Monday, June 28, 2010
Family Pictures
Before we went to Miami, Kristie Mills did our family photos. I love how they turned out. I made the girls pillowcase dresses, tutus, bows, and flowers for the shoot. These are our first professional pictures as a 'family of 4'.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Fudge Pie and Father's Day
We celebrated Father's Day with a backyard BBQ and some swimming. My dad and Tricia, Amanda, Becka, Jenn, Jade and Analeigh came over on Sunday.
Afton and I made a delicious fudge pie to serve for dessert. The recipe is super easy, I actually had all the ingredients in my pantry. It is the perfect dish to whip up with a 'preschool age' helper. Go here for the recipe, much thanks to Jordin and Jennifer for the yummy tip. Oh and it is best served with "Bunny Tracks" ice cream, trust me.
This was Jade's first Father's Day. He has been such a great uncle to Afton for the past 4 years, we just knew he would make an excellent dad.
Afton and I made a delicious fudge pie to serve for dessert. The recipe is super easy, I actually had all the ingredients in my pantry. It is the perfect dish to whip up with a 'preschool age' helper. Go here for the recipe, much thanks to Jordin and Jennifer for the yummy tip. Oh and it is best served with "Bunny Tracks" ice cream, trust me.
This was Jade's first Father's Day. He has been such a great uncle to Afton for the past 4 years, we just knew he would make an excellent dad.
See how happy Analeigh is? That's due to her fabulous mom and dad!
Jeff's fathering skills never cease to amaze me. He has is adored by his daughters and his wife. He has provided us with such a wonderful life. And he is always willing to do whatever takes to keep us happy- whether it is playing the "Daddy Prince" when Afton is Cinderella or rocking Maisy on the back porch. Jeff does it all!
And what can I say about my own Dad? He's my Dad! He is there for me when I call, he is a loving Grandpa to my girls, and he always has loads of advice to hand out.
Most importantly, he has given me some really good lines to use on my girls as they grow up!
-Any physical ailment/pain/sickness was always treated with the question "Do you need to go to the bathroom?"
-Leaving the door open, we would hear "Were you raised in a barn?"
- And my favorite, because it is true "If a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right!"
Dad with his girls, Father's Day 2010.
"A man never stands as tall as when he kneels to help a child."
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Welcome to MIAMI
Our trip was fabulous! Here is the run-down of our vacation, plus lots of photos of course. (I took a bunch and then the company hired a professional photographer to follow us around all week.)
Monday: Arrived in Miami just after lunch. We toured the hotel and then went swimming. Our group-"The Ambassador's Club"- had our own private pool, with massage tents, happy hour, and gourmet treats set up along the water.
The hotel was amazing! The Aqualina is huge and super luxurious. Donald Trump and his wife stayed a few nights while we were there. Most of the other guests were wealthy Europeans.
Their cars were on display in front of the hotel- notice there aren't any Tahoes in the group :)
That evening we met with the Maui Jim sunglass rep to get custom-fitted for new sunglasses. Then we had our official "Welcome Dinner" on the beach while we watched the sun set.
Each night when we returned to our room, we found a surprise gift waiting for us. We recieved a large embroidered tote filled with beach goodies, monogrammed golf shirts, a Flip video camera, travel mugs from the iconic Miami artist Romero Britto, buckets of champagne/beer, an engraved frame complete with photo, a Swarvoski crystal keychain and a crystal figurine during our stay.
That night Jeff and I had a romantic dinner alone on the beach. After dinner we joined up with another couple and went to South Beach for drinks and people watching. Let's just say everything you've heard about South Beach is true- short skirts, fit bodies, and lots of tan skin.
Wednesday: We escaped to the resort's exclusive spa, ESPA, for a couple's massage. We spent the rest of the day drinking margaritas by the pool and beach.
Then we went to the "Awards Dinner" in the ballroom. I was so proud to watch as Jeff was recognized for finishing number one in sales last year.
Thursday: (My favorite day!) Jeff spent the day golfing, so I got to relax. I went for a 3 mile run on the beach at 6:30, worked out in the gym for 2 hours, ate breakfast/read in the hotel's restaurant, went shopping for souveniers, lounged by the water, got a manicure/pedicure and then swam in the pool and beach with Jeff for the rest of the afternoon.
