A weekend of the Best kind

A weekend home full of everything I needed- family, friends, food, and of course a mani/pedi.  The best kind.

I'll let the pictures do {most of} the talking.

We left well before the sun came up on Thursday.  A few hours into our drive the sun came up and the day greeted us with snow capped hills and trees.

 It was like driving through an Ansel Adams calendar.  Beautiful and peaceful.   We only stopped once, made record time {under 10 hours}, and my little miss only slept 40 minutes.  Good thing she tolerates the car well.  She was excellent the entire trip.  We can only hope this next little lady enjoys our road trips as much as her sister!

We arrived to Valentine goodies from Gma and Gpa...A Minnie Mouse shirt.  Girlfriend is totally obsessed with "Mimmie" and seriously has wanted to wear this shirt every. single. day. since. Thursday.  

After putting on her new shirt, she made some snowballs with Daddy.

 After a long trip and little sleep, we got to fill our tummies with some of Gma's yummy home cooking.  Somebody loved the corn on the cob!

 We had some Grandpa and Grandma snuggles and then we all hit the sack! 

Friday we woke up the way everyone wakes up when staying with the grandparents, I'm sure...Donuts for breakfast!  Someone was clearly happy.

 

Donuts for breakfast make me happy, too.  But if you wanna know what makes me *REALLY* happy, just look at the picture below.  This is my happy place.  Mani/Pedi=Heaven.

Wanna know what else makes me happy?  A night out with my handsome husband.  We were fortunate enough to get out to one of our favorite local places for some drinks {that would be a Shirley Temple for this girl} and some friends.  My very bestest friend, Katie and one of our other best friend couples came out to meet us.  It was such a nice night.  

We've shared half our lives together.  18 years.  Damn, I love this kid.

Saturday we had such a FUN morning.  Our niece Ailish recently had a major surgery and we couldn't wait to get home to spoil her.  Paul was super excited and had told her we were going to take her shopping at her favorite store when we came home.  Boy did he deliver.  Paul's brother and our sister-in-law, along with our niece & nephew and my mother in law, all came along for the shopping spree.  She had so much fun and the smile on her face was absolutely priceless.   We made Justice our bitch.

We had lots of cousin loving this weekend and Elena was blessed to see ALL eight of hers! 

 Saturday night we went to my Aunt's house and had a really nice dinner with my Aunt and Uncle and my sister and the kids.  The kids had so much fun playing together.  We had a cake for my Uncle and Paul to celebrate their upcoming birthdays.  That cake may have been the best thing that's ever happened to me.  Seriously.  It was that good.

Sunday we went to visit our dear friends who just welcomed baby girl #4!  There is nothing like snuggling up with a new babe.  That smell!  I can't believe I get to do it all over again.  So excited.  Elena was surprisingly so good.  When Paul was holding sweet Sophia, Elena brought over a little pretend bottle to give to the baby.  I died.  She didn't get jealous when I was holding her either.  Here's to hoping she reacts the same when August rolls around.

We ended the weekend with Sunday dinner with my in laws and a birthday party for Paul.  My father in law made my favorite...Puttanesca sauce and stuffed artichokes.  That may just be my death row meal.  Add that chocolate cake for dessert and it's a done deal. 

Seriously with her blowing out the candles?   I can't. 

And her are just a few of some of the delicious things that filled my belly. Yes, friends, that is a REAL pizza.  Jersey style.  It was damn good. 

We relaxed the rest of Sunday night and went to bed early.   4 am comes really quick!  A great weekend with great company and great food.  The best kind.