Weekend Recap: Daytona Beach.

It's no secret I love to travel but I'm a little sad to admit most of my travels that few years have involved flying.  That's not to say, I don't love a good road trip.  In fact, I love to drive for hours by myself (that sounds weird, doesn't it?).  I picked up a few books on CDs at the library last week, filled a cooler with diet coke (totally unnecessary but awesome), and hit the road for Daytona Beach Saturday morning after a quick workout and a few cups of coffee.

My niece, Noa, is now 6 months old and my sister and bro-in-law were coming down to celebrate the 35th wedding anniversary of his parents.  35 years, isn't that amazing?  Lucky for me, they usually let me tag along when they visit so I can get extra time with both families, whom I adore.

So here is my quickly growing 6 month old niece, Noa June:

(please excuse the disaster that is my hair in this picture)

She's growing so quickly these days, it makes it hard to be the faraway Floridian aunt B.  But I cherish every second that I do get with my sweet niece.

Saturday night was the official party so Noey and I got ready and went to the beach clubhouse to celebrate Nan and Ned's big 35!

This is my older sister,Rachel and of course Noey and I at the party Saturday.

Noey and her Aunt B.

This is my favorite picture of the weekend.

A special thanks to Jess for lending me the dress, loved it.

I drove back last night to play catch up before today when I'll return to work.  But it was a perfect 36 hours away with my family.  And I'm so thankful it will only be 4 weeks til I'm reunited with them all in Myrtle Beach.

Love,

B

Daytona Weekend.

Well well well this little road triper is back in town town - at least for a few days. My sister's pregnant, as I've shared before with my first niece! I am so excited to be an auntie for the first time in November. My sisters sweet mother-in-law asked me to help host a baby shower for Rae and Chris and I gladly accepted. I was to leave to Daytona beach midday on Friday and then Saturday after the shower Rae and Chris were going to come back to Tampa with me for 2 days at my place. They had never seen 'the batch pad' so this was super exciting. I wanted to make sure that not only did I keep up my end of playing hostess for the shower but had the house fully prepped for 2 days of my the best kind of company - family.

I agreed to do some serious baby shower baking and prep 2 kinds of muffins (chocolate chip and blueberry) as well as my Momma's famous coffee cake and bring them with me 2.5 hours to Daytona Beach.

So Thursday night between work and going to the grand opening of the new Pinkberry with friends I baked like a craaazy.



Yep - that's 26 muffins ready for transport. I didn't have another hand to show you the coffee cake as well but it was by far the biggest hit, and was completely gone by the end of the shower (my sister claims she ate most of it).

Friday morning I popped out of bed early to put the finishing touches on the batch pad as well as get my packing finished up and ready to go. The plan was to leave work at noon, run home and pack the car (so my makeup and muffins didn't have to roast in the car for 4 hours of a workday) and then hit the road by 1 pm with a Sonic in hand.

Friday morning - 8am with room cleaned and bag packed.

Leaving out 30 minutes ahead of schedule with presents, baked goods, dress, and bag in hand at 12:30 Friday afternoon - Daytona or Bust time.

I drove over and got in just before dinner time on Friday night. We ran a few errands and did a few 'prep' items for the shower.

Saturday morning I got a walk on the beach that was divine. I love walking on the beach, it's one of the most relaxing places to be, don't you think? I got to do some thinking and relaxing (in my mind) while working up a good sweat. I will say the combo of easytone shoes AND sand was pretty brutal (and a good way to break an ankle if you're not careful).

The shower was a great success. Here's my with my sister (and baby niece in the belly) at the shower:

Saturday after the shower we came back to Tampa. I finally got to show Rae and Chris the condo, and we spend the weekend eating, laying out, worshiping at church and being with our sweet friends. I loved every second with both of them. I am so blessed to have the 3 most incredible siblings. It meant so much to me to share my life here in Florida with them for a few days and it was hard to say a tearful goodbye on Monday morning.

I had so much fun playing hostess from getting up early to make them breakfast before church on Sunday (including regular AND chocolate chip pancakes):

To taking them to my favorite fro yo joint, a Bayshore drive at sunset, and introducing them around (showing them off) at church.

It's hard to believe the next time I see them they'll have my baby niece with them!

What a perfect weekend.

Love,

B