Thursday, July 28, 2011

Bahama Mama!

 A couple of weeks ago, my mom, dad, Andy and I ventured to Freeport on Grand Bahama Island for a tropical getaway. We rented a penthouse condo unit right on the ocean with a HUMUNGOUS outdoor deck overlooking the beach. We spent most of our time loungin' at the pool, swimming in the ocean, guzzling frozen drinks from the pool bar, reading books and just spending time together as a family. It was a much needed trip in the sun and sand!
Our Home Away from Home


Mom & Dad chillin in the pool   


First Night Out with my new Lilly purse







View from the rooftop deck

Deck  
Pooltime Fun
Loving the view
Downtown Port Lucaya for dinner & drinks
Port Lucaya Fun
Frozen Drinks at the poolside bar
More poolside bar fun
Beach Day!
All we did for 7 days...
Bahamian Independence Day Celebrations
Winning Night at the Casino
McDonald's
Best Family Ever
On our way to play with the Dolphins
Dolphins!
Ship from the first 2 Pirates of the Caribbean movies
Playing with birds at the Dolphins Sanctuary
More fun at Port Lucaya

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

This year was fairly low-key in terms of 4th of July celebrations. On Saturday, Andy and I went out to Hamilton, Virginia for the day/night to celebrate with Andy's sister Robyn, their family and what was literally their entire neighborhood. There was delicious food, great drinks, and fun company. The kids had a great time running around, parading, and swimming in the pool. We met some new people, got to spend some nice time with the family, and enjoyed the fireworks display after the sun went down. It was a nice relaxing way to spend the 4th!
Mini-cupcake flags I made for the 4th

Aren't they adorable?!

 I brought a batch of these mini-cupcakes to Andy's mom, my girlfriends for a weekend wine night and to the BBQ at the Wade's on Saturday. They were a hit! They were delicious and turned out even cuter than I had planned! It's as easy as mixing your own favorite cupcake batter flavor (I did chocolate fudge for one flag, and vanilla for the second flag) and baking as many needed to fill a serving tray. I used a mini-cupcake tin for the ones above, but it would work the same as if you used the large. I iced them in standard white icing and then adorned them with blueberries and strawberries (halved) to make the stripes. Pretty easy and pretty darn cute!
Kids parade at the Wade's BBQ

Lauren marching in the kiddie parade

Lauryn & Ashlyn marching
Andy and Mason
Ashlyn on her scooter
Enjoying the parade
After enjoying food and other things :)
Fun on the 4th with nieces and nephews!
Happy 4th of July!