Snapshots on a Saturday: Kentucky's Finest & Back to New York

Kentucky equals family time which means lots and lots of fun with the four minions. Also known as Adelaide, Bishop, Collins, & Cooper. They are all growing so fast and their interaction with one another is beyond precious and comical at times. We didn't grow up with many cousins (4 to be exact) and 2 were significantly older while 2 lives clear across the country. So it has always been our dream to have loads of babies who can be cousins and play until they are drop dead tired ;) I'd say we are off to a good start!

One afternoon when the sun was shining bright, Adelaide & I went to the cemetery to visit my grandparents. I laid the blanket down so she could play. I talked to my Mama Comley, introducing Adelaide Jane (her name sake). We chatted about life, New York, and the sweetest girl in town. Then we ventured up the hill to see Mama & Papa Collins where Adelaide wanted to roll around on the hill. She babbled away as we sat there making me miss them even more. All three of my grandparents would have loved her.

While in KY, I also had the pleasure of speaking to the girls of Alpha Delta Pi at UK. My first speaking engagement for my book: 25 Before 25. (You might recall it was published just before Adelaide was born). I was so overwhelmed by the warm welcome the chapter gave me and thoroughly enjoyed sharing my life experiences with them. A flood of emotions and memories washed over me as I pulled up to 476 Rose and entered the Pi House. Such a fitting place for my first of *hopefully* many!

Back in New York, we returned to the swing of our weekly routine. Meaning playtime at Gymboree, lunch dates out and about, mommy & me Friday mornings, and tennis time!

Hope you all had a wonderful week!

There's a Party Going On Right Here...

...a celebration to last another year



Basically how I felt when we ventured back to Kentucky for the week. We had three, count 'em, one, two, three birthday parties to attend. I truly feel blessed to be able to travel back to My Old Kentucky Home to celebrate and share special times with family & friends.

First we attended Milly & Clarabelle's 2nd birthday party with a Dr. Suess theme. So cute and creative! Sara had all sorts of fun kid activities set up in their backyard, and we really enjoyed seeing friends! I didn't get a chance to snap a photo of the birthday girls as I was juggling the camera & Adelaide...plus they were too fast for me to catch ;)

Next up we surprised my sister-in-law Kara with a 35th birthday girls night out. An ice cream social theme as she considers it to be a food group ;) The decor was adorable and the delicious desserts were tasty. We served a birthday martini as well as cake pops, frozen yogurt with all the toppings you can imagine, colored popcorn, & more!

Last but certainly not least, we got all dolled up for Collins' 2nd birthday party and rocked it out with Hello Kitty! There were babies and kids galore ranging from three months to twelve years old, all playing in the jumpy or driving electrical cars or stuffing their faces with pizza & cupcakes. It meant so much to me for Adelaide & I to be able to be there for this little princess' celebration!

Looking forward to many more birthday celebrations with our family & friends!

April Date: Brunch at The Lakeside & Bike Riding Around Central Park

In between Spring Break '13 and our trip home to Kentucky for multiple birthday celebrations, we squeezed in our April date as a family. On a crisp Saturday morning, we rode the train into Grand Central and hopped a cab to Central Park.

Located in the heart of the park is a large lake that dotes various activities including boating, canoeing, and dining. The Loeb Boathouse features the Lakeside Restaurant providing gorgeous views of the park & lake. We were seated at an intimate corner table with the perfect view of the beautiful scenery. Brunch was delicious...even for Adelaide.

After our brunch, we headed to the other side of the park to rent bikes. Bundled up on this cool day but breaking a sweat as we rode the 6+ mile loop. Passing basketball courts, swimming pools, playgrounds, tennis courts, joggers, walkers, and tourists. Central Park really does have it all. Adelaide wasn't too keen on her first bike ride in the beginning. The big bulky helmet didn't quite help as she cried for miles one and two. But once she opened her eyes and took in the amazing scenery, she was all smiles.

Post ride, we strolled through the park admiring the horses and the people. We saw a sweet couple get engaged while they were sailing through the lake and friends held up signs on the bridge saying "Will You Marry Me?" Too cute! 

I have a feeling we are going to be frequenting this great outdoor playground once summer hits New York City!

Where We Belong: A Book Review

Emily Giffin, in my opinion, is the best author of fiction. Hands down. I love her writing style. But mostly I love her content. The real and raw subject matter that manages to touch my heart and mind in some way with each novel. I had read her past 5 books and was itching for her latest to be released.

Insert Where We Belong. A heart-tugging story about a young teen (Marian) who gave her daughter up for adoption only to have that child (Kirby) knock on her door 18 years later. Marian's life-long secret exposed within in a matter of seconds as her look alike makes the trek from St. Louis to New York City in search for her birth mother. Forced to face feelings that Marian has buried deep inside and vowed never to conjure up while Kirby asks the pounding question of who is her birth father. The two set out to find Conrad and embark on a rollercoaster of emotions. As their journey unfolds, the two three will discover just what they have been missing all these years.

Take a peek at chapter one, you will be hooked. She will have you turning pages like hot cakes and staying up well past your bedtime on a school night. To purchase the book, click here. I will anxiously be waiting for a sequel...fingers crossed!

Snapshots on a Saturday

All of this happened before Spring Break...so the last week in March. We celebrated my Mama Comley with bud lights (inside joke/story), negotiated an allowance for a 7 month old, played with Beaumont, & helped Ryan open his b-day gifts a few days early.

All of this happened while we were on Spring Break in Naples...

We celebrated Easter with some little bunnies...

We played in the Florida sun and paddle surfed for Ryan's birthday...

We played with Mimi, Papa, Aunt Bees, Aunt Amanda, Aunt Kendahl, Uncle Peter, and Cousins Bishop, Collins, & Cooper with all sorts of smiles...

Celebrated Ryan and Taylor's birthdays to kick-off and end the trip...

We hit up Club Deco for some late night fun...

And we discovered all sorts of water babies while taking afternoon dips in the pool...

We had a wonderful 10 days with family in sunny Naples. It has been my parents' plan for 36 years to own a home in FL. It has been their dream for over a decade to have a place for our entire family to vacation. We are all thrilled that this wish has come true! And are looking forward to many, many more trips and memories to come!

21 Days Later: Final Results

Well I am proud to say that I completed the 21 Days Later beginner program designed for me by the one & only Bryen Pinkard. And man does it feel good. Not to mention that I felt comfortable flaunting my bikini poolside during Spring Break '13 in Naples.

It wasn't always easy. Sometimes I was tired and would have rather been watching law & Order SVU than hitting the treadmill. Other times I was craving something chocolate; ANYthing chocolate. But I stuck to my nutritional plan. I endured all of the cardio workouts. I pushed through the soreness from weight training. It felt great to accomplish such a phsyical task with sweat, blood, and tears. Yes a lot of sweat and a lot of tears over missed fatty meals at McDonald's...wink, wink.

My goal was to be more toned and build muscle mass. Goal accomplished. As evident in my after photos...

A big thank you to Bryen for giving me the opportunity to get back in shape and gear up for swimsuit season. If you all are looking for a great, healthy way to tone-up for summer, let Bryen or I know.

Now its time to get my bathing suit shop on!!!