Eat Your Heart Out

Vegas recap week continues!!!!

Are you bored yet? Hopefully not but if so, I apologize...sort of.

Hands down, for me, the best part of the Vegas trip was the food. Initially, when we settled on going to Vegas I was a little less-than-enthused. Having been to Vegas before, I couldn't fathom that Sin City could offer me anything unique or interesting. Then I remembered Season 6 of Top Chef was filmed in Vegas. I'm a total Top Chef junkie and remembering all the restaurants and interesting chefs that had made their home on the strip suddenly got me very excited. I did some research and discovered that our trip also coincided with Las Vegas Restaurant Week, another bonus.

My dear friend was more than happy to let me make all the food decisions/arrangements so I set about planning our three days of meals. In the end we hit four Top Chef spots and had some of the best meals ever!

Hands down, for me, the best overall experience was at Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger's Border Grille. The service was impeccable, attentive without being intrusive and the food was perfection on a plate. Literally. If you can only eat one meal in Vegas, do it here.

The meat was so tender I don't even think you'd need teeth to eat it!

Second best, by a fairly close margin was Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill where we stopped for brunch on Saturday. I am anxious to get back and try their dinner menu!

I look ridiculous because I'm enjoying the hell out of the green chile hollandaise sauce!

And, of course, no true Top Chef Vegas trip would be complete without a stop at Tom Colicchio's CraftSteak. While the food was amazing, I have to admit I was a bit put out by the service. When we were seated, we were introduced to our TWO servers. I don't know if one was in training or what, but they didn't seem to work together cohesively, making the meal seem disjointed. I suppose that after our lunch with the waitstaff at Border Grille, I expected much more for what we were paying for this dining experience.

The day of our departure we had breakfast at Serendipity3. Other than the ice cream parlor in the John Cusack/Kate Beckinsale movie, Serendipity, I hadn't heard much about this place. It was Kathy's pick and she did good. We finished off a great foodie trip with their signature Frozen Hot Chocolate before heading to the airport.

Isn't that a beautiful looking plate?!

Looking back at the trip, the food was definitely the highlight for me. However, there were so many restaurants we missed, I can't wait to return with Elijah and eat our way across the strip!

Linking this up with:

Girl Gone Wild

What does a suburban mother of two do when her Vegas trip just isn't "CRAZEH" enough?

She gets a tattoo, of course!

I know my last post about Vegas talked about how chill and non-partying our trip was but I did get a little wild. We found Starlight Tattoo on our way to dinner in Mandalay Bay our second night there and it seemed like a sign. Now, this isn't my first tattoo. I got my first one at 20 while on vacation in Miami. But I had been wanting to get inked again for a while now I'd just been having trouble deciding what or where.

I was so lucky to have Kathy there to talk me through the details and push me, ever so gently, towards the store the next day to make my appointment.

Also, she took some excellent photos!

A perfect star for Miss Marina Star!

Waking Up in Vegas

I am back from my Las Vegas Girls Trip!!! I think I'll just go ahead and try to get a week's worth of posts out of those four days, so be warned...it may start getting old.



I had envisioned a Vegas trip that would have made Katy Perry proud. Unfortunately, I failed miserably. Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful trip. And we actually visited several places that we talked about seeing, doing, and shopping at during our four month planning session. Our original plan was to spend four days shopping, laying out by the pool drinking margaritas, eating amazing food and spending some quiet time getting reacquainted.

However, somewhere between the initial commitment to the trip and the months leading up to the actual take-off, I began to envision a far more wild and crazy girls weekend. Jello shots, late nights gambling, dancing all night with the other hoochies at the clubs, meeting wicked hot celebrities, and coming home with enough money for both our families to retire together on a tropical paradise with a chef, a housekeeper and a nanny for the kids.

Alas, that was not how the trip unfolded. For one, Kathy and I were completely incapable of staying up any later than 10pm. AND we got up at 7am every morning. This was NOT part of the plan, but we simply could not get onboard with the two hour time difference. Plus, we rationalized that since it was OUR vacation we could go to bed whenever we wanted!

In your face, Vegas night life!!!

