away was so short. Our hotel was amazing. We stayed at Tamarack Lodge and the amenities were awesome. We had a FULL kitchen and a washer/dryer in our room.
A couple pictures of our room: including the amazing view of Grand Traverse Bay.
Arabel walking down the hall to go to the wedding.
At the reception. I had to keep taking pictures, she was actually cooperating with me. :)
Rob & I
Aunt Jordan & Belle dancing
Emma in the bay before we left
Belle in the sand
A couple pictures of our room: including the amazing view of Grand Traverse Bay.
Arabel walking down the hall to go to the wedding.
At the reception. I had to keep taking pictures, she was actually cooperating with me. :)
Rob & I
Aunt Jordan & Belle dancing
Emma in the bay before we left
Belle in the sand
Saturday, August 15, 2009
From Michigan to North Carolina and back in pictures.
Here are the pictures as promised. :) Please don't judge me for our 3 day fast food binge. It was delicious.
At 4:00am bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Reading in the car.
Coloring to pass the time.
Welcome to North Carolina!!! FINALLY!!
Our first Chick-fil-A experience. It was heavenly.
Bojangles breakfast with fountain Cheerwine.
Emma with her bacon and cheese biscuit.
Hamming it up at breakfast.
The most amazing dinner ever- Cook Out!
My Cook Out (Carolina) style burger. (Chili, slaw and mustard)
Carolina Bar-B-Q for lunch, complete with sweet tea.
The girls outside after lunch.
Emma with her house mouse.
Emma at Maw's.
Arabel running around at Maw's. Bill is in the background.
Playing with rocks at Maw's house.
Not listening.
Thumbs up from Daddy.
Enjoying the ride.
The view.
Bells being silly at dinner.
Smiles from Em.
Laughing it up.
smiles.
My anniversary present from Rob. :)
Welcome to Michigan. Great Lakes, Great Times.
At 4:00am bright eyed and bushy tailed.
Reading in the car.
Coloring to pass the time.
Welcome to North Carolina!!! FINALLY!!
Our first Chick-fil-A experience. It was heavenly.
Bojangles breakfast with fountain Cheerwine.
Emma with her bacon and cheese biscuit.
Hamming it up at breakfast.
The most amazing dinner ever- Cook Out!
My Cook Out (Carolina) style burger. (Chili, slaw and mustard)
Carolina Bar-B-Q for lunch, complete with sweet tea.
The girls outside after lunch.
Emma with her house mouse.
Emma at Maw's.
Arabel running around at Maw's. Bill is in the background.
Playing with rocks at Maw's house.
Not listening.
Thumbs up from Daddy.
Enjoying the ride.
The view.
Bells being silly at dinner.
Smiles from Em.
Laughing it up.
smiles.
My anniversary present from Rob. :)
Welcome to Michigan. Great Lakes, Great Times.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Part Duex
As I write this I am sitting in a hotel in Marietta, Ohio. (By the way if you get the chance to stay at a Microtel Inn & Suites you should. They are modern and super sleek looking. We have stainless steel appliances- and by appliances I mean mini fridge and microwave, and a flat screen tv. Emma is most thrilled with the window seat that has a cushion, which means you are supposed to sit there. ) We decided it would be best to break the drive back into 2 legs. The girls did fantastic on the way down, but I didn't want to tempt the beast twice. Rob completely agreed, and I think that he was more than happy to not spend 13 straight hours in the car.
Yesterday, we hit up Carolina Bar-B-Q for lunch. It was imperative that if we were in BBQ country to get BBQ. Neither of us were thrilled with the actual pork but we loved all of the sides. I now realize what actual hushpuppies taste like. (Sorry, BGG those hushpuppies are fake.) I had slaw, potato salad and hush puppies. Rob picked fries, pinto beans and hush puppies. Emma hoovered a whole BBQ sandwich and applesauce. Arabel got mac and cheese with sweet potato sticks. Our eyes have been opened to the wonderous deep fried sweet potato. It was amazing. We WILL be figuring out how to make them at home, that I promise. Dinner was Maw's chicken casserole at her house with the family. Emma and Arabel met their cousins for the first time. Emma adored them. I managed to weasel some Waffle House for a late night snack after hanging out a bit more with Steven.
