Friday, May 31, 2013

#Project MILF - travel

I have been falling behind on these MILF updates. Really my goals are long term so there really was not much to report from week to week. Monthly updates from here on out would make the most sense.

This week is about traveling, my favorite subject :). If I could go anywhere where would I go?
Well, at the top of my dream list is a trip to the Maldives. I know we'll make it there one day but I am not sure when. Maybe our 10-year anniversary. Every time I look at pictures from there, I start dreaming. I mean look at this view, how beautiful is this?

Since we are talking about travel, I figured I would share our upcoming travel schedule. We are booked solid between now and Christmas and I couldn't be happier about it.

At the beginning of July we are going to Ottawa, Canada for 5 days. So excited, my cousin moved there this past January and it's about time we go check out her new digs. We are taking the kids with us for this adventure, should be loads of fun. The last time I went to Ottawa was 9 years ago when my cousin and I went there to visit some friends. During that trip we visited Ottawa and Montreal and had so much fun

Here we are downtown Ottawa celebrating Canada day in July of 2004. I had to take a picture of a picture because I wasn't digital back then
And here we are in Montreal. (PS - how skinny am I in this picture (I am the one in red), to think that  I used to feel fat. Oh how I would love to be that skinny again)
At the end of July, we are going to Montego Bay, Jamaica for a week to celebrate our anniversary without the kids. I am so excited. We got a great deal for the Riu Montego Bay. This place looks awesome, I can't wait to be there. Check out these pictures from their website. Mmmmh yeah, dreamy.


In September I am taking a solo trip to St Louis, Missouri for a good friend's baby shower. It's going to be a quick weekend trip. Should be fun times with the girls.

In September we are also going to Las Vegas, Nevada to celebrate my hubby's 30th birthday. We are taking both kids with us and we are staying at the Venetian. I am really excited about this trip.

The last time we were in Vegas was to celebrate his 25th birthday. We went with my mom and brothers and had a ball


In October I am going to Denver, Colorado all by myself to hang out with my bestie who moved there last year. My BFF Melissa is coming with me, it's going to be so much fun, 4 days with these lovely ladies, partying like we did in College. My hubby is watching the boys while I am gone

The last time I went to Denver was with my hubby 6 years ago. We went to the Monolith festival with my BFF Melissa and a few other friends. We had a blast.
Me and the hubby at red rocks
All of us in the amphitheater
In November I am going to Toronto, Canada with the boys and my mom to visit a good friend of mine. My hubby will be able to get a break from us for a few days :). He better enjoy that free time.

I took Tman there when he was just 10 months and we stopped by Niagara Falls on the way there. How little does my Tman look here, it's crazy how much he's grown yet still looks the same
In December we are taking the boys to Texas to visit my hubby's cousins who are moving there next month. They are living in Calgary right now and are so excited about moving to the warm Texas weather.

We visited them in Calgary 2 years ago when Tman was 1, they took us to Lake Louise for a fun day of adventure. That place it so nice and scenic. (His cousin's daughter is now studying in London, we got to hang out with her when we took the boys last month. Good times).
There you have it. A super busy next few months raking in the frequent flyer miles. All the trips have been booked except the trip to Texas. We are waiting for them to get a place before we finalize everything. I like to book early, you always get the best deals and usually get the direct flights too which makes a world of difference with the kids.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Weekend fun - the Memorial Day edition

Happy Memorial day. Hope you all had a great time celebrating. I love 3-day weekends because I get to spend more time with my kids. This holiday weekend was a great success.

The weekend started off really well because I got my new point and shoot camera and I couldn't be happier. Since I was getting a new camera anyway, I went for a waterproof, shockproof, hopefully won't break anytime soon camera. The bonus with this camera is that I will now be able to take water water pictures when we go to the beach. Score. Check out my new baby :)
On Friday my mom watched the kids and we indulged in some grown up fun. We went out with some friends to a local beer garden, fun fun. Here we are ready to take on the night
On Saturday I took Jbird to a baby shower while my hubby took Tman to a baseball game (divide and conquer I tell you). I didn't take any pictures at the shower because they had a professional photographer there and I had the baby but can you believe that my hubby did not take any pictures of my Tman at the game. I guess it makes sense since he doesn't like to take pictures but come on hubby, get on with the program. At least they had fun.

On Sunday we were booked solid with a pool party and a birthday party. Our friends have this beautiful house with a dreamy backyard, pool, fish pond, and all that jazz. It was good times.

