here's to happiness

this little blog i follow used to have a post dedicated to happiness, and what makes her happy, and she'd post 10 things that did.  i liked the idea so much, that i thought i'd include it on the days that i feel particularly good and want to spread my happiness to those around me.

so here we go:
1. it's officially fall and the weather is still perfect. i love me some sunshine!
2. giving my namaste at the end of my good workout class. thanking my body for getting me through the workout.
3. listening to spanish music and catching a word or two in the fast chaos.
4. even though i haven't gone grocery shopping, having just enough to pull something together and make myself a lunch!
5. that when on a walk with kaia this morning, she actually listened to me, was calm, and did not chase the bunnies.
6. not having to tell andrew 10 times to get up and move his car so i could leave.  this really makes me happy because normally it is such a struggle in the mornings.
7. hubby wanting to kiss me a million times before letting me get into my car. he can be so cute! even though it makes me late.
8. when the bus driver tells us all "please be careful, watch your step, and have a safe, blessed day!"
9. waking up this morning and having a very chilly breeze coming in and out of our opened windows, felt beautiful
10. that it's wednesday, and the week is half over.

flo-ri-da part II

first official day in florida,  sun was shining, warm breeze through our bedroom window, and the smell of breakfast filled the air.  after eating my favorite breakfast (scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and fruit) we decided it was beach time!  we got our suits on and headed to bradenton beach, just 15 minutes from my dad's house.  it was friday, so the beach was completely clear, no people since they were either at work or school!  we plopped down our stuff, found a nice spot and settled into the white sand and gorgeous clear water.  the weather was perfect!  not too hot and a nice breeze to cool us down from the sun.  the water = perfection.  i'm definitely a beach girl, and have dreams of living closer to a shore (either coast will do).  maybe andrew will give in, if he knows what's best haha.  after a couple of hours here, we headed back to the house for after-the-beach pool time and then got ready for dinner!  another home cooked delicious meal was on its way, sadly no pictures.  here is how the day panned out:

beach all to ourselves

turtle turtle!

chillaxin'

cold corona on the beach

hubby & wife

catchin some rays

sleeping!

cu in flo-ri-da

<3!

flo-ri-da, part I

hey peeps! just got back from a wonderful 5 day vacay in sunny florida!!  my dad recently bought a house out in bradenton, fl and a visit was in order.  we'd been planning the trip for weeks, and finally were able to snag tickets out there this past weekend.

what's in store for us this weekend! beautiful, sunny florida.

we left our house very early thursday morning, and headed to the airport.  no traffic on the road, not a care in the world except making our flight on time.  we zoomed through security, and arrived just in time to board the flight.  traveling with andrew is always this way, and does not sit well with me, but i guess i'll have to deal.  the girl who was once early for everything is now pretty much late! bummer.  flight was from denver to minneapolis.  it was a quick/easy flight. arriving in minneapolis, we had a 3 hour layover, which is pretty long and boring especially when you're heading to the warm beach and you're wasting a day traveling!  no bueno.  finally it was our turn to board and we were off to tampa!  again, another easy flight and we were there. 

up-up and away

my dad was waiting for us to arrive and we were starving so we figured a nice dinner on the beach would get the trip started off on the right foot. 

view from the car, tampa bay

crossing over the huge bridge in tampa bay.  very high up and long.

zooming past the palms!

my dad suggested heading to a nice restaurant that i'd seen on the beach there before, but never eaten at it.  the beachhouse restaurant gives guests waterfront dining on anna maria island offering a plethora of delicious meals!  check out the site.  if you're ever in the area, i suggest checking this place out!  it was just before sunset upon arrival, so we snagged a table outside on the beach to catch the views to come.  this night they had a singer with a jimmy buffet sounding voice. made for great entertainment.  we each ordered something different and everything was equally as good!  here are some pics:

daddy and andrew at the beachhouse for dinner. great food, great company

nearing the time of sunset. what a view!

my dinner, coconut shrimp, because there were too many choices, i went with the easiest.

lovely

sun has set, taking it all in!

after dinner we went to my dad's place to check out the new digs.  it's very quaint and so nice!  pretty large for just him, so if you need a place to stay, i'm sure he'd love to have you!  so many rooms, a beautiful large patio, with outdoor kitchen and pool.  very comfortable.  i'm glad he was able to find a place he liked so much! after catching up and just hanging around, we were off to bed, ready for a new day!