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!

Strawberry picking & playing in LA

I have lived my whole life in Southern California and the thought of strawberry picking never crossed my mind until we had friends visiting from the windy city, Chicago! The first thing on their agenda was strawberry picking!!! Who knew!

So my search for strawberry fields was on. To my surprise there are many locations in Southern Cali where one can pick and purchase your own strawberries. We ended up at McGarth Family Farms, in Camarillo. Sophia and Julian had a blast!!! After an hour of picking delicious, sweet strawberries, we ended our day with some sand in our toes with a trip to one of our favorite beaches in Ventura!

Our weekend continued with a trip to Universal Studios on Sunday! I have not been there since the day I quit my job in the park 16 years ago (it was one of the funnest jobs EVER).  We all got to spend quality time together and I got to re-connect with my childhood friend and his beautiful family!

I love hosting friends out of town! Not only do I get to spend time with the people I love and miss, but I get to appreciate and see the great city we live in. There is no where else like home!

Strawberry fields

Let the picking begin!

Next time, I'll make sure they wear sneakers!

LOVE my boys!

Hello summer

Summer is upon us! Time to dig out the sunblock, dust off the beach chairs and start eyeing some wedges! Here are a few I'm loving right now!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 //

Happy Friday!

Looking forward to a great weekend! We have friends coming in from Chicago today and have a jammed backed weekend. Tomorrow we are hitting the beach with this 90 degree weather.

Don't forget to pick-up these beautiful Peonies at Trader Joe's, it will brighten up your day!

Stay safe and have a great weekend!

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!!

Sunny days….

My long awaited girls weekend has come and gone way to quickly! Fortunately, Palm Springs is only 2 hours away where we can do it all over again soon!

We hit the road and arrived at The Saguaro. It was definitely not a place I would recommend for families. It was a young, retro crowd who liked to relax, drink and throw a few beach balls around!

As we arrived, we were all eager to hit the pool and begin our relaxing weekend. I do have to admit, I maybe over did-it the first day, I sometimes forget I'm not twenty-five anymore!

I thought the hotel overall was nice, EXCEPT for the restaurant-bar "El Jefe". We decided to have dinner there and were very disappointed with the quality of food. We ordered some carne-asada tacos and had to send them back because they were RAW! When they came out again, I could not get past the fact that the tortillas were old and stale. Needless to say, I won't be returning to "El Jefe" anytime soon.

We ended our wonderful weekend with some shopping! A pit-stop at Cabazon Outlets completed our quality time together! It's always great spending time with these lovely ladies. Good times with great girls!

How cute are these bikes!!!

Shopping!!!