My hubby hanging out with Tman by the pond
They moved to the pool area

I was chilling on the sidelines with my Jbird. Look how serious my boy looks, he clearly was not impressed :)
There was some pretend fishing :). Way to keep our Tman busy
At some point hubby and I switched, he took the baby and I got Tman

We went back to the pond but Tman did not want to stay there; all he wanted to do was play with the dogs
Here he is chasing the dogs
We did get a family picture before leaving, the boys aren't looking but I still love it
The pool party was followed by a birthday party. My bestie was celebrating her son's 3rd birthday
Last year we were pregnant with these sweet faces and this year they are lighting up our lives. Our littlest ones, 9 and 10 months old. Life is good
 The birthday boy wanted to join in on the fun :)
We had such a great day hanging out by the pool then celebrating a birthday. We were so tired by the end of the day but it was all worth it. We slept in the next day and totally enjoyed the day off. Thank goodness for 3-day weekend.

Monday was spent cleaning and finally getting the house in order. It was a complete mess since we came back from Europe. Memorial day weekend was awesome. We all feel rested and happy. Hope you had a great memorial day celebration.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Travel - Paris with the boys

After a glorious week in London, we went to Paris where we spent 6 days hanging out with family and friends as well as celebrating my cousin's wedding. It was such a good time.

On the train to Paris. Tman loved the train ride, he kept saying that Thomas was driving the train. Funny guy my Tman


We arrived in Paris where our trip hit rock bottom. We reserved a minivan for the trip and upon arriving at the rental car counter, they didn't have a car for us. WHAT?!? I was furious. We had to drag our luggage in a storage area at the train station and take a cab with the kids. Luckily they found us a car but it wasn't until 11pm and it wasn't a minivan. We didn't get to the hotel until past midnight. That's French customer service for you.

While we were waiting for the car, my camera broke, what a horror. Jbird got a hold of it and threw it on the floor. I was upset I tell you, I was about to go buy a new camera but luckily my aunt let me borrow her camera for the rest of the trip. Phew.

The kids ready for bed finally. They are all smiling but they were super cranky before this. I definitely went all out on the matching. All their clothes were matching outfits. The only time they didn't match is when someone got dirty and had to change. I know, I am so that mom
Despite a horrible start, things started to look up once we had the car and were settled in the hotel. We attempted to go to the chateau de versailles the next day but the crowd just discouraged me. We got there, saw the lines and just left. Maybe next time. I just didn't feel like wrestling the kids to see somebody's house even if it's a castle :). I guess we have to come back to Paris.

My brother flew in the day after we arrived in Paris. Him and my cousin who lives in Germany met with us and we were ready to start the festivities. We hung out with the bride to be at her house later that day mingling with all the cousins.

The next day we took on the sights. I was set on going to the Eiffel tower and since we didn't want to set foot in another European metro with no elevator, we drove. It actually wasn't too bad. We made it to the Eiffel tower where we took loads of pic
and one of my favorite is the kissing pic at the Eiffel tower with our kids
The day of the wedding was here. In the morning we went to the hairdresser to get our hair done. My cousin's hairstyle was superb

Love this picture of my boys with my cousins and brother ready to take on the day
They had the courthouse wedding followed by the church wedding. My cousin wore two different outfits. I so loved that idea.

My mom pretty much chilled with Jbird all day while my hubby was attached to Tman. That allowed me to be free to perform my bridesmaid duties
I love how happy the bride was in this picture. This girl was grinning from ear to ear all day
I was her maid of honor and I love that they make you sign the marriage license in Europe. Such an honor
We took a few pictures after the ceremony before heading to the cocktail hour



After the courthouse, she hosted a cocktail hour at her place. Don't ask, it's a French thing
What a beautiful family on their special day
After the cocktail, we went to the church where she had a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony


The cocktail hour was superb, I clearly needed a drink or two or three :). Just kidding, those were for my mom and hubby, champagne all around

We danced the night away like it was 1990. Her DJ played the best Cameroonian songs of the 90s, we literally sang the night away, it was awesome.
It was such a beautiful day and an amazing wedding. I am so glad that we were able to make it to Paris to celebrate with my cousin. We were so tired the next day but it was all worth it.

The day after the wedding was spent visiting family all over Paris. We have loads of cousins there. We didn't get to see everyone but we definitely tried to see as many as we could. We didn't get back to the hotel until almost 2 am. We were all so tired.

With our uncle and cousins
 With my father and brother
 My boys with my father
 With more family members
Our trip to Paris was a great success. Lots of fun with family and friends. Though I don't want to deal with little kids in Paris anytime soon, I sure want to go visit my cousins again. The kids first trip to Paris and London was a great success.