The fact that I didn't come home with a four day hangover, a multi-million dollar cashier's check from the roulette table, or the phone numbers from my Top Five Celebrities list is okay with me, really. We still had a great trip; a trip that was perfect in it's imperfections. Kathy and I discovered that we travel well together, there was minimal catiness and absolutely no arguing about each other's bathroom routines.

Today's post is how I failed to produce a Katy Perry worthy trip to Vegas. Tomorrow I'll share a bit more about how two suburban ladies party down in the City of Sin!

There's No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

 You may have occasionally wondered how far our family would drive for free food. Well, wonder no more. Last weekend we found the answer to that question...75 miles. Let me repeat that, seventy-five miles.

Elijah's uncle sent us a $100 gift certificate to Cooper's BBQ that he won in a golf tournament. We'd planned on using it last Saturday but I balked at the fact that it's located 75 miles west of us, in the town of Llano, Texas. Elijah thought it'd be a nice little adventure while I thought it'd be better to order the food online for delivery and eat it later that week, after the kids went to bed. However, since Elijah's idea meant we wouldn't have to figure out what to make for dinner that night, we packed up the two happiest travelers on the planet and headed out.

The drive really wasn't that bad, aside from Amelia's new favorite saying..."Amelia talk" which she uses whenever any one else is speaking, followed by high pitched screaming until she is acknowledged and responded to. The drive took us through some interesting small towns; I enjoyed exploring our westerly neighboring areas.

As for the food, we ordered a little of everything they had, ate a ton, and brought back a tub full of ribs, pork chops, brisket, and chicken. We figured that since we weren't probably coming back anytime soon, we might as well use the whole amount of the certificate at once. We've been nibbling on the leftovers all week.

Nothing gets the school year started off right better than a meat filled tub!

Long Time Sunshine

Around two o'clock last night, while running around my Med/Surg floor, I realized that just a short week ago I was in Florida, sitting around a pool, drinking wine, laughing with family and smoking (because I TOTALLY get to smoke on vacation!). This realization was pretty depressing. How did I end up back to work so quickly? It seems like it took forever to get to Florida and then I blinked and we were on a plane back to Texas.

I call foul.

I've decided I want to live on vacation. I have no desire to get back into my home routine. I want sunshine and beaches and Elijah home all day. I want late nights and long stretches of afternoon with nothing to do but read while Amelia naps. I want ice cream, and cookouts and bronzed kids smelling like sunscreen. The trip wasn't long enough, I wasn't ready to come home and so, I think I'll boycott the end of vacation. I'm not sure about everything an 'end of vacation' boycott would entail but I'm fairly certain that it would include losing the house, since paying the mortgage is my responsibility. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to live on the beach.

Since we're going to be homeless beach bums we might as well head back to Siesta Key; the town we visited for Elijah's family reunion. We couldn't afford the perfect little condo at the Seaspray Resort where we stayed, but the sand was soft and it only rained about once a day, usually at night, so we wouldn't have to worry about not being able to bathe before bed.

If we lived at the beach...

...we wouldn't need to hang artwork.

...we wouldn't need furniture

...we would all snuggle together every night for bed.

But best of all, if we lived at the beach...

...I'd never have to do laundry again.

Facing Your Fears - Really High Up

One of my favorite parts of this year's beach vacation was my parasailing trip. That's right, Ms. Terrified-of-Heights, Cried-on-King's-Dominion-Drop-Zone, Hates-Open-Water WENT PARASAILING! And it was awesome. I didn't even cry.

Tobie and I on our way up. See, no tears!

So very high.

They had the brilliant idea of dragging us through the water.

I'm rethinking my decision to NOT wear a bathing suit.

The white tank top wasn't such a great idea either.

We made it! Soaking wet, but still no hysterical crying.

The best part though, had to be the zodiac boat ride out to the parasailing boat. There were a lot of speed zone channels (where I actually got to drive - complete with a Bud Light in my hand) but once the Captain was able to open her up, we flew across that water. It was just like in the movies; wind running through my hair, water splashing while flying over the wake of other boats. Again I say, awesome.

We had a group of eleven riders, which took about two hours to parasail. Once the rides were over we met the other boats and headed straight to shore into a crazy heavy lightning and thundering monstrosity of a storm. Yes, really.  In fact, we only made it halfway to the dock before the weather forced us to stop under a bridge. The Captain couldn't see anything, it was freezing and I was no longer having any fun. 