Thursday night was the "Farwell Dinner" and the location was a big surprise. We had been given a few clues and I was hoping, hoping, hoping that we were going to Versace's Mansion. As we loaded the limos and were given a glass of champagne- the announcement was made. The company had rented out his mansion for our private party!
We had dinner by the pool, dessert was served in his famously large shower, and then we sipped drinks in his 'Dubai-inspired' lounge room. The house has been meticulously restored to the way it was decorated before Versace's tragic death. The home is now owned by Barton G, and he has done an amazing job of turning it into the most upscale restaurant and hotel in Miami. We ended the night by dancing in courtyard. (But not before I explored as many rooms as possible!)
Friday: We woke up, had one last fancy breakfast, and despite a delay due to rain- made it home to our girls. I had a VERY hard time being away from them. But my mom and sisters did an amazing job of keeping them both happy all week. I am overjoyed that I had an opportunity to go away with just Jeff.
Johsnon and Johnson truely rewarded Jeff for his hard work. Now he is even more determined to keep selling so we can be invited back to Ambassador's Club next year! I feel so fortuntate to have been treated to the trip of a lifetime.
The hotel was amazing! The Aqualina is huge and super luxurious. Donald Trump and his wife stayed a few nights while we were there. Most of the other guests were wealthy Europeans.
Their cars were on display in front of the hotel- notice there aren't any Tahoes in the group :)
That evening we met with the Maui Jim sunglass rep to get custom-fitted for new sunglasses. Then we had our official "Welcome Dinner" on the beach while we watched the sun set.
Each night when we returned to our room, we found a surprise gift waiting for us. We recieved a large embroidered tote filled with beach goodies, monogrammed golf shirts, a Flip video camera, travel mugs from the iconic Miami artist Romero Britto, buckets of champagne/beer, an engraved frame complete with photo, a Swarvoski crystal keychain and a crystal figurine during our stay.
Tuesday: We ordered room service and ate a gourmet breakfast while wearing our "Aqualina" robes and slippers. Then the entire group sailed out on a cattamarran. We got about 45 minutes away from shore and found a huge sandbar. The crew set up a floating volleyball net and we swam and kayaked out to it for some fun. We also took turns riding the famous Banana Boat.
That night Jeff and I had a romantic dinner alone on the beach. After dinner we joined up with another couple and went to South Beach for drinks and people watching. Let's just say everything you've heard about South Beach is true- short skirts, fit bodies, and lots of tan skin.
Wednesday: We escaped to the resort's exclusive spa, ESPA, for a couple's massage. We spent the rest of the day drinking margaritas by the pool and beach.
Thursday: (My favorite day!) Jeff spent the day golfing, so I got to relax. I went for a 3 mile run on the beach at 6:30, worked out in the gym for 2 hours, ate breakfast/read in the hotel's restaurant, went shopping for souveniers, lounged by the water, got a manicure/pedicure and then swam in the pool and beach with Jeff for the rest of the afternoon.
Thursday night was the "Farwell Dinner" and the location was a big surprise. We had been given a few clues and I was hoping, hoping, hoping that we were going to Versace's Mansion. As we loaded the limos and were given a glass of champagne- the announcement was made. The company had rented out his mansion for our private party!
We had dinner by the pool, dessert was served in his famously large shower, and then we sipped drinks in his 'Dubai-inspired' lounge room. The house has been meticulously restored to the way it was decorated before Versace's tragic death. The home is now owned by Barton G, and he has done an amazing job of turning it into the most upscale restaurant and hotel in Miami. We ended the night by dancing in courtyard. (But not before I explored as many rooms as possible!)
This is the bathroom!
Behind us is a painting of the mansion.
The infamous shower, it was huge!
Friday: We woke up, had one last fancy breakfast, and despite a delay due to rain- made it home to our girls. I had a VERY hard time being away from them. But my mom and sisters did an amazing job of keeping them both happy all week. I am overjoyed that I had an opportunity to go away with just Jeff.
Johsnon and Johnson truely rewarded Jeff for his hard work. Now he is even more determined to keep selling so we can be invited back to Ambassador's Club next year! I feel so fortuntate to have been treated to the trip of a lifetime.
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