Friday Night Food Trucks

For all the nice restaurants in South Florida, the latest culinary craze is Food Trucks - basically fancified roach coaches that pull into a parking lot and serve really nice food. I had heard great things about them, but had never actually gone. So when I learned there was going to be a food truck event at a park 5 minutes from my house, I jumped at the chance to sample mobile cuisine. And Brianne, forever my little shadow, was ready for anything. Mi Ma Debbie was also ready for some food truck action!

We got to the event around 6:30pm, and it was already packed. They had a DJ playing music and about 10 trucks serving everything from tacos to cupcakes and even a truck dedicated to french fries. We chose a truck called Nacho Business, and sampled the fish tacos and veggie tacos. Here is Brianne (wearing a princess dress) waiting in line with me. She had her eye on the DJ and was ready to boogie.


We were advised to bring lawn chairs with us, as food truck events have notoriously little seating, and thank goodness we did! Brianne had a chair just her size.


After tacos, we had to try the cupcakes. Here is Brianne enjoying a chocolate cupcake.

One of the great things about this event, besides the food, was all the people. There were a lot of families with kids there, and Brianne had a blast running around with them. She also danced her glass slippers off. At one point, Brianne took a break from dancing to gaze up at the stars. The funniest part was watching when the 30 some odd people in line in front of her all started looking up at the sky to see what she was looking at.

When it was finally time to leave, we had to bodily carry her out. Even the next morning she asked to go "dancing at the trucks." She is a little party animal in training!

Orange Blossom Parade

The weekend of February 25 found us riding in the Town of Davie's Orange Blossom Parade. Marty has been riding in this parade since he was first elected, so this event will always be special for us. This year, it was even more special because Brianne got to ride with us!

We got a really cool car to ride in for the parade - a steel blue Mustang convertible. I could definitely see myself in a car like this, except for the fact that there is no room for anything. It was a miracle we were able to fit Brianne's car seat and ourselves in it at the same time. But we sure did look cool once we were packed in! Here is Brianne soaking in the coolness.


Before the parade, we visited with our friends also riding/walking in the parade. Here we are with our good friend Lori Parrish, and her granddaughter Kaylie.


A quick family shot before piling back in the Stang.

While Marty and I sat on the back of the car, Brianne had to settle for sitting in her car seat. She still had a great view of all the action! She even helped us throw out candy! It was the cutest thing ever - she would throw it a piece at a time and each piece barely cleared the side of the car. But as soon as she ran out, she'd look back at us and yell "more candy please!" She was a great little helper.

The parade had a bunch of different groups riding in it. Here we are riding past the clowns. Brianne wasn't sure what to make of this clown, so she gave him a piece of candy. This parade is definitely one we will remember for a long time!

Ye Old Renaissance Festival

Marty had a few hours off from walking door to door on President's Day weekend, so we thought we'd make the most of the beautiful weather and take in some historical culture. And there's no better place to do that than at the Renaissance Festival! This festival comes around once a year, and has local people dressed up as knights, lords and ladies, fairies, witches, gypsies and more. They have booths selling all kinds of neat items like historical clothing, weapons, and even elf ears (prosthetics you can put on your ears to make them pointy).

There are also carnival games where you can throw or shoot almost any kind of medieval weapon - think axes, cross bows, knives, regular bow and arrows and more. You could even throw tomatoes at a jester (which Marty did - twice).

Since everyone else was dressed up, we let Brianne come as a princess. She LOVED being able to walk around with other people all dressed up. And the many characters there loved her, calling her "mi-lady" and "princess". She was in heaven!


Playing with a water balloon launcher with Daddy.


Meeting a "real" mermaid. Brianne was shy, and didn't know quite what to think of the mermaid.

It was pirate weekend the weekend we were there, so of course, we had to find a "real" pirate! Brianne was getting tired of being out in the sun, so we left shortly thereafter. But we had a great time!

Pools and Pirates

On a recent Saturday, we went over to Granddad Steven and Grandma Janet's house for a visit. It was a beautiful day so Brianne wanted to take a dip in the pool.

I didn't feel like swimming, but Granddad Steve jumped at the chance to take Brianne swimming.


Granddad Steve is pretty buff for being a grandfather. He was throwing Brianne high up in the air. Brianne loved to say "ready... set... go!" each time he tossed her. But Brianne got greedy and tired poor Granddad out. She could have played in the pool all day. Granddad was a good sport and played with Brianne in the pool for over an hour.


After the pool, we went up to Grandad and Grandma's condo. The adults chatted and Brianne played cruise ship. Mommy and Grandma Janet were so proud :o)


After relaxing some, we went over to the Pirate Restaurant next to Granddad Steve's house for some lunch. This place has tons of life size pirates hanging out around the restaurant. Here is Brianne showing this pirate her pirate hook. Aaaargh mateys!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Even though our #1 Valentine was up in Tallahassee on the actual day of Valentine's, Brianne and I did our best to celebrate. And we definitely made the most of it!

Mi Ma Debbie got us a special Valentine's gift - matching heart shoes! Brianne was super excited for us to be matching. She even had to roll her pant legs up for this picture so she could be like Mommy, who was wearing capri's :o)


Making a special Valentine's gift for Aunt Casey and Uncle Scott, who take Brianne to school almost every day while Marty's gone.


Brianne's completed master piece (with a little spelling help from Mom).


I was feeling especially crafty and made pink heart shaped rice crispy treats for Brianne's class! I thought they came out adorable. I even individually wrapped them in pink cellophane, and attached each kid's valentine to it with a heart sticker. My one day to feel like super mom :o)

Here we are on Valentine's Day. Brianne got a special surprise from Daddy - balloons and a teddy bear. I got a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Brianne being silly - a basket on her head and about 40 heart bracelets on one arm.

Baby Shower for Baby Bowe

We were excited to celebrate a new addition earlier this month! Baby Girl Bowe will be the first child of our friends, Eric and Nel Marie. Eric and his family are some of our oldest friends that I grew up with back in Homestead. This will be the third baby for the kids of Homestead (Brianne was first, the super adorable Hadley Binder second, and now Baby Bowe). I love getting together with old friends to reminisce about the past and get excited for all that the future holds!

Brianne came with me to the shower and was the perfect little party girl. She got to wear a new dress and have her hair in not one but two poneys (her choice, it had to be two that day). We were glad to see another little girl about Brianne's age at the party. They immediately buddied up and hung out throughout the party. Here is Brianne and Sam dancing.



Taking a dance break before lunch.


After lunch, Brianne and Sam do what all little girls do at a baby shower and tried to "help" the mom to be open her presents. Nel was very gracious and was happy to let them help. Brianne did very well and carefully opened the presents Nel gave her, then promptly handed them back when open. There were a couple times I was afraid she'd make a run for it with one of the toys, but she didn't even try once! I think she was just happy to be part of it.

Getting a little silly after most of the presents were open.

At the party, Brianne loaded up on sugar with lollipops, cake pops and more. I am amazed she didn't bust out of her skin! But she wasn't too hopped up on sugar to stop for a picture with Mi Ma Debbie. We had a wonderful time at the shower and can't wait to meet baby Bowe in April!

Bake Me a Cake

Brianne has become quite the happy helper, and wanted to help make a special treat - banana bread!

Brianne assisting with organizing the ingredients, with a little help from Minnie Mouse.


Measuring the flour. Most of it made it into the bowl.

Admiring her handiwork. The banana bread was delicious!