As we headed out of town today we stopped by Cook Out, which is hands down my new favorite fast food joint. (Dear Michigan, Please get a freaking Cook Out. Thanks, Kimm) Carolina burgers have made their way into my heart. I was slightly disappointed that the weather wasn't cooperating with my wishes of getting a tan. I guess Mother Nature wants me to be pale forever. :) Emma's favorite find was a kid sized toilet at a rest area in West Virgina (?) She thought that was pretty sweet.
On an unrelated note: Today is our 5th anniversary together. Rob surprised me by bringing me a dozen red roses, a bottle of Chianti and a Hershey pie to the hotel. I couldn't be happier. :) Hard to believe that it has been 5 years.
Pictures to come. I have to work this weekend, and I will do my best to get them uploaded and posted for you.
Yesterday, we hit up Carolina Bar-B-Q for lunch. It was imperative that if we were in BBQ country to get BBQ. Neither of us were thrilled with the actual pork but we loved all of the sides. I now realize what actual hushpuppies taste like. (Sorry, BGG those hushpuppies are fake.) I had slaw, potato salad and hush puppies. Rob picked fries, pinto beans and hush puppies. Emma hoovered a whole BBQ sandwich and applesauce. Arabel got mac and cheese with sweet potato sticks. Our eyes have been opened to the wonderous deep fried sweet potato. It was amazing. We WILL be figuring out how to make them at home, that I promise. Dinner was Maw's chicken casserole at her house with the family. Emma and Arabel met their cousins for the first time. Emma adored them. I managed to weasel some Waffle House for a late night snack after hanging out a bit more with Steven.
As we headed out of town today we stopped by Cook Out, which is hands down my new favorite fast food joint. (Dear Michigan, Please get a freaking Cook Out. Thanks, Kimm) Carolina burgers have made their way into my heart. I was slightly disappointed that the weather wasn't cooperating with my wishes of getting a tan. I guess Mother Nature wants me to be pale forever. :) Emma's favorite find was a kid sized toilet at a rest area in West Virgina (?) She thought that was pretty sweet.
On an unrelated note: Today is our 5th anniversary together. Rob surprised me by bringing me a dozen red roses, a bottle of Chianti and a Hershey pie to the hotel. I couldn't be happier. :) Hard to believe that it has been 5 years.
Pictures to come. I have to work this weekend, and I will do my best to get them uploaded and posted for you.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Carolina on my mind
I decided that it would probably be the smartest to break our road trip post up into two. Here is part 1.
It was storming like crazy in East Lansing on Sunday night/Monday morning. It was pouring down sheets of rain, the wind was whipping and the thunder and lightening never let up. Rob and I actually talked about trying to wait out the storm and push back our departure time. (Which I was totally against. I was running on a total of about an hour of sleep and was exhausted. I was ready to get the car loaded, the girls in and us be on our merry way so I could catch some sleep.) We decided to change our route a bit in hopes to "out run" the storm. The car gets packed and the girls get buckled in (wide awake might I add) and we pull out of the parking lot at 4:03am. We were shooting for a leave time of 4am, so I was more than thrilled that we actually made it. The weather was TERRIBLE. It was nerve wracking to say the least. I managed to drift off just before the Ohio border. We stopped for breakfast around 6 am for breakfast in Ohio. (Did I mention that the girls were still wide awake? No? Well, they were awake as they could possibly be.) The rest of the drive was uneventful. The girls did awesome being in the car so long. Arabel would get crabby, so we would stop and stretch our legs for 20 minutes and get back on the road. We managed to get to the hotel 12 hours and 43 minutes after leaving East Lansing. I think that we did pretty darn good on time considering we had the girls with us.
Monday night meant relaxing after spending the day in the car. We ran to Target to get some water wings and water toy for the girls, got dinner (Chik-Fil-A... which is awesome. It was my first experience and I was a happy girl.) and then hit the pool. The girls were worn out and slept like babies all night.