The other boat pulling under the bridge.*

Everyone else seemed to be having a good time!*

Caia keeping me warm during the storm.*

Our group decided to get off the boats and have someone else from the family come find us. I was seriously freaked out and just wanted off of the water. Of course, once we were on land, the storm let up, and the boats took off for shore while we were stuck under the bridge hoping to be found. (For the record, I'm totally willing to admit that my judgment is impaired while sitting on a boat, in freezing wind and rain, listening to thunder and watching the lightning hit the shore.)

Of course we all made it back safely and now I have a great story about my parasailing adventure in Siesta Key! All's well that ends well, am I right? I would however, be lying if I said that I wasn't going to think twice (and check a weather radar) before getting on another boat again.

*I totally lifted those pics off of Tobie's Facebook page...Thanks Tobie!

The Sweetest Thing

We're home and I'm completely exhausted. I promise a full accounting of the past week's adventures, just not today. And maybe not tomorrow...we'll see. In lieu of a true post, I'm uploading a video of Amelia eating ice cream. It's adorable, so enjoy!


Ice Cream in Siesta Key from Miss Marina Star on Vimeo.

Vacation

We survived flying three hours with a two year old and had a wonderful first day of vacation. Asher insists that the travel day was actually day one, but I hardly count lugging two kids, and all their crap, across the US as relaxing so I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

We flew in to Tampa, rented a car and drove to Siesta Key. The place we're staying is amazing. We're a block from the beach, there's also a salt water pool, WI-FI, and a small kitchenette. This is definitely a place we'd come back to visit.


Being raised near Southern California beaches, I was nervous about how much beach time we'd actually want, but the water is warm, the sand is soft and the waves are just right for the little ones. It's rained a little off and on, usually hitting us late in the evening forcing us to run from the pool area and undress outside the room (tantalizing little tidbit, eh?).


Anyway, we are having a blast reconnecting with each other as well as extended family members. I've already finished one book and have started another. The kids are exhausted from yesterday so a little downtime is ordered for today.

And now, pictures!!!

Pack 'em Up and Ship 'em Out!

Today's post is a list that should help you, my faithful, loyal and lovable readers, get to know me (and my craziness) just a little better.

Normally before taking any trip I make endless lists, both on paper and in my head, of things that need to be packed. I obsess over outfits and personal care needs that I'm terrified of leaving behind although, we've yet to travel to a place where it's impossible to find a toothbrush.

I get it, I'm a bit obsessive when it comes to being prepared for every possible situation on vacation. Unfortunately, for my psyche these are the things that I did not get in time to pack them for today's flight.

1. Matching shoes for the entire family. As silly as it sounds, Elijah and I have always worn matching shoes (same brand, not color) on our flights and I thought it'd be a neat tradition to carry on with our family trips.
2. Another bathing suit for me. Everyone else has plenty of suits to rotate I, on the other hand, have not had any time to run this dreaded errand alone and there was no way my mind was going to survive trying on bathing suits with BOTH kids attached.
3. Cleaning the house. Our home isn't cluttered or messy, except for my room which has clothes strewn all over the place. If someone has found a non 'pulling everything out of the closet, trying on outfits, experimenting with shoes then finally settling on at least 20 options for your 5 day trip,' I'm all ears. No, the house is dirty - like needs vacuuming, dusting and washing dirty. I hate coming home to a dirty house, but I completely ran out of time on this one so...oh well.

Things that I was able to get/do/find...YEAH ME!

1. I got a pedicure! It was last minute (7:45 last night) but I totally swung it. Phew!
2. I got Asher's haircut. At least this way his head'll tan evenly instead of being scary white in spots were we to get it cut after vacation.
3. I found luggage for the kids. It's matching and adorable, although I think I went too young with Asher's and it'll have to be replaced soon. But I wanted the kids to have adorable matching luggage and mission accomplished!
4. Everyone is pretty much packed with their "airplane outfits" laid out. Elijah did pack his own clothing, but everything else was all me. I just hate to get somewhere and realized I forgot something that we HAVE to go get before we can start our vacation.

I think I did ok. Elijah assured me that I can go shopping for a bathing suit in Florida, but I'm not so sure they are going to have any stores that carry swimsuits, right? We'll see.  There's no time to worry about all the things I may have missed now...we're off!

Just Trippin'

This week should be chaotic, crazy and also a little bit fun.

If I can get everyone packed and on a plane by Wednesday, we just may have our first ever family vacation. It'll be Amelia's first airplane ride, after which, we might just decide it needs to be her last one until she's potty trained and able to keep those damn earphones on her head.

Either way, we're heading to sun (fingers crossed) and sand and hopefully at least one child free night out to dinner.

I am planning to blog during the trip so check in for some jealousy inducing updates.

Going Up the Country

I'm leaving the house a total disaster. This is me...keeping it real.

We're heading out to Pryor, Oklahoma today. Well, the kids and I are heading out. Elijah and Chester have to stay behind to work and bark at the neighbors, respectively. Since moving to Texas, It's become a bi-summer tradition to take the kids to see Elijah's family and we all really look forward to it. I am always a little sad that we can't bring everyone, but it's so much easier for me to take off and Elijah really only gets a week of vacation.

Anyway, wish me luck. I'm spending a week-ish with two crazy kids and my in-laws.

It's going to be a blast!

The Week of Living Dangerously

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I realize that I should probably write a nice little recap of last week's trip but...I. Just. Can't. It really was too much.

Let me just say that the procedure (when we finally got her in to do it) went well. All my (Southwest) flights arrived safely, on time - and I didn't have to pay to check my bags! The kids survived the week without mommy and my friends absolutely deserve awards for pitching in. Elijah ensured that I came home to a clean house and even brought the kids to the airport to meet me.

All in all, in spite of all the drama, I'm really glad I made the trip there (and back). I enjoyed seeing the members of the family who were able to make it out and we did, amidst all the chaos, have some fun times.

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Meet my beautiful Rebecca Minkoff Steady Tote. Given to me by my husband as a push gift for having my daughter Amelia, it was always meant to be my carry on for a future trip to Barcelona.

Unfortunately, that has yet to come to pass. As of now it has flown with me only on "medical missions." Visiting my father when he had his mitral valve replacement, and today, heading towards my step-mother's lumpectomy. Both trips have been to Utah, and I have a feeling that this beautiful bag is feeling like it's not really living up to it's potential.

Someday though, my Steady will fulfill it's destiny and accompany me and Mixed Handbag to the celebrated shopping sites of Spain.

Until then, think good thoughts and stay tuned…I'm a real blogger writing in airports* and everything!

*Denver has free Wi-Fi which totally kicks Austin's $9.95 charge's ass.

The Headless Horseman

Let me just preface this post with the caveat that I realize it is WAY overdue. I refuse to apologize for writing it so late, since this is the first chance I've gotten to sit down and write and I really wanted to do it justice.

Every October (at least for the past three years) we have taken the kids to Marval Resort in Gore, Oklahoma. This is a particularly special campground to our family because Elijah used to go there with his family when he was little. It's definitely become a yearly tradition that we all look forward to. We go in October for two main reasons. First, it is much too hot to go out there in the summer and second, they celebrate Halloween all month long which is a super plus for us heathens.

We go "cabin camping" which I realize is a bit of disappointment for the boys, but really the weather is much too fickle in October to sleep in a tent. Plus, I think tent camping is yicky. I need my own bathroom, shower and microwave. I make no apologies for that either, since aside from our very first sleepover being in a tent, Elijah knew about my lack of outdoorsy-ness when he agreed to be shackled to me until the end of time.

Throughout the month in addition to trick-or-treating every Saturday, Marval has a "magical" pumpkin patch that we travel to via hayride and most importantly - at least to Asher - a costume contest. Every year when the time comes to pick out a costume he goes over all his options and wonders which one gives him the best chance of winning. The first year he dressed as a dinosaur, the second as a dead zombie. Both costumes were fine but not really award worthy.

This year, I picked his costume for him and even though I'm biased, it really was the greatest costume ever.


He totally won.

Now I only have 11 months to think up next year's winning costume idea!

For those interested, here are more pictures of our cabin camping weekend.