Oh my goodness!! Where Have I Been?!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Where did I disappear to?? Seriously, I've been working on ME!

While working on ME, I realized that I seriously MISS writing...blogging...or venting...whichever you want to call it...but I'm back!

While this post can be long, because I've been MIA for 6 months...let's make this short and sweet and we'll get back on a regular routine!

If you've been following me for a while, you should know by now that I always take on more than I can chew...well, that hasn't changed. In fact, it's grown! What else could I honestly take on??

Gift Ideas

Written By: Deanna

Can you believe it is almost the end of the year already? It seems like not long ago, it was January 2016 and I was writing up my goals for the year and promising myself I was going to make it a good year! Wow. And now, I'm going to have to do that all over again. For someone who loves setting goals, I'm okay with that. But, you know what always stresses me out? Gift shopping.

The Best Reasons To Travel This Fall

Written By: Shannon Boyce

Right now? I am itching for a getaway. Maybe it's because the holiday season is just far enough away to feel impossible or perhaps I am still longing for those beautiful summer days. Whatever the reason...travel is on my mind. Are you feeling the same? Desperate to take a vacation of your own? Stop waiting and start planning. Here are some of the best reasons to travel this fall.

Fun Activities To Try This Fall

Written By: Shannon Boyce

Fall is a special time of year. It is full of falling leaves, changing colours, crisp air, and pumpkin spice everything. Not to mention season wardrobe staples like scarves and chunky knit sweaters. There are many reasons to love this time of year...including all of the incredible things there are to do. If you are looking for ways to celebrate the season, then keep reading. Here are some unforgettable activities to try this fall.

11 Affordable Outdoor Summer Date Ideas

Summer is a lovely season, right? So, obviously people want to take every chance that they can to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. And when it comes to dating during summer, of course you want to take advantage of the nice weather! Who wants to sit inside all day, when they could be having fun outside with their sweetheart?

Honk Honk! Vroom Vroom! Choo Choo! - It's Party Time!

Hello Everyone,

On June 26th, we celebrated little man's 2nd birthday! Eek! I honestly think I was more excited about his birthday than he was (but isn't that the case with first time parents?)

His party theme was Automobiles, as he is obsessed with cars, trucks, planes and trains - anything with wheels under it basically. So, I incorporated a few different themes into one. Thankfully, he's very basic when it comes to automobiles. He knows who Thomas the Train is and the characters from CARS are, but he isn't focused on the brand. *Bonus points for this single mama: generic is a whole lot cheaper than brands.*

Day 9 - Turtles, Park & New Rental

After my car accident last month, the truck is finally being worked on. Something that was only supposed to take a few days, five at the most, is now going on day 8. My first rental I downsized from my SUV, because I only planned on it being a few days. However, because it has taken much longer, I had to trade in the smaller car for a SUV today. I have stuff to do and I can't get them done if I have to constantly keep making trips back to the house to unload, because I don't have enough trunk space. 

While I'm happy that my car is finally being fixed, I also neeeeeeeeed it.

How To Plan The Perfect Staycation

Written By: Shannon Boyce

Newsflash: your next getaway does not require a passport. It's true! Sometimes that dream destination is right under your nose. It is time for a staycation. You might have heard of the term before. Or it might be completely new to you. Either way, the basic premise is as follows. Staycations are mini vacations to nearby spots, towns, and attractions. Think a quick weekend trip or a few days at a local resort. There is a reason staycations are becoming more popular. The cost of travel is on the rise. Especially with airlines tacking on checked baggage fees and hidden extras. Experience a picture perfect getaway...without draining your bank account. Start planning your very own staycation. Here's how!

Savannah's Ghost Tour ~ Guest Post

Written By: Kristine Boyce

I would like to expand on a little fun that us girls had in Savannah, cause it was AMAZEBALLS!!!!

Savannah Trip Day 4 - Au Revoir

Hello Everyone,

Day 4 is finally here and how I hate to say goodbye to Savannah. It was a wonderful, fun filled, much needed Girl's Weekend (kid free)!

Staybridge Hotel - Savannah, GA

But, before we left, we made a few stops on our way out of town. Goodbye comfy hotel bed... I will miss you!

We woke up around 8:30 am and headed down for breakfast... more yummy goodness. After breakfast (since I brought my camera down with me), we decided to walk to the Pirate's House (our only thing on the list we didn't get to see yet).

I took pictures to the Pirate's House and back to the hotel.

 

Savannah Trip Day 3 - Shopping? Budget!

Hello Everyone,

This morning, we slept in until 8 am (yeah, I know), ate breakfast, and were out of the hotel by 9:30 am. I was sooo excited to see they had orange juice available this morning, I grabbed a cup and headed back to the room for my GREENS ON THE GO packets. Yes!

Savannah Trip Day 2 - Smell That? Smells Like Vacation!

