the savannah portion

After checking in and setting up shop putting up the pack n' play Matt called a local shop to have the tire pressure issue resolved before tomorrow's journey. I stupidly took the kids to the pool. It was only 70 degrees but the water felt good once you were used to it... My mom supervised from the safety of the shade while they tentatively tested the waters. I was hoping for two kids who were content on the stairs. What I got was two kids who wanted to swim but did not want to wear the appropriate safety attire. And I was by my lonesome. 

After pool time we debated driving into the wonderful town of Savannah. And I probably would have had the kids been as golden as they were in the earlier part of the day (because hashtag yolo). But sadly, no, we missed that boat. And instead got take out and attempted to wear out the kids. 

After a few parking lot laps and a lot of plane watching we hit the hay. And those kids. Whoever took them over I just want to hug you. Because they went right to bed with no complaints at 9:30. We were in awe. 

The next morning we had a quick bite and hit the road once more for the final leg of our journey. Six more hours to West Palm Beach. Fantastico!

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the road trip portion

And we are officially back. Well technically we were back on Saturday morning at like 1 am if you want to be specific. We left earlier than scheduled due to a little girl with a not so little fever (turns out it 'twas an ear infection) and a family of tired peoples. I may or may not have shed a tear about it. Only Matt will know.  If you hate the obligatory vacation "recap" posts then I apologize in advance for the next week or possibly two.... 

If you follow me on Instagram you've probably already seen some of these photos from our epic road trip down to Florida. If not than prepare to feast your eyes.

Like I mentioned before we enjoy night driving for many reasons. This year however we decided to attempt day driving and splitting it into two parts (11 hours and 6 hours, respectively). My father's truck was laden down with the Keurig and assorted snacks and the car was all packed before bedtime. At 2:45 (am) Matt and I attempted a bed-to-car transfer of the kids. While this transfer did waken them it did not upset them. They were angels. No, I did not stutter. I am normally one to be very negative about my children's less than stellar behavior but this day? This day I can applaud them. 

Minus a little scene in Crackerbarrel regarding an automatic toilet. 

See? Had to find the negative. 

I have no idea why they were so well behaved. Matt and I promised ourselves that we were going to be calm. We were going to be cool. We were going to be composed. Maybe the kids sensed that? We prepared them by explaining what was going to happen that morning. We had two fully charged iPads. We had a laptop chock full of movies. We had a bag of goodies I stocked with various One Spot items and princess figurines and trains and trucks. And snacks. Oh the amount of snacks. 

I love driving. I can't sleep when Matt's behind the wheel. Every jerk of the car and my heart skips. So I drove the majority of the way and he had kid duty which as it turned out, wasn't so bad. 

When we left PA it was in the 20's and brown brown brown. Once into the Carolina's the world started to change into a green wonderland. Oh how my eyes loved it. Every tree had it's leaves and every blade of grass was green. There is something to be said for the first sight of Spring and it being good for your soul. That. And peaceful sleeping babies. 

As we neared the end of our journey we noticed a certain tire pressure warning arise on the dash... A warning not relieved by more air in said tires... To be continued. 

(dun dun dun!)

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the day we said I do

You've heard the story of how the two of us became a we but I definitely most certainly included zero wedding details. So this post? It shall be a wedding post. And who doesn't love weddings? 

Me. I don't really like weddings. I cut a lot of the traditional things out and left some others in because let's be honest I am all over the place. I like to be formal. But I'm here to party.

This particular wedding happened on October 28, 2006, well before the time of Pinterest and photo booths.

Our photographer was Whitcomb Photography and he really stepped up and rescued us. Our original photographer bailed two weeks prior and Chris made it work for us even though it was a drill weekend. So, thanks Chris! The bridal party had our hair done at New Image Salon and Spa. Mine in particular by a stylist who had known me since middle school. We got dressed at my parent's house and then took a limo on down to the site.  All of our dresses were from David's Bridal and the tuxes were from Men's Warehouse. Our flowers were from Neffsville Flower Shoppe. Boring paragraph with basic details over and out.

We got married at Mulberry Art Studios. There was old wooden floors and whitewashed brick walls and lovely tulle hanging from the ceiling mixed with twinkle lights. It was a one stop shop, in that everything was here. All of it. Zero driving required by our guests, which if you are me at a wedding, is such a nice feature.