Tuesday: The girls woke up around 9am and we headed off to Bojangles for breakfast. Rob has been craving a country ham biscuit for ages now. Emma got a bacon and cheese biscuit, I opted for biscuits and gravy. After breakfast we lounged around until we met up with Rob's grandma, aunt and mom at Golden Corral. We got our a/c re-charged because the poor thing couldn't keep up with the hot North Carolina weather. After our short detour to the shop we headed back to the hotel for nap time. Arabel went down for a nap, Rob was working and Emma and I headed to the pool. We were enjoying the perfect afternoon when a storm blew in and sent us back to the room. We hit up Cookout for dinner. (Holy moly, the Cook Out style burger is amazing. A burger with chili, cheese, slaw and mustard is A-OK in my book.) After dinner we just hung around the room and visited with Rob's childhood best friend.
I know that we are planning on dinner with the fam again tomorrow, but that is all that is set in stone so far. I am loving all of the new food I have been eating. :) I will have pictures up soon.
To be continued.
It was storming like crazy in East Lansing on Sunday night/Monday morning. It was pouring down sheets of rain, the wind was whipping and the thunder and lightening never let up. Rob and I actually talked about trying to wait out the storm and push back our departure time. (Which I was totally against. I was running on a total of about an hour of sleep and was exhausted. I was ready to get the car loaded, the girls in and us be on our merry way so I could catch some sleep.) We decided to change our route a bit in hopes to "out run" the storm. The car gets packed and the girls get buckled in (wide awake might I add) and we pull out of the parking lot at 4:03am. We were shooting for a leave time of 4am, so I was more than thrilled that we actually made it. The weather was TERRIBLE. It was nerve wracking to say the least. I managed to drift off just before the Ohio border. We stopped for breakfast around 6 am for breakfast in Ohio. (Did I mention that the girls were still wide awake? No? Well, they were awake as they could possibly be.) The rest of the drive was uneventful. The girls did awesome being in the car so long. Arabel would get crabby, so we would stop and stretch our legs for 20 minutes and get back on the road. We managed to get to the hotel 12 hours and 43 minutes after leaving East Lansing. I think that we did pretty darn good on time considering we had the girls with us.
Monday night meant relaxing after spending the day in the car. We ran to Target to get some water wings and water toy for the girls, got dinner (Chik-Fil-A... which is awesome. It was my first experience and I was a happy girl.) and then hit the pool. The girls were worn out and slept like babies all night.
Tuesday: The girls woke up around 9am and we headed off to Bojangles for breakfast. Rob has been craving a country ham biscuit for ages now. Emma got a bacon and cheese biscuit, I opted for biscuits and gravy. After breakfast we lounged around until we met up with Rob's grandma, aunt and mom at Golden Corral. We got our a/c re-charged because the poor thing couldn't keep up with the hot North Carolina weather. After our short detour to the shop we headed back to the hotel for nap time. Arabel went down for a nap, Rob was working and Emma and I headed to the pool. We were enjoying the perfect afternoon when a storm blew in and sent us back to the room. We hit up Cookout for dinner. (Holy moly, the Cook Out style burger is amazing. A burger with chili, cheese, slaw and mustard is A-OK in my book.) After dinner we just hung around the room and visited with Rob's childhood best friend.
I know that we are planning on dinner with the fam again tomorrow, but that is all that is set in stone so far. I am loving all of the new food I have been eating. :) I will have pictures up soon.
To be continued.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Road Trip!!
Rob and I decided that it was high time that we got out of town. We have a road trip in our immediate future. In the wee hours of Monday morning (think like 4am) we will be packing up and heading to North Carolina. Rob's family lives there, so we will be visiting them. This will be the first time that Rob's grandma has met the girls so it should be fun. While we are there we will be paying a visit to Rob's best friend, and meeting their little boy for the first time too. (Parker and Arabel are 11 apart.) I am looking forward to lounging around the pool in 100 degree weather, and not being in Michigan. It is the 11 hour drive there and back that I am not thrilled about. I will be taking lots of pictures and will update when I can.
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