Hello Everyone,

First, why would anyone wake up before 7 am on a Sunday when they are on vacation? You wouldn't and shouldn't, but I did - at 6:52 am to be exact! Why? I went to bed really early, that's why. But, it wasn't all bad. I quickly got ready for my day and went downstairs for breakfast before anyone else was down there (except Kristine - she was already awake).

I don't have a picture of our beautiful breakfast because I was starving and forgot. 2 hard boiled eggs, blueberry mini muffin, 1 slice toast, milk and 1/2 a banana. They were out of orange juice (villians!), so I wasn't able to have my greens :(

But, anyway, I was ready for the busy day ahead. Camera batteries fully charged, phone fully charged, belly full, sneakers and a map!

Savannah Trip Day 1 - HELLO HELLO HELLO

Hello Everyone,

As I'm clearly behind on posts, I still wanted to share my amazing Girl's Weekend trip with you. The trip took place on May 21st to May 24th. Who wouldn't want a 3-night stay away from home and leaving all of your responsibilities behind?

I actually took time during my trip to write mini blog posts before heading to bed, so I may share my experiences with you.

Let's Begin...

Family Vacation Day 5 - COLORFUL MOUSE EARS!

Hello Everyone,

Day 5 on our family vacation... a hurricane of activities. My cousin and I decided to take our kiddo's our for their adventure in Orlando!

FIRST STOP - CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE

Family Vacation Day 4 - LEGOLAND, POOL & S'MORES

Hello Everyone,

Tuesday morning, I planned on skipping breakfast and heading down to the pool when they opened at 9am (since no one would be there and it would be extremely relaxing). However, when I got downstairs, also with hopes of reserving a canopy for the family for the day, the pool was closed due to weather conditions. It was cloudy, no rain, no thunder, no lightening... but remember what I said a few days ago about the 10 mile radius? Yeah, go me!

So, I went back upstairs to break the news to the family and we whipped up some breakfast. Eggs, sausage, hash browns & my GREENS! Similar to yesterday's breakfast.

As soon as we were done, the pool was open again. As soon as it did, Mark and I were the first in the pool. My little fish was beyond excited to go swimming again - he even said "wee" as soon as his little feet hit the warm water. Yes, warm...like the bathtub.

We ended up spending a good 2 1/2 hours by the pool (yes, I put sunscreen on Mark - myself included and I usually don't put any on myself).

Mark from MaMaLand and Emmett from LEGOLAND

Family Vacation Day 3 - HEALTHY CHOICES & GREENS

Hello Everyone,

Monday morning started out great, as we made breakfast for everyone! Nothing like getting in my greens and a healthy breakfast before 9am! (I'm on vacation - that's early.)

Eggs, Sausage, Hash Browns & Fruit
My Greens weren't pictured unfortunately

Family Vacation Day 2 - POOL DAY

Hello Everyone,

Last Sunday, I got Mark ready for the pool. It had been almost a full year since he was in a big pool, not including the splash pad or his own blow up pool filled with no more than a foot of water. He absolutely LOVES it and quickly became a fish. Of course, he had his swimmers on. He kept saying "wee" when he got in (like that GEICO commercial of the pig), had no problem getting his face wet (even though he needs to learn not to drink it) - I even dunked him twice, he likes to jump from the side step (the one that is in the water), I was able to teach him to kick if he wants to move around the pool.

Top: Riley (my cousin's daughter)
Bottom: Mark (my son)

Family Vacation Day 1 - VACATION!

Hello Everyone,

On June 4th, my family came down from New York; my aunt, uncle, cousin, her boyfriend and their 2 year old daughter. While it isn't the entire family, it was still nice to see them. The last time I saw my cousin and her daughter, I was quite pregnant with my son (36 weeks).

Fun Ways To Display Your Travel Mementos

Written By: Shannon Boyce

Source

Travel is a remarkable thing. It allows us to live outside our own experience. To explore foreign terrain. To escape from those day-to-day responsibilities. While travel is rarely easy on our bank accounts... it is always rewarding. Perhaps that explains why our suitcases are always jam packed with souvenirs, ticket stubs, and subway maps. Once you return home? It can be difficult to know where to put it all. Not to worry. Here are some fun ways to show off those beloved travel mementos.

Girl's Weekend Is Full Of Surprises ~ ** Caution: Language/Sexual Content **

Hello Everyone,

WOW...what a weekend I had last weekend! I seriously needed one, even though I was having some serious separation anxiety as soon as I crossed the state line. But, we'll get back to that later.

Savannah, Georgia; what a wonderful historic town to travel to. It seriously feels like a world within a world. I forgot my surroundings for a few days. A 3 night trip for a much needed Girl's Weekend - glad, there were some surprises during the trip, some others were certainly not expected. This post, I'm going to share with you the 13 surprises we had on our vacation.

Girl's Weekend Surprise (GWS) #1 - After picking up the rental car for the trip, I noticed there was a CD left in the car from the previous renter. The custom made CD had the word "Blood" written on it. I decided to wait until we were officially on the highway before listing to it. However, I've listen to RAP before and this was nothing like anything I've heard.

Facebook Status: "Cd left in rental...WOW!"