The ceremony was officiated by a pastor my parents knew of and he did all of our premarital counseling as well. It was in the main gallery under an arbor of fall leaves well, because it was fall. We went with a bit of a strange seating arrangement in that there was no bride side or groom side. There was family on three sides (picture a 'U') and all mixed in. I kinda liked it. 

After the (short) ceremony everyone stepped out of the room to the lobby and East Gallery for a cocktail hour. The wine flowed as well as all the Italian music from a cd made by yours truly. In an effort to save money I made a cd of music for the ceremony and cocktail hour, asking a friend to just hit play for me. During the cocktail hour the bridal party took exactly three photos and I sent them on their merry way. Because they deserve to enjoy the food and drinks, yes? Matt and I headed to Steinman Park for a few shots and then returned ASAP so we too could imbibe. 

After the hour ended the doors were reopened into the Main Gallery where it had been transformed. Tables were in and ready to go. Burgundy mums were everywhere and candles were everywhere and I pronounced it good. The mums doubled as the favors too. Saving my coins and taking names. 

Our DJ we have since used again for my sister's wedding and I would still recommend them. I gave a very specific "do not" and "do" play list. Music was very important to me. I wanted only Rat Pack music playing during the dinner and I got just that. Our first dance was to All For Love by Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting because the year was 1993. Actually Matt picked it and I approved because Three Musketeers. I had the bridal party join in after a minute or so because I don't like people watching for that long. It's awkward. And I sang the whole thing to Matt. 

My dad and I danced to Rod Stewart's Have I Told You Lately That I Love You and I sobbed like a baby. We had a tumultuous few months leading up to our wedding, culminating in the passing of Matt's father very unexpectedly only eight days before The Big Day. I held my dad real tight and stuff seeped out of my eyeballs. I made a spectacle of myself but I have no shame.

Toasts. Food. The entree was filet mignon and garlic mashed potatoes and can you believe no photos of it? It was catered by Carr's Restaurant. This was an area we spared no expense. The food was phenomenal and pleased even the pickiest of New Yorkers. 

The photographer set up an area back out in the east gallery for family photos during the reception. I didn't want to go too crazy so I just got the very important ones only. 

The cake came from Rebecca's Heavenly Goodies (which has apparently changed names?). It was a spice cake with a caramel apple filling. It was the best cake we had ever tasted. My father had a layer of chocolate added because he insists on chocolate. Rebecca knew Matt's father and added some roses in there for us in his honor, as well as provided a white rose to be placed on his chair for the ceremony. We still order that cake from time to time, usually for a special occasion. We just love it so.

Then there was dancing and some of the groomsmen's shirts were removed. And that was that. Just like every other bride in the history of brides I couldn't believe it was over so quickly. I put a lot of work into it and poof! Done. 

Then we drove to the airport and headed on this trip. 

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foyer. before and the after.

This foyer, let me tell you. Huge selling feature for me. I've always wanted a two-story foyer and having that nice window up there and that ledge? Oh yes. We left the paint color because quite frankly it's just fine and there is no way I'm climbing up that high on a ladder to paint it soooo.....

Before:

After:

How about that light fixture? If that just doesn't scream Matt and I than I don't know what would. And I so very much missed having all the kid's pictures back up. They have been packed since September. Gasp. Along with all my crosses.

For more room tours click HERE.

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atlantic city and brigantine

Before Letty turned one we were kindly invited to join along with my sister-in-law's family vacation to Brigantine, NJ. It was over the Fourth of July and that's not normally a time we travel. But this year, this year, we traveled. We decided to stay in Atlantic City and just pop in for day visits with The Smiths. Although we probably should have just stayed in Brigantine because we liked it there better. We stayed at the Taj Mahal and we did get a great view of the fireworks, but there is something to be said for actually hearing them go off instead of hearing a screaming almost one year old. Good thing she's cute. It was just a nice long weekend with a tiny bit of gambling and a little bit of beaching and a lot of family and food. It was Letteria's first time on the beach and it just further instilled my loathing of all things sand and babies. But her excitement over things like sand, waves, sparklers and smog were really just something to not be missed. Oh. And there was a lot of does Caesar live here? 

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I'm teaming up with Oh, The Things I Think to bring you Travel Thursday. This is a chance to share past travels every (you got it) Thursday. Domestic. International. Anything goes as long as it's travel related. Packing lists, to-do's, reviews, restaurant recommendations, only photos, etc. Knock yourself out. Feel free to grab a button and add your link below!

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