The Big 3-0

DH's birthday was yesterday and we took the day to celebrate that and our anniversary since he was on a business trip last month.

DH got his favorite lunch: Homemade Chili Cheese Dogs and Baked Potato Wedges.

He received calls and cards throughout the day with birthday blessings.

I had saved enough from our weekly grocery budget to go out to dinner to one of our favorite restaurants. However, since DH had to stay on extra day on his business trip and miss our anniversary, his Boss decided he wanted to cover our belated anniversary dinner. Thank you!

So we got all dressed up and headed out after a few pictures.

Attempt #1


Attempt #2


I was a little worried about how Pearl would do since we were pushing her normal dinner time back a little bit and I didn't want her grabbing the really hot Fondue plates.

But our server was great and Pearl did fine.

We ordered the "Fondue for Two" since we had a Entertainment Book Coupon. This is the way to go if you ask me since you get a great selection. You each pick a salad to start with, then a cheese fondue appetizer to share (dip in bread, chips, apples, carrots, broccoli, grapes), after that the main entree is brought to the table. A platter of meats and fish (chicken, fillet Mignon, pork tenderloin, ma hi ma hi, and shrimp) that you place on a hot rock 500 degrees! The little pieces cook in minutes and you have several dipping sauces to choose from as well. For the veggies, they bring a hot pot of broth in which is placed: noodles, squash, mushrooms, carrots, and broccoli. They cook till tender and then you scoop'em out. Yummy!



It seems like a lot of food and I was full when we finished but I wasn't stuffed. It was a good feeling since it was so healthy (maybe except the cheese:)

Pearl loved eating the fresh fruits, veggies and meats! She was content watching DH spear the food to stick in the fondue. And the manager gave her a glow in the dark bracelet to play with since the restaurant was dimly lit. She had a blast with it!



I love that this Fondue isn't a batter based place where you fry things in the fondue. I went to one of those once and felt awful afterwards. This instead is delicious!

They also have chocolate fondue desserts you can try. Not included in the "Fondue for Two", but we decided to splurge and get one to take home. Dark chocolate and then lots of goodies to dip: strawberries, banana, graham crackers, rice crispy treats, brownie pieces, pretzels, marshmallows, and grapes. Just a few of each and all cut small. Good variety and not overly sweet.

Happy Belated Anniversary and Happy Birthday, dear one!

Anne's Wedding

This past weekend, we headed up into North Georgia for the wedding of a household sister from college (similar to a sorority).


(Pablo and Anne, the newlyweds)

We left Thursday and stayed the night at my mama's and then spent Friday with her. We had a great visit and were able to help unpack some boxes as she settles into her new house. We decided that it is true that Pearl is allergic to her cats. The eczema flared back up and she was really itchy.

Saturday morning we got up super early and hit the road by 7AM. Pearl took one nap in the car...that was it. Yikes, I knew it was going to be a long day. We got into GA and found a place to stop for lunch and then went over to the church to dress and get some prayer time in before the Nuptial Mass.

It was a lovely ceremony and it was so nice to see a lot of college friends. Pearl took another quick nap before Mass started but after that was up for good. DH was awesome helping to handle a very cranky little girl. We traded off eating dinner and watching her run around.


(my household sisters)

She was terrified of the camera man; very unusual since she normally loves cameras. (She loves the clicky sound cameras make)

Pearl did dance a little which was fun to watch; I was able to visit with friends and get some pictures taken, and then we saw that she was fading fast, so we made a fast exit and headed to a friend's house who was putting us up for the night.

My former youth director! His family hosted us and it was so nice to see them as well. Got a little sleep and then up for Sunday Mass. Visited a bit more with them and then headed back home to Florida. A long 8 hour drive. Pearl did better on the ride back then up there. She got two and half naps in which really helped her mood. She played with her toys better and enabled DH and I switch off driving too. Normally I have to be on call in the back seat, but we were able to switch and I took a 3 hour shift.

A long trip, but so worth it to see my friends, witness Anne's marriage, and visit with family.


(Michelle, a bridesmaid, and she was one of my senior year roommates; hadn't seen each other since graduation!)

Pobrecito

Poor little blog! I have not abandoned you, much as you may think so. We have been super busy this week with family coming into town and arriving shortly (yikes!). Pearl has been extra high-need this week and I'm still recovering from a sinus cold.

I have lots of post ideas that I want to type up and put out there. Lots of pictures are forthcoming from Pearl's birthday celebrations and family visits. I'm also in the middle of frosting her birthday cake. The pans are cooling in preparation:)

On the menu for today's family fun time:

Stuffed Hamburgers (my father-in-law's creation; delicious!)
Corn and Tomato Salad
Fruit Salad
Baked Home Fries, sweet and regular
Sweet Iced Tea
Lemonade
Birthday Cake with ice cream.

Yummo!

While this week has been challenging with various events and tasks, I am basking in silence for the moment.

*cue the crickets, or loud AC*

Pearl is taking a nap, DH is taking a nap, in-laws haven't arrived yet, I completed the diaper laundry, took a shower (a long one!), DH picked up a few last minute things from the store, made the salads, baked 2 1/2 cakes (mini one for Pearl), straightened the house....

Awesome!

I might just put my feet up and read a few pages from my book before my two loves awake and family arrives:)

Meme

H/T Karen

I've done the ones in bold:)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (I was chorus in a band for one day)
4. Visited Hawaii (Kuaui for our honeymoon)
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (DisneyWorld)
8. Climbed a mountain (in Austria)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (fifth grade Christmas performance)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (to Poland)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (needed a "mental health day")
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (sadly, only a triple)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (in general)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa (No. but DH fas)
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (snorkeling in Bermuda
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie (my friend's senior thesis)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (and done a wheelie)
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (our engagement announcement)
85. Read the entire Bible (over the course of years, not all in one sitting.)
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Joey Fatone at a Fall Festival at a nearby Catholic Church a few years ago)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Color Spectrum

you are mediumseagreen #3CB371

Your dominant hues are cyan and green. Although you definately strive to be logical you care about people and know there's a time and place for thinking emotionally. Your head rules most things but your heart rules others, and getting them to meet in the middle takes a lot of your energy some days. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

(It really is a pretty color...and oddly enough very close to the color of the Bridesmaid dresses at our wedding...interesting.)

H/T Alexandra

Geography Lesson

Place the State Game

H/T Karen

I think my average was 29 miles off, not sure if that is good or bad, but it was fun!