Giddy Up

We just got back from an amazing trip to San Antonio, Texas. Who knew that country living could be so much fun! You may be wondering how us city people ended up booking a 4-day weekend trip to Texas, but we have Sophia my 9 year old to thank! It all started when she was 2 years old and before she could even put a sentence together she was saying she wanted to visit Texas. While researching great locations in Texas I came upon the Rodeo which would be in San Antonio the month of February - I thought perfect! Sophia loves cowboy boots, country music and I knew she would love a Rodeo!


Our romantic, family, Valentine's Day mini vacation didn't start as planned. As a parent I have learned fairly quickly that you can plan things to the hour, which I do, but with children things can change within seconds! Usually, my kids do really great on flights, but this was a flight that didn't go very smooth. We learned on the flight that Julian most likely had an ear infection! Poor little guy!! When we arrived in San Antonio the first thing we did was look up an urgent care - luckily our hotel, The Westin, recommended a great place, Nix Hospital, 2 blocks walking distance from our hotel. We were expecting a long night ahead, but instead we were in and out within 15 minutes with a prescription of Amoxicillin in hand. YAY for Texas health care!

After some medication and food in our bellies we were ready to hit the town, or better yet the River! The Riverwalk was the highlight of our trip. Every turn led us to a new place to explore. The culture, food and people were like no other. We enjoyed our time there and really look forward to another Texas trip in our future, maybe Austin next time!

It was the perfect weather a nice 85 degrees with blue skies! Enjoyed our time at Tower of the Americas!

The Alamo! Sophia learned that The Alamo square is one of the most haunted areas in the US. Information she could have lived without!

Mission Concepcion - we are famous in San Antonio!

The San Antonio Rodeo left us looking for the next Rodeo in our hometown! It was exciting, entertaining and delicious! Great way to end our trip to beautiful, sunny San Antonio!

Such a beautiful cowgirl!

Snow-cones for days!

Our carriage ride through downtown San Antonio

  Here are the places you don't want to miss when visiting San Antonio:

• The Alamo
• Tower of the Americas
• The Missions
• Riverwalk
• Carriage ride in Downtown San Antonio

Largest boots in America! Until next time y'all!

Sunny Arizona

We just got back from our annual family getaway to hot, but beautiful Arizona! This is a trip we have been doing for the last 5 years and enjoy every moment! We can't get enough of the Four Seasons Scottsdale hotel! The Four Seasons is hands-down one of the best hotel's out there! As soon as you pull up, you feel right at home! They go out of their way to greet you and make you feel welcomed! Of course, there is a price tag with that attention, but in July it's a bargain!

The main reason for this awaited getaway is the sun, pooooool and relaxation! It really is a place we unwind, enjoy each other and eat! The kids also, always look forward to Kids Club, which is included in your stay!

We got to celebrate our birthdays there this year. Sophia, turned 9 and I turned, well I'll keep that to myself! 

We ventured out and tried some amazing restaurants this year! We always like trying different places and will for sure keep a few of these on our list for next year!

Here is a review of 3 of our favorites:

Oregano's - A staple in Arizona, and to think this was our first time there makes me wonder why. Salads, pasta, pizza need I say more! The food was sooooo good, a little overwhelming. I swear, it looked like I had not even touched my food!! The prices for the amount of food you get is VERY reasonable. Our favorite dish - dessert! It kind of reminded me of a Pizzokie from BJ's, but so much better! I would highly recommend stopping by any of their 13 locations! We will keep Oregano's on our list for next year!

Pinnacle Peak Patio - Such a great atmosphere, the kids really enjoyed it! As soon as you pull up to the dirt parking lot you feel like your in the Wild Wild West! You walk up to this western looking entry and as you walk in all you see is cowboy hats, cowboy boots and country music playing! My country girl Sophia, couldn't get enough! There are half cut-off ties that cover the entire ceiling! The joke is, if you walk into this place with a tie, expect that it will be cut-off! NO TIES ALLOWED! Just cowboy boots! Needless-to-say, the food consists of good old BBQ dishes! I had the ribs, which were very tasty. Lawrence had the rib-eye and devoured every bite! The kids had your basic kids menu, mac & cheese, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, etc. Be warned, if you order your meat well-done they bring out a cowboy boot on a dish for you! So don't bring up the WD word! Great place, full of fun memories!

Spotted Donkey Cantina - Of course, being in the Southwest we couldn't not go to a Southwest Mexican cuisine restaurant. I am such a fan of Mexican food (my favorite) so I enjoyed this restaurant very much! We started with the Guacamole, at $11.00 it better have been great, and it was! My food of choice was the chicken enchiladas and yum, highly recommended! Unfortunately, I didn't have room left for dessert, because I ate everything on my plate! It was delicious! The food portions were made for Hulk Hogan! The Margarita's were a perfect way to end my day of lounging at the pool! 

Let's not forget Last Chance! This is something I look forward to every year!!  My hubby and kids could do without it, but it's a HUGE/BIG/ENORMOUS to-do on my list! If you are not familiar with Last Chance, let me fill you in on a little secret! It's where all the stuff you return to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack goes to! I actually lucked out this year because they were having their Christmas in July sale! I got UGG boots for myself and Sophia at $35 each!!! CRAZYYYYYY!! I found some amazing things, and look forward to walking in all of them! Be warned, you need lots of patience and time when you walk through those doors!

This sums up yet another amazing trip to sunny Scottsdale! Looking forward to next year!

We had a nice birthday cupcake waiting for us when we arrived to our hotel! Got to LOVE the Four Seasons!

Home for the next 5 days!

Birthday girls!

This is what our days consisted of.

The kids love Kids Club, so do Mom and Dad!

The Four Seasons casitas!

Got to spend some time with Tia Luz!

Need a tie?

Julian, smile! This is what I get!

We went through 5 bottles of sunblock and still look extra crispy!

A must I didn't mention, The Good Egg breakfast spot!

Bye-Bye, until next year!

My American Girl

Schools out! Hence, the reason my blogging had been put on hold!
But, I do have to share Sophia's pre-birthday bash celebration! Took advantage that my future 9 year-old still enjoys and loves playing with her dolls, especially her American Girl doll, Zoey!

Sophia got to enjoy a birthday lunch celebration with her favorite friends! Here a few pictures that captured the special day!

Thanks to Marissa, Jules, Bella, Kayla and her rumbustious brother, Julian, for joining Sophia on her American Girl day!

Friends!!

The birthday girl and her Grandmothers!

The Mommies!

A good sport

So very proud of my little man, Julian. He was the recipient of his baseball team's Sportsmanship award! He was the youngest and smallest boy on the team, but always went out of his way to let his teammates know what a great job they were doing. This kid has such a big heart!

Definition: Sportsmanship - conduct (as fairness, respect for one's opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing) becoming to one participating in a sport

Way to go Julian! YOU ROCK!!!

A very proud Daddy!

Thank you to this smoking hot man, who is such a great example to our son! He really does hold the title of BEST FATHER EVER!!

Let them eat cake

My favorite part about having a party is ordering the CAKE! Not necessarily because I like to eat cake  (I do, who doesn't), but the enjoyment of designing and creating our special themed cakes.

As my kids are getting older, I'm thinking our themed cakes days are numbered. I was looking back at pictures and it made me think of all the great cakes my kids have been lucky to enjoy. I wanted to share two of our favorites and include a few that I am hoping will be part of our celebrations in the near future!

PINK! Fit for a princess!

This was a cars themed party for Julian's 5th birthday! 

The three cakes above are from Blue Cupcake. One of my favorite dessert blogs! I have been lucky enough to order desserts from them and they are as yummy as they look!

Can you believe this is a cake! AMAZING! Source

Chevron Cake! Source

Source

 Holy cannoli! All of these are amazing!

Best mom EVER!

First, let me thank my friend Michelle for making me the best mom EVER in my daughter's eyes. This weekend she got to meet many of her favorite Disney TV stars! We were invited to the Radio Disney Music Awards by our friends, Michelle and her daughter Kayla, who we met when our girls were just 6 months old. It's amazing to see how these beautiful little girls have grown up to be sweet, kind 8 year olds!

They not only got to see the award ceremony, but also got VIP access to the Disney After Party! What a blast it was!

Friends forever! Sophia & Kayla

They got to go on the red carpet! Fancy girls!

She was excited to see Selena Gomez perform!

Selena Gomez! We had amazing seats! 

She got to meet many of the Shake It Up actors! Sophia was a little nervous, can you tell? She kept saying "Mom, there is so and so----- I need to take my picture with them!"

Zendaya was so super sweet! This girl is gorgeous and my goodness I was a dwarf next to her!

We even got to see a performance by Fifth Harmony at the after party!

Move out of the way - VIP's coming through